Etownian Issue 25 - April 30, 2009

the April 30, 2009 • Volume 105, No. 25

Etownian elizabethtown college

One Alpha Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

On the Web: www.etownian.com

T.G.I.S. 2009

Photos: Matthew P. Butera, Jennifer N. Fimmano

The College’s T.G.I.S. 2009 festivities were this year themed “Through the Decades.” Activities such as swing dancing, guest lecturers and movies spanned from the 1920s all the way to the 1990s, culminating in “E-Stock,” a carnival and music festival held Saturday afternoon on Brinser Field. Pup-E Palooza, a large fundraiser for local shelter and rescue groups, was held the following day. For coverage of this year’s T.G.I.S. and Pup-E Palooza see the Features and Campus Life sections.

on campus

Additions completed, new constructions put on hold Dillon A. Gaul Staff Writer

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lizabethtown College is seeing many improvements on the campus both in the buildings and on the grounds.

After about a year of construction, the Jay Walk project has been completed. The add-on to the Brossman Commons holds offices for coaches and also has an indoor walkway for students to pass through to and from classes.

The building has been used for a couple of months now, but the official opening ceremony wasn’t until this past Friday, April 24.

The Jay Walk dedication ceremony featured tours through the new facility in which students, faculty and the public could participate.

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Minor aspects of the Jay Walk are still being tweaked, such as the landscaping outside of the Jay Walk. Director of Facilities Management and Construction Joe Metro attributed the delay in completing the landscaping to inclement weather. Metro commented on the minor list of items left to complete, calling it a “punch list.” He mentioned that only minor adjustments need to be made, but the building as a whole has been completed.

Another site looking to be renovated and built upon is the land across from Ober and on the same side of Cedar Street as Founders. There had been a barn on the land until it was torn down by the College.

The College intends to use the land as a new residence hall. Con-

struction for the new housing has not begun. “Right now, it’s kind of on hold because of the budget situation,” Metro explained.

Before the economic crisis redefined spending habits to a more conservative approach, “the plan was that [the College would] do renovation in the existing residence halls and then move in to construction of the residence complex up there,” Metro said. “That’s pretty much on hold now, given the current economic climate.”

Since beginning construction for a new dormitory is not a reasonable action, concentrating on improving existing dorms will be priority.

Facilities Management is limited on what projects they can start based on how much

money they have. Scott Nissley, Buildings Trades and Grounds Manager, said, “When we find problems, things that are only labor and don’t cost a lot of money, we fix almost on a daily basis.

We make a list of items that are larger to stick on the R & R budget-request list.” The current economic conditions force bigger projects like the new housing facility to be postponed.

Facilities Management has and will continue to groom the campus, tweaking imperfections here and there as the budget allows. Places on campus like Steinman’s lawn, which frequently experiences miniature ponds when it rains, were corrected by Facilities Management by installing a drain.

Other spots such as those in

Autism Awareness Month

Senior Tributes

Long-Distance Lovers

An on-campus group is raising awareness and funds this month.

Features, page 5

Underclassmen say farewell to the Class of 2009 with personalized messages.

Centerfold, pages 8 & 9

Two Etown girls fell headover-heels while abroad and are still smitten!

Campus Life, page 10

front of Zug have yet to be addressed. When requesting funds to fix the pathway outside of Zug that is known for flooding, Facilities Management was denied financial support.

The end of the school leads into a huge working period for facilities management even as the low budget tightens the leash for what projects can be worked on.

“We make a list of projects that we can do in-house as time allows,” Nissley said.

“This summer, we plan on doing a lot of these projects with the construction and renovations on hold. It’s going to give us time to do the smaller projects, the campus turf and grounds, that we were unable to get to [earlier] because of time restraints.”

TGI “T.G.I.S.”?

Students debate the attraction of this year’s T.G.I.S. themes and events.

Opinion, page 12

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news in brief A record number of students, 524, will graduate from Elizabethtown College this year. Saturday, May 16, all of these hard-working men and women will receive their diplomas at the commencement ceremony, which, weather permitting, will be held in the Dell.

Mary Ellen McNish, general secretary of the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), will deliver this year’s commencement speech. She has held this position since 2000. Since that time she has represented AFSC on peace missions to Iran, North Korea and Israel/Palestine and has traveled to Novel Peace Laureate summits.

Former Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was confirmed as secretary of health and human services Tuesday. Her appointment was the result of a 53-31 vote.

Sebelius took over in the midst of climbing instances of swine flu in the United States. A public health emergency was declared Sunday.

A Democratic governor in a predominantly Republican state, Sebelius was often criticized for her policy decisions regarding such sensitive subjects as abortion.

Former Senate Republican leader Bob Dole, however, testified in March that Sebelius’ record has proven her qualification.

Senator Tom Daschel of S outh Dakota was President Obama’s first choice for secretary, but withdrew Feb. 3 after his messy tax record stirred up controversy.

Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced Tuesday that he will switch from the Republican to the Democratic Party. He said that the Republican Party’s movement “farther and farther to the right” has left him increasingly “at odds with the Republican philosophy.”

This switch furthers the Democrats’ majority in the Senate, leaving them one Democrat shy of the 60-seat, filibusterproof majority.

Compiled by Aidan Bauernschmidt from cnn.com.

April 30, 2009

in the nation

Polo horses drop dead; supplements blamed Nancy C. Briscoe Staff Writer

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unday, April 19, 21 horses fell ill at a polo match in Wellington, Fla. The tragic deaths are blamed on vitamin supplements given to the horses.

The horses were preparing for a match at the International Polo Club when multiple horses suddenly fell to the ground. Shortly after others showed signs of vertigo before collapsing.

Fifteen horses that experienced these symptoms died immediately. The other six horses were treated overnight, but died through Sunday night and into Monday morning.

Spectators preparing to view the match were horrified, seeing the horses’ demise in plain sight.

Blue tarps were put up around the horses in an attempt to cover the spectacle.

Junior Stephanie Kichline followed the story throughout the week. “After reading about the story on CNN, I was shocked,” she said. “I couldn’t believe that something that bizarre would occur to that many horses.”

Lechuza Polo, a Venezuelan polo team, trained the horses.

They travel internationally, and come in contact with hundreds of other horses annually. Juan

Martin Nero, the sport of polo,” the team’s capKeith Dane, directain, told an Artor of equine progentinian newstection for the Hupaper earlier mane Society of the last week that United States, said there was “no in an interview with doubt” vitamins CNN last week. administered to The U.S. Polo the animals were Association Board the cause. of Governors had Of the horsa meeting Satures Lechuza day, April 25, in Polo brought Palm Beach Counwith them to ty, regarding the the match, five tragedy and drug Image: huffingtonpost.com were not given policies. A comA memorial for horses who died just before a polo match t h e v i t a m i n stands outside Lechuza Caracas Inc. in Wellington, Fla. mittee examined supplement safeguards in exthat the 21 deceased horses ingredients. It contained vita- istence and considered whether received. When the vitamin min B, potassium, magnesium changes needed to be made to company caught word of the and selenium. the standing substance policy. incident they began an investiA memorial service was held One suspicion reported by La gation of the vitamin batch.

Nacion, an Argentinian news- on Thursday, April 23, in WelFranck’s Compounding Lab paper, is that the 21 horses lington. Many grieving polo fans in Ocala, Fla., had produced were injected with 10 times the and horse lovers were in attenthe vitamins that were admin- intended amount of selenium. dance. White and red carnations istered earlier Sunday. The They were given 5 mg/ml in- were thrown into a pond on the strength of an undisclosed in- stead of the intended 0.5 mg/ml. grounds during a moment of gredient in the medication was This information came from an silent during the ceremony. incorrect. CNN.com reveals anonymous source.

The horses’ bodies went unthat the ingredient is a vitamin In normal doses, selenium der post-mortem examination injection banned in the United increases overall health and is performed by the University States because it is designed to naturally found in soil, meat of Florida laboratory. They give horses an energy boost. did not discover the specific and seafood.

Thursday, Lechuza Polo “This tragedy has brought cause but discovered a sizeable released a written statement to light the absence of drug amount of hemorrhaging in explaining the compound’s policies and regulation within multiple horses.

in the world

Swine flu claims Mexican lives; branches out Aidan E. Bauernschmidt News Editor

restaurants and movie theaters.

In the U.S., by contrast, 91 cases of swine flu had been confirmed by Wednesday. Five wine flu may have been relatively unheard people have been hospitalized and a first death of just over a week ago, but it is now on the was confirmed Wednesday morning; the victim was a 23-month-old Mexican child being minds and lips of people around the world.

Since Saturday, April 25, the virus has been treated in Houston, Texas.

Swine flu is not very different from confirmed in several countries, but the only casualties have been Mexican citizens. There regular influenza — a severe upper rehave been 160 fatalities there, though only spiratory infection — and has many of seven of these have been confirmed cases of the same symptoms, including fever, swine flu, known as H1N1. Nineteen others cough and vomiting. However, swine flu were confirmed to have contracted swine flu a strain typically found only in pigs or in people who have had direct contact with but have so far survived.

Currently, Mexico City seems to be the pigs. This new strain, however, is easily epicenter of the outbreak. Tuesday, officials passed from person to person. Another distributing masks to citizens ran out. The city frightening aspect of this strain is that it has also shut down swimming pools, gyms, seems to be attacking young people with healthy immune systems as fiercely as it is attacking the very young and the elderly.

What many Americans may be unaware of, however, is that regular influenza has already killed thousands this year and is projected to be responsible for taking hundreds of lives each week for the rest of the year. A weekly report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that 13,000 people have Image: boston.com died from the common flu viSwine flu met the public eye this weekend. This strain rus so far this year.

Cnn.com estimates suggest of influenza has mutated and now spreads easily from that the common flu may kill as person to person.

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many as 36,000 people each year in the U.S. alone; most of these casualties are found among the elderly and young children. Flu vaccines are available, which prevent the virus from taking even more lives. The biggest fear factor about swine flu right now is that there is not yet a vaccine that can prevent its spread.

“This is obviously a serious situation, serious enough to take the utmost precautions,” President Obama said Wednesday. The U.S. government is also releasing nearly 13 million doses of antiviral medication to help stop the illness from spreading.

The World Health Organization’s (WHO) latest statistics reveal that at least 104 cases have been confirmed worldwide, including 64 in the U.S. (currently infected states include Texas, California, Ohio, Michigan, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada and New Jersey); 26 in Mexico; six in Canada; three in New Zealand and two each in Spain, the United Kingdom (specifically, Scotland) and Israel. Germany and Austria reported cases on Wednesday.

WHO has also raised its alert level to five on its six-level scale in the face of suspected infections in 11 other nations. Thus far, however, WHO has argued that travel bans are an ineffective way to impede the spread of swine flu, and will not impose them.

A Campus News memo penned by David Dentler said that students studying abroad in Mexico are currently well but may be asked to return home early. A May term excursion to Mexico has been cancelled.

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April 30, 2009

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in the nation

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Ten years after Columbine, shooter myths debunked Abigail R. Kramer Sports Editor

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t has been a little over 10 years since the Columbine High School massacre, but its effects are still being discussed today.

April 20, 1999, two students at Columbine High School killed 12 of their classmates and one teacher and injured 23 more people before killing themselves. At the time, this was the deadliest school massacre to take place in the United States.

School security and the protection of students has dramatically changed, and drastic measures were sought to prevent anything like this from happening again.

“At the time, I was too young to really understand what was going on, and it didn’t immediately impact me,” first-year Jenna Mattox said. “As I got into high school, I then saw how Columbine affected security. At my high school, we had a lot of red alert drills in case an intruder were to come. We had really heavy security to make sure nothing would happen.”

Though this tragedy happened in

a high school setting, schools on all levels were affected by it, including colleges like Etown. Over the years, Etown has installed many new security options so that students will feel as safe as possible.

For example, the EC Alert system notifies students and parents through a phone call and e-mail in the event of an emergency, and it also informs students of what to do in that situation. Senior Jessica Hill think these measures are absolutely necessary.

“I know a lot of people were upset when the school decided to check peoples’ Facebooks for information,” Hill said. “It’s security options like this that help the school prevent something from happening. If they find leads or clues on the Internet, it will then help them find a solution instead of something bad happening. It raises awareness of school safety.”

According to journalist and author Dave Cullen, one must understand what really happened that day in order to make judgments.

In his recent book “Columbine,” Cullen discusses some of the myths behind the horror. One of the biggest ste-

reotypes he talked about was that most people assumed the two killers were “loners and goths” and that they targeted the jocks. However, this was not the case. While the killers were not the most popular students at Columbine, they did not fit this stereotype. The students and teachers were targeted at random and were all of different social groups, races, genders and ages.

In an interview on cnn.com, Kirsten Kreiling, the president of the Columbine Memorial Foundation, said, “Understanding what happened can help us try to prevent these things from happening again in the future. If you don’t understand history, you are doomed to repeat it.”

It’s hard to break a stereotype, but one popular TV show tried to demonstrate the message that Kreiling suggested. In one episode of “One Tree Hill” in 2006, the show touched on a school intruder in a situation that was very much like Columbine.

In the episode, a normal boy at the school opened fire on students and put the school into a state of chaos.

The shooter was an average student and was not part of the stereotype that

was set after Columbine. It was this episode that directly impacted Mattox’s thoughts on the subject.

“This episode really made me look at school security in a different way,” Mattox said. “It made me realize that you can’t develop a judgment about who you think can start something like this. You never know who it will be. It could be a stranger or even the person sitting next to you.”

For students like sophomore Jessica Waetke, the Columbine massacre impacted her in a different way. Waetke, an elementary education major, has to be prepared for situations of school violence like this when she enters the workforce as an elementary school teacher in two years.

“As a teacher, you have a responsibility to protect your students,” Waetke said.

“There are a lot of little things that you have to do make sure they are protected, especially the younger students.”

Ten years later, the nation is still analyzing the affects of the Columbine tragedy. While there have been many lessons learned in terms of security and acceptance, there are still more answers to be sought.

on campus

in the world

Iranian president’s remarks sting Students grumble, school quickly reacts W T Kara M. Luzik Staff Writer

h at s pu r re d d o z e ns of diplomats to walk out of a conference room, 10 countries to participate in an official boycott, and two protesters to dress up like clowns?

BBC News called it “a public relations disaster for the UN.” The United States condemned it as “vile.” France classified it as “hate speech.”

The anti-Semitic remarks spoken by Iranian President Ahmadinejad referring to Israel as “totally racist” at a UN peace conference April 20 stirred this controversy.

As Ahmadinejad began his speech, two protestors dressed in clown wigs and round rubber noses appeared but were soon escorted out of the room by security gaurds.

Shortly thereafter, diplomats from at least 30 countries, including France, the United Kingdom and Finland, got up and walked out in a deliberate protest of Ahmadinejad’s words.

While most of the delegates who walked out returned after Ahmadinejad’s remarks concluded, the Czech Republic decided to join the United States and nine other Western countries who had previously decided to boycott the entire Geneva conference.

BBC News reported that in a press conference following the conference, Ahmadine-

jad told reporters that the countries who protested his remarks displayed “arrogance and selfishness.”

Although most of the Western world condemned his remarks, the majority of diplomats who remained to hear his speech applauded Ahmadinejad.

However, his greatest supporters greeted him upon his return to Iran. According to Ozkanca, the cheering crowds were exactly the reception the Iranian leader was aiming for.

The Iranian presidential elections are just around the corner in June, and Ahmadinejad is campaigning vigourously for re-election.

“If my intuition is right, he is trying to play the public opinion game again,” Dr. Oya Ozkanca, assistant professor of political science, said. “I think he wanted to make the headlines again. He likes the spotlight he receives.”

Ozkanca explained that Ahmadinejad is working a very common campaign strategy, the Scapegoat Theory.

He is focusing the Iranian people’s attention on Israel, an outside problem, therefore diverting attention from Iran’s domestic problems. “[Ahmadinejad] wants to make sure he is acting as the leader of the Islamic world and he is responding to the threats Israel is posing to the Muslim world,” Ozkanca said.

This is far from the first time Ahmadinejad has criticized Israel. He has been a long-time critic of Zionism, and in 2005 at the Iranian Ministry of Interior conference hall in Tehran he gave a speech titled “The World Without Zionism.”

This conference hall was decorated with posters displaying pictures of the United States and Israel crashing to the bottom of an hourglass.

Iran has hig h hop es of strengthening its power in the Middle East. “Increasingly the Iranian government is trying to take a step forward and try to present itself as the spokesman of the Muslim world,” Ozkanca said.

The countries that boycotted the peace conference completely were Israel, the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, New Z ealand and Poland.

None of their delegates had any interest in hearing what Ahmandinejad had to say.

The UN’s last anti-racism conference was held eight years prior. Ozkanca believes the reason for the large gap in meetings is a result of changing world priorities.

“The September 11 attacks and War on Terror shifted the international community’s attention,” Ozkanca said.

In the conference preceding the one in Geneva, a constitution was drafted equating Zionism to racism.

Peter S. Northrop Assistant News Editor

he campus livened up with debate during the weekend, over student dissatisfaction with the air conditioning systems.

A somewhat disgruntled correspondence with school officials started very publically on Friday when an e-mail was sent by a senior to the majority of the junior and senior classes. This alerted them that “Around the World,” a popular social gathering held at the Shrieber Quadrangle, would be occurring sometime during T.G.I.S. weekend.

Residence Life, which had been alerted in regard to the message, quickly replied with its own e-mail, which stated: “Please know that College policy will be strictly enforced, and social gatherings in this capacity are in violation and will immediately be addressed. All Residence Life staff will be present this weekend as well as additional security. Please act responsibly.”

Two days later, a group of students replied to Residence Life in the same e-mail thread with an angry series of messages, detailing their dissatisfaction with the fact that Res. Life seemed to be more concerned with students drinking than with “real” student concerns.

The main concern expressed in these emails was the fact that, despite the heat campus experienced over the weekend, it appeared that Brinser and the Hackman Apartments were receiving no air conditioning.

Shortly after these emails were sent, it was reported by residents that the air conditioning suddenly came on in both Brinser Hall and the Vera Hackman Apartments. There is no reported correlation between the e-mails and the activation of the air conditioning systems.

Facilities has since sent out several Campus News advisories.

Since Sunday, air conditioning has stopped working on the top floor of Myer as well. This is a problem stemming from a failure of the Building Automation System that facilities uses to digitally run all of the air conditioning systems for all the dorms.

Facilities is currently working with the developers of the automation system, Siemens, to correct this error. However, as of now, the cooling systems in the dorms may continue to sporadically turn on and off.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Facilities Management through the College Web site.

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profiles • monthly series • campus events

April 30, 2009 town events • facts & figures• business

on campus

Mr. Belding:‘Saved by the Bell’ principal,T.G.I.S. highlight Huntley C. McGowan Assistant Layout Editor

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n every high school, there are the stereotypical cliques who rule the halls. Bayside High School in the hit television show “Saved by the Bell” is no different.

Many of us remember growing up with this hilarious sitcom, but we especially remember the wise words of Mr. Belding, played by Dennis Haskins. Friday, April 24, Haskins spoke to his energetic and enthusiastic fans in Leffler Chapel at 9:00 p.m.

Etown students waited anxiously for his arrival, and when Mr. Belding strutted onto the stage, the audience roared with applause.

“Saved by the Bell’ is a comical and entertaining portrayal of a typical American high school, first premiered in 1989, even before some audience members were born.

There were six main characters on the show aside from Mr. Belding, and each of them represented a different stereotype or group on campus.

Zachary Morris, the class clown, was played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar; the jock, Slater, was played by Mario López; Dustin Diamond played the nerd, Samuel “Screech” Powers; Lark Voorhies played Lisa Turtle, the fashionista; Jessie Spano, the brain, was played by Elizabeth Berkley; and Tiffani Thiessen played the beauty, Kelly Kapowski.

After watching just one episode of then went on to study at the University that goal or dream can quickly change.

“Saved by the Bell,” you can’t help but of Tennesee (UTC), where he quickly Originally, Haskins thought he wantfall in love with the charm and grace became the social chairman of his fra- ed to play basketball professionally. these characters so often brought to ternity, Kappa Sigma.

However, one of his mentors told the screen. him that he should consider taking While speaking about his experiences These students and best friends went in college with basketball, Haskins said, an acting class for one his electives in through many trials and tribulations “Life is a series of connect-the-dots.” school, and, well, the rest is history. throughout the series.

When Haskins auditioned for the Haskins remarked that though one The show is appealing to the young- may think he or she is bound to do role of Mr. Belding on “Saved by the er audience because they can easily something for the rest of his or her life, Bell,” it was no easy task. relate to what is going on “Originally, they told me in the show. they were looking for someThe audience may have one who was black and 50 gotten advice on how to years old,” Haskins said, “but handle a certain situation I didn’t care; I auditioned because of the way Mr. anyway. My manager told me Belding advised Zach on not to bother because she said the show.

I would never get the job, but Since the “Saved by the I was persistent and would Bell” remains popular to not give up. Where would I this day, one can imagine be today if I had listened to all the excitement on everyof them? It just goes to show one’s faces here at Etown you, never give up on your when told that Mr. Belddreams. If you really want ing would appear for TGIS something, don’t be afraid to weekend. just go for it.”

Haskins talked for about Haskins was truly a pleasure an hour and half about to have on campus. He was where he was from, how witty and provided a muchhis acting career began, needed laugh to those who and why he decided to take were stressed and worried the role of Mr. Belding on about upcoming finals.

“Saved by the Bell”.

Getting an autograph and Photo: Huntley C. McGowan picture with everyone’s faB orn and raised in C h at t a n o o g a , Te n n . , Mr. Belding, aka Dennis Haskins, spoke April 24 at one of the vorite principal is definitely Haskins attended Notre T.G.I.S. events. He offered memoirs of his time on the show something the audience will Dame High School. He and kept the audience laughing. remember for years to come.

club review

Environmental Club emerges as new, outstanding group Patricia A. Cangelosi Staff Writer

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hat shade of green are you? Most members of Elizabethtown College’s student-led Environmental Club consider themselves rather forest green.

They reduce, re-use and recycle as much as they can and encourage others to do the same. However, according to Dr. Suzanne Webster, one of the club’s founding members, the club welcomes everyone “from the nearest hint of apple white to the deepest green you can think of.” Even those students, staff and faculty who just want to know more about the environment are encouraged to join the club.

In spring 2005, Webster, along with two students and three other staff and faculty members, established the Etown College Environmental Group (ECEG) to raise awareness about the issues that concerned them most.

For a while, the majority of the group consisted only of faculty and staff, but when sophomore Jess Duelfer came to the College, she was determined to get more students involved. She succeeded and now serves as the president of ECEG. The advantage of this new status is that the club will now receive funding for projects, trips and events. Even though ECEG has only been official for a short time, it has already started to make an impact. For 2008-2009, it was given the Outstanding Group Award, an honor not many campus groups receive.

Changes have been cropping up around campus as well. Copy Services sells “green” notebooks made of all recycled materials, and the Etown Public Library has begun selling these for the College as well. By next semester, all of the white paper used by Copy Services

will be FSC certified, meaning it is produced by environmentally-friendly means.

The Jay’s Nest also offers free water for anyone who brings his or her own container (the charge is only for the Styrofoam cups). The Etown College Organic Garden Committee, which has many mem-

Image: tork.com.au

The Etown College Environmental Group is working hard to make Etown a more green campus.They have come up with many new approaches to save energy and waste less.

bers in common with ECEG, has planted an organic garden on campus, which will fit nicely with ECEG’s organic theme for next year.

During the club’s April 23 meeting, group members came up with suggestions for further changes that could make our campus greener. For instance, members discussed the idea of hanging clotheslines outside the dorms to reduce energy spent by dryers in the laundry rooms.

Also, building-wide water filters could be installed

so that tap water would be drinkable without modification, and students would not have to purchase bottled water.

The general consensus among students who would like to help the environment seems to be that they would do it if it was more feasible and affordable.

There are actually easiest everyday ways to save energy than a lot of students may realize. Checking tires for proper pressure every week can help noticeably with gas efficiency and thus save money as well.

According to Michael Bierbower, one of the club’s founding members and manager of EPA audit, “just in our little campus, the effect would be significant” if we all implement small changes. For example, Carol Ouimet, administrative assistant for the modern languages, religious studies, philosophy, and history departments, has reduced paper usage in Wenger Center by 20 percent since last year, simply by copying everything double-sided. She would like students to realize that “it’s not all-or-nothing.” No one has to spend a fortune installing solar panels or buying a hybrid car to make a difference. It’s little everyday things that happen over and over again which add up to something big.

ECEG is sponsoring a “Free-cycle” event. People bring their gently used, unwanted items and can pick up other items that people have brought for free.

This way the unwanted items will stay out of dumpsters and landfills. Look for it next Monday through Thursday on the second floor of the BSC. Anyone interested in joining the Environmental Club or learning more is welcome to e-mail ENVIROMENT@etown.edu or attend the next meeting, date TBA.

April 30, 2009

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on campus

5

Best for Last: Vocalign set to perform in spring showcase Tori E. Giordano Guest Writer

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o help ease the pain of tax season, impending finals, and a lack of summer employment, there is Vocalign, Etown’s newest a cappella group.

Only two and a half years old, Vocalign is proof the College’s best days have not all passed. The group was founded by alumni John Barborek (07) and Emily Wise (08) in the spring of 2007.

The group is comprised of male and female students hoping to merge the distinctive styles of Etown’s other a cappella groups, Melica and Phalanx, to create an entirely new sound.

Because Vocalign is a co-ed group, it has the ability to perform songs with complex and diverse harmonies incorporating a range of octaves.

Vocalign currently boasts 17 members, about half of whom are first-years.

With only two graduating seniors, Kaylyn Parman and Trent DeArment, the group is still relatively young.

However, this has not prevented it from establishing itself as a staple within the College community.

Recently, Vocalign sang at shows including Relay for Life, Homecoming’s A Cappella Extravaganza and a Support Our Troops concert.

In January, the group traveled to the Giant Center to perform the national anthem at a Hershey Bears game that drew over 8,000 spectators, later setting up outside to put on a short concert for fans exiting the stadium after the game.

Vocalign president junior Derek Shanely remarked that he was more than satisfied with Vocalign’s performance over the past year.

"There aren't many groups that can say they performed in front of 8,000 people," he said. “This year has been a blast.”

Although Vocalign’s plans to produce and distribute their first CD have been temporarily shelved due to departmental issues, the group intends to return to the studio and finish the project next fall.

“I’m really excited because I love their sound and it’s been great to see my friends and classmates grow so much musically and accomplish everything they did,” Vocalign fan junior Liz Albitz said. “I’ll definitely be the first person in line to buy their CD next school year.”

Until then, Vocalign fans can search for clips on YouTube or visit their Myspace page at myspace.com/vocalign and see them perform live Saturday, May 2 at 7

p.m. in Leffler Chapel, where they will be joined by a featured guest group.

The concert promises to be the highlight of the semester and an appropriate close to Vocalign’s incredible spring performance series. In addition to serving as a farewell show for the group’s two seniors, the concert will also look to Vocalign’s future.

The group intends to debut six new songs at the show, of which one is a unique medley and another entirely original.

Vocalign also plans to debut a song co-written by Shanely. The song, “The Wait,” is performed by a Berks County band called Shame (that has played on Etown campus) on television networks such as NBC and CN8, while taking airtime on numerous radio stations across the tri-state region.

"Not many people know that I work for a local band called Shame which is from Reading, P.A.,” Shanely explained.

“Over the summer I had the opportunity to write a song with them. I had the idea of then arranging it for Vocalign and can't wait to debut it in its a cappella form."

Curious listeners can link to Shame’s myspace through their Web site at shamemusic.net to get an idea of what “The Wait” sounds like.

Though “The Wait” has been performed by Shame several times previously in concerts, this will mark the first performance of the version arranged for Vocalign.

The medley song is alleged to be entirely fresh and a complete surprise. When prodded for additional detail on the medley, Shanely would only respond cryptically that “it’s not your typical medley.”

Pressed further, he merely smiled and replied, "You'll just have to come to the show and find out for yourself."

Tickets for the May 2 “Make a Memory” spring showcase may be ADOPT: A happy, loving couple purchased outside the Marketplace wishes to welcome a newborn into in the evenings on April 29, 30 and our lives.

May 1 or inside of Leffler Chapel We can provide a warm and caring the night of the show. home, security, and lots of love.

The show is sponsored by T.J. RockLegal and confidential. Expenses wells, and tickets sell at a general adpaid. Please call Margaret and missions price of $5 or $3 for students.

Contact Vocalign at VOCALIGN@ Mark: 1-877-866-5709. etown.edu for additional details.

on campus

LINK raises awareness about Autism throughout April Melissa L. Jones Staff Writer

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ince the 1970s, April has been recognized as National Autism Awareness Month, a month dedicated to educating the public about autism. Autism is a neurological development disorder that affects most communication and social skills. It is also a “spectrum disorder,” which means that it affects individuals differently and in varying degrees.

The symptoms of autism usually begin appearing in children by the time they turn three.

However, this also varies. Some children begin to show signs of autism in infancy, while others may grow up normally and then suddenly develop autistic symptoms.

Some stats say that in America, about 1 in every 150 children and almost 1 in 94 boys have the disease, but those are just estimates.

“My brother has autism and when he was in kindergarten, about 80 of the 300 kids in his kindergarten class had it, too,” Help Link president junior Leighanne Spitzer said. “Autism is becoming more and more of an epidemic of sorts. There is no known cause, so there is no cure.”

Right now researchers think that autism could be caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and other environmental factors. However, it is still a very controversial subject and, as of right now, no one really has any answers.

Fortunately, even though there is no known cure, autism is treatable. With early diagnosis and in-

tervention, the symptoms of autism can be greatly between the students and the autistic kids. minimalized. Some autistic children can even grow “We wanted to do a benefit concert for National up to lead completely normal lives.

Autism Awareness Month,” Spitzer said. “But there Link, a new club on campus, is striving to give was something happening on campus every weekend back to the autistic community in Etown. in April, so we couldn’t. We are going to try again “I started Link last fall because I know how dif- next year.” ficult it can be for families with children Instead, in honor of Autism Awareness Month, with autism, and I also wanted to raise Link decided to raise money to help build a fence awareness about it on campus,” in 4-year-old Henry’s backyard. Henry has autism, Spitzer said. “Our motto is con- and because of this, he has no safety awareness and necting college students with the constantly wanders away from his home. His family autism community.” Currently, has even had to call 911 several times because he has Link has 16 members, whose gone missing. majors range from education to Throughout the month of April, Link sold paper occupational therapy, but the links for a $1 each. The club was able to raise $305, club has no specific affiliation which they rounded up to $325. with any department on campus “It was nowhere near what the family needed to build or national organization. the fence,” Spitzer said. “But, since we are a new club, In one of the club’s biggest pro- we were only expecting to raise about $200, so $305 was grams, each of the 16 club members very exciting.” The club also sponsored a table for three is matched with a member of the com- days in the BSC, where they handed out information munity with autism. “It’s almost like a about autism and puzzle piece ribbons.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters program,” “The puzzle piece is a symbol of autism,” Spitzer said.

Spitzer said. “The students go into “We are still trying to find the missing piece of the [authe homes and act as mentors tism] puzzle; we still don’t know what the cause is.” for the autistic kids in the community.”

In addition to the mentor program, Link tries to have two to four events per year In the April 8 issue of the Etownian, the article “April: to bring college students and autisnational organ donor awareness month honored,” it was tic children together. incorrectly stated that fees were being waved for regisLast fall, they held a kickoff event in the Kid tration in May with the Be the Match Registry. The fee Zone, one of the OT department’s new labs. will be waived in June for the first 46,000 new members This was a way for the autistic children and to the registry at BeTheMatch.org. their families to get to know their student mentors before in-home visits began.

The Etownian apologizes for the mistake.

In every activity, the members of Link try to fit in sensory experiences and socialization

CORRECTION

6

features

the Etownian

April 30, 2009

on campus

The

Jayd-ed edge

Rachel A. Marsteller Features Editor

Nudity in the Alps no more Sunday, Voters in the heart of the Swiss Alps passed legislation banning nude hiking after dozens of mostly German nudists started rambling through their picturesque region.

By a show of hands, citizens of the tiny Canton (state) of Appenzell Inner Rhodes voted overwhelmingly at their traditional open-air annual assembly to impose a 200 Swiss franc ($176) fine on violators.

The cantonal government recommended the ban after citizens objected to encountering walkers wearing nothing but hiking boots and socks.

German Web sites promoting the activity describe it as “a special experience of nature, free and healthy” and said nude walking in the Alps has roots in antiquity.

The verdant Appenzell region has been regarded as a favorite for this activity, with trails the nudists regarded as off the beaten path.

Misdemeanor wiener A Chicago alderman said he doesn’t mind that a businessman plans to open a hot dog stand in his ward and hire former convicts to work there, but he does object to the stand’s crime-linked theme.

Alderman Bob Fioretti said Friday his Second Ward on the city’s West Side has major crime problems, so he thinks the stand’s name, Felony Franks, is simply not in good taste.

Fioretti also objected to several slogans, including: “Food so good, it’s criminal” and “Home of the misdemeanor wiener.”

Stand owner Jim Andrews, however, said he thinks the tongue-incheek name and a menu that features such items as “burglar beef ” and “chain gang chili dog” will help to erase some of the stigma that being a former convict carries.

Blown-away chihuahua Tinker Bell has been reunited with her owners after a 70-mph gust of wind picked up the sixpound Chihuahua and tossed her out of sight.

Dorothy and Lavern Utley credit a pet psychic for guiding them Monday to a wooded area nearly a mile from where 8-month-old Tinker Bell had been last seen. The brown long-haired dog was dirty and hungry but otherwise OK. Tinker Bell was standing on their platform trailer when she was swept away.

Compiled from myway.com.

Pup-E-Palooza huge success; fun for all Shana M. Mihovics Staff Writer

Brookline Lab Rescue, Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center and Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue. Brinser field was filled with panting, happy dogs, cheerful he K9 club is a way animal lovers owners, fun activities and music. can get involved on ElizabethThe Rob & Todd show band, Ric town’s campus. The group describes itMerry and Patrick McCarthy played self as “dedicated live music. to the awareness Pup-E-Palooza hosted a cutest pupthat canines are py contest where contestants entered loving, loyal and a dog with a picture, and the winner intelligent anireceived a prize. mals that deserve This year the first place went to a good home with Petunia; second place, Herby; third a family willing to was a tie between Reilly and return the love.

Calipsal. The owners seemed The club shall excited for their dogs to win strive to raise the photo contest and happy money for nonto see the profits of this event profit animal rescue orgagoing to a good cause. nizations and causes.” The The Palooza was a great members of the club are dog way for the club to end the owners and dog lovers trying year and show everything to raise awareness of issues they are about. that affect pet owners.

Overall, the event was a The club members also raise success — the weather was money for non-profit organizaperfect and a profit was raised tions (for example, the seeingfor animal rescue groups. eye dogs and animal shelters K9 continues to initiate of Lancaster Country) and new members. If participatdedicate volunteer hours to Photos: Matthew A. Butera helping animals. The club also The annual Pup-E-Palooza was held on Brinser field this ing with K9 for Pup-E-Poolza runs several of their own charity past Sunday afternoon. Among many events, there was a seems like something you events to raise money for animal cutest puppy photo contest was held. Petunia took first would like to do in the future, e-mail K9CLUB@etown.edu. place. rescue organizations.

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Pup-E-Palooza was held on Etown’s campus last Sunday. It was a four-hour event, similar to a fair, that catered to dogs. At the Palooza were rescue groups, live music, vendors, puppy pools, demonstrations, face painting, raffles and more. The money raised through raf f les was dedicated to animal rescue groups such as the

SIFE sense

The employment search in difficult times W hether graduating and seeking a full-time career or looking for a summer internship or employment, this year will likely be more challenging than most due to the economic recession. Particularly difficult is the task of finding a job in the financial sector due to the recent downsizing in many of these organizations.

Although there are more than two weeks remaining until the end of the academic year, many are still in search of summer employment. While Job Search 2009 may be a daunting proposition, there are several resources available to aid prospective workers in their quest for the right job.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, many job search Web sites have debuted, offering personalized job recommendations and submitting resumes to potential employers. Although popular Web sites such as Monster.com and Careerbuilder.com purport to be the perfect place to search, they are often targeted by headhunters or recruiters due to the large volume of users on these

sites. All Etown students have access to the Jobs for Jays employment search portal, which can be accessed from the Career Services page of the College’s Web site. This provides a list of all employers soliciting through the College and is a much more reliable way to find jobs than online search sites. Etown also offers a dedicated Career Services staff which can be found within the Counseling Services suite in BSC 216, located at the north end of the administrative wing on the upper floor. Each department also offers its own career coordinator. If you are focusing on the online strategy, several Web sites can search for openings based upon your credentials and desired position, including Indeed.com, JobCentral.com, and SimplyHired.com.

There are also sites specifically tailored to your individual career.

Networking is an ever-important part of the job search, and the Internet has made it both more convenient and more critical than ever before. Web sites such as Facebook and, even more lately, LinkedIn.com, have facilitated the creation of career networks.

LinkedIn allows you to upload your resume, detail your professional background and have associates reference you online. Although online networking has blossomed over the past five years, it is still important to attend social functions and develop contacts with people over dinner and drinks. As is frequently said, it is not always what you know, but who you know that matters.

It also helps to apply to companies that are currently seeking applicants, particularly smaller firms in need of employees. When applying for jobs, you can usually submit your résumé and cover letter via the company Web site. Résumés should be distinct and unique but not overly flamboyant with extravagant fonts or colors and should incorporate specific examples of accomplishments rather than a raw description of your talents. The cover letter should also follow this guideline but be tailored to the individual job for which you are applying.

Although the job search may become discouraging during this atypical economic climate, remember that there are many others going through the same experience to, and by following these recommendations, you can put yourself on the right track toward landing that elusive job.

Written by Elizabethtown College Students In Free Enterprise, a nonprofit organization that teaches others the principles of free market economics. Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to visit the SIFE blog at http://etownsife.blogspot. com/. Contact SIFE@etown.edu with any questions.

April 30, 2009

campus life

movies • music • television • humor • travel

the Etownian

7

lifestyles • arts • advice • college issues

Photo: Matthew P. Butera

final farewells

‘It’s not goodbye, just see you later’: seniors reminisce Allison M. O’Boyle Staff Writer

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s the year draws to a close, first-years are trying to pull through newly discovered college exams. Sophomores are making plans for living up the summer without college, juniors are excited to be seniors and to start working more closely with their careers, and seniors — well, the seniors are both reflecting and hoping. With their prime years of freedom behind them, they look with excitement and anxiety to the next period of their lives. No matter where life takes them, they will know that an integral part of them was constructed piece by piece in this little place of Elizabethtown, a small school with a big impact.

Although the seniors have found individual niches here at Etown which have given them all bright futures, they also found common ground: similar stories which allow them to look back on their college days with fond memories.

One of the most important blessings soon-to-be alumni recognize is their relatable and knowledgeable professors.

History major Jasmine Gollup said, “I will miss everything about Etown: the place, the opportunities, but most of all the people, especially the professors who will go out of their way to help you succeed with a course, independent research or extra-curricular activity.”

Mark Buchmoyer, a computer science major, feels that the professors here stand out because of their personalities. “There are some really amazing professors on this campus with incredible life stories, and I will miss having my one-on-one conversations with all of them,” he said.

Philosophy major Kirk McNeel sums it all up with his honest and endearing perception of the people at Etown who have made a difference. “The professors at Etown carry an enthusiasm for student success that could easily be mistaken for insanity (in a productively insane kind of way); I think that’s what I’ll miss,” he said.

Many college seniors will miss their friends after they have packed up, graduated and moved away. Etown students are no different, but their friendships here are

each unique and memorable. Here’s what some of them said: Biology major Thomas Reinmiller said, “I will miss being so close to my friends and having the ability to walk around campus and see different friends each day. I will miss the random hangouts.”

“The thing I will miss most about Etown will be all the friends I’ve acquired over the years and seeing them all the time,” communications major Joe Cooper said.

Psychology major Jen Peterson said, “What I am going to miss most about Etown are my amazing friends that I have made over the past four years. I am going to miss seeing all of them daily and being able to hang out with everyone whenever we feel like it.”

Most friends have inside jokes, the little secrets that no one else understands. Apparently, “you just had to be there.” Psychology major Bridger Whitesell will miss his inside joke: “History and Systems, and also the greatest people I could have ever hoped to meet in four years; I love you all.”

One-year international student Jonathan van den Ende says he will miss “friends, playing for the tennis team and the American college way of life.”

But political science major Zach Atkinson really sums up what most of the seniors will miss. “I will miss the four great friendships I have found at Etown the most,” he said. “I know we will all stay connected, but I’ve taken for granted the fact I can see them whenever I want.”

Some of our seniors have grown so close to their friends that they more closely resemble family. Political science major Sarah Lawlor said, “Over the past four years, Etown has become my home. I am going to be tremendously sad when I have to leave May 16. One of the things I will miss the most about Etown will be the people-watching from the caf and BSC patio. Something that I will truly miss will be the excitement I felt every time I found out it was mac and cheese day in the caf!”

Social work major Kimberly Hailey’s feelings were similar. “I will miss the sense of family that the social work class of ‘09 has experienced during our time at Etown,” she said. “I will also miss the professors who helped to foster that sense of family.”

“I think what I will miss most about Etown is the people here who have basically become like a second family to me,” occupational therapy major Becky Deveney said. “I will miss being able to run next door with exciting news or always having someone right down the hall to hang out with.”

Education major Andrea Beard said she, too, felt like she was leaving part of her family behind. “I can say for certain, as cliché as it may sound, that who I once considered friends and mentors have meshed into a true, caring, tightly-knit family over the past four years. As graduation is rapidly approaching, I look at the professors, especially in the education department, that have lent every last minute to preparing me for my professional experience as a teacher … I will miss friends who listen to stories, both good and ugly, after a day in the classroom. It’s the family that has prepared us for a professional life and will continue to, even when we aren’t living in the Etown bubble.”

Regardless of how close the seniors and their friends have become, no one could deny that Elizabethtown definitely fosters a unique sense of community. As an integral part of what makes this school so special, the sense of community is what attracts first-years and leaves the seniors with fond memories of the people with whom they have grown so close.

Physics, mathematics and philosophy major Brandon Bear said, “I think what I’ll miss most about Etown is the connection with the people. I’ve formed such great relationships with so many people on campus, and it will be hard to transfer that to the real world.”

Alaina DeToma, a chemistry major, will miss the little pleasures that the Etown community has offered. “I think it’s hard to imagine what I’ll miss most about Etown until after I’m gone,” she said. “It’s the ordinary things that happen on a day-to-day basis that have made Etown special to me.

But I do know I will miss taking walks around Lake Placida, spending time with my friends, and days that smell like chocolate. I will probably even miss spending so much time in Musser. Maybe.”

Fine and performing arts major Lore Herzer said, “I will miss all the opportunities that I have been involved in at Etown

and in the FAPA department over the past four years. I will also greatly miss all my friends and all the people I have come to know.”

“The thing that I will miss most about Etown is the community feeling and atmosphere,” business major Ryan Kasyan said. “I love me some love.”

Spanish major Andrea Guzzo reminisced of the special events that made Etown so special. “I will miss my radio DJ days as a member of the Ang and Angel duo, my HRC kids, egg jay bagels, American Idol Tuesdays, Spanish classes, trips to Lancaster, Nintendo brawls, and, most of all, being only two minutes away from the people I want to spend all my time with.”

Leslie Furman, a religious studies major, said it simply. She will miss “fun times with the people that I love who have made college amazing!”

Religious studies major Scott Derkacz explicitly felt that it is the relationship between the faculty and the students that makes the Etown community so memorable. “The one aspect of Elizabethtown that I will miss is the interactions and relations that develop between students and faculty,” he said. “This college has provided a great atmosphere for higher learning, and these interactions between the students and the faculty have greatly facilitated and contributed towards this learning.”

Mathematical science major Amy Huttenstine said, “What I will miss most about Etown is the close knit community that we have. I love being able to walk through a campus where everyone knows one another.”

“Graduation is only a concept,” the inspirational Arie Pencovici said. “In real life, every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference.” Although the seniors will be recognized at Commencement for their success in the Bachelor’s program, maybe the larger success to recognize is their everyday graduations — graduations from immaturity to maturity, from failures to successes, from absence to love — all with the support of a certain presence that they will miss the most, Elizabethtown.

10

the Etownian

campus life

April 30, 2009

career pointers

Branding provides solution to dismal job prospects Glenn P. Knight Staff Writer

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n such economically trying times, you cannot turn on the news or flip through a newspaper without being accosted by headlines discussing job scarcity or business cutbacks. Because this incites competitiveness across the board in the job market, going out into the world in search of employment can be a overwhelming task. Fortunately, there is a solution to facilitate this process and make it a more positive experience: creating a “personal brand.”

Depending on the market in which one is seeking employment, the idea of a “personal brand” can differ vastly.

Jane Nini from Career Services defined branding as “how you market or how you describe the things you have engaged in [professional reputation].” Those things

that comprise a reputation include a person’s accomplishments and leadership capabilities — basically all the qualities potential employers want to recognize in you.

The idea of “personal branding” involves finding a passion and investing time and effort into that before attempting to enter a job market. That way, employers see more than a résumé and GPA; they see a person who demonstrates leadership and enthusiasm. This is why it is important for a person to focus on his or her interests and strengths; getting involved and focused in one concentration shows a forte and dedication admirable in potential employees.

So what exactly are these activities that boost résumé? Internships, co-curricular activities and leadership positions have all proven to be positive assets in any

job search. But the process does not end with getting involved and being a leader.

It is up to the job seeker to showcase these talents and skills successfully in an interview. This may involve documenting the activities using business cards, Web sites, blogs and a video résumé, as well as traditional interview documents.

Interviews are more than just what a person literally brings to the table; a résumé and documentation of involvement only go so far. It is important to go into an interview with the right frame of mind. Have confidence in knowing what job you wish to attain, the skills that will make this feasible, the experiences that enhance these skills, and how to clearly articulate these experiences in a way that shows why you are the most qualified for the position.

It is important for college students to

start reading about and practicing these strategies early, before graduation, because nobody knows where the economy will go in the future.

“Whether you go to grad school or whether you choose be immediately be employed, you need to be able to describe what qualities you would bring to them, and what you would contribute to that organization or what skills would enable you to help them in a particular program,” Nini said.

It is apparent that recognizing and harnessing strengths well before entering the working world is the only way to really get ahead in the competitive job market that exists in society today. It is important to get out in the world and get the experiences that will push one potential employee higher than another in order to land the job you want.

lovin’ abroad

Cross-continental love: Brown, Singer fancy foreigners Laura A. Farnish Staff Writer

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hroughout their four years at Elizabethtown College, many students study abroad to gain a new perspective on culture, language and education. This opens doors to meeting new people and making new friendships. But what about finding love?

For junior Sara Brown and alumna Leah Singer, studying abroad helped their crosscontinental relationships bloom.

“We actually met online,” Singer said of her new husband. “[Adrien] wanted to learn to speak English with someone, but in the end I just happened to learn how to speak French.”

“I met Fernando in Florence, Italy, when I was visiting with a mutual friend,” Brown said. “He welcomed us into his apartment for a long weekend, and there was an instant connection. I went back after my original stay ended all too quickly, and we’ve been in a relationship ever since.”

Deciding to date someone from a different culture and country may seem difficult, but it was simple for these two girls.

“It was nothing new in my family,” Singer said. “I have cousins in Greece and Australia ... so for me it was natural. I didn’t think about it, other than the fact that the language barrier was a little bit difficult to overcome at first.” “[Fernando] had so much to share in experiences and an incredibly open mind and heart,” Brown said. “When I first discovered these things, my initial response was excitement to get to know him better, then amazement at how close I felt to him and how many connections I share with someone who grew up in a completely different culture. And now I don’t think of him as a person from another country; he’s a man I’m in love with.”

Just as any relationship requires confidence and disclosure, longdistance relationships emphasize these vital characteristics.

“Dating someone long distance requires two words: trust and communication,” Brown said.

“It sounds really cheesy, but communication was the big one, and still is,” Singer added. “The other thing was making sure that each of us was able to live our own lives and thrive in school without constantly worrying about what the other was doing on the other side of the world.”

Aside from a simple telephone call or letter, Brown uses advanced technology to keep in touch with her loved one. She and Fernando talk daily on Skype. This allows them to do everyday things together — laundry, eat together, watch “House,” play games, and hang out with friends.

“I feel like we spend as much time together as a couple that can enjoy each other’s physical presence,” Brown said.

Although each couple works hard to communicate and foster a healthy relationship, there are difficulties that come with such a long distance. Of course, one of the main difficulties is not having your significant other around when you’ve had a rough day.

“Waiting until we can see each other again and not being able to share important days with one another in person” is another problem Brown encounters.

Additionally, travel can get expensive. Even phone calls can become cost prohibitive, and the time difference creates yet another challenge.

However, there are many advantages to cross-continental

relationships. For Singer, there was only a two-hour time period when she was done with class before Adrien went to bed. Therefore, she was able to concentrate on her work and get things done. Additionally, she was able to focus on her friendships here at Etown while working on a intellectual relationship with her boyfriend.

“Valuing each other [and] learning to lean on someone, even if they can’t physically give you a hug” are positives to a long-distance relationship, according to Brown.

There is a lot to learn through long-distance relationships, especially crosscontinental relationships.

“It’s all about patience, trust and communication. I know it sounds corny, but if you don’t have absolute trust in the person, stop now,” Singer said.

“Keep an open mind,” Brown added. “The world is only getting smaller and more connected. Don’t take anything for granted, and remember that every relationship is about taking care of one another emotionally and learning together.

Those are two things that can be done whether you are sitting in the same room or across the world on [different] computers.”

April 30, 2009

campus life

campus events

T.G.I.S. 2009: blasts from the past

the Etownian

11

cinema review

‘State of Play’ full of theatrics, merit Jameson C. Rohrer Copy Editor

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Photo: Matthew P. Butera

Students thronged Brinser Field Saturday, April 25 to soak up the sun and partake in T.G.I.S. festivities, including E-Stock, tie-dyeing, rock climbing and a carnival-esque meal.

Jamie A. Miller Staff Writer

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adies and Gents, strap on those dancing shoes and have a boss time swinging at the speakeasy! It’s no sweat if you’re a spaz, just get there early and you can learn how to swing like crazy! Listen to the kickin’ sounds of the Jumpers Orchestra and eat food as unreal as you and your pals. Dance the first night of T.G.I.S. ’09 away!

To ring in the warm weather, Etown students celebrated with the Thank God It’s Spring (T.G.I.S.) festival, which included an array of activities put together by the Office of Student Activities (OSA). It began Thursday night with a ’50s drive-in diner themed dinner in the Marketplace.

And what better way to complement a drive-in meal than with a good ol’ classic sing-along flick?

After dinner, students “made the scene” in Gibble Auditorium to “cast an eyeball” at the days of jelly roll hairstyles, hot-rodders and Pink Ladies in the movie “Grease.”

To conclude the night of the ’50s, students were invited to go “Swingin’ at the Speakeasy” in the Event Space. The event provided swing dance lessons for students in the first hour. Natalie Cole’s jukebox hit “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” was the song of choice. It played repetitively while the young hipsters got the hang of swing dancing.

“I thought the instructors were really good; the band was very authentic and entertaining…” experienced, first-year swinger Heather Slifko said.

Mocktails and various spreads with breads and crackers were available for students throughout the night. It seemed the setting could not have been any more appropriate with the dance floor surrounded by round, candle-lit tables and a centrally located snack bowl. When lessons finished, students could show off their new skills as they danced to the live band, the Jumpers Orchestra.

“It was freakin’ awesome!” first-year Kassandra Snook said.

“It was a great experience!” first-year Erin Healy said. “It brought something fun and different to campus. I’ve been waiting to get my groove on, swing-style, for decades.”

Friday was dedicated to the beloved 1990s. Students of this generation celebrated their familiarity with a day-long tribute to the television show considered to be the essence of high school: “Saved by the Bell.” Activities included hangin’ at “the Max”

for free hot dogs and cola, a “Saved by the Bell” marathon, and the awaited guest speaker, Dennis Haskins (better known as Mr. Belding). On top of the “Saved by the Bell” events, students were given the opportunity to go roller skating during “Friday Fever,” held at Doc’s Family Fun Center. Skating supervisor and first-year Gregory Shedlock said, “While it was a great idea and the people who went enjoyed it, who wants to be rollerblading inside when you could do it outside?”

But hey, don’t sweat it; the fun-filled weekend was just beginning. because students had yet to experience Saturday’s E-Stock extravaganza located on Brinser Field. With a pre-purchased ticket that cost a single meal swipe, students had a selection of mouth-watering cuisine to chow down on all afternoon and evening. Of the wide variety provided, Healy grew attached to the enormous pickle bin: “I have never had such a delicious pickle — ever!” With foods such as hamburgers, cotton candy, funnel cake, fruit and caesar salads, empañadas, soft pretzels, ice cream and more, it was an event comparable to a town carnival.

Activities such as tie-dyeing, rock climbing, an obstacle course and a quad pod were provided for the students to unleash their spring fervor.

“I feel a little bad for those who had to be humiliated by my domination and intensity as I crossed the finish line first,” first-year obstacle course competitor Bekah Frischkorn said. “I was not in the least bit disappointed by the day, though.

Everything turned out great!”

In the midst of the chaos, live bands played on stage. Both student and alumni bands were featured, including Flint, Clean Fall, Midnight Spaghetti and Three-Legged Fox. As the E-Stock festivities came to a close, students were still left with plenty to celebrate Saturday night. Trade in those swing dance poodle skirts and obstacle course racing shoes for an awesome pair of leg warmers! With a game show offering $400 in cash prizes and a midnight ’80s flashdance, the fun seemed to be incessant.

Activities for those who were worn out from the day’s earlier events included a movie and midnight breakfast.

Between the wonderful weather and the astounding entertainment this T.G.I.S. weekend, Etown students, friends, families and alumni welcomed the spring season. The fever continues to spread contagiously through the classes and dorms of students who are approaching the last two weeks of the ’08-’09 school year.

tate of Play,” a reporter-versus-corporation political thriller, pits some of Washington, D.C.’s hairier journalists against a syndicate of paramilitary contractors. The villainous private military company, called Pointcorp, is clearly a Blackwater analogue, and director Kevin MacDonald (“The Last King of Scotland,” “Touching the Void”) lifts most of the major plot elements from Bush-era headlines.

“State of Play” itself began as a critically acclaimed BBC miniseries, and had MacDonald done nothing more than add tired, post-Iraq animosity, the film might’ve been mediocre. However, top-notch acting, writing and cinematography save what would have otherwise been an obsolete fantasy.

The conflicts in “State of Play” are immediately highlighted: mysterious shootings connected (by audience knowledge only) to corporate conspiracy; bloggers and new media replacing print journalism; fallible political figureheads versus the industrial-military complex; and man versus self, to name a few.

The movie succeeds by supplementing tired memes with well-developed characters. Russell Crowe (“A Beautiful Mind,” “Cinderella Man”) stars as Cal McAffrey, a tough but mellow crime reporter. He’s likably bearish, clever and mature. Feisty Della Frye (Rachel McAdams from “The Notebook”) alternately inhibits and assists him as a Washington Globe blogger. Ben Affleck plays Congressman Stephen Collins, whose crusade against Pointcorp is disrupted by the death of his mistress. Everyone has important secrets, which the writers reveal organically: each scene surprises but doesn’t shock.

Moreover, the film’s fantasies feel authentic. The newsroom of the Washington Globe is full of people who dress and talk realistically — not quite like actual reporters, but at least in a fashion that appears faithful to the average viewer’s imagination. Ditto for the senators, the addicts, the cops and the citizens. The District of Columbia’s secondary attractions add depth and context: “State of Play” features not just the Lincoln Memorial but also the Friendship Arch, the Watergate Hotel, Ben’s Chili Bowl and the Maine Fish Market.

To be clear, “State of Play” is a tremendous theatrical experience. Crowe told Silver Chips Online that he approached his part to “explore the ambiguity of journalism,” and examine the way that ego-driven characters “re-balance themselves.” To qualify the production in genre terms alone does it a great disservice. Instead, watch how each man deals with his pride and with his shame and how each justifies his own private war.

Image: slashfilm.com

Crowe warns Affleck of political intrigue in director Kevin MacDonald’s new flick “State of Play.” The suspense-filled political thriller centers on investigative journalism and military conspiracy.

12

opinion

the Etownian

campus controversies • letters to the editor

d n ou

S Off What are your plans for the summer?

by Matthew P. Butera

Stephany Schultz Class of 2009 “I will be graduating and looking for a job”

Joe Klinger Class of 2011 “I am going to study abroad in Vienna.”

April 30, 2009 national debate • our take • guest columns

Was TGIS ‘through the decades’ a success?

T hank Goodness It’s Spring, indeed. I wasn’t on campus for the majority of the weekend, but from what I heard, people had a lot of fun. In most cases, though, the T.G.I.S. events didn’t have much to do with it.

Rumbles of complaint began when the theme was announced. While “Through the Decades” has a lot of potential for fun and creative events, packing more than one decade into a single weekend just isn’t feasible.

“Everyone does ‘Through the Decades’ when they can’t think of something better,” first-year Senate member Amanda Knights said.

Sophomore Samantha Phillips thought it was just a little too big to tackle.

“I thought the theme was too vague for a one-weekend event,” Phillips said.

“There was no way that every decade could be represented in that short a period of time.”

The weekend had plenty of events, no one can deny, but was the theme evident? Did people attend? Do they even remember going?

“I went to the thing on Brinser Field,” junior Michael Nelson said, “but it didn’t seem like it had anything to do with decades.”

Junior Mollie Eckert agreed. “Besides the decoration, the Fifties Dinner didn’t seem to have anything to do with the ‘50s. There were burgers and fries, but it was all stuff you can find in the Caf. It would have been better if there were milkshakes or a jukebox or costume contest, something that’s distinctly ‘50s.’”

First-year Emma Rushton, who’s never had the opportunity to experience an Etown T.G.I.S. weekend, was a little confused.

“What was the theme this year? ‘Centuries’? I don’t usually stay on campus during the weekend. What was supposed to be so special about it?” I explained the general premise of the weekend: SWEET hosts a number of themed events in order to bring

students together and celebrate for one last big weekend before the end of the year. She replied, “Oh, right. I thought about staying because I heard TGIS is a really big party weekend. But I’m not really into parties, so I didn’t see the point.”

And that brings us to the problem. SWEET’s aim (I thought) is to sponsor events that will bring the campus together while giving us safe, fun things to do that don’t involve drinking. But I didn’t talk to a single person who didn’t mention alcohol.

Phillips found the theme a little lacking but tried to make Rachel L. Jesten the best of it. “The bands were a great way to bring students together, but it didn’t seem like anyone was really interested in the bands. No one seemed to pay attention to events in general, except for the food. It all seemed like just an excuse for people to get drunk,” she complained.

Eckert, frustrated with the creative shortcomings of this year’s events, said, “The weekend seemed to provoke even more drinking, and a lot of people didn’t bother going to the events because they were too wasted to walk there.”

Junior Mike Nelson lamented the loss of tradition in this year’s T.G.I.S. Photo: Matthew P. Butera “What happened this year is that the senior class didn’t pull through,” Nelson said, “Things that have happened in previous years, like a pig roast outside the Farm House and Mushroom House, didn’t happen.”

We’ve had Third Eye Blind; we’ve had Relient K. What happened to that? We’ve had a Medieval Times theme, with chicken legs and jousting events. What happened to that?

The weekend’s spotlight, Mr. Belding (whose real name no one seems to recall), spoke at 9 on a Friday night. If the events aren’t appealing, students will find something else to do. Unfortunately, that tends to be drinking. “They just could have done more,” Eckert said.

Double Take Double Take Sarah Lawlor Class of 2009 “I’m going to be trying out for ‘The Real World’ in Cancun.”

Bill Newton Class of 2012 “I want to go deep sea fishing.”

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

T

hank Goodness It’s Spring (T.G.I.S.) known as Mr. Belding from the popular is an annual celebration of spring teen show “Saved by The Bell,” speak in time held at the end of April here at Leffler Chapel. Students piled in as early Elizabethtown. T.G.I.S. is organized by as 45 minutes before the event began the Office of Student just to make sure they would Activities (OSA) and get a good seat to see a TV Emily E. Knitter star from their childhood. offers a plethora of activities in which all Members of OSA questioned may participate. him about how he got started This year’s theme was “Through in the business, where he grew up, and, the Decades” and included events that most importantly, the gossip about the involved significant movies, styles and cast and their relationships. pastimes popular in decades past.

The picnic on Brinser Field, or “EStudents could participate in many stock,” was a wonderful asset to the different events. From things as simple weekend as well. This picnic was one meal as showings of three popular movies, swipe and provided 10 food options, we (“Grease,” “The Goonies” and “The could choose six of these. Students had Breakfast Club”) to roller skating and the opportunity to sit outside, listen to swing dancing, these events offered music and enjoy the nice weather. something for everyone, whether you The picnic also included a blow-up wanted to be active or relax. obstacle course and rock climbing wall I felt as though the weekend overall for those who wanted to be active in the was a major success. It got students nice weather. involved and, better yet, outdoors. The “I would say that the picnic, with weather was beautiful, and I think that the food, music and activities, was cerhelped the weekend’s success as well. tainly a success. OSA did a great job of One of my favorite events was prob- planning for the picnic and the whole ably seeing Dennis Haskins, better weekend,” sophomore Cristen Minori

said. “It was really nice for food services to provide so much delicious food for everyone and give us so many choices of what to eat. The weather was perfect, and it was great to see so many students there having fun and enjoying all of Estock.”

This picnic and all of its components showed the creativity OSA possesses and really brought most of the campus together.

The 80s flash-dance was another event that brought many students together.

Students had the option of dressing in their best 80s attire, including side ponytails, baggy shirts and leg warmers.

The dance was during the time of the Midnight Breakfast, which let students enjoy yummy breakfast treats after getting their groove on at the dance.

I was not here for last year’s “All American” T.G.I.S. weekend, so I do not have another theme to compare this year’s to, but I thought this year’s “Through the Decades” theme was great and the activities provided for the students fit the theme perfectly. I look forward to next year’s T.G.I.S. weekend.

opinion

April 30, 2009

in the nation

the Etownian

staff column

Bedside manner reconsidered College?

Emily M. Reigart Assistant Copy Editor

E

veryone knows there must be boundaries between one’s professional and personal life. Teachers shouldn’t date students. Lawyers and their clients ought to avoid romantic entanglement at all costs.

Doctors and their patients should not get involved in sexual relationships.

This is all common sense, right? Wrong. Apparently, two doctors in Texas found this limit a tad unreasonable.

According to the medical blog RangelMD.com, a physician who specializes in internal medicine had an affair with a married patient while treating her. The other, a psychiatrist, has lived with and treated his patient for depression over the course of four years.

Both consensual relationships were reported to the Texas Medical Board anonymously, and they resulted in fines and mandatory ethics education seminars.

The internal medicine doctor was fined $5,000 and required to attend a professional boundaries seminar at the cost of $2,800. The psychiatrist’s punishment was more severe to the tune of $10,000 in addition to mandatory attendance at the same ethics seminar.

None of this seems unreasonable thus far, but consider penalties meted out by the same medical review board for non-romantic offenses committed by Texas physicians. The consequences of actual medical mistakes which resulted in harm to the patient were less severe than those imposed on these two doctors.

Even physicians whose actions (or lack thereof) resulted in the death of their patients received punish-

ments that seem like a walk in the park compared to the sentences of the aforementioned morally corrupt doctors. A gastroenterologist was fined $0.00 and 10 hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) because a patient died of sepsis due to a misdiagnosis of a perforated bowel. A vasectomy was mistakenly performed on the wrong patient, and the operating urologist was only assigned 10 hours of CME as a penalty for this error. One of the more severe punishments was meted out to a doctor who neglected to review X-rays of a child’s stomach before operating to remove a tack (which midway through the endoscopy was discovered to have passed through the gastro-intestinal track of its own accord). This doctor was fined $3,000 and 10 hours of CME. It seems to me that there is a discrepancy between the severity of the punishment and the gravity of the offense. Maybe I’m the only one who thinks that consensual sex with a patient isn’t as big of a deal as death, sterility or unnecessary surgery. It might be rather awkward to have to ask your sweetie for a serious medical exam or to write a script for your happy pills. However, two adults should have the right to make whatever romantic decisions they deem appropriate without a medical review board’s interference. Physicians whose actions are ethically questionable but do not harm their patients should be less of a concern to medical boards than doctors who injure those whose care is entrusted to them.

Bottom line: medical boards, please concentrate on the medicine, not the morality.

on campus

Landscaping attracts students Christopher A. Tjaden Staff Writer

W

hen it comes to Elizabethtown C ollege’s grounds maintenance, many would say the looks of the campus do not justify the cost of the upkeep. Is the presentability of Etown grounds worth the price we pay?

Presentation is everything when it comes to first impressions. Just as people judge each other on appearance, they judge an institution on the condition of its surroundings.

I’m not saying that the grounds of our campus have to be perfect and contain roses around ever y corner ; I am simply saying that in order to maintain a positive appearance, the College’s grounds must be neatly maintained. When prospective students, visitors or ambassadors come to visit,

they sometimes comment on how well-kept everything is.

When this happens, the visitor leaves with a positive image of the campus and of the surrounding community.

To increase applications, steps should be taken to ensure the campus is looking its best at all times. Minor efforts, such as ensuring the grass is cut and the bushes are trimmed, make all the difference when it comes to positive presentation. By having a pleasing appearance, more photographic opportunities will be available for admissions brochures, and the College will have more material to convey the beauty of the campus to prospective students. A welcoming appearence will make many consider visiting.

During admissions events, those prospective students will enjoy beautiful scenery

while also learning about what makes Etown suitable for them.

Everything comes with a price. A number of options can be set in place to minimize maintenance cost and improve student involvement and employment. To follow the school’s motto, “Educate for Service,” campus maintenance could be broken down into a series of student community service projects. For example, each of the sports teams and clubs could have a designated time to complete a few hours of maintenance for community service and help prevent the school from the spending X dollars on groundskeepers.

If students need jobs, the College should hire students instead of outsiders.

Campus grounds upkeep is an essential investment in order to ensure both happiness amongst those enrolled and future a d m i ss i ons opp or tu n i t ies. L o oks aren’t everything, but they do serve to attract and keep students, faculty and visitors.

Jameson C. Rohrer Copy Editor

T

uit ion here has b e en steadily rising; the cost of higher education is rapidly outstripping your parents’ respective abilities to pay for it. I’ve picked up several complaints about private education’s restrictive price tag — without (impossibly) significant financial aid, it’s just not a viable option, blah blah blah. I’ve heard rumors of temporarily closed residence halls and of cut student programs. Collegeboard.com says that American students will each pay between $200 and $1,300 more than last year for the ’09-’10 undergrad education. Is it worth it?

Lots of students (more, anyway) are dropping out of high school. I read once that a liberal arts undergrad degree brings, on average, only $300,000 more cumulatively in an average lifetime than a high school diploma alone (after demographic controls). Given the opportunities available through technical school and entrepreneurship, I don’t really think that most citizens need to go to college.

The richest person I personally know dropped out. He’s really, really rich, so there’s an anecdote for you. In my experience, everything that a disciplined, clever person can do with college they can also do without.

There are three legitimate values of undergrad, however. The first is that it can quite simply make you a better person. (Conversely, it can make you worse.)

The hormone-fuelled social dynamics of campus life, bulked by lacrosse-team drama and late-night seminar papers, make a perfect crucible for character development. Go to town.

Second, between poisoning your liver and falsifying citations, you’ll learn to categorize things. For example, you can Google the Bristol Stool chart if you need to know whether movement “like a sausage but with cracks on its surface” is natural. And you might pick up researching tricks. If you wanted to properly theme a Cinco de Mayo party, you’d know enough to hit the stacks (or Wikipedia) and learn about General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín’s triumph over the French at the Battle of Puebla. ¡Felicidades!

Finally, college opens up grad school. Forbes says that the value of an MBA is collapsing, and law school is a worse decision than ever, but if you want to be a physician or professor or engineer, you might as well go for it. I will, too! Goodbye, everybody!

13

the Etownian the board Editor in Chief Jennifer L. Tarr Managing Editor Shaleen A. Spulio Assistant Editor Jamie L. Bartolino News Editor Aidan E. Bauernschmidt Features Editor Rachel A. Marsteller Campus Life Editor Aimée M. DiMichele Opinion Editor Craig H. Meaney Sports Editor Abigail R. Kramer Photography Editor Kalie M. Desimone Copy Editors Katherine E. Blackman Jameson C. Rohrer Online Editor Steven E. Bicker Layout Editor E. Adam Quinn Assistant News Editor Peter S. Northrop Assistant Features Editor Greta A. Kvinnesland Asst. Campus Life Editor Joelle E. Atkinson Assistant Opinion Editor Khouri E. McGrann Assistant Sports Editor Michael D. Steiner Asst. Photography Editor Matthew P. Butera Assistant Online Editor Zachary T. Johnson Assistant Copy Editors Emily M. Reigart Michael D. Moss Noelle A. Withelder Assistant Layout Editor Huntley C. McGowan Business Manager Anh P. Nguyen Asst. Business Manager Brittny E. McLaughlin Advertising Manager Elizabeth L. Cox 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.

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

Submissions may be printed anonymously at the discretion of the editor.

Submit letters to opinion@ etownian.com

14

sports

the Etownian

April 30, 2009

etown tennis

Lebanon Valley defeats Blue Jays in conference finals Kevin J. Yu Staff Writer

T

he Elizabethtown tennis team has been making strides when it comes to defeating their competitors.

During the months of March and April, both men’s and women’s tennis teams had many consecutive wins.

Throughout March, the women’s tennis team won matches over Saint Vincent, DeSales University, Scranton and also over Division I La Salle University. This winning streak continued into April, when the Lady Jays defeated Stevenson, Misericordia, and this past Saturday, April 25, over rival Messiah. This match brings the total to seven straight victories.

The men’s tennis team had similar results. The Jays defeated Lebanon Valley College, Arcadia University, Lycoming College, Stevenson, Misericordia University.

Last Friday, April 24 at Juniata College they shut down Arcadia Saturday, April 25, with a final score of 5-0. This gave the men eight wins in a row.

However, both teams’ winning streaks were broken when they went up against Lebanon Valley College this past Sunday in the Commonwealth Conference finals, which took place at the Hempfield Sports Complex.

The men’s team had a close match against the Dutchmen with a score of 4-5. In the match, junior Brok Walker won at flight two 6-3 and 6-2, and senior Jeff Kirkhoff won at flight three 6-1 and 6-1. In the end, LVC’s Dutchmen won at flights six and five to go on to win the championship.

On the other hand, the women’s team lost 2-5 to LVC. Some highlights of this match include gaining their double points from the number one team of juniors Emily Swarr and team captain Jessica Russell. After a

Photo: Matthew P. Butera

First-year Jonathan van den Ende goes for a hit in a match against Juniata April 23.

tough match, the Dutchmen won the first, fifth and sixth singles to win the match.

“Last year we lost to LVC in the fall, and we just expected to go out there and do the best that we could. LVC would continue to defend their title,” Russell said. “We had some goals to come together more as a team, although we do wish we won the conference championships.”

In spite of their loss, the teams plan to continue to hold their heads up high. The men’s tennis team still has

high hopes to come out strong and win its last match of the season.

Reflecting on this season, Kirkhoff said, “We played well and won enough matches to qualify for finals. We won the first-round match. What’s important is we got ourselves the opportunity we wanted.

We didn’t give up all season long ans we kept playing.

That’s what counts.”

For the upcoming semesters, the women’s tennis team has plans for improvement.

“We need to step up our game, and those of us who will continue playing on the team need to practive hard over the summer, any chance they can,” Russell said.

Speaking on behalf of Coach Matthews, Russell said, “He was really proud of our team for hanging on.

It was quite a battle. With the 90 degree heat, the girls felt like just cramping up. They fought a good match.”

The tennis team holds the core values at the center of their play.

“Our team isn’t [always] about winning. It’s all about cheering each other on and fighting to never give up,” Russell said.

Some advice that Russell would impart to the newer members would be to never give up and always encourage your teammates which will in turn help your own game.

Both the men and women had another opportunity to show their game as they faced Muhlenberg.

The men played Tuesday and lost the match 6-3. In singles, first-year Manrique Arrea won 6-4 and 6-4, and Walker won 6-4 and 0-6 at flight two. With Arrea’s win, he earned a fifth place finish on Etown’s single-season record at 16-3.

The women played yesterday and lost 7-2.

etown baseball

Men face Albright College in conference semifinals T. Gavin Nevill Staff Writer

E

lizabethtown’s showdown with Lebanon Valley College has been looming for a while now. Throughout the season, when the Jays would win games, Lebanon Valley was right there following in Etown’s footsteps. So when the two Commonwealth Conference titans clashed for a weekend series, needless to say, there were some fireworks. Etown entered the three-game set with a conference record of 10-2 with the Dutchmen just a game behind at 9-3. As senior Eric Luff pointed out, the Blue Jays have been eyeing this series for some time. “You try not to look,” Luff said, “but in our league, everyone knows how everyone else is doing.”

The series kicked off with a 9-inning affair at Boyd Stadium. Etown’s ace, senior Sam Heaps, got the nod with first place on the line. Heaps was dominant from the get go and finished with a complete game four hitter. Most of the offensive punch came from the top of the Etown lineup.

Their one, two and three hitters, senior Adam Sheibley, junior Rodney Francis and Heaps, combined for eight of the team’s nine hits. Sheibley also stole two bases in the 4-3 Blue Jay victory.

The series shifted to Lebanon Valley for a Saturday doubleheader. Etown clung to a 5-4 lead in the first game. It was in the sixth inning that the wheels fell off for the Jays. Etown pitchers allowed six runs in the inning as the Dutchmen took the game 10-5.

The test of a good team is how they respond when they are down. Rather

than folding in the second game of the doubleheader after a tough loss in game one, the Blue Jays fought back. Lebanon Valley’s starting pitcher lasted just one inning as Etown bats came alive. After three innings (and three different Lebanon Valley pitchers), Etown had a 10-0 lead. That was all the support that junior Matt Vinagro would need on the mound.

Vinagro earned his sixth victory of the season as the Jays cruised to an easy 16-1 win. Junior Brian Kiernan had a pair of home runs, including a grand slam.

The win not only secured the top

seed in the Commonwealth Conference playoffs, but as Luff pointed out, it means more than that. “It was highly important,” Luff said. “It was to determine who the regular season champ was, so it meant a lot to the team.”

It is very uncommon for a team to play four games in three days, but that is what Etown had to do because of a rescheduled Franklin & Marshall game from April 5. With the top seed in the playoffs wrapped up, the Blue Jays traveled to the Diplomats’ home field for a Sunday matchup. The good news was 22

different Etown players saw the field and gained vital experience for this year and for the next. The bad news was on the scoreboard. Despite two hits by first-year Steve Motika, Etown lost the game 17-2 to finish out the regular season.

The first round of playoffs is scheduled for today at 4 p.m. The Jays will take on Albright College, a team they beat all three times they played by a combined score of 24-6. A victory today would land Etown in the Commonwealth Conference Championship Game Friday, May 1.

etown softball

Ladies close season; hopeful for next

Carey E. Betts Staff Writer

T

he Elizabethtown softball team had their last series of the season against rival school Messiah College. The Blue Jays faced off against the Falcons in the Commonwealth Conference Saturday. Unfortunately, Messiah beat the Lady Blue Jays in the final conference matchup, scoring 4-1 in the first game and 4-2 in the second, bringing Etown’s final record to 11-25 for the year, and 4-8 in the conference.

“I think we did better than our record shows,” first-year Autumn Phillips said. “In most games that we lost, we only lost by a couple runs. We really did our best.” But even though the ladies lost the game, it didn’t go without a number of exciting moments, like when senior Marian Guzik went 3 for 3 with a former Division 1 pitcher in game one.

“Both of our pitchers (first-year students Julie Sebastian and Lanie Parr) did a really good job,” first-year Heather Peluso said. Along with junior Paige Tanner and sophomore Kelsea Corrado, Peluso had two hits in the second game. The team had a total of nine hits all together in the conference. With bases loaded at the bottom of the ninth inning, the Blue Jays struck out, allowing them to be defeated by the Falcons.

But with the end of this season, there is always the hope of next year. The Blue Jays have a chance to redeem themselves and retaliate against Messiah.

“Next year we will be losing a lot of really good seniors who have a lot of talent, but we still have a really good team and can look forward to the new freshmen coming in next year,” Phillips said.

Amidst the dismay of losing to Messiah, the future may bring more success in the upcoming school year with the promise of new talent.

sports

April 30, 2009

the Etownian

etown men’s lacrosse

15

Blue Jays face FDU-Florham in conference semifinals Kendra E. Linton Staff Writer

M

en’s lacrosse is moving onto the playoffs, thanks to their victory against Misericordia University Saturday, April 25. The final score of the game was 15-3, with Elizabethtown crushing the Misericordia Cougars after four periods of intense play. Etown was clearly in good spirits as the game progressed, and the team worked hard together to pull off their final victory of the regular season.

Expectations were high going into the game, according to sophomore Shawn Corcoran, who said the team’s objective was to “come out with a strong win.”

When asked about how he felt the season was going so far, Corcoran said that he was “definitely happy with how the team has played and worked together to accomplish the goal of winning the game.”

Corcoran belives the keys to winning the game is “playing as a team and staying positive.”

After the first period, Etown’s

teamwork was paying off as they managed to make eight goals, while Misericordia had yet to score one. As the game continued, so did Etown’s determination to beat Misericordia. Etown went on to score three goals in both the second and third periods and one in the last.

First-year Drew Stitt scored the final goal of the game and said that “it felt great to beat such an aggressive [Misericordia] defender.”

After the fourth period, team members were visibly pleased with how they had played, but it was apparent that some of them were sad to see the seniors leave.

Junior Keith Staulters said that he was “sad to see the seniors go” and was glad “the team was able to give them a good end to their college lacrosse careers.”

Staulters also said that he is “eager to see which players will step up to replace this year’s seniors,” and was happy that “a lot of subs got a chance to play in the game, giving them a chance to get some game play time on the field.”

Photo: Matthew P. Butera

First-year Dan Patton faces a Misericordian defender in a match Saturday.The Jays won the game 15-3.

It looks as if the team will be strong next year as long as the players continue to work together and communicate as well as they did this season.

Etown’s victory over Misericordia wasn’t the only big

etown women’s lacrosse

event of the game. Junior Aaron Weber became Etown’s career leader in points after scoring two goals and two assists, bringing his total career points to 169. This beat Frankie Puzzangara’s record

of 167 career points, which he held from 2004-2007.

As the team heads to playoffs, its players are very excited about the prospect of winning but are not letting it get to their heads. Sophomore Brian Schaaf said that he is “excited for Monday’s playoff game,” which took place Monday.

DeSales was no match for Etown as the Jays defeated the Bulldogs 9-2. Junior Aaron Weber had three assists and scored three goals in the win. With those points he became the third person in Etown lacrosse history to reach 100 career goals.

So far, the lacrosse team has had a pretty remarkable season, with 11 wins and only three losses. Things are looking up for the team as they entered the playoffs Monday.

Their next task was to face FDU-Florham in the second round of playoffs last night.

The last time the Jays played them they lost 15-6.

Last night, the jays lost the match 10-8.

etown golf

Men earn bid to Lady Jays host MAC semifinals against Eastern National Championships Kristen A. Conroy Staff Writer

A

ll season, we have cheered on the Elizabethtown College women’s lacrosse team. We have watched them demolish every opponent who stepped in their way. They have fallen lower and lower on the national rankings into the 17th spot. Meanwhile, we have patiently waited for the team’s outcome.

This past Saturday, the Lady Jays completed a perfect 11-0 Middle Atlantic Conference after demolishing Misericordia University 21-3.

It was a big day for the Blue Jays (15-2 overall, 11-0 MAC). Eleven different players scored for the Jays, while senior Katie Foley set new single-season program records with 76 goals, 102 points, and increased her career goal total to 255.

Etown came out on fire, leading 11-1 at halftime, and finishing with a 37-11 edge in shots over the Cougars.

Senior Kelsea Kozak netted four goals and an assist, while junior teammates Megan Byrnes and Stephanie Kreis each added two goals and an assist for the Lady Jays.

“We stuck to our game and never let them dictate how we played,” Kozak said.

Contributing a goal and an assist each were first-year Katie Scheurich, followed by sophomores Meg Cassels and Sarah Cullinan. Scoring single goals were seniors Lyndsey Reeve and Danielle Schaffer along with junior Alisha Sangrey and sophomore Kelly Lurz.

Senior goalie Jenn Hawkins made two saves in the first half, while junior goalie

Becca Watkins made three stops in the second half.

Two days prior, the Lady Jays took on Messiah College.

“Messiah is going to have good stick skills and a lot of speed, so we’ll have to get good body position on defense,” Kozak said before the match. “If we do this and don’t foul, we should be in good shape for the game.”

In good shape is exactly what they were. Etown clinched the top seed after grabbing a 13-8 victory over the Falcons.

Six different Lady Jays scored goals as part of a 6-1 run that turned a 3-3 tie into a 9-4 Blue Jay lead at halftime.

Foley netted four goals and added an assist, while Hawkins finished with a season-high 17 saves. Junior Katie Caprinolo tacked on three goals, while Kozak finished with two goals and an assist. Byrnes, Kreis, Cullinan and Scheurich each netted single goals.

The win gave the Lady Jays home field advantage for the semifinal game Thursday, April 30 at 4 p.m. The team will face Eastern University. Though the last time they played Eastern the ladies defeated the Eagles 19-10, there is always room for improvement.

How are the ladies preparing for the big day?

“Play with patience, confidence and composure,” senior Anna Ford said. “I’m going to push myself and my teammates to keep playing Etown style—no regrets.

The conference championship is not going to be given to us. We have to keep working for it. We’re the only ones that can hold ourselves back.”

Ross M. Benincasa Staff Writer

or decades, golf was considered a sport of the old. Old people played it, old people watched it. It seemed that along with a membership into AARP, age also brought about a wealth of knowledge and sudden interest in the sport. However, one man can be credited with changing this notion, and that man is Tiger Woods. Suddenly, golf took its place among the elite sports around the country and drew interest from people young and old. Now, 12 years after Woods’ first Master’s win, the young men on Elizabethtown’s golf team have kept both the sport and their season alive by winning the Commonwealth Conference championships against a field of seven at the Blue Ridge Country Club this past Monday.

This is the second consecutive year that Etown’s golf team has placed first in the conference, which gives them an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Golf Championships. Not only did the team place first this year, but Etown golfers also swept the top individual awards. Junior Kurt Amen took the honor of the Commonwealth Conference Player of the Year after becoming the first Etown golfer since Ben Smith’s 1995 individual conference championship win. Amen shot 156 over 36 holes and ended up beating out sophomore teammate Nick Iacono by only one stroke for the victory.

Iacono also took home the Commonwealth Conference Rookie of the Year award, as the top first-time performer at this Monday’s meet. Keith Marks, the Blue Jay’s head coach, was honored with his second consecutive Coach of the Year award after leading the team to back-to-back championships. Other notable performers for the Blue Jays included senior Mike Wagner, who tied for sixth in the final standings after shooting a 162, and sophomore Geoff Quinque, who was tied for tenth after shooting 164. The only first-year student on Etown’s varsity team, Dan Bolstein, played solid, finishing tied for 12th at 165.

Although the Commonwealth Conference matches are now over, the team has arguably the most important part of their season still ahead of them, the NCAA Division III Championships. The Championships will be played this year at the PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla. from May 13 through May 16. A strong finish will position Etown, which finished dead last in the conference tournament just two years ago, as not only one of the top 50 golf programs for academics (according to Golf Digest magazine) but also as one of the top programs in the country.

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sports

the Etownian

etown athletics • pro sports • ncaa coverage

April 30, 2009 high school football • olympics • analysis

etown track and field

Blue Jays to host MAC track championships Brielle E. Parady Staff Writer

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Meet. In the past, many athletes have had their personal best at Swarthmore, so the team anticipates that this meet will prepare them for the NCAA Championships.

Those who qualify will travel to Marietta College. Thus far, Etown has three seniors

lizabethtown track and field teams are nearing the end of the season, but they are excited about the remainder of the year.

This is the second year Etown hosts the MAC Track and Field Championships. The team is glad that the meet is at home and expects to stay competitive and finish in the top four.

This past weekend, Etown’s track and field went to Princeton, Widener and Shippensburg Universities. Some members of the team ran their best times of the season.

Etown’s “B” 4x400 team came close to beating Widener’s “A” 4x400 team.

At Penn Relays, the 4x400 team won the Pop Haddleton MAC race and earned a Penn Relays plaque.

This week, the team doesn’t expect any less.

The t hree-day MAC championships are something that the team has Photo: Drac Williams b e en lo oking for ward (Above) Senior Phil Alder goes to all season, and they for a pole vault at the Paul Kaiser plan to remain competiClassic at Shippensburg Saturday. tive against Messiah, De(Right) Junior Kyle Grimm runs at the Penn Relays last Thursday.

Sales and Widener. These schools are currently at the top of the conference, who are on the “national list of qualifiers:” Amanda Daws along side Etown.

May 11, the team will wrap (10,000m in 37:24.56), Tiffany up the season at Swarthmore Kulp (5,000m in 17:19.16) and College, who is hosting the Dylan Rulander (1:51.33).

The season has been excelLast Chance Track and Field

lent for the team, and although there are only a few meets left, the team is still optimistic about finishing the season on top.

“This season, our team has made great improvements on both the men’s and women’s sides,” sophomore Sarah DeGeorge said. “The freshmen have really stepped up and made a strong impact. It was a building season and each individual has contributed in some way.

“Our seniors have strongly lead us in each meet, and it will be hard to not have them here next year.

We are looking to do ver y well at MACs

this year with personal bests and high team expectations. It has been a fast year but a good year for the women’s track and field program.”

“This season saw a lot of surprises for us,” junior Mike Mauger said. “We’re expecting not just to be competitive, but to win. Our team fully 100 percent expects to win. Without a doubt it will be a close meet, but as long as all of our men can put up the performances that they’ve consistently shown that they can this entire season, we will come out on top for the third year in a row.”

Even with the number of seniors who graduated last year, the team has progressed rapidly.

Coach Straub said, “ The seniors who have qualified for nationals sum up what has been going on with Etown track and field for over a decade now ... good solid, but not necessarily great high school athletes developing into elite collegiate athletes through years of hard work, patience and dedication.”

Since the meet is at home and convenient for students, the team invites Etown students to see the track and field meet this weekend.

the etownian’s

Athlete of the Year

T

he Etownian has the privilege to name senior Tiffany Kulp as our Athlete of the Year!

Kulp started her run as athlete of the year during the fall cross country season when she led the ladies to a second straight MAC championship by finishing in sec-

Honorable mentions

ond place individually. She then competed, along with the rest of the ladie’s team, in the NCAA Mideast Regional where Etown took fourth place overall. Kulp was again the highest finishing Blue Jay, ending in sixth place.

By finishing in sixth place at the Mideast Regional, Kulp qualified for the NCAA D III Championships where she finished off a strong year by finishing 109th overall and ninth out of 279 run-

ners from the Mideast region.

She then broke the indoor one mile record with a time of 5:02.06 and was also a member of the record setting indoor 4x800m relay along with junior Megan VanDenHengel, and first-years Kristen O’Brien and Kathryn Howser.

Congratulations to Tiffany Kulp, the honorable mentions and all of our student athletes for a great year of Blue Jay athletics.

Senior Tiffany Vogel

Junior Brok Walker

Third team All-American in field hockey

Broke Etown’s career singles record in tennis with 45 wins.

Etown Sports: Tennis

Page 14

Softball

Page 14

Baseball Men’s lacrosse

Page 14

Page 15 Women’s lacrosse Page 15 Golf Page 15 Track and field Page 16 Athlete of the Year Page 16

Sports Recap Baseball (23-12, 12-3): Etown 4, LVC 3 LVC10, Etown 5 Etown 16, LVC 1 F&M 17, Etown 2 Lacrosse (M) (12-3, 7-3): Etown 15, Misericordia 3 Etown 9, DeSales 2 FDU-Florham 10, Etown 8 Lacrosse (W) (15-2, 11-0): Etown 21, Misericordia 3 Softball (11-25, 3-8): Messiah 4, Etown1 Messiah 4, Etown 2 Tennis (M) (12-3, 5-0): Etown 5, Arcadia 0 LVC 5, Etown 4 Etown 6, Muhlenberg 3 Tennis (W) (10-4, 3-2): Etown 5, Messiah 1 LVC 5, Etown 2 Etown 7, Muhlenberg 2 Golf (4-0): Conference Championships, 1st

Tiffany Kulp

Michael D. Steiner Assistant Sports Editor

InsideSports

Track and Field: Penn Relays Paul Kaiser Classic

Schedule

of Sports

Baseball: Today: vs. Albright, 4 p.m. (playoff match) Lacrosse (W): Today: vs. Eastern 4 p.m.. (playoff game)

Image: etown.com/sports

Junior Paige Tanner

Fifth place career kills (1,112) and career digs (1,194 in volleyball

Tennis (W): Today: @ Juniata Track and field: 4/30-5/2: MAC Championships (host)

www.etown.edu/spor ts