Etownian Issue 5 2009

the October 22, 2009 • Volume 106, No. 5

Etownian elizabethtown college

On the Web: www.etownian.com

One Alpha Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

on campus

Proposed diversity plan explored, met with wide debate Allison M. O’Boyle Assistant News Editor

I

n 2007, President Long charged the Diversity Task Force with linking diversity and educational excellence, a theory that many Elizabethtown College faculty and students agree is a step in the right direction for the future of the College.

“Embracing Inclusive Excellence: A Five-Year Plan for Strengthening Campus Diversity,” the task force’s plan for enhancing Etown’s diverse atmosphere, states, “We strive to ensure that the members of the community — students, faculty, staff and administrators — are diverse in race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, age and national origin.”

However, Student Senate and the faculty disagree as to how to implement such diversity with the promise of a definite outcome. With Senate’s rejection and the faculty’s acceptance of the plan, many members of the campus community are on the edges of their seats awaiting the Board of Trustees’ final decision of whether or not to approve the plan.

Dr. Tara Smith, Associate Professor of psychology and Diversity Task Force member, said, “I think all students benefit from having a vibrant, diverse campus that embraces the learning opportunities and understanding that comes with living, working and socializing with people from a variety of backgrounds. I also honestly think that for Elizabethtown

College to remain a healthy educational institution over the next few decades, we must ensure that our school is a place where it is possible for all students to flourish.”

It is a document with no teeth, and that does not help diversity.

Kevin Busher Senior Senate Representative Dr. Smith believes that diversity-related issues are not easy to deal with, and, due tothe community’s discomfort with some of these topics, classes cannot always engage in “honest, difficult, thought-provoking conversations that are opportunities for all of us to grow.” All too often, she and her colleagues notice students unknowingly making problematic comments. She recalled that, “76 percent of students of color who took last year’s online survey indicated that they had experienced discrimination or harassment on campus due to their race or ethnicity …

This certainly doesn’t mean that the majority of

white students on campus are engaging in harassing or discriminatory behavior, but I do think it means that these are not isolated incidents and that they won’t stop happening until we start openly addressing issues related to diversity.”

According to Dr. Smith, the diversity plan strives “to affirm a commitment to diversity and allocate resources to implement the diversity plan, to create a safe and welcoming campus climate, to develop intentional opportunities for interaction around diversity-related issues, to build a more diverse and welcoming campus and to establish a more diverse learning environment. There are over 50 specific action steps described in the plan that will contribute to our attainment of these goals.” With these goals, Dr. Smith feels that topics of discomfort regarding diversity will be more readily addressed, creating a more compassionate community.

Dr. Vivian Bergel, Associate Professor of Social Work and Diversity Task Force member, went further to say that “just below the surface of the publicly friendly face of the campus, there is much stereotyping, inaccurate presumptions or lack of information about any student who is ‘different’ from the majority culture on campus. This lack of understanding leads to misconception and misunderstanding, which creates tensions and alienation.”

See DIVERSITY, page 3

in the community

Cedar Street residents frustrated with weekend antics Ross M. Benincasa Assistant Campus Life Editor Peter S. Northrop Features Editor

I

t’s certainly no secret that some Elizabethtown College students have drinking problems. Every Friday the bass starts pumping in innumerable locked dorm rooms and some of our peers make a mass exodus down Cedar Street and Mount Joy Ave. to cramped off-campus parties. We usually hear stories about dorms being busted and the wild antics that happen at off campus houses, but what happens between them? Until now, we’ve really heard nothing about how the residents of the Elizabethtown Borough react to the weekend fun of our peers.

Recently, several letters to the editor published in the Lancaster New Era were

the Etownian

putting out the news ... for over 100 years

The Etownian is a weekly n ews p a p e r p u b l i s h e d Th u r s d ays d u ri n g t h e academic year.

submitted by Elizabethtown residents who are seriously concerned about the “Saturday night College student party gauntlet.” People living in the houses surrounding the College have grown tired of having their Friday and Saturday nights ruined by rowdy college students.

“We’re taking our street back,” Mike Escobar, a resident of Cedar Street said.

Escobar has lived in the town for 15 years.

He and a group of people living on Cedar Street have pledged to patrol their street every Friday and Saturday night from 9 p.m. to midnight in a bid to — at the very least — make students aware of the neighborhood through which they are walking.

“They don’t think that when they’re going between the parties and dorms that there are people living in these houses. Or they don’t care,” Escobar said.

This group, called the Cedar Street Block

Alumnus in Germany Alumnus Jeremy Ebersole visits Germany and takes “Educate for Service” abroad.

Features, page 4

Watch was founded after several years of unruly student behavior.

“It’s been happening every fall and spring ever since we moved in,” Escobar said.

However, he noted that,“it’s worse this year.”

Escobar and others gave a long list of infractions attributed to drunken students walking to and from the various houses in the community. According to Escobar, students have urinated and defecated on people’s yards and garage doors, shouted at all hours of the night and torn flowers from yards and flung them into the streets.

Students have also done rather odd things to residents.

“We found candy wrappers stuffed in the bushes next to our door,” Escobar said. He also recounted a night when he came home to find several severely intoxicated students sitting on his porch.

The Property damage is only a minor

Homecoming Recap!

Find out what’s the behind the scenes of Homecoming.

Campus Life, page 6

aspect. There is also taken an emotional toll on the residents. Escobar told the Etownian that families have to deal with their small children being woken up every weekend night at 2 a.m. by Etown students walking back to campus.

Worst of all the fight between two college students in an elderly woman’s backyard a few weeks ago. “She cried about it — that really hurt me,” Escobar said.

Etown’s neighbors have been trying to resolve this problem for some time now.

Bill Yonavitch, a resident of College Avenue said, “I’ve been complaining about this for 25 years.”

Complaints from the townspeople are generally aimed at the borough administration, the borough police and Etown campus security. These complaints are usually brushed off. “The police say they can’t do

Breast Cancer Awareness Breast cancer awareness month strives to raise awareness and protect women.

Centerfold, pages 8 & 9

See CEDAR, page 10

Senate’s Reach A shift in Senate’s focus? See page 13 for investigation.

Opinion, page 13

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news

the Etownian

October 22, 2009

on campus

The

Jayd-ed edge

Rachel A. Marsteller News Editor

“Bear” run Shoppers in a Wisconsin grocery store got an unexpected surprise when a 125 pound black bear wandered inside and headed straight for the beer cooler.

The bear stopped Thursday night at Marketplace Foods in Hayward, sauntering through the automatic doors and heading straight for the liquor department.

It calmly climbed up 12 feet onto a shelf in the beer cooler where it sat for about an hour while employees helped to evacuate customers and summoned wildlife officials.

Officials from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tranquilized the animal and took it out of the store. Store workers say the bear seemed content in the cooler and did not consume any alcohol.

Cat lady tasers trooper A 65-year-old Maine woman was jailed for allegedly assaulting a state trooper with a stun gun during an investigation into whether she was hoarding animals at her house.

The woman pleaded not guilty to multiple charges Thursday in Superior Court in Farmington. The woman was under a court order barring her from keeping animals after nearly 70 animals were found at her home in 2004; she was convicted of animal cruelty.

According to an affidavit, the woman used the stun gun on Trooper Aaron Turcotte laste week after he showed up at her house. He was not seriously hurt.

The Sun Journal of Lewiston said at least 40 domestic and farm animals ­— including a donkey, two alpacas and a potbellied pig - were seized the next day.

Criminal record sets record A man who has pleaded guilty to three charges relating to spitting in a woman's face now has 72 criminal convictions as an adult.

Derek Lindsay pleaded guilty Thursday in to assault and battery, disorderly conduct and threats to commit a crime.

Police said the 36-year-old Lindsay spat in a woman's face in downtown Middleborough in June. A sentencing hearing is set for Dec. 17.

According to court records, Lindsay's string of criminal convictions dates from 1990.

Compiled from myway.com

Volunteer projects increase in popularity Laura E. Kuserk Staff Writer

G

eneration Y has been referred to as the most generous generation. For the past few years, volunteering among students has increased. Now, with the drop in job openings, college students and graduates are looking for other ways to spend their time and make a difference in their communities.

According to a study conducted by Harris Interactive, three in four American teenagers have volunteered in the past year. This number is up from the six in ten who volunteered in 1996. One in three volunteers help with children, two in ten work with animals, and three in four raise awareness about environmental causes.

In order to defer going into the workforce during this recession, several college graduates are taking up volunteering activities. Volunteer organizations such as the Peace Corps and Teach for America say that the bad economy and President Obama's call for service have led to a major increase in applications. It is also believed that more graduates are volunteering to help build their résumés, as well as to gain new skills that can make them more valuable to future employers.

The Peace Corps saw an application in-

crease of 16 percent from last year. Teach service trips during winter break.

Etown students travel to D’Iberville, for America had a 50 percent increase.

The volunteering trend has also Miss. to help rebuild homes that were been seen among high school and col- destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

There are many other ways to give lege students. At Etown, students are back to the community. The American offered many opportunities to help our community. One such upcoming event Hiking Society offers trips that focus is Into the Streets, which will take place on rebuilding and maintaining hiking this Saturday. Students are given the trails across the country.

Global Volunteer Organization chance to spend their Saturday participating in a range of activities from (GVO) allows people to travel overseas raking leaves to teaching children how to teach English to people in other countries, help build homes, and proto dance and sing.

Students are also using Facebook vide health care. The GVO also proto encourage friends to make a differ- vides opportunities to sponsor a child ence. They join causes and post events, or a classroom. Service trips are gaininviting people they know to help out. ing popularity and have been featured Etown also has several clubs which on many news programs. encourage volunteering.

One such club is Habitat for Humanity. Their mission is “to facilitate In the past article, “Athletic funding decrease leaves student and community sports sans wheels,” it was stated that 47 percent of volunteers in an effort women attending Etown are involved in sports, while to eliminate poverty and 53 percent of the male population is involved. In sub-standard housing in reality, 47 percent of Elizabethtown’s 381 athletes are the Lancaster area.” Anfemale; 53 percent are male. other club, is the K-9 club Also to clarify, the men’s soccer operating budget and who volunteer their time the women’s soccer budget are identical.We did not host to help animals as well as a women’s soccer tournament this year because we were raise money for Seeing unable to find three other teams that had Labor Day Eye dogs and animal shelweekend open in their 2009 schedule. ters in Lancaster County.

The Etownian apologizes for the mistake.

Some students take

CORRECTION

on campus

Allies host National Coming Out Week Alexis L. Morris Staff Writer

D

uring the week of October 12-16, the Elizabethtown College Allies hosted National Coming Out Week in order to raise awareness about the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) community. Their activities aimed to help students accept the differences of sexuality that are present on campus.

Monday, the club sponsored tie-dying on Brinser Field.

However, the club’s main event was hosting speaker Shane Windmeyer Tuesday. Windmeyer is a leader in the movement to make college campuses more safe for and accepting of LGBTQ faculty and students. In 2001, he founded Campus Pride, the only “national nonprofit organization for student leaders and campus groups working to create a safer college environment for LGBT students” (www.campuspride.org). He has written several books profiling the friendliest LGBTQ college campuses and giving advice on how to deal with confidence about one’s sexual orientation.

His works include “The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students” and “Brotherhood: Gay Life in College Fraternities.” Windmeyer was also the co-editor of “Inspiration for LGBT Students & Allies”, “Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity” and “Secret Sisters: Stories of Being Lesbian & Bisexual in a College Sorority.” Windmeyer also helps run Gay Camp, a leadership experience for both Allies and LBGTQ. In his speech Tuesday, Windmeyer addressed the students about what it means to be an ally on campus. His message urged students to be supportive and nonjudgmental of members of the LGBT community.

Windmeyer’s speaking skills were extremely eloquent and captivating; according to www.shanewindmeyer.com, he has been called “enlightening, humorous, and poignant…a true inspiration.”

Wednesday, Allies sponsored a movie night in Harrisburg, and Thursday they held a panel discussion with

LGBTQ members of the campus. Finally, Friday, students were encouraged to wear rainbow attire for National Coming Out Day. According to Allies secretary Amanda McGeary, “The events were well received by the community, and we had a decent amount of turn out at all of the events.” The group also plans to have a Joe Corbi’s fundraiser, holiday party, drag show and, hopefully, a trip in the future.

McGeary stated, “It is so important for members of Elizabethtown College to have this information readily available to them because there needs to be a greater understand[ing] and with that, support for those students, faculty and staff who identify themselves as LGBTQ. “It is important to remember that [members of the LGBTQ] community are people, just the same as anyone else, regardless of to whom they are attracted.

“Allies strives to make the campus community aware of this and to provide an enjoyable environment where people can come and be themselves freely and without judgment.”

In national news, Oct. 11, tens of thousands of members of the LGBTQ community and supporters marched in Washington, D.C. after President Obama made his promise to end the military policy of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” This policy bans gays and lesbians from openly admitting their sexual orientation if they want to serve in the armed forces.

In addition, Obama stated that he wanted Congress to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the head count was more than 150,000. Many demonstrators were not only protesting the prejudice gays receive in the military but the lack of gay rights in general.

“The LGBT community is not satisfied with a piecemeal approach to civil rights,” according to www.latimes.com.

Several speeches were made at the rally; some of the speakers included Lady Gaga, Army First Lt. Daniel Choi, who was discharged for “coming out,” and Babs Siperstien, a transsexual member of the Democratic National Committee.

news

October 22, 2009

the Etownian

continued from page one

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Diversity plan endures continued debate about content

“The overall goal of the Diversity Plan is that within five years of adoption the campus will be more welcoming of students, staff and faculty of diverse cultures, races and religions and also purposefully educate and create opportunities for shared knowledge, interaction and understanding,” Bergel said. As the advisor for the Jewish student group, Hillel, Bergel attested that “Usually, the offender is not even aware that their lack of understanding or ‘casual’ comment is hurtful. Yes, this behavior is present on this campus, whether every member of our campus community believes it or not, and, yes, any perception of discrimination, insensitivity or racism hurts the College’s recruitment and retention efforts and sends the message that the ‘other’ is not welcome here.” She feels it is Etown’s responsibility to give the students diverse, real world experiences in a tolerant and sensitive environment.

“We have so much to learn from others who are different from us, but the opportunity to learn must be intentional,” Bergel said. “That is the real goal of the plan — to embrace and celebrate the wonders of what makes us similar and different through civil discourse and intentional action.”

While she understands that not everyone in the community will share her view on the diversity plan, Bergel feels that constructive criticism and open minds are what will make this plan most effective. “The provost, Dr. Susan Traverso, spoke eloquently as she discussed the plan and answered questions,” Bergel recounted their meeting with Senate. “Some students did not appear to be reflective but rather aggressive in their response. Dr. Traverso spoke of a need for empathy. What she meant was that just because a situation is not happening to you, that does not mean that it is not occurring.”

Student Senate’s responses to the plan triggered a continuous debate as to how the diversity plan should be implemented. Senior Kevin Smith, Senate’s Publicity and Marketing Chair, reported that Senate “analyzed the plan to see how it would impact the students.” He explicitly stated that they “analyzed the plan, not diversity.” Regardless of who felt what, Smith said that it was their job as the voice of the student body to analyze the document in the best interest of the students. Smith said that Senate would like to work further with the task force in making a new document which would address Senate’s concerns. Like Bergel, Senate recognizes that pieces of the plan are already implemented.

However, Smith said that Senate expressed that “the plan does embrace differences, but differences were left out.” The

e t a n e S s t e p Snip S

enate organized a successful Homecoming 2009, despite the dreary weather. Alumni, students, families, faculty and staff gathered indoors to celebrate annual Homecoming traditions.

Student groups, look out for the Homecoming Leftovers Sale, sponsored by the Class of 2011, coming soon!

Senate is proud to announce a new addition to the October activities: Trick or Treat 2009! Student groups who sign up for tables will line the academic quad and hand out goodies and club information to community children and visitors dressed up for Halloween. Trick or Treat 2009 is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Groups should register by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

Keep your eyes and ears open for an upcoming meeting with the College’s Director of Public Affairs regarding student concerns and the community atmosphere. Additionally, the College Board of Trustees will meet this Friday and Saturday. Student Senate President Autumn Metcalf will present on student concerns and Senate’s annual progress to date.

plan highlights different aspects of the definition of diversity, and “only certain sections are focused on.” According to Smith, Senate believes all aspects of diversity must be given equal time, including “diversity in skin color, sexual orientation and diversity of thought.”

“Senate is not anti-diversity,” Smith said. Rather, they want “a plan to work for Etown College.”

Senior Senate representative Kevin Busher both personally and politically feels that the proposed diversity plan will not work for the College. More than anything, he believes that “nobody [at the Senate meeting analyzing the diversity plan] was arguing against diversity.” Rather, the plan must be altered in specific ways to ensure definite outcomes.

Busher argued that the diversity plan makes promises to future students that cannot be met and that the plan is founded upon weak grounds because of incomplete research. He recalled a survey given last year regarding diversity on campus and feels that it is ambiguous as to who in the population responded, that the language used in the questions was biased and that the survey in general came from “left field.” In response to the actual plan, Busher believes it was “remotely well-put together.” He feels that there is no definite record as to what the task force’s committees will do to increase diversity, which will in turn yield no result. “It is a document with no teeth, and that does not help diversity.”

He referred back to the two diversity plans that the College has pursued in the past ten years which did not find widespread support. Each time the plan did not succeed, a committee revised it and made it better. Busher admits

that this plan is better than previous plans, but it is not finished yet. “The problem with the last two is that they were strictly administrative,” he said, “not campus community documents.”

Busher felt the tension between Senate and the Task Force as acutely as Bergel. “I applaud the task force for what they did [with regard to their effort to strengthen diversity],” he said. “I am appalled at the task force for the language they used at the meeting.” As a student who was “on the fence” about the plan walking into the Senate meeting, Busher recounted that one of the deciding factors for his final stance was the task force’s approach to the issue. He reported that one professor said that anyone against the plan is racist and that another task force member stated that anyone opposed to the plan has a pre-1960s mindset.

In the end, Busher said that he sees the perspective of the Task Force, but he believes the plan creates a “bigger division.” He said the problem is not talking about diversity; the campus can talk about and still be respectful.

Busher believes we do not need a plan, but rather, that a few courageous students are needed to make diversity more accepted on campus.

“I think we owe it to our entire campus community to dig into these issues and to ensure that all members of our community are treated with dignity and respect,” Dr. Smith said. It is safe to say that the majority of the Etown community would agree. The question still remains as to how these issues will be resolved.

on campus

CROP Walk takes strides to end hunger Samantha R. Wingrove Staff Writer

In Pennsylvania, there are over 130 CROP Hunger Walks held in September and October alone. Throughout the rest of the year, there are at least 30 very day, the Marketplace serves more. Students all over Pennsylvania three main dishes, hot sandare involved in the walks. According to wiches, cold sandwiches, fries, pizza, the CROP Walk’s Web site, students at salad, soup, cereal, fruit, vegetables, Penn State have even created a chant to and sometimes omelets and pasta. shout as they walk; “When I say, ‘Stop!’

Students at Elizabethtown College you say, ‘Hunger!’ When I say, ‘CROP!’ never find themselves going you say ‘Walk!’ When I say, hungry; there is an abundance ‘Thank you!’ you say, ‘Lord!’” of food here, and yet, students Last year, the Elizabethstill find a way to complain that town CROP Walk had nearly there is nothing to eat.

50 people in attendance, and Consider for a moment the several of them were Etown people who look in their cabistudents or staff. Sophomore nets and pantries daily, say there Callum Luff remembers the is nothing to eat, and sadly, it event. “I really enjoyed the is true. Their cabinets are bare. whole experience. I was able There is nothing for them to feed to raise over $40 for the walk.” their families for dinner.

He and a few friends walked According to the United together, and all agreed that States Department of Agriculit felt good to be helping othture (USDA), in 2007, there ers. Fellow sophomore Paul were approximately 36.2 milMackey also walked last year. lion people living in households Images: snohomishumc.com “It was a nice change to know considered to be “food insecure.” That is over 11 percent Etown students, among many other Americans, that we were making a differof the United States population. are participating in this year’s CROP Walk to raise ence,” Mackey said. money and awareness about hunger.

This year, the Etown CROP The CROP Hunger Walk is In the weeks before their walk, par- Walk is expected to be even larger than the first step in helping to solve the problem of hunger around the world. ticipants gather monetary donations usual. “Even though I can’t do the walk Meant to raise money to provide food from places of worship, family, friends this year, I know I still want to raise and water to needy families, the CROP and various other means. All dona- money,” Luff said.

The next time you walk into the Hunger Walk provides over $4 million tions go to support the Church World Ministry and their efforts to resolve Marketplace and think there is nothto food banks and pantries across the hunger across the globe. Additionally, ing to eat, consider the millions of United States.

Here at Etown, several students each participation center can choose Americans who really do have nothand faculty members have found a to use up to 25 percent of their profits ing to eat, and think about what you way to help. The CROP Hunger Walk to go directly to their local community, can do to help them: Help CROP is being held in Elizabethtown Oct. helping hungry families in their area. stop hunger.

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25, 2009, and members of the Etown community will participate.

The first CROP Hunger Walk was held Oct. 17, 1969 when over 1,000 people walked in Bismarck, N.D. Together they raised over $25,000 to help stop world hunger. Since then, the CROP Walk has exploded across the United States, and now there are 2,000 walks held each year.

4

the Etownian

features

profiles • monthly series • campus events

October 22, 2009 town events • facts & figures• business

alum profile

Active alum takes ‘Educate for Service’ motto abroad Brittany M. Kuperavage Staff Writer

H

ow do you describe the person responsible for coining the name “SWEET?” Or someone whose voice is on Big & Rich’s famous country song, “Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy”? How about the first and only first-year student ever to win Mr. Etown? You’d probably say this person was one in a million. And you would certainly be right. Jeremy Ebersole has accomplished so many things in the 26 years he has lived thus far, and this is only the beginning.

Ebersole grew up in what he described as a “fun little Rust Belt city” near Akron, Ohio. The members of the Ebersole family are certainly not strangers to Elizabethtown College. His parents, paternal grandparents and sister Kristen (’09) are all alumni of the College. Ebersole graduated from Etown in 2005 with a communications major and a minor in peace and conflict studies.

From the beginning, Ebersole was very involved in campus life. Besides the accomplishments already mentioned, he was active with ECTV-40 and WWECFM radio. He enjoyed his time as a Peer Mentor and started the Graduation Pledge tradition, a promise seniors can sign saying they’ll take into account the ethical implications of any job they consider.

E b e r s o l e’s f i r s t abroad experience was a spring break service trip to Ecuador during his sophomore year. At the time, Ebersole had no idea that this would be the first of many cultural experiences.

During the fall of his junior year, he studied abroad with other students as Etown’s first group to go to Australia.

After graduation, Ebersole was honored to return to Etown to work in the Office of Admissions.

“I loved talking to prospective students and was so inspired by many of them,” Ebersole said. “Etown is a great place, and I can confidently say that the faculty and staff really care about nothing more than working for the students.”

Ebersole worked in Admissions until 2009. His position was filled by friend and fellow Etown grad Jake Keeler (’09). Both Ebersole and Keeler have enjoyed working for the school they know and love.

“We’re a college where anyone can come and be themselves and be encouraged to use those gifts not for their own benefit but for the benefit of others,” Ebersole said.

While at Etown, Ebersole learned the value of the motto “Educate for Service.” He has done numerous service projects in the United States and abroad. He has been involved in all kinds of things from working for stray cat adoption to humanitarian relief. He has traveled to Mississippi to help with reconstruction after Hurricane Katrina, and has worked for the National Park Service. He is the vice chair of the Elizabethtown College Alumni Peace Fellowship and enjoys work with various churches and several other organizations.

Ebersole’s most recent service adventure took him across the Atlantic Ocean to Germany. While working with Volunteers for Peace (VFP), Ebersole spent three weeks in Germany with 17 other international young adults with a budget of under $1000 and had the opportunity to build a labyrinth. The group worked to construct the stone labyrinth at the site of an old Roman fort that is also a United Nations Edu-

cational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage protected site.

According to their Web site, UNESCO seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preser vation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

Ebersole explained that a labyrinth is a c o n s t r u c t i o n Jeremy Ebersole and his fellow Volunteers For Peace pose in front of a backhoe with a continu- shortly before they get to work on building a labyrinth in the German countryside. ous path through Ebersole and many others who have traveled it’s interior that may be followed. Participants can’t abroad speak about what a life-changing experiget lost as long as they follow the path.

Labyrinths have withstood the test of ence it is to encounter something unlike anything time and today are used primarily as a you’ve ever known. Specifically, Ebersole’s service has helped him to strengthen his values of universal meditation tool.

Ebersole spoke very highly of VFP and whole- peace and justice. He believes that the value of all life heartedly recommends it as the most economic way can be seen if we just realize that we are all human.

Ebersole has a truly remarkable outlook on life to see a foreign country. They offer thousands of that is full of hope and excitement. He read once that service projects all over the world in every country and every area imaginable to anyone 16 years and “there is no way to happiness; happiness is the way,” older. According to Ebersole, you pay $330 plus air- and it changed his life. He genuinely believes that fare for nearly all expenses. Most programs are two a selfless life is the only one worth living. Ebersole to three weeks, but some are longer and the price is has learned what true happiness is through amazing the same. During his trip to Germany, Ebersole was people and service work.

“You can spend your whole life working on your the only person from the Western Hemisphere and wallet, but if you don’t spend time with your soul, the only native English speaker. Ebersole recalls that he spent three glorious weeks without TV, Internet you’ll end up truly bankrupt,” he said.

So what is this busy man up to next? Ebersole or even phones. hopes to go back to graduate school next year for Involvement in service work has opened up his historic preservation, architectural history or film. eyes to different views and lifestyles.

“People from outside the U.S. really do have a He also has some exciting ideas in the works. One genuinely different way of looking at the world that concept he would like to do involves him driving is fascinating, yet it is always apparent that our simi- down the entire east coast in a convertible with no larities are so much more powerful. It reinforced the schedule using only a AAA atlas, no Interstates, idea that no matter what someone believes, we are staying at campgrounds, visiting only non-chain fundamentally human and the same,” Ebersole said. establishments, searching for genuine beach culture, and writing a book about it.

Ebersole is a real-life example of how one person can make a world of difference. He encourages students ever ywhere to make the most of the opportunities presented to them and to experience the true meaning of service. Through these simple guidelines, he knows that everyone can attain true contentment in the world.

“Love is what makes the world go round. It’s the only thing that matters. ‘Service’ is just another way of sayig ‘love.’ However you shake it out, The Beatles got it all right: all you need is love!”

All photos provided by Jeremy Ebersole via Facebook

Above left: Ebersole takes a short break from a hard day of construction on a German hilltop to pose for a picture. Above center: Ebersole sits on the edge of the finished labyrinth. This structure is designed to have visitors reach its center by following a single, very long path. As long as one stays on the trail, one cannot get lost.

TWO TEACUP YORKIE PUPPIES NEED REHOMING, AKC REGISTER/ FRIENDLY AND PLAY ALONG WITH OTHER ANIMAL. CONTACT petergeorge200@gmail.com

October 22, 2009

features

the Etownian

time for literature!

5

Book explores WWII letters sent to beloved former coach Nicole M. St. Pierre time as students, served in the Second World War. Using letters written to Staff Writer her father, beloved former Etown sports coach Ira Herr, the author provides

the story of a group of students whose positive experiences in athletics lizabethtown College has and strong relationship with their coach gave them a sense of support and a long and treasured past strength to draw upon as they experienced the difficulties of war first-hand. of dedication to serving the In these letters, we find the stories of Etown students as they adjust to community around us. Many their new roles in life. Former basketball player Wilbur “Wib” Raffensgraduates from our school perger, a member of the class of 1943, writes to Coach describing his new endeavor to create better, love for a position in the pilot’s seat as he takes part in combat missions that brighter futures for those who send him to places like Sicily and North Africa. Star pitcher Rudy Rudisill follow them. It is not often maintains a correspondence with Coach Herr throughout his experiences that one thinks back on the handling administrative duties in the Army. Coach Herr’s positive effect as sacrifices our predecessors a mentor and source of strength for his former athletes is obvious in the have made for our benefit— warm way in which each student addresses him. The author shows us how alumni of the college whose much Coach truly cared about each individual with whom he corresponded efforts have provided us with throughout the war. the secure world we know Herr notes that her father saved all of the letters he received, marking and occupy today. In the book them with the dates he read and wrote a response to each and every note or “Dear Coach: Letters Home postcard. The author deftly portrays how Coach Herr’s interest in the lives from World War II,” Etown of his athletes extended to giving them a source of support, no matter how graduate Lois Kathryn Herr far their duties in the armed forces carried them. explores the stories of several Using the many letters written to her father over the course of World War Image: loisherr.com II, Lois Kathryn Herr weaves together the experiences of Etown students and former Etown students as they left campus to join American efforts in World War II – giving new meaning to shines a light on the many challenges facing a young adult at the front lines of our motto, “Educate for Service”. war. “Dear Coach” not only portrays the effects World War II had on our campus, Evoking images of a smaller, simpler Etown, Herr chronicles the experiences it also shows the true ways in which a single person willing to show compassion of student athletes from our school who, either after graduation or during their and support can truly make a difference in the lives of his or her students.

E

more literature!

Author chronicles selfless humanitarian’s volunteerism Marc C. Weber Assistant Business Manager

M

elanie Snyder, Elizabethtown College alumna and author of “Grace Goes to Prison: An Inspiring Story of Hope and Humanity,” is truly living the College’s motto of “Educate for Service.”

Snyder graduated from Etown with bachelor’s degrees in psychology and social work, and she later enrolled in the University of New York and earned her MBA in information systems.

With her MBA, Snyder worked with Fortune 500 companies for about 20 years. However, her lifechanged as a result of the Virginia Tech shootings in 2007. Snyder was contacted to teach conflict resolution classes to local troubled teenagers.

Although she held degrees in psychology and social work, she experienced difficulty teaching these classes and sought help. Jean Moyer, Snyder’s friend, recommended that they see Marie Hamilton, who spent nearly 30 years volunteering in the Pennsylvania State Prison System. Snyder’s experiences with Hamilton served as the basis for “Grace Goes to Prison.”

Snyder’s book documents the story of Marie Hamilton, a 37 year-old homemaker who began visiting a group of prison inmates in 1975 in hopes of looking for and affirming the good within them. In the 30 years that followed, Hamilton expanded that vision to educate, empower and support inmates to be successful when paroled.

“It was never Marie Hamilton’s intention to work with the prisoners,” Snyder said. “The prisoners felt that no one gave them kindness, and they felt abandoned, so it was Marie’s calling to give them kindness and serve them.”

Hamilton’s volunteer work has challenged conventional wisdom about how to deal with criminals.

Initially, criminals were often treated as hopeless individuals who did not deserve any respect; however, Hamilton’s programs brought about sweeping reform in prison systems throughout Pennsylvania.

Hamilton helped the prisoners feel motivated to better the society on the outside of their prison walls.

“Beginning in 1979, inmates ran charities, such as a run-a-thon, to fund organizations like Big

Today, these charities have gnerated over a quarter of a million dollars.

Although this does not seem like a very large amount, this is almost an impossible feat considering the average prison wage is 26 cents an hour.

Snyder felt that her life completed a full circle after studying psychology and social work in college, spending years in the business sector and moving back into her original studies after writing “Grace Goes to Prison.”

Hamilton and Snyder have exemplified our motto of “Educate for Service” in this inspirational book by serving those in need of attention and by changing the conventional wisdom of prison systems throughout the United States.

Snyder will be holding a book signing event at the High Library Thursday, Oct 22, Image: googleimages.com at 7:00 p.m. Anyone and everyone who is looking for an inspirational story, or simply Brothers Big Sisters and help prevent younger generations from making the same mistakes that they the advice of a fellow Etown alum, is encouraged to attend this event. did,” Snyder said.

A Message from Kate Walsh: Ever see that pasty-looking brunette wandering the halls of Nicarry?

Ever hear her voice echo through the walls of Founders?

Ever wonder why she has friends?

Come find out at Gibble auditorium tonight (Oct.22) at 8 p.m.!

Kate Walsh will be performing comedic stories from her sad — but true — life experiences. Admission is free. Donations will be accepted by the host of the event, Fine Print magazine.

6

the Etownian

campus life

movies • music • television • humor • travel

October 22, 2009

lifestyles • arts • advice • college issues

Homecoming

2009

Photos: Matthew P. Butera, Tyler Drolet

on campus

Make it rain: dark clouds couldn’t take away Blue Jay spirit Patricia A. Cangelosi Assistant Copy Editor

H

undreds of students, families, staff and alumni enjoy Elizabethtown College’s Homecoming weekend each year, but few know the details of the planning that go into making this event a success.

Student Senate provides funding for student groups and works with the Office of Student Activities (OSA), which provides leadership training and other non-financial support.

These two purposes unite through Club Council. Club Council meets once a month to facilitate communication between groups; it also serves as the liaison between student groups and the faculty and administration.

“It’s inspiring to see how much students participate in planning and executing the events for students, faculty, staff and alumni. You can see their dedication,” senior Kevin Smith, Senate’s publicity and marketing chair, said.

This year’s Homecoming and family weekend, held Oct. 16-18, was a little different from previous years’.

“Modifications to Homecoming and family weekend have been mainly concentrated on providing some new events intended to appeal to a variety of students, alumni, parents and friends of the College,” Mark Clapper, chair of the on-campus Homecoming Committee and associate director of Alumni Relations, said.

According to Clapper, these changes included new seminars Saturday and additional department-specific events that afternoon.

Another new aspect of Homecoming this year was that the spirit week activities leading up to the weekend took place during fewer days due to the timing of fall break.

The poster party Oct. 14 and the “Tailgreet” Oct. 16 were also new additions to the schedule this year. Finally, after several years without the Powder Puff football games, Senate decided to renew the tradition this year.

The tournament, originally scheduled for Oct. 15, has been postponed to Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. on Wolf Field. Some Homecoming traditions, however, remained the same.

The Alumni House sponsored the float building and judged the floats Saturday morning despite the cancellation of the parade due to inclement weather.

The student body voted on this year’s theme, Famous Cities, which opened the door to a wide realm of creativity.

Clubs that built floats around this theme chose to portray New Orleans, Beijing, Tacoma, Las Vegas, Pompeii, San Juan, Camelot, Chicago, Cairo, Havana and Hershey.

First, second and third place winners were Las Vegas by the Class of 2010, Camelot by the Class of 2013 and Pompeii by the Honors Council, respectively.

While many were disappointed that the parade and alumni field hockey game were cancelled, Smith believes the weekend was still a success.

“The rain gave it a different atmosphere, but I think as a whole, students and families had a good time,” he said.

This mood was felt especially in the relocation of the Midway Fair to the Thompson Gym from its usual spot on Brinser Field.

Smith admits it was tough to fit the 92 tables into the gym, not to mention

the outside vendors who had to set up in the Jaywalk.

To cap off the weekend, OSA planned several activities geared toward children and families.

Clapper noted that OSA provided interactive games, shows, as well as special food and desserts throughout the weekend.

Smith said the group designed a Family Fun Zone in the KĀV, which included a mini inflatable ride and other activities for young children, allowing them to enjoy active fun on the rainy day.

The S. Dale High Center for Family Business also sponsored an event geared toward parents to teach skills for raising young adults with insights from a business leadership perspective, according to Clapper.

Considering all of the events and activities offered, it can safely be said that there was something this Homecoming weekend for everyone.

Despite the weather, according to Smith, Homecoming can be counted a success because so many families and alumni attended.

October 22, 2009

campus life

the Etownian

tv online

Web, TV collide Kelly P. McCormick Staff Writer

I

n today’s day and age, it is more common for youth to use a laptop rather than a TV. With that said, Hulu.com has become a huge success in the media among all ages. Featuring TV episodes and movies from stations such as ABC, NBC, Fox and even other networks, Huluc is surely favored by those who spend countless hours on the Internet.

“Hulu is not only a convenient method of watching first-run television, especially for a generation more likely to have a laptop than a television. It is also a great example of modern media convergence. It is a marriage of television and the home computer,” Colin Helb, communications professor, said. Hulu is an easy way for people to watch their favorite shows while doing their favorite activity: surfing the Web. “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”, “The Simpsons”, “Saturday Night Live” and “Family Guy” are just a few of the TV shows this site features. Along with these popular TV shows, Hulu also contains well-known movie trailers such as “Toy Story 3”, “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Phantom.” Even beyond movies, Hulu shows clips, similar to YouTube.

“If I miss a TV show, I can search it on Hulu.com to see if they have it,” sophomore Nikita Wigoda said. The easy search engine makes finding videos and shows on Hulu a simple and quick task.

In a survey of 10 students, eight answered that they had either used or heard of Hulu. This site has become an integral part of the media world, and it is constantly expanding.

“When I heard about Hulu.com, I spent a good amount of time just looking around it before I actually used it,” junior Katie Mellott said.

Besides being able to search Hulu and see what it features, other advantages of this site include the ability to view shows in higher resolution formats or even in high definition. Also, your computer may be capable of producing a clearer picture and sound experience than an older TV. Just as with every Web site, Hulu has some disadvantages. Although we are led to believe the site is completely free, it is not.

“Just as with traditional television, the programming is essentially traded to the viewer in exchange for the opportunity to sell you commercial products.

It is generating revenue for an industry [television] that might otherwise be feeling the hurt of digital media being experienced by the newspaper industry,” Helb said.

Although this site has indeed seen alot of internet traffic, Helb, Wigoda and Mellott said that they preferred to watch traditional television rather than use Hulu.

While the site makes it easy for an individual to watch something while doing other activities on the computer, the old fashioned television is still favored.

In order to enjoy Hulu.com, the user must have Flash Player 9.0 or higher. Also, to watch maturerelated shhows, the user must sign up for a Hulu account and then log in to the Web site to enjoy all of the benefits.

Although this side has indeed seen alot of it it has recently become noticeably more successful. Currently, videos on Hulu are only offered to users in the United States, but the site hopes to overcome this limitation in the near future.

So, if you are looking for a quick way to watch TV, a movie or even a video clip while not cutting out any precious computer time, Hulu.com is the site for you. This easily accessible site is a modern way to enjoy the same things we can find while laying on the couch watching television.

Not only has this site become a huge success, it is still growing and improving its benefits daily.

Whether you end up becoming a faithful user of Hulu.com or not, take a look around, and see what the site offers. You may or may not end up loving this modern media phenomenon!

7

• The Elizabethtown Borough Police assisted Campus Security in escorting an intoxicated student back to campus over the weekend. The student insisted to officers that he was a guest to the College, but when brought back onto campus he was found to be a current student.

• Thursday night, Oct. 15, two students noticed a person’s body half submerged in Lake Placida. The students pulled the body from the water and called Campus Security. EMS was also called to the scene. The person was a recent alumnus of the College who was here for Homecoming weekend and was severely intoxicated.

• In the High Library, an unfortunate possum chewed into the transformer, cutting power to the library for an entire night. The transformer was fixed and power was restored by the following morning. However, the possum was not so lucky.

• A running prank among residence halls was recently brought to the attention of Campus Security this week. Students have been fill waste baskets with water, and propping them against other students’ doors, therefore causing a flood when the door is opened. Security was called to the scene of one such prank this week.

• An Elizabethtown borough resident complained to Campus Security that she could not sleep at night due to the high-voltage lights used to illuminate the soccer field during night games. In related news: night games will continue.

• A student was busted in Brinser this week due to possession and use of marijuana. Campus Security also confiscated alcohol from the student’s residence…. and a cat.

• There was also more vandalism on campus this past week. Officers found a sign from Admissions thrown into the street. There was also a broken window in a Founders stairwell. The two vandalisms are unrelated.

Spooky Story Contest Think you’re the next Edgar Allan Poe or Stephen King?

Enter the Etownian’s Spooky Story Contest... IF

YOU DARE!

Word limit: 1,000 words Due: Friday, Oct. 23 by 5 p.m.

Submit to editor@etown.edu Prizes: Publication & a Halloween treat!

Questions? Contact editor@etown.edu

10

the Etownian

campus life

October 22, 2009

tech specs

New iPhone app helps ‘amp’ man’s style; women object Aimée M. DiMichele Managing Editor

Y

ou know, the Mona Lisa has no eyebrows. I wonder what else she shaves.”

Sounds enticing, right? This pick-up line will have artsy girls positively swooning, according to a new iPhone application developed

by PepsiCo Inc. The company released the free, NC-17rated app — titled “AMP UP Before You Score” — three weeks ago as a companion to its AMP Energy drink. AMP’s target demographic consists mainly of young guys looking for a good time, and the app promises to deliver just that — and more.

“Tired of looking forward to a night out with the ladies, only to wind up scuttling home clutching nothing more than your limp ego? Oh, yes you are,” the app’s description prods.

AMP UP Before You Score breaks down women into 24 different types, including “celebrity” “cougar”, and, of course, “married.” Once a brazen bro successfully identifies the breed of broad he’s looking to bed, the app helpfully supplies background info, pick-up lines and conversation pointers.

For example, the “sorority girl” can be wooed with knowledge of the Greek alphabet, and the “indie rocker” will love hearing Romeos list her “favorite” songs. In addition to the aforementioned pick-up line, the app asserts “the artist” will find dudes impressive if they “quote some Picasso” (whatever that means). Furthermore, the online description claims the app will help men “know

what makes [any of the 24 types] tick before you open your mouth, so she’ll like what she hears when you do.”

“The hypothetical male consumer of this energy drink, AMP, seems, to me, a loser,” English and women and gender studies professor Dr. Kimberly Adams said. “He needs a script and coaching to talk to women, and he fakes who he is. How long will any of his relationships last? I can see why people have objected to the female stereotypes … in this ad campaign. But the man is stereotyped, too, and that’s equally damaging.”

For users who want to keep track of the women who succumb to their tantalizing tactics of seduction, AMP UP Before You Score offers the “Brag List.”

This feature of the app has attracted the most feminist-fueled fury: the Brag List allows users to catalog names, dates and “whatever details [they] can remember,” then “flaunt” their successful conquests to equally debonair young men via Facebook and Twitter.

Dr. Bryan Greenberg, assistant professor of marketing, approached AMP UP Before You Score from a business perspective.

“I haven’t seen [the app], but it sounds like it’s in bad taste,” he said. “Do I think it’s a smart move? For large corporations, it’s always dangerous when they try to be risqué.

Companies [like PepsiCo] that try to attract a variety of consumers — including lots of

man for the company said, according to the Wall Street Journal. “We’ll continue to monitor the feedback from all parties and act accordingly.” Despite the company’s intentions to assess feedback, Greenberg sees flaws in PepsiCo’s initial decisions.

“From a social perspective, [the app] is problematic. There is a responsibility for large organizations to think about the ramifications of their behavior,” he said.

“It doesn’t look like [PepsiCo] thought it out.”

Furthermore, Greenberg questioned the long-term effects of the energy drink that AMP UP Before You Score promotes.

“It’s kind of funny; you can make an argument that just the product itself is problematic,” Greenberg continued.

“We drug up our youth with prescriptions and energy drinks. There are so many things that raise people’s ire; what about the implications of pumping chemicals into our youth? Maybe that should raise their ire.”

Image: mapds.com.au

women, moms and daughters — should think twice [about this kind of promotion].”

PepsiCo tweeted an apology statement, saying, “Our app tried 2 show the humorous lengths guys go 2 pick up women. We apologize if it’s in bad taste & appreciate your feedback.” However, the company currently plans to continue marketing the app.

“The application was designed to entertain and appeal to AMP’s target,” a spokes-

music review

Band finds bliss within ‘Blue Record’ Matthew A. Wagener Layout Editor

Sleeps the Eye” morphs from a Moody Blues-esque campfire incantation, into a savage and dissonant declaration faithfully reminiscent of early Fugazi.

Preceded by the dark ambient drone of “Ogeechee Hymnal,” ver the past few years, the state of Georgia has unleashed metal bands upon the nation faster than its “A Horse Called Golgatha” charges with puncturing chords hometown hero Paula Dean can tempt her patrons to loosen immediately from the gates.

The track honestly sounds like a stampede of double helix their belts.

Along with Mastodon and Kylesa, Savannah four-piece rollercoaster riffs and bellows of harmonic rage, all paced by the corrupted disco beats provided by the Baroness are a different breed of understated Allen Blickle. heavy-metal beast.

“Blackpowder Orchard” starts the last Combining the technical explosong cycle with a one-minute evocation ration chops of ‘70s progressive of Led Zepplin’s Tolkien infatuation berock, passionate fury of hardcore fore drifting into “The Gnashing.” punk, moonshine fumes of southBy far the most listenable and inern rock and serpentine riffs of teresting song on “Blue Record,” the mainstream metal, Baroness have recording is the auditory aftermath of heedlessly created their own genre, what a pub brawl between Fragile era categorized as “sludge” or “stoner Yes, Ronnie-Van-Zandt-era Lynyrd metal” by metal purists. Regardless Skynyrd and Henry-Rollins-era Black of a fixed subgenre classification, Flag would yield.

Baroness’ sophomore album, “Blue Fittingly, Baroness end “Blue Record” Record”, is one of the best rock ‘n by reminding their audience what disparoll albums of 2009. rately isolates them from their monoto“Blue Record,” begins with “Bullnous Neanderthal rivals: melodic mastery. head’s Psalm,” a swirling and hypImage: therealmusician.com If you can fall asleep to Slayer without notic haze of introductory rapture that progressively drains into the blistering staccato riffs of experiencing sweaty night terrors, you will probably dub Baroness as the Air Supply of the heavy metal netherworld.

“The Sweetest Curse.”

However, if your closest encounter with heavy-metal Here, Baroness present two of their trademark characteristics: John Baizley’s guttural-yet-polished howl and double is buying a Twilight poster at Hot Topic, “Blue Record” may just open a new diabolical aural gateway. lead guitar harmony.

During the solo, Baizley and new guitarist Peter Adams Despite the primary and monochromatic fixation that the submerge and surface simultaneously to complement each title suggests, “Blue Record” is a kaleidoscopic and vivid showcase of not only smart songwriting but also dissolution other like a headbangin’ Simon & Garfunkel.

Following the rallying cry of “Jake Leg,” Baroness segue into of classification.

Instead of biting the head off of the pigeon, Baroness is a series of interludes and anthems that come off sounding like atomic, acid-soaked suites after repeated listens. “Steel That fighting against being pigeonholed.

O

cont. from page 1

Cedar Street Bill Yonavitch, a resident of College Avenue said, “I’ve been complaining about this for twenty five years.”

Complaints from the townspeople are generally aimed at the borough administration, the borough police and Etown campus security. These complaints are usually brushed off. “The police say they can’t do anything: the campus security say they can’t do anything” Yonavitch said.

There was a meeting held recently at Etown between the College and the borough residents that tried to figure out a solution to all this, but nothing really came from it, according to Escobar and Yonavitch.

After decades of trying to get something done about the weekend madness, Yonavitch said “I made up my mind that I wasn’t gonna fight anymore.”

However, people living in the borough are also aware that this isn’t what the majority of campus does. “I don’t generalize about the College. We know that this is a really small percentage of the students” Yonavitch said. “We’ve had some really great relationships with college students.”

“I hate being the old grouch on the corner,” he added.

So, in the end, this leaves Etown with a group of neighbors patrolling Cedar Street on weekend nights. They will have support from the Elizabethtown Borough police, but all they will be doing is passing out information given to them by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. All they ask for is a little peace and quiet.

Campus Security officer Dale Boyer said, “I really really empathize with the borough residents.” He noted that “the whole world does not revolve around the college.”

11

opinion

the Etownian

October 22, 2009

campus controversies • letters to the editor

national debate • our take • guest columns

letter to the editor

‘Liberal education’ objectives unfulfilled, inhibited Alexandra E. D’Angola Class of 2010

A

s many of you may know from President Long’s memo to the campus, a recommendation has been made that the new diversity plan, as drafted by the Diversity Task Force, be adopted by the Board of Trustees at their October meeting. What many of you may not know is that the Student Senate, as representatives of the student body, rejected the plan by an overwhelming vote of 32-11-4.

My original intention in writing this opinion piece was to explain why I thought the content of the plan was bad; however, the Senate meeting produced the results I hoped to see. But I still wish to express my disappointment in several of the administrators and faculty members who claim to be pursuing diversity. The reason for this disappointment? Hypocrisy: the learning objectives which they value in theory are not actually practiced. It could even be suggested that they’re discouraged.

One of the strong arguments that the provost made for the endorsement of the diversity plan was that it would foster a more positive learning environment and build upon the liberal education we, as an institution of higher learning, greatly value. She defined liberal as free in the sense that ideas generated from a multitude of perspectives can be helpful to our academic community. Since not every idea is a good one, all ideas need purposeful investigation. It’s reassuring that Elizabethtown College encourages and protects freedom of intellectual thought. That’s what college is about, right?

Not necessarily. Intellectual thought is valued only within a scope that is determined by certain administrators and faculty members. For instance, in a Student Senate meeting last spring, I inquired about the school’s diversity policies in speaking to President Long. This lead

to a 20 - to 30 - minute discussion between us in a public forum of about 50 to 60 people, a situation in which I felt comfortable asking what our diversity goals are. President Long later thanked me during our Senate dinner at his house for asking such “difficult questions.”

However, what had been a question of policy set off a chain reaction resulting in a member of the Student Life Center suggesting to another staff member that I need coaching in diversity. Appalled, I immediately consulted with my adviser and a few trustworthy professors who encouraged me to meet with the Student Life staff member (and the chair of my department as a witness) to clear up what I thought was a misunderstanding. Unfortunately, there was no resolution; she told me that I do not understand or appreciate people different from myself, and that, as a student leader, I need to have a better understanding of students’ experiences at Etown. Discouraged, I then met with my adviser and President Long. While the situation ended satisfactorily, this was my first experience with a situation in which intellectual freedom of critical thought and evaluation were under fire.

The second experience is one that is shared by anyone who attended the Senate meeting during which the diversity plan was discussed. Dr. Vivian Bergel, a member of the Diversity Task Force and professor in the social work department, said that she was surprised to hear such opinions voiced against the plan. She then compared these students who spoke against the plan to people who objected to the civil rights movement of the 1960s. My jaw dropped, and I stared at her in disbelief while she bashed those who had legitimate concerns about the presentation of the plan, including the research and data used to support it and the practices that may result from it. Students who were critically evaluating the content of a document — a skill that many

academic departments on this campus value and teach their students— were compared to segregationists. Can the provost, or anyone for that matter, please explain how a comment like this promotes or protects liberal education?

Sadly, such interactions and comments suggest that diversity in the form of our liberal education can only be discussed within a predetermined context. It seems that many prominent members of campus administration and faculty define diversity strictly as differences in race, sexual orientation, and religion, excluding intellectual and academic thought.

Therein lies my disappointment with certain administrators and faculty members of Elizabethtown College: their practice of a liberal education is entirely hypocritical. It’s almost funny that they are surprised by students questioning their policies and exercising critical thinking skills. We are told to be rational individuals, yet we are not expected to practice such skills when it hurts a particular political agenda. We are taught to question theories, policies and practices in textbooks, but then we are expected to accept whatever these educators impose. Where is the liberal education that the provost preaches?

Because I refuse to think and act within the hypocritical and limited scope of this liberal education, bad mouth me to faculty members; ignore my explanations; call me discriminatory in a public forum; request meetings with me. I hope that others are now warned if they dare think outside of these confines, too. What will happen if they think outside of this politically correct box?

letter to the editor Alison P. Cohen Class of 2010

A

Supporting diversity efforts

re you interested in becoming an active member of an institution that challenges you “intellectually, socially, aesthetically, and ethically for lives of service and leadership as citizens of the world” and encourages students to become involved in experiential learning and advocating social justice and human dignity? This is just an excerpt of the mission statement of the College.

It relates highly to the newly revised Diversity Plan established by the Diversity Task Force. The document outlines the importance of creating an enriching learning experience for the College community through efforts to increase enrollment of underrepresented portions of the student body, in addition to many other concerted efforts to create a welcoming community for all students.

One can’t help but ask why the College wouldn’t make every possible effort to endorse its own policies.

The recent Student Senate meeting on the evening of Oct. 6 triggered a strong sense of urgency towards the issue. I extend the utmost appreciation for the opportunity to speak openly about the issues of diversity among peers and the campus community. Those in favor of the plan are not simply interested in diversifying the campus but are passionate about issues related to diversity and

creating an environment of unique and enriching learning experiences.

Wouldn’t we all want this throughout our college education?

Many felt that the particular attitudes expressed during the past Senate meeting were done so in a somewhat determined manner, resulting in many vote-less attendees inevitably feeling bouts of frustration. Though regulations indicate that members are allowed no more than three comments, many present felt that they took advantage of their Senate privileges. When the voting was cast after three and a half hours of discussion, 70 percent of the Senate body voted to oppose the content of the Diversity Plan. One must appreciate students’ ability to debate the issue, and it is necessary to separate their frustrations.

Though Senate had obviously disagreed with the document’s implications, in the end, the campus administration, including Dean Calenda, had approved the plan. This recent advancement is extremely reassuring and welcoming to many on campus who, like those in the Diversity Task Force, appreciate the experience of debate but do not agree that the monumentally significant revised Diversity Plan is mechanically flawed.

As an active member of an institution that especially promotes peace, social justice and enriched learning through unique experiences, I can’t help but speak out for myself and all those who have not yet done so. I am

president of Hillel (the Jewish group on campus) so perhaps because of this and my participation in the Diversity Team, I feel passionate about the issue.

Being a religious minority on campus is not at my sole reason for becoming an advocate for the Diversity Plan, nor is it a prime reason for becoming a major supporter for the underrepresented groups on campus. I advocate for myself, and many others, in supporting and appreciating all recent efforts to encourage increased levels of unique experiences offered at the third-ranked comprehensive college in the country, and creating a peaceful, compassionate and just environment for all through the endorsement and support of this plan.

And what is the next step for our compassionately aware college community? Take every possible opportunity to discuss issues of diversity, the plan, and experiences involving differences of race, religion, and cultures. Respectfully and fairly assert your perspectives regarding the topic as often and as strongly as possible. Remind the administration and those members of the Diversity Task Force that just as establishing a complex plan is imperative to the development of the College, executing the plan’s implications within a timeline is just as important. All in all, the basic ability to hold intellectually sound discussions with fellow students and faculty is the new rage, and it’s a truly wonderful aspect of everyday college life.

student response

Drinking habits Tess Lutz Class of 2012

I

recently read the article “Drinking escalates; Boyer suggests caution” and was disheartened by what was written. The author portrays Elizabethtown College students as binge drinkers, when in all reality I find this to be somewhat untrue. While the statistics she gave about the generalized population could be true given where she got them, I do not think it was fair to apply them to Etown students.

I think it would have been beneficial to receive some quotes or other statistics besides those that she found. What is interesting to me is that as she was saying that there are so many binge drinkers, she used a quote from Dale Boyer that says there is not too much drinking on campus. This is a complete contradiction to what she was trying to get across to the readers.

Something that should have been talked about is the students’ perception. Most college students perceive that everyone drinks a lot, but in reality, the number of students that binge drink at Etown are quite low. Health Services did a social norming survey where they asked students questions involving their opinions about alcohol use, and the results were quite different from what you might expect. Health Services found that students think that 73.8 percent of Etown students drink five to 10 alcoholic beverages when drinking, while 32.5 percent actually drank five to 10 drinks. The author could have used these statistics about our campus in the article instead of applying statistics from the Harvard study.

While I understand that the point of the article was to deter people from drinking, I think this might have made people irritated with the generalized statements about students at Etown. If the author had been trying to reach the student population, a better angle would have involved more opinions from students, fewer oversimplified statistics and assumptions about students and binge drinking.

Images: all-free-download.com

12

opinion

the Etownian

d n ou

S Off

What would your homecoming shirt say?

by Melanie R. Giardina

Nick Wetzel Class of 2010 E-What? E-coli.

Rachel Sullivan Class of 2011 “25 dollars for Emotion Sweatpants 5 dollars for a LINK tote bag 1 Homecoming Weekend….priceless.”

letter to the editor

Diversity secures a vibrant future John C. Rohrkemper Associate Professor of English

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never knew my grandfather Dondi. He died before I was born, but I know about him from family stories and the copies I own of the important papers he acquired after he immigrated to America early in the last century. One set of papers lists his nationality as “Italian (white).” Presumably it might have said “colored” instead of white had he been born a little farther down the Italian peninsula and his complexion been just a little tawnier.

Being considered white undoubtedly made his life a little easier at a time when it wasn’t always easy to be an Italian immigrant. My grandmother offered evidence of how tough it could be: she had to work under an assumed French name when she first came to America because the largest employer in her city wouldn’t hire Italians.

Still, my grandfather persevered, and the three most important documents of his that I own show his progress in the New World. The first listed his occupation as cook; the second identified him as a chef; and the third called him a restaurant owner. It was a small restaurant, and he never made a lot of money; still, he found a place in America and was proud to have achieved his American dream.

My father’s older brother, my Uncle Mark, was one of the smartest men I ever knew. He loved all learning, but his greatest gifts were in science and technology.

He ended up being, in effect, the city en-

gineer of a mid-sized city. I say “in effect” because Uncle Mark never had the chance to attend college and earn the requisite degree; it simply wasn’t what a workingclass young man did when he came of age back before World War II. In those years even universities such as Penn State had only a few thousand students. College was for the sons — and only occasionally the daughters — of the elite.

But Uncle Mark’s daughters and his nephews and nieces did go to college because America decided in those years after the war that a new era would require an educated workforce that was much larger and more diverse educated workforce. Most students at Etown who are of the first generation in their families to go to college, or are the children of first-generation college students, have benefited from this post-war decision to seek a more diverse, more inclusive college population.

My sister’s son, Chris, has always been gifted at languages and now teaches English, Spanish and French in the Chicago school system. He’s a brilliant and dedicated teacher, winner of awards and the recipient of a Fulbright fellowship to continue his language studies overseas.

Yet, just a generation ago, Chicago students would have been deprived of this inspired teacher because, as a gay man, he would not have been considered employable in public schools.

I tell these family stories because they inspire me, remind me that the America I

Asagi Watanabe Class of 2010 “Let’s go Blue Jays!!!”

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

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Budget cutbacks off-track: an athlete’s plea

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“Etown is where the heart is.”

love is the most diverse nation in the world.

Much of America’s greatness lies in the willingness of those on the margins to demand a chance to contribute to their country.

Its greatness also lies in the willingness of American society to make a place for them, to give them — however grudgingly at times — a chance to make America better.

And we are better for our great diversity, for the tenacity and creativity of the Irish and German immigrants of the 1840s and 50s, the emancipated slaves after the Civil War, the Eastern European Jews and Greeks and Poles and Hispanics and all the rest that have followed, even to this day. This remarkable diversity gives us our uniqueness as a nation and continually reenergizes our society.

Thus, I am very happy that the Board of Trustees will consider, and I’m confident will endorse, the Diversity Plan that has been in development over the past two years. It’s an imperfect document and only sketches a plan that we will have to flesh out in the coming years. And, of course, we are hardly on the cutting edge in finally developing such a plan. But it doesn’t really matter that we’ve gotten a late start as long as we get it right this time.

What we need to do is to work to make our college as inclusive as America. When we get together at some distant Homecoming 10 or 20 years down the road, we’ll note how much more diverse and vital and creative, and, yes, better, the College will have become as a result of the commitments we make today.

on campus Michael L. Mauger Class of 2010

Steven DiGrazia Class of 2011

October 22, 2009

very school in the nation is feeling the pains of the economic downturn. Some schools are feeling it more than others.

Elizabethtown is one college which is getting hit hard. This past summer, every department, academic, athletic and otherwise, was asked to cut its budget by 10 percent. For some departments, like the athletic department, budget cuts are hard to do. I was happy to read that some of these issues were brought to light in the Oct. 1 edition of the Etownian. I was not happy to read that every athletic team was allotted approximately the same amount of money for their seasons. I read this two days after hearing that our beloved volleyball team traveled to compete over fall break. I read this one day after hearing that my own team, the track and field team, will not be able to host a home meet this year. The volleyball team (many of whom are my dear friends, and I love supporting them at their matches, which are always exciting) flew to Puerto Rico to compete in a tournament, and I, on the track team, won’t even have a home meet?

Ask a soccer player, a wrestler, a volleyball player, a field hockey player, a golfer, a swimmer, a lacrosse player, a softball player, a baseball player, a tennis player or a basketball player how they would feel if during their senior year, their team wouldn’t be allowed to have a home game. I can only imagine their reaction would involve foaming at the mouth, physical abuse and some choice words.

Then, tell them it’s because they need new goals, nets, mats, etc., and they can’t get them because it’s simply not in the budget. That’s exactly what has happened with the track and field team. For years, the track team has petitioned to get a new pole vault mat because the condition of the current one has been deteriorating rapidly (due to a lack of an indoor storage facility), until finally, this year, the pole vault mat was deemed unusable in competition because it has been weathered and has become a safety hazard.

I sympathize with the school, the athletic department and the other athletes and teams who are feeling the budget crunch.

However, I’ve heard about the budget crunch as it relates to the track team since I got here in 2006.

Etown College’s indoor track and field team has won six of the last seven indoor conference championships. Yet, you’ve never been to an indoor meet. We do not have an indoor track. Sure, we have the two 40 meter sections of the hallway surrounding Thompson Gymnasium where we’re allowed to put down a black mat to simulate the surface of a track. However, for some reason, Messiah refuses to come and run on it. There’s really not much you can do with two 40 meter sections of a hallway, so we usually end up doing our work-outs on our outdoor track despite temperatures often below freezing. That’s of course after we shovel the snow off of it.

I’m used to people asking me a week before Indoor MACs, “Hey, when does track season start?” I’m used to the looks I get when I tell people we’re in season from October to May. I’m used to winning Indoor MACs and having no one there to see it. I’m used to my friends never seeing an indoor meet and hearing our legendary tunnels. All these things only make outdoor season so much better when Etown students, family and friends pack our bleachers and the surrounding hills to watch us win our third straight Outdoor MAC title. It makes competing at home so much more special.

And for this I send out my plea. It is simple. Find it in the budget to order a new pole vault mat for Etown. Don’t do it for me; don’t do it for the track team. Do it for the 47 percent of women and the 53 percent of men on this campus who compete in sports and know the pride an athlete feels when they get the privilege to compete at home. For any athlete, there are few greater feelings than to compete in front of your home crowd and to know that the majority of those watching are pulling for you. There are few greater feelings than stepping on to your home course, track, field or court and knowing that you have the advantage because your blood, sweat and tears fall on this surface every day of the week.

I get that feeling just once every year. Except this year, my senior year, when I won’t get it at all.

opinion

October 22, 2009

the Etownian

student legislation

column Senate: advocating student rites romance Friend-slip Jonathan S. Gamble Staff Writer

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he motto of Student Senate is “Advocating Student Rights,” yet they sponsor Senior Nights, Spirit Week and Junior/Senior. I emailed our Senators asking why they elected to sponsor Spirit Week again. They emphasized that Senate hoped to support Elizabethtown College and spread College unity. In nonpolitical language, they wanted to produce good feelings that were easily connectable to Senate, thereby dissuading preexistent ill feelings or dissent.

Why does Senate undertake all of these activities, year after year, that are more appropriate for SWEET or OSA? Students approve of SWEET and OSA. Those organizations do work that adheres to their purpose. Senate, however, spends too much of their time and energy facilitating unnecessary privileges or activities that positively affect a small portion of the student body to a meager degree.

If you go to the Senate Web site, you can find all of their minutes from each meeting. I read the farewell addresses of the seniors from last year. One Senator said, “Whether you are putting handdryers in Founders or getting more parking spots on campus, this is why you are here.” Another said, “Listen to your classmates and see what they want for class

activities, and good luck!” Another declared, “Do what is right, not what is popular.”

Here we have three Senators expounding three different purposes for Senate, all of which are incongruent to advocating student rights. How are hand-dryers and parking spots rights? They are privileges. The second presents Senate as an entity that will listen to our complaints, not achieve any success with them, and then work on irrelevant activities to compensate. The third is rather insulting to us as the student body. Many leaders have made unpopular decisions and justified them in the same way.

Such declarations are dangerous because they imply ethical elitism and that the aggregate student conscience is more ignorant of its own needs and values than a handful of individuals. We all expect higher ethical standards from our leaders, but we do not expect them to consider such standards as beyond our own potential.

I can think of popular changes that are right, would affect our rights, and have not been persistently addressed by Senators.

First, many students would like to see a constant tuition rate over four years. If Student Senate spent three years focusing on this, and only moved the College an inch closer to concession, I would be satisfied with that inch tenfold more than Spirit Week or their promotion of sybaritism. Second,

in the nation

many students would appreciate the right to decide whether they live on or off-campus. Etown pursues a minority position among colleges by coercing its first-year students at orientation into signing a four-year on-campus residence contract (in their parents’ absence) under the threat of their housing being rescinded at any time. Third, many students have hundreds of dollars worth of meals left over at the end of each semester. The value of these meals is not reimbursable nor does it roll over into following semesters. It costs $11.45 for a dinner at the Marketplace. If only a thousand students with meal plans have 20 unused meals at the end of the semester, the College keeps $230,000 of student money for which they did not provide a service. If that money is paid for with loans, then the interest should also be considered.

I understand that truly advocating our rights is a tough job without a bachelor’s degree. And this is not a critique of them personally.

But if my precept as an Etownian staff writer was to advocate student rights, and I was cognizant of such injustices, then I would consider myself irresponsible for having wrought articles on spoons, AIM speak and headphones. In the same way, Senators more aware of such injustices than I should consider themselves irresponsible for time wasted on advocating student rites.

Nobel peace prize not so noble?

Huntley C. McGowan Assistant Layout Editor

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heodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa — what do all of these famous names have in common? Each is a former winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Nobel Peace Prize is given annually by the Norwegian Nobel Committee “to the person who shall have done the most or best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” President Barack Obama has now been added to this list as he was the 2009 recipient.

Personally, I do not believe he was deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize. Obama was awarded the prize “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples” and “for his work with peace and calls to reduce the global stockpile of nuclear weapons.”

Michael Cox, a North American expert at the Chatham House, says it best: “It is difficult to see why it would be awarded to him at this stage in his presidency. There are problems in the Middle East and an ongoing war in Afghanistan. You could say it is a little bit premature.”

It would be one thing for Obama to receive this award and then continue his pursuits in trying to make peace throughout the world.

However, the award is bestowed upon him as he considers sending up to 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan, where the United States is currently involved in an eight-year ongoing conflict.

In my opinion, Obama has yet to walk the walk, and the fact that he is the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize is a bit contradictory.

While running for office, one of his main platforms was bringing peace to the Middle East. However, it seems that all he has done so far is make the conflicts worse.

“He was only in office for two weeks before being nominated for the award,” said Etown senior Derek Shanely. “There were other individuals who were more qualified than he was to receive it.”

Samantha T. Phillips Assistant Opinion Editor

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ver the course of my young adult life, I have learned that there is one place I can go for answers to those difficult questions about love. It’s not “Dear Abby;” it’s not the book “He’s Just Not that Into You;” and it’s certainly not a romance column written by some clueless college student. No, when I’m stumped in the love department, I flip on my television and pop in a “Seinfeld” DVD. Not only is it the greatest sitcom that has ever graced the television circuit, but it also presents some legitimate and very real human experiences.

I recently watched the episode where Jerry and Elaine try to have a sexual relationship without tarnishing their friendship.

At the beginning, it seems like a reasonable possibility. Jerry says, “I mean, really, what is the big deal?

We go in there [the bedroom].

We’re in there for a while. We come right back out here. It’s not complicated.” They even establish a set of rules for their new “friends with benefits” deal. The rules are as follows: no call the day after sex, no pressure to spend the night and the kiss goodnight is optional. While their plan at first seems completely infallible, it leads to complete and utter disaster.

What I’m trying to say with this long-winded reminiscence of Seinfeld is, dear readers, don’t dip your pen in company ink—and don’t dip it your friend’s ink, either.

Sexual relations with friends are awkward, confusing and friendship ruiners. I’m sure most of you have heard that old rejection phrase: “I don’t want to ruin our friendship.” Well, even though it may just be an excuse to keep you as clothed as possible, it is also a legitimate concern. I know that it is tempting to search for love within your pool of close-knit companions, but learn from Seinfeld and restrain yourself. Even when these situations are governed by rules or unspoken understandings, they are always bound for failure. In the wise words of George Costanza, “For thousands of years people have been trying to have their cake and eat it, too. So, all of a sudden, the two of you are going to come along and do it. Where do you get the ego? No one can do it. It can’t be done.”

We’ve learned two things today, lovely readers: Never question Seinfeld, and, unless you want to die friendless and sexually frustrated, keep your pen to yourself.

Former Polish President Lech Walesa, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, reacted by saying: “So soon? Too early; he has no contribution so far. He is only beginning to act.”

I find it strange that the nomination for this year’s prize fell just 12 days beyond the start of the president occupying office.

How can we award someone the great honor of winning the Peace Prize when he has just begun the journey of guiding our country through these hard and trying times? Should we not wait and see what he actually does with his four years in office before awarding him this great honor?

Etown junior Seth Nelson stated, “I don’t think Obama deserves the Nobel Peace Prize at all. He hasn’t closed Guantanamo Bay, hasn’t ended the war in Iraq, hasn’t strengthened relations between Israel and Palestine and has done more to bring about racial conflict in his election than any elected official before him.”

There were a record 205 nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I find it extremely hard to believe that there was no greater contribution to peace than President Obama. While he was nominated for his efforts, there are several other people and organizations I can think of that were much more qualified to receive this award.

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the Etownian the board

Editor in Chief Jamie L. Bartolino Managing Editor Aimée M. DiMichele Assistant Editor Aidan E. Bauernschmidt News Editor Rachel A. Marsteller Features Editor Peter S. Northrop Campus Life Editor Joelle E. Atkinson Opinion Editor Craig H. Meaney Sports Editor Sara E. Crimmel Copy Editor Emily M. Reigart Photography Editor Matthew P. Butera Layout Editor Matthew A. Wagener Online Editor Zachary T. Johnson Assistant News Editor Allison M. O’Boyle Assistant Features Editor Laura A. Farnish Asst. Campus Life Editor Ross M. Benincasa Assistant Opinion Editor Samantha T. Phillips Assistant Sports Editor Janna M. Richards Assistant Copy Editors Samantha M. Alleman Patricia A. Cangelosi Rachel L. Jesten Leigh N. Ontiveros Asst. Photography Editor Melanie R. Giardina Assistant Layout Editor Huntley C. McGowan Assistant Online Editor Andrew R. Sides Business Manager Brittny E. McLaughlin Asst. Business Manager Marc C. Weber Advertising Manager Katie L. Bornholdt 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. Submissions may be printed anonymously at the discretion of the editor. Submit letters to EDITOR@etown.edu.

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sports

the Etownian

October 22, 2009

volleyball

Lady Jays’ winning streak: Messiah, Lyco,Wesley,Albright Janna M. Richards Assistant Sports Editor

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ith a current season record of 16-6, the volleyball team is not only having a winning season overall, but they have also gone undefeated in their conference with a 5-0 record. Many key players have impacted the team’s performance, including senior Paige Tanner, who is having an impressive season.

The Lady Jays remain in first place in the Commonwealth Conference after winning all three matches against Albright College Tuesday night. The scores of the games were 26-24, 25-15 and 25-20.

Tanner lead the team with 8 kills while seniors Sheri Hihn, Kayla Deats and first-year Lindsay Palm had 5 each. Senior Kathy Perry had 11 digs while junior Crystal Agnew had 17 assists and junior Kara Burkholder followed close behind with 12 assists.

The Lady Jays wore pink jerseys for Breast Cancer Awareness Month as they competed against Wesley

College Oct. 16. Not only did the team raise awareness for the disease but they also showed Wesley College what they were made of. The Lady Jays proved to be a force on the floor, winning all three matches. Sophomore Katie Gantz had 7 kills and 7 digs while Tanner, Palm, and Hihn all had 4 kills.

Perry finished the game with 4 aces and 6 digs and Agnew contributed 17 assists.

With adrenaline rushing, the team was ready to take on Lycoming College Oct. 14. Tanner shined yet again with 14 kills and 13 digs, but her teammates were not far behind, as Deats and Palm each had 13 kills for the game. Sophomore Andrea Weaver also had 14 digs while Agnew finishd with a season-high 48 assists. After losing the first match (21-25), the team stepped it up and played hard. The next three matches showed winning scores for the team (25-22, 25-16 and 25-13). The Lady Jays took yet another win, defeating the opponent with a final score of 3-1.

Putting a loss behind them, the women looked forward to the match against Messiah College Oct. 6.

The L ady Jays showed Messiah what they were made of by pulling out a

win. Tanner had a season high 20 kills and 11 digs while first-year Holly Bubb had 9 kills and 5 blocks.

Deats had 9 kills and Agnew followed with 37 assists and 10 digs. Perry played a tough game with 13 digs, while Weaver came out with a match-high 19 digs.

The win included match scores of 20-25, 25-13, 2325, 25-18 and 15-12. The final score left Etown with a 3-2 win.

Oct. 3 was a non-conference match against St. Mary’s College of Maryland. The Jays ended up losing (3-1), but all the women put up a good fight.

Each match had a close score, with the Jays winning the first 25-18. St. Mary’s won the next three games 25-20, 25-13 and 25-23. Agnew had 33 assists, and Weaver had 17 digs. Junior Amanda Ritchey and Perry both reached double didgits in digs, and Tanner played tough as always. Finishing the game with 14 kills and 16 digs, Tanner has passed 1,300 in career kills and 1,400 in career digs.

This Saturday, the team will take on Dickinson College at 2:00 p.m., and Haverford College at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, they will continue their battle for the Commonwealth Conference title as they compete against Lebanon Valley College at 7:00 p.m. in Annville, Pa.

field hockey

Jays 4-1 in conference play Sara E. Crimmel Sports Editor Kaitlyn S. Miller Staff Writer

Photo: EtownBlueJays.com

The Lady Jays pose for a picture in the pink jerseys they wore for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.The Lady Jays wore their pink jerseys for their game against Wesley College Oct. 16.

women’s tennis

Jays defeat LVC, earn top seed Sara E. Crimmel Sports Editor Leigh N. Ontiveros Assistant Copy Editor

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his year has been pivotal for rebuilding the Elizabethtown College women’s tennis team. The addition of new talent from the five first-years on the team has been beneficial to the Lady Jays’ success this season.

The women’s tennis team has been working hard this season, and even fall break did not hinder its progress.

Oct. 12, the Lady Jays won every set in singles, defeating Albright College (0-4 Commonwealth) 9-0.

Three team members, including seniors and co-captains Emily Swarr and Jessica Russell and first-year Allison Burkhardt, had perfect games of 6-0.

Russell said, “It was a good win from our team [after] coming back from fall break. It’s good to know that when we are capable of beating a team… we do it.”

Tuesday, the Lady Jays beat the previously undefeated Dutchmen of Lebanon Valley in a conference matchup that gave the team the top seed for conference championships next spring.

The Lady Jays were led by four first-year players: Allison Burkhardt, Madison Pipkin, Alena Marani and Kristi Noecker.

Burkhardt and Pipkin teamed up for an 8-2 win in flight two, while Marani and Noecker paired up for an 8-1 victory in flight three. In singles play, Burkhardt won 6-2, 6-4. Marani won 6-3, 6-0 and Noecker shut out her opponent 6-0, 6-0.

The match scheduled over Homecoming weekend, Oct. 17, against the Crusaders of Alvernia, was postponed due to the rain.

Oct 14, the team played Lycoming College (0-5 Commonwealth). The Jays soundly defeated the Warriors, pulling off another 9-0 victory. They lost only one set, and this triumph secured the team a place in the spring Commonwealth Conference playoffs.

Russell complimented the team on the victory, saying, “We have a lot of depth on our team … most of our success has come from having good players.”

Today, the Lady Jays will play at home at 4:00 p.m. when they compete in their rescheduled match against Commonwealth Conference opponent Alvernia University.

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ednesday, the Elizabethtown College field hockey team traveled to Virginia to take on Commonwealth Conference opponent Shenandoah University.

Seniors Katy Boone, Martina White and Brenna Noon, juniors Liz DeMatteis, Ali Cavanaugh and first-year Melanie Hartman all scored goals in the Lady Jays’ 6-0 win. The Lady Jays had a 21-2 advantage in shots and a 17-1 edge in corners over the Hornets, and all three Etown goalkeepers received playing time.

Tuesday, the Lady Jays defeated Arcadia University 6-1 for their fourth conference win of the season. Sophomore Caitlin Grimes scored two goals to lead the Lady Jays, and Noon, junior Julie Foster, DeMatteis and Hartman each added a goal. The Lady Jays finished with a 23-5 advantage in shots and had 8 penalty corners to the Knights’ 4. Senior Liz Hannegan made one save for the Lady Jays.

Oct. 13, the Lady Jays took on York College in a non-conference match.

Boone and Grimes each scored a goal, but the Spartans won the game 3-2.

The Spartans held a 10-7 edge in shots and had a 5-4 advantage in penalty corners. Hannegan made 4 saves on the day.

Oct. 10, the Lady Jays competed against Commonwealth Conference opponent and nationally top-ranked Messiah College. The Lady Jays were unable to score as the Falcons won the day 5-0. The Falcons outshot the Lady Jays 25-0 and had a 21-2 advantage in penalty corners. Hannegan earned a career-high 13 saves in goal.

Oct. 7, the Lady Jays took on 16th-ranked Gettysburg College. Gettysburg ended the Lady Jays’ seven-game winning streak by scoring a goal just over a minute into overtime and defeating the Lady Jays 1-0. Gettysburg finished with 7 shots and 10 penalty corners, while the Lady Jays made one shot and had three penalty corners. Hannegan made three saves.

Oct. 3, the Lady Jays played conference opponent Alvernia. Noon, firstyear Nadine Yunginer and Cavanaugh all scored to help the Lady Jays defeat the Crusaders 3-2. The Lady Jays outshot the Crusaders 10-6 and held a 12-4 advantage in penalty corners.

Senior Caitlin Smith believes that the members of the field hockey team are very strong. She says that when there is a sense of togetherness, the team is relentless. “We have some very strong players on our team, and when we work together we are a very difficult team to stop, especially in our passing game.”

Grimes expressed equal drive. “I think that we will hold our own and have the potential to beat the teams in our conference as long as we continue to work together.”

Saturday, the Lady Jays will compete at home against Commonwealth Conference opponent Albright.

October 22, 2009

sports

women’s soccer

golf

the Etownian

15

Kicking losses, moving on Strong end to fall season Janna M. Richards Assistant Sports Editor

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he Elizabethtown College women’s soccer team has had a rough season so far. With a current overall record of 7-7 and a 3-1 conference record, the team is hoping to bring in more wins before the end of the season.

Tuesday night, the team took on Lebanon Valley College in a Commonwealth Conference match. First-year Kelsey Boehmer scored the only goal of the game at 25:11 to lead the Blue Jays to a 1-0 victory over the Dutchmen. First-year Jess Manchak made two saves to earn her fourth shutout of the season.

Oct. 14, the Lady Jays defeated Lycoming College. Less than ten minutes into the game, first-year Jess Mason scored the first goal of her college career off an assist by fellow first-year Kristin Eck. First-year Laura Wingert then sealed the game at 52:56 with a goal off a pass by senior captain Ellen

Parr. Junior Kristen Kelly made two saves to record her second shutout of the season.

Oct. 10, the Lady Jays lost 2-0 to conference opponent Albright College. Albright’s Alexa Talbot and Emma Tutino each scored goals for the Lions. Manchak and Kelly each played a half in goal.

Oct. 7, the Lady Jays took a 1-0 loss from the University of Scranton. Scranton’s Chelsea Paskman made the only goal of the game, two minutes into the second half, for the Royers. The weather may have had an effect on the team’s performance: cold, drizzly conditions are not ideal for any sporting event.

Oct. 3, the Lady Jays took on Millersville University. The Division II team was hoping for an easy win, but Etown wasn’t willing to give up that easily. Wingert scored ten minutes into the game off an assist from Parr.

The Lady Jays will play Saturday at Arcadia University and will make up last Saturday’s game against Widener Monday, Oct. 26.

Photo: EtownBlueJays.com

First-year Kelsey Boehmer fights an opposing player for the ball. Boehmer scored the only goal in Tuesday’s win over LVC.

cross country

Jays still running smoothly

Jamie L. Bartolino Editor in Chief

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wo weeks ago in an epic ending to the Elizabethtown College Blue Jay Classic, the Etown golf team won its own 16-team tournament at the Hershey Country Club East Course. Defeating Messiah College by a mere two points, the team overcame harsh weather conditions and close competition for the final win.

The men finished the 18-hole course with a combined score of 318, with three players scoring in the top 10 of the tournament. Sophomore Dan Bolstein placed third, scoring 77 for the team. First-year Bret Hartman earned a solid fourth place, just one shot behind Bolstein with a final score of 78. Junior Nick Iacono placed ninth, shooting an 81 on the windy Wednesday night.

Noting that the previous two invitiationals had been less than satisfactory for the Blue Jays, Iacono said the team “knew what we had to do at our last tournament, and we accomplished it.”

The win was a positive end to a somewhat disappointing season for the team.

“This win will really give us momentum that we can carry through until the spring season,” junior Geoffrey Quinque said.

Two days before the tournament in Hershey, the Blue Jays finished 16th at the Bent Creek Invitational hosted by Franklin & Marshall College. Hartman finished first for the Jays, shooting 86 to tie for 39th place. As a whole, the team shot 358, 55 points behind winner Messiah.

Oct. 1, the team tied for fourth place at the Messiah Falcon Fall Classic, competing against 16 teams. The Blue Jays shot 327 as a team to tie with York College and finish behind Muhlenberg College, Gettysburg College and Messiah, respectively.

“The team is focused on developing our approach shots,” senior John Krajsa said of the team’s current mindset. “We believe that approach shots are the key for a successful return to Nationals.”

The Blue Jays aim to improve their status in the spring from several disappointing losses this fall.

“We will hopefully win a couple tournaments as a team,” Iacono said.

“We just have to click like we did last spring, and if we do that, I see us going very far.”

“This spring is a huge task for us,” senior Kurt Amen said. “We have a lot of talent on this squad, and we just need to execute.”

In the event the Blue Jays clinch a win at the MACs this spring, they will have the chance to play the national tournament game on their home turf, an ideal situation. The Jays remain hopeful for the future.

“I am just looking forward to the warm weather, the good competition,” Iacono said, “and hopefully an All American team.”

Aidan E. Bauernschmidt Assistant Editor

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he Elizabethtown College men’s cross country team finished 17th overall out of 38 teams at the Paul Short Run, hosted by Lehigh University Friday, Oct. 2 in Bethlehem, Pa. Among the Brown Division, the Blue Jays placed seventh among the 18 Division III teams in the 6,000-meter race. The men’s cross country team is currently ranked 28th in the country in Division III athletics.

Sophomore Colby Miller was the Blue Jays’ top finisher , crossing the finish line in 22nd place with a time of 25:39. Senior Myles Lund placed 71st with a time of 26:18, finishing one spot ahead of sophomore Evan DeArmitt who had the same time. Junior captain Chris Heisey placed 103rd with a time of 26:34, and sophomore Russell Speiden was the fifth and final scorer for the Blue Jays as he was 172nd with a time of 27:05.

Etown’s women’s cross country team finished 32nd out of 39 teams at the Paul Short Run. Senior captain Megan VanDenHengel was the Blue Jays’ top finisher, coming in 18th with a time of 22:10. Sophomore Kathryn Howser took 164th place in 24:03 and first-year Taryn Shank crossed the finish line 172nd in 24:08. Senior captain Sarah Merusi was 222nd in 24:40 and the final scorer for the Blue Jays was junior Teresa Beshore, who placed 238th with a time of 24:55.

Both teams competed at the Inter-Regional Rumble this past Saturday, hosted by Oberlin College in Ohio. The men finished fifth out of 28 schools.

Sophomore Eric Reichert was the top finisher for the Blue Jays, crossing the line eighth with a time of 25:18. Miller was 24th in 25:46, and Heisey finished 33rd with a time of 26:01.

Lund finished 49th in 26:10, and DeArmitt was the fifth and final scorer for the Blue Jays with a time of 26:17 that was good for 52nd place.

The women’s cross country team finished 13th out of 25 schools at the Oberlin meet. VanDenHengel was the Lady Jays’ top finishing runner, coming in sixth out of 220 runners with a time of 21:56 over the 6,000-meter course. Howser was 51st among the girls with a time of 23:19, followed by Shank in 54th at 23:22. Merusi finished 98th with a time of 24:11, and Beshore was the final scorer for Etown with a time of 24:35 that was good for 119th place.

The men’s and women’s cross country teams will host the Battle for the Buggy this Saturday at Lancaster County Central Park.

16

sports

the Etownian

etown athletics • pro sports • ncaa coverage

October 22, 2009 high school football • olympics • analysis

men’s soccer

Blue Jays win four games, tie with Lycoming Janna M. Richards Assistant Sports Editor

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he men’s soccer team has not only made itself known here on campus but has also made some noise in the Commonwealth Conference. With a current conference record of 3-0-1 and an overall record of 13-1-1, the team is ready to compete with some of the fiercest competition in the conference. The Blue Jays are showing every team they will face that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Wednesday night featured great weather and impressive play by the Blue Jays The team took on Commonwealth Conference opponent Lebanon Valley College and played a tough game with double overtime.

Junior Taylor Helsel made both goals for the Blue Jays, giving them the 2-1 score to take the win. At 16:30 in the first half, Helsel took a pass from first-year Javeim Blanchette and the team took a 1-0 lead.

Late in the second half, however, Lebanon Valley’s Andrew Cooper scored a goal to tie up the game. In the first overtime, Cooper almost scored again, but his shot was blocked by first-year goalkeeper Eric Carr.

In the second overtime, Helsel scored his seventh goal of the season off of a penalty kick with less than five minutes remaining.

Oct. 13, the Blue Jays played Commonwealth Conference opponent Lycoming College. Neither team was able to score despite two overtimes, and the game ended in a tie of 0-0. During the game, there were more yellow cards given out than shots made on goal.

Albright College put up quite a fight Oct. 10. Helsel had the first goal of the game at 5:07 after he picked up a loose ball on the field. Blanchette made his sixth goal of the season at 24:15 from a through pass by sophomore Dan Featherer. In the second

half, sophomore Erik Weber scored his third goal of the season at 68:04 by a cross pass from Featherer. The Lions made 2 goals, but strong Blue Jay defense did not allow another shot for the remainder of the match.

The game ended with a 3-2 score and left the Jays with a 12-1 record.

Oct. 7 brought another win for the Blue Jays as they defeated Franklin & Marshall College with a score of 1-0. Helsel scored his fourth goal of the season and only goal of the game just 15 minutes into the match off a pass from Featherer. Junior Tony Pacella nearly scored a second goal with a penalty kick, but it was prevented by Diplomat keeper Zach Zamek. The Blue Jays won the coveted Smith-Herr Boot by defeating F&M for the first time since 2006.

For the week ending with Oct. 4, first-year Ross Withrow was named the Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week. Over two games that week, Withrow had 2 goals and 2 assists. Withrow currently has 5 goals

and 7 assists for the team, placing him second on the list for offense statistics. Withrow is the Blue Jays’ second Player of the Week this season, as Featherer received the honor for the week ending Sept. 6. Featherer is currently at the top of the offense statistics list, leading with 10 goals and 5 assists.

Oct. 3, the Blue Jays defeated Alvernia University with a score of 2-1. This was the Commonwealth Conference season opener for Etown, and they had every intention of winning. With 41 minutes left to play, Withrow scored the first goal of the game (his fifth of the season) off assists from junior Brian Gallagher and first-year Giovanni Correa following a corner kick. Alvernia tied the game at 31:05, and sophomore Geoff Cochrane answered back 42 seconds later off an assist from Withrow.

The men will continue their season as they travel to Arcadia University Oct. 24 and play Widener University at home Oct. 28.

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Women’s Cross Country Paul Short Run 32nd of 39 (732 points) Oberlin College Rumble 13th of 25 (318 points) Field Hockey (10-5) Etown 3, Alvernia 2 Gettysburg 1, Etown 0 (OT) Messiah 5, Etown 0 York 3, Etown 2 Etown 6, Arcadia 1 Etown 6, Shenandoah 0 Golf Messiah Fall Invitational Tied for 4th of 16 F&M Fall Invitational 16th of 20 Blue Jay Classic 1st of 16 Men’s Etown Etown Etown Etown Etown

Soccer (13-1-1) 2, Alvernia 1 1, F&M 0 3, Albright 2 0, Lycoming 0 2, LVC 1 (OT)

Tennis (5-0) Etown 9, Albright 0 Etown 9, Lycoming 0 Etown 5, Lebanon Valley 4

Photo: EtownBlueJays.com

Junior Taylor Helsel dribbles the ball during a recent game. Helsel scored both goals in the Blue Jays’ win over Lebanon Valley Wednesday.

Athlete of the Week Taylor Helsel

he Etownian is pumped to name junior soccer player Taylor Helsel as Athlete of the Week!

Helsel scored two goals in Wednesday’s game against Lebanon Valley College to give the Blue Jays their 13th win of the season. His second goal of the game came with less than five minutes left in the second overtime period.

Helsel scored the first goal just over

Men’s Cross Countr y Paul Short Run 17th of 38 (439 points) Oberlin College Rumble 5th of 28 (166 points)

Women’s Soccer (7-7) Etown 1, Millersville 0 Scranton 1, Etown 0 Albright 2, Etown 0 Etown 2, Lycoming 0 Etown 1, LVC 0

the etownian’s

Sara E. Crimmel Sports Editor

Sports Recap

five minutes into the Oct. 10 game against Commonwealth C onference opp o -

nent Albright College to lead the Blue Jays to a 3-2 win.

Helsel scored the

only goal in the Blue Jays’ 1-0 win over Fran k lin & Marshall College Oct. 7, awarding the Jays the coveted Smith-Herr Boot for the first time since 2006.

Helsel has scored 7 goals and made 5 assists, earning him 19 points this season. He is the second-highest scorer on the team, just behind sophomore Dan Featherer.

Congratulations to Taylor Helsel for his phenomenal work on the field and for being Athlete of the Week!

Q&A

Major: Business Administration Favorite Jay ’s Nest item: Italian Chicken Wrap Favorite sports team: Dallas Cowboys Favorite TV Show: “Entourage” In 10 years, I want to be: living on the West Coast I can’t live without: a car to cruise in Little known fact about me: I saved Tony Pacella’s life

Volleyball (16-6) St. Mary’s of MD 3, Etown 1 Etown 3, Messiah 2 Etown 3, Lycoming 1 Etown 3, Wesley 0 Etown 3, Albright 0

Schedule

of Sports

Men’s Cross Countr y: Oct. 24: Battle for the Buggy (Lancaster) Women’s Cross Countr y: Oct. 24: Battle for the Buggy (Lancaster) Field Hockey: Oct. 24: Albright Oct. 27: @ LVC Men’s Soccer : Oct. 24: @ Arcadia Oct. 28: Widener Women’s Soccer : Oct. 24: @ Arcadia Oct. 26: Widener Oct. 28: Eastern Tennis: Oct. 22: Alvernia Oct. 24:-25: MAC Championships Volleyball: Oct. 24: Dickinson (@ Haverford) Oct. 24: @ Haverford Oct. 28: @ LVC EtownBlueJays .com