OPINION Do viewers or media perpetuate fandoms? | PAGE 9
FEATURES Paranormal investigator visits campus | PAGE 6
The Etownian
www.etownian.com
Vol. 110. Issue 7
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Alumnus creates Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence Endowment Fund
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by KELLY MOORE
lizab et htown C ol lege has implemented a new award for excellence in teaching that will be awarded for the first time during this
academic year. The Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence Endowment Fund was created by class of 1972 alumnus Dr. Thomas Conner to recognize a teacher for his or her teaching and commitment to their field of study.
“One of my principal desires in helping the College to create the Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence has surely been to honor both Ken and Carroll Kreider for the decades of exemplary service they
have given as teachers in the fullest sense,” Conner said. The Kreider family has had an influential role in Etown’s history. Both Ken and Carroll met when they were students at Etown. Later, they
Field hockey team defeats nationallyranked Messiah; holds No.1 playoff seed
returned to the College to pursue their careers, Ken as a professor of European history and Carroll as a professor for the department of business.
Interdisciplinary graphic Design Minor added to curriculum
by ANDREW CALNON
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Photo: Thomas Swarr
On Oct. 26, the Blue Jays took on the nationally-ranked Messiah Falcons in a head-to-head contest on Wolf Field. The Jays won the game 3-1. They have now defeated two nationally-ranked teams this season and have a conference record of 7-1 and are 12-5 overall.The team’s only in-conference loss occurred against LVC on Oct. 29.
SEE SPORTS PAGE 10
Student Wellness holds Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event by JACOB WEBER
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lizabethtown College hosted Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence event on Oct. 27. The event was run by Student Wellness with Health Educator Amanda Cheetham leading the team.
Photo: Katie Brumbach
Etown’s men’s basketball team participated in last weekend’s ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ event.
The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes organization was started by Frank Baird in 2001. Baird saw the walk as a playful opportunity to raise awareness for a serious cause. Baird and his friends have helped it expand from a few participants to tens of thousands of walkers, raising millions of dollars. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes raises awareness of sexual violence by enabling the community to discuss a subject that is not easy to talk about. SEE AWARENESS PAGE 2
SEE FUND PAGE 2
lizabethtown College has added a new minor to its curriculum: graphic design. This 20-credit minor will be offered to students starting next semester. The graphic design minor is interdisciplinary with courses in fine arts, communications and creative writing. The minor is available to students majoring in any field. “The new interdisciplinary minor in graphic design is a response to student demand over several years. Students who enjoyed the courses taught in the Fine Arts Division by Linda Eberly, a freelance graphic designer, wanted more opportunities to develop their skills in this field,” Dr. Patricia Ricci said, director of the fine arts division
of the fine and performing arts department. The push to create such a minor came from many people, including Brian Falk, director of cross-country and track & field, who informed the administration that some of his recruited prospective students were interested in graphic design. In addition, senior Cassie Meade became an advocate for graphic design by writing to Dean of Faculty Fletcher McClellan about the need for a program. Ricci, as well as Dr. Kirsten Johnson, associate professor of communications, collaborated on writing the proposal for the new minor. Dr. Tamara Gillis, now chair of the communications department, helped organize the curriculum. SEE MINOR PAGE 3
Talarico-Beerman speaks at HighEdWeb by SARAH WERTZ
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irector of Integrated Communications at Elizabethtown College Donna Talarico-Beerman spoke at HighEdWeb earlier this month. Her session was called “Faux Pas, Phonies and Fakes: How to Deal with Social Media Spoofs, Goofs and Snafus,” and was in the Management and Professional Development Track. Talarico-Beerman presented about making mistakes in the social media world. She noted that this can easily happen, particularly in today’s fast-paced society. Case studies were used to help illustrate how someone could handle a mistake gracefully and appropriately. “The room was so packed and the support was overwhelming. People laughed at all the right places,” Talarico-Beerman said. Talarico-Beerman became interested in the topic back in 1996 when it was not even called social media yet. “I’ve been sharing bits and pieces of myself since I first ‘dialed on’ to the Internet via message boards and my first website, ‘Geocities,’” Talarico-Beerman said.
Courtesy Photo
Talarico-Beerman recently attended HighEdWeb’s national conference where she presented on the common mistakes made on social media.
Her career has encouraged her to work on promotions, marketing and media, so fitting in on the web has been an easy task for her. Before coming to the College, she
worked for an e-commerce developer and internet marketing firm called Solid Cactus. SEE CONFERENCE PAGE 3
College Store wins national display contest by ANDREW CALNON
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he College Store won a s c h o o l s p i r i t c o nt e s t sp onsored by the Russell Athletic apparel company earlier
this month. The competition’s objective was to create a display that showed school pride and featured Russell Athletic Brand apparel. This was the first display
contest in which the store has participated. Wendy Gibble, merchandise manager for the College Store, learned about the school spirit display contest through an advertisement in
The College Store Magazine. She was also informed about the contest by the Store’s Russell representative, Karen Stipp. SEE DISPLAY PAGE 3
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News
AWARENESS PAGE 1
Walk raises awareness on rape, sexual assault, gender violence
Photo: Katie Brumbach
On Sunday, Oct. 27, Student Wellness hosted its first annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event that raised awareness for topics such as rape, sexual assault and gender violence.
Also, the students learned ways they can seek help. The money raised at the events goes to local crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and other sexual violence education, prevention and remediation programs. The day began with junior Matt Walters presenting the kickoff speech in front of the Baugher Student Center. About 25 participants then marched their way on a mile walk around campus. Three of the participants wore heels and made it through the whole mile without any injuries. Along the walk, helpers held informative signs as the walkers trekked along. The signs included statistics, such as the one that stated that in every two minutes, someone in the United States is raped. Also, one in six women are victims of sexual assault. When the walk concluded, there was a
raffle drawn and the prize for “Best in Shoe” was awarded; the participant with the best heels, junior Chris Rio, won. The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event was brought to Etown Wellness advocates who were participants in these walks in the past. Student Wellness advocate sophomore Madeline Cochran explained the benefit of the walk being brought to Etown, saying “It’s a way of looking out for the entire campus by educating people in a fun way.” A few accolades the organization has received include Kaiser’s Everyday Hero Award in 2005, Peter Martin Merit Award in 2008 and the Safe Passage Good Samaritan Award in 2008. Most recently, the organization was presented Kaiser’s David Lawrence Community Ser vice Award in 2010.
October 31, 2013
FUND PAGE 1
Conner establishes fund to honor Kreider family, express gratitude for dedication Vi c e P r e s i d e n t f o r I n s t i t u t i o n a l Advancement and Community Relations David Beidleman said, “After touching the lives of thousands of students, Ken and Carroll retired after more than 30 years of service. They both continue to be actively engaged with the College through programs such as the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies, the Alumni Peace Fellowship, the Blue Jay Athletic Association and the business program. This fund is being established by Conner to honor the Kreiders, express gratitude for his Elizabethtown education and encourage the work of our current and future faculty.” Conner believes, “one teaches how they were taught.” He also strongly believes professors at small colleges are, “teaching all the time.” Conner likes to reflect upon his own career and regards Ken as an inspirational presence both in the classroom and as an overall powerful mentor and role model. Conner attended Etown during the Vietnam War. Although the campus was divided on many of the issues of the time, Conner stated that Ken taught him a lot about life and faith. “Even though I cannot claim to have embraced every position, Ken took on the important issues of that day. I have never stopped admiring the depth of Christian conviction he has always brought to his points of view. Knowing the strength of his devotion to his family, students, college, church and country has further contributed to the profound mark Ken’s example has made on me as a man, as a citizen and as a teacher,” Conner said. Conner is currently implementing what he learned during his years at Etown into his own teaching at Hillsdale College, where he holds the William P. Harris Chair and has taught history courses for nearly three decades. The Princeton Review named
Conner among the “Best 300 Professors” in the country, and Conner is currently working on a book about the history of the American Battle Monuments Commission. “Conner chose to create an award in tribute to the Kreiders who inspired him
“One of my principal
desires in helping the College to create the Kreider Prize for Teaching Excellence has surely been to honor both Ken and Carroll Kreider for the decades of exemplary service they have given as teachers in the fullest sense.” ~ Thomas Conner to become a professor. It is our hope that we may engage other alumni, parents and friends to help the College by establishing additional prize funds that will recognize our noble faculty and inspire excellence in teaching, scholarly work and service,” Beidleman said. With the presence of this award, Etown hopes to create more lasting teacher impacts. “I wish for this prize also to be a belated, but heartfelt and permanent expression of how indebted I will always be to the College, and to all of the teachers and mentors I had there, for equipping me to pursue successfully and joyfully my chosen career and, hopefully, to ‘teach as I was taught’ by so many wonderful people there four decades ago,” Conner said.
News
October 31, 2013
Student Senate
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page 3
Neuhauser, finance team attend competition at McDaniel College
Calenda updates senators on Medical Amnesty Policy; senators discuss future student enrollment goals, report on reconstructed website
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by LAUREN MERROTH
his week in Student Senate, Dean of Students Marianne Calenda gave an update on how the fairly new Medical Amnesty Policy is being used. In the fall of 2012, Elizabethtown College had 11 alcohol and/ or other drug-related ambulance-assisted transports to the hospital, along with eight medical amnesty cases; one case overlapped. In the spring of 2013, there were again 11 transports to the hospital and eight cases of medical amnesty, five of which were included in the transports. Thus far, this semester has had nine transports, only one of which was a medical amnesty case. In addition, there have been two more medical amnesty cases this semester that have not required transports to the hospital. Questions were then raised about the Brief Alcohol and Other Drug Screening and Intervention for College Students program, which is offered to students who want to learn about the risks of alcohol. Kat Matic, the director of student rights and responsibilities, has been referring students who invoke medical amnesty to this program as a recommendation; however, it is not a requirement for such students. For more questions on the Medical Amnesty policy, please refer
to the student handbook, which is available online. In addition to the update o n m e d i c a l a m n e s t y, Calenda continued Senate’s discussion of the College’s budget. Calenda presented a document outlining the operating plan. The document is used to anticipate revenue and expenditures for the College, versus actual outcomes for the 2012 fiscal year. It is broken down by the different categories in which money is spent and earned. One side has the expected amount either spent or earned, while the other shows the actual amount. She also pointed out that at Etown, we refer to a comprehensive fee for tuition; in other words, tuition includes the total costs. The College is also setting aside money for a mandatory allocation reserve for insurance. Once that reserve fund has established the required reserve, the school will no longer need to do this. Senate also received several updates regarding administrative reports and committees. A representative from the Center for Student Success reminded everyone that advising began taking pl ace on O c t. 23 and will continue into early November. On Wednesday, Oct. 30, there will be a STEM program, which is for Science,
Technology, Engineering and Math. On Monday, Nov. 4, The Hershey Company will be here for a job search. This will be taking place in the KAV at 5:30p.m. On Nov. 14 at 9a.m., a select medical service program will be taking place. All of this information can be found on Career Services’ website. Additionally, senior Jason Halberstadt attended the Strategic Planning Committee’s meeting, which discussed enrollment. Their goal is to have 2,000 students by 2017. The school’s retention rate has gone down slightly, but they are expecting to increase the numbers through the graduate students who live off campus. Lastly, Chair of Student Senate’s Publicity and Marketing Committee Ginette Slaughter reported that Student Senate’s website will be finished and available this week. On a lighter note, the class senators are working diligently on several different projects. The first-year class has begun planning their first unity event that will be related to food. The sophomore class is diligently selling the scarves they bought as a fundraiser. The juniors are continuing to work extraordinarily hard on planning a great Junior/ Senior dance for the spring. Finally, the senior class is continuing its work on senior nights and raising money for its class gift.
Photo: Hannah Blecker
Members of Etown’s finance concentration recently competed at McDaniel College in a finance competition.The team won first place, defeating two-year champion Juniata College.
by SARAH WERTZ
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embers of Elizabethtown College’s finance concentration attended a competition at McDaniel College on Oct. 23. The team representing Etown consisted of senior Andrew Malik, junior Hannah Blecker, senior Austin Good, junior Katie Binkley, senior Jeff Boyer and senior Nate Fosbenner. They had been preparing for this competition since the beginning of October. One reason for participating in the competition was the experience to take on a real-world situation in finance. “I decided to go to the competition for a real-life experience of what analysts do on the job everyday. I also wanted to join the competition to practice my presentation skills and to be challenged,” Binkley said. “We decided to do it because we all wanted to get some professional experience presenting our ideas in front of a crowd and show our knowledge,” Blecker added. The team won first place at the competition, beating the two-year champion Juniata College. Other schools that attended the competition were Towson State, American University, Wilson College, Dickinson College, Morgan State and Howard universities. Almost all of these institutions offer AACSB accredited business programs. The student teams competed in finance cases, presenting their solutions before the 10 judges who served as a mock board of directors. All of the judges were finance experts.
Associate Professor of Marketing Dr. Bryan Greenberg served as one of the judges in the competition. Presentations made by each team were limited to 20 minutes. After which, there were 10 minutes for judges to ask questions of the teams. There was only one chance to showcase all the research and financial analyses. The judges asked questions closely related to the financial analysis and conclusions drawn by the teams. The teams were not allowed to watch other teams present and the order of the competition was chosen at random by the organizer of the competition. Assistant Professor of Finance Dr. Emma Neuhauser was the faculty advisor who guided the research and financial analysis the students were working on during the preparation process. “I directed all the meetings, showed them how to do research and how to conduct financial analysis on real-world situations while many uncertainties exist. I also helped them construct professional presentations and taught them what is expected in business and finance,” Neuhauser said. Along with giving them finance tips, she showed them how to work effectively as a team by demonstrating how tasks could be divided while still producing a coherent case that they could present as a team. “It is a lot of time commitment, however it is all worth it for our students, because I took it as an opportunity to teach real-world practices to the students so they are better prepared for their career.”
MINOR PAGE 1
New minor incorporates, English, communications, art courses The proposal was reviewed and approved by the Academic Council earlier this year. “Having a minor in graphic design will facilitate obtaining internships in the field and give the student a credential on their transcript when they look for employment. The minor will also prepare students who want to go on for an advanced degree in graphic design,” Ricci said. Eberly has been a professional graphic designer for almost 30 years, and began teaching Computer Art at Etown in 2007. Most recently, she has taught Advanced Digital Arts, which will become the capstone course in the new graphic design
minor. “I’m excited to be part of a faculty that recognizes the importance of graphic design. With the growing and everchanging information age, teaching our students the principles and elements of creating art on the computer will better prepare them for their futures,” Eberly said. The required courses within the minor include Visual Communications, Introduction to Graphic Design and Advanced Digital Arts. Students will also have the opportunity to select two elective courses from the requirement sheet that will be released to students later this semester. The College
already offers a range of courses in graphic design, but did create a new course in Typography and Text Design that will be offered next year. “Graphic design is a very versatile minor. It can be paired with numerous majors including: English, communications, art, business, biology, and engineering. It will provide individuals, like myself, with a challenging environment in which we can thrive and develop our love of design along with our skills,” Meade said. Students who have questions about the graphic design minor should contact Ricci at riccipl@etown.edu.
DISPLAY PAGE 1
CONFERENCE PAGE 1
College Store Magazine features College Store’s Presentation Russell Brand clothing display in upcoming issue highlights social Gibble’s objective for the display was to create a catchy showcase that not only represented the College’s school spirit but also promoted the Russell Brand in a creative way. Gibble started thinking of the word “Russell” and how she could utilize it within her display. The theme that Gibble chose was “Russell Up Your Favorite Sweats & Tees.” “The words ‘Russell Up’ re m i nd e d me of a western rodeo, so I decided to go with the Western t h e m e , c o mp l e t e w i t h cowboy boots, belt buckle, hat and the works,” Gibble said. Kathy Christopher, catering manager of Dining Services, assisted Gibble with western-themed props for the display. T h e St ore’s w i n n i ng
display will be featured on the first page of The College Store Magazine’s November/December Issue. In addition to being featured on the cover of the magazine, the Store also received a free t-shirt tower worth an estimated $825.00. Since then, the tower has become an integral addition to the Store’s layout. The Store also received airfare for one person to attend the Campus Market Expo (CAMEX) 2014 in Dallas, Texas in March of next year. Gibble said she is proud of the Store and thrilled that it is being nationally recognized for its good work. “It is an honor to be recognized for this display. It puts little Etown College ‘on the map,’” Gibble said.
media mistakes
Photo: Wendy Gibble
The College Store entered its first display contest earlier this month and won first place. Russell Athletic Brand clothing sponsored the contest and Gibble’s winning display was titled, “Russell Up Your Favorite Sweats and Tees,” and will be featured on the front page ofThe College Store Magazine.
Trial and error, industry blogs and following the right people on Twitter were the techniques she used to become more familiar with the field. When asked which social networking site has been the most influential, Talarico-Beerman responded, “Twitter. Hands down. It’s my biggest professional development tool. It’s like being at a conference every day. No matter what you do, you can find your people on Twitter. I find links to the latest research, articles, etc., and I share what I find.” Talarico-Beerman feels that social media is an essential part of any organization. “In the old days, doctors and salespeople alike visited homes. It was personal. I think our society is craving those connections again. Social media allows us to connect with people as people — no longer as the CEO or owner or director behind the curtain,” Talarico-Beerman said. This was Talarico-Beerman’s third consecutive year as a speaker for the conference. This is her eighth conference in three years. She usually focuses on social media and web content. She is scheduled for three more conferences, in which she will represent Etown, in the spring.
Features
page 4
October 31, 2013
Hassina Sherjan, Lt. Col. Burgess discuss mid, postwar Afghanistan by EMILY VASAS
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assina Sherjan, scholar-in-residence at Bowers Writers House, is owner and chief executive officer of Boumi Co., an international home accessory business. Sherjan has a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School and an honorary doctorate of law from Queen’s University in Canada. She also founded and is the chief executive officer of Aid Afghanistan for Education. For her final Bowers appearance, Sherjan was joined by Lt. Col. Joshua C. Burgess, a visiting military fellow with the Washington Institute and a U.S. Air Force political affairs strategist and pilot. Burgess has extensive experience with special operations and security cooperation, and while in Afghanistan, served as Afghan Hand, which allowed him to advise senior members of the Afghan government on anti-corruption strategies, policies and programs. Sherjan and Burgess engaged in conversation with each other and their audience in a discussion of their varied interactions with Afghanistan’s population and territory. Their conversation covered post-war and mid-war Afghanistan from their personal perspectives and international responses to the war and its effects. Their talk spanned topics, including how to find the right way to go about bringing change. The consensus in the room was that it is not enough to want to change things; there needs to be continuity in the long-term. Burgess explained that the leading general typically leaves after about a year of work, which prevents that kind of continuity from cementing itself. Sherjan focused on the debate of winning the hearts and minds of the Afghan population. She explained that the U.S. military’s idea of giving gifts to win over the people would never work in Afghanistan. “The last thing Afghans care about is things,” she said. Instead, they prefer respect from their fellow humans, sympathy and comfort in grief and someone to share experiences with. She also said that understanding the Afghan sense of humor is a surefire way to connect with them. General David Richards, one of the longer-lasting generals involved in the conflict and in infrastructure projects, was the one who really got it, accord-
Photo: Katie Brumbach
Hassina Sherjan, scholar-in-residence, sat down with Lt. Col. Joshua C. Burgess for a discussion hosted in Bowers.The two discussed the state of Afghanistan and its people both during and after the war using their own perspectives.
ing to Sherjan. Richards is a retired senior British army officer and former chief of the defence staff who served in Afghanistan from 2006 to 2008. He spent more time in the country than the U.S. leaders were permitted to and connected with the Afghan population based on their sense of humor and penchant for drama and acting. According to Sherjan, Afghans know how to tell people what they want to hear, and this is why the international community has run into so much trouble trying to aid in rebuilding Afghanistan’s infrastructure and sending money to the country. The U.S. military is pragmatic to the extreme and deals with issues as they arise, according to Burgess, and because of this, they tend to experience a disconnect when it comes to Afghanistan. The two also answered questions about whether or not Afghanistan experiences so much trouble in rebuilding its infrastructure because it is a largely tribal culture. They explained that this perception is in fact untrue. Afghanistan, Sherjan told the audience, is actually a tight-knit culture with a rich history of tradition and that the international community just has trouble understanding a culture so different from their own that they created these myths about Afghanistan in order to better explain
why their armies could not conquer it and their religions could not gain a foothold. Burgess further explained that the current situation in Afghanistan is not due so much to the Afghan people as it is to mission creep. He defined this instance of mission creep as the U.S. entering Afghan territory with the purpose of rooting out terrorists involved in 9/11 and disbanding the Taliban, and having this purpose change over time without ever outright stating that their goals had changed. “Afghanistan has always been the battleground between the superpowers,” Sherjan said. It has the natural resources it needs to build a booming industrial economy, but it lacks the infrastructure to do so. Because of that, other nations have always attempted to wrestle these resources away from each other at Afghanistan’s expense. Despite all these tribulations, Afghanistan has endured. “There’s a history that you read in the books and the schools,” Sherjan said. She explained this history as something every student is expected to memorize. It is painfully complicated and is always about the kings and battles, never about the women or average people. “But there is an oral history,” she said. “It’s a very oral culture, and people always tell stories.”
Monday Concert Series presents Trio Caprice at Leffler Chapel The Elizabethtown Trio ensemble performs works from composers Shostakovich and Brahms by KAITLIN GIBBONEY
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his past Monday evening, Leffler Chapel and Performance Center’s Musser Auditorium was once again filled with music. As part of the Fine and Performing Arts Department’s Monday Concert Series, the College’s own Trio Caprice performed. The Monday Concert Series offers an opportunity for students, staff, faculty and members of the Elizabethtown community to experience professional performances. Trio Caprice is comprised of members of Etown’s own music department faculty. Stephanie McCullough, adjunct instructor of violin and viola, was featured on the violin, Sara Male, adjunct instructor of cello, was featured on the cello and Debra Ronning, lecturer in music and director of keyboard studies, was featured on piano. Pieces from Dmitri Shostakovich and Johannes Brahms were selected for the performance. Shostakovich’s “Trio in E. Minor, op. 67” opened the concert. Shostakovich was a Russian composer born in 1906 and died in 1975. Cellist Male gave some brief background on the first composer. “Shostakovich was a composer in Russia under Stalin,” Male said. “He began sketches of this piece in 1943 and then completed it in 1944. Toward the end of the second World War, it was obviously an incredibly intense and tumultuous time and it’s very apparent in this work.” Shostakovich wrote this piece as a tribute to his friend Ivan Sollartinsky, a mathematician and fellow music enthusiast. This piece also served as a tribute in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, an infamous event during Shostakovich’s time. “This piece marks the first time that Shostakovich uses Jewish folk melodies and rhythms in his compositions,” Male said. “The first movement starts with harmonics in the cello, a very slow theme that actually is in the form of a canon. Then we go right into this sort of frenzy, a bit on the macabre side, though there are some elements of optimism. The largo is rather profound that starts with seven very slow chords
of the piano that form the base [of the piece], and then the ominous eighth notes of the piano that go right into the fourth movement.” As the trio progressed through the piece, the names of the movements became apparent as they were played: “Andant” — having a moderately slow tempo, “Allegro con brio” — lively with fire,
“Shostakovich was a composer in Russia under Stalin. [...] Toward the end of the second World War, it was obviously an incredibly intense and tumultuous time and it’s very apparent in this work” ~Sara Male “Largo” — broadly and slowly and “Allegretto” — light and cheerful. Following intermission, the trio played Johannes Brahms’ “Trio in B Major, op. 8”. Brahms was a German composer born in 1833 and died in 1987. This piece is considered among the musical community to be highly regarded as a masterpiece of romantic chamber music. Much like Shostakovich’s trio, the piece was split into four movements. However, unlike Shostakovich, the music seemed less eerie and macabre and sounded more traditional. The sound between the piano, cello and violin was less sporadic and seemed to be more melodic as the piece progressed. The first movement started out smoothly and melodically, but had an underlying intensity that marked the start of the piece. During the second movement, the energy of the piece grew, rising and falling between the three instrumentalists. This particular movement was very dynamic, changing in intensity from loud and frantic to
Photo: etown.edu
Trio Caprice is composed of faculty members from Etown’s own music department. Stephanie McCollough was on violin, Sara Male on cello and Debra Ronning on piano.
calm and melodic again. In movement three, the soft, slow piano formed a base for the two strings to float delicately on the melody; this gave the part a somber feel. To complete Brahms’ trio, movement four was made up of flowing, dynamic piano layered underneath the rich cello and soaring violin. Between the three
instruments, the melody was flawlessly handed off to one another, wonderfully portraying the group’s ability to play well with one another. For more information on upcoming events like the Monday Series concerts in the Fine and Performing Arts department, go to www. etown.edu/depts/music.
Features
October 31, 2013
page 5
History of Leffler Chapel reveals Senior discusses service experience in Ethiopia community, campus history Carlos R. Leffler advocates for large on-campus chapel by KAITLIN GIBBONEY
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lthough it is not the oldest building on campus, Leffler Chapel and Performance Center has served as a symbol of Elizabethtown College and has hosted enriching events for the community for almost a decade. From religious services to comedians, from musical performances to celebrated speakers, Leffler has certainly played a large role in the lives of all members of the Etown College community. This building has presented cultural and intellectual opportunities for many people throughout the years. However, many active members do not stop to question the origin of this monumental building. As often as people on campus use the Chapel, a few key questions are often overlooked: Why was it erected; who was it named after; what was its original purpose? Only a select few who are savvy to Etown’s history and foundation know Leffler’s origin. Professor Jean-Paul Benowitz, director of student transition programs and assistant director of academic advising, recently completed a manuscript of a history of the College. His history is expected to be in print early in 2014. In his research, Benowitz unearthed new information on the history of Leffler Chapel. Surprisingly, Leffler Chapel was not the only chapel in existence on campus. In fact, there were five other venues predating Leffler. “The first chapel at the College was in Alpha Hall and that was built in 1901,” Benowitz said. “And then the second chapel — the bigger chapel — was built in Rider Hall, which doesn’t exist anymore. That was built in 1906.” The garden beside Alpha Hall today is the site where Rider Hall used to stand before the building was torn down in 1988. “Then in 1929, they built the Student Alumni Gymnasium and Auditorium,” he said. “That is now the Tempest Theatre. [Brossman] was built around that building. If you go to a high place on campus, you will see the peak roof behind this flat roof where the actual gym used to be. It’s still there.” Following in 1954, the Chapel was relocated once again to the Elizabethtown College Church of the Brethren located close to campus. Then the Chapel was relocated again to the Bucher Meetinghouse on the opposite side of campus in 1989. “The Bucher Meetinghouse, which is attached to the Young Center, was built in 1989 and that was where chapel services were held,” Benowitz said. The reasoning for the several relocations was due entirely to issues with finding a large space to hold both chapel services and other services on campus. “There was never a space on campus large enough to host the entire student body, faculty and staff,” he said. “So they would actually have multiple chapel services so that you could accommodate everybody.” Following these several attempts to settle in one chapel space, Carlos brought up the idea of finding
a permanent site to build a chapel on campus large enough to hold all of the people on campus without scheduling conflicts or space issues. Carlos was the chairman of the board and president of Carlos R. Leffler Inc. and ABE Oil Co. Starting in 1968, he served on the board of trustees, was secretary of the board beginning in 1979 and was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities in 1989 for his services to the College. “He raised a lot of money for the College, and he gave a lot of money to the College,” Benowitz said. Although Leffler had not attended the College, he served as a large benefactor to the Brethren-founded College through his connection as a member of the Myerstown Church of the Brethren in Lebanon County (Pa.). Photo: Leah Nissley
“Everything is named after someone for a reason. It’s important to remember in order to grow on campus.”
~Jean-Paul Benowitz
Carlos was a large advocate for building this chapel and served as the head of the capital campaign for erecting it. In 1994, the College attained funding to build the Chapel from the Kresge Foundation, a philanthropic foundation dedicated to promoting arts and culture, community development, education, the environment, health and human services through grants and investments. That same year, Carlos passed away. “He died young, so he never saw the Chapel built,” Benowitz said. “In 1996, the Chapel was dedicated in his memory because he was the only lone voice [for the Chapel’s construction].” In addition to having the Chapel serve as a place for church services, Leffler Chapel and Performance Center has served also as a venue for performances and art exhibitions. “We’ve never had a chapel only dedicated for chapel services,” Benowitz said. “It is consistent with the College. We always have these other purposes and functions for the Chapel.” The Musser auditorium, the prayer room from the Winters family, the Lyet gallery and the M&M Mars room were provided as extensions of the Chapel for community use through benefactors of the same name. Without the generosity of benefactors like the Leffler family and their drive to give back to the community, the College would not exist as it is today. “Everything is named after someone for a reason,” Benowitz said. “It’s important to remember in order to grow on campus.”
Photo: Office of Marketing and Communications
A sketch of Leffler Chapel being built shows the progress made on the building. The Chapel was dedicated to Carlos R. Leffler in 1996 for being a key leader in advocating for its construction.
Senior Jess Krueger presented on her trip to Ethiopia. During her time, she assisted Dr. Marinus Koning with children suffering from hydrocephalus.
by TIANA FERRANTE
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n Oct. 30 in the Hoover center, Elizabethtown College students had the opportunity to engage in discussion with Jess Krueger, a senior studying occupational therapy, and Marinus Koning MD, FACS, who is the founder of ReachAnother Foundation. ReachAnother Foundation serves children who suffer from hydrocephalus, a condition by which excess fluid in the brain causes pressure to the skull. The major identifying feature of the condition is the way it distends the forehead. The organization not only works to predict and prevent the issue, but it also arranges and funds surgery for affected children. As a specialist in trauma surgeries, Koning performs remedial surgery in Ethiopia’s MCM Hospital along with others whom he recruited for the program. Krueger shared her experience of volunteering with Koning in Ethiopia through photographs and she also discussed how she incorporated her major into the program. Krueger explained that there is a need for occupational therapy in the program, especially for those children with developmental disabilities and autism. She assisted such children by helping them with walking and deeppressure stimulation. While in Ethiopia, Krueger began her independent research thesis in addition to helping children communicate through what she called a “motivation system,” in which children would be rewarded when they showed an effort to communicate. Koning began the presentation with some basic information about the program and Ethiopia. His slide showed geographical images, which both illustrated Ethiopia’s landlocked situation and labelled its bordering
countries, such as Somalia. Once the audience was able to visualize Ethiopia’s geography, Koning mentioned more about the country’s society; noting that most Ethiopians practice Orthodox Christianity. Another image on the projector was that of a small village, complete with very basic straw-roofed huts and a few cows. According to Koning, within the last 20 years, there has been a “tremendous improvement in the living conditions of the world.” While indicating that people in the Ethiopian capital city, Addis Ababa, are less destitute than one might imagine, Koning said that the areas closer to bordering nations are “where people live exactly the same as 2,000 years ago.” Therefore, many children with hydrocephalus in such areas never make it to the few hospitals that will accept them. One of the few hopes for these children is ReachAnother, whose volunteers arrange hospital visits and surgeries for children with hydrocephalus. “We can do [the surgeries of] twelve babies every week,” Koning said. However, he has to work through the corrupt medical system. The Ethiopian government doesn’t value the surgeries for children with that condition, especially since they do not understand the procedure. Further, Koning said that the government would not want to spend money on patients whose cases are often fatal. Koning is determined to fight for their rights in the hospital, which is a very difficult undertaking, especially because there are only a few pediatric surgery beds in hospitals, even those in the urban facilities. When asked how “broke” students might help ReachAnother, Koning strongly encouraged the audience to participate even without funds. “Friend us on Facebook, talk to your friends; spread the word!” he said.
Features
October 31, 2013
page 6
Alumna Margaret Sharpe explores new opportunities, encourages current students to discover what matters by ALLISON ROHLAND
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ocial worker, mother, ukulele strummer and aerial fabric performer. Colorado resident Margaret Sharpe, ’96, is a woman of many hats who pursues meaning in all that she does. Sharpe graduated from Elizabethtown College in 1996 with a degree in social work. Recollecting her time at Etown, Sharpe said, “[Etown] was such a warm place. It was the environment that I needed to learn and find my way before going out into the world. The professors helped me blow my mind open, and I’ll always feel grateful for what they gave me.” Later, in 1997, she went on to the University of Denver in Colorado and earned a Master of Social Work. While there, she focused primarily on hospice and palliative care. After receiving her master’s degree, Sharpe became a pediatric social worker and bereavement counselor at Denver Hospice. During her time at the hospice center, Sharpe got married and had her son. However, seeing children die daily took its emotional toll on Sharpe’s maternal spirit, and after 11 years she left her position there. After dabbling in HIV case management, Sharpe found what she dubbed her “true love”: hospital social work. For four years, she worked at The Denver Clinic for Extremities at Risk at the Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center’s speciality clinic, as an inpatient and outpatient social worker for patients who suffered from bone
and soft tissue cancers of the arms and legs and workers’ compensation accidents and amputations. Sharpe also worked in telephone triage for the replant service, setting up surgeries for a multi-state area. “Because Presbyterian St. Luke’s has such specialized upper extremity hand surgeons with microvascular surgical experience, the doctors would replant fingers, hands and even arms that were accidentally cut off in saw or large machine accidents,” Sharpe said. Now, she works at Rose Medical Center — a sister hospital of St. Luke’s — where she aids the homeless, uninsured and those struggling with addiction. However, Sharpe’s interests are not limited to social work alone. After seeing a Burning Man performance, Sharpe felt compelled to become an aerial fabric and lyra performer. Burning Man is an event that occurs in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, where different performers sweat it out in above 100 degree weather to express themselves freely. While Burning Man occurs once a year, performers continue to perform as part of the Burning Man project throughout the year. “I saw the most talented, beautiful artists perform there, and I felt inspired enough to just go for it. The Burning Man community really encourages people to follow their passions — especially artistic passions,” Sharpe said. Due to injuries and time commitments, Sharpe no longer aerially performs on the physically demanding lyra and fabric, but continues to appreciate performances. In addition to her passion for performing,
Photo: Margaret Sharpe
Alumna Margaret Sharpe takes a casual nap on a tiger. Sharpe is a social worker but still finds the time to experience new things like Burning Man or playing the ukelele.
Sharpe marks her greatest accomplishment as motherhood, saying “being a mother is probably the most exciting and rewarding thing I’ll ever do, though I do feel like I’m changing the world in my own small way by being a social worker.” When she’s not busy with work and motherhood, you can find Sharpe lounging on her front porch, singing a tune while plucking the
ukulele nestled in her arms. Even though her stage may change daily, Sharpe has no problem embracing her different roles. Her advice to current Etown students: “I would advise them to take some time to really decide what matters to them. I’d ask them where they find meaning and what really makes them feel alive. And then I’d tell them to do those things as much as possible.”
Jane Donovan speaks on the Paranormal investigator team visits life of Pietist Jacob Albright campus, presents on ghost hunting by LINDSAY RIES
by SAMANTHA WEISS
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ietism is a large part of our country’s religious culture and not many people know the roots behind it. Jane Donovan, a religious studies professor at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va., explained the Evangelical Association’s Pietist roots on Tuesday, Oct. 29 in the Young Center at Elizabethtown College. Donovan’s focus was on Jacob Albright and the Albright Brethren, later referred to as the Evangelical Association in 1816. The Evangelical United Brethren Church is a section with influences from both the Evangelical Association and the United Brethren in Christ. The Evangelical United Brethren later came together with the Methodists to form the United Methodist Church. The Albright’s Brethren’s form of church government is Methodist Episcopal; many of its original members were of German descent. Albright, whose original German name was Jakob Albrecht, was a native of Pennsylvania and founded the Albright Brethren in 1800. Albright was born and raised in what is now just northwest of Pottsville, Pa. After he was born, he was baptized Lutheran. He served in the American Revolution as a drummer boy and later tiled roofs in order to provide for his wife and children. In Donovan’s words, “the neighbors knew him as ‘The Honest Tiler.’” When tragedy struck his family and several of his children died of unknown causes, Albright found himself in a dark place and in need of spiritual guidance. Donovan explained the loss of Albright’s children as the reason for his discovery of the Methodist religion. The religious beliefs of Methodism sparked the solution to his sorrow and brought an
“P
Photo: Katie Brumbach
Jane Donovan spoke at the Young Center. Her lecture focused on Anabaptist and Pietist Jacob Albright.
end to his spiritual search. He started by taking Methodist classes, which Donovan joked were “nothing like the Sunday School image we get in our heads.” After attending the religious class, he felt compelled to take the Methodist beliefs to Germany. Eventually, Albright decided to return to his home country to begin preaching here. After being denied the right to preach in the German language when he returned to the United States, Albright set out on his own and converted many people in Pennsylvania to the Methodist tradition throughout his journey. Donovan provided a variety of maps to indicate which areas were the German settlements to which Albright traveled and influenced. A life of preaching and converting exhausted Albright, and he fell to tuberculosis when traveling to Linglestown, Pa. His power and impact within the Evangelical com-
munity is still apparent today in the strong affiliation Albright College has with the religion. Donovan’s main focus was Albright because of his important role in the Evangelical Association, but during her lecture, she also mentioned the essentials of Pietism to the Evangelical Association. Pietism developed in Germany and emphasized classes, ethical behavior, theology of experience and emotionalism. The movement of Pietism has influenced many religious groups, such as Protestants and Anabaptists. Donovan specializes in the history of Christianity and has written seven books and numerous articles portraying her interest in America’s religious history with an emphasis on Christianity. Her writing projects continue today, as she is currently working on a biography of Henry Foxall, an iron supplier for Thomas Jefferson.
aranormal activity is part of the real world. Just like any theory that is yet unproved, we are trying to legitimize [the science],” Brian Cano, paranormal investigator, said Friday, Oct. 25, when he and his partner Chris Mancuso came to speak and investigate Elizabethtown College. Born in Staten Island, N.Y., the pair started their investigations there and have since traveled up and down much of the East Coast. Both men started their careers as documentarians, stumbling into observing the paranormal by mistake in 2002. Long before ghost-hunting shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures were popular, the men worked with a subject that was taboo to much of the country. Cano, who was raised Catholic, said his curiosity stemmed from an interest in the occult growing up. Mancuso’s interest also started during childhood, with movies like “The Exorcist,” “Poltergeist” and “Ghostbusters,” all of which were ahead of their time concerning the paranormal. Cano and Mancuso started their presentation by testing students’ skepticism. They showed pictures of alleged ghosts and asked what everyone saw in order to judge who fell into the trap they try hard to avoid: seeing what one wants to or expects to see. A healthy dose of disbelief is one part of their three-part system. That is Mancuso’s job as the skeptic on the team; he steps back and rules out all other possibilities, before submitting something the team sees or hears as paranormal activity. Cano considers himself the scientist of the team and many people have filled the third role, the psychic. While the team says they never expect a place to be haunted, they go into each site with plans of investigating to prove or disprove a haunting. They advise using the terms “prove” and “disprove” loosely, because these investigations are never guaranteed and can’t be repeated. Cano explained that even if a spirit were in the place one investigates, it is assumed that these beings can and do travel freely. Finding it once does not mean it will be found again. “I know [the paranormal] exists, but I don’t think it is as common as people believe that it is,” Mancuso said. A slideshow of some of their more famous experiences accompanied their presentation. The presentation covered the tools of the trade, the process that the men follow at an investigation and the history of the team. Mancuso told the story of his first experience with the paranormal at the Grand Midway
Hotel, when he started believing that the paranormal could be real. Some of their investigations have taken them to the Lizzie Borden House, the Portsmouth Lighthouse, the Shanley Hotel, and, in Pennsylvania, to the Eastern State Penitentiary, the Philadelphia State Hospital at Byberry and the Phoenixville Library. After the presentation, Cano and Mancuso took 40 students on an investigation of the Fairview Apartments, which was Wenger’s name when it housed students. The ghost stories surrounding Wenger formed from the rumors of student suicides in the dormitory building. Students and faculty reported they have heard voices, objects moving and doors being opened and shut.
“I know [the paranormal] exists, but I don’t think it is as common as people believe that it is.”
~Brian Cano
The students and investigators congregated in a second floor classroom, dealt out tools such as spirit boxes, electromagnetic field detectors, thermometers and REM pods (for detecting unseen disturbances in the field around the device). Cano and Mancuso allowed students to take part in an investigation. Students asked questions and the team played back their tape to listen for responses. Questions such as: “what is your favorite color” seemed to get the response “red.” The words “tie-dye” and “farmer” were repeated multiple times throughout the session. Listening for repeated words, phrases and the use of code words that were dictated by the investigators was one of the methods the pair taught students who participated in the hunt. “You bring seven senses to any site with you,” Mancuso said. “The five regular ones, a sixth sense [like being psychic] and the seventh, common sense.” He told students if one remembered to bring all of them along to an investigation site, they would be the most advanced tools the students could employ. All of the technology that the students experimented with has limits, they explained, but with an open mind, your body is the best tool. Students continued to search for spirits of deceased students and faculty well into the night, and many said they will observe more carefully, listening and watching for signs of paranormal activity on campus.
Opinion
October 31, 2013
page 7
Senior encourages exemplifying ‘Educate for Service’ daily by ANDREW HERM
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uring the flurry that was Homecoming, I was able to reunite and catch up with some of my favorite alumni. “How’s work? How’s grad school? I’d totally love to visit some time! Oh, your student loans won’t be paid off until you die?” It was good to see so many familiar faces, because for me, Etown hasn’t been the same since they’ve left. And apparently, they think so, too. My best friend stayed into Monday to participate in a departmental presentation for some of the first-year students. The first thing she said to me was, “They don’t hold the doors. This place must be going downhill now,” with a smirk that would leave Lucius Malfoy reeling. While I haven’t been plagued by the door-holding issues that troubled my friend, I have, over the course of my four years here, noticed a decline in the quality of human interaction. Maybe becoming more pessimistic is part of growing up. Or maybe things are how they’ve always been, and I missed it in the beginning because I was starryeyed. The sales pitch that got me and many others was that “Etown is one big family” that everyone knows everyone, everyone gets along and that’s the Etown way! I got slammed with that concept on tours, during
admissions events and even during my first year from some of the upperclassmen. They must have experienced some of that too. I want to forgive the senior who told me that TGIS is just a big hang out, seniors and first-years hand-in-hand with doting Campus Security. Maybe this year. Chances are that I’ve gone about college completely wrong - all of you alarmingly happy people are hiding around the corner saying that there is a “family” that we’re all a part of - current students, alumni, family and faculty. And you see this at alumni events; you hear the incessant “Blue Jays. Always.” And then there’s that other motto, “Educate for Service.” Oh, yeah. The College uses these two mottos for the same end. We’re sending a message, letting you know who we are and what we’re about. “Educate for Service” is what we push to the external groups; it’s a business card, a brochure, a “check here to receive more information” box that we use to present ourselves to the outside world. The other motto runs the roost once you’re within the parameters of the Etown community - now that you’re here, you know that you belong here. Forever. Both are used to promote a sense of unity and identity, but because of a missing link, at least for me, they’re falling flat on their faces. The recent Into the Streets
event is supposed to be the big service highlight of the semester with clubs, faculty and staff and alumni joining forces to do some good in the world. A great event runs its course, and then we disperse and get excited to do it again next year. Because we’re “Blue Jays, always.” But one of the issues affecting this particular problem - our “Educate for Service” promo - is that service isn’t a one-and-done kind of thing. Luckily, we are fortunate enough to go to a school that sponsors trips to locations all over the globe: Florida, Mississippi, Vietnam and Ethiopia, just to name a few. All of those are not only opportunities to do amazing things for other people, but they also have potential to be life-altering experiences. But even with those trips being as once-in-a-lifetime as they are, they still aren’t enough; they aren’t all-encompassing of the life that is one of service. This is where we pan the camera back to campus, back to the daily interaction you have with peers and faculty and staff. You realize that you have the opportunity to, and should feel obligated to, serve one another every single day. While it may be a large, scheduled and elaborate occurrence, service can also be as simple as holding the door for someone or smiling and waving to someone you walk past instead of whipping out your phone
15 yards away and acting like you’ve got a new notification. You’re not that popular. But you could be, if you’d go out of your way to interact with your peers more.
I don’t want to get to the end of my four years here and feel like I’ve been lied to and taken advantage of. I wanted Etown to be my home, but even more important now is that I want it
to feel like home. Better yet, we should all want one another to be a part of that. And if it is this way, do me a favor and find me, take my hand, and bring me to the good people, please.
Photo: Adam Moore
Students should jump at any opportunity to serve the campus community and even the neighboring community. Events such as Into the Streets encourage students to “Educate for Service,” but it shouldn’t stop there.
Majors that require more credits are not necessarily hardest Credit requirement differences between majors exist for reason, cannot be considered unfair by TYLER KUNKLE
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nyone who ever bothered to read any publications from the Office of Registration and Records knows Elizabethtown College requires 125 credits to graduate. However, the number of credits required to complete a major varies greatly depending on area of study. A conversation which I often have with other students revolves around this concept. As an international business and German double-major, I haven’t had much wiggle room in my schedule. Almost all of my core classes were pre-determined since they fulfill major requirements as well, and I have taken my first free elective of college just this fall semester of my senior year. Together, my majors require 115 credit hours, a 125-hour internship and a year of study abroad. My one quad mate’s major, however, only requires 44 credits. That being said, I cannot say that I feel that’s unfair. International business is a very structured major, and it is meant to set its students on a structured career path. As such, it seems only appropriate that it requires students to acquire a particular set of skills in order to work in the field. Liberal arts majors are meant to encourage creativity and expression. As such, it is only appropriate that students of that major be given some freedom in their schedules. No matter what your major, you still need 125 credits to graduate. It doesn’t matter if, as was my case, you are given a piece of paper your first week on campus that outlines each class you will take each semester all four years or if you are free to take two electives each semester and major classes as you see fit. If you are bothered by the fact your major has more required credits than others to the point where you consider switching, you should. The amount of required credits is not necessarily a reflection of the difficulty of a major, nor is it necessarily a reflection of the structure of that major. For example, the schedule for a math major requires many classes that are prerequisites of others. That is to say, although the
major requires fewer credits than others, the building-block nature of the subject matter makes it impossible to take too many major
“If you love your major, which I hope you do, you shouldn’t give any thought to the number of credits required besides planning out how you are going to complete them.” classes. For example, you can’t realistically expect someone to take both Calculus I and II in the same semester. The simple truth of the situation is that some majors require a larger knowledge pool than others. That is, while a math major
the
needs to focus on math skills, an international business major needs to learn not only basic accounting, finance and management, but also economics, language studies and international relations. Although there may be more areas which such a student has to study, the depth of study cannot be compared to, in using the same example, the depth in which a math major learns calculus. This all supports the basic argument that the more focused a major is, the more ladder-like their course structure will be, and therefore may require less credits within the major. A more illustrative example of this situation may be the physics major. As of this registration year, this major requires 63 credits. Although that is more than some other majors, it is 26 percent less (22 credits less) than the international business major. However, I don’t think it can be said that physics is therefore only 74 percent as difficult as International Business. In end effect, it is best to trust the designers of the major requirements and believe that their intentions are to educate their students in the most appropriate manner in
Sound Off
“A bunch of grapes.” Kendra Beittel ’14
order to secure a place in the workforce for them, and not simply to add classes to the major to fluff up numbers. I would rather see a major require only 30 credits, but have an outstanding reputation, than see that same major ask students to fulfill 90 credit-hours where two thirds of them are a waste of the students’ time. If you love your major, which I hope you do, you shouldn’t give any thought to the number of credits required besides planning out how you are going to complete them. Think, for example, about the figures which most students sweat. The bottom line of their financial aid package, their GPA and their Jay Bucks balance are some numbers that might be on the minds of students. However, I have yet to run into a student who feels that the number of credit-hours required by their major is important to employers or to their future (outside of accounting majors hoping to sit for the CPA exam). This figure is often brought in as evidence during pissing contests comparing the academic rigor of majors among roommates and friends, but in truth, it has nothing to do with the matter.
What is your favorite Halloween costume that you’ve worn? Compiled by KATIE BRUMBACH
“A ladybug.” Daisy Curtin ’15
“A zombie prom queen.” Lauren Zatkos ’14
page 8
Opinion
October 31, 2013
Texting professors requires professionalism, appropriateness Despite informality of texting, students should maintain formality when communicating via text cal “why are you still here?” stare. On the other hand, discussion has been raised as to the extent to which texting itself actually produces socially awkward situations rather than mitigating them, especially when it comes to college-level relationships and communication. While communicating with professors may seem daunting to certain students, why is it even more intimidating for some students to text those professors? Why should we ever be afraid to speak with someone who is there for our academic education and guidance, and how does the medium we use affect how we represent ourselves? Speaking with our professors on the phone is one thing, but when it comes to using texting to converse with our professors, the interaction between student and instructor may Photo: Jill Norris seem much trickier. When Some professors encourage students to text them. Students a professor asks a student to should maintain professionalism when communicating this way. text instead of email or call, why does it feel weird? Many p e opl e won d e r after feigning interest in all whether or not students are by TIANA FERRANTE 70 flavors of soup on display. allowed to be more chumThat’s when I try to appear my with adults when texs a socially conscientious preoccupied with my phone ting. Sometimes professors 18-year-old, I have used texting to cover up amusingly until my hour-late ride ar- will even insist that texting awkward situations. When I rives; for me, texting is a way would be most convenient don’t have a car, which is all to appear indecisive about for communicating with the time, it gets ridiculous those cans of soup in order students. First-year Mikaela to remain in a small store to avoid a cashier’s quizzi- Smith said, “I’d prefer to
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call, but if they told me that texting was better for them, I’d text.” But how would we go about texting with professors? At some point, we will have to force ourselves to decide how best we might respond to, or even initiate, texting conversations with our professors. Despite what we may imagine, texting doesn’t denote a certain tone of informality, yet it does connote a more relaxed writing style. In particular, we students can become accustomed to texting without attention to accurate titles like “Professor So and So” and polite structures such as “Dear Professor So and So.” I would venture to say that it is imperative to correctly address professors, even in the realm of texting, and even when they relax their structure in addressing us or signing their first name. In my experience, I have found it best to get a clear request for first-name addressing before allowing my texting to assume such informality. Aside from that, I am a prime example of how not to text. Since I’m pretty new to texting, I have trouble keeping up to speed with my friends’ messages, so I often omit apostrophes and commas in my responses. In my case, I have to remind
myself how essential it is that I remember how much my texting habits with friends can affect the way I might text professors; even if we think it doesn’t really matter or that we only text that way with friends, those habits will seem so thoughtless when we use an inappropriately informal style during a texting conversation with a person whom we want to impress. And whom do we want to impress more than our professors? Few greetings are less impressive than my “Hey you!” to friends, and I can only pray that my habit never slips into my texting conversations with professors. Although texting seems like a very friendly medium of interaction, the convenience of texting may not influence the tone of the texted message. For instance, if professors ask that students text them, a student’s assumption might be that those professors are removing the formality from their relationship with their students simply because texting seems less rigid. More often than not, such assumptions prove capable of leading to uncomfortable, “ughhhhh why did I say that” inducing situations. A student’s texted greeting of “Yo, [insert professor’s last name], meet me at 5
p.m.?” can lead to a professor’s responding with the hint that he or she “is not your friend” and “expects to be addressed properly as a superior.” How humiliated and embarrassed you might feel! Remember that even when professors seem friendly and easy-going, it can be even more of a struggle to remind ourselves how to communicate in a contextually-appropriate way. Even in the instance that my teachers in high school and my professors at Etown have gone out of their way to make me feel at ease in their presence, I decide to feel comfortable with them while also maintaining a respect for their station. Certainly, much depends on the personality of the instructor, and texting seems to be a precursor to “friending” on Facebook, yet students would do very well to reaffirm the respect they have for their professors by treating text messages as they would email messages, letters or phone calls to one in a superior position. When we consider the context and how it involves those with whom we associate on an academic or professional level, the idea of utmost importance is that we don’t allow texting to influence our maintaining a polite, refined tone.
Professors should not be expected to post course grades on Blackboard by SAMANTHA WEISS
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ver y sy llabus handed out to E lizab et htown C ollege students is required to contain several different parts, regardless of the class or department. One of the most important sections being a statement of class policy about grades, attendance, examinations and other expectations of the students. Each section extensively describes and outlines the course work and requirements that go along with it. A calendar marked with assignments and exams is accompanied by explanations of the “more important” assignments as well as notes about classwork and the professor’s manner of grading. Some professors explain their intent to post grades on Blackboard; others clearly state they will not utilize the technology, some never say anything, one way or the other. Students expect to see grades shortly after examinations or assignments are returned and are often aggravated to find that they are not. Many students argue that getting an early warning or other notice of poor standing in a class is not fair if their grades weren’t available on Blackboard, because they were not aware of their progress or lack thereof. Then, what about those students whose grades are just above the needed grade to send warnings? I’ll use a question to answer that: since when is it a professor’s responsibility to babysit his students? As college students, it is expected that students not only understand grading, but take responsibility for his or her success or failure. Students are given the choice to sign FERPA, an agreement that allows or bars parents from checking their son
or daughter’s progress in college. I didn’t allow my parents to view my grades: not because they were poor, but because I feel that I have the ability to discuss grades with parents, as an adult. Should the same not apply to keeping up with one’s grades? The convenience of Blackboard makes students argue for it, but if one simply wants to ball-park his grade, he needs to look at the syllabus and make a general guess. Three As and a B will result in a low A in almost all cases. All Ds will result in a D. But no matter whether or not one’s professor chooses to post grades on Blackboard or not, he or she has already given you the information needed to figure out one’s own grades. The College syllabi explain how grades are weighted, so that students can record their grades and keep track themselves. While I’ll admit I like checking my grades and avoiding the math required to figure them out for myself, I don’t think it is necessary that a college professor be expected to babysit his students. Everyone is intelligent enough and capable of checking them for themselves and adjusting their classroom p e r f o r m a n c e a c c o r d i n g l y. Professors have anywhere from 12 to 100 students, each of whom are waiting anxiously to know how they did on their last project or exam. As a single person, the professor may simply not have the time to grade everyone’s work and then drop it into Blackboard accordingly. Or, how about asking one’s professor in person about his or her grades? However, if professors start the year by posting grades, then d e c i d e t he y are to o bus y or that no one checks - be their justification whatever it is - then it is unfair to the students. Given
a reasonable belief that grades will appear regularly and waiting for them creates unnecessar y stress. The key here is consistency: consistently posting grades or consistently not posting them. Rather than posting only three or four assignments, be reliable about whether or not students should expect Blackboard’s use. Not only do students appreciate the convenience, but that level of predictability helps to create relationships with professors. While I don’t believe it is in the
Photo: Katie Brumbach
job description of a professor to post the grades of his or her students (especially not at the rate of speed that most students seem to think
reasonable) if one starts the semester with constant access to one’s grades on Blackboard, one should continue to exercise that luxury.
PUT YOUR RECORDS ON On the Turntable: American Authors Genre: Indie Rock Rating: Get your work done so you can rock out to the beat of these Brooklynbased musicians.
by ALEXA VISCARDI Every song is a story. Just as written stories do, songs provide a rhythm and a context to invite the audience into a mental space to process the world around them. Indie rock band, American Authors, is sharing their stories with the world, one song at a time. American Authors, formerly The Blue Pages, began their music journey in Boston, while the quartet was attending The Berklee College of Music. They started recording music in 2006, and in 2010, moved to Brooklyn to continue their music career. In 2012, they changed their name to
American Authors, and released several singles with much success. Their song, “Best Day of My Life,” one of my personal favorites, was featured in a Lowe’s commercial, which clearly is the pinnacle of success. This past August, they released their self-titled EP, and many of their tracks have been played on alternative rock radio around the country. Their track, “Hit It,” will also be featured on the new FIFA 14 video game. American Authors’ sound is organic, accessible, and at times, downright danceable. Each track is distinct in its approach to the “story.” On their band webpage,
American Authors write: “We express our experiences as a shared unit, through music and an agreement of sound. With lows come highs and fighting always has an end. We accept struggle and are passionate about the lives we lead. We create the music that comes naturally to us and we’re not afraid of change. We are thrilled about the present. We all have a story to tell, whether it’s audible, visual, silence or motion. We are constantly creating new moments to share.” American Authors will be performing at The Note in West Chester, Pa. on Nov. 19.
Opinion
October 31, 2013
page 9
False excuses imply laziness by MATTHEW WALTERS
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Photo: Jill Norris
Do viewers or media perpetuate fandoms? by MATT SHANK
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ur culture is packed to the brim with various “fandoms” or obsessions with various forms of media. These fandoms seem to have gained prevalence within the last few years. As an obsessive fan of “Game of Thrones,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Walking Dead” and “House of Cards,” among others, I find great joy in following the lives of the characters, theorizing about what might happen in future episodes and trying to get into the minds of those involved with the show — fictional characters and real people like directors, producers and writers. I wonder, however, why I am attracted to the concept of becoming so captivated by a work of fiction. Why do I and others feel the desire to connect with a community of media consumers? Do fans perpetuate the fandoms or is the media itself behind the phenomenon? In short, I think fans do fully perpetuate the fandoms, but I also believe that the media capitalizes on them, thus helping both themselves by turning a profit and the fans by providing products the fans desire. This happy interaction between the fans and the media manifests a cycle, that, much like a hurricane, picks up speed and power with each rotation. A fan base forms, the media catches on and begins further marketing the
product, which attracts a larger fan base. This gives the media more incentive to market the product even further, and with each repetition of the cycle, the product and operation grow significantly larger. Television shows are particularly susceptible to garnering this kind of obsessive fandom, because they allow us to follow lives of people completely different from us. Television series provide an escape from our own bland lives — an escape to a place where life is interesting and exciting. Characters face life-or-death experiences, enjoy fantasy romances, travel the world and do a bunch of other things we would like to experience. The simple concept of sitting on your couch witnessing a character living out your dreams is highly enticing. Another reason fandoms thrive is because of the camaraderie within the community of viewers or people who engage with the specific piece of media that is the subject of the fandom. Once shows gain an initial viewership and once the media decides to capitalize upon that viewership, the show takes on a stage where it becomes viewed by “outsiders” as an avenue to social inclusion. Having a concrete subject of discussion is a relatively simple way to make friends and to find yourself belonging to a community. It is especially appealing to have the opportunity to communicate
and bond with people who share an interest with you. Furthermore, technology and social media play some sort of role in the obsessive mindset. I think it is very possible that one of the major reasons fandoms have grown so prevalent is because people’s lives are losing the excitement of face-to-face communication. As a result, people are much more likely to connect with a story of personal interaction. However, social media and technology are also great tools for fans. They allow fans all over the world to connect with each other through the media. They allow the fans to discuss, theorize and generally share different ideas with each other. I believe this is another major reason that fandoms are becoming more common. There is an endless number of online communities and discussion forums created with the sole aim of bringing together fans of specific media, including television series, video games, movies, comic books, etc. Just because fandoms are so prevalent in today’s society, I do not believe that just any pieces of media can gain a following of obsessed supporters. The subjects of fandoms have to have some degree of excellence in one area or another. In other words, the initial fanbase must find the media to be excellent or superior to other examples of comparable media in some respect. Consequently, many of
the subjects of these fandoms are in some way worthy of the attention. I have heard, with respect to entertainment media, that “people cannot think for themselves,” insinuating in part that people blindly follow the pack for the simple reason of feeling included in a community rather than because there may also actually be some greater merit in doing so. Though much of the reason for the expansion of fandoms is social inclusion, I have found that people will not continue immersing themselves in communities based on media they do not find enjoyable or appealing. I believe there are many reasons fandoms are so prevalent in today’s society, but I tend to feel that they are good for global understanding and the global spreading of ideas. Modern technology and media, especially entertainment media, are very helpful in establishing a foundation for global appreciation and compassion for people of different cultures and circumstances. Also, I think it helps promote an affinity for universal amity. Regarding the question of who is responsible for the creation and sustenance of fandoms, I do not see any unfair or insidious exploitation of fans by the media, and if fans enjoy the product, they will want more. In this case, the media and the fans share an interdependent relationship, and the result is excellent.
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e have all heard — and quite possibly used ourselves — the “my dog ate my homework” excuse during elementary school. Or middle school, if you were dumb enough to think it would work that late in your schooling career. As college students, we tend to employ our own ridiculous excuses for forgetting our homework or not wanting to do something. Let’s go through some of the excuse repertoire. The classic “I’m too busy” excuse comes to mind first. Your friend asks you to do something and you need a way out? Whip out the “I’m too busy” card. Who can give you a hard time for having a lot to do? You’re at college to get an education, so you have a perfectly legitimate excuse for having a lot of school work to do …right? Let’s think about it for a moment. When a friend asks you to help out, you have to assume that your friend has a large number of things on his or her plate, too. Before you pull the age-old excuse on your pal, consider the situation. Even if you have a metaphorical double-serving of meatloaf on your plate, your friend might have an entire Thanksgiving dinner sitting on their platter. Your friend may simply have more responsibilities than you at the moment. If your pal needs a hand, consider making a concerted effort to help him or her. When you’re eagerly watching that late-night episode of “Family Feud” on TV to see Steve Harvey deal with the nincompoops on either side of him, ask yourself if you really are “too busy.” Going to class can drain your energy week after week. The “I’m sick” excuse works pretty well for this situation. The most adept liars will fake a cough or sniffle during the class period that they return, you sly devils, you. But unless your professor is keeping close tabs on your participation for a grade, why even bother making up an excuse? Simply don’t show up; it’s your money — not theirs. The class will go on without you, unless you’re in a three-person class and the other two people’s mouths are on vacation. Then you might have an issue. But otherwise, why make an excuse for yourself when you don’t need to? And if you really are concerned about the whole participation grade thing, then think of it as getting the grade you deserve. I’m not trying to preach — I take a personal day here and there, but I think professors are sick of hearing that you’re “sick.”
“Excuses don’t have to be negative. They are perceived so negatively because we use them to avoid commitments we could take on and to get out of classes we are healthy enough to attend.” Wrapping up the list of common excuses is the most honest but hardest to justify: “I’m too lazy.” Someone who says he is too lazy is probably the same person that lounges around in his room all day. Telling someone you’re too lazy is equivalent to telling him or her you don’t care. Laziness is entirely your choice. It is a way of saying that you purposefully choose not to use your time effectively. We all need breaks here and there, but turning down someone’s request for help due to a personal lack of initiative does not reflect well on your character. And honestly, the “I’m sick” and “I’m too busy” excuses are often blanketed ways of saying “I’m too lazy.” Owning up to your laziness is an important first step, but doing something about it requires some initiative. Not all excuses are terrible. Sometimes, they are perfectly legitimate. Some people who claim to be too busy are earnestly up to their ears in assignments and extracurricular engagements. A lot of people who don’t show up to class due to illness are, in fact, sick. But I would think that’s obvious. The connotations of the word “excuse,” however, shed some light on how we make and use excuses. An excuse is simply an explanation for doing something wrong or not doing something at all. When I hear the word “excuse,” I think of someone saying something to cover his or her rear end. The word has such negative connotations in our day and age. Excuses don’t have to be negative. They are perceived so negatively because we use them to avoid commitments we could take on and to get out of classes we are healthy enough to attend. If you have an excuse, make it because it’s legitimate — not because you’re lazy. There’s no excuse for making empty excuses.
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Sports
October 31, 2013
Men’s cross country takes first at Hood Open; women place second
in Etown athletics... The volleyball team (16-14) lost to the Stevens Institute of Technology in the Championship of the Etown October Classic this past weekend. Despite the loss, senior Carolyn Lukiewski became the third player in program history to record 1,800 digs for her career. She now only trails Emily Morris ’03 by 28 digs for the school record. The men’s soccer team defeated the Lycoming Warriors on Wednesday 2-1. This victory cemented the Blue Jay’s spot in the Commonwealth Conference playoffs that start next week. The team will finish out its regular season schedule on Saturday against Widener at home. The women’s soccer team recorded their 300th victory in program history with a 8-0 win over Lycoming College on Tuesday. Sophomores Kacey Cerankowski, Deanna Slater and Lauren Fredericks each scored two goals in the victory. The field hockey team defeated nationally-ranked Messiah College 3-1 on Saturday to take sole control of the Commonwealth Conference standings. The victory solidified the Blue Jays as the No. 1 seed going into the conference playoffs which begin on Nov. 4.
in the NCAA... In the second releasing of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) rankings, the University of Oregon jumped over Florida State University into second place, still trailing two-time defending national champions the University of Alabama. Penn State University has agreed to pay 26 young men $59.7 million because of accusations charging former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky with the sexual abuse of minors. Twenty-three of these deals are fully signed and three are agreements in principle. The school still faces six other claims which could produce future settlements.
in the pros... The 2013-2014 NBA regular season began on Tuesday night with three nationally televised games. The season was kicked off with the Indiana Pacers defeating the Orlando Magic 97-87. The marquee match-up of the night was the defending champion Miami Heat defeating the Chicago Bulls 107-95. Finally, the match-up for Los Angeles supremacy left the Lakers as winners over the Clippers 116-103. The Philadelphia 76ers have received the lowest predicted overunder win total in over a decade by Las Vegas. Their season tipped off last night at home against the Heat with a 114-110 victory to the defending champs. Their predicted over-under is 16.5 wins, three less than the next closest team.
Photo: Athletics Department
The men and women’s cross country teams competed in the Hood College Open this past weekend to finish out their regular season schedule before heading to DeSales University for the Middle Atlantic Conference Championships on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 11a.m. Both teams look to take home the MAC title.
by AMANDA ROBERTSON
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lizabethtown College’s men and women’s cross country teams competed at Hood College located in Fredrick, Md. this past weekend. The men’s team was able to take the win on Saturday while racing without their full team on the course. Junior Dan Gresh took second place overall at the meet and first for Etown on the 8,000-meter course. He finished with a time of 27:33.2. Following Gresh, and third at the meet overall, was first-year Jon Anderson with a time of 27:55.7. First-year Patrick Jones finished in a time of 28:19.7 and took third for Etown and fifth overall. Etown took first place with Gettysburg College in second, Hood College in third, Marymount University in fourth and Stevenson University in fifth. Senior Ian Hamilton talked about their success at the Hood College Open and about what he expects of the team at the championships. “We sat the majority of the varsity guys to rest up for MAC and it was really great to see Jon Anderson have a huge
personal record in the 8k,” Hamilton said. “It’s going to take everything we have to secure the MAC title this year, but I’m confident we will do it.”
“It’s going to take everything we have to secure the MAC title this year, but I’m confident we will do it.” ~ Ian Hamilton
The women’s team took second place this past weekend racing on a 6,000-meter course next to Gettysburg in first, Marymount who took third, Hood taking fourth and Stevenson in fifth place. First-year Amy Gessler was the first runner for the Blue Jays to cross the finish line and came in fourth overall. Gessler finished with a time of 24:50.5, with
first-year Caitlin Pysher finishing in 25:42.2, senior Alexandra Christ in 25:47.5 and first-year Monica Venturella in 25:54.2. “I was really proud that the team did so well,” Christ said. “Based on last week’s tough conditions in Ohio, everyone seemed eager to make their last race of the season memorable and give it all they had.” This was also the last race that Christ will race competitively as a Blue Jay. “I am honored to run on this team, because they are the most dedicated, supportive and inspirational people I have ever met,” she said. “[My teammates] made taking off my spikes a bittersweet feeling. Cross country can be very grueling on your body, but the pain was always worth it in the end because I got to see my teammates every day and they inspired me to become the best runner I could be. You can’t find a desire like that from anyone; it has to come from special people who are in your heart.” The men and women’s cross country teams will be racing at the Middle Atlantic Conference Cross Country Championships for the last time on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. before switching conferences.
Field hockey takes down second nationally-ranked team; Blue Jays hold onto first place seed in conference standings entering playoffs
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by ADAM MOORE
he Elizabethtown College field hockey team continued their, until recently, undefeated season in Commonwealth conference play with a 3-1 victory over the nationally-ranked Messiah Falcons this past weekend. This was the Blue Jay’s fourth straight win and the seventh straight in conference play. With the victory, Etown was then 7-0 in the Commonwealth Conference, solidifying their spot at the top of the conference standings. The Blue Jays were able to pull away from the Falcons with an offensive flurry in the second half, scoring twice in the period. Not only did this victory help the Blue Jays take sole possession of the conference, it was also their second victory over a top 25 team this season. Junior Taylor Alwine got the Blue Jays on the board first, scoring her fifth goal of the season to give Etown the early lead eight minutes into the contest. It did not take long for the Falcons to match Etown’s goal, as Messiah’s Moriah Pfautz notched her 13th goal of the season in the 13-minute mark. Junior goalie Marlena Johnson stopped Pfautz’s initial two shots before finding the back of the net. The two Commonwealth Conference leaders went in at halftime with
the game tied up at one each. The Blue Jay defense came out in the second half prepared to play. While the Falcons came out firing, Etown was prepared to handle each of Messiah’s six second-half shots. The Blue Jays retook the lead in the 62nd minute of play off a penalty stroke from sophomore Andrea Keady, scoring her 12th goal of the season. The goal made Keady five for six on penalty strokes this year. Junior Kaylee Werner tallied the Blue Jays third and final goal in the 68th minute to solidify an Etown victory. Werner took a pass from junior Emily Mason to beat Messiah goalie Molly Gebrosky for a 3-1 lead. For both her offensive and defensive play, Werner was named the Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week alongside teammate Johnson. When the final whistle blew, the Etown netminder ended with 11 saves on the day. The Blue Jays then traveled to Lebanon Valley College in an attempt to complete their perfect in-conference record. This hope was dashed with a 1-0 loss to the Flying Dutchmen. LVC’s Megan Harris was able to sneak the first shot of the game past a diving Johnson to get the Dutchmen on the board. This would turn out to be the decisive and only goal of the game, putting a blemish on Etown’s once perfect conference record. Despite the goal, Johnson played commend-
ably in net for the Blue Jays stopping the next three shots she faced. Etown outshot their opponents in both halves of the competition and doubled their opposition for the game. The Blue Jays attempted 10 corners in the game, opposed to LVC’s two, but were unable to get one past the Dutchmen goalkeeper Chloe Baro.
Even with the loss to LVC, the Blue Jays still wrapped up the No. 1 seed in next week’s Commonwealth Conference playoffs. The Blue Jays will finish out the regular season when they travel to Susquehanna University on Nov. 2 at 1p.m before they begin their playoff run. Their current conference record is 7-1 and 12-5 overall.
Photo: Athletics Department
The Elizabethtown College field hockey team defeated nationally-rank Messiah College 3-1 to remain in first place in the Commonwealth Conference entering the postseason.
Sports
October 31, 2013
page 11
World Series offers baseball fans beards, birds, banter
Behind bearded brigade: Boston Red Sox claim eighth World Series title in franchise history by ADAM MOORE
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aseball is a sport that cannot be scripted. For a sport that is so closely analyzed and scrutinized, it seems like with each new season brings a new aspect of the game that has never been seen before. It is a sport that has withstood the test of time and has grown alongside each new generation of player that has come up to the plate. This year’s World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals has continually shown this to be true. Whether it is the bearded bandits that compose the Red Sox roster, or the young guns on the Cardinals that have soared high above other’s expectations to dominate the league, this World Series has brought a unique look at why baseball is such a remarkable sport. The two storied franchises participating in this year’s Fall Classic have been in this position before. Prior to this season, Boston had won seven championship, the most recent coming in 2007. St. Louis had won a National League record 11 championships since their establishment in 1900. The Cardinals also were only two years removed from their last World Series crown. While these were two teams that had succeeded on a consistent basis, this year’s meeting between the
two powers was all but ordinary. Prior to this season, the organizations seemed to be moving in different directions. Last year, the Red Sox recorded their first losing season since 1997. The organization decided to trade away three players pivotal to their success including Adrian Gonzalez and Josh Beckett for a slew of prospects that weren’t ready for the major league level. On the other hand, St. Louis was a team that had shown promise in the previous season. Like Boston, the Cardinals had just hired a new manager after future Hall of Famer Tony La Russa retired after a storied career that included over 1,400 wins and two World Championships. Replacing the legendary skipper was former player and first-time manger Mike Matheny. Even with a relatively inexperienced manager and a team that lost debatably their best player, Albert Pujols, to free agency, the Red Birds still managed to win 88 games and make it to the National League Championship Series. While they lost to the eventual champion San Fransisco Giants, St. Louis had hope for the future. This brings us to the 2013 season. A fresh start for one franchise and the opportunity to build on the past for another. The Red Sox had brought in a slew of fresh faces, including aging veterans Shane Victorino and Johnny
Photo: Sports Illustrated
The Red Sox began growing out their beards during spring training as a way to bond with one another. The growing continued throughout the season and into the post season all the way to the World Series.
Gomes, in hopes of bringing new life to a team that was in desperate need of a new image. With the help of new manager John Farrell, the Sox did just that. The infusing of new and old brought a new presence to a club house that was lacking enthusiasm the seasons’ past. This camaraderie began early on during spring training when the team decided to begin growing out beards for the entire season. This connectedness through facial hair caught
fire and helped lead the Red Sox to an American League best 97 wins. The Cardinals continued their dominance in the National league, matching the Red Sox with 97 wins and winning the NL Central by three games over the surging Pittsburgh Pirates. St. Louis had a few new faces as well that helped them during the season. But unlike Boston, the Cards promoted from within, bringing up a large group of minor leaguers to the Big Show to
Men’s soccer clinches conference playoff berth with 2-1 win over Lycoming College
help St. Louis get to the next level. The grouping of young talent with veterans Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltran did wonders for sides of the ball. On the arms of former Cy Young winner Chris Carpenter and rookie Michael Wacha the Cardinals made to back to the Championship Series. While the Red Sox ended up winning the series three games to two, both teams will go down in history as being apart of an unforgettable Fall Classic.
Swim teams compete in first meet of season by KYLE FARKAS
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Photo: Eugene Clemens
With the 2-1 win over Lycoming on Oct. 30, the men’s soccer team clinched a spot in the Commonwealth Conference playoffs.The Blue Jays will finish out their regular season schedule at home on Saturday against Widener at 4:30p.m.
by MATT SHANK
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he Elizabethtown College men’s soccer team won five of its last six conference games heading into a meeting against the Flying Dutchmen at Lebanon Valley College last Saturday. They lost 2-1. The Blue Jays (9-6-2, 6-2 CC) travelled to Annville, Pa. to take on the Dutchmen (9-5-3, 3-3-1 CC), a team that ended Etown’s road to the 2012 Commonwealth Conference Championship game with a 1-0 victory in the semifinals last season. The Blue Jays entered the game with an all-time series record of 16-3-3 against the Dutchmen, but, in the teams’ last three meetings, Etown had not recorded a win, drawing one and losing two. Ju n i o r A n d r e w S a n dridge had an early opportunity to score in the eighth minute, but his shot rang off the post. After 25 minutes of play, Etown had tallied seven shots, two on target, to Lebanon Valley’s zero. The Dutchmen did not get their first shot until the 28th minute. The shot by LVC’s Gabe Stasyszyn went over Etown’s sophomore goalkeeper Rodrigo
Barrera’s head and into the far side of the net to make the score 1-0 in favor of the Dutchmen. Lebanon Valley’s second shot would also prove fruitful. A free kick for LVC was tipped by Barrera and put into the net by Kyle Fronk on the rebound. At the expiration of the first half, Etown had no goals on eight shots, while the Dutchmen were two for two. The Blue Jays also allowed no corner kicks for the opposition while having won four corner kick opportunities for themselves. The Blue Jays began the second half knowing that they would have to overcome a two-goal deficit if they wanted to get at least a point out of this game. It was not until 22 minutes into the half that Etown would get themselves back into the game. On his fourth shot of the evening, in the 67th minute, senior forward Zach Lee finally found the tally he had been looking for. He headed a cross from Sandridge into the low right side of the net to bring the Blue Jays back within a single goal. Two more shots on target by Lee in the 74th and 78th minutes were saved by LVC goalkeeper James Clements, and another shot in
the 82nd minute by junior midfielder Kyle Fowler was met with the same fate. The Blue Jays put pressure on the Dutchmen defense near the end, but they couldn’t find an answer to Clements, who had an impressive eight saves. When the final whistle blew, the score stood at 2-1 Lebanon Valley. Lone goal-scorer Lee had six shots, including four on target and a goal. He has two goals and three assists through 16 games this season. Goalkeeper Barrera had two saves on five shots and allowed two goals. Sandridge’s assist extended his season points total to 13, which leads the team. He has five goals, also a team lead, and three assists through 16 games. The Blue Jays have outscored their opponents this season 16-6 in the second half, also outshooting them 129-121 in the second half. Etown has struggled a bit more in the first half this season, being outscored 11-10 and outshot 124-106. On Wednesday the Blue Jays traveled to Lycoming College in the final regular season away game. The first half included two penalty shots, one given to both teams. Lycoming
had the first attempt in the 25th minute. Barrera came up big again for the Blue Jays, stopping Lycoming’s Bill Kerr to keep the game scoreless. In t h e t e nt h m i nut e Etown capitalized on a penalty called in the box when Sandridge found the back of the net for the Blue Jays to give them an early lead. This was only the second opportunity that Etown had at the penalty strike this season. A Lycoming foul in the 60th minute of play gave the Blue Jays a chance to double their lead and they did just that. Junior Zach Hollinger gave Etown a two goal lead that they would not relinquish. The Warriors broke the shutout with only 31 seconds left on the clock when Kerr headed a shot that landed at Luke Klingers feet which he kicked past a sprawling Barrera. The score ended 2-1. With the win, Etown solidified the second seed in the conference playoffs. Etown’s final regular season game against Widener University will take place at Ira R. Herr Field on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30p.m.
he Elizabethtown College men and women’s swim teams fell to York College in their 2013-14 debuts this past Saturday afternoon. The men’s team was shut down by York early and lost the meet 121-57. The women fared slightly better, led by senior Kimberly Cosgrove, to narrowly lose 112-93. Cosgrove, who missed the 2012-13 season, won the 1000 and the 500-yard freestyle. Etown senior Michael Rentschler placed second in the 100 butterfly with a time of 1:00.33, while first-year Kieran Koehler had the third fastest time (1:04.66) in the 100-yard breaststroke. York’s Russell Stoll and Bryant Hughes each collected a pair of wins for the Spartans (2-0). Stoll was victorious in the 200-yard individual medley (2:12.91) and the 100-yard backstroke (56.93), while Hughes claimed the 200-yard free (1:50.94) and the 100-yard free (49.22). York set a pool record in the day’s opening event, the 200-yard medley relay. Stoll, Kyle Walthall, Cody Latchford and Shane Bonner stopped the clock in 1:38.39. The Spartans won the first eight events of the afternoon. Cosgrove won the second event of the day, the 1000-yard freestyle, in 11:29.45, besting second-place Jenny Hinkle of York by more than 4.5 seconds. Blue Jay senior Megan Leppo earned third-place points with a time of 11:44.68. Cosgrove’s win was the start of a strong effort by the Blue Jays, who won five events in total on Saturday. Sophomore Rachel Engelhardt made it two wins in a row for the Blue Jays when she outswam the competition in the 200-yard free in 2:06.04. Later, junior Becki Lane won the 100-yard free by four-tenths of a second (57.15) while sophomore Amanda Long won her first career race in the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of 1:12.76. Etown captured a 1-2 finish in the 500 free, with Cosgrove swimming 5:39.40 to win it, and Leppo posting a 5:44.81 for second. York’s women’s team got wins from Susha Stone (50 free), Lindsey Buglino (200 IM), Kelsie Pike (100 fly), Megan Murphy (100 back) and its 200-yard medley and freestyle relay teams. Etown will host its first home meet of the season on Saturday against Arcadia University. The meet starts at 1p.m. in the Alumni Pool.
Photo: Thomas Swarr
The swim teams will host the Arcadia Knights at the Alumni Pool on Saturday at 1p.m. in their first home meet.
Sports
page 12
October 31, 2013
Volleyball team enters playoffs as No. 4 seed; to host Lycoming Monday by ADAM MOORE
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lizabethtown College’s volleyball team finished second in the Etown October Classic this past weekend at Thompson Gymnasium. The Blue Jays fell in the championship to Stevens Institute of Technology in straight sets, 25-10, 25-15, 25-15. The Blue Jays advanced to the championship game after defeating Muhlenberg College 3-2 in a lengthy affair. Steven’s Mary Tobin and Mary Caulson each had 11 kills to lead the Ducks. In the championship, Etown was only able to combine for 13 kills. Stevens’ libero recorded 27 digs in the match to lead the tournament. Sophomore Juliana Mowen and junior Kelci Scannapieco lead the Blue Jay offense, combining for eight kills against the Ducks. Sophomore Steph High and senior captain Carolyn Lukiewski played commendably in the championship with 33 digs in the match. Even after the loss, Lukiewski was pleased with their performance in the Classic. “We were really hoping to come out with a victory against Stevens, but they are a great team and we fought hard. It was good preparation
as we look forward to our final conference game and playoffs.” Lukiewski made history in Etown’s victory against Muhlenberg, becoming the third player in program history to record 1,800 digs. Coming into the day, the senior libero only needed five digs to join the likes of Emily Morris ’03 and Andrea Weaver ’11. Lukiewski joined this elite club after digging a match-high 28 digs in the victory. Lukiewski finished the classic with 1,843 digs. This now ranks her second in the alltime list with four matches left. Lukiewski is now only 52 digs shy of Morris’ school record of 1,895. Scannapieco added 14 kills in the Blue Jays victory. Etown looked to be in control of the match after winning the first two matches, but then dropped the next two sets to make it a competition. Etown eventually won the matches final set 15-11 led by setters sophomore Mary Clyne and High with double-didget assists and digs. Mowen was one of three in blue and gray to secure a double-double in the match. The sophomore from Chambersburg, Pa. got hers with 10 digs to go along with her 14 kills. On Wednesday the Blue Jays traveled to Messiah College to face the Falcons in their
Photo: Athletics Department
The volleyball team lost to the Messiah Falcons 3-1 in their final conference game of the regular season. Senior Carolyn Lukiewski is now second in the school record with 1,867 digs.
final Commonwealth Conference game of the regular season. The Blue Jays were downed 3-1, 22-25, 29-29, 23-25 and 1625. Mowen and Scannapieco led the team in kills, combining for 29 kills on the night. With the loss, Etown will be the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament and will host
No. 5 Lycoming College in the quarterfinals on Monday. The Blue Jays will finish off their regular season schedule when they participate in the Elizabethtown Tri-Match on Saturday and will face-off against Cabrini College and Shenandoah University.
Women’s soccer records 300th victory in program history
Blue Jays secure conference playoff spot with 8-0 victory over Lycoming Warriors by BRIAN LUKACSY
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he Elizabethtown College’s women’s soccer program has etched their place in the history books after their 300th victory on Tuesday night in Williamsport, Pa. The historic win came during the team’s game against Lycoming College. “The 300th program win means so much for this team. It is an amazing accomplishment for us and a great way to end conference play,” sophomore Kaceyanne Cerankowski said. The Blue Jays dominated the Warriors right from the start, scoring eight minutes into the game as junior Kendra Mancino found sophomore Trisha Clark on a breakaway to take a 1-0 lead. Etown continued to put pressure on Lycoming as Cerankowski scored twice in an eight minute span to put the Blue Jays up 3-0 heading into halftime. After 45 minutes, Etown held a 10 to one advantage over Lycoming in shots on goal, and a seven to two advantage in corner kicks. The second half proved to be even more lopsided than the first one, with Etown outscoring Lycoming 5-0 in route to an 8-0 victory. The Blue Jays’ 19 shots on goal were their most since they had 22 against Immaculata University on Sept. 7. Cerankowski, and sophomores Deanna Slater and Lauren Fredericks all scored two goals, with Clark and fellow sophomore Lauren Berry each scoring once. Etown’s goalkeepers, sophomore Dana Robidoux and first-year Caitlin Matus, split time in goal, each playing one half and making one save each. “No one besides the girls on our team can say that they were on the team when we reached 300 wins. Teams before us have helped us get to this point and we were able to accomplish it together,” senior Alex Topa said. “Some girls go through their four years without something really special to stamp their name on. I am lucky that I have something so special come out of my four years on the team.”
Etown, who is now 11-6 overall and 6-2 in the conference, took care of three Commonwealth Conference foes in the past week. After splitting their first four conference games, including losing the last two, the Blue Jays have rattled off four consecutive victories. A blowout win over Hood College on Homecoming Day began the current winning streak. On Wednesday, Oct. 23, the Blue Jays found themselves in an instant classic with Stevenson University. The game totaled seven goals in 90 minutes of soccer, six of which came in the first 69 minutes of action. The final goal in the 88th minute proved to be the difference and gave Etown the big conference victory. The two teams met in the semifinals of the Commonwealth Conference tournament last season after a 1-1 tie in the regular season. The semi-final game ended in a deadlock 0-0 game, with Stevenson moving on to the championship game on penalty kicks. Stevenson jumped on the board first with a goal in the 30th minute when Mackenzie Calhoun’s shot went passed Robidoux. Robidoux played all 90 minutes and faced five shots, making two saves. Stevenson’s one goal lead did not last long, as Slater’s cross found Cerankowski in the 33rd minute to tie the game at one apiece. Later, Cerankowski found the back of the net again in the 69th minute, her sixth of the season, to tie the game for a fourth time. Slater, who assisted on Etown’s first goal of the game, also scored the final goal of the contest. Her fourth goal of the season gave the Blue Jays the 4-3 victory. “After having two really tough games last year, it felt great to come out on top this season,” Cerankowski said. “We put up a fight and came back twice to get the win, which just showed how bad we wanted it.” Cerankowski was named Commonwealth Conference Player of the Week after her stellar performances this past week. “Being named conference player of the week for the second time in my
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career feels really good,” Cerankowski said. “It’s a great confidence booster for me at a crucial part of the season.” On Saturday, Etown once again found themselves in a tight game. This time the opponent was, Lebanon Valley College, one of the two teams in a three-way second place tie with the Blue Jays. LVC and Etown split a pair of goals in the first half, with the Blue Jays scoring in the 27th minute off the
rebound opportunity for first-year Sydney Nester, who shot into a wide-open net in the seventh minute of overtime to give Etown the huge road victory. Etown heads into their final game of the regular season in a two-way tie for second place with Arcadia University, who holds the tiebreaker in head-tohead competition. Saturday afternoon’s game against Widener University is scheduled for 2p.m. at Ira R. Herr Field.
Athlete of the RODRIGO BARRERA by ADAM MOORE Sophomore goalie Rodrigo Barrera has helped the men’s soccer team reach the Commonwealth Conference playoffs with his superb play in net. Barrera has recorded three shut-outs this season, with the most recent coming on Homecoming weekend against Hood College. The goalie’s great play in cage was rewarded when we received Commonwealth Conference Goalie of the Week honors.
Photo: Athletics Department
In 10 years, I want to be … an engineer working for a large company. Favorite Etown Memory: The chocolate smell my first week here. Biggest fear:
Major: Mechanical Engineering Hometown: Ribeirao Preto/Sao Paulo, Brazil Favorite athlete/sports team: Rogerio Ceni and Corinthians Favorite Jay’s Nest item: Chicken Tenders Favorite movie: Monsters University Favorite musician/band: John Mayer Favorite place to visit: Ribeirao Preto/Sao Paulo, Brazil
Nov. 2 @ Susquehanna
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foot of Berry. The goal was her 14th of the season in 16 games. Although the Blue Jays only scored once through the first 90 minutes of play, it was not due to lack of offensive chances. All of those chances eventually paid off as Etown dominated in overtime, holding LVC without a shot. The Blue Jays managed five shots in the extra session, but none was bigger than the
MAC Championships Etown Tri-Match M/W Soccer vs. Widener
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Spending too much time away from home.
Greatest Etown accomplishment: Bringing the Das-Boot home after two years with a shut-out. Greatest athletic accomplishment: Being the best goalkeeper of the Sao Joao da Boa Vista Internacional Championship. I started playing soccer at age... eight.
Nov. 4 Conference playoffs Conference playoffs M/W Conference playoffs
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Nov. 6 Conference semifinals Conference semifinals M/W Conference semifinals