Etownian Issue 1 - 9/16/2010

the

From Etown alumni to College employees

Bienvenidos! Accueil!

Willkommen!

Etownian Features, page 5

elizabethtown college

One Alpha Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

September 16, 2010• Volume 107, No. 2

new developments

Centerfold, pages 8-9

Tuition increase: one student’s thoughts

Opinion, page 11 On the Web: www.etownian.com

on campus

Writers INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCANDAL Thefts disrupt community, breach integrity pledge House ‘refuge’ for “I intellectual enthusiasts Ross M. Benincasa Opinion Editor

Allison M. O’Boyle Staff Writer

E

nglish Department Professor Jesse Waters believes students should take advantage of the unique opportunities Elizabethtown College has to offer. “I have a Wii, and I like Madden and Halo just as much as the next person,” he said. “Anybody can play on an Xbox or a Wii anywhere they want. Why would you want to spend your time here doing things you could do anywhere?” Waters referred to his latest project, the Bowers Writers House, as a special opportunity on campus that students should not miss.

The Writers House kicked off its first semester last week by demonstrating its central value for interdisciplinary education. Providing extracurricular activities for students, the Writers House supports interdisciplinary study and expression with speakers from various fields, not just the Humanities.

Waters, the program designer, said that the foundation for the Writers House stems from the College’s liberal arts atmosphere. “We represent as a college the idea that everything we teach has a communication with one another,” he said at the kickoff event. Besides encouraging critical thinking, the Writers House “represents diversity in terms of intellectual presence,” which Waters said is underappreciated next to racial, gender and class diversity.

President Long referred to the Writers House as a “special refuge and also a special celebration of writing” in his opening remarks at the first event. Both he and Waters shared their hopes that this refuge for writing would come to “celebrate writing of all sorts.”

Political scientists, chemists, linguists, artists, historians, physicists, composers, actors and poets make up the list of prospective speakers to come to Etown, while the presentation formats encompass poetry readings, interactive workshops, panel presentations and afternoon discussions. To enrich the diverse program, Waters is researching his connections with African politicians, literary arts colleagues, a music expert and poet laureates of Lancaster County.

Waters also plans to launch a program called “Access to Expression” in coordination with the Occupational See HOUSE, page 3

pledge to be honest and to uphold integrity.”

Look familiar? This is the statement that incoming students are asked to sign as they begin their careers at Elizabethtown College. It verifies that you understand and accept the longer Pledge of Integrity, an intangible moral value that has become an integral piece of the College’s essence since its creation in 1995.

Most people on campus follow this code in almost every facet of their daily lives, so much so that it is common to see keys and wallets hold places in the Marketplace and laptops strewn about the library as students browse for books.

However, a recent string of thefts on campus have led many to challenge this longstanding policy and created uncertainty in the minds of many first-year students. This has ultimately resulted in the question: how much does the College really care?

The incident in question involves many of the international students on campus, a group whose program at Etown is widely well-regarded among the collegiate community, and is why our college is the choice destination for so many foreign students. For years Etown has allowed students who cannot bring certain belongings home with them over the summer to store them on campus, specifically in the Myer Residence Hall basement, so they do not have to give up possessions in exchange for seeing

their family. However, due to a second straight year of over-acceptance, the College decided to convert the storage space in the Myer basement into rooms for students. Charles E. Groff & Sons, an outside moving contractor, was hired temporarily to move the international students’ items to a trailer in Brown Lot in early July.

At some point between the time when Groff ’s moved the items for the international students and mid-August when the students arriving early went to pick up their belongings, a substantial amount of inventory was stolen from the trailer. So far, students have reported missing GPS systems, laptops, iPods, clothing and even a couch.

There are many suspicions among students and faculty alike, most pointing the finger at Groff ’s, the company that went largely unsupervised during the moving process, though nothing has been proven by either the College or the Elizabethtown Borough Police.

A spokesperson for Campus Security also noted that they were never alerted of an outside contractor coming onto campus to move anyone’s belongings and placed the majority of the blame for the miscommunication on Residence Life and Facilities.

What we do know so far is this: Jerry Burkholder of Elizabethtown College Facilities Management was appointed as the supervisor for the move, along with other employees under him.

However, this does not mean that he directly witnessed the move, though he

may have been a helping hand or even just available if necessary. Burkholder did not make himself available to be interviewed for this article.

“I think something that’s important to understand about the international storage is that it’s a communal storage area,” said Allison Bridgeman, the director of Residence Life. “Neither Daniel [Pirbudagov] nor I take an inventory of the items beforehand or ask the students to provide a list of the items. If we have storage on campus [in the future], we definitely would change it.”

“When I came back, my duffel bag was unzipped, and things were just thrown around,” said junior Manrique Arrea, a student from Costa Rica. “It was a complete mess.” Though Arrea did not have anything stolen, he said he found others’ belongings inside his bag.

“We have no idea of what [the international students] are putting in there.

We have no idea of what the content of their boxes are,” Bridgeman said. “I mean, it is a communal storage area, so I think they understand on some level that there is not a guarantee of safety, in its most basic terms, because theoretically, any international student can access it at any time.”

As more students arrived on campus and reported items missing, the possibility of a theft was looming very heavily on Residence Life and the College.

See RESIDENTS, page 3

Image: www.disastersuppliesusa.com

world news

Chilean miners to be trapped for months Jim R. Panacino Staff Writer

O

n August 5, 2010, the roof of the San José Mine collapsed, stranding 34 men nearly 2,400 feet below the surface. It has been over a month since then, and the minors remain trapped deep under the deserts north of Copiapó, Chile. While rescue operations are underway, it will likely be another few months before they are brought to the surface.

A daunting task awaits rescue workers. Chilean psychologist Alberto Iturra announced that “there has never been a situation like it.” As of this article, three rescue operations are already in progress. Named Plans A, B and C, each one has a different potential for success. The rescuers began digging with the first drill almost two weeks ago. The second drilling operation began last weekend. Both drills have only managed to penetrate between 300 and 500 feet into the surface, and they may take three or four months to reach the trapped men. Rescuers hope the third operation, featuring an oil drill, will reach the men faster than the previous two.

Despite the long wait, the men appear to be in good spirits. With enough food, water, beds and medical supplies, the miners have settled into a daily routine that keeps them sane.

Their schedules consist of eating, playing cards, writing and

Images: www.fau.edu, www.unexco.com, www.acf-fr.org

maintaining their areas of activity. Mentally, however, the men appear severely strained by their predicament.

Dr. John Teske, professor of psychology at Elizabethtown College, believes there is a reason why the men are so calm.

He thinks they have faced what psychology expert Elizabeth Kübler-Ross calls the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. The men have seemingly reached the fifth stage, as they have come to terms with their circumstances, and manage to live with it by staying in small, independent groups, and keeping a daily routine.

To keep order and security amongst themselves, the miners have divided into units they call El Refugio, La Rampa and 105, each named after different sections of the underground area.

Psychologist Al Holland of NASA stated that grouping together shows that the men are taking control of their environment, which is helpful for their mental well-being.

According to Teske, the miners are showing the minimal group effect. Essentially, the three groups function very successfully because each man has a unique role in his group. He compared it to dividing a class up into groups represented by a color. Even if the individuals in each group do not know each other well, the fact that they are placed together forces them to work cooperatively.

See MINERS, page 3

2

news

the Etownian

The

September 16, 2010

student organizations

Jayd-ed edge

Rachel A. Marsteller Managing Editor

Bongo Jesus Wisconsin police say a street musician apparently upset by criticism of his music bashed a man over the head with his guitar, slammed another person into a wall and wrestled with an officer before being arrested.

Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said that 31-yearold Brandin Hochstrasser, known as “Bongo Jesus,” was performing Thursday when a 54-year-old man commented negatively on his music. DeSpain says the two argued, and police were called when Hochstrasser began hitting his critic with his guitar.

DeSpain says Hochstrasser then charged the man, knocking him down. An officer used a stun gun to subdue and arrest Hochstrasser.

Stuffed pony: “suspicious device” Authorities blew up a stuffed pony — determined to be a “suspicious device” — after it was found outside a central Florida school. The Orange County Sheriff ’s Office reported that the toy was found near the Waterbridge Elementary School Tuesday morning.

No one was allowed in or out of the building while bomb disposal experts destroyed the stuffed animal. It was ultimately deemed “non-threatening.”

Only in Australia Two men were arrested after diners at a McDonald’s in Australia spotted them wrestling a 5-foot python named Boris in the restaurant parking lot, police said Thursday.

Victoria state police said the men stole the 8-year-old black-headed python and a lizard from a pet shop on Wednesday. They then brought the snake to the McDonald’s parking lot, where they began wrestling with it in front of puzzled customers, police said.

The men, aged 22 and 24, were arrested and charged with burglary and theft. Police didn’t release their names.

“In all honesty, it’s just a case of dumb and dumber,” Detective Sgt. Andrew Beams told Australian Broadcasting Corp. “Anyone who gets out there with a one-and-a-half meter python in a McDonald’s car park — they’re pretty dumb.”

The snake was returned to a relieved Jodie Graham, owner of the Totally Reptiles pet shop. The lizard is still missing.

Black-headed pythons are native to northern Australia. They are not venomous, and aren’t likely to bite unless they’re hunting prey.

Compiled from myway.com.

ECTV-40 furnishes new production van Brett A. Antosh Staff Writer

T

his past summer, Elizabethtown College’s very own student-run television station, ECTV-40, was fortunate enough to add a new, state-of-the-art production van to its arsenal for immediate use.

“Elizabethtown is one of the only colleges in the area with this tool. This will open up more opportunities for live events, and students will learn what it is like to go out and cover a live event, such as a football remote,” Director of Broadcasting Andy Williams said.

Senior ECTV Station Manager Stephanie Couch agreed. “We are going to be able to cover so many more live remotes now. We’ll be broadcasting from more places than the KÁV and the gym, so expect to see more volleyball games, the Homecoming parade and some of the Etown holiday parades on ECTV. It is a great learning experience for our students,” Couch added.

While the van was acquired last spring, the ECTV board of directors had their work cut out for them this summer. “We needed to completely gut it,” Couch said. Previously, the van was used as a shuttle bus, seating fifteen people. It even included a wheel-chair ramp.

“We had to do all of the wiring, put up all of the equipment racks and do a ton of craftsman work. Fortunately, we were helped with materials by the people in the Brown Building, while Alumnus Joe Cooper (’09) helped with the labor,” Williams said.

While the van benefits live productions, it is also advantageous for the students who partake in ECTV events. Previously, students have spent hours unloading equipment from school vans, but now the board will have more time to educate and explain functionality to video and audio students.“We wanted to cut down on time setting up, which takes around two hours,” Williams said.

“This is something that we have never had before, and we believe that we will create fewer worries for our station,” Couch said.

In addition to teaching students, ECTV has a great tool for their future. “When we go to cover Elizabethtown high school football games, we can show off our van as a recruitment tool,” Couch said.

“We will be able to start enticing high school students to come to Elizabethtown in order to join ECTV, while also being able to recruit more talent that is already on campus,” Williams said.

A new production van can cost upwards of $100,000.

However, the van was made possible through aid from the Steinman grant, individual alumni donations, and local business support, as well as corporate sponsorship.

While the board is very excited about utilizing the van’s technologies, Couch and Williams expect the van to keep up with the times.

Television technology changes very rapidly.

ECTV plans to unveil the van in a special ceremony at Homecoming on Oct. 16. Expect ECTV to immediately start utilizing its new ride once it is finished, because by then, the Etown High School football team will be on its way to a championship.

on campus

Renovations improve, accent atmosphere Johanna H. Goslin Staff Writer

C

olleges across the country fight an uphill battle to keep their campuses’ appearances current while struggling a rising costs. In the past year, Elizabethtown College has had some major renovations to improve the overall aesthetics of the campus.

These include the recent changes to the Founders lobby, the Marketplace, the Jay’s Nest and Myer Hall. Such renovations allow campus life to be more enjoyable for students, staff and community members of Etown.

Students who frequent the Jay’s Nest may take note of the new electronic menu boards that hang above the registers. While many may stare in awe at the spectacular graphics, junior Dining Services employee Allison Kinney admonishes the addition of the electronic boards: “They do not help the employees in any way. [The boards were] a frivolous waste of money. They don’t accomplish anything other than making the Jay’s look up-to-date.”

Kinney’s feelings were seconded by those accompanying her on grill duty at the time; however, some modernizations around campus have been better received.

One of the renovations that students seem to find most enjoyable is the newly painted and refurbished Founders lobby.

This face-lift allows students to spend free time in a contemporary and comfortable environment. The lobby’s hues, specifically the orange accent wall, adds a burst of energy which brightens and widens the space.

The lobby’s renovations also include new furniture and entertainment areas. The comfortable couches draw students to hold late-night movie marathons, which can be viewed on the televisions. The use of funds in this case, far from polarizing, has created a space for all students to enjoy. The Market-

place was also given an up-to-date refreshment in the form of the newly-obtained dishware. Multi-colored plates and bowls replaced the drab off-white dishware that previously carried students’ meals.

Junior Dining Services employee Jordon Godfrey said that the dishes “have no effect on the efficiency of the Dining Services employees,” but joked, “They make cleaning the dishes in the dish room a prettier experience!”

If anything, these plates have brightened up the ambiance in the Marketplace, creating a more energized environment.

Myer Hall has acquired valuable renovations as well. The space in the basement that was previously used as storage has been morphed into dorm rooms for students. This extra living area is advantageous, due to the fact that

the incoming number of first-year and transfer students is progressively increasing. Sophomore Laurel Taylor, a current resident of Myer, noted that the men’s triples seem to be the same as the rest of the rooms with no advantages compared to similar living situations.

Such changes on campus have allowed for a more enjoyable atmosphere and added personality to the environment.

The debatable necessity of the new additions to the Jay’s Nest, the excitement of the Founders lobby, the colorful upgrade of the Marketplace, and the practicality of the Myer Hall renovations are simply highlights of numerous ongoing renovations around campus.

Photos: Jacquelin Quidort

Be A Friend…

Be A Role Model…

Be A Shoulder To Lean On… Be A Good Listener…

Be An Encouraging Voice…

BE A MENTOR!

Mentoring just 1 ½ hours after-school, one day each week, can make a BIG difference in a child’s life!

Big Brothers Big Sisters ~ Elizabethtown Branch Office (717) 361-9226 www.bbbslancaster.org

news

September 16, 2010

the Etownian

continued from page one

3

Miners trapped with limited resources, strong faith

Plus, nearly all of the men involved are used to dark, cramped situations when working in the mines.

The standard of living in the mines has greatly improved. As of last week, their meals consisted of ham and turkey sandwiches, chicken, peaches and pasta primavera. However, as their basic needs are met, the miners grow more demanding of nonessential items such as cigarettes, wine and empanadas. They are also becoming impatient with the rules that rescue authorities have imposed on them.

Recently, the Chilean government enforced censorship of the miners’ mail, angering the trapped workers.

Authorities say that by limiting the mail to contain only positive content, they are maintaining the good morale of the men. The miners, however, do not believe that they need to be kept from any information on the surface.

Teske points out that since the miners are already aware of their predicament, they would not like to be kept in the dark by an outside authority.

Upset that his father was not receiving his letters, a son of the miners said: “he’s going to blow up down there.” Meanwhile, the miners claim that they are “cured, not sick,” and do not want the government interfering with their personal letters.

So far, it has been hard for the media to portray the situation efficiently. Teske believes that the intense boredom they face is reminiscent of what soldiers experience between firefights.

The miners received an additional morale boost when they had the chance to talk with their families through a video chat. Friends and relatives of the miners were shuttled to the rescue site last weekend for the opportunity to

continued from page one

talk to their loved ones face to face. Each man was given a minute to confirm that he was okay and in good health.

The miners’ ordeal has brought their families together as well. Hundreds now live in communal camps where they converse, cook and pray together. Many of them have erected shrines to their brothers and husbands, while others light candles for religious effigies.

Even after they are rescued, the men will not be free of hardship. They will have to be reintroduced to their families and deal with great amounts of international media attention. The miners who acted as authority figures within the groups will have to adapt to the change in power structures once on the surface. It’s likely that these changes won’t be drastic, however, as the men will probably adjust once again to normal life just as they did when underground.

continued from page one

House hosts visiting writers Residents fall prey to theft Therapy Department. He’s prepared to team with local organizations that employ occupational therapists so Etown’s students can engage in art and writing therapy with their patients, focusing on

of Faculty Chris Bucher and Provost Susan Traverso researched the idea of a Writers House, and when the plan passed, Waters began designing the programming for the foundation in 2010. Bowers Writers House

“ways of expressing life experiences.”

Eventually, the Writers House will join with the Sociology, Psychology and Education Departments to organize more of these programs.

Similarly, many of the College’s departments and offices collaborate to sponsor Writers House pro g r ams . T he Dean’s Office, High Library, English Department and the Department of Fine and Performing Arts have already worked with Waters to plan this semester’s events. As the program becomes more extensive, more diverse areas of campus will work together to promote the importance of writing. In this way, the Writers House becomes a community center where everyone can become involved.

At 840 College Hill Lane, the Writers House branches off from Cedar Street across from Ober Residence Hall. The College bought the house two years ago from the Hess family, and Dr. Carmine Sarracino of the English Department pitched the idea of making it a Writers House. Former Dean

earned its name from Board of Trustees member Ken Bowers and his wife, Rosalie, because of their generous contributions to the school. An official dedication of the Bowers Writers House will take place on Friday, October 22, at noon.

Photos: Matthew P. Butera

“You’ve chosen a specific place to be educated,” Waters said about the College.

Students come here because they believe in a liberal arts education. In years to come, he knows students will look back on their time at Etown and be thankful of how enriched their lives became when they took advantage of unique liberal arts opportunities, such as those at the Bowers Writers House.

For more information, contact WRITERSHOUSE@etown.edu.

The thought of this led Bridgeman to call a meeting to discuss the circumstances at hand with the international students affected. Etownian staff members were removed from the meeting space before it started, and all accounts thereafter are from students who attended.

Among the items discussed was the fact that even though students had reported missing items to Campus Security or the police, the College makes no guarantees at any point in the year about the safety of students’ items on campus. The reaction among the international students was expectedly fierce, many recalling the College’s stance on integrity in their talks. However, the reaction of College leaders appeared surprisingly remiss, not only to the students but also to faculty members, including former International Student Coordinator Daniel Pirbudagov.

“Honestly, I would like to see some kind of reimbursement for the lost items because I know how much they meant to [the students],” Pirbudagov said. “I wish that when the decision was made [to move the items], our office would have been notified about it. Just because we’re not here for two months, we still check our e-mails, and we had no idea that this was happening. We could have been more prepared for it, and we could have addressed the concerns and needs of international students who have been expressing their emotions via e-mail when they found out later what had happened,” Pirbudagov continued, stressing the barrier between Residence Life and his offices. “So, starting from the beginning, this whole move thing was really shocking for us. We didn’t know that it was happening; we didn’t have any information.”

Bridgeman disagreed with Pirbudagov over the tainted lines of communication, claiming Residence Life not only e-mailed the directors for the international students but also the students themselves. “We had e-mailed the students and told them, ‘we had to move your belongings, and here is how you’re going to retrieve them,’” Bridgeman said.

“If this investigation leads us to believe somebody internal did it, then obviously, where is the idea of academic integrity? Where is it? I don’t understand how this could ever have happened,” Pirbudagov said. “But if it’s somebody outside of the student body, then it can’t be considered a very secure place to be able to keep your stuff.”

“I don’t know that at this point I would say that anything is being swept under the rug or being kept from anyone,” Bridgeman said. “I don’t think the College was trying to hide anything having to do with the situation or with the academic integrity policy. If they were investigating something and wanted to know if anyone had information, then they may very well do a [Campus Connections] announcement.” [Sidenote: since the large theft, the only announcement by Campus Security in Campus Connections has been “Some cash was found on campus.”]

As previously reported, the College is currently encouraging any international students who had property stolen to report it to Campus Security.

“There is an [ongoing] investigation by Campus Security that may yield an individual,” Bridgeman said. “Then that individual would be handled through either the student conduct system or off-campus authorities, or a combination.”

Students are also being advised that they may go to the police department if they want to have a police report written up about the situation.

“It could be very intimidating to go [to the police] by themselves. They can also call me first, and I can make a call for them if they would like me to do that,” Bridgeman said.

Overall, whether the students are reimbursed or the case goes unresolved, the daunting reality behind the whole incident is that unfortunately, even people in our own community do not always live with the utmost integrity.

The impact on our fellow students and the current state of our school can best be expressed by the sadness in Pirbudagov’s words. “They wanted to share these items with their family. They’ve been telling me that they were waiting to take these valuables that they purchased to their parents when they go back home. It meant a lot to them, it was a valuable item, whether it was small or big. Some of them are crushed because of this.”

Although there was no confirmation given about the impact these thefts had on his decision, shortly after this incident, Daniel Pirbudagov gave notice to leave his position as International Student Coordinator at Elizabethtown College.

4

the Etownian

features

profiles • monthly series • campus events

September 16, 2010 town events • facts & figures• business

staff profile

Ambassador advocates student activism, involvement Khouri E. McGrann Features Editor

J

ohn Craig, the newly-instated Ambassador for the Center of Global Citizenship, is ready to make a change. He wants to see Elizabethtown College become more aware of its role in the global community, and he’s got the experience to back up his plan.

A lt hou g h Amb ass a d or Craig was not born in Elizabethtown, his family has roots here that go way back. In fact, his grandmother was in the College’s first graduating class of 1905, and he still has her diploma, the oldest on record.

He was born in Pittsburgh and attended the School of International Service in Washington, D.C. and then spent 35 years as an American diplomat in foreign countries, while performing other services in the Middle East.

However, he has always considered Etown home. He spent his summers here, and despite decades of globephoto: Kathryn G. Mortara trotting, Etown is the place John Craig is the new ambassador in residence. where he has always returned.

His office is in High Library, and he welcomes all “It’s my hometown,” Craig visitors. said. “I feel an attachment to it.”

In 2002, President Long asked Craig to become the Scholar-in-Residence, and in July 2010 he became the full-time ambassador.

“It feels very natural,” Craig said of the transition.

As ambassador, he wants to see the College engage in dialogue and action that will benefit Etown and the international community. He hopes this change will occur through more exchange programs with universities in other countries with a larger number of international students attending Etown, more students participating in study abroad programs and general dialogue with the students and faculty about current international issues.

Craig further hopes to show students that they are the focus of these efforts.

He feels it is extremely important to get students talking about what is going on in the international community so they can understand their roles in it. When students are aware of their influence, they can generate positive action in the world.

How does he hope to accomplish these mighty ambitions? Easy: he wants to meet you. His hope is to get as directly involved with the students as possible, and what better way to do that than having conversations. He is already participating in public discussions (such as breakfast and lunch roundtable meetings in the Marketplace every Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 and Thursday morning at 8:30).

Craig also wants to become involved with classes that address international topics to become a familiar face to both students and professors as they address in an educational setting the topics that he wants discussed on campus.

Ambassador Craig does not simply aspire to check off a list of goals to make the College continue academic excellence; he wants to help its students in their international pursuits.

His hope is to join forces with Career Services in order to help students find international job opportunities.

He is also eager to Courtesy Photo interact with students Craig’s grandmother, Minerva, is on the far right in on campus and encourthe top row. She was one of the graduates of the ages anyone who wants Elizabethtown College class of 1905. to talk to him to visit his office in the High Library.

There is no denying the fact that Ambassador Craig is excited about immersing himself in the College community. He wants students to rethink and re-create how they perceive their world and the roles they play in it. In a school where more than two-thirds of the total student body participates in some form of service, this should n’o be difficult. In fact, Craig believes focusing student’s attention internationally will be more than easy — it will be natural.

One thing is certain: Ambassador Craig is ready for action, and he knows Etown is the perfect community for it.

“The attitude of the students on campus is extremely positive,” he said with a smile, “and the desire for students to be involved in something is pretty electric.

I like that feeling.”

student outreach

Big Brothers Big Sisters improves community Rachel E. Barr Staff Writer

T

he Elizabethtown branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters, highly influential for younger generations of the town, matches up “Littles,” boys from the ages of 7 to 14 and girls from 6 to 14, with their “Bigs.” The Big Brothers and Big Sisters in the program can either live in Elizabethtown or reside in another local college campus. They u nd e rgo b a ck g rou nd checks, interviews and training sessions before being allowed into the program. The Bigs and Littles are matched by a survey that pairs them together by mutual interests.

Big Brothers Big Sisters can be found nationwide.

The organization was founded in 1904 in New York to give children something to do so they would stay out of trouble. Originally, there were two separate groups, Big Brothers and Catholic Big Sisters of New York. In 1977 they joined forces, creating Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

The programs, like the one in the Elizabethtown branch, have spread to hundreds of communities

across the country. In all, Big Brothers Big Sisters helps about 245,000 children nationwide.

Mackenzie Slack, a first-year communications major, started in the program when she was a sophomore at Elizabethtown High School. She has had the same Little for four years, Abi, who is now twelve.

The program has helped Abi grow in confidence and create better relationships.

As a Big, Slack has helped Abi with her schoolwork, played games with her and kept in touch with her Mackenzie Slack each summer by writing letters.

Etown Student, Big Sister Slack has benefited from this experience, just like Abi. “It opens your eyes up, helps you relate more,” Slack said. “You make a difference in someone else’s life, not by being special, but just by being a friend.”

Bigs and Littles can participate in many activities together, including afterschool mentoring, spending time outside, and playing board games. Scheduled events also take place throughout the year, such as a summer picnic, a fishing trip and a Lancaster Barnstormers baseball game.

It opens up your eyes, helps you relate more. You make a difference in someone else’s life, not by being special, but just by being a friend.

The purpose of the activities is to strengthen the bond between Big and Little while making sure that they’re having fun. Besides the scheduled trips, they are expected to meet up two or three times a month to do an activity they both enjoy, like bike riding or playing in a park.

Volunteering is an experience that always stays with you. It can come about in the simplest of ways.

Slack heard about Big Brothers Big Sisters over the intercom at her high school and decided to take part.

Four years later, she has learned to relate better to children and has helped Abi through the tough years of middle school, where many children start to figure out who they want to become.

An excellent part of volunteering is that there are opportunities locally, such as the Big Brothers Big Sisters branch in Lancaster. There are several Etown students who participate, alongside Slack, and the Lancaster branch is eager for more help.

Even if you don’t have time to volunteer, the program can always use your support. You can donate locally, to the Lancaster branch, a branch near home, or corporately, to the entire organization.

If you want to volunteer, donate or simply find out more about the Elizabethtown branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters and make a difference in a child’s life, visit http://www.bbslancaster.org/index-Etown.phtml, or e-mail the director of the branch, Luann Smith, at LSMITH@bbslancaster.org.

features

September 16, 2010

the Etownian

staff profile

5

New music education teacher starts on good note Erika C. Surock Assistant Features Editor

D

r. Kevin T. Shorner-Johnson enjoys walking his dog around Elizabethtown College’s campus, his new home.

But don’t worry, he is also very well qualifiedto teach with his Master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Georgia.

Aside from enjoying the beautiful scenery, he loves his job as the new assistant professor of music education.

Before he found Etown, Dr. ShornerJohnson taught music education and band for four and a half years at an elementary school in Iowa. He then taught music courses for early education majors at the University of Georgia for seven years, organizing field experience and internships for the students. He also taught at a middle school in Georgia for one year.

His experiences working with college students alongside a first-year teacher in Iowa confirmed his desire to work at a college.

Shorner-Johnson was not searching for a job, but when he caught wind of a new opening at Etown, he just could

classrooms, fully taking advantage of not pass it up. The institution offered ing here for only a few weeks, he already the opportunity?” It is encouraging to everything he wanted. feels like he can call Etown his home. He hear that one of the freshest additions “It seemed like the perfect job,” he loves the fact that everyone is treated at the College desires to push both his admitted with a smile. equally and given the same opportunis tu d e nt s an d Etown had the exact courses he had himself on to wanted to teach and a cohesive, suphigher levels of portive faculty that welcomed him with learning. open arms. He chose Etown because Shornerthe small school allows for strong, one Johnson beon one relationships to be built. In fact, lieves that his after being here for only two weeks, he current job at has already taken time to have coffee with Etown is trueach of his first-year students in order to ly t he d re am get to know them better. job he has Shorner-Johnson’s love for music has b e en lo ok ing been developing since he began playf o r. S o m e o f ing the euphonium in high school. In the classes he college, his personal relationships with enjoys teachmusic teachers and directors kept him ing are: learninterested in music education. i n g t h e or i e s , Following in the shoes of Dr. DevPhot:o: Kathryn G. Mortara roop, who left his position last year to Dr. Kevin Shorner-Johnson started teaching this semester. e d u c a t i o n a l return to South Africa, Shorner-Johnson He is the latest addition to the music education department. p h i l o s o p h y , i ns t r u c t i on a l mainly plans to just keeping up the exceldesign and world music.Educational lent program his predecessor set up. His ties. He feels that the quality and ability philosophy is his favorite. He enjoys desire to keep things consistent show his of the students to learn is just amazing. that class because it is where philosoconsideration for his students.

Shorner-Johnson recognizes that phy, psychology, and education come Shorner-Johnson’s favorite thing about his position includes challenges. “How together.

Etown is the community feeling. After be- do I teach to be as effective in smaller

post-grad careers

Office of Admissions welcomes familiar faces to staff Melanie L. Weyant Staff Writer Every college senior faces his or her own impending doom at some point. Graduation and diving into the real world is terrifying for many, and the thought of staying inside the bubble of Elizabethtown College forever is a tempting, albeit seemingly impossible, dream.

However, the dream has become a short-term reality for two recent Etown grads. Sarah Deysher, class of 2009, and Kait McCaffrey, class of 2010, are two of the newest employees of the College’s Office of Admissions.

Deysher, a biology and English major from Fleetwood, Pa, spent a year after graduation working in a sales position for Invitrogen, a biotechnology company in Baltimore. She was looking for other opportunities and happened to find and apply for the opening at the Collge’s admissions office. After working as a Student Assistant for Admissions her junior and senior years, it seemed like a natural move for Deysher, who started work at the end of June.

Deysher’s job is a bit different now than when she was an undergrad. Her official title is admissions counselor, and in addition to interviewing potential students, she is also the coordinator of on-campus programming, including general open houses and special departmental open houses for students interested in a specific major.

Deysher transitioned into the position seamlessly because she enjoys working in an office that “embodies the Etown feel.”

She added that working for Admissions again was like “being taken in with open arms.”

The path back to Etown was a bit different for McCaffrey, a Schuylkill Haven native who majored in corporate communications. She never worked for the Office of Admissions as an undergrad, and only knew one Admissions employee. As far as first jobs after graduation go, McCaffrey certainly didn’t have to look very far. While participating in the second semester senior year job search, she applied to and was hired for an Admissions counselor position. She started work at the same time as Deysher. Currently, the two are roommates, and they even carpool to and from work every day.

McCaffrey’s duties are comprised of not only direct interactions with potential students, but also acting as the coordinator of social media and the coordinator of the Admissions service network. She runs the College’s Facebook and YouTube pages, jobs which include taking and uploading all photographs as well as creating videos. During orientation for Etown’s new students,

she tagged along on the First-Year Walk and snapped the photos that can now be seen on the Elizabethtown College Facebook page.

Both Deysher and McCaffrey seem very happy to be around on campus, and most days they can be seen eating lunch in the Marketplace or on the BSC patio. According to Deysher, working at school is like “coming home... I appreciate being back at Etown after being away.”

McCaffrey noted, “The best part of being back is that I never had to leave. I like the bubble.”

However, she did admit that it was a bit strange to work on campus in a professional sense, saying, “I am constantly greeted by a chorus of ‘You don’t even go here!’”

MEET US AT THE

noreaster.ems.com

3-DAY MUSIC & OUTDOOR FESTIVAL SEPT 24-26, 2010 / LOON MNTN / LINCOLN NH The Gaslight Anthem

Dr. Dog, !!! [Chk Chk Chk], Javelin, The Walkmen, Eli “Paperboy” Reed and the True Loves, and more!

Unified Bouldering Championships Pro Tour Finals UCI-Sanctioned Cyclocross Race Event schedule subject to change.

Tickets can be purchased at noreaster.ems.com or in-store.

COLLEGE STUDENTS 20% OFF WEEKEND PASSES

The Nor’easter

Lancaster 765 Park City Center 717-397-8120

Includes on-site camping. Discount code: “co11ege!”

Must show valid college ID. Exclusions may apply; visit store for details.

6346 AD 6.08X6.667 Elizabethtown1 1

8/31/10 10:43:57 AM

6

the Etownian

campus life

movies • music • television • humor • travel

September 16, 2010

lifestyles • arts • advice • college issues

binge drinking

“We had a good run, bros”: Smirnoff melts trend Michelle L. Hare Staff Writer

Y

ou never saw it coming. Picture this: one sunny morning you are casually walking to class when you stumble upon a cool bottle of Smirnoff Ice strategically placed on the High Library steps. A rustling sound arises behind the bushes, and your friend bursts out: “You’ve been iced, bro! Take a knee.” With only four minutes until the start of your class, you accept the rules of the game and assume the “icing” position by bending down on one knee. Since you are of course of the legal drinking age, you throw back the bottle of Smirnoff Ice, swallowing every drop.

Senior Zach Landis believes that this social drinking trend of “icing,” also known as Bros Icing Bros, is “not a game, it’s a lifestyle.” According to The Huffington Post, this game originated in colleges in South Carolina as a prank within fraternities. The game involves a simple process of creatively presenting, a Smirnoff Ice to a fellow “bro,” who then must immediately get down on one knee and drink the entire bottle. One can block this attack by already being in possession of a Smirnoff Ice, in which case the icer becomes the icee and must drink both bottles as a consequence.

In fear of potential negative affiliations with binge and underage drinking, Diageo, the parent company of Smirnoff, has formally released a statement to The New York Times describing how the game is completely consumer-generated. On June 24, Smirnoff took on a strong role in the termination of the drinking game’s original website, BrosIcingBros.com, a site where bros could post pictures of their icings. Now the site contains a large white space with only one phrase: “We had a good run bros . . .”

Based on the game’s process and the terminology in the title, Associate Professor of Business Law Dr. Sylvester E. Williams revealed potential problems with Bros Icing Bros. “In today’s enlightened movement towards respect between both males and females, this game is highly offensive to the female species, causing them to turn away from the company. Also, it portrays men in an unattractive manner, it can be seen as offensive to minority groups through the usage of the term ‘bro,’ and it challenges the ethical issue of negative peer pressure in regards to underage drinking.”

After reading over an article about Smirnoff ’s involvement with the demise of BrosIcingBros.com, Wil-

liams leaned back in his office chair and conceded that Smirnoff had to make an official statement and take action against the game. He even believes the company should have gone further to distance itself from a negative reputation.

“In terms of the bigger community, Smirnoff’s brand equity is now tied to something that is tainted rather than positive,” Williams said. “Their position now is how to manage the damage.”

Senior Kyle Ashe believes Smirnoff could employ a new, successful marketing campaign by “selling smaller bottles made specifically for icing.” This way, “the company could still support responsible drinking by promoting a smaller amount of alcohol for the game, while also introducing a new male audience to their product.”

As a result of Smirnoff’s attacks on icing and through the downfall of the main website BrosIcingBros.com, other imitation sites have appeared such as IcedYou.com and Goticed.com. The creators of these sites have refrained from using any company name by blurring the labels on the bottles in the images and video clips and using the broad terminology of malt beverage instead of Smirnoff Ice. Some may ask: why is Smirnoff Ice so significant, couldn’t this game be played with any malt liquor?

Landis replied with a smirk, “It has to be Smirnoff Ice.”

Images: photobucket.com,

September 16, 2010

campus life

the Etownian

sports in campus life

7

Intramurals: flag football removed; new sports added Kalie M. Desimone Staff Writer

A

s yet another school year begins, students have the opportunity to get involved in many activities, clubs and sports. This year, students are in luck if they want to get active. The Office of Student Activities (OSA) and the Department of Athletics have partnered up to bring a new and improved intramurals program to campus.

The Director of Student Activities and Campus Center, Toni Villella, explained that changes were made to the intramural program to provide a quality learning experience as well as a larger quantity of sports for students Intramurals were also added to the OSA calendar of events because there is certainly the high level of exposure, publicity and programming that OSA has to offer on campus.

The changes made to the intramurals program stemmed from the results of survey that was completed by over 800 students last spring.

New standards including only allowing four varsity athletes on a given team and allowing students to sign up for a “free agent” team, came directly from this survey.

“I think that it is only fair for only four varsity students to play on a team,” sophomore and student athlete Caroline Schuster said. “It is hard to play soccer against a team made up of varsity soccer players.”

Sophomore Whitney Rufo also thinks OSA is making positive

changes. “I think that it is great that OSA listened to what students had to say in the survey then put it into play, especially with the free agent team,” she said.

The free agent team is designed to allow any students to participate in a particular sport, but do not have enough people to sign up with them. These individuals can sign up at the HUB. Mike Faith, head of the intramural program said that these changes are necessary to create better publicity and programming to reach out to more students.

“We always see a high number of varsity athletes participating [in intramurals], but now we really want to focus on getting other students involved” Faith said Additional changes have been made to the program this year. Flag Football didn’t make the cut because of unsportsmanlike conduct and a high rate of injuries.

A meeting was held with Dean Calenda where it was decided to suspend the sport for this year. But students should not be worried about the disappearence of flag football, since several other sports have been added. Golf, kickball, corn hole, water basketball, dodgeball, softball, tennis, track and soccer are all being offered to students at sometime throughout the academic year.

In addition, students will be able to participate in clinics and an “officials” group. The “offical” program is designed to improve students’ overall knowledge about a particular sport, to the point that they could referee a game.

A current graduate student from Millersville University will head up this officials group and teach students all of the rules of games, as well as help develop a manual for future officials of intramurals to follow. The intramural staff is also looking to add regional tournaments with neighboring colleges and universities.

Because this intramural program is still new, OSA is welcoming feedback from students.

Students are encouraged to stop by the HUB and fill out a comment card or email INTRAMURALS@etown.edu. Although the intramurals website is not completely up to date yet, students can keep

checking it to receive additional information on when certain sports will be offered and sign up dates.

To sign up for any intramural, students can stop by the HUB in the BSC. Teams and free agents can sign up one week prior to the start date of a given activity. The first 500 students to sign up for a sport will receive a free T-shirt.

What is corn hole?

According to Wikipedia, corn hole is a lawn game that takes place when cotton bags filled with feed corn are thrown onto a raised platform. On one end of the platform is a large hole, and the other end is slanted.

When a player throws the bag and it lands on the board, he or she is awarded one point.

If it makes it through the hole, then the player wins three points. The person who makes it to 21 points first wins.

Images: cksinfo.com, austinschools.org

10

the Etownian

campus life

entertainment

food frenzy

Shelby D. Samartino Staff Writer ummer is coming to an end, and we are making room for autumn leaves, back-to-school, Halloween and so much more. In addition to these fall pastimes this upcoming season brings a fresh batch of fall flicks. The genres range from comedy to drama, from chick flick to documentary. You name it, they’ve got it.

The Romantics is a chick flick starring Katie Holmes, Anna Paquin and Josh Duhamel. A group of friends receives the nickname, ‘the Romantics’ in college, referring to their “incestuous dating history.” When they reunite six years later for Lila (Paquin) and Tom’s (Duhamel) wedding, things are skewed, and worlds collide when the maid of honor’s (Holmes) feelings are resurrected for the groom — her former lover.

Senior Tori Kamouh related the movie to her own life. “It seems interesting.

Since I’ll be graduating soon, I feel like it’s something that me and my friends could relate to — something that could happen in the future.”

Never Let Me Go is a dystopian drama, based on the novel of the same name, Image: onlinemoviehut.com featuring Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan, and Andrew Garfield. The movie follows the lives of three friends who spent their childhoods sheltered in an English boarding school called Hailsham. The political ideas of their teachers are drilled into their heads, as they try to figure out what it’s like to really live in the outside world. During this journey, they are confronted with new feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal amongst each other.

Junior Thomas Offe explains his lack of interest in the film: “No action. No Chicks. I would need to see the trailer or movie poster before really deciding. I don’t know any of the actors, and it seems boring.”

Junior John Puzzo felt similarly, “If someone else saw it and recommended it to me, I would go see it. But based on what I know, I wouldn’t,” he said.

Easy A, starring Emma Stone, is a comedy loosely based on the classic novel, “The Scarlet Letter.” Olive Penderghast (Stone) starts out as a nobody at her high school. But when her gay best friend is searching to improve his reputation, Olive agrees to pretend to lose her virginity to him. As male classmates hear what she did for him, they come to her for help, and one night turns into a full-fledged business. Unhappy with all the attention Olive is receiving, her rival Marianne (Amanda Bynes) begins to spread rumors about her to bring her down. Olive uses these rumors to her advantage, wearing a red “A” on her clothing, modeling herself after the heroine of “The Scarlet Letter.”

Sophomore Lauren Stine said that she is excited to see a modern twist on the novel. “I’m a sucker for classics. The romantic movies out today are so cheesy,” Stine explained.

Howl is a biographic film starring James Franco as the famous beat poet Allen Ginsberg. The movie depicts Ginsberg’s life in segments, beginning when he was a young man growing up in New York City, visually recreating his poem, “Howl,” and ending with the controversial trial which tried to censor his poem. The movie not only explores the backlash Ginsberg received for his obscene and misunderstood poetry, but also the mind behind it all.

Sophomore Kristen Lacaillade noted her interest in the movie: “I’d see it because it ties in the past and the present and being able to see how people now view things differently than they did in the past.”

The Social Network is a drama that investigates the founding of Facebook, featuring Jesse Eisenberg, Rashida Jones and Justin Timberlake. It is a firsthand look into the origin of the popular social networking website, and it takes the viewer to a side of the site that has never been seen before. The movie’s tagline is “You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.” Covering scandals between best friends, court trials and trying to maintain a Harvard

Amy Baugher Staff Writer his year there have been some new improvements made to the Jay’s Nest. There was a new digital menu installed as well as a new array of selections for lunch.

You can now purchase slices of pizza, tacos and most notably, fresh sushi. These changes have been implemented to give students more options, so they don’t get bored with the food on campus.

Director of Dining Services, Eric Turzai, explained why all of these changes were made to the Jay’s Nest. “Our goal is to mix things up and to bring new ideas, especially at the beginning of the year. We are also looking to mix it up half way through by bringing a hot sandwich bar, but mainly our goal is to keep your everyday meals from being monotonous.”

According to Turzai, the Jay’s Nest is something that hasn’t been changed for a while and was over due for a renovation. “The Jay’s Nest just needed a face lift and we finally decided to do something different down there.” The new digital menus are simply a television with a slide show on them, but ITS is hoping to put more screens up across campus to broadcast upcoming events and menus like the one in the Jay’s Nest.

September 16, 2010

Fall Film Festival Diverse cuisine reigns supreme

S

T

The most noticeable change though, is definitely the sushi bar.

Turzai mentioned that there was never really a request for a sushi chef, but having the sushi bar is a new fad coming to colleges in the surrounding area. According to Turzai, it began in Gettysburg College and he later heard about one at Dickinson College. He saw how well, it was working for the other schools and got in touch with the new sushi chefs at a conference in Gettysburg, Pa. Turzai also said that he feels it is working out well and he is getting a lot of positive comments from students. The new sushi chefs seem to be enjoying it here as well.

Two of the chefs, Zaw Wawhkyung and Gum Maung are both originally from Myanmar, a country located beside China, but have lived in Hershey, Pa for most of their lives. When asked if they like their jobs at Etown they both seemed to have similar responses: “Yes we love it. We like making sushi for the students and this is really a great group of students that we are working with,” one of the chefs said. They have been making sushi for 10 years and they both said they enjoy eating their own creations. They started making

sushi because they loved eating it, and they have even come up with a few of their own recipes.

Their favorite sushi is the spicy tuna roll.

Spicy tuna is popular among students as well. It is the favorite of Sophomore Caroline Fagan.

When asked about the changes made to the Jay’s Nest this year, Fagan said that she thought they were positive. When asked about the new digital boards, though, she was a little less enthusiastic.

“Yeah I think they look cool and stuff, but I don’t think they are really necessary.” Dining Services has worked hard to bring us diverse options everyday on campus.

Each semester they do a few themed events to make eating a little more exciting. The main goal of Dining Services, according to Turzai is to keep students from getting bored with everyday repetitive meals.

Turzai implied that they might have an idea that students will like. Turzai was very vague, but Turzai mentioned that Dining Services just don’t have the manpower to keep the Jay’s open at all hours, however they are looking into an alternative option.

For now, the new improvements to the Jay’s are enough to keep students happy and fed.

education, founder Mark Zuckerberg’s life is put on a ride with Ethan Tremblay (Galifinakis) and embarks on a display for Facebook and non-Facebook users alike. cross-country road trip. Their two personalities clash, chaos Seniors David Gerhart and Tom Pagut, both share an and frustration ensues, and the audience erupts in laughter. interest in seeing this movie due to it’s relavence to “Downey Jr. is the serious character, while Galifinakis is contemporary college life. “Social networking is a big the lovable fool. Add a child on the way, and it’s cinematic thing in today’s world. It would be nice to get the insight gold,” sophomore Cameron Aregood said. behind Facebook. Not to mention, I’ve seen some of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a two-part fanthe actors before in other films and like them,” tasy adventure film based on Gerhart said. the novel by J.K. Rowling. It “Facebook is interesting, and it’s a very important is the first part of the final part of my life. I want to understand what’s behind installment of the series, it—the repercussions of security and privacy issues taking the viewer through on the Internet,” Pagut said.

Harry, Hermoine and Ron’s It’s Kind of a Funny Story follows the life of a 15 efforts to defeat the dark year-old man suffering from depression. He becomes Lord Voldemort. suicidal and decides to check himself into a psychiatFirst-year Amanda ric hospital. The movie documents his relationships Fisher is excited to see with the other patients and how they assist in his Image: topfashions.org the movie. “Since it’s part recovery. It shows a side of mental institutions that The cast of ‘The Romantics’ pose one of the finale, it will people rarely get to see. answer all the questions for a Vanity Fair photo shoot “I think it looks like it could be a good movie, from the previous movsince it shows people helping each other get through their ies,” she said. “Plus I’ve read all the books.” problems,” junior Nikita Wigoda stated. “At the same time, Burlesque is an American musical starring singerI’m worried that the movie will make fun of people with songwriters Christina Aguilera and Cher. The movie psychiatric problems so I hope it doesn’t do that. Either follows the life of Ali (Aguilera), a small-town girl way I would see it, but I wouldn’t pay to see it in the theater.” who wants to make it in the big city. She moves to Los Nowhere Boy is a British biopic exploring the adoles- Angeles to pursue her music career. Stumbling upon a cence of famous musician John Lennon. Abandoned by his well-respected club, The Burlesque Lounge, Ali gets a mother and raised mostly by his aunt and uncle, Lennon was job as a cocktail waitress and works her way from the a troublemaker in high school. When he saw Elvis Presley bar to the stage. on television, his dream to be a rock and roll star was born.

Sophomore Melissa Mandia said she is unwilling to The movie delves into the formation of Lennon’s first rock see the movie. “Upon seeing this preview, I was instantly and roll band and the long road to stardom that followed. perplexed. Why would a movie about the road to stardom “I think it’d be interesting to watch if you love music or contain not only Christina Aguilera…but Cher too?” the Beatles. You can see the beginnings of rock and roll Sophomore Devon Geduldig felt differently. “It sounds develop and John Lennon’s early life, which is something raunchy because that’s what burlesque is, but that’s why not many people know about,” senior Pete Cellini said. I’d love to go see it! And Christina Aguilera is in it, and “Also, I think it may seem more authentic since all the major she’s hot,” she said. actors are from the UK and not major US stars speaking This fall movie season promises to please audiences of with accents.” all ages and tastes. Local theaters will be featuring everyDue Date is a comedy starring Robert Downey, Jr. and thing from musicals, wizards and even Facebook. With Zach Galifinakis. Peter Highman (Downey) needs to arrive a mix of the classics and the modern, there’s something home in time for his wife’s expected due date, so he hitches for everyone!

September 16, 2010

opinion

campus controversies • letters to the editor

the Etownian

11

national debate • our take • guest columns

on campus

Plates,TVs cause rise in tuition

Robert E. Koehler Staff Writer

E

very year, when students come back to school, there are new improvements that the school decided to spend student tuition on. This year was no exception, with the purchase of HDTVs in the Jay’s Nest, Wenger Hall, and the BSC. A sushi bar was also added to the Jay’s Nest, as well as the addition of new plates in the Marketplace.

With the purchase of these unneeded items comes the inevitable tuition increase. Last year, the full cost to attend Elizabethtown College was $39,950. This year, the cost was raised to $41,750; an $1,800 increase. With the country in an economic slump, why does the College feel the need to raise tuition for students, while purchasing unnecessary luxuries at the same time?

Walking into the Jay’s Nest and seeing flat screen HDTVs being used for the menu is almost laughable. Each television has a brand new Mac Mini attached to the back, which is only used to broadcast the cheaply made PowerPoint that displays the menu choices.

While they bring a more modern ambiance to the Jays, I am fairly certain that the simpler signs from previous years served the exact same purpose.

I would much rather spend less time throughout my future career paying off my school loans than see the College continue to blow my hard earned money on pointless accesso-

ries. I’m sure we all agree that At the rate Etown is gowe like to have nice things ev- ing, the school’s tuition will ery once in a while, but when be upwards of $50,000 by the our money is at stake, we need year 2019. I know that I am to make our voices heard. not looking forward to paying Sophomore Samantha Ble- college tuition for my children witt is just one of many stu- if the increases continue at dents who disagrees with the school’s spending choices.

“I think it’s already tough coming to this school due to the high tuition prices.

Seeing my money spent on sushi bars and new TVs is a little disheartening,” she said. “I’ve already had several friends leave the school due to the rising price of tuition, and I hope I don’t lose any more.”

Citizens across the country are losing jobs, and the unemployment rate is still declining. More and more parents are unable to help offset the cost of rising tuition, and that is where Photo : Jacquelin Quidort the College is supposed to step in. The school does The new HDTVs in the Jay’s Nest give financial aid packages are a domineering focal point in the to students in need, but the once-quaint college eatery.

College should continue to be aware of the state of our this rate. The average cost of country’s deficit and families’ a four-year, private college is financial situations. $35,000, while average costs Nationally, college tuition for a four-year public college increases have averaged about comes in just under $14,000. six percent a year for quite a Etown needs to make more long time. As college tuitions effort to narrow this huge throughout the country rise financial gap, and pay more and more students are finding attention to the items they are themselves in greater debt. The spending their money on. We’d U.S. Department of Education’s all like to be treated to nice National Center for Education things every now and then, but Statistics reports that the cost of I think we can all agree that college has gone up more than the College needs to put the 30 percent since the year 1980. students’ financial needs first.

Ross M. Benincasa Opinion Editor

This Week’s Sign: Virgo August 23 – September 22 Ah, get ready for an amazing week Virgos…you deserve it! Did you and your significant other get into a fight last week? Tired of your new roommate’s raging promiscuity? Relax. I will help you relieve your tension and have a carefree week here at Etown.

First, we must start with your love life. Now, let’s not kid ourselves, no longer does the sign Virgo stand for virginity. You don’t have to be Mother Theresa (a fellow Virgo) to embrace your zodiac sign. Virgos typically love beautiful, sandy beaches and men who woo them via violin.

However, while at Etown, you will have to settle for a romantic conversation in the Dell, followed by a dorm room romp heavily influenced by the melodic sounds of Usher.

Now, just because “U Got It Bad” for Usher, doesn’t really mean that you need it that bad. You can still say “Yeah!” or “Oh My Gosh” with a little help from Captain Condom. Remember, Brokeback Mountain is an Academy Award-winning film, not a sexual position, and Plan B is not a valid form of birth control (just ask your roommate).

You may also need to beware of some money troubles coming your way. This may be due to a lot of things, but most likely it has to do with that extra $42,000 that you have to give to Etown. To offset some of this cost, focus on managing your money even more tediously than usual. Buy store brands instead of national brands for everything: bread, cereal, toothpaste and even tampons. They may taste a little “off,” but in the end they get the job done just like their more expensive competitors.

The last piece of advice to make your week better is to be more tolerant of your friends. Sure, in the end, they may all be witches with a capital B, but showing kindness and generosity will often reflect back on you in the near future. Hold out a helping hand to your friends this week, and expect to receive one back when you’re down. Whether it’s assisting a classmate with homework, or simply not scratching at the door when your roommate sexiles you again, these little pieces of cooperation will make you a better person in the long run.

national news

Ohio fails to accept Puerto Rican birth certificates

Julia M. Escudero Staff Writer

A

ccording to a new law, Puerto Ricans living in Ohio must present a new United States birth certificate in order to obtain a driver’s license or a state ID. This law has created controversy between Puerto Rican citizens living in Ohio and the authorities.

Many Puerto Ricans protested, arguing that their old certificates were supposed to be validated until September 30; but as of August 27, Ohio authorities are not accepting them.

Ohio has the tenth largest population of Puerto Ricans in the United States and has dealt with many cases in which birth certificates were used for fraud.

Puerto Ricans also complained because they say that they will have trouble getting their new birth certificates, and they are suffering from discrimination.

According to a study in the New York Times, American authorities examined 8,000 passports and found that 40 percent of them involved Puerto Rican birth certificates. Today, several states including Arizona, South Dakota, Arkansas, Maryland and Montana have already applied this law, and because of this, many fraud cases are being reported. Although many of those illegal people may not be criminals, it is not safe for the country to have them living without their real IDs. Also, it is a security concern for Puerto Rico to have many

of its people using the same name in another country. This involves not only a political issue but also a social one.

The loss of a name may also involve loss of identity. At first, if an individual sells his name to another person it may represent escaping from an economic crisis. But in a long-term view, it represents the loss of a personal identity. An ID is the only public document that proves that a person is unique. If the authorities do not know if that is valid, then the individual stops being unique in the eyes of the law.

In addition, despite the fact that selling an ID may represent the action of helping an illegal citizen to stay in the U.S., it involves much more trouble.

In February 2008, the Washington Post published the story of a woman from Guatemala who was an illegal citizen in the United States. In spite of all the trouble she had gotten into, one of her worst fears was that when she was deported, her two daughters wouldn’t be deported with her­—that her family would split around the two countries (“The Frustration of Being Illegal”, The Washington Post).

Being an illegal immigrant represents many risks and is unsafe for the people of a country.

According to a report that the Pew Hispanic Center published at the beginning of September, the number of illegal immigrants in the U.S. by 2009 was 11.1 million. Although this

number has decreased since 2007 (when there were 12 million), it represents 3.61 percent of the total population of the U.S. and 29 percent of all the Immigrants living in this country. The laws that many states of the U.S. are applying, specifically Ohio, may not be suitable for most of the legal citizens but they have to be adopted by everyone. Most of the Puerto Rican citizens will have trouble obtaining their new IDs, but they have to do it. Also, the authorities are predisposed to not help them prove their identity in order to maintain the License Driver or State ID processes faster. But when the law requires it, it is necessary to adopt it in order to have a better and more organized country.

Images: www.bonfiresblog.wordpress.com, www.etown.edu, www.divineastrology.com

12

opinion

the Etownian

d n u

S o Off

Who Would You Pick to be Teddy’s Replacement?

by Matthew P. Butera

Samantha Patton Class of 2014

“Sam Worthington”

Rachel Conroy Class of 2013

“Bradley Cooper”

on campus

Alleged thefts tarnish shining reputation Leann M. Johnson Staff Writer

E

lizabethtown College is a place we’ve all found to have such a high standard of integrity. We freely leave our keys and cell phones on the Marketplace tables when we grab our food. We drop our bags by the bookstore willingly, even though they contain our expensive textbooks and other valuables. Many of us have been known to leave our dorm room doors unlocked most of the time, if not 24 hours a day, even when there are no roommates around. We have become so accustomed to our sense of security that any crime or wrongdoing where our integrity is challenged is an atrocity…or so they all should be viewed that way.

The situation revolving around the international students’ stolen possessions is disgusting. What is more unnerving is Etown’s failure to act, both in prevention of the theft in the first place, as well

Cole Herbst Class of 2012

“Lil’ Wayne”

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

bags they weren’t placed in originally, implying some sort of ‘toss-all, put-backwherever’ scenario. How did a single employee of the College not notice anything funny when the items were being stolen? Even if it happened in the middle of the night, we all know Campus Security never sleeps.

To me, this sounds like a catastrophe that was just waiting to happen. The College sets up the scenario with its students’ valuables, and then turns the other cheek when they allow those valuables to evidently be unattended to.

Way to go, Etown. What was the College’s response?

The international students were advised to file individual police reports with the Elizabethtown Borough.

Right, because that isn’t intimidating at all.

It’s assumed that nearly anytime something is stolen on campus, the College isn’t held liable. Fair enough. Usually, it’s the student who is to

blame, like leaving their door unlocked all the time.

In the case of the international students’ property, however, I beg the question: is Etown liable, if not by contract then by conscience?

Shouldn’t those affected students be entitled to some sort of compensation, not because the College is legally obligated, but because it should sympathize with the loss its students have suffered?

This wasn’t a flood or a band of critters that damaged these items. They were stolen, and the crime was seemingly preventable.

How can a college that seems to push every year for better international relations not be more sympathetic?

How can the C ollege so easily disregard the frustrations of the international students who are steadily putting money into their system? The storage space was moved simply for more first-year housing, for more income. Is Etown really only in it for the money?

Questions left unanswered after speech

S

“George Lucas”

as in its response. The College doesn’t seem to be able to pin down exactly when the theft occurred — unsure whether it was before, during or after items from the Myer basement were moved to the Brown Lot trailer.

All that seems to be clear is that items went missing before the international students arrived, somewhere around three weeks ago. I would love to comment on the College’s great response time, except that the College hasn’t done anything which I would consider an effective response.

Simply having someone at the Brown Lot eating a bag of potato chips would have done the job of ensuring that all of the items arrived safely.

There is also the issue of the lack of any sort of inventory taken of the items in the first place. Mind you, these aren’t just small items; as there is an entire couch missing nor does it seem these robbers were too quiet about their work. Different students’ belongings were found in

on campus Lindsey A. Evans Staff Writer

Ryan LeClair Class of 2012

September16, 2010

ustainability is not just for tree-huggers; you can enjoy nature only to the extent of being vaguely fond of the bananas in your sundae, and still be very concerned about sustainability. You see, the only way to still have banana splits in 50, 100 or 1,000 years is to make them sustainable. This simply means to have enough for every generation: indefinitely.

Dr. James Skelly, director of the Brethren Colleges Abroad program in Northern Ireland, gave a speech on sustainability September 1 that was so disappointingly substanceless it bordered on hypocrisy. During the introduction it was clear that he had wined and dined Ted Long well in his villa in Spain (they are chums for the BCA Board) and his qualifications got fuzzier from there. Skelly teaches Peace Studies courses as a visiting professor in Northern Ireland as well.

During his lecture, he spoke quite adamantly against the global warming controversy and gave a front-seat commentary on what he referred to as a “war on our planet.”

The fact that most struck

me: the U.S. and U.K. combined waste enough food to feed 1.5 billion people daily, while one billion still go hungry worldwide. This is a pretty amazing statement, one that undercuts conventional responses to the phenomenon of global hunger.

For instance, there is a cornfield in Lancaster County that has a placard declaring it “A Christian Response to World Hunger,” but I have no idea whether it is ending up in Africa or in a McDonald’s hamburger.

So the world is sick, but what can we do about it? Skelly’s suggestion? Pay for his online class and talk to people all over the world about our shared environmental issues. The BCA website says the global conversations course “engages students in addressing the political and social consequences of what will undoubtedly be the most compelling issues of the 21st century – the sustainability of human habitation on the planet.”

But they don’t give any advice on how to soften the blow. Advice on that topic

varies widely from buying a new “green” gizmo, going vegan, not having babies or, dare I say it, simply not buying junk you don’t need.

Personally, I’m not sure that the course will provide enough action to even offset the energy use from running the Internet for hours. His talk certainly did not seem to justify the greenhouse

back dead into the sea. A pathetically small effort from the catering staff could have made Etown look a lot less spineless, hypocritical and wishy-washy.

It’s awing and frightening to think how we have changed nearly every aspect of this planet in the last 200 years: air (increasing the CO2 content of the air by 25 percent), land (50 percent less topsoil in the world), water (acidity and pollutants). How much did the Easter Island natives need to change their island before the downward spiral towards starvation, anarchy and cannibalism?

You don’t have Image: www.sustainabilityninja.com t o “ b e l i e v e” i n gases from the plane trip. global warming to think The College’s commitment about how we have altered to sustainable ideas was the world in undesirable blatantly thin in the choice ways. Just ask anyone if they of menu: shrimp, one of the would let their kids drink most destructive fisheries. out of the local river. When Few can figure out the huge they say no, ask them what distance it must travel on they are supposed to drink ice to reach central Pa, and instead, and if sustainability it takes a lot of energy; ma- is important to them then. rine biologists lament the The answers you receive bottom-dragging seine nets will often be told by quizzithat destroy nursery areas cal faces, and almost always and result in 60-80 percent provoke long-term thought of the catch being thrown in the respondent.

opinion

September 16, 2010

the Etownian

intramural sports

Anti-football stance irks former players opinions about this decision around campus.

Senior Tom Hagerty is glad football is no longer taking place. “People took it way too seriously. Other intramurals are more fun because people are actually decent toward each other.”

Sophomore Brandon Walters disagrees: “We should definitely still have it. I love f l a g fo ot b a l l ,

gap left by flag football won’t be easily filled, especially for diehard fans such as myself. But, fortunately, the administration has some short-term plans.

“We are going to extend the seasons for soccer, basketball and volleyball to make sure t h e students will have some activities to d o i n

w .ch

am

pi

on c

s.o rg

place of flag football,” Fa i t h s a i d . T h e Office of Student Activities has also taken a part in expanding intramural sports by integrating the g a m e schedules onto their activities calendars every month.

Those of us who still long to get out and toss around the old pigskin will just have to satisfy those yearnings in some other way this year.

w

e:

w

and it’s always fun to play underneath the lights.”

Senior Cr ystal Agnew also thinks it is a shame not to continue the sport. “It’s a bummer because we don’t have actual football, and flag football was a way to compensate for that,” Agnew said.

Either way, the administration has already come to a decision for the 2010

season. Of course, the

ag

It’s that time of year again!

Every week, our favorite teams run out onto the field and prepare to cripple each other in any way possible. I’m not one of those girls who can tell you who completed 14 passes for 157 yards to win the Super Bowl in 1982, (I looked it up — it was Joe Montana for the San Francisco 49ers); but I was pretty excited when I found out we could play intramural flag football here at Etown in the fall.

There is nothing quite like running up and down the turf field in freezing temperatures so the boys can have a good time throwing the ball to each other. (“What do you mean we have to throw to a girl this down?” Just kidding team – you’re awesome).

It is always a blast.

Needless to say, you can imagine my disappointment when I found out there would be no more flag football this year. The administration has their reasons, and they are good ones; but it is such a shame that because of a few

people’s actions, a large group of participants have to lose a favorite pastime.

I admit, last season did have its fair share of rough moments. Teams sometimes showed up completely drunk and looking for nothing but trouble, fights broke out, and there may have been a lawsuit involved, but that is all part of the game, right? Not anymore.

After a few particularly rough seasons, Director of Intramurals Mike Faith and Dean of Students Marianne Calenda decided that f lag football should not be offered for a few years. “Over the last six years there have been many injuries and accidents due to how rough the play got during the games,” Faith said.

We should still have flag football on campus but with a few changes. The rules should be better enforced, and there should be harsher punishments for the teams that break them.

This way, players would be less inclined to get into trouble, and the rest of us could continue to enjoy playing the game.

There are conflicting

Im

Kara J. Burkholder Staff Writer

study abroad

Inebriated ambassador tells of pleasures Samantha T. Phillips Staff Writer

I

haven’t died yet. Despite the thousands of poisonous creatures roaming around Australia, and the surplus of dangerously teeny shorts adorning the male population, somehow I’ve managed to dodge the bullet.

It hasn’t been easy, mind you.

I’ve encountered my fair share of obstacles since my journey began in late July. The outback is a sweltering and unforgiving place; I’ve had to suck the venom of a Redback spider from my own toe and wrestle crocodiles to save an infant Aboriginal boy. I’ve brushed elbows with death, lying helpless and dehydrated on the floor of the mother desert.

And as I laid there, losing my grip on reality, a mirage came to me: a paradise made of winding roads and collegiate brick buildings, the smelly hallways of Ober residence hall, the mystery fish of the day: Etown, home.

Okay, so that’s not all entirely true. Instead of sucking the venom of a redback spider from my own toe, I’ve been sucking on ridiculously expensive rum and Coke in some swanky bar on George Street, swinging my hips to “Party in the USA.” And wrestling crocodiles is more like watching my new

by Jill Hugus American male friends wrestle

large Australian bouncers in an attempt to avoid getting kicked out of the bar. The mirage of Etown has some truth to it; nothing smells sweeter than home when you’re halfway across the world.

Nevertheless, I’m becoming more and more accustomed to Australian culture. I’ve started to say things like “that’s heaps good,” and I’ve been referring to McDonald’s as “Maccas,” and Burger King as “Hungry Jacks.” I can sing the entire Australian drinking song without slurring.

“Here’s to Sammy, she’s true blue. She’s a piss-pot through and through, she’s a bastard so they say, she tried to go to heaven but she went the other way,” etc., etc. I’ve properly hit on men much too young for me, forgetting that 18-year-olds are allowed to get into bars.

I could tell you all the touristy things I’ve done (yes, I’ve pet a koala and attempted to ride a kangaroo), but the truly important things that occur while you’re traveling abroad are those horrifying mistakes you make, the ones that mold the stereotype of “stupid American.”

Let me preface that by letting you know that I’m living in a freshman residence hall, comprised of about fifty American study abroad students, fifty Australian students, and an unknown number of Asian students (as most of them are elusive and avoid the stupidity and chaos that ensues during the weekends). So I’m a senior who is nostalgically reliving my freshman year. I’m like that old woman who wakes up every morning with whiskey breath and puts on her

ent parts of the motherland, from the slightly flamboyant beaches of California to the Snooki-infested sands of the Jersey shore.

Despite our differences, we all have one thing in common: we are all painfully American. Wherever we go, we leave obnoxious “American-ness” in our wake. We are loud, we are proud, and we are much too drunk for our own good.

One of us climbed the roof of a bar while being chased by bouncers, while another enjoyed banging his head against a wall and shouting things like, “I hate babies!”

We’ve thoroughly embarrassed ourselves at karaoke bars, and somehow we’ve managed to gain the eternal admiration of our Australian house mates with utter nonsense.

Yes, we’ve been top-notch ambasImage: www.funnypart.com sadors for Mama prom dress. Regardless, you must America, and when we return, we play the hand you’re dealt, and hope that she will welcome us back mine involves consuming mass with open arms and, more imporamounts of alcohol and singing tantly, a Maccas bag to vomit in.

Queen songs on the steps of the Web design and maintenance Sydney Opera House. needed for local firm. Prefer And I’m mellow compared college student who can also to the American students I live teach staff how to maintain amongst. We come from all differ- website. Call 717-361-9876

13

the Etownian the board

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

The Etownian is published most Thursdays during the academic year

by Susquehanna Printing.

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

Submit letters to OPINIONEDITOR@ etown.edu.

14

sports

the Etownian

women’s cross country

Lady Jays off and running Kelly J. Clayton Staff Writer

J

September 16, 2010

field hockey

Veteran Lady Jays guide 2010 team Shawn P. Corcoran Staff Writer

T

his fall season the leaves will not be the only thing falling on the Elizabethtown College campus. The 2010 Etown’s women’s field hockey team looks to topple opponents who stand in the way of a Commonwealth Conference title.

After a bitter defeat at the hands of Lebanon Valley College in the playoffs last season, the Lady Jays are out for vengeance.

“Improving our win record and winning our conference are big goal for us this year,” senior captain Julie Foster said.

A starting lineup consisting of eight seniors makes these goals achievable.

“Every offensive player should be seen as a threat,” Foster said. “They are strong, fast, and have the capability to score at will.”

A highly hazardous first line of attack composed of seniors Maureen Town and Liz DeMatteis, junior Caitlin Grimes and sophomore Nadine Yunginger combined for 13 goals and six assists in Etown’s first five games.

As if they are not enough to discourage the competition, the backing of senior midfielders Foster, Ali Cavanaugh and Meg Cassels will look contribute to a constant update

unior captain Kathryn Howser is making perfectly clear her ultimate goal for Elizabethtown College’s women’s cross country team: “to make it to Nationals and place well.”

This year, the Lady Jays are looking to “defend their title going for their fourth straight [Middle Atlantic Conference] title, and qualify as a team for NCAA championships,” head coach Brian Falk said. “The team has missed NCAAs the past two seasons, and everyone is hungry to return again this year.”

With their goals in mind, the Lady Jays started their season with a bang by winning the Delaware Valley College Invitational Sept. 4.

At the Del Val Invitational the Lady Jays flew by their opponents, placing three out of the top four finishers.

Sophomore Taryn Shank was the top finisher for the Jays, finishing in second place with a time of 23:57.44. Behind her was first-year Traci Tempone with a time of 23:59.53, followed by fellow first-year runner Eileen Cody clocking in at 24:04.91 for fourth place. Etown took home the trophy, winning by a tight margin of 21 points over runner-up and MAC rival Messiah College.

Falk said the first place finish is a good start, but that the team takes a different approach to early season meets than it does to those later in the season.

“It was nice to win, but we take a ‘scrimmage’ mentality to September meets because we’ll need all our physical and emotional resources for the big meets in October and November,” Falk said.

However, Howser thinks that there is still work to be done.

“It was a great start to the season, but the season is so long we need to stay humble and keep on improving every day,” Howser said.

The first invitational of the year came with some early-season jitters, especially for the new runners.

“Going into the season opener at Del Val was very nerve racking for many of the first-year runners, but the upperclassmen tried to keep the atmosphere light and fun,” senior captain Kristen O’Brien said.

This year, the team has a new secret weapon: 15 fresh faces of first-year students.

“With 15 first-year runners and nine returners, it has taken a little longer to bond, but like in the past our team takes pride in our strong family atmosphere,” Howser said.

Falk sees the bond throughout the team and likes the camaraderie that the team is building.

“They all seem to be enjoying

of the scoreboard. Junior Samantha Redles and sophomore Melanie Hartman also aim to add to the Etown’s offense.

It has been said a good offense is fueled by a good defense.

The Blue Jays have the defensive personnel to validate this statement. Seniors Linsey Fasold , Abby Beykirch and Jackie Macharsky form a formidable back line.

“Communication will be the key to our defensive success,” Macharsky said.

Every game on this year’s schedule is crucial. However, there are three that Cavanaugh can’t get off her mind. The first is against LVC. “We haven’t beaten them in the past three years that I have been here,” Cavanaugh said. “This is the year we turn that around. We are not afraid.”

The second game is against Messiah College. Any Etown athlete will tell you that there is no better feeling for a Blue Jay than to soar above the Messiah Falcons on game day.

The third big match for the Lady Jays is against Widener.

“For the first time since I have been at Elizabethtown, Widener was ranked ahead of us in pre-season polls,” Cavanaugh said. “Winning this game will prove that this ranking shouldn’t have happened.”

So far the Lady Jays are 3-2 and take on King’s College today. With a combination of a cohesive team, excellent field sense, and a desire to win, they will try make it one of the most memorable and successful seasons in Etown history.

each other’s company,” he said.

“The van rides are getting nosier, which is a great sign.”

The Lady Jays’ next contest is Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Dickinson Long/Short Course Invitational.

“This meet will be a 4k and a 6k, so most likely we will be competing on the 4k course, which is a nice mix-up from our normal race distance,” O’Brien said.

Falk describes the Invita-

tional at Dickinson as a stepping stone to the real season, and as a meet that will be a good early season challenge.

“It is going to test our young runners’ maturity and our captains’ leadership to keep everyone healthy and focused enough to truly run our best races in November, which I look forward to seeing,” Falk said.

women’s volleyball

Lady Jays have high hopes for a winning season

Thomas D. Hagerty Staff Writer

“B

ump, set, spike it. That’s the way we like it.”

That was the phrase that announcer Steve Shuleski used at the conclusion of home wins for the women’s volleyball team last year.

The Lady Jays hope to hear that phrase 16 times this season, as one of the team’s goals is to win all their home matches this season.

Another one of their hopes is to win the Commonwealth Conference Championship and advance to the Division III NCAA Tournament. These may seem like lofty expectations, but for a team that has made it to the championship game the past four seasons, they are not out of the question.

To reach these goals, the team will rely on a mix of strong leadership and youthful energy.

“Every team is unique,” head coach Randall Kreider said.

“This year’s senior leadership is more ‘lead by example’ than last year’s.”

The players believe this year’s team is more like a family.

“The team is much closer,” senior captain Amanda Ritchey said. “We eat meals together, even when we don’t have to.”

There are three first-year additions to the team this season who are already making a difference: Carolyn Lukiewski, Melissa Dorsey and Erin Guarino.

“Even in our preseason workouts, the first years showed their hard work and dedication early,” senior captain Crystal Agnew said.

That energy might be helpful on the floor this season, as the Lady Jays graduated three players who saw a lot of action last season: Kayla Deats, Paige Tanner and Kathy Perry. With these voids in the lineup, there is room for some

upperclassmen to see some steady action this season. This time around, juniors Katie Gantz, outside hitter and Kelsey Hayes, middle hitter, along with senior outside hitter Molly Northway have been seeing more playing time.

While the graduated Jays left a hole in the lineup, not all of them completely left the team. Deats rejoins the team this season as an assistant coach. Throughout her career as a Lady Jay, Deats tallied 916 kills, eighth most in school history, and 407 blocks, good for seventh all time.

Kreider has employed former players as coaches before, and said he likes the perspective they bring to his staff.

“Having a player return as a coach is great because she knows our program,” Krieder said. “Not only our strategies and how we play, but who we are and what we’re about.”

The players on the current roster also appreciate having Deats’ experience on their coaching staff.

“She knows. She’s been there before,” said junior captain Andrea Weaver, talking about the NCAAs. The Lady Jays won their first three matches against McDaniel, York and Haverford Colleges. Their next four games came at the Dickinson Invitational, where the Lady Jays went 2-2. They’ve implemented balance in their lineup, as Gantz and sophomores Holly Bubb and Lindsay Palm, Commonwealth Conference Rookie of the Year in 2009, all have 70 or more kills already this season.

Agnew is averaging 8.75 assists a game, which is better than her career average. Weaver is leading the team with 171 digs per game.

Etown dropped a 3-1 decision to Widener on Wednesday, Sept. 15, for an overall record of 5-3.

The team hopes to get back on track this weekend when Moravian, Messiah and Lancaster Bible Colleges travel to Thompson Gymnasium for the Rockvale Outlets Old Friend Crossover Tournament.

Sports by the Numbers

2 The number of goals scored by firstyear Luis Devia in a 4:48 stretch in the men’s soccer team’s 3-2 over Elmhurst College, Sept. 11.

They Said It...

“If we can remember to stay calm, collected and play our game, we will have a great season. We have everything we need, we just need to implement it to win.”

Senior Captain of the women’s soccer team Paige Minka

sports

September 16, 2010

the Etownian

women’s soccer

15

Lady Jays start the season off with a 2-2-1 record Ashley N. Kufera Staff Writer

T

he Elizabethtown College women’s soccer team is off to a great start for the 2010 season, a year with high goals and perseverance.

The Lady Jays added six first-years to their roster, who are showing a lot of motivation.

“The first-years have adjusted very well, and the whole team gets along great. The first-years are really stepping up and working hard. If they are asked to do something, they do their best,” senior Ashton Heydt said.

Working hard is a big factor, especially with the Middle Atlantic Conference championship and NCAA tournament among the team’s goals. The Lady Jays are setting the bar, determined to maintain a winning record.

“If we keep a good record, it will ultimately lead us to the achievement of these goals, and having all shutouts would lead to the ultimate success of beating Messiah,” Heydt said.

The team’s willingness to do better collectively, their closeness on and off of the field, their ability to listen to each other and their desire to want it for each other are all inspiring assets.

“If we can remember to stay calm, collected and play our game, we will

have a great season. We have everything we need; we just need to implement it to win,” senior captain Paige Minka said.

The team’s motivation is paying off early in the season.

This past weekend, the Lady Jays played in the annual Jay Classic, racking up two wins against Bridgewater College and the University of La Verne.

The Jays started off strong, defeating Bridgewater 4-2, and finished with a shutout against the University of La Verne with a score of 2-0. This tournament allowed for a smooth transition into this season for the Lady Jays.

The team was young last year, with a large first-year and junior class, finishing 9-10.

The players are approaching the new season with a lot of positive energy and confidence.

“Having a large first-year and junior class last season really forced us to learn to play as a team,” Heydt said.

“This season, we already have that experience under our belts, and we have a lot of potential to do well.”

The Jays communicated and played well, scoring six goals in the tournament.

“In the past, scoring was always a problem for us. We were always very defensive-minded, but this weekend we really accomplished finishing our

shots,” Heydt said.

The Lady Jays scored five of their six goals off of set plays, including corner kicks and free plays. Changes have been made formation-wise as well, in order to increase scoring opportunities.

This year, Head Coach Bob Scotten experimented with the team’s formation by eliminating the outside midfielders and relying on the defenders the cover the void.

“We were always big on building from the back, so we really like this new formation. We have more opportunity to build from the back,” senior captain Lisa Nyman said.

The Lady Jays continued this style of play into their nonconference match last Wednesday against York College, finishing with a 0-0 tie.

However, the team sputtered in its next two games, falling 2-1 to Juniata College on Sept. 11 and 3-2 to Franklin and Marshall College on Sept. 14.

The Lady Jays will be on the road for the next two games before returning to Ira R. Herr Field for a match against Stevenson University Saturday, Sept. 25.

“We think this is going to be a good season, so everyone should come out and cheer us on,” Heydt said. “The more people we have supporting, the better, and we are looking forward to see[ing] what we can do this season.”

Photo: Mattew P. Butera

Sophomore Kathryn Ritter throws the ball back into play during a recent game against York College at Ira R. Herr Field. The game between the Lady Jays and the Spartans ended in a scoreless tie on Sept. 8.

men’s soccer

Jays look to build on early momentum

K. Betty Lai Staff Writer

T

he Elizabethtown College men’s soccer team kicked off its 2010 season with two straight tournament wins. The first came Sept. 4 when the Blue Jays defeated St. Mary’s College 2-0 in the Salisbury Elmer Lord Classic in Salisbury, Md. The Jays followed that win the next day with a scoreless tie against No. 20 Salisbury University.

Etown then hosted the Brothers Pizza Blue Jay Classic and again claimed the tournament’s top prize. On Friday, Sept. 10, the Jays tied Washington and Lee University and survived a late comeback from Elmhurst College, holding on for a 3-2 victory on Saturday, Sept. 11.

With a great start to the season, Head Coach Skip Roderick is excited about his team’s chances this season. However, he is not satisfied yet, laying out four primary goals for improvement. In time, he hopes the team will become “the most united, the fittest, the most discipline and the smartest” team possible.

Senior captain Tony Pacella has high expectations, too. He hopes to lead the Jays to win the Middle Atlantic Conference championship and go to the NCAAs to win the national championship. Pacella believes the team “has a great bunch of upperclassmen with a lot of experience and strong incoming freshmen who are very athletic but very unpolished.”

Pacella has already noticed positive changes since the start of the season.

“Everyone is more comfortable with each other,” Pacella said. “I can see bonds, and the team is going to become the most united later.”

Senior Chris Rice said that the team started off with high hopes considering they lost only two seniors from last year’s 14-4-1 squad.

Like Pacella, Rice wants to win the MAC and earn an NCAA berth, saying that the team has a good combination of upperclassmen and underclassmen and solid leadership.

Focusing on one of Roderick’s four goals, being “the fittest,” the team puts a lot of time and effort on fitness in their practices this season to get ready for conference play.

However, Etown fell 2-1 to McDaniel College in a nonconference game on Sept. 15.

On Sept. 22, the Blue Jays will take on New Jersey rival Drew University at home at 7 p.m. Roderick said Drew University boasts a talented and skillful team that plays in a style similar to the Jays’.

Dennis Hollinger President of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary A singularly unique opportunity created by a partnership between EBIC, and these organizations:

Sermon:

Head, Heart & Hands

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

Sunday School: Christian

Ethics in

Lifeand Death 12:30 pm Free Luncheon & Lecture: Challenging Sexual Ethics Issues Christians Face Today

R.S.V.P. by 9/22

Sign up, or email Tom Grosh, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

16

the Etownian

sports

etown athletics • pro sports • ncaa coverage

September 16, 2010 high school football • olympics • analysis

cross country

Senior Heisey leads Blue Jays by example T. Gavin Nevill Sports Editor

Straub described Heisey as ence that Straub says ultimately both a vocal and a lead-by- helped Heisey grow and mature. example type of leader.

“I think that Chris, having Last season, the men’s team been through that as a freshman our years as a member of and seeing my distress and the Elizabethtown Colunwillingness to stay at that lege men’s cross country team level of mediocrity, he was my has taught Chris Heisey one right-hand man in building it important lesson. back up to where it is, along “If you do work hard at somewith Rich Greco and Adam thing, you will succeed,” Heisey Derkacz, our other seniors,” said. “The results will come.”

Straub said.

Heisey, a senior biology major from Middletown, Pa., On Track is entering his second season Away from the pressures as team captain, a feat that of his captaincy, Heisey is may have seemed unlikely described by his teammates as when he was not highly re“goofy,” and someone who keeps cruited by the coaching staff. the whole team on their toes.

As a senior at Middletown “He likes jokes a lot; he High School, Heisey turned jokes around but he knows down other schools for a there is a very fine line between chance to walk on at Etown. joking and being serious,” “The cross country team Greco said. has always been at the top Heisey, who said he spends of the region, always trying his free time playing video to get into nationals,” Heisey games or hanging out with said. “I wanted to be on a friends, plans to apply to posuccessful team.” diatry school to continue his Heisey’s season debut for the education following gradupreseason No. 20 ranked team ation in May. He said his in the nation is scheduled for experiences with injuries in Photo: Tom Williams Saturday, Sept. 18 at the Navy cross country and track have Chris Heisey is hoping for a top ten Invitational in Annapolis, Md. finish in the nation for the Blue Jays. led him to look into a career surrounding biomechanics Leader from the Start Head Coach Chris Straub finished No. 28 in the nation. and feet.

“A lot of times, I get injured said Heisey showed leadership Seven of the team’s top eight qualities from the first time he runners return this year. Straub and it’s my ankle or a foot,” said things are going “per- Heisey said. “So just through put on the Blue Jay uniform. fect relative to 2007.” That was my own injuries, I kind of “We’re always looking and Heisey’s first year, when the developed an interest in what trying to groom our next leader or leaders, and it became pretty team finished outside the top six was causing it.” apparent early on that Chris had in the region for the first time Keep Running the skill set necessary to lead,” since 1998. They finished 13th Cross country workouts can out of 53 schools, an experi- be brutal. It’s common for runStraub said.

F

ners to log anywhere from 60 to 80 miles a week, including as many as 14 to 18 miles on Sundays alone. Heisey said knowing that his teammates are relying on him pushes him to complete the workouts. Competition among the runners also keeps Heisey motivated.

“You don’t want to lose to your teammate,” Heisey s a i d . “ E v e r y o n e’s r e a l l y competitive.”

After a top 50 finish a year ago, Heisey’s goal is to finish in the top 10 in the Mideast Region, which consists of schools from Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey.

With individual success comes team success, and the Blue Jays are hoping to build on the foundation from last year’s appearance at the NCAA National Championships.

“Last year we barely made it into nationals, so we’re motivated by getting there, and we’re not going to be satisfied just getting there,” Heisey said.

“We actually want to do really well as a team.”

The captain is setting the bar high for the team, making a top 10 finish in the nation a team goal. If reached, it would mark the best finish in school history, a far cry from the team’s 2007 season.

“If we can go from 13th in the region to top 10 in the nation in my four years of being here, that would be a great story,” Heisey said.

the etownian’s

Athlete of the Week Caitlin Grimes Q&A

T. Gavin Nevill Sports Editor Talk about productivity.

Junior Caitlin Grimes has had a goal or an assist in all five games this season for the Lady Jays, most recently shredding the Swarthmore defense for a goal and an assist in Etown’s 4-1 win on Sept. 14.

The forward from Newark, Del. is tied for the team lead in assists with three, including one against Dickinson College in a 5-2 Etown victory Sept. 11.

Earlier in the season, Grimes terrorized Ramapo College’s back line, scoring two goals including the game-winner in overtime on Sept. 5.

Photo: Matthew P. Butera

Grimes and the Lady Jays take on King’s College today at 7 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Major: Occupational Therapy Favorite Jay’s Nest item: Egg Jay with french toast sticks Favorite sports team: Don’t have one Favorite musician: Rascal Flatts Favorite TV show: “Gilmore Girls” Favorite movie: “Forrest Gump” Song currently playing on my iPod: “River of Dreams” by Billy Joel

In 10 years, I want to ... open a pediatric re hab outpatient clinic with my best friend.

Hardly anyone knows that ... one of my life goals is to visit all the major aquariums in the U.S. and Europe.

I’m a sucker for: chocolate covered pretzels.

I started playing my sport... freshman year of high school.

InsideSports Field Hockey

Page 14 Women’s Cross Country Page 14 Men’s Soccer Page 14 Volleyball Page 15 Women’s Soccer Page 15

Sports Recap Men’s Cross Countr y Delaware Valley Invitational 9th of 22 Women’s Cross Countr y

Delaware Valley Invitational 1st of 18

Field Hockey Etown 4, Swarthmore 1 Etown 5, Dickinson 2 Women’s Soccer Juniata 2, Etown 1 Etown 2, Franklin & Marshall 3 Men’s Soccer Etown 3, Elmhurst 2 Etown 2, McDaniel 3 Volleyball York 3, Etown 1 Etown 3, Salisbury 1 Etown 3, Bridgewter 1 Allegheny 3, Etown 1 Etown 1, Widener 3

Schedule

of Sports

Men’s Cross Countr y September 18: @ Navy Invitational Women’s Cross Countr y

September 18: @ Dickinson Long/ Short Invitational Field Hockey September 16: @ Kings College September 22: @ Susquehanna Women’s Soccer September 18: @ Haverford September 22: @ Moravian Men’s Soccer September 18: Wilkes September 22: Drew Volleyball September 17: Lancaster Bible (6:30pm) Moravian (8:30pm) September 21: Arcadia EtownBlueJays .com