Etownian Vol. 108, Issue 2 - 9/15/2011

International Fest Campus Life, Page 6

Louisa May Alcott Grant Features, Page 5

townian E Elizabethtown, Pa. 17022-2298 On the Web: www.Etownian.com

The

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Elizabethtown College

September 15, 2011

Since 1904

Volume 108, Issue 2

regional news

Tropical Storm Lee dumps over 15” of rain Classes cancelled due to flooding; widespread devastation occurs

on campus

New turf field vandalized

Sam Ceron Staff Writer

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Photo: Matthew P. Butera

At 11:40 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, the first of many EC Alerts was issued to the entire College community. The alert stated that the area surrounding Lake Placida and the Brown Building parking lot should be avoided due to the dam overflowing.

The next EC Alert, sent out at 1:40 p.m., announced that classes would be cancelled beginning at 2 p.m. and that only essential personnel should remain on campus.

At 3:23 p.m., students were mandated to report to their respective residence halls immediately and to remain indoors.

An EC Alert was sent at 7:40 a.m. the following morning, informing students that the College would remain closed for the entire day.

See More Photos at Etownian.com Students received another email at 8:33 a.m. warning them of safety hazards posed by the flooding in the Dell area and Lake Placida.

The last EC Alert was sent at 3:04 p.m., informing the community that the College had not experienced any major damage as a result of the severe weather. Classes resumed on Friday, Sept. 9 beginning at 8 a.m.

According to USATODAY, Elizabethtown, Pa. received almost 15.4 inches of rain.

15 deaths have been reported, seven of which occurred in Pennsylvania with four in central Pennsylvania alone.

national news

Photo: Cindy Keller

More than 120,000 residents were forced to leave their homes in both New York and Pennsylvania.

United States Postal Service going bankrupt?

USPS set to default September 30; job cuts mandatory to survive?

Joseph S. Klinger Asst. News Editor

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ost students remember when they received their first letter from a friend, care package from a parent or a flood of birthday cards at their new Elizabethtown College address. Those moments may soon cease to exist for ever yone starting as soon as January 2012. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has suffered tremendous losses over the past several years as email, texting and other forms of communication have increased in popularity. These losses brought the United States’ second largest employer to the brink of bankruptcy, endangering 653,000 employees’ futures.

“Philip Herr, [the Director of Physical Infrastructure Issues for the U.S. Government Accountability Office], and

his team concluded that the postal service’s business model [is] so badly broken that collapse [is] imminent,” Devin Leonard of Bloomberg Businessweek reported. The USPS has a $5.5 billion healthcare bill due on Sept. 30, which it is unable to pay. If the United States Congress does not act on behalf of the USPS before that date, Patrick Donahoe, the current Postmaster General stated, “The Postal Service will be forced to default on a financial obligation to the federal government, due at the close of the fiscal year on September 30, 2011.” He continued, “If Congress doesn’t act, we will default.” What then?

No one knows for certain, but even the best-case scenario, according to Donahoe, equates to closing up to 3,700 postal locations, laying off 220,000 employees, closing 300 of its current 500 sorting facilities and ending Saturday mail deliveries.

Contd. pg 3 Photo: Katie Brumbach

uring the summer, the athletic department received new turf that made Wolf Field playable for this year’s athletic and intramural events. Some people took notice of the new turf and attempted to leave their mark in a particular manner. Approximately two weeks ago, an unknown student called Campus Security about a disturbance at Wolf Field. Campus Security answered the call to find two unknown suspects at the scene with spray cans. Before they could stop them, the suspects fled the scene, leaving the spray cans behind.

Facilities Management was then called to clean up the mess left by the suspects. According to Dale Boyer, assistant director of Campus Security, the vandals attempted to draw male genitalia on the field before fleeing the scene.

Boyer’s view on vandalism remains the same whether the field is brand new or not: “I don’t care if it’s 10 years old, vandalism is vandalism,” he said.

Unfortunately, there are not any leads to discover who the suspects are and why they drew said image on the field.

Some of the student body feels the same way Boyer does about vandalism. Junior women’s lacrosse captain and Etownian assistant copy editor Alexis Morris, whose team uses Wolf Field for practices and games, has a strong view toward the vandalism. “It is really frustrating that such a new addition to our athletic facilities was vandalized,” Morris said. “Obviously as a women’s lacrosse player, I love having the new field to play on, but my team isn’t the only [team] that uses the field.

Intramural sports, as well as students that just want to play outside, use the field.”

Morris firmly believes that there should be a punishment if the culprits are found. “Even though not many people saw the [grass paint], it’s the principle of the matter,” she said. “They still vandalized school property.”

Senior field hockey captain Caitlin Grimes feels similarly to Morris. “Our team takes great pride in Wolf Field and for people to come and vandalize it shows a lot of disrespect towards Etown,” she said. Grimes also stated that there should be a punishment in store because even though not many students saw what was drawn on the field, it’s the fact that a crime was committed. Other students who use the field agree that there is no reasonable explanation for the crime.

Junior Intramural Coordinator Sean Post believes that the crime was “immature and childish.” Post feels that the school has invested so much time and effort into making the field usable for all students that for people to vandalize school property and flee the way they did is just ridiculous. He also believes that there is a good chance that the suspects will be found because the campus is so small and people have the ability to spread the word like wildfire.

Even alumni feel disturbed by the field’s vandalism. 2011 Elizabethtown graduate Adam Danner is disappointed that someone would commit such a crime. “I think it’s pretty unfortunate that someone would do that, especially considering all the work that was put into installing the brand new turf,” he said.

Danner’s comments show that students and former students alike have pride in our school.

The

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News

Etownian

September 15, 2011

global news

The

Jayd-ed edge

Huntley C. McGowan News Edtior Hot Mess

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ccording to fire officials in San Francisco, Calif., a man somehow caught on fire while watching adult movies at a porn shop.

The San Francisco Weekly reports that the man was inside a viewing booth in the adult bookstore in the Mission district. Witnesses say he suddenly burst out of the store, his clothes in flames. About a block away, several firemen were working on an unrelated case and were able to quickly respond to the man on fire. The victim is at a local hospital after suffering lifethreatening injuries.

Beans mistaken for pain medication A burglar in Pascagoula, Miss. was thrown for a loop when he attempted to steal a pain medication called Lortab but ended up with beans instead. This is not the first time that Fred’s Drug Store was robbed, as pharmacist Mac Clark told WLOX-TV that the store has had several break-ins in the past six months.

To deter burglars from stealing pain medications, Clark filled large bottles of Lortab with kidney beans. When the thieves returned to his store, Clark was satisfied knowing all the robbers got was a bottle of beans. Investigators found traces of blood leading away from Fred’s Drug Store, leading them to suspect the burglars cut themselves during the break-in.

Case of the hot panties An infuriated woman allegedly dumped a container of chili on a display of panties at Victoria’s Secret. The woman was banned from the store because of an earlier shoplifting charge she incurred while at the mall.

Victoria’s Secret reported that 65 pairs of underwear had been ruined, incurring $747.50 worth of damages. The woman fled the scene and ran to the parking lot where she got away.

Employees gave city cops a sketch description of the woman and the matter is currently being pursued.

Salty snacks disappear from warehouse Frito-Lay experienced a major setback when nearly $19,000 worth of their salty snacks were stolen between Friday and Tuesday. According to police, among these stolen treats were Lays and Hostess snacks, Doritos, Tostitos, peanuts, salsa and dips. Sgt. Walter DiClemente stated that the robbers must have used a “big truck” in order to get away with this much snack food. Authorities are not aware of how many bags of chips were actually stolen because the goods are kept in storage boxes. Police are checking surveillance cameras and questioning witnesses to determine how the thieves entered the building in the first place. DiClemente believes that the chips and dip will be sold on the black market to stores that will buy the products at a reduced rate.

Vampires and elderly go head-to-head

Police in St. Petersburg, Fla., are investigating a strange case between an elderly man and alleged vampire. Milton Ellis, 69, and Josephine Smith, 22, took shelter on the porch of a vacant restaurant to escape the rain on Monday. But when Ellis fell asleep in his motorized wheelchair, he woke up to find Smith on top of him. Ellis told authorities that she said, “I’m a vampire. I am going to eat you” and then began to bite him.

According to a police affidavit, Smith bit Ellis on his arm and lips, leaving him bloody before he was able to escape and call police.

He was then taken to a local hospital and received stitches before being released. Police who arrived on scene reported finding Smith bloody and half-naked nearby. St. Petersburg Police spokesman Mike Puetz said that Ellis had no memory of what happened and did not identify herself as a vampire. Smith was arrested early on Thursday. She is being held in detention with bail set at $50,000.

Compiled from comedyhq.info and reuters.com

Pakistan arrests three al-Qaida operatives New cooperative initiative improves strained relationships Ameeda Y. Lor Staff Writer

Image: spiegel.de

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ive days before the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Pakistani officials and the CIA issued the arrest of three suspected al-Qaida members, including top operative Younis al Mauritani, along the Afghan border of southeast Quetta.

Pakistanis and Americans rejoice upon their cooperation, as this event is seen as a second blow toward al-Qaida’s central leadership in Pakistan, after the death of Osama bin Laden in May. This is an interesting situation, as the United States and Pakistan are not on cooperative terms, and the United States is not favored as an ally in Pakistan.

“Pakistan is of key strategic importance for the U.S. interests. The U.S.Pakistani cooperation is necessary for achieving a successful outcome not only in the war against terrorism but also in the reconstruction of Afghanistan,” Dr. Oya Ozkanca said. “Despite the centrality of Pakistan for the U.S. interests, the relationship between Pakistan and the U.S. has been strained severely recently with the killing of two Pakistani men in Lahore by a CIA contractor in January, and, more importantly, following the U.S. raid against al-Qaida’s leader Osama bin Laden’s compound in May.” The raid was completed without the knowledge of Pakistani officials, according to Ozkanca.

In recent news, the United States intends to dissolve tension with Pakistan in order to achieve change, but for many political members of the U.S. and Pakistan, there is still a sense of mistrust.

“I suggest to American readers that relations between the United States’ government and Pakistan’s [government] are better than they were when Obama ordered

Ahmad Shuja Pasha (left), head of the Pakistani secret service agency, ISI, and Ashfaq Parvez Kayani (right), head of the Pakistani army.The CIA and ISI worked together to capture senior member of al-Qaida Younis al-Mauretani. Mauretani is said to have worked closely with former al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

the assassination of Osama bin Laden,” Dr. Michael Pisapia, visiting assistant professor of political sciences, stated. “Although I doubt that the news of this cooperation is good news in Pakistan, where the United States is extremely unpopular.”

Despite the tension between the United States and Pakistan, the three suspected al-Qaida operatives Younis al Mauritani, Abdul Ghaffar al Shami and Messara al Shami are in custody.

Younis al Mauritani, a top senior operative, was wanted since 2005. Al Mauritani is said to have been personally tasked by Osama bin La den and Ayum al- Zawahiri with planning attacks against the U.S., Europe and Australian economic interests, including oil pipelines and infrastructure, according to a statement by the Pakistani army.

“Al-Qaida is a dangerous enemy of the United States. When its leading operatives are captured, that weakens its organization, and that helps to protect the United States—at least for a while, until the ranks of the organization are filled again. So, the main positive is a short term blow to the organization,” Pisapia said.

Junior Al Gorton shared the same perception. “Some useful information may be obtained from them, but who knows if that information is legit. Sadly though, just as when Bin Laden was captured, others will take their place.

In Washington, D.C., deputy White House Press Secretary Joshua Earnest praised the collaboration and the capture [of the three al-Qaida operatives], applauding Pakistan’s intelligence and security services that led to the capture.

in the nation

President Obama addresses nation on jobs Stalled employment rate reflects decreased approval rating Shana M. Mihovics Asst. Campus Life Editor

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e all had some skin in this game and it wasn’t even Super Bowl Sunday. It wasn’t even a Sunday. It was a Thursday night at 7 p.m., yet the stakes could not have been higher. Not for the Packers or the Saints, or the teams who kicked off the opening of the NFL season, but for President Obama as he unveiled many specifics of the American Jobs Act to a nation weary from an unrelentingly downward economy and a stagnant employment rate.

Facing re-election prospects in 14 months, President Obama has a job approval rating of 40%, his lowest ever according to daily Gallup pools. The American Jobs Act is one of his most ambitious goals

to date and his first time sending a bill directly to Congress during his Presidency.

Many watched the address at Elizabethtown College, where students face the “finding a job endeavor” in the not-so-distant future. Most know that there is no panacea to the long-standing high unemployment rate our nation faces, but all Americans, particularly young people who stand ready to begin their lives, want hope of opportunities.

While all of us are hoping for things to improve so that we won’t need a lifeline after graduation, there are many others in our country who are holding on desperately to a lifeline that’s worn and frayed as they face another year of unemployment.

There was a sense of urgency in President Obama’s delivery. It

would be hard to find anyone in Washington who doesn’t believe some initiatives are badly needed.

There is a wide difference in opinion on the best way to decreasing unemployment and on which components of the plan, if any, will gain bipartisan support.

Addressing Congress right before the NFL opening game was an unusual gesture on the part of the President. Unfortunately, the speech was made in a moment of extreme disharmony, nasty bipartisanship and extreme economic crisis in our country.

Gauging from the sentiments among the faculty and students on campus, there are as many differing viewpoints at Etown as there are in the country.

Visiting lecturer of economics, Dr. Dmitriy Krichevskiy, viewed the previous stimulus package

that some people feel failed, as something which did help the recovery. As Krichevskiy reminds us, “Half of the stimulus money went towards the states to stop them from cutting back on unemployment money and firing state workers, such as teachers.”

Kricheyskiy points to renowned economist and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman’s assessment that the previous stimulus plan was too small and that he has been predicting a long and jobless recovery for three years now.

Dr. April Kelly-Woessner, associate professor of political science, reminds us that “if Obama wants to have widespread support for his new plan, he’ll need to explain how it differs from his original stimulus bill, which failed to produce the job growth he predicted.”

Among students here, one thing is certain and that is a feeling of uncertainty. Senior business administration major, Benjamin Katz, is not at all confident about the job market he faces after graduation and has a mixed reaction to the latest proposal.

“I am just not sure government spending should go up to grow jobs that might not last or have an actual place in the market.”

Julie Strulson, a senior biology major, is reminded that many future jobs are predicted for her field, but she is still nervous. “I am pursuing my graduate studies right away after graduation. I hope it picks up for all of us by the time I enter employment full-time,” she said.

In one of the strongest statements of the speech, Obama assured that “Americans don’t have the luxury of waiting 14 months” referring to the time period before the next election. On that it seems we would all agree.

on campus

on campus

News

Etownian

The

September 15, 2011

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enrollment reflects Blue Jay pride Study abroad Increased 10.2 percent rise in number of applications; 25,229 total inquires participation ranks highly T Dina M. Dispensiere Staff Writer

Kristen Lacaillade Staff Writer

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ach year, tens of thousands of college students make the decision to broaden their horizons and study abroad in a country that they have always dreamed of experiencing. Here at Elizabethtown College, between 10 and 14 percent of current students study abroad during their undergraduate career.

This is almost triple the national average of about 5 percent of all college undergrads.

Whether your pleasure is a European excursion, a destination down under or an African safari, the study abroad programs here at the College do an exceptional job of making students’ dreams of studying abroad a reality.

The College benefits from having the Brethren Colleges Abroad (or BCA) offices right on campus to assist students with planning their dream getaway. Additionally, the Center for Global Citizenship helps students with choosing the right school, the application process, financial aid and all other aspects of planning these memorable trips. Director of International Programs Amy Simes is one of the many staff and faculty members on campus who encourages students to study abroad.

“Every student who returns from their study abroad trip I speak to tells me that their experience abroad was one of the best they have ever had,” Simes explains. “Many also cannot wait to return again eventually because they loved it so much.” During this semester alone, there are 60 students who are abroad in various countries across the globe. The most popular countries students have chosen to visit over the past few years are Australia and New Zealand, according to Simes.

Senior Maggie Troutman studied in Brisbane, Australia fall semester of last year and described her experience as one filled with growth. “When I came home, I almost cried when the man at LAX said ‘welcome home,’ but I also told my mom that I felt like I could do anything. I jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet.” Many students who study abroad like Troutman are more than thrilled with their experiences, and the minute they are home, they plan to return to the country or try to visit somewhere new.

Etown has one of the highest percentages in the nation of students who study abroad.

This percentage is so high because some of the programs and majors that the College offers require students to study abroad for at least one semester. International business and modern languages programs highly encourage students to study abroad so that they get real world experience using what they have learned thus far in their educational careers.

This experience also gives them a chance to practice their language of choice and immerse themselves completely into a culture different from their own.

However, some students at Etown choose not to study abroad for various reasons. Junior Nick Young explained that he chose not to study abroad because of his workload. “I’m doing a double concentration in sustainable design engineering and mechanical engineering along with a minor in computer science.

It just wouldn’t be possible for me to study abroad with the classes I’m required to take,” Young said.

Junior Shannon Bono agreed, stating that, with her major and minors, in addition to her other club activities, “I just wouldn’t have the time to study abroad, and I have no core classes left to fulfill.”

Still, if you are considering studying abroad, many students highly recommend the experience. When asked what she would say to someone thinking about studying abroad, Troutman didn’t hesitate for a second in her response. “Do it! You will never get an opportunity to live in a foreign country. If you have any interest, you won’t regret it because some day you will look back and be proud that you once did something bigger than most.”

Any students interested in studying abroad are more than welcome to speak to Simes. Her office is located in Nicarry Room 120, and her email is simes@etown.edu. There is still time to turn in applications to study abroad in the spring. Applications are due Oct. 15 and there will be a Study Abroad Fair Sept.

19 on the BSC Patio.

am excited to see the impact this class makes on Elizabethtown College. I also expect big things four years from now when they go out into the world and use their education in purposeful and his fall semester is one of the most exciting for the Office of productive ways,” Cramer said.

So how did they all find Etown? Some first-years found it on Admissions because they have had the most applications in the College’s history. There was more than a 10 percent increase collegeboard.com. Other students found out about the school in the number of applications in this year alone, creating a very from friends and family members who attended Etown. When large first-year class. The Office of Admissions accepted 65.8 the students visited the College, most of them found it differpercent of applications rather than the previous 74.5 percent. ent than the other schools. A major difference was the small Vice President of Admissions, Paul Cramer, noted, “This was environment of the school, town and classes. Many students feel a very successful year for Elizabethtown College. In the face of that Etown is a home away from home. First-year Nick Mower ongoing market challenges, Elizabethtown College confirmed commented he enjoyed that it smelled like chocolate.

While interviewing these new students, it was important to its growing reputation and distinction by amassing its largest find out whether or not they visited the school before or after application pool in the College’s history.”

According to the Office of Admissions, there are now 523 applying. One student said she spent the night with a friend at first-year students, 224 out-of-state, 299 in-state, 22 commuters the school before coming, and also took a tour. Many students and 15 international first-years. The class is 34.2 percent male interviewed only took the tour. After touring the campus, they realized it was the school for and 65.8 percent female. This them. For some, it was the first-year class is notewor- “This was a very successful year easy access to nearby citthy with 39 percent coming for Elizabethtown College.

In the ies and their homes. Others from the top 10 percent of liked the secure feeling of their class, 12 valedictorians/ face of ongoing market challenges, the campus. The Pledge of salutatorians, and 15 degreeElizabethtown College confirmed its Integrity is a huge benefit seeking students from 9 counand differentiates Etown from tries. 205 first-year students growing reputation and distinction other schools. It creates a safe have a background in the by amassing its largest application feeling for students who are fine and performing arts; nervous to take the next step 234 first-year students have a pool in the College’s history.” of their life. background in athletics and Paul Cramer, Vice President of Admissions “I choose Etown for its 352 are interested in service emphasis on the international and leadership.

The increased number of applications, along with greater studies as I used to live internationally and would like to study interest in the College from prospective students, have given abroad again,” first-year Cozette Zimmerman noted. Mower the Office of Admissions high hopes for the coming years. liked the international business program, one of the top proCramer said one of the strategies at the Office of Admissions grams here. First-year Chelsie Thompson said, “I chose Elizawas to enlist the Office of Marketing and Communications to bethtown because of the closeness of the student body as well help Admissions better brand their programs and send a clear as the personal relationships and humanism with professors.” message to prospective students. Admissions also teamed up The smaller classes give students the opportunity to talk to their with academic departments to help increase the level of inter- professors and participate as much as possible. Other students est in those subjects. Etown’s goal is to grow the applicant pool liked the welcoming atmosphere. When asked if she was happy to 4,000 students. What has sparked this new interest? Perhaps with her choice, first-year Amira Allen said, “Yes, I really enjoy this excitement stems from the new leadership here at Etown. “I my time at Etown so far.”

continued from page one....

USPS considers ending Saturday service Susan Darling, Manager of Mail Ser- is changing the way we do business, con- prospect of even greater job losses does vices at Elizabethtown College, stated tact one another, and find information. not provide much comfort. If Congress that, “we have seen a dramatic decline Are we at the place where our society can does not pass new legislation to temporarin the amount of mail that comes to the go paper-less and do everything electroni- ily revive the USPS, it will not matter what College. Four years ago, we received over cally? I don’t think so, but I guess we will three- to five-year plans are developed four trays of mail daily, compared to now see what happens next. It is going to be a in order to increase revenues and reduce receiving only two trays.” She continued rough road either way.” expenses—the USPS will not be around by commenting that Mail Services aims In an already challenged economy, the long enough to implement them. to provide students with the best quality Photo: Katie Brumbach service at all times. This goes beyond always smiling and having friendly conversations with the students. Mail Services pays an additional fee to have mail delivered directly to the college several times throughout the day—not just once like many other institutions. “We know how important it is to students to have their mail [and packages] delivered as quickly as possible. We do what we can to make that happen,” Darling said. She, along with many others in Mail Services, hopes that the solution does not involve laying off a large number of people or shutting down thousands of facilities.

“I understand that they have a bill to pay, but if they (the USPS) default and layoff all of these employees, right now—our economy is not in a place to support such losses.” Senior business administration First-year student Linh Chu looks into the closed mail services area. If USPS declares major Devon Favinger said, “Technology bankruptcy, this could become a more frequent state for this beloved spot on campus.

News

in

Etown Shines in U.S. News & World Report According to U.S. News & World Report’s latest rankings, Elizabethtown College placed fourth on the Northeast Regional College list and second on the list of “Best Value” colleges in the North.

The Northeast Regional College list is based on undergraduate universities that grant fewer than half their degrees in the liberal arts disciplines. The list of “Best Value” colleges takes into account a school’s academic quality, as indicated by its 2012 U.S. News Best Colleges ranking, as well as the 2010-2011 net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average level of need-based financial aid. The report states that only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included because U.S. News considers the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically.

Brief

“You gotta fight for your rights”

Saturday, Sept. 17, the United States will celebrate Constitution Day. WeReadtheConstitution.com is helping citizens from across the United States organize and attend local gatherings at public places and private homes to read the Constitution aloud together for the second consecutive year. WeReadtheConstitution.com was formed in order to promote the reading of the Constitution in its entirety by as many Americans as possible. It is a joint project founded by Philadelphia-based public policy organization, Let Freedom Ring and actress Janine Turner’s non profit organization, Constituting America. By going to WeReadtheConstitution.com, you can participate in this annual event by organizing a local Constitutional Reading Party in your hometown or by attending one. The website features an interactive map of local events celebrating the United States Constitution on Sept. 17, 2011.

Etownian

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Profiles • Academic Events • Monthly Series • Culture • Storytelling

skillful scholar

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September 15, 2011

Dr. Gail Bossenga, new scholar-in-residence, arrives with ideas Lauren K. Peck Staff Writer

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here have been a lot of changes taking place around Elizabethtown College over the last year. On campus, there is a new turf field, new pathways between buildings, old pathways are currently being replaced and old buildings are being renovated. “Out with the old, in with the new” seems to be the theme these days.

Among the more significant changes on campus is presence of the new president, Dr. Carl Strikwerda. When former president Dr. Theodore Long retired last year, Strikwerda was selected to fill the position. Returning students fondly remember the influence Long’s wife, Betty, had on much of the College community. Dr. Gail Bossenga, the new scholar-in-residence and Strikwerda’s wife, remains a new face on campus, but looks forward to advocating for the students of Etown.

Bossenga is no stranger to college campuses. Including her own time as a student, she has spent over 30 years in the college educational system. She attended Calvin College for her undergraduate degree, where she first met Strikwerda. From there, Bossenga traveled all over the country, attending the University of Michigan to obtain her M.A. and PhD., and later working at Claremont Graduate

School, the University of Kansas and William and Mary College.

On the subject of campus size and enrollment, Bossenga commented, “I’m getting smaller as I’m going forward; Elizabethtown is the smallest college I’ve been at.”

During her many years in various college environments, Bossenga has watched the educational system evolve firsthand. The scholar-in-residence compared the pressures of being an undergraduate student now to students’ pressures in the past: “As I went through college, the job market collapsed, and I don’t think it’s ever come back. In some ways I think there’s some similar pressures on the focus on work. But I think it’s actually gotten more intense for students today.”

Bossenga witnessed the competition between institutional tuition increase and understands the strain that students feel. “I think schools have gotten more expensive. You really need financial aid. But I definitely think that there’s more pressure on students Photo: Elizabethtown College today than when I went to school Dr. Gail Bossenga, Elizabethtown’s scholar-in-residence, as an undergraduate.” has spent many years in a collegiate environment. She Where is all the extra pres- hopes to share expertise from her past at Etown. sure coming from? Bossenga observed, “It is a little more activities as there is now. Now traveled to Germany where she professionally oriented now, and there’s so much emphasis, like worked as a waitress in a hotelyou can’t blame the students for over spring vacation doing a restaurant. “I got experience,” that, because they’re the ones service program.”

Bossenga said, “but the college I carrying the loans from college.”

“Study abroad at my college went to wasn’t real into organizBossenga also noted that, wasn’t organized,” Bossenga ing student things.” “[In the past there was] not explained. In order to fulfill While in school, she wrote for as much emphasis on student her desire to visit Europe, she her college newspaper, for which

her future husband served as editor. She admitted that she was not involved in sports or music. The music gene, she joked, “Doesn’t run in my family.” However, one topic that did spark her interest was history.

She was initially captivated by her freshman history class where she studied western civilization from the year 1500. She became enticed by the pre-modern and early modern periods of the 16th and 17th centuries, later studying them deeply enough to instruct from her expertise.

“I ended up in the 18th century and studying the origins of the French revolution,” Bossenga said, “because it was a society that had been structured very hierarchically, with a nobility and an established church. And then they tried to get rid of it all and become modern, you know, with liberty, equality and fraternity.” She often found herself wondering, “How does that occur? What are the conditions under which democracy can or cannot form?”

Bossenga cautioned against assuming that all history is applicable to the present. However, she hinted that much can be learned from the study of the past. “Some people who don’t have a long historical memory sometimes say ‘oh these people or this culture is so strange,’ but when you’re a historian, you stop thinking that any culture is strange, and you just try to figure out why they are where they are,

instead of judging right away.”

Instead, you begin to ask yourself, “what are the roots of them?

What paths are open to them?”

The diversity of people and culture in history can be mimicked within the diversity of a college campus, and that has become the aspect of working on college campuses which Bossenga enjoys most. She sees her role as being one of embracing diversity on campus.

When asked how she sees herself influencing the college during her time here, she was wary to say that she would change anything. She explained, “First you have to observe and see ‘what’s this community like?’”

“There are many positive things about Etown College: its long history of service, its sense of cooperation. It’s the students; they like being here. So all that’s good, and I wouldn’t change any of that.”

As the campus and College community evolve, Bossenga claims that she too will be undergoing the same kind of change. “You know, think of when you come on campus as a freshman. You’re not the same as when you’re a senior.

So I’m sure three or four years from now, I’ll have some other things that have emerged that I would never have anticipated, because it deals with the particular community here, and what its particular needs and interests and values are.”

on campus

Benowitz flaunts Fabulous Fridays Because you just gotta get down on Fridays Huntley C. McGowan News Editor

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riginating in the 1950s, the word “fantabulous” began as a slang term, though it is now commonly used in the English language. When Jean-Paul Benowitz, assistant director of Academic Advising in the Center for Student Success, initiated Photo: Matthew P. Butera the “Fantabulous Fridays” program at the Pages is located next to Folklore Coffee and Co. on North Market Street. Etown beginning of this year, he thought that students can trade unwanted books for cash and buy used novels at the new bookstore. “‘Fabulous Fridays’ would be not fabulous enough.” The campus community is cordially invited to Myer lounge each Friday night from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. to hear from a faculty member, staff member or administrator about an area in the liberal arts addition, to stop by the store. end up reciprocating in this they specialize in. The first Fantabulous Katherine E. Dyer “My wife and I live in Eliza- relationship by bringing more Friday took place this past weekend when Staff Writer bethtown, and the idea first business to Folklore.

Dr. Charla Lorenzen, assistant professor of ages opened its doors to the came to us when we were en“I haven’t had that conversa- the modern languages department, spoke Elizabethtown community joying drinks at Folklore,” he tion with them, but Ryan and about her interest in service learning. on Aug. 19. The new local book said. “We really like the town, Dawn [Folklore’d owners] are Fantabulous Friday events serve as prostore is located on North Mar- and it’s great to live and work great people, and we are glad to gramming for the Living Learning Comket Street. The store is open in the same place.” have them as neighbors. I feel munities (LLCs) on campus. The events are on Tuesday, Wednesday and The Hoffers hope that hav- that being next to Folklore is a open to all students of all majors, not just Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ing Folklore next door will great asset for us, and I hope the students who are currently living in an as well as on Friday and Satur- increase revenue for both that we can return the favor LLC. Anyone on campus who has an interday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The businesses. As profits rise, by bringing them business as est in the liberal arts can live in a liberal community is invited to grab employment often comes up in well,” Hoffer said. arts residence, and Fantabulous Fridays is a coffee at Folklore, the coffee discussion. Although they are Sharing business means just one example of the programs offered shop next door, and then head not hiring at the moment, “col- Pages needs to make their own to students. back to Pages to browse through lege students would probably name. In order to do that, Pages “In a Living Learning Community, one the book collection. be the ideal candidates,” Hoffer “hopes people feel welcome has to consider how they will do the learnRen Hoffer, the store owner, said. Not only do they like the when they come in. I want it to feels the town was eagerly await- idea of an Etown College stu- be the kind of place where you ing part,” Benowitz said. “So my idea was ing the opening of a book store. dent being an employee, they can come in and browse as long to bring professors from the various liberal Even better, Hoffer and his wife also hope college students will as you want and not feel like arts disciplines into the residence halls and have them engage with the students. Not decided the ideal location was become regular shoppers. you have to buy something,” next to a coffee shop. “Books As any new store feels en- Hoffer said. “I hope it’s a place so much in the way they do in the classand coffee make a great com- couraged when customers for exploring ideas and learning room, but rather, what is that professor’s passion?” bination,” Hoffer said. “People begin to walk through the things from people’s stories.”

The Friday night get-togethers in Myer often bring their coffee in with doors, Pages is already seeing Pages offers cash for used lounge will help promote learning outside them to browse and make it college students shopping in and unwanted books. As a of the classroom and serve as a venue for smell really good.” the store and Hoffer is excited unique feature of the store, they students and faculty to interact with each Many potential customers to begin to see more stop by. give lonely books a home while may wonder what types of “Many of our customers so far providing customers with quick other in a social setting. At the College, books the store carries. Pages have been regular customers cash, which we all know col- professors teach the courses in which they offers used books for all ages of Folklore,” Hoffer said. lege students desperately need. have expertise. Similar to many college stuand in various genres, includWhile the store works on So why not stop by when you dents, professors have lesser-known pasing fiction, classics, biogra- getting their name out there have some free time and, while sions of which they write about, perform phies, history, travel, writing to Etown students, Folklore you’re there, pick up a book and/or create. “This is really a chance for and children’s books. This wide has been supplying Pages and flip through its pages? For the student[s] to get to learn about their variety entices many book- with lots of business. As the more information on trading, professor’s academic pursuits beyond the worms, and even those who bookstore becomes a little check out their website, www. realm of what the department offers in terms of a class,” Benowitz explained. are just curious about the new more established, it could pagesonthesquare.com.

Market St.

Bookstore opens downtown

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Although the events are completely voluntary, Benowitz was thrilled to find that 84 students turned out this past Friday evening for the first program. Lorenzen was also very excited about her presentation and the student audience. “I think it’s really important that students see faculty outside of their classes and outside of their offices, and I think it’s important that faculty see students outside of their classes also,” Lorenzen said.

She believes that students and professors need to realize that they have more in common than just academics. “Sometimes my students don’t get to hear my story because I’m speaking mostly Spanish,” Lorenzen said. “When they gave me the chance to connect what I already love with liberal arts, I thought, ‘yes, this is really good.’”

For Lorenzen, there is a natural tie between service learning and the liberal arts. “If students can get actual hands-on, practical, relationship-centered learning, then it’s going to help with whatever they decide to do in the future,” she said. “If you’re actually using what you’ve learned, then it’s the impetus for learning more.”

The audience was clearly inspired by Lorenzen’s presentation, as two students in particular are now considering applying their major skills in a service learning project in the future.

“It helped me realize that service learning is important, and Etown really stresses it,” Alyssa Vasaturo, a sophomore history major, said. “I’ve never done it, but I really hope to. As a history major, there’s a bunch I can do around here, especially in Harrisburg.”

Sophomore applied mathematics major Chris Rio valued what Lorenzen had to say as well. “I loved the presentation. I thought it was a great way to get students involved with the community,” Rio said. “I definitely think service learning is important, and I’d love to do it. I think it’s great to be involved.”

It is Benowitz’s hope that Fantabulous Fridays will introduce students to the liberal arts program at Etown and foster a better understanding of what kinds of courses the College offers. “I hope it strengthens a sense of community on campus. It’s just for fun, it’s just for learning, and there’s no pressure.”

arts and music

Features

Etownian

The

September 15, 2011

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Wheatland Chorale raises voices, encourages artistic growth Mutually beneficial muscial partnership initiated by former president Long, Glenn Bucher Katherine G. Pebley Staff Writer

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lizabethtown College officially began its partnership with The Wheatland Chorale on July 1, 2011, declaring it a new resident artistic organization.

The Wheatland Chorale, an independent, charitable arts organization, was founded in 1987

by Artistic Director Robert J. Upton. He has his own section on Wheatland’s website detailing his beliefs about how music should be presented to the public. “I don’t think going to a concert should feel like taking medicine. Nor should it be like a music history lesson or a museum collection of choral classics, one after the other with no real connection to each other. To me, a concert should feel like a satisfying, varied journey with a sense of organic development tying the whole experience together,” Upton wrote. “And, like an evening with any of the arts, we should leave with the surprising sense that we are more humane than when we started—a bit more aware, more grounded, or more enlightened—and if we’ve done it right, tingling in our fibers with a renewed sense of life.”

Wheatland currently consists of 39 volunteer singers selected through auditions. Traveling and performing throughout Lancaster and Berks counties as well as out of state, the Chorale has earned a reputation as one of Pennsylvania’s

premier choral ensembles. Their repertoire is very broad, featuring selections from all periods.

Because of their reputation, former President Theodore Long and Special Assistant to the President Glenn Bucher began pursuing a relationship with Wheatland in order to expand the college’s involvement in the arts. Long and Bucher offered concert space, a portion of the High Library to house the Chorale’s music library, and a place to anchor the Chorale, all of which Wheatland was lacking. The “Letter of Mutual Understanding,”

college website, Long said, “This outstanding choral ensemble will certainly enrich the musical offerings for students and the general public at Elizabethtown. We look forward to many years of productive partnership to showcase great choral music in this region.”

Wheatland Board Chair Stephen Welz shared Long’s sentiment, saying “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with an institution of such high caliber and reputation. The promise of our new partnership is immediately evident in a variety of ways, and

of voice to our resident artistic organizations. It is a great opportunity for students to perform in the future and also an opportunity for communications and marketing students who are interested in doing research about music,” Braungard said.

Since the Chorale has been focused more on their membership without administrative support, they are in need of a fresh image to help spread the reach of their organization. As a member of the board, Braungard will attempt to give the Chorale new appeal by assessing the creative material that Wheatland uses to communicate their organization to the community.

The Chorale has a s m a l l bu d Image: Wheatland Chorale get, mostly funded by Wheatland Chorale is Elizabethtown College’s new resident artistic organization as of July 1, 2011. The traveling chorale consists of 39 singers, who are selected through auditions. ticket sales and a grant which was written and signed by the benefits to be realized by the from the Pennsylvania Council both parties, also declared that a college community, the Chorale on the Arts. Etown is hiring a representative from Etown should and the community at large, will strategic planning consultant to serve on the Chorale’s board. Ex- undoubtedly serve as the foun- help them gain sponsorships and ecutive Director of Marketing and dation of a long and mutually a larger audience. The College will Communications Elizabeth Braun- rewarding relationship.” contribute to the annual funding gard was chosen for the position “The college is really excited to and will supplement the budget in to help Wheatland with marketing partner with the Chorale. They future years. and fundraising. are a fine group with tremendous This partnership, while favorIn the announcement on the vocal talent, bringing the aspect able and attractive to prospective

students interested in music, is not directly related to the academic music program. Students will most likely not be involved during the first year of collaboration, but there is mention of future performances with the Concert Choir in the contract. .

Since this partnership is still young, much of it is not defined.

However, all parties seem to believe that it will continue to grow in an increasingly positive manner. In his announcement letter to members of the Chorale, Welz said, “We expect and invite the opinions and observations of our members as we progress through this relationship, and while we can’t promise perfection, we can assure sincerity, honesty and dedication to our common goal of excellence in the choral art.”

“President Welz mentioned to me that music feeds the soul, which I believe,” Braungard said.

“Arts feed the soul of the population. We truly don’t give the arts enough focus, but here at Elizabethtown the arts are incredibly important.”

The Chorale will perform in Leffler Chapel and Performance Center several times each year, possibly including the Concert Choir or visiting ensembles. Wheatland’s first concert of the season will be on Dec. 9, 2011, at the Atonement Lutheran Church in Wyomissing, Pa. Further concert dates and locations can be found on the College’s events webpage.

academics

Prestigious Alcott grant awarded to promote literature, history

Author’s life, published, unpublished works analyzed through public library partnership about the possibilities the grant would offer, and Dr. Kimberly VanEsveld Adams any women associate agreed to work with her to Louisa May Alcott create a proposal. Adams with childhood reading, but did not expect anything to now Elizabethtown will have come of their efforts, but opportunities to experience the selection committee saw myriad facets of the author something in their work. and her work. Thanks in Their joint proposal was large part to a grant from selected from a pool of 33 the American Library As- to receive one of eight grants sociation (ALA) and the nationwide.

National Endowment for “Our programs stood out the Humanities (NEH), both from many of the other apAlcott and her work will be plicants because many local featured at various events at organizations are working Elizabethtown College and together here to do a varithroughout the surrounding ety of programs for people community this semester. of different ages,” Bradford Bethleen Bradford, the explained in an email indirector of outreach ser- terview. This partnership vices for the Elizabethtown between the College and the library is a significant part of what makes the series unusual. “The grant gives the library a platform from which to explore a lot of topics related to the life of Louisa May Alcott and invite community members to come together and Photo: ala.org gain inLouisa May Alcott was a famous novellist sights into from the 1800s who authored the well a b e l ov e d known book, “Little Women.” An exclusive grant featuring Alcott was recently awarded au t h o r a s rel ate d to to the Elizabethtown Public Library. subjects Public Library, was the driv- like the Civil War, aboliing force behind the Col- tion, women’s rights and the lege’s decision to pursue this role of women in society. grant. Bradford approached Partnering with ElizabethEnglish department faculty town College, the Winters Emily M. Reigart Managing Editor

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Heritage House and Lynden Gallery serves to strengthen the programs and each organization.”

Adams echoed this as a key aspect of the programming. “We really like the idea of College-community programming.”

The Alcott programming has grass roots support on campus as well. Senior English literature major Sara Neumann claims Alcott as her favorite author, and she is enthusiastic about the College’s efforts to engage the community in this learning experiment. “I think that the most exciting thing about the grant is the ability that it gives us to interact with different members of the Elizabethtown Borough community,” Neumann said in an email. “While a lot of activities are campus-based, they are open to the public, and this brings the opportunity to have new people contributing to discussions.”

The grant’s $2,500 funding will be used to sponsor Alcott-focused learning both in and out of the classroom. The structure for the programming is found in Harriet Reisen and Nancy Porter’s award-winning documentary “Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind ‘Little Women,’” and one of the focal points of the series is set to be Reisen’s visit to the College on Nov. 10. Reisen will speak on her work as a documentarian and biographer for Alcott at an event to be held in Leffler Chapel at 7:30 p.m.

This event, which is free and open to the public, was made possible in part by supplemental funds provided by the provost’s office, and it

an opportunity to make different connections and have different experiences as an English major,” Lutz said in an email interview. “We’re all so used to writing papers and presentations that being able to be part of a professor’s research or presenting to students at the library will be something new and fun.”

B r a d f o rd also explained that the full schedule for programming is not yet established and that there are Photo: Matthew P. Butera many opElizabethtown College received the Louisa May Alcott grant for its p or tu n it i e s programs teaching students about the famous author inside and outside the classroom. In addition to offering a class on Alcott, the College teamed for student involvement. up with the Elizabethtown Public Library to host many of the events. “ Wr i t i n g The community beyond lectures on subjects as var- workshops, a children’s prothe public librar y is en- ied as Alcott’s lesser-known gram about fairies (based on gaged in providing versatile Gothic thrillers and her pas- Alcott’s first published work, Alcott-related events. The sion for political and social “Flower Fables”), quilting Winters Heritage House will reform movements. The first especially of the Civil War host a “Transcendentalist lecture, “Gothic: Louisa May era, and a medical look at Tea” Oct. 1 from 1 to 3 p.m., Alcott’s Thrillers,” will be the Civil War are other ideas as a way to connect tangible given by both Adams and on which programs could be aspects of Alcott’s culture Meghann FitzGerald on based. Students may gain with modern literary and Nov. 1 in the Brinser Lecture experience and serve the philosophical discussion. A Room (BLR). The second community by working on youth-focused art program will be held in the Bucher one of these or another relwill be held at the Lynden Meeting House on Nov. 15 evant topic. Additional help Gallery on Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. and will explore “Corsets, is also needed to alert the In addition, Jean-Paul Ben- (Un)employment, Educa- Greater Elizabethtown Area, owitz, the assistant director tion: Louisa May Alcott and Lancaster County, and the of academic advising, will All Kinds of Reforms.” Any- Susquehanna Valley to the give a presentation entitled one intrigued by the subjects exciting programs that are a part of this grant.”

“Louisa May Alcott and the is encouraged to attend.

If anyone is interested in Civil War” at the Etown Senior English education Public Library’s auditorium major Tess Lutz appreciates getting involved in the Louon Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. the opportunities to ap- isa May Alcott programs, O n c a m p u s , A d a m s proach literature from a dif- contact Bradford at 367is working to proliferate ferent angle. “As an English 7467 x28 or BBRADFORD@ knowledge about Alcott and student, I think this gives me etownpubliclibrary.org. promises to offer insights centered around the beloved author’s life and times.

Other upcoming highlights will occur both on and off campus.

her work. She is currently teaching a course centered on Alcott, which is enriched by the grant and its byproducts. For example, her students are assisting with

The

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Etownian

ampus Lif E C

September 15, 2011

Campus Events • Reviews • Advice • Culture • Food and Drink

on campus

International Fest to highlight diversity, pop culture Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Japan, Myanmar, Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Along with participating in the International Fashion Show, the international students will also participate in the Global Village at 10 a.m. Sept. 21. Etown also has students who are considered to be global nomads, or “students who are either US citizens or permanent residents but who spent a significant part of their lives in other countries. Flags representing these countries will be hung in the BSC concourse,”

abroad and international activities on campus,” Simes said.

Students who attend the programs offered during the International Fest can learn about study abroad programs, what it is like to participate in a service program in Vietnam, more about the countries that are represented on the Etown campus, and the diversity of the campus.

Two foreign films will be shown during the Fest, one from Mongolia and one from Spain. The Mongolian film, “The Story of the Weeping Camel,” is about a herding family and an odd addition to their herd of

and drink from various foreign countries, along with henna hand painting at the Global Village, which will also have fair trade products for sale. Proceeds from the tarting Sept. 18, Elizabethtown Colfair trade products go toward supporting lege’s International Programs Office will study abroad scholarships in the future. sponsor an International Festival. The Fest, The Andean/Latin band, Katari, will also Etown’s celebration of International Educabe performing during the Global Village. tion Week, kicks off with an international The annual international dinner, held fashion show in the Koons Activity Venue in the Marketplace during regular dinner (KĀV) at 7 p.m. Sunday and ends Sept. 21, hours on Sept. 21, will feature dishes from with a Spanish film. all over the world.

International festivals have been celThe study abroad fair will take place ebrated at Etown since the late 1990s, but the on the BSC patio from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. format now used began in the fall of 2008. on Sept. 19. At the The College originally fair, students can wanted the Fest to colearn about all the incide with Internaoptions Etown has tional Education Week, to offer for going but in 2009 and 2010, it abroad. Representawas decided that midtives from these proSeptember was a better grams will be present time to hold it. to answer students’ International Eduquestions. cation Week is a weekThe informalong celebration of the tive session about benefits of internathe May term trip tional education and to Vietnam will be exchange worldwide. held from 6:30 p.m.

The programs, which to 8 p.m. on Sept. are held nationally 19, in the KĀV. Duraround the same time, ing the session, Dr. are promoted by the Peg g y McFarl and United States Departand students who ment of State and the recently participated Department of Educain the trip will speak tion. These programs about their experiare meant to prepare ences and share phoAmericans for a global tos and stories. The environment. Another Images (Left to Right): photohome.com, people.desktopnexus.com, flickr.com, dtopten.com, wwp.greenwichmeantime.com group will also talk goal is to help encourabout their experiences age citizens of foreign working in a Vietnamcountries to come to the United States to Amy Simes, director of International Pro- camels. The second film, from Spain, will ese orphanage. study, learn and exchange their experiences. grams at the College, explained, along with be shown Sept. 21. The film, “The SpanAll of the events taking place during International students from all over the the flags of all of the international student’s ish Apartment,” is a realistic exploration of International Education Week are free and world, as well as various speakers and special home countries. what happens when students from around open to the campus and the Elizabethtown guests, will participate in various interactive “We hope to raise awareness of the many the globe move in together in an apartment community. events and programs. different cultures that coexist on our campus in Barcelona. Both films will be shown in For more information about the InternaEtown’s diverse student population in- both their similarities and differences – and the Brinser Lecture Room (BLR) in Stein- tional Festival or the International Programs cludes international students from 22 coun- the many opportunities that students have to man Hall.

Office, contact Amy Simes, simesa@etown. tries: Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambo- learn more about the world through study Students will be able to experience food edu, or visit her office, Nicarry 120. dia, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Samantha L. Peters Staff Writer

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on campus

OSA premieres changes that promote fun, fitness, functionality Matthew P. Jensen Staff Writer

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ant to stay in better shape this semester? Want to watch television while working out in a welcoming environment? Then come see what the Office of Student Activities (OSA) has done to the new and improved Body Shop. OSA has made great efforts toward improving the campus workout facility by adding exercise balls, re-painting the walls and adding new flat screen televisions equipped with personal audio on the cardio machines.

This change in management brings different ideas to the Body Shop, such as a new arrangement and a new atmosphere.

Body Shop employees are now a part of OSA and will work to make sure that everyone who visits the Body Shop has the best experience possible.

Equipment was rearranged to improve the use of space and the aesthetics of the Body Shop. For example, there is now a separate room dedicated specifically to stretching and abdominal workouts. Equipment that requires mirrors has been placed in the appropriate places, and the cardio machines now face the windows. Students will now be able to track their workouts and enjoy a full gym workout while remaining on campus. The Body Shop offers convenience and an opportunity to get in shape for everyone at Elizabethtown College.

The Body Shop gives everyone, regardless of skill or dedication level, an opportunity to do whatever they like, whether it is to stay in top shape or work on their new school year resolution of losing a few pounds. Junior Sean Post, the OSA intramurals coordinator, seemed very confident that the new Body Shop is going to be a better Body Shop.

Junior Jess Burton said, “I feel that the Body Shop feels bigger because the extra room really gives it that extra space that people are looking for. The one thing I do not like is that

Image: whitedragonkarate.net

the weight benches are spread on the outside of the circle.”

Junior Alexa Masano stated, “I like the colors they painted and that little room they made an exercise room in the corner. The Facebook page is a good idea, too, because we can just contact the Body Shop if we wanted to head over there to see if they are busy or not, which is good for me because I live off-campus.”

Junior Megan Patton did find a downside to the changes: “I don’t like how the treadmills face the window because now everyone is looking at your butt instead of you.” However, Patton does like the new colors; she stated, “It makes it seem less like a routine chore to be Photo: Matthew P. Butera in there and more like a fun activity.”

Students work out in the newly-renovated Body Shop, which is now under OSA and E-Fit also implemented a Zumba the management of OSA. This fitness center was redesigned to improve class here on campus. In order to take a functionality as well as students’ overall experience.

Zumba class last year, students had to go off-campus to Elizabethtown Fitness Club.

Zumba seems to be the new trendy workout style here at Students now have a better chance to take the class and it is Etown. E-Fit noticed a large number of passes being taken more convenient. Many students find Zumba to be a great out to go to the Etown Fitness Club for Zumba classes. “We way to exercise, and it’s fun because you can go with a group wanted to make this class more accessible to our students, so of your friends, listen to some music and exercise by dancing. we brought the class to campus,” Merk said.

Zumba is offered in the KĀV once a week on Wednesday night Junior Amy Osterhoudt said, “It’s a great idea for people from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. If this is not convenient for you, E-Fit who haven’t tried the class before, but it was not challengalso offers Zumba classes every night at the Elizabethtown ing enough for those students who have taken the class Fitness Club. before. Also, the KĀV was a little too big, and it was hard The first Zumba class offered at the College was very popu- to see the teacher.” lar. The turnout was a lot more than OSA expected. They were Kristen Lacaillade, also a junior, said “I definitely got a lot able to accommodate 100 people in the class, and sadly some out of the workout. The songs were fast-paced, which was people were turned away. Senior Katie Merk, E-Fit coordina- awesome, and it definitely made you want to just dance, even tor, said, “I suggest for future classes you get there as early if you missed the steps. I have never done Zumba before, but as possible. They are not going to be able to accommodate I’d definitely try it again.” everyone. It is going to be a first come, first served basis.”

OSA has been working hard in order to improve the workDr. Charla Lorenzen, assistant professor of modern lan- out facilities and programs for students. They hope to continue guages, taught the first Zumba class and a student instructor to improve as the year progresses in order to make working will teach for the rest of the semester. The routines will change out more pleasant for everyone. So next time you are getting periodically, depending on what type of music is popular and ready to exercise, take advantage of what OSA has done to if there are any new routines that the instructors know or learn. the Body Shop and truly enjoy your workout!

Campus Life

on campus

Etownian

The

September 15, 2011

7

on campus

OSA unveils upcoming fall schedule of events Writing tutors expand services P Megan N. Leppo Advertising Representative

repare to be entertained. The Office of Student Activities has the remainder of September jampacked with events; from movies to comedians to singers, students are sure to be busy with fun-filled activities.

The Cornhole Tournament returns. Regardless of one’s bean bag throwing skills, students will be guaranteed plenty of play with both a winner’s and loser’s bracket. Sign up in pairs at the HUB or on the terrace of the Brossman Commons the week of the tournament between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The tournament begins Friday, Sept. 16 at 9 p.m. on Wolf Field.

OSA would like to bring students’ attention to the ‘A Step Up’ program. The program is designed to provide educational entertainment through fine and performing arts. This month, the program is sponsoring a trip to the National Book Festival held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 24. Over 80 awardwinning authors, illustrators and poets, will be available to sign and discuss their books. Look to the OSA calendar for more ‘A Step Up’ events, including a spoken word artist in November.

In previous years, most E-Fit classes required a pass that could be picked up at the HUB and students were restricted to two passes per week. OSA coordinators are working to eliminate passes for all classes, to ensure higher participation. This year, all E-Fit classes featured on the OSA calendar will not require a pass. New classes include spinning and Body Pump, which

alternate on Mondays.

Back Show,” on Friday, Sept. 23 at Williams and sophomore Stephen A returning E-Fit program is 8 p.m. in Gibble Auditorium. Mad Boyhont, plus new full-time memBoot Camp. Although it does not Cow is a comical improvisation bers sophomores Alex Yastishock require an E-Fit pass, it does have group that performs shows using a and Chad Rice. a $40 fee and participants must variety of games and selects topics Dave and Ethan’s performance sign up in the HUB. Students will from their audience’s suggestions. was canceled due to flooding exreceive $5 for every class they perienced on attend; therefore, if they attend Thursday, Sept. all eight classes, they will receive 8, but look for all $40 back. OSA coordinators a rescheduled admit that last year was the trial date later in the run, and this year the program semester. Alwill be more advanced and fastthough unable paced. to see College Although Zumba is not a Dating Coachnew E-Fit class, it is newly ofes, Dave and fered on campus. However, due Ethan, students to the large turnout and lack of are still guaranroom in the KĀV, several stuteed laughter. dents were turned away from Students can the first class. Ideally, OSA cosee the hilarious ordinators said they would like stand-up cometo hold Zumba in Thompson dian, Geoff Keith, Gym but have experienced too Wednesday Sept. many conflicts with sports. OSA 22 in the KĀV at is considering providing two 10 p.m. half-hour time slots, instead of In addition, one straight hour, to accommodo not forget date all interested students. They to get your $8 plan to schedule Zumba in the tickets to go to future, based on the number of Camden Yards returning participants.

Photo: Matthew P. Butera to see the BaltiIn addition to the E-Fit pro- Students can now sign up at the HUB to participate more Orioles vs. gram, OSA now operates the in many of the activities and events that OSA has the Los Angeles Body Shop. The addition of to offer.

Angels of Anaa new Facebook page allows heim, on Saturstudents to ‘like’ the Body Shop on Although the group practices twice day Sept. 17.

Facebook. OSA Events Coordina- a week for a total of five hours, it is Be sure to see the hilarious movie tor Greg Shedlock said, “It is really simply to practice quick thinking. “Bridesmaids,” Friday, Sept. 16 nice to check on Facebook to see During performances they pull all through Sunday, Sept. 18. Students, whether it’s crowded or which ma- commentary from the top of their male and female, will be sure to chines are available, before I come heads, providing new and unex- laugh as this movie has its mind in in from my off-campus house.” pected jokes. Mad Cow performs the gutter like no chick flick before.

Furthermore, several treadmills free shows once a month in Gibble Come see singer,-songwriter Dave and ellipticals can be reserved by Auditorium, typically on Friday Patten’s performance in the KĀV students during peak hours. nights at 8 p.m. Come shout out on Friday, Sept. 30 at 9 p.m. The Students are sure to laugh at topic suggestions and cheer on last weekend of September will inMad Cow Improv’s “Welcome the new members, first-year Brett clude the wolf pack being reunited

on campus

Mobile dining trucks bring new cuisines to area Jordyn M. Howe Campus Life Editor

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he food truck phenomenon is quickly sweeping the nation, as television shows such as “The Great Food Truck Race” debut on channels such as The Food Network. The trend is even present in Elizabethtown.

There are currently two food trucks that are making this area their home. The University of Pizza truck frequents the Elizabethtown Post Office Wednesdays through Fridays from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m.

Local Elizabethtown High School graduates Jake Elliott, 21, Mason Elliott, 19, and Zach Meyers, 19, are the owners and operators of this unique pizza truck.

As the truck continues to acquire regular customers, the owners hope it can become a staple of the community. “As far as our overall goals, we just want to say we created something that not only supports ourselves and our families, but also it is a great, fun thing for other families to enjoy everywhere we might be,” Meyers stated, one of the owners of the business.

The U of Pizza offers a wide variety of food truck staples: pizza, chicken wings, burgers, hot dogs and fries can be purchased at a reasonable price. After hearing about the pizza truck, I decided to stop by and grab a slice. I must say that I was not disappointed.

There were three criteria that I used to evaluate The U of Pizza’s pizza. The first aspect of the pizza that I examined was the crust. I look for two things when I eat pizza crust: texture and color. The U of Pizza’s crust had a subtle crunch on the outside with a slight chewiness on the inside.

Sauce and cheese were the next characteristics that I judged. The University of Pizza’s sauce was mild in flavor and the amount of sauce was sufficient: not too much, not too little. There was also a good portion of cheese on my slice that bubbled slightly as I saw an employee pull it from the truck’s pizza oven.

“There is something certainly special about us and our product. For one thing we are out of

a truck; something you just do not see every day, and we feel that our pizza is just a great product with our sweet tasting dough and our sauce that just has just so much flavor to it,” Meyers said.

I rated The University of Pizza an eight out of ten. My slice was very enjoyable overall and possessed a certain homey quality that I loved. The pizza had a crunchy, but chewy

containing breaded chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks, French fries, cheese sauce and marinara sauce. Now imagine all of that breading piled onto a hot dog roll, a.k.a more bread. Not even the cheese or the marinara sauce could save the “Phat Jay” from the dryness that entered our mouths as we took our first bite of bread, bread and more bread. When I tried the sandwich, I instantly thought that it uses better suited for the hungry college student during the late night and weekend hours, but not necessarily at six in the evening when I sampled it.

“The ‘Phat Jay” was like a heart attack in my mouth. It was heavy, loaded with carbs, and extremely dry. I enjoyed the cheese fries, but wasn’t a fan of the sandwich as a whole,” -Zach Meyers junior Amanda Lazzarotti agreed.

I would rate the The “Phat Jay” a four out of crust, a good helping of sauce and a heaping ten. The sandwich may not be the perfect match amount of cheese. Overall, I would definitely for my tastes, but many other students may love recommend The University of Pizza’s mouth- it. I am looking forward to trying the various watering slices to the students and faculty of sandwich options that the truck plans to offer, Elizabethtown College. but I do not think that I will be trying at the The second and newest food truck that calls “Phat Jay” again Etown its home is the College’s own J Truk. The For more information about the food trucks, truck makes its loop through campus Thursday check them out online at www.theuofpizza.com through Saturday from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and ac- and www.etown.edu/offices/dining/food-truck. cepts cash, charge or Jay Bucks in exchange for the aspx. Make sure to be on the lookout for the local truck’s fare. Although I have not had the oppor- food trucks and remember they aren’t your avertunity to try all of the items that are listed on the age meal on wheels! menu, I did get the chance to sample the truck’s signature “Phat Jay” sandwich. When I received the sandwich, my first thoughts were that it looked like the perfect 2 a.m. snack, but I was sadly mistaken.

My friends and I all took a piece of The “Phat Jay” and found it to be extremely heavy and overly filling. The sandwich is a carb overload,

“As far as our overall goals, we just want to say we created something that not only supports ourselves and our families, but is also a great, fun thing for other families to enjoy everywhere we might be.”

Image: Elizabethtown College Dining Services

Kelly R. Frace Staff Writer

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ne of the most daunting tasks a student will take on in his/her entire college career is the term paper. It’s a safe bet that everybody has heard at least 17 terrifying horror stories about how physically painful it was to write the dreaded research paper. According to legend, the assignment usually consists of a ridiculous double-digit page length requirement about a seemingly irrelevant topic to be written in a specific style. The due date is at the bitter end of the semester.

To top it all off, it’s worth a huge chunk of your final grade. So why would you get started on this massive undertaking right away when you have a whole 15 weeks to complete it? Because it’s scary, that’s why.

Learning Services knows that writing papers can be hard, and it is their goal to take a little bit of the fear out of writing research papers. To better help those students who are having trouble with writing assignments, Learning Services is expanding their tutoring services by adding a new dimension with the creation of the Writing Center. This brand new section of Learning Services specializes in helping students sharpen their writing skills and turn in exceptional essays.

Previously, Learning Services offered walk-in appointments where a student could drop in and briefly meet with a writing consultant for about 20 minutes.

These short appointments were not very helpful when it came to actually developing and structuring a paper. Now, students have the opportunity to schedule several longer meetings with a writing tutor. Writing tutors are better trained to help students develop a paper in stages with their broad knowledge of online resources like assignment calculators, time-management skills and citations.

Writing tutors will work with the student for as long as he/she wants help, whether that means weekly meetings or sporadic ones. This year, there are 12 writing tutors on staff who have various majors and a wealth of knowledge in several different courses/areas.

The goal of the Writing Center is to foster the student’s ability to write throughout her lifetime, not just during her time at Elizabethtown College. They want to stress that writing is a process, not simply a one day thing. “Good writing takes time,” says junior Writing Center intern Lauren Stine. “Coming into the Writing Center can really make a ten page paper seem smaller when a student works on it in chunks.”

It is imperative that a positive relationship forms between tutor and tutee. The hope is that the student and writing tutor form a bond where the student is not afraid to share what she wrote with the tutor. The Writing Center also hopes to build a rapport between professors and students in English 100 courses as well as in first year seminar classes.

It is recommended that students see a writing tutor as soon as they feel like they need help. Remember, writing tutors are there to aid with all stages of writing a paper, and there is no shame in asking for their help. If you don’t know where to start, the Writing Center can help you get over that hump and produce an exceptional final product. If you are interested in learning more about the Writing Center or meeting with a writing tutor, you can schedule an appointment at Learning Services in the Brossman Commons. In the near future, an electronic sign-up option will be available through the Writing Center’s website.

College courses are challenging to say the least. Managing classes, extracurricular activities, a social life and adequate amounts of sleep can seem overwhelming at times. While it is commendable to take on a demanding workload, it is even more important to know when to ask for help. Luckily, Learning Services and the Writing Center are here to give Etown students the extra boost they need to stay on top of their busy schedules and succeed with their studies.

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Campus Issues • Columns • Op-Ed •Letters to the Editor

academic program

Open Book read sparks discussion

First-year provides perspective on College’s new initiative Stefon Marquette Guest Writer

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will do more than is expected of them unless under penalty. That is simply a fact of our society. But because there was no consequence for neglecting to read “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” I think it allowed a feeling of freedom to motivate the discussions.

When we began the discussion, the students who did not read plainly stated so. This is something that would have never happened in a high school setting, and that in itself is commendable.

Further, the students who didn’t read the novel found themselves wanting to know more about the story either by reading the book or by discussing the book with the rest of the group. This resulted in an instance of student-directed learning that achieved at least one of the goals of the program.

Nobody stated any judgements they made about either the readers or the non-

readers, nor was the discussion hostile.

It may have been an entirely different experience for other groups, and that’s a good thing! That just means that most of us have different opinions on what we want to get out of our college. These are the things that make a college campus a petri dish for independent learning experiences. Even those who hate the program are, in some way, right.

Why should you try to force yourself to like something that you just know you don’t like— after you’ve tried it of course. We can’t let ourselves follow through with something from which we cannot gain anything. But consider the fact that we are paying obscene amounts of money to come out of this experience with something more than a degree!

Even at a community college you can get a degree,but you can’t get an experience like this one.

have tried to take a more objective view of the new “Open Book” program, despite my own tendencies for bias in favor of the discussion of literature.

Whatever your views may be on the program, we can all agree that it is reasonable for Elizabethtown College to try to get us thinking in a more academic manner outside of the classroom, and not just analyzing a book. Whether the College is going about this program properly, is where many of us will disagree.

At the first meeting, I immediately saw that my expectation for student participation was unjustly cynical.

Within the first few minutes, we began to respectfully debate the ethics behind the actions of Rebecca Skloot, the pharmaceutical companies, and many others who were involved in the novel. We engaged in other debates and discussion on what it is to have and lose one’s dignity.

When I say that we respectfully debated, I really mean it. Not a single person, despite greatly varying opinions, made a single negative comment about the sentiments of their peers. This made me happy for two reasons: First, it meant that the program had achieved the goal of providing an open forum for free thinking; second, it meant that we really are in a place where opposition is embraced as an opportunity to learn.

You may be one of the students who decided that they had better things to Image: rebeccaskloot.com do with their summer than to read. I This year’s open book read is “The Immortal Life of Henrietta think that is perfectly acceptable, too. It Lacks.”Rebecca Skloot, author of the open book selection, will is unreasonable to assume that everyone visit campus this spring to discuss the creation of her book.

The

Sound Off What are you most excited about for the fall?

[

Marshmallow game against Messiah.

]

Bethany Panchak Class of 2014

[

Into the Streets.

] Monique D’Almeida Class of 2013

[

Fall break—Traveling

]

Ke Tsuke Yuhara Class of 2012

[

Fall break—Opportunity to relax a little.

] Ryan Perez Class of 2015

Compiled by Jaqueline E. Quidort

humor column

commentary

Sean M. Duetsch Columnist

Professor characterizes speeches, chants, festivities

Senior detects quirks Convocation deliberately captivates

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i, my name is Sean Duetsch. I am a senior here at Elizabethtown College. You may have seen me around campus laughing obnoxiously loud or being unreasonably tall (I apologize for both of these things). Or perhaps you have seen my work with ECTV-40 as Etown’s most uninformed sports announcer or even listened to my radio show “The Sound of Elizabethtown” from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondays (shameful plug). Or just maybe you have heard my roommate and me performing music at various events around campus; for we are Etown’s only all-male instrumental a capella group. If you still have no idea who I am, well, go creep on my Facebook, then; I don’t mind.

The only important thing to really know is that I will be contributing to the opinion section of the Etownian on a regular basis now. I know, you probably just spit out your drink out of excitement (sorry, friend sitting near reader).

But before you get all giddy, let me give you an idea of what I plan to bring to the table. If my articles were to be served as a dish, they would consist of a well-cooked quirkiness, soaked in saucy sarcasm, complimented with mashed honesty, cheesy realism, and a stereotypical side-salad sprinkled with ironic ignorance and of course, bacon. Did you just get a little weak in the knees? Yeah, me too.

Honestly, I just want to make you laugh. Maybe possibly get you to see things for what they really are. Like how parades are really just well choreographed traffic.

I am a curious man as well. I am constantly trying to figure out why things are. Like why do women always need to go to the bathroom with a buddy? Is there some sort of danger looming in the girl’s bathroom that requires backup?

Or how come I haven’t seen my dentist’s teeth? He is always wearing that stupid mask during the appointment (what do you have to hide, huh dentist?). Or sometimes I wonder how quick fast food would be if everyone working there had an IQ over 100. I need/want to know these things.

And as I hinted to earlier, I am a realist. I know you don’t want to sit here reading about what my latest opinions are on all the new signage around campus (superb by the way!).

Or if I think the Eagles are going to win the Super Bowl (not a chance in hell!). You want to read something interesting, something you can relate to (so how about that rain?). And this is exactly what I will attempt to serve up with my articles (do you like your quirkiness medium well?).

So let’s just have fun this year. No pressure, you know. If it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out. We’re all adults. You won’t have to worry about me getting drunk and standing outside your room holding up a boom box playing “My Heart will Go On” from “The Titanic.” That will never happen again, I swear.

Dr. Sanjay Paul Guest Writer

tion on a rousting chant of “Blue Jays, Always!”

This last achievement, by the he life of a college president way, was no mean fast, since the is largely a mystery to most chant occurred at the end of an faculty. We suspect it involves hour-long ceremony held on a meetings of various kinds where very warm August day in the Dell, serious conversations occur with and the call for a chant under serious people of serious means. those trying circumstances might Possibly there is talk of donations, have very well fallen flat with a conducted in hushed whispers. thoroughly dehydrated and listless There might be mention of funds first-year class.

But no fear! The 523-strong for a building, perhaps, or an endowment for a scholarship. Occa- class responded with alacrity to sionally, someone might bemoan the president’s call, first to rise to their feet and then to engage in a the state of the stock market.

But all this is speculation. We few practice rounds before finally do not know any of this for sure, unleashing a full-throated “Blue since mostly what faculty see is Jays, always!” chant—not once, an inspiring presence at various not twice, but thrice!—that rent college events delivering fine that afternoon air and sent a covey speeches and occasionally leading of startled birds shrieking into the first-year students at the convoca- sky, while over the Blue Bean, the hands of the proprietor trembled ever so slightly as she reached into the display case to retrieve a scone without icing.

So the faculty witness a president doing this sort of thing, and nod approvingly.“Stout fellow,” we say, “the Board has chosen well,” before retiring to the faculty lounge in Hoover to animatedly discuss the finer p oints of the college’s Strategic Plan.

But before the president ended Convocation on a rousing note, there were others who spoke in the Dell that afternoon.

Their enthusiasm was palpable, their energy unflagging, and best of all, their Image: Courtesy Photo speeches were mercifully

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short. Using a few well-chosen words, they conveyed the significance of the day to the assembled first-years (and also to the faculty).

One spoke in rather technical terms about Hurricane Irene, and exhorted the students to use the next four years to create their own category five hurricane of excellence. Warming to the natural disaster theme, he assured the incoming students genially that they had already had an earth-shattering effect on the College. If, during the summer in Elizabethtown, there had been an attack of locusts, or an invasion of killer bees, or a stampede of rampaging elephants, the event would surely have figured into the speech as a source of inspiration.

Another speaker recountedhow, as a neophyte worker at a pet store, she had allowed birds in her custody to escape, thereby depriving the store-owner of some revenue. This narrative immediately raised the ire of the business faculty who were ready to send a tweet decrying the assault on capitalist enterprise, but then relented when the speaker noted that the store owner’s losses were deducted from the employee’s wages. Putting aside their iPads, the business faculty listened intently as the speaker drew upon her experience to urge the first-year class to take risks—to allow a few birds to take flight, in other words.

Then it was time for the president’s speech. And the Blue Jays chant.

Another academic year hs begun. The classrooms are starting to fill up. After a hot, long summer, the gears of the great academic enterprise are moving again.

Deadlines are deadlines: extensions unrealistic Extracurricular activities lend no exceptions to professors’ deadlines Jessica E. Potter Staff Writer

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A.M. Jog, then it’s back to the dorm for a quick shower and breakfast before your 9:30 class begins. Take a couple of hours between classes for some last minute homework and lunch. Then you are off to your last class, but your day is far from complete. It’s off to sports practices, club meetings and work, and when you finally have dinner and get to bed in the wee hours of the morning, it seems like you have only slept a minute when your alarm goes off, signaling the start of the cycle all over again.

This is the typical schedule for a college student. It is easy to see why many students are quickly overwhelmed by extracurricular activities, which seem to accumulate throughout the semester. These activities are meant to enhance the academic experience of college, but sometimes they can also hinder the scholastic process. This poses a difficult question for professors: should they grant students involved in a lot of extracurricular activities more flexible schedules?

Elizabethtown College has an abundance of active clubs and groups on campus such as vocal performance groups, intramurals, student leadership and community service groups. The variety ensures all students have the opportunity to find and become involved in an activity. But involvement in an extracurricular activity should not excuse a student from meeting deadlines set by professors.

In high school, especially during senior year, my teachers became more stringent with deadlines. Their reasoning was when we get to college, the professors are not there to hold your hand and make sure you do your work on time. If you don’t hand in your work, you get a zero, and so they began conducting their classes in this manner in order to prepare us for college. However, much to my surprise, my first semester here I had a friend that slacked off on her homework and had the nerve

to email her professor asking if she could turn in her work late. I was even more astonished to find he allowed her to do so. I believe she should not have been permitted to turn in her work late because she neglected to turn it in when it was due.

The Elizabethtown Athletic Mission Statement reads that it will “provide Elizabethtown College students with varsity sport programs that support and enhance the students’ educational experience and develop important life skills.” Although this does not cover all extracurricular activities, it states the fundamental reasoning behind the student involvement in such organizations: the development of important life skills. I believe high school prepares you for college, and college prepares you for life. Part of life is learning to balance hectic schedules. If professors allow students who are involved in a lot of extracurricular activities to have more flexible deadlines, they are doing their students a disservice.

This may help their students in the short-term, but in the long run it is denying them important life skills needed when they enter the work force.

Students need to learn to become accountable for their own actions.

It is the responsibility of the student to manage their own life and complete the work required for their classes.

So the next time your professor does not accept your late work, remember it is not because he hates you, but because he wants to see you succeed later in life.

Image: paulvelocity.co.uk

r u o y PUt Alexa N. N O s d r o c RE By

Viscardi

On the turntable The Lonely Forest Genre Alternative My rating Chill enough to study to, but rocks hard enough at times that you’d probably nod your head and tap your foot approvingly.

As an avid lover of quality music, I will strive to bring you the freshest bands to keep you ahead of the mainstream, and leave all of the hipsters huffing in your wake.

With their organic-sounding riffs and haunting lyrics, The Lonely Forest reflects the surroundings of their native Washington State, blending electric guitar, piano, drums and bass to create a sound that is as refreshing as a rainy mist (not a flood, mind you). The Anacortes-based band formed in 2005 and has been surging through the live music circuit ever since, playing Seattle’s Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival in 2009 and scoring a much sought-after spot in the Sasquatch Music Festival’s 2010 lineup in Washington State.

The Lonely Forest released their latest album, “Arrows,” this past March, and I had the pleasure of seeing them perform live at the Trocadero in Philadelphia in June, when they opened for Death Cab for Cutie. “Arrows” is the essence of the band’s passion for the state and town they grew up in, with hit tracks “Turn Off This Song and Go Outside” and “We Sing in Time.”

“Give to me miles of tall evergreens, and the smell of the ocean and cool mountain breeze, won’t you please?” lead

vocalist John Van Deusen croons in “I Don’t Want to Live There,” written about the other tour locations the band has traveled to. The Lonely Forest played a show at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster this past weekend, and will return to the greater Philadelphia region in October. Give them a listen, and once you have, “turn off this song, you can listen to it later… go outside.”

political column

Global warming, humans depleting resources Elizabeth C. Ricketts Columnist

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arthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires and floods are becoming more extreme and happening more often. So called, “Global warming” is a much debated topic in the political world in the last decade, although scientific evidence shows we are undoubtedly experiencing a global climate change. Just think about your own lifetime: can you recall a year from your childhood that had such frigid winters and such oppressively hot summers, with tornadoes and earthquakes in between? From December to March you had to bundle up just to survive the walk to the Marketplace. The summer brought record-breaking heat and now we are experiencing floods that have displaced hundreds of thousands of people, not to mention the fish from Lake Placida. It used to be that only people in certain areas of the country had to worry about tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes, but these events are happening more often in more places than ever.

For proof that the earth is changing, look to your own gardens and parks. Animals and insects are moving at a rate of about a mile per year away

from the equator and to higher elevations. These animals are more aware of subtle changes in the climate than humans are. We have clothing and air conditioners to protect ourselves from these unusually cold winters and hot summers. Animals must flee or face extinction. Creatures that hibernate are in real trouble. Changing temperatures cause them to wake earlier or not hibernate at all.

This has been noted especially with chipmunks.

It will be a sad day when we no longer see those cute little guys scurrying around campus.

Of real concern for everyone who lives on the coast or loves a good beach vacation, is that sea levels have been rising at a rate of 3.1 mm per year since the 1990’s. The effects of the earth’s warming are much more extreme at the poles, where ice has been breaking off and melting at alarming rates. Just a few weeks ago, an area of ice four times the size of Manhattan broke off near Greenland and melted. If this ice sheet continues to melt at this rate, we are facing a possible 19 foot rise in sea levels! Those living on the coast would not be the only ones affected: river levels will also rise. Maybe Etown will be a beach front community by the next century!

More extreme weather will also mean rising

prices for food. Almost all food is linked to corn, which has been devastated by droughts and fires this year. Corn is used as feed for livestock, meaning meat and cheese prices are increasing. Sweetener ( most commonly high fructose corn syrup) is used in place of cane sugar in just about everything. Wheat crops were also greatly diminished by the extreme weather, causing the terrible famine currently afflicting Africa. With the world population approaching 6.8 billion, the suffering will be widespread if basic foods become unattainable.

Whether or not humans are to blame for these changes is often debated and the political rhetoric surrounding global warming just confuses the real issue at hand. It seems obvious to me that humans have been having a negative impact on the earth since the Industrial Revolution. Never before has a species used so many resources for such a lengthy time. Humans are like a virus. We take and take from our host (Earth) until there is nothing left. Eventually our host will be stripped clean and we will be left without life-sustaining resources. If we continue our current habits, our species will either need to find a new host or we face extinction.

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time management

Etownian

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Opinion

September 15, 2011

Editor-in-Chief Ross M. Benincasa Managing Editor Emily M. Reigart Assistant Editor Brianna E. Wiest News Editor Huntley C. McGowan Features Editors Tara B. Hayes Vanessa L. Andrew Campus Life Editor Jordyn M. Howe Opinion Editor Allison M. Rohland Sports Editor Jill A. Norris Photography Editor Matthew P. Butera Copy Editor Elizabeth A. Enwright Online Editor Zachary T. Johnson Layout Editor Craig H. Meaney Assistant News Editor Joseph S. Klinger Asst. Campus Life Editor Shayna M. Clancy Assistant Opinion Editor Agnetha C. Serrame Assistant Sports Editor Meghan M. Sarik Asst. Photography Editor Jacqueline E. Quidort Assistant Online Editor Andrew R. Sides Assistant Copy Editors Joanna Gruber Jaclyn E. Light Shannon E. McNamee Alexis L. Morris Business Manager Benjamin L. Frey Asst. Business Manager Amy M. Berdanier Advertising Manager Chelsea A. Benson Advertising Reps Trevor N. Bower Megan N. Leppo Brooke S. Wachtel Faculty Adviser Kelly L. Poniatowski 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.

Sports

The

10 Etownian

women’s soccer

September 15, 2011

Petronis launches first season as women’s head soccer coach

How it really felt being thrown into a team midseason Jill A. Norris Sports Editor

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n 1996, Jason Petronis graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a degree in business management and a minor in athletic training. Although he always had a love for soccer, he never thought that he would be the head coach of a team at the college level. “As you get older, life will teach you to expect the unexpected,” Petronis said. And he was definitely not expecting to be offered the head coaching position of the Elizabethtown College women’s soccer team midseason.

As sur pris ed as he was, he embraced the opportunity without fear or hesitation. “I had no idea the previous coach had stepped down. I got a call from Skip Roderick, and he asked if I could take over for the rest of the season. I didn’t know what to think,” Petronis said regarding his immediate reaction to the news.

He did, however, have two worries in mind: being able to maintain his work schedule as a real estate agent and continue spending time with his fianceé, Jessica.

“It’s funny, we just had an argument the day before I was asked to take over the women’s head coaching position about making time for each other. We’re both very busy.”

Petronis was expecting his future wife to be somewhat hesitant about his new job offer, but she was just the opposite. She understands his love for the game and embraced his new opportunity as much as he did. Petronis describes Jessica as “an amazing person,” and he feels like “less of a person without her.”

Petronis played soccer for a total of seven professional seasons for second and third division teams all over the country. He also started his own Goalkeeper Coaching School and helped with the

start of The Net Sports Complex in Palmyra, which focuses specifically on soccer.

He gained his knowledge of the game through his experience and has proven himself to be a fantastic addition to the women’s soccer program.

The brand new coach was also able to earn the players’ respect. Bringing in a new coach in the middle of the season has serious potential of putting even more stress on the team. According to Petronis, the girls welcomed him to the program immediately.

“They accepted me wholeheartedly and gave everything they had each game. I only asked to do one thing for me for the rest of the season ‘don’t give up.’”

However, Coach Petronis is far from being a new member of the Elizabethtown College family. In 2001, he became an assistant coach of the men’s soccer team under head coach Skip Roderick. Roderick suggested Petronis for the position and was very supportive of his decision to accept the offer.

Making the transaction from coaching men’s to women’s soccer can be quite hectic. “It took a while to adjust to the different speed of play, as well as the different physical capabilities,” Petronis explained.

Although he misses the players and coaching staff of the men’s soccer team, he is happy to be a part of the women’s program.

His favorite thing about making the switch to coaching women’s soccer is the maturity level. “The girls are extremely respectful to me and each other.

If you ask them to do something, they do it without question. They are so supportive and a joy to be around.”

View Additional Info at Etownian.com

women’s field hockey

Letter to the Editor

Youth brings new edge to team

Megan N. Leppo Staff Writer

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espite all the new faces, the Elizabethtown College’s field hockey team will still be a recognizably strong team. With first-year students filling over half of the roster, the team may need to learn how to play together, but they will be as strong as ever.

The incoming class has been successfully integrated into the team. The upperclassmen’s leadership efforts have created a united team.

Junior Nadine Yunginer said, “The team is definitely blending a lot quicker than expected.”

Players consider preseason as the best time to become acquainted. The team came into the Brossman Commons i n t h e e v e n i n g s t o p l ay charades and other games.

Junior Lindy Hamp said, “It was a great way to come together and relax after practice.”

Although united off the field, the team still needs to work on communication on the field. In the past, the team has been notorious for vocalizing well during games.

With time and practice, this characteristic will continue to be one of the team’s strengths.

Despite the young team, Coach Brandy Michael is confident that, with hard work and dedication to the team and the sport, the team will return for its seventh consecutive Commonwealth Tournament.

Michael’s advice for the team is, “good teams don’t always play great, but they always find a way to win.”

The team bounced back after a tough loss against Franklin and Marshall College and faced Muhlenberg College as a confident and hardfighting team. Michael said, “I will take a team like that any day. I was so proud of them.”

As Michael begins her third season as head coach, upperclassmen reflect on her growth as a coach and t he i mprove me nt of t he team under her advisor y.

It was stated that Michael has come to understand the team as people and players.

She understands that, if the players take themselves too seriously, they will lose.

Michael is known to run a tough practice, yet allow the team to crack a joke; it’s a good balance.

Overall, the team hopes to beat last year’s record of 14-5 and would love to beat Lebanon Valley College.

In previous years, the team has faced LVC in the Commonwealth Tournament and has fallen short of a win.

T h is ye ar t he te am is striving to surpass its rival and take the number two seed in the conference.

Make the most of your college years –for less.

Eastern Mountain Sports

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9/6/11 1:21 PM

Photo: EtownBlueJays.com

Coach Jason Petronis starts his first full season with the women’s soccer team. He hopes to make it to the conference finals this year.

This is why we can’t have nice things Thomas D. Hagerty Guest Writer

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ven all the way in Ohio, Campus Connections has never hurt so badly. My heart sunk into my stomach this evening when I read that two people vandalized the brand new Wolf Field.

I’m not really sure what exactly was done to the field, but to be hon-

Instead, it’s time for you students to show your passion towards the college’s athletics and recreational facilities. Show how important it is to have a place to hold intramural games when the varsity teams are

“It needs to be a place where the culture is just a little bit different from the rest of the world.” est, that’s not even important. The idea that two people would take it upon themselves to purposefully tarnish a brand new object on campus is what really stings. I am convinced it must’ve been a high school kid because I know a college student wouldn’t be that ill-mannered.

Elizabethtown College needs to be a place where things like this don’t happen. It needs to be a place where the students take ownership of their own campus.

It needs to be a place where the culture is just a little bit different from the rest of the world. That culture is what will make you miss it that much more when it’s gone. Trust me, you will.

What a terrible time for this to happen. Athletics has just redone the turf field, and the school has been searching for a lead donor for a field house for quite some time now. A potential donor would see this act and think, “Why would I donate my money to improve a school that doesn’t care at all?”

practicing. Show how important it is to get behind your teams at athletic contests and support the Blue Jays. Show how important it is to have an engaging place to improve fitness, community and general health.

You may not realize it, but as students, you have all of t he p ower on campus. The administration really does a good job of listening to students’ needs.

It’s time for a group of students to “advocate for students rights” and demonstrate that students need this new facility. Let this disrespectful act of defacement be the turning point from the students’ point of view.

Stand up and demonstrate that this one act does not show the attitude of the entire student body.

Read Tom’s Blog at BlueJayBlogs.com

women’s lacrosse

men’s tennis

Etownian

The

Sports

September 15, 2011

11

Lacrosse injuries spike rapidly Practice provides experience Hurt players could cause rift in Jay’s record Preseason improves players’ fundamentals

Jill A. Norris Sports Editor

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he pressure is always high when it comes to the start of a new season, but adding injuries into the mix only adds to that preexisting anxiety. The Elizabethtown College women’s lacrosse team is really starting to feel the heat on the field and in the trainer’s office.

Many players on the team already have somewhat serious injuries and cou ld p otentially be sidelined for most of their preseason.

Preseason, which the team refers to as fall ball, is beneficial because the team can try new things that they could potentially use during their actual season. “ We t r y t o figure out new ideas and plays.

If there is anything new that coach wants to test out, we will try it in the fall,” said junior captain Emily Butler.

Fall ball is also used “to get the first-years used to all of our drills, plays and the team,” added junior captain and Etownian Asst. Copy Editor Alexis Morris.

One of the greatest downfalls to having so many injured players is the lowered possibility of having full field scrimmages. These practice

games are vital because they give each player an opportunity to learn their position and role on the field.

However, most of the currently injured players are not first-years. They are upp erclassmen and, therefore, are familiar with playing at the college level but “it could still be hard to

“We’re kind of used to the injuries at this point.

But it shouldn’t hurt our morale too badly because the players that are injured are still standing on the sideline cheering,” said Butler.

Those who are able to practice now have been working on different offensive strategies and are

“We’re kind of used to the injuries at this point...the players that are injured are still standing on the sideline cheering” - Emily Butler coordinate with them again in the spring because you get so used to playing with certain players all the time,” says Morris.

Mora le cou ld a ls o b e affected by the numerous injuries. It is no uncommon for a team to feel discouraged when many of their teammates are not able to play, especially if they are some of the team’s key players. Butler and Morris, however, do not believe that this will be an issue.

trying to incorporate more fast breaks into their game.

“We can always work on basic skills too but there wasn’t one thing we really did bad with last year,” said Morris.

Since it is only preseason, the women’s lacrosse team has plenty of time to heal their injuries and get themselves ready to play.

By the time spring comes, they will be ready to take the field in high hopes of a successful season.

Christian V. Sammartino Staff Writer

The structure of the fall season allows players to sharpen their skills and attain championship form. igorous conference play is in the rearview “My goals for right now are simplistic; to mirror for the men’s tennis team now that hit a lot of balls, and get everybody back in spring has ended. As the leaves around campus shape. Some guys go home over the summer fade into their fall colors, players are focused break and don’t hit many tennis balls, so on their two annual tournaments which center we are just getting back into the swing of on individual play. things,” Helsel said.

“This individual stuff is important, it’s Coach Helsel believes many of his players fun and it’s a great way to get a bunch of will perform well this fall. Some of those guys a lot of play, especially youngsters who players include senior Manrique Arrea, are just starting college tennis,” Head Coach junior Josh Riehl, junior Eric Fritzges, junior Matt Helsel said.

Paul Whitman and junior Billy Freitag.

Since there are fewer events, the younger Even so, there are a few areas of the game players can adjust to the demands of Helsel thinks his players will improve on collegiate tennis. over the next five weeks.

“We are out here for five weeks and we “We have had mixed results at the ITA only have two tournaments. So the first- tournament and even the MAC tournament years get five weeks to play against a very that we have in October,” Helsel said. “I think we have all left a little meat on the bone at both of those tournaments that the players would like to improve on.”

Players can gauge their progress by their performances against the elite players from around the region. After these matches, they can identify their prime Photo: etownbluejays.com playing rhythm.

The 2011 men’s tennis team. The team finished thier previous “We are at a season as conference champions. They hope to do just as well, if tournament format not better, this season. where the best teams in the region are all there. So we talk a little bit veteran team,” Helsel said. about going into each match with no preconceived “If we had a lot of matches like we do in notions [about who they are playing],” Helsel said. the spring, they would be sitting a lot. If they “The players just show up at their match on their can get acclimated to this level of play, they court and some kid is on the other side of the will be just fine.” net, and we play tennis.”

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women’s volleyball

Blue Jays look for change of pace from preseason defeats

Energy, communication deficits on court prove difficult for youthful team to overcome

Meghan M. Sarik Asst. Sports Editor

“

I think we’re ready,” senior volleyball captain Kelsey Hayes said of her team. With several game cancellations due to Hurricane Irene and three losses already, the captains are worried about how this will affect the team, especially the new players. Jumping into the season with little practice is never favorable.

“The majority of our team is coming back this year, and the first-years will definitely work their way into the mix,” Hayes continued.

But the team has to work fast if they want to

“We know the energy is there, but we don’t show it. Last year we had seniors who were very vocal and enthusiastic [on the court]…we’re quiet people,” Weaver said.

Sophomore Carolyn Lukiewski agreed that the rain has affected practice.

“The team hasn’t seen each other in two days because of the rain. Lebanon Valley is going to be tough and Messiah, of course,” she explained.

But the Jays still have confidence, “We’re

“The majority of our team is coming back this year and the first-years will definitely work their way into the mix.”

- Kelsey Hayes, senior captain step up their game in time to beat Lebanon Valley College Sept. 14. Last year, the team had a record of 23-10 and 10-2 in the Mid Atlantic Conference.

When discussing the team’s losses to York College and Westminster College, Hayes said, “We’re going to have a good season. We saw what happens when we don’t push [ourselves]. The rest of our games will go so much better. No one wants to feel that way again… now we move on.”

Junior captain Holly Bubb added, “We wanted to start off winning; we started off with three losses. It’s a slow start, but I think we’ll get back into the groove.”

The team headed down to Virginia in high hopes of winning as they played in a tournament against Gettysburg College, Averett University, Washington and Lee University and Southern Virginia University.

However, they were unsuccessful in their attempts.

Hayes, Bubb and senior Andrea Weaver concur that the energy on the court is lacking a bit.

looking to win…we need a pick-me-up and [to] show ourselves that we can win.”

Meanwhile, the captains set a great example for their teammates with several broken records and honors to their names. Hayes holds the Blue Jay record with 100 blocks, and Bubb won Athlete of the Year as a sophomore.

This was a big deal for the girls on the team; volleyball is not always seen as a popular sport on campus. Now the captains are hoping their achievements will push the rest of the team to step up their game and gain recognition.

Hayes knows that first-years are looking to fill her spot; she hopes they have the motivation to beat her record.

Photo: Ryan Follweiler The team seems eager about this season and Junior Captain Holly Bubbs spikes the ball in a match from last season. The more than ready to meet the challenge, despite team hopes that by practicing basic skills and increasing their energy on the losing practice time and their first three games. court, they will improve their record.

To use Hayes’ words, they “have the potential to win the conference.”

port S S

The

12

Etownian

September 15, 2011

Inside Sports

Game Recaps • Previews• Commentary • Bios

women’s soccer

Players boost morale despite recent losses

Petronis sets goals high as team’s record improves: taking it game-by-game

Jason Petronis Page 10 Field Hockey Page 10 Letter to the Editor Page 10 Women’s Lacrosse Page 11 Men’s Tennis Page 11 Women’s Volleyball Page 11

Sports Recap Photo: etownbluejays.com

The 2011 Elizabethtown College Women’s Soccer Team. The senior-free team does not think that having a majority of young players will be a disadvantage. They plan on focusing on fundamental skills to improve their overall abilities to learn to play as a unit.

Jill A. Norris Sports Editor he Elizabethtown College women’s soccer team is starting off their new season with the ups and downs that many teams face. Between injuries, rain delays and new members added to the team, the Blue Jays are rising above expectations.

Their first game of the season was against Stevenson University, but they lost 0-1.

Despite their first defeat, the Blue Jays did not lose heart. They came ready to play in their next game against Ithaca College that ended in a 2-2 tie after going into double overtime.

The players could have easily given up after their first lost, but after listening to head coach Jason Petronis’ motto, “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up” every day during preseason, the players had no choice but to push themselves all the way through the end of the game.

Their game at York College, which was scheduled for Sept. 7, has been postponed due to severe weather. The game will now take place on Monday, Sept. 19.

Despite the heavy rain wreaking havoc on the team’s schedule, the weather cleared in

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time for their game Sept. 10 at Juniata College.

The Blue Jays showed their strength yet again and came out victorious with a 4-0 win.

Petronis has many plans for the team this season and hopes to implement a new state of mind. “We have to begin the process of rebuilding a program that includes mastering a system of play, adopting the right attitude, new traditions and much more,” he said.

This is Petronis’ first full season with the women’s soccer team after replacing Bob Scotten in the middle of last year’s season.

Petronis feels that the team mostly needs to work on fundamentals and understanding different formations.

“Without the fundamentals — passing, trapping, shooting, etc. — the game is nearly impossible…we work on them every day,” he said. “Understanding the system of play will enable us to play as a unit.”

One of the bizarre aspects of this season, however, is the fact that there are no seniors on the team. Juniors Amy Bunting and Laura Wingert have stepped up as captains this year, and Petronis has complete confidence

in them to lead the team well.

“They have the respect of their teammates and when you have the respect of your team, leadership comes easy, regardless of their class,” he said.

While most would find having such a young team as a disadvantage, the players and coaching staff embrace it. “If anything, it will help us because the team will have the same leaders two years in a row,” said Petronis.

The first-year players have also had an immense influence on the team. Kendra Mancino, Danielle Bond and Ashley Landis have all earned spots in the starting line-up.

The goal that Petronis has set for his team is static. He wants to make it to the conference final and have the chance at a championship.

Although the women’s soccer team is setting high goals for themselves, they are going to face each challenge and take it game-by-game. With their record on a steady increase thus far in the season, they should have no problem continuing the pattern as long as they keep the intensity up and their goal in mind.

the Etownian’s

Athlete of the Week

Alexis Morris Asst. Copy Editor

Q&A Major: Occupational Therapy Hometown: Newark, Del. Favorite Musician: Billy Joel Favorite Sports Team: Maryland Terrapins Hardly anyone knows that...

Someday I want to write a book and have it published.

Favorite Jay’s Nest Item: Egg Jay

Caitlin Grimes

Women’s Volleyball Etown 1, Gettysburg 3 Etown 0, WLU 3 Etown 2, Averett 3 Etown 2, Southern VA 3 Men’s XC LVC Dutchmen Invitational 31 pts. 1st/14 Women’s XC LVC Dutchmen Invitational 100 pts. 3rd/12 Men’s Soccer Etown 3, Baldwin-Wallace 2 Etown 0, SUNY Geneseo 2 Women’s Soccer Etown 0, Stevenson 1 Etown 2, Ithaca 2 Etown 4, Juniata 0 Golf Etown 335 +55 Field Hockey Etown 3, F&M 2 Etown 5, Muhlenberg 0 Etown 2, Catholic 1 Etown 5, Stevenson 2

In 10 years I want to be…

Living on a lake and own a Pediatric OT/ PT clinic with my best friend.

Biggest fear: Being chased and things touching my neck.

Favorite movie: “Forrest Gump” I’m a sucker for...

French toast.

Greatest Etown Accomplishment: Being a collegiate student athlete for four years.

Schedule

of Sports

Women’s Volleyball September 16: Moravian Susquehanna Men’s Soccer September 17: @ Wilkes Women’s Soccer September 19: @ York September 21: Moravian

Photo: Matthew P. Butera

Senior Caitlin Grimes is already making a huge impact just a few weeks into the field hockey season.

She was named the season’s first Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week and leads the team in points, tallying 3 goals and 2 assists.

Golf September 20: Messiah Invitational Field Hockey September 20: @ Wilkes