Etownian Issue 17 - February 12, 2009

the February 12, 2009 • Volume 105, No. 17

Etownian elizabethtown college

One Alpha Drive • Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

On the Web: www.etownian.com

on campus

Math, science education events make children SMILE Edna C. Zhou Staff Writer

different major.

“It’s helpful because I’m used to working with older students, so [my partner] his past Saturday, over 100 could pull from what she knew to get elementary school students through to the kids,” Golas said. crowded the rooms of Nicarry Hall In previous years, the science and math to participate in the first-ever Sciclubs held separate events: Super Science ence and Math Institute for LearnSaturdays and Family Math Nights. This ing in Elizabethtown (SMILE). A was the first year the two clubs combined collaboration between the College their events, with the addition of the and the Elizabethtown Area School education club, into one simultaneous District, the goal of this event was to learning experience. get younger students excited about Planning for the event started in learning math and science through November and involved students from fun activities and experiments. majors such as math, science, elementary The students ranged from kineducation, actuarial science and computer dergarten through fifth grade. They science. The activities were designed by the visited different stations set up around students both in classes and on their own. the rooms in 10-minute rotations with Several of the children at SMILE had attheir “Adventures in Math and Science tended the separate events in the past and Passports.” With names such as “It’s returned as repeat participants.

Raining Money,” “Tangram Teasers” With generous food donations from and “Sink and Float,” each station had a Food Services and Stauffers of Kissel Hill, different activity or experiment related Courtesy Photo the inaugural SMILE had a better turnout to math or science. For two hours, the Seniors Crystal Illigasch (left) and Valerie Miebach help a student with a science activity. than previously seen with the clubs’ sepachildren played with balloons, dice, The SMILE event held Saturday combined several education department programs. rate weeknight events. cereal and more, while also learning “It was so successful and popular beabout concepts like magnetism, geometry and probability. children put one of two different cereals on a string, cause of our collaboration with the [Elizabethtown Area] Etown students stationed at each table were encouraged to making a necklace. Golas explained that the purpose School District,” Deborah Gochenaur, assistant professor ask probing “how” and “why” questions to promote inquiry of this station was to help the children learn not only of mathematics, said. She expressed hopes that the clubs from the youngsters. to add but to compare numbers. continue to do this every year, adding, “It’s a great volunAmanda Golas, a senior math education major, ran SMILE was designed not only to benefit the children, teer opportunity. This is what ‘Educate for Service’ the “Cereal Chains” station, where children threw two but also the various majors involved, especially those in really means — it’s not just about being a teacher, die and added the resulting numbers together. Dependmath, science and elementary education. The students but wanting to work outside their schools. This is ing on if the number was higher or lower than six, at each table were paired with an Etown student of a an investment in the community.”

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on campus

JuicyCampus shuts down; reactions mostly positive Carey E. Betts Staff Writer

I

f you are a college student, or a student at all for that matter, you are likely familiar with gossip. You’ve heard it, read it, been gossiped about and maybe even contributed to it. Maybe you’re an avid viewer of shows like “Gossip Girl,” where rumors and the details of others’ lives are major themes. Just about everyone likes a little gossip now and then.

This is probably why the Web site JuicyCampus has been so successful.

Established in August 2007, JuicyCampus was a Web site where college students could log in and gossip anonymously about their school, faculty, students and more. However, the Web site won’t be able to offer these ser-

the Etownian

putting out the news ... for over 100 years

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

vices anymore. As of Feb. 5, 2009, JuicyCampus has officially been shut down.

Founder and CEO Matt Ivester issued a press release Wednesday, the day before the shutdown, explaining why the Web site would have to be terminated.

“In these historically difficult economic times, online ad revenue has plummeted and venture capital funding has dissolved,” Ivester’s statement said. “JuicyCampus’ exponential growth outpaced our ability to muster the resources needed to survive this economic downturn, and as a result, we are closing down the site.”

During the year and a half that JuicyCampus had been afloat, it stirred up a lot of controversy. Over 500 college campuses have been a part of the site, which has

Idle Talk Alumni band Cleanfall have complied three years’ hard work for their first album release.

Features, page 4

gathered national attention over personal attacks and lawsuits.

While many students think of JuicyCampus as a source of entertainment and college gossip, some think of it as just another outlet for cruelty.

“I think that the idea of Juicy Campus is cool, but some people just take things too far,” junior Shannon Twigg said. “It was probably for the best that it shut down.”

In many cases, students have been harassed online and teachers have had their reputations tainted.

“I know people who have been really hurt by this Web site and the things put on it. I have also heard stories of teachers having their jobs and reputations compromised,” first-year Katie Moyer said. “The

Valentine’s Day The pros and cons of the holiday as seen by Etown students.

Centerfold, pages 8 & 9

Web site is better shut down.”

In his press release, Ivester acknowledged the “mean-spirited and personal attacks that no one will miss” but also recognizes that the site had been a “place for fun, lighthearted gossip of college life.”

While some people thought JuicyCampus was just another form of bullying, others didn’t think it was all that bad. “I think that sometimes, things are just written in jest,” first-year Kristin Corum said. “You shouldn’t take everything you see so seriously, especially on the Internet.”

Ivester ended his announcement by thanking all of the viewers and contributors of the Web site and hoping it is remembered in a good light. So far, though, it doesn’t look like it will be missed very much.

Lil’ Sibs Weekend ‘09 A look back on the fun as students’ little siblings took over the campus.

Campus Life, page 11

Leave Michael Alone!

Should goldmedal swimmer Michael Phelps be cut a break or not?

Opinion, page 12

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news

the Etownian

news in brief Illegal Immigrants leaving America In a startling turn of events, a great deal of illegal immigrants throughout the American south are returning to their countries of origin. The reason is simple: the economy is so bad and the labor force is so high that only 5 percent of workers can find work on any given day in most cities. It has gotten to the point where most workers might have a better chance at finding work if they return home. When asked for his reasons for returning to his home country, a worker responded, “If I have to suffer, it’s better to suffer in Guatemala with my family.” It is unknown exactly how many illegals are leaving the country.

Man Arrested for Obama Threat An unidentified man was arrested in Washington, D.C. Tuesday under suspicion that he was making threats against President Obama. The man in question had approached a barricade near the Capitol building in his vehicle. When questioned by authorities the man said he had “a delivery” for the president. After confirming the man had a rifle in the car, authorities arrested him. He offered no resistance.

Tornados Strike Oklahoma Towns A series of tornados and severe thunderstorms struck south-central Okla. Tuesday, devastating entire neighborhoods and killing at least eight people. The town of Lone Grove was hit hardest, amounting for all of the casualties. Mercy Memorial Health Center in nearby Ardmore received 46 people with injuries, seven of them considered serious.

Firefighters and emergency workers have begun to work with the injured and those who have lost their homes.

Compiled by Peter S. Northrop and Aidan E. Bauernschmidt from cnn.com.

February 12, 2009

in the nation

ID restrictions tighten for travel; be aware Julia N. Hadinger Staff Writer

on this issue.

The consequences can be very severe for being in possession of, using or even importing any amount of illegal drugs to ith spring break approaching fast, foreign countries. In some countries, the large numbers of people have planned penalty is imprisonment for a year withor are starting to organize their travels. out bail before the case is even tried, and While many college students plan to leave after that, a conviction the country, numerous things need to can mean even more jail be kept in mind while traveling. time in a foreign prison.

No matter where you are going, if Another common cause you travel by airplane, you need to for American citizens’ have a passport. This law went into arrest is alcohol. This effect Jan. 23, 2007. Since Jan. 31, includes being publicly 2008, persons entering the United intoxicated, drinking unStates from Canada, Bermuda, Mexico derage and driving under and the Caribbean can also enter the the influence. While many country with a U.S. passport card or students feel they are inan enhanced driver’s license. vincible because they are U. S. citizens must show identificafrom the U.S. and will not tion and proof of citizenship, such as be penalized for anything, a driver’s license and a birth certifithey are wrong. cate. Starting June 1, 2009, traveling Image: ehow.com An easy way to avoid a will become a little stricter when the Western Hemisphere Travel Initative Students traveling out of the country during spring break should similar situation is simply to know the laws of the (WHTI) goes into effect. This will make sure to carry proper identification. countr y in which you require even U.S. citizens to show a document that displays both identity and zens are arrested while traveling in other are traveling. Steering clear of underage citizenship when entering the U.S., whether countries. Around half of these arrests are drinking and overconsumption of alcohol it is from an air or a sea port. due to possession of illegal substances like while in other countries may not only Children under the age of 16 can show narcotics. Prescription medications that avoid possible arrests, but also prevent an original or copy of their birth cer- are legal in the U.S. may be considered violent crimes such as rape and assault, as well as any accidents. tificate, and students ages 16 through 18 illegal in foreign countries.

While traveling to foreign countries, it traveling in groups with adult supervision An easy way to prevent any problems will also be able to enter with copies of is to carry the medication in its original is important not only to have the proper their birth certificates. Currently, borders container, as well as an explanatory note documentation to enter the country, but accept oral declarations of citizenship, but from the prescribing doctor. Also, many also to obey the laws, to be safe and be travelers will now need to produce docu- embassies’ Web sites have information aware of your surroundings.

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ments proving their citizenship.

Other than remembering to carry passports, vacationers will also need to keep in mind the laws of the countries to which they travel and the consequences of breaking those laws.

Every year, more than 2,500 U.S. citi-

in the world

Iceland elects first openly gay world leader Sean A. Burrows Staff Writer

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nder two weeks after the United States realized a milestone by electing its first black commander-in-chief, Iceland broke new ground by appointing the world’s first openly gay leader. Johanna Sigurdardottir, 66, who is openly a lesbian, was appointed to the post of interim prime minister Friday, Jan. 30. This announcement comes less than a week after French Secretary of State Roger Karoutchi revealed that he is also gay.

Sigurdardottir’s appointment came amid daunting financial and social strife in Iceland. These hardships reflect the worldwide economic struggles that contributed to the resignation of former Prime Minister Geer Haarde.

As a sign of the heightened tension, police had to use tear gas to disperse rioting protestors for the first time in half a century in the week prior to Haarde’s resignation.

In Iceland itself, the reaction has been rather subtle, as Sigurdardottir’s selection of an equal number of male and female cabinet members has

generated more attention than her sexual orientation. Prior to her appointment, she served as a well-regarded leader of the country’s ministry of social affairs and a cabinet member for her Social Democratic Alliance party. Although Iceland’s reaction to the world’s first gay leader may have been one of measured indifference, some openly homosexual ex-politicians abroad had a positive reaction to the concept of an openly gay world leader.

Matthew Parris, who served as a member of Great Britain’s parliament from 1979 until 1986 and came out during his term in office, said to a news source, “Speaking from my own experience, I was sort of in the closet when I was an MP, and I always imagined that the world would fall in if people found out. Well, when I finally did come clean, it turned out most of my constituents had guessed already and didn’t give a damn!”

He said he believed that the sociocultural fabric of England had evolved enough to permit a gay prime minister to run the country.

Silvia Jaen, ecretary-general of Spain’s Federation of Gays, Lesbians, Transsexual and Bi-

sexuals remarked that many in the country had moved beyond the Orthodox Catholic moral background. While there are currently no openly gay members of Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero’s government, Jaen believed that most Spaniards would welcome a gay leader with open minds.

Sigurdardottir’s career has been a long and eventful one, as she once worked as a flight attendant for Icelandair before entering politics in the 1970s.

She was a renowned union organizer for flight attendants before becoming a member of the Althing, the Icelandic parliament, in 1978.

She eventually became the deputy speaker of the Althing, a position to which she was re-elected in 2003. One of the contributing factors to her appointment was her tremendous popularity in this position.

According to a December 2008 poll by Capacent Gallup, she enjoyed a 73 percent approval rating (which was the highest of any Cabinet member) and was the only member of the Icelandic government to gain approval over the same time in 2008.

Sigurdardottir was married

to Borvaldur Johannson during the 1970s, and the couple had two sons, one born in 1972 and the other in 1977.

Once they divorced, author Jonina Leosdottir became her life partner, and the two were united in a civil union in 2002.

When Iceland legalized civil unions in 1996, it was among the first nations in the world to do so.

While ALLIES members were not available for comment on this late-breaking development, members of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community were enthused about the development.

On the hillarysvillage.com Web site forum, a host for fanfare about Hillary Clinton specifically and women’s interests in general, users agreed that Sigurdardottir’s appointment was a major victory for acceptance of alternative lifestyles and wished that our country would be more accepting.

Since the recent presidential election shattered ethnic tensions about who could hold the office of president, perhaps an election in the future will see similiar results for candidates with alternative lifestyles.

news

February 12, 2009

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Classmates remember a life well-lived: Craig Anderson Jennifer L. Tarr Editor in Chief

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raig was a great guy. To sum it up, the world would be an infinitely better place if there were more people like him,” junior Mike Mauger, said.

Craig Anderson, a student who struggled with cancer for almost three years and recently lost his battle, was a well known member of the campus community. He was a Peer Mentor, a student assistant for Admissions and an elementary education major. Through all of these activities and his determination to live a “normal” college kid life, Craig met numerous students and faculty and impacted countless lives. This article will feature memories and comments from students whose lives Craig touched.

“I met Craig my freshman year while working in the Admissions Office as a tour guide and student assistant. I was new to Elizabethtown, but, as we all know, Craig had a way of making you feel extremely welcome. Craig always had kind words of encouragement when you were having a bad day or would just listen when you needed to vent. He was the ideal friend — one who was always there when you needed to talk, and one who always helped you look on the bright side of things. I feel extremely blessed to have known Craig — he had a courageous spirit like no other. Words cannot explain how much he will be missed,” senior Angeline Alessandri said.

“Craig was always such a happy person. He was always there to help me out with anything that I needed whether it was advice or help with an education assignment for a class. We loved sharing stories when he lived below me in the apartments last year; usually the stories were of our weekends; that [was most of our] time spent together. I will always remember him as a true friend to myself and to everyone he knew in the campus community,” senior Niki Teran said.

“Craig will leave an everlasting impression on all who knew him. He has touched my heart personally and taught me to be grateful for Photo: Matthew P. Butera the small things in life. Craig This memorial is available on the second floor of the Brossman Commons for those who wish was a humble friend and to come and remember Craig Anderson. He passed away last week after a battle with cancer. classmate whom I will always remember and never forget,” senior all that [it] is so very important to live life to smile and laugh. I will no doubt miss his the fullest and take every opportunity that smile, laugh and incredible passion for the Crystal Illigasch said.

Phillies, but more importantly ... life,” senior “I was in Craig’s junior block class in comes your way,” senior Laura Herr said.

“Craig and I shared a special bond over Mike Azzalina said. the fall 2007 semester, and he was always a bright, happy person that always looked the Phillies. We could talk for hours upon Today at 5:30 p.m. in Leffler Chapel, out for his friends. He didn’t want people hours about them. He had this passion for to worry about him; he just wanted to live them that was unmatched, but it was not that a memorial service will be held to celthe college life that everyone else was able to about him that impressed me most. What ebrate Craig’s life. Those organizing the experience. He left such an impact on this impressed me most was his passion for life. service ask attendees to dress in Phillies campus and, through his battle, he taught us The kid could brighten a room with that or Etown attire.

in the nation

Octuplet mother subject of concern, scorn, questions Kevin J. Yu Staff Writer Aidan E. Bauernschmidt News Editor

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hink having six children is tough? It could be worse.

Single mom Nadya Suleman, who once had six children, is now adding eight more to the mix. Taking care of all 14 children will no doubt prove to be quite a challenge.

Suleman, 33, gave birth to the octuplets, six boys and two girls, at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Bellflower, Calif. in early January. The babies were born nine weeks premature, but all are stable in intensive care so far.

Questions have been raised about Suleman, who is unemployed, and who knew she was implanted with six embryos — far more than many fertility clinics’ policies allow. She said she was hoping for twins at the most, but acknowleged she was taking a risk by implanting so many embryos, two of which split to make two sets of twins.

Suleman and her mulitiples have been the focus of international attention. Some experts say that Suleman is irresponsible and careless for not foreseeing the many complications that would accompany the addition of eight more babies to her already large brood.

Suleman’s friends say that she is an outgoing and friendly person, except for what her mother has called an “obsession with children.” In 2001, Suleman gave birth to her first child through in vitro fertilization. Five more followed. Suleman filed for bankruptcy in March 2008 after divorcing her former husband, Marcos Guiterrez.

Many experts in the medical field warn that the price of keeping the octuplets in intensive care will be enormous. The cost for delivering the eight babies alone amounted to $200,000. Many question how Suleman will pay for medical expenses, education and food for all of her children, or even how she will be able to provide them all with individualized attention and love.

Others are concerned with how this will change the medical industry. Dr. Margaret McFarland, head of the

social work department, said, “This will set the stage for more regulation and restrictions in the medical industry.

It’s like adoption; you have to go through all the regulations, medical and psychological examinations to see if you are fit to adopt children.”

In her first interview with NBC Feb. 3, Suleman defended her decision to have a large family and denied accusations that her actions have been selfish.

“I’m providing myself to my children,” Suleman said. “I’m loving them unconditionally, accepting them unconditionally [...] I’ll stop my life for them and be present with them and hold them and be with them. And how many parents

do that? I’m sure there are many that do, but many don’t.

And that’s unfortunate. And that is selfish.”

Since the octuplets arrived, Suleman has received a flurry of offers for paid television interviews, book deals and other business contracts. She has denied accusations that she made the decision to have so many children in order to secure such offers.

“I feel as though I’ve been under the microscope because I’ve chosen this kind of life,” Suleman said. “I didn’t intend on it being unconventional. It just turned out to be. All I wanted [...] was to be a mom. That’s all I ever wanted in my life.”

100

%

of our Physical Therapy graduates passed the 2007 national licensure exam the first time.

Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at Thomas Jefferson University’s Department of Physical Therapy Open house and workshop dates at www.Jefferson.edu/JCHP 1 - 8 7 7- J e f f -C H P THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY

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February 12, 2009 town events • facts & figures• business

on campus

‘Cleanfall’ returns, performs after release of new album Shaleen A. Spulio Managing Editor

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riginating in both the United States and the United Kingdom, indie rock has flourished since the ‘80s, with various bands popping up here and there. The genre has gotten international exposure as its popularity increases. Elizabethtown College’s own version of indie rock blossomed about three years ago.

Four Etown students started playing together in the basement of Zug Memorial Hall. At first they weren’t a complete group, but by August of 2006 the members of the band became clear: Matthew Collins and Dan Buckley, graduates of 2007, and Jim Pollak and William Secrist, graduates of 2008.

Collins, Secrist and Buckley play the guitar and bass, while Pollak plays the drums.

Collins is also lead singer, and Pollak sings backup vocals.

“We record indie rock that we try to keep dynamic and melodic,” Collins said. “It is in the same vein as Nada Surf, Death Cab [and] Pedro the Lion.”

Cleanfall had spent about three years collaborating on their first complete. The album, titled “Idle Talk,” debuted last month.

“It was written over a period of 3

years,” Collins said. “We all decided which were the best songs from our beginning to present times and recorded them.

“It is inspired by negative thoughts

Collins wrote the base elements of the songs, and then the other band members further expanded the structure. It took all members to finish the end product.

“It’s mostly guitar-based rock stuff,” Collins said.

Collins’ favorite track is “Ogg Vorbis,” track nine on “Idle Talk.”

“It’s a song about being an optimist,” he said. “I'm also pretty fond of ‘Timequake’ [number five], which is just about the ways that people consciously make mistakes, regret them and then do it again anyway. Such a vicious cycle!”

Cleanfall played in the Event Space last night at Etown, invited

by Flint, an on-campus Photo: Matthew P. Butera acoustic rock student Cleanfall has just released their new album “Idle band. Cleanfall has Talk.” They performed last night with Flint in the played at Etown mulEvent Space. tiple times before at Soul Cafes and even and experiences, but how they ulti- the Puppypalooza for two consecutive mately make you a better person — or years. “It’s an awesome place, and it at least make you realize the kind of kinda feels like going back home for things in life that are important to you. us.”

Hopefully, from there, we can find and Cleanfall has also played at venues realize those important things.” such as the Chameleon Club in Lan-

caster, the Championship in Lemoyne and the Khyber in Philly.

The hometowns of the members include Collins from Manheim, Secrist from West Chester, Buckley from Phoenixville and Pollak from Trenton.

Buckley as a paralegal, Collins a barista, Secrist is employed for a bookstore, and Pollak works in insurance.

“We are taking things one step at a time,” Collins said. “Right now we are trying to get the word out on the album and hopefully catch the attention of some people, gain some momentum, and take it from there.”

The group plans to follow up with another record this upcoming summer or fall.

“It will be an EP with seven songs,” he said. EP stands for “extended play” in music lingo, when the project is shorter than an actual album but longer than a single. An EP normally has about four tracks, with the prospect of a future normal-length album of that music.

“I don’t think we are a competitive band,” Collins said. “We just try to write music that we enjoy and hope that it works for others as well. I personally don't care about having lots of friends on MySpace or anything like that. I actually kind of hate the whole MySpace thing.”

“We love to waltz,” he added. “Please come out to our shows and waltz with us.”

on campus

Casteel author of ‘Letters from Abu Ghraib’; speaks Nancy C. Briscoe Staff Writer

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n the wake of George W. Bush’s eight-year presidency and the first 120 days of Barack Obama’s administration, many have contemplated where we stand in Iraq. It seems everyone has an opinion on whether troops should continue to occupy the country, what our motives are, and whether the war is morally justifiable.

Feb. 16 and 17, Joshua Casteel will visit Elizabethtown College to present a film and lecture on war, peace and power of the human conscience. Casteel, a former U.S. soldier, was named the 2009 Elizabethtown College Alumni Peace Fellow.

A native of Iowa, Casteel enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves at the age of 17, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. At 18, he enrolled at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He trained as an interrogator and was later deployed to Iraq.

He served as a U.S. Army interrogator and Arabic linguist at Abu Ghraib. Abu Ghraib is the prison infamously known for its Iraqi prisoner abuse by U.S. soldiers in 2004. According to the Iraq Veterans Against the War’s Web site, Casteel served at the Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center at Abu Ghraib.

He was a part of the interrogation units sent to patch up the prison after the abuse scandal became public between June 2004 and January 2005.

At 25, Casteel was honorably discharged from active duty as a conscientious objector. Nancy Neiman-Hoffman, director of the Elizabethtown College Alumni Peace Fellowship (ECAPF), describes a conscientious objector as someone who believes war is wrong.

Monday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m., Casteel will present the

Image: amazon.com

Joshua Casteel, author of “Letters from Abu Ghraib,” was named the 2009 Elizabethtown College Alumni Peace Fellow. He will speak about his book and experiences Feb. 16 and 17.

film “Soldiers of Conscience,” directed by Gary Weinberg and Catherine Ryan, in the Gibble Auditorium in Esbenshade Hall. This thought-provoking film examines U.S. soldiers’ concern for killing during active duty. It follows four soldiers who become conscientious

objectors during their time in Iraq, Casteel included.

Flipping through the channels one night, NeimanHoffman stumbled upon “Soldiers of Conscience.”

“It was a moving piece,” Neiman-Hoffman said.

“Joshua was particularly moving.”

Neiman-Hoffman graduated from Etown in 1955. She defines the ECAPF as a group of alumni held together by a concern for the peace identity of the College. Every year, they bring an advocate of peace to Etown.

She extended the honor and a three-day peace fellow residency to Casteel shortly after viewing the film.

Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m., Casteel will lecture from his new book, “No Graven Image” in the Young Center.

According to the College News section of the Etown Web site, “The lecture will address the question of whether it is mere coincidence that a culture so far removed from material creativity (manufacturing, industries, patronage of the arts) is simultaneously so heavily invested in the materials which destroy cultures, and whether it is mere coincidence that a country founded on ‘concepts’ vs. blood or common heritage and culture finds itself producing the very tools which destroy those cultures?”

“No Graven Image” is the second book that Casteel has penned. The first, “Letters from Abu Ghraib,” is a collection of e-mails sent by Casteel to friends and family during active duty. It is a raw account of a soldier’s moral conflict with his duties.

“This book is a knock out, an incredible read,” Neiman-Hoffman said.

Casteel and the ECAPF are working toward educating Etown students on the values of peace and nonviolence. Attendants of the film and lecture can gain knowledgeable insight on the war in Iraq and the power of the human conscience.

February 12, 2009

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National Peace Corps president comes to speak at Etown Patricia A. Cangelosi Staff Writer

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ational Peace Corps Association President and CEO Kevin F. F. Quigley spoke last week at Elizabethtown College’s Leffler Chapel. Quigley also visited many classrooms Monday and Tuesday, where he hosted interactive discussions about the significance of the Peace Corps Etown students and for the world. Tuesday evening, he spoke to an audience of 35-40 people, mostly students, about the process of obtaining a Peace Corps position and how such a position might affect one’s future career.

Wednesday’s speech focused on President Barack Obama’s Public Service Agenda and its impact on the Peace Corps Obama pledged from the time he was a candidate to double the Peace Corps by its 50th Anniversary in 2011. In fact, as Quigley pointed out, this was one of the only issues that Sen. Obama and Sen. John McCain agreed on during their campaigns.

Presently, 7,800 Peace Corps volunteers serve in 74 countries, and Quigley expressed confidence that these numbers will increase drastically over the next couple of years.

“As in my youth,” he said, “our country is again witnessing a growing service movement championed by a charismatic, energetic and inspirational president.” He referred to President John F. Kennedy, who founded the Peace Corps in 1961. In an article published in World View Magazine, then-Sen. Obama also mentioned a more global approach to service, expanding the Peace Corps to engage the youth of other nations “so that we work side by side to take on the common challenges that confront all humanity.”

Some may argue that politicians will say anything to gain public confidence, but Quigley believes Obama is sincere in his message. “For this president,” Quigley said, “service is a core value, not a rhetorical statement.”

Quigley emphasized that the Peace Corps, which has been referred to as “the best face of America overseas,” needs both expansion and renovation. The world

has changed over the past 50 learning in college with her sociolyears, and the Peace Corps has ogy/anthropology major to assess essentially remained the same. the needs of various communities New goals Quigley proposes overseas. Although she is flexible for the Peace Corps to help about where the Peace Corps places more urban areas; branching her, Pandolfino admits that she is out to “rising country pow“hoping for somewhere warm.” ers” such as Brazil, India and College officials, including Dean Nigeria; forming alliances with of Faculty Christina Bucher, found other organizations that send Quigley through the Woodrow volunteers overseas; and “beWilson Visiting Fellow Program, ing much more nimble in [the an organization sponsored by the U.S’s] use sof technology.” HavCouncil of Independent Colleges ing the support of the nation’s (CIC). The program includes 125 president, Quigley said, will fellows, who are people of promitruly make a difference and nence in their fields who are not help to transform these ideas involved in academia, such as notinto reality. for-profit association professionals, Courtesy Photo politicians or journalists.

“E d u c at e f o r S e r v i c e ,” Etown’s motto, rings true for National Peace Corps Association As CIC Program Manager Mipresident and CEO, Kevin Quigley spoke several members of the Colchelle Friedman explains, colleges to Etown studens. He talked about lege community who have wanting to host a fellow must apply Obama’s Public Service Agenda and its served or plan to serve in the effect on the Peace Corps. and can specify certain criteria (i.e.

Peace Corps. Provost Dr. Suan expert on African history). CIC san Traverso lived in Morocco and the Visiting Fellow Program from 1983 to 1985, teaching English to high school then try to match a fellow with the college as accurately students. She first became inspired to serve others as possible. The goal is to generate dialogues between because of her own fortunate circumstances. those involved in academics and those in outside fields, “I felt that when you have privileges, you have exposing students and faculty to ideas and perspectives obligations as well,” she said. She tries to encourage they may not be getting in the classroom. students to join the Peace Corps, citing financial For Quigley, the chance to interact with students incentives such as loan deferment and personal and staff at liberal arts schools is one he values. As a gains, such as better career opportunities. Traverso literature major with minors in history and religion, acknowledges that it is difficult for young people he originally intended to teach at a college similar to to commit to a cause so far from home for two or Etown. Since his journey has led him elsewhere, he more years. However, she said, “Sometimes the most compares his career path to Robert Frost’s poem “The challenging choices we make are the most reward- Road Not Taken.” Quigley enjoys the opportunity ing ones.” to meet and connect with college students. “Young Senior Jess Pandolfino, who plans to join the Peace people ask me what you can do with a liberal arts Corps after graduation, says she wants “to get a better education,” Quigley said, “and I answer, ‘Anything sense of [herself].” She would like to use the skills she is and everything.’”

on campus

Res. Life office offers alternative spring break to D.C. Abigail R. Kramer Sports Editor

S

pending a week in a basement isn’t the ideal spring break trip that most college students seek. However, for several Etown students a basement will be their home from March 1-7. Residence Life Area Coordinator Joey Allen will lead a group of students to Washington, D.C., to participate in several social justice programs throughout the week.

The group will stay at the Pilgrimage, a hostel beneath the Church of the Pilgrims in downtown D.C. The Pilgrimage was founded in 1973 specifically to house service organizations to stay. Along with providing dormitory-style boarding, the Church of the Pilgrims organizes specific service trips for the groups.

“I used to go there with my college, and that’s how I got introduced to it,” Allen said. “I went four times [at the University of North Carolina-Greensburo], but this will be my first with Etown.”

Bringing the Pilgrimage service trip is something that Allen has been working on for the past three years. According to Allen, it’s an experience that won’t be forgotten.

“This trip is different a most typical spring break trips. It provides students with somewhere different to go. Not every student wants to go home for break or go party in Cancun,” Allen said. “It’s going to be constructive. For every new person going, it is an once-in-a-lifetime, eye-opening experience. It’s really neat to see how students progress from when they first arrive to the time they leave.”

What’s different about this service trip is that it will provide participants with an up-close look at styles of living that students are not used to seeing on a daily basis.

Unlike most community service this trip offers students a chance to see the distribution process of service first-hand. The main areas that students will be participating in will be hunger, homelessness and HIV/AIDS awareness.

Assisting Allen with the trip is junior Autumn Metcalf. She was asked by Allen to be a student leader for the trip. Since Metcalf has actively participated in community service since she was in high school, she knew this trip would be a fun and great opportunity in which to get involved.

“I’ve been doing social justice work for a while. My high school was located closer to the D.C. area, and I got really involved helping in urban areas,” Metcalf said. “Since

Etown isn’t exactly near a city, it’s a great opportunity to get involved in areas we aren’t as used to.”

According to Allen, this will be the first chance for some students to get that first hand experience in an urban environment.

“I’ve never dealt with the homeless and people who are in need like that before,” sophomore Adam Reece said. Reece, along with 19 other students, will be participating in the trip. “I’m a little nervous, but I think it’s good to have that anxiety.”

This will be Reece’s first service trip. He looks at it at like mission trip, which is something that he has always wanted to do.

“It didn’t matter to me where the location was. I would’ve gone anywhere,” he said.

Though the trip will include many activities, students will have free time to explore the city. They have a open day built into their schedule, and Allen is working on getting the group a tour of the White House during that time slot. They also will be meeting with the local Lancaster representative, Joe Pitts.

“I always take every opportunity I get to go and help in the D.C. area,” Metcalf said. “I’m really excited for it.”

Whether it’s the intense volunteering that will take place or simply just the adventure in itself, Allen ensures that the memories made from the experience are “unlike any other.”

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6

features

the Etownian

February 12, 2009

on campus

The

Jayd-ed edge

Rachel A. Marsteller Features Editor

Sweet deal!

Police say an Ohio teenager tried to pull off a sweet deal by ordering more than $37,000 of candy online and charging the bill to his former high school.

Police say the 18-year-old used a Middletown High School purchasing number to place orders for thousands of lollipops and candy bars from Michigan-based The Goodies Factory.

The candy company became suspicious, contacted the school, and was told by detectives to send an empty box.

The teen faces two counts of felony telecommunications fraud.

He is being held in Middletown City Jail on a $30,000 bond.

911 busy Authorities said a man was arrested after calling 911 Saturday to complain that a fast food restaurant ran out of lemonade. After a drivethrough employee failed to respond to the man’s threat of contacting the police, the irate diner called 911, a police report alleges.

He spent about five minutes talking to the 911 operator.

The man was charged with abuse of 911 communication.

In a separate issue, authorities said a 40-year-old man was arrested for calling 911 to complain about a convenience store clerk.

Officials said a convenience store clerk called 911 early Saturday morning and told the dispatcher that a customer was threatening her because she would not sell him any more beer. Minutes later, the man called 911 and was “abusive” to the dispatcher.

Deer knows where to go Workers at an Ohio pet shop are used to worried pet owners bringing their animals in to be treated at the store’s clinic.

But last Saturday, an unaccompanied visit by a deer to the PetSmart in Rossfield was a first for the store.

Manager Trudi Urie says the wounded doe was hanging out behind the store and then ran through an open door into a stockroom.

Staff members ensured the animal couldn’t enter the shop area and called police and a veterinarian.

A staff member had the deer brought into the clinic and closed a wound on its hind leg with dissolvable stitches.

Following the procedure, the animal was released back into the wild.

Compiled from myway.com.

Alumni talks about ‘Life after Etown’ Patricia Cangelosi Staff Writer

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egan Policicchio and Jeff Taylor, 2007 Etown graduates, presented their version of “Life After Etown” in Hoover Friday, Feb. 6. An audience of about 50 students and faculty attended. Both grads majored in business administration, but their presentation could apply to any student thinking about finding a job after college.

Policicchio, with a concentration in marketing and a minor in psychology, originally planned to find a job closer to her Michigan home but met with little success. She e-mailed Dr. Edward Chung, an Etown business professor, and he advised her to search in the Washington D.C. area.

Through online research and participation in the American Marketing Association (AMA), Policicchio obtained a position as a research coordinator for Corporate Executive Board. “It didn’t fit my personality or what I was looking for in a long-term career,” she said.

Pursuing interests in environmental awareness and volunteering, she began to search the non-profit sector, which offers many opportunities in the D.C. area. Drawing on AMA, online research and bulletins, Policicchio discovered a smaller company called World Wildlife Fund (WWF), where she currently works.

The goals of WWF include preserving nature, protecting populations of plants and animals, and advocating more efficient ways to use energy and resources.

Although her first job would have, in time, offered higher pay, she is happier with the one she now holds.

“You have to rank what you think is most valuable,” she said, adding that

“working for a cause” is more fulfilling for her than working for a large paycheck.

Taylor, who also had a concentration in marketing, took a somewhat different approach to finding a job after Etown. His plan was first to find the ideal company and then search for openings within that company.

He did this by researching on sites such as Google, LinkedIn and even Facebook.

Before graduation Taylor decided that he wanted to work for Kellogg’s. He went to Career Services to ask if a Kellogg’s representative would attend any Etown job fairs, and found some very useful information: essentially any student can attend any job fair, regardless of school affiliations.

An excited Taylor drove an hour and a half to Philadelphia, where the Kellogg’s representative was quite impressed. Taylor ended up getting a job at the company and relocated to Tallahassee, Fl., soon after graduation. However, like Policicchio, Taylor realized after a while that this first job wasn’t for him. He moved back to his home in Boston and asked the critical question: “What would I want to spend my day doing?”

The Internet was among his top interests, so Taylor started to look for a Marketing job that involved the web. Again he searched using Google and Facebook (“Keep your profile somewhat clean and normal,” he advised to find and contact potential employers. He discovered a company called New Media Strategies that seemed to fit what he wanted. He wrote on the wall for the company’s Facebook page to request an informational interview, which led to his current position there as an online analyst. The company works on Web development for larger companies, showing them new ways to

promote their products and services.

Policicchio and Taylor, like most college grads, did not find jobs they loved right after graduation. Both agree that this is nothing to worry about. “Don’t be afraid to try something out for a while,” Policicchio said. “If you don’t like it, you’ll always learn from the experience and can move on to something else.”

This year’s Etown seniors take these words to heart. “It’s all about staying positive and being confident that there is a job for you out there,” senior theatre and communications major Elyse Venturella said.

Her struggle is with job postings that need to be filled immediately, when she is not able to start until May. However, the College’s Career Services department has been “extremely helpful” for Venturella in formatting her resume and networking with alumni.

Because of this and her academic experience at Etown, Venturella said, “I feel prepared because I know what I’m searching for.”

Mary Krikorian, Career Services’ outreach and alumni liaison, advises anyone looking for a job in today’s economy to “use as many tools and techniques as possible.”

For Etown students, she strongly recommends Jobs for Jays, a free online service available through the Career Services Web site. Students who sign up will receive an e-mail every two weeks with the latest job and internship postings in any field he or she chooses. Krikorian, like Policicchio and Taylor, noted that most students don’t know what they want to do. At least a third of college students change their major at least once, she said, and the average American changes careers three to seven times in a lifetime. “With most majors, there are more things you can do than you can’t do,” she said.

on campus

‘A South Divided’ nominated for award Huntley C. McGowan Assistant Layout Editor

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here are many accomplished professors on our campus. Recently Dr. David Downing, R. W. Schlosser professor of English, was nominated for the 2008 Lincoln Prize, which is administered by the Civil War Institute at Gettysburg College. It is a $50,000 prize for the best non-fiction book of the year about the American Civil War. There were two winners last year: James Oakes, for his book on Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, and Elizabeth Pryor, for a new biography of Robert E. Lee. “There are several dozen nominees each year. But, as the saying goes, ‘It's an honor just to be nominated,” Downing said.

Downing’s book is called “A South Divided: Portraits of Dissent in the Confederacy.” Lots of hard work and research are required to write such a highly-acclaimed book as Downing’s.

“I began serious research and writing on the book in the summer of 2003, when I took a research tour down south and talked to dozens of local historians and Civil War buffs in places such as Richmond, Va., Charleston, S.C., Savannah, Ga., and Asheville, N.C.,” Downing said. “I set the project aside for the next two summers, as I got offers from two different publishers to write books on C. S. Lewis in 2004 and 2005 because of all the interest generated by the first Narnia film, ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.’ Then, in the summer of 2006, I went back and finished ‘A South Divided’.”

The book is popular history, mainly for Civil War buffs who want to know more about what was taking place behind the battle lines. Downing tried to write the book as "creative nonfiction," using the novelistic techniques of description, dramatic tension and even some dialogue to try and make individual stories come to life.

“I called my book ‘A South Divided’ because I wanted to por-

tray all the Southerners who were in the Confederacy, but not of it. These were people who didn't agree that the South should go to war over states’ rights or slavery. I wrote about more than 180,000 Southern blacks (mostly former slaves) and 100,000 Southern whites who joined the Union cause, sometimes fighting against their own neighbors or family members,” Downing said. “There are a lot of fascinating individual stories — a young slave in South Carolina who commandeered a Confederate warship, a Quaker woman in Virginia who served as a Union spy, and many others who fought their own private wars behind the battle lines.”

“I was reading the memoirs of General Grenville Dodge, one of General Sherman's commanders in the famous March to the Sea. General Dodge mentioned that Sherman's headquarters escort was the ‘First Alabama Cavalry, U. S. A.’ That looked to me like a misprint: ‘First Alabama Cavalry, U. S. A.?’ One would expect it to say ‘C. S. A.’ for ‘Confederate States of America.’ When I looked into it further, I discovered there really was a whole regiment of Alabamians, 2,000 strong, in the Union cavalry — mostly mountain folk who didn't own slaves,” Downing said. “As I researched those Alabamians in the federal army, I kept running across more and more interesting stories.”

Right now Downing is also working on a book tentatively titled “They Didn't Fade Away: The Adventures of Civil War Leaders after the Guns Fell Silent”. When asked what his next book was about, he replied, “Everybody's heard of Civil War leaders like Ulysses S. Grant, who became the nation's president, and George Custer, the Indian fighter defeated at Little Big Horn. But other Civil War leaders became famous arctic explorers, best-selling authors and captains of industry. Still others became foreign mercenaries in the Middle East, notorious outlaws out West — or secret leaders of the Ku Klux Klan.

I think there are a lot of untold stories there, a kind of sequel to ‘A South Divided’."

February 12, 2009

campus life

movies • music • television • humor • travel

the

Etownian

7

lifestyles • arts • advice • college issues

Photos: Matthew P. Butera

concert review

Flint show brings groovy tunes to Event Space, Soul Café Peter S. Northrop Assistant News Editor

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he Event Space was alive and rocking Wednesday night when past and present Etown student bands Cleanfall and Flint came to play at the Soul Café.

The concert was casually attended.

The designers of the event utilized a Valentine’s Day theme. The room was filled with round tables covered with redand-white tablecloths, along with crayons, playing cards and pink bottles of bubble solution to keep attendees entertained.

Off to the side, attendees enjoyed a make-your-own-cookie bar featuring heart-shaped sugar cookies, two types of icing and a plethora of sprinkles.

Coffee and tea were also provided.

Flint took the stage. Flint is a band of current Etown students, headed by junior Todd Lewellen.

Lewellen played guitar and provided the lead vocals for the group. Flint’s musical style consisted of calm, folky riffs accompanied by Lewellen’s serene singing.

Their lyrics are all tranquil, yet passionate and heartfelt. It was easy to tell just how honest Lewellen was with his vocals. The band’s instruments ranged from the typical guitars, bass and drums to bongos and the occasional ukulele. The result was a quiet

yet bright folk-rock experience that all as they sang. The rest of the room was concert-goers enjoyed. spotted with red undertones.

Flint was also enthusiastic about Flint’s “Top of the World” was easily audience participation. At the outset, the most beautiful song of the night. It Lewellen announced it was the birthday was initially a solo sung by Lewellen. of an audience member and tried to Of the song, he remarked, “Yeah, engage the audience in celebration.

I wrote this two weeks ago … durMore people piled into the Event ing a fire alarm. So be happy I wasn’t Space while sl e e pi ng .”

Flint played Most of the their houraudience long set. Most seemed to talked quietly be overas the band joyed by p erformed, that fact. causing a After mild din to Flint vacatbuild up ed the stage, against Flint’s the alumcalm music. ni band O t h e r Cleanfall p e opl e l i s began to Image: facebook.com/pages/flint tened while perform. still others Flint is a student band at Eizabethtown College. They Check recently performed at Soul Café, Feb 11. drew on the out the tables. Some prof i l e i n folks were even caught doing home- this issue’s Features section for more work. information on the band’s history.

The concert was superbly lit. Small Cleanfall’s style was far louder and yellow pinpoints of light spun across ambient than Flint’s. They rocked the the room against a backdrop of yel- Event Space. Cheers from loyal fans low archaic symbols. Lewellen and his accompanied their loud style of rock. compatriots appeared to shine on stage The band played songs off of their

recently released album “Idle Talk,” which they sold after the concert.

They also made sure to let the concert-goers know their CD is available on iTunes.

Some songs called for bassist Will Secrist to scream into the mic as vocalist Matthew Collins continued singing.

Cleanfall’s music is also quicker and more energetic, though Collins and Lewellen have similar singing styles — both are soft and reserved.

All in all, this Valentine’s-Daythemed Soul Café was a success. Considering it occurred Wednesday night, with competition with TV shows such as “Lost” and “Top Chef,” it was good to see that people were eager to support fellow students and alumni in their musical pursuits.

While some people in attendance were unresponsive, the crowd was, for the most part, happy to be there and made sure that the bands knew it. The Soul Café program is a continuous program and more events are planned for this year.

For more information on Flint, feel free to check out their Web site at http://www. facebook.com/pages/Flint/41926670988.

For more information on Cleanfall, please check out their Web site, www.myspace. com/cleanfallband.

10

campus life

the Etownian

February 12, 2009

club happenings

OSA sponsors “positive-Wii” exciting research campaign Jamie L. Bartolino Assistant Editor

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his semester, the Office of Student Activities (OSA) wants to deliver a message to the College: “Wii want your input.”

OSA director Toni Kupchella and a committee of researchers are conducting a campaign to measure the campus-wide perception of both OSA and the student-run entertainment group SWEET. In efforts to raise audience interest, several Wii game systems will be awarded throughout the campaign.

According to Kupchella, the research campaign has two major goals: to collect data regarding the scope of programming for both OSA and SWEET, as well as to understand the perceptions of programmatic needs regarding student activities at Etown, according to Kupchella. The research committee, comprised of four current members of SWEET and four OSA student assistants, is headed by Kupchella. Junior Carmen Fusco, a recent addition to the team, serves as the publicity chair.

A series of individual research events will take place before the end of April. These offer students, staff, faculty and

administration to voice their opinions and needs.

Focus group discussions will be held in each residence hall and the Schreiber Quadrangles on Feb. 16, 17, 23 and 24. Students living in SDLC’s are invited to attend the focus group located in the quads.

At each of these focus groups, as a reward for attendance and participation, students who partake in the discussion and provide input will have a chance to win either a Wii system or $250 in cash reward by winner’s preference. In addition, focus group meetings will provide free pizza for all attendees regardless of their level of participation in the discussion. The Office of Student Activities has set aside funding to cover both the Wii systems and other prizes, as well as refreshments provided at dorm focus groups.

These prizes, according to Fusco, should serve as incentive to students hesitant to attend the meetings.

“With this campaign, we’re more concerned with getting a little information from more students than receiving a lot of feedback from just a few,” Fusco said. “There are a lot of incentives for students to participate throughout the whole thing. We are offering different forums to

make it less inconvenient.”

The second part of the campaign involves two separate town hall-style meetings, both of which will award a Wii system or the choice of $250 as a raffle winning. The first of the two meetings is scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 in the Event Space. The second will occur in early to mid April. Door prizes, in addition to the Wii gift offering, will be awarded.

The town hall meetings are open to the entire campus community, representing the voices of students, faculty, staff and administration all at once.

Also coming as part of the campaign is a student survey, expected to be implemented shortly after spring break. The survey will ask more detailed questions about students’ expectations and perceptions of OSA and SWEET, and it will render all participants eligible for a $50 gift card.

At the same time, a separate survey will be administered to faculty, staff and administration. Finally, personal interviews between the research committee and members of Senior Staff, key personnel and perhaps academic department chairs, depending on the availability of each. The interviews will be held to adequately

balance the perceptions of students with administration.

“There are standards for how campus activities should support the educational experiences of the students, and this will be the focus of these interviews,” Kupchella said.

Throughout the entire campaign, a comment box will be placed in a currently undetermined location to provide campus members with one last chance to express their opinions.

The research efforts aim to answer questions about exactly who students understand both OSA and SWEET to be, and how these organizations can better meet the programming and entertainment expectations of the student body and faculty.

“Students really care about student activities, and I hope they show that support by attending the activities we’ve planned,” Kupchella said. “We really try to stay connected to what students are talking about.”

In light of the current economic status, a common concern is whether the College will be able to afford any additional funding required as student programming develops.

“Budget is currently an uncertainty. In times of economic hardship, decisions must be made regarding the priorities

of any institution. Student support [for this campaign] would really make a statement that student activities are important to the campus,” Kupchella said.

By the end of the campaign, she hopes to have an effective method for the creation or redivision of our student entertainment groups.

“The research is future focused talking about what the students would like to see on campus in the future and not so much focused on past event evaluation,” Kupchella said.

Wh e n a s ke d ab out t h e chance of a merge between SWEET and OSA, Kupchella said it is always a possibility.

“If the data shows that it would be beneficial, we’ll look into that,” Kupchella said.

Most importantly, the campaign is intended by its committee to be a fun, relaxed way for the College community to open up about their future expectations. Both OSA and SWEET dedicate themselves to hearing and responding to the voices of students.

“This is meant to be a fun process,” Kupchella said. “We want to get to the heart of the matter: what will get students out of their residence halls and doing something. We’re very open to feedback.”

location review

Stolen games, controllers makes fun MIA in Birdcage Laura E. Kuserk Staff Writer

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ast spring, Elizabethtown College finally figured out what to do with the communter lounge in the BSC outside of the dance studio and Tempest Theatre.

After applying a fresh coat of paint and getting new furniture, the College unveiled the Birdcage.

The Birdcage is a space where students can relax or play games. Etown has provided students with a pool table, ping pong table, and foosball table.

There are also several board games

Photos: Christopher A. Tjaden

and puzzles including Battleship, Guess door saying, “Wii control missing.

Who and Chinese Checkers. However, Please return.” If anyone has any since the opening, a few of the board knowledge of the whereabouts of the games have gone missing.

Wii controllers, please return them to “I want to know what happened to the Birdcage for student use. the rest of the board Some stugames,” senior Katdents only lyn Howes said. “I use the space thought Etown was on rare occaa place where people sions. “I hondidn’t steal things.” estly don’t Hanging promiuse it unless nently on the wall I’m waiting for is a large flat screen dance practice,” television where sophomore Mestudents can lissa Fitts said. gather to “But I do know w atch t he i r a lot of people The Bird Cage is a game room/lounge f a v o r i t e that houses games and other forms of do. Some people shows. entertainment for the student body. This have ping pong Earlier this room was once the commuter lounge. tournaments.” year, a viewThe Bi rd ing party was cage has come organized to watch the Phillies a long way from being just a random win the World Series. A Nintendo space. Students can now refer to it by Wii system is also hooked up to name instead of just saying “that place the TV. outside the dance studio.”

“I like the Wii system,“ junior It has also been an opportunity for Leighanne Spitzer said. “My student artists like Katie Kressler, and roommate and I come to play Wii other painters to showcase their skills bowling all the time.” with a mural painting of blue jays and However, like the board games, popular buildings on campus. the Wii system has also been subThe theater department has decoject to theft. A bright neon green rated the hallway with posters and sign is now taped to the cabinet photos from past performances.

Despite some minor issues, the Birdcage has been a successful use of space on campus.

With several board games, electronic games and of course the ever-popular pool and ping pong tables, it has become a hideaway for students who want to escape studying, papers and roommates. In being one of the newest additions to Etown, it is certainly one of the most relaxing.

Editors Note: Due to the mixed reactions to last weeks Body shop article, the Etownian is welcoming letters to the editor to run in the opinion section. Letters can be sent to EDITOR@etown.edu.

campus life

February 12, 2009

the Etownian

event review

Lil’ Sibs, stampeding good time Elizabeth C. Kirk Campus Life Editor Michael D. Steiner Assistant Sports Editor

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il’ Sibs weekend 2009 started off like a Bolt … or a stampede? The Lil’ Sibs “Bolt into Etown” theme was cut short when the release date for the movie “Bolt” changed and the quick-thinking OSA staff had to show another kid-friendly movie, “Madagascar 2.”

The weekend, which allows Elizabethtown C o l l e ge s tu d e nt s t o bring younger siblings or other relatives (for the “sibs-less” people out there) to the campus to stay from Friday night until Sunday, offered activities which ranged from coloring to a Super Powers fair that took place in Thompson Gym later Saturday.

This year’s sibling weekend was held from Feb. 6 - 8 and was organized by the entire OSA staff, who were involved throughout the entire planning process.

This event occurs biennially, and the college participants are charged a small fee per sib (only $5, which can be charged to your student ID) to pay for the small arts-and-craft

activities, as well as the extras involved in the theme. Shirts are also sold for the event, so Big Sibs and Lil’ Sibs can match for the weekend.

As mentioned, this particular weekend was themed around the kids’ movie “Bolt” and included the Super Powers fair and coloring pages themed around the movie. The surprise change to “Madagascar 2” constituted no thematic changes, only a differentiation

Image: jpegwallpapers.com

OSA had scheduled, complete with crazy racing trikes and kid-friendly inflatable devices. OSA also provided vouchers for the sibs to have Sunday brunch on campus so students could save their meal swipes or precious Jay Bucks.

Students could have also traveled to Hershey’s C ho col ate World w it h their sibs to take advantage of the fun, free chocolate ride, and the opportunity to ply their small counterImage: etown.edu/OSA parts with as much candy and milk shakes as physiin the options for coloring cally possible before sending pages — there were still some them home the following day.

“Bolt” pages mixed in.

In the end, Sunday came — The only negative aspect and crying, stubborn children of the weekend was the poor who did not want to leave were quality of the morning arts and found all over campus with excrafts time. The staff was inat- asperated (yet relaxed) parents tentive, and the crafts included dragging them into cars. Ready paper bag puppets or coloring. for the next OSA-sponsored Past years have included mak- Lil’ Sibs weekend, students ing buildings for E-Tropolis relax … and wait. and building race cars to allow the sibs to “Race into Etown.”

Along with the main themes of past years, sibs and their college counterparts could make picture frames, construction paper flags (to cheer on your The Etownian would like race car, obviously) and an arto remind you about the ray of other fun and interesting “Amish Grace” author v. projects. critics panel taking place According to the students tonight in the Bucher who attended, the Super PowMeetinghouse at 7pm. ers Fair went a bit better than the arts-and-crafts time that

11

The List

hot new trends worthy of obsession

Jameson C. Rohrer Copy Editor

F

or dudes: The quick version: everything that was fashion-forward last year is now fashionable. Fashionable stuff is presently mainstream. Classic nonsense like white oxfords and selvedge denim are perennially cool.

On the footwear front, Sperry TopSiders and desert boots will grow more and more common, following cardigan sweaters and western-style shirts back into shopping malls and residence halls.

You might notice more adventurous students adopting shawl-collar blazers, knit ties and even Chelsea boots. On the runways, designers are moving back towards roomy clothing with lots of unbuttoning, so don’t be afraid to loosen up your (Bengal-striped) shirt a bit.

Navy is the new gray; boutiques like Urban Outfitters and Banana Republic are promoting the color heavily. Ex- pect to see it more on television and in the movies. The stars will wear navy blue one-button suits, though you probably won’t see them on anyone in Etown.

Event Reminder:

Image: laughingplace.com

Etownian Opportunities Do you like to write?

Are you creative?

Do you like to take pictures?

Are you good with computers?

THEN THE ETOWNIAN IS FOR YOU! We are currently looking for new staff writers and staff photographers.

Email us at EDITOR@etown.edu or\visit our Web site at www.etownian.com to apply

Elizabeth C. Kirk Campus Life Editor

F

or the betties out there: Think of what used to be ugly and multiply it by 10. Rewind to the ‘80s and apply a kissable pout to your lips. Voilà!

Once again, Uggs are one of the front runners for your feet this year, followed swiftly by the gladiator-inspired sandals we saw last year. Gladiator straps on any shoe – boots, sandals and even wedges — have sprung to life for spring.

Long sweaters in neon colors are hitting spring again; find your favorite “Flash Dance” inspired color and cross your fingers it passes your knees — don a belt and you’re ready for the town. If your sweater isn’t long enough, remember that leggings aren’t lagging behind anymore – even the stars are showing off their stems in some rowdy, ‘80s-inspired clothes.

Denim leggings, which can be found at Urban Outfitters, are all the rage around the world.

Lastly, don’t be shy this year. Get out your animal prints (faux, of course) and bright colors, pair them with some gladiators or a pair of the Cardi Uggs (I’d like a pair in black, please), and head on out the door!

Images: thepreppyprincess.wordpress.com, backcountry.com, popculturepost.com, styleforum.net, examiner.com, otherclothing. co.uk, hotmamadaily.com, thefashionpolice.net, 0ld.net

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opinion

the Etownian

campus controversies • letters to the editor

d n ou

S Off

What should be in our country’s economic stimulus package?

by Matthew P. Butera

Melanie Sturm Class of 2012 “A portion should be put toward aid for college students.”

Graham Stokes Class of 2009 “Some should definitely go to cars because they are failing miserably.”

Tom Hagerty Class of 2011 “I feel that we should invest in renewable resources so we don’t suck the earth dry.”

Shannon Brown Class of 2012 “Let’s put some into the Arts, for tourists. It will be a win-win situation for everyone.”

February 12, 2009 national debate • our take • guest columns

in the nation

Smoking cannabis no longer that serious Craig H. Meaney Assistant Features Editor

L

eave Michael Phelps alone.

If 14 Olympic gold medals don’t qualify you to smoke a little reefer, then what does?

Oh yeah, nothing does. It’s illegal.

I can only imagine the dismay of students over at the University of South Carolina when they found that one of their own has cast the beloved Phelps into the throngs of British tabloids.

I wonder how much the photographer was paid to tarnish the reputation of an American icon. It must have been worth it; who deserves freedom of choice anyway?

Phelps even apologized for his behavior. Err, well, kind of: “I engaged in behavior which was regrettable and demonstrated bad judgment.

“I’m 23 years old, and despite the successes I’ve had in the pool, I acted in a youthful and inappropriate way, not in a manner people have come to expect from me. For this, I am sorry. I promise my fans and the public it will not happen again,” he said.

So here the 23-year-old is, apologizing for acting youthful? How dare he? Doesn’t he know that the minute you find yourself in the public eye, you are stripped of every shred of privacy? Only “normal” adolescents are allowed to make bad decisions.

“It’s not a shock. It shows that American icons are human, too. In today’s society, I feel like it’s more common for a 23-year-old to smoke pot than to not — or at least to have tried it once,” first-year Matt Freedman said.

In the United States, 47.4 percent of college students and 56.7 percent of young adults have reported using marijuana once in their lifetime, according to a 2007 survey by the Office of the National Control Policy (ONDCP). Let’s define morality by what is culturally normal for a second here.

Why should we subject people like Phelps to this kind of scrutiny when roughly half of our population has done the

same exact thing? Aside from perhaps advertising contracts and youth influence, why should Phelps and others like him have to endure added pressure to behave morally?

Some may call this phenomenon a double standard. The 13-year-old who catches Phelps’ face on his Wheaties box in the morning won’t necessarily think it’s going to earn him some Olympic fame to smoke a joint. After all, the ONDCP notes that, in 2008, 15 percent of eighth graders had already tried pot. The influence Phelps may contribute is miniscule in comparison to that which is already existent in secondary schools and the media.

Phelps’ advertising demographic is likely to remain untarnished in the wake of his “youthful mistake.” I would even dare to say that his fellow 20-year-olds might have gotten a nice laugh from the whole ordeal.

And if corporate America decides to halt his sponsorships (like Kelloggs already did) what will this mean for Mike financially? Will he be unable to reach his $100 million sponsorship-earning goal for the ’08 Olympics?!

Lucky for Phelps, he’s still got some sweet watches (and a steady cash flow) from the Swiss manufacturer Omega.

He’ll scrape by.

I think we’re living in a time where many of the stereotypes associated with marijuana use are being torn away. I mean, the messianic figure (as far as Democrats are concerned) otherwise known as President Obama has smoked weed. Even Mayor Bloomberg has hit the bong. Once called lazy, stupid and un-aspiring, pot-smokers are now receiving Olympic gold medals. They are becoming the president of the United States.

If you ask me (and I know, you didn’t), the proverbial “war on drugs” has gone on for too long, at least as far as marijuana’s concerned.

Nix the stimulus plan; let’s legalize mildly psychotropic drugs and tax them more than we do cigarettes. Maybe the new generation will be a bit dumber, but we may have some gifted artists to boot.

letter to the editor

Equipment effective despite appearance I n response to Elizabeth C. Kirk’s Feb. 5 article entitled “Broken, filthy machinery ruins Body Shop atmosphere,” I’d like to offer up a counter opinion that speaks more from the perspective that not all appearances matter. I’ve been a staff member of Elizabethtown College for over three years and have used the Body Shop quite extensively over that span of employment.

When I first came here in 2005, there was about one exercise machine per type (maybe there were two bikes), one weight bench and a far less kempt look about the place. The new staff manager has done an excellent job in bringing a much greater selection of exercise equipment, new padding, and better organization to the free gym (not to mention increased hours for staff and faculty during many semester breaks).

Let’s go over that again: free gym. I can’t emphasize enough the advantage of having a fully-stocked workout room available to you at all hours of the day.

I’ve paid professional gym membership Make sure to check out the Sound Off poll and the opportunity to comment on articles on our Web site: www.etownian.com

fees, and it’s not a cheap undertaking. The cost to keep yourself in shape can quickly spiral out of control and deflate the whole purpose of staying healthy when it makes your checking account very sick.

That said, to see some of the equipment broken down and the general area not as clean as one might like is a bit disheartening. While it would be nice if the student employees took a bit more responsibility with their charges during work hours, it can be understandable that they already have quite a bit on their plate.

Wiping down exercise machines would probably not make the top of the priority list when you have three term papers and a biology test the next week. I have noticed that the staff members who also use the shop (either at the time they are working or just in general) tend to take a bit more pride in keeping things clean and tidy, and this is appreciated. Still, if it is your job to do something, you really might want to consider fulfilling the role for which you were hired.

Even if the outward condition of the Body Shop may not seem as pristine as your local Gold’s, it cannot be understated that the use of such a facility is immensely helpful. In this day and age it seems so many people have more

excuses for not doing something that is unequivocally beneficial to themselves.

Tacking on the appearance of a gym as a reason for not using what is there strikes me as just another one of those excuses. At the very least these articles will hopefully bring to light some of the problems the Body Shop has had over the years, but let’s not bemoan a fantastic resource for what it is.

Finally, to all of my fellow users of the Body Shop: try to clean up after yourselves. Whether it’s wiping down a machine you just used or putting weights back where they belong, this is really common courtesy and fifthgrade-level cleanliness. This goes especially for those that use the weights.

They all have homes, and so often I find weights of various shape and size strewn about in some strange reenactment of a Hansel and Gretel workout ballet. Perhaps it is simply a matter of being tired; if it is too much to ask to put the weights you used back where they belong, perchance your efforts of Herculean strength have left you too exhausted to return the weights back home and you may wish to consider scaling back your routine.

Humbly, Sam Rothermel Elizabethtown College staff

opinion

February 12, 2009

the Etownian

letter to the editor

Language placement exams beneficial to all J oelle E. Atkinson suggests that there is discontent among some students concerning the modern language department’s restrictions on enrollment in beginning-level language courses for students with prior formal instruction in that language. While we, the modern languages faculty, acknowledge that there may be some student frustration with our notification procedures, we should also like to take this opportunity to explain our rationale for placing restrictions on enrollment in our beginning language classes.

Here’s how the procedure works: currently, all students complete an online placement exam prior to enrolling in any French, German or Spanish class (students taking Chinese or Japanese need to contact the instructor). Students receive immediate results that confirm their appropriate placement.

Furthermore, the department reviews course rosters before

the start of the semester to ensure that students have enrolled in the correct course, thereby allowing sufficient time for students who are in an inappropriate class to switch levels and adjust their schedules. We do recognize that there may be a need to improve the way we relay these results, and we shall take steps to refine our methods of notification.

But why, you may ask, does modern languages department restrict ML 111 courses to students with little, or no, prior exposure? We do so partly because of concerns over fairness. Students who have studied a language, however imperfectly, have a serious advantage over true beginners. Quite understandably, such beginners expect a level playing field: they do not wish to be in the same class as those with considerable prior exposure to the language. For the sake of fairness, we strive to ensure that all students

placed into language classes are at a comparable level.

Students with a documented disability should get in touch with the department, as they may still be eligible to take an ML 111 course. However, those who intentionally hide their knowledge of a language on the placement exam are giving themselves an unfair advantage over true beginners.

Moreover, anybody who does so is violating the College’s Pledge of Integrity.

The department asks students deciding which language to study to consider the following points: which culture are you most curious about? How was your experience with foreign languages in high school?

If it was largely positive and you did well, you might consider continuing with that same language. If it was unpleasant and you encountered considerable difficulty, then you might want to think of taking another language.

Which language would best complement your major?

Study abroad is an exciting opportunity, and one that all of us in modern languages strongly encourage. If you plan to study at a site where language proficiency is required, then, rather than sitting bored and under-challenged in a class, you should try to build effectively upon your prior knowledge.

Our goal is not to “kick” you out of class and “bar” you from pursuing a particular language, but rather to place you appropriately. That way, rather than taking the easy way out, you can develop your language skills quickly and effectively. Only then can you learn the language and possibly go abroad to learn more about the perhaps already notquite-so-“foreign” culture of your choice.

Mark Harman, Chair On behalf of all faculty in Modern Languages.

staff column

No harm, no foul — I’ll miss you, George D ear George Bush, You probably just took breakfast up to Laura, and I think that’s really sweet.

I think you’re a genuinely sweet person.

Never mind what haters say; I think you’re a stand-up guy. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I hope the two of you enjoy your house in Preston Hollow.

Iraq was sort of a mess. I wouldn’t have invaded, but you made a call and stuck with it. No harm, no foul, right? In 40 years, when they’re manufacturing flying cars or whatever, we’ll all see you like we see Jimmy Carter. These things have a habit of working out.

The bunkum your man Gonzales

started with the U.S. Attorney appointments — that, right there, was ridiculous.

But he’s probably bringing Rebecca Turner some breakfast of her own right now.

Frankly, though, I’m a mite peevish about the way your administration’s Department of Justice mangled the Constitution. His midterm dismissal of seven U.S. Attorneys showed an unprecedented amount of partisan malarkey, and it makes me sick.

Gonzales is a Bad Man, and you shouldn’t be friends with him.

I don’t honestly mind your NSA surveillance claptrap, and I don’t even understand what you did to the Clean Air acts.

Gitmo overwhelms the moral ambiguities

in both. Shame on you. But that doesn’t make you a Bad Man. It makes you a human being, prone to thoughtlessness and mortal shortcoming just like everyone else. Don’t let it get you down.

Honestly, Mr. Bush, you’ve had a very good attitude through all of this. I hope that people don’t throw shoes at you when you visit Walgreens.

If you read this, I’d love to catch a football game or something. Thank you for being my president. I’m sorry that it didn’t work out.

Later bud!

Jameson C. Rohrer Copy Editor

in the nation

Make V-day about friends, family; not goods Khouri E. McGrann Assistant Opinion Editor

I

t is that time of year again. The time where guys wonder “Flowers? Chocolate? Both?” and girls consider which shoes (“The black ones? The red ones?”) they should wear out on their special evening.

It is Valentine’s Day, when young and old couples share kisses and singletons either bury their feelings in cynicism or smile at the merrymaking and go on their way.

Many claim that Valentine’s Day has become a “Hallmark holiday”: all sappy sayings and material trappings without any true emotion or sentiment to back them up. These people may argue that Valentine’s Day is just another reason to spend money, and, in some cases, they may be right.

On the other hand, many say that Valentine’s Day is a very important holiday. It is an opportunity for the nation to celebrate love and commitment. At least one day out of the year deserves to be set aside for times of reflection on these values. Let this day be a time for people to celebrate their love for one another.

I, personally, am a fan of Valentine’s Day. I enjoy it without any

by Jill Hugus strong sentiment for or against it. I think the day is an excellent time for couples to celebrate one another, and I would certainly

never turn down a free meal, but I do not need two pink bears that play Barry White every time their magnetic noses touch.

That is ridiculous.

I think it is up to whoever wants to celebrate Valentine’s Day to choose how to celebrate it. I do not believe that Valentine’s Day should only apply to dating relationships. It is a day to celebrate love! Everyone should spend some quality time with friends, family or a special someone, and reflect upon how much they love us and we love them.

So do I believe Valentine’s Day is just a commercial holiday?

No. I think love is incredibly important and should be celebrated.

However, I do think that American advertisement and media take it too far — as they always do, for everything. That cannot be helped, though, and my opinion on the Barry White bears is not going to stop them from being produced or people from buying them.

To each his or her own on Valentine’s Day. If you are all about big gestures and going all out, just like in the commercials, then go for it. If you prefer some quiet conversation over a homecooked meal, then go and rock that, too. If you are single (and even if you are not!), tell someone you love them. And if you love me, then please go buy me some Barry White bears, because I think they are ridiculous, but I absolutely love them anyway.

13

the Etownian the board

Editor in Chief Jennifer L. Tarr Managing Editor Shaleen A. Spulio Assistant Editor Jamie L. Bartolino News Editor Aidan E. Bauernschmidt Features Editor Rachel A. Marsteller Campus Life Editor Elizabeth C. Kirk Opinion Editor Christopher T. Care Sports Editor Abigail R. Kramer Photography Editor Kalie M. Desimone Copy Editors Katherine E. Blackman Jameson C. Rohrer Online Editor Steven E. Bicker Layout Editor E. Adam Quinn Assistant News Editor Peter S. Northrop Assistant Features Editor Craig H. Meaney Asst. Campus Life Editor Joelle E. Atkinson Assistant Opinion Editor Khouri E. McGrann Assistant Sports Editor Michael D. Steiner Asst. Photography Editor Matthew P. Butera Assistant Online Editor Your name could be here Assistant Copy Editors Aimée M. DiMichele Michael D. Moss Noelle A. Withelder Assistant Layout Editor Huntley C. McGowan Editorial Cartoonist Marshal N. Fettro Business Manager Anh P. Nguyen Asst. Business Manager Brittny E. McLaughlin Advertising Manager Elizabeth L. Cox Faculty Adviser Kirsten A. Johnson The Etownian is the student newspaper of Elizabethtown College. All editorial decisions are made by the student editors. With the exception of editorials, opinions presented here are those of quoted sources or signed authors, not of The Etownian or the College.

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

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

Submit letters to opinion@ etownian.com

14

the Etownian

sports

February 12, 2009

etown wrestling

Wrestlers still optimistic despite late losses in season Brielle E. Parady Staff Writer

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lizabethtown’s wrestling team ended the weekend on a good note, defeating Hunter College after falling short against Wilkes University and York College. The team anxiously awaits the Metropolitan Championships Sunday, Feb. 22.

Etown has had a rocky season, but remains optimistic despite past setbacks.

Throughout the season, the team has dealt with numerous injuries that have affected the outcome of many matches.

“We are relying on a lot of first-year students and asking them to fill in some pretty big shoes,” Walker said.

Even though there is added anxiety on the first-years, they have still maintained a positive outlook for championships.

“We’ve had some trouble coming together as a team, but this [past] weekend we started to really step it up and feed off of each others’ energy on the mat,” first-year Tim Goldkamp said.“With the postseason coming up soon, we’re starting

to work harder than we have all season.”

The Metropolitan Championships spots consist of the winner of the tournament as well as six wildcards voted on by coaches. These few will go on to nationals.

With the championships approaching, the men are preparing mentally and physically to do their best. Etown has a chance for a few of the team members to qualify for the championships, which would be a first since 2005.

“The team seems to be doing about average,” Walker said. “Although there have been injuries, Photo: Matthew P. Butera for the most part we are doing Junior Chris McCooey practices his moves against first-year about as expected with improveKenny Nakagawa.

The wrestlers are practicing for MACs on ment from some of the guys.”

Feb. 22.

Although this season hasn’t shown the full potential of Etown are,” sophomore J.R. Hewitt said. ferences and qualify multiple wrestlers, the team has collectively “We only graduate one senior wrestlers for nationals.” continued to improve between this year and are looking to While the team had several each match. bring in another talented group goals for this season, reaching The men believe that these of freshman next year.” a double-figure win was a preimprovements will be carried on “Our win over Messiah, season objective. throughout the next season. who was ranked top 30 in the Although the double-figure “We wrestled a lot of the country at the time, really win wasn’t attained this season, countries’ best D3 and D2 teams showed our potential. Indi- the men feel this is possible in this year and our record really vidually, we have the potential the near future. With the promdoesn’t show how talented we for everyone to place at con- ise of incoming first-years — and

hopefully less injuries — the team believes that their record will show the talent they possess this year.

As the season wraps up, the team begins to focus on the championship and their winning potential.

This season showed improvement on the team, and although it wasn’t reflected in their record, the team believes they did the best they could while working together.

They look forward to next season and hope they will have the chance to show their talent in accomplishing a double-figure win, which has not happened since the 1999-2000 season.

Etowns win over Hunger College gave them extra confidence about the championship ahead. sWinning a remarkable six out of nine bouts, the team hopes this will give them the strength needed to succeed in the nearing championships.

The wrestlers will take the next week to train before heading off to the championships.

The Metropolitan Championships will take place next weekend at York College.

etown swimming

Men and women prepare for championships this weekend Sara F. Neumann Staff Writer

Hagerty also stands out on the men’s team.

Last year at the MACs, Hagerty, then a first-year, managed to knock 34 seconds off his starting season ith less than a week until the Middle Atlantic time in the 500-freestyle, ending with an impressive Conference (MAC) Championships, the Blue time of 5:23.55 at the championships.

Jays’ swim team is wrapping up its final practices and But with only four team members competing this getting ready to head to Wilkes Barre, Pa., for the year, the men will be at a disadvantage in terms of competition. The team is slated to compete against numbers. Messiah College, however, will have 16 men rival school Messiah, as competiting, though it is only the well as Lycoming and Kings team’s first year.

Colleges, Misericordia and However, the Blue Jays are sure Susquehanna Universities. to put up a tough fight in all their Fourteen members from events, with Miller, Drob and the women’s team and four Hagerty leading the way. members from the men’s This is also the first year that team will compete in the the team is heading to the MACs MACs. They have been with DeHass, who teaches nearby practicing since the regular at Lancaster Bible College. season ended.

DeHass used to coach soccer “Practices have been a before coming to Etown to coach lot of work,” junior capthe swim team. tain Matt Drob said. The “From my side, there is a steep swimmers are currently learning curve to overcome,” Dein their taper, where they Hass said. drop off yardage and inHowever, with the season finstead focus on sprints. This ished and the team approaching maintains the conditionthe championships this weekend, ing they’ve built up over Photo: Matthew P. Butera it seems he managed to pull off a the season while also put- Taking a dive, (from left to right) junior Matt Drob, senior Laura Quigley, junior Dan Provence, successful season for the Blue Jays, ting better racing form for sophomore Becca Rose and first-year Amanda Martin practice their moves for upcomming as well as adequately prepare them the rigorous championship championships. The swim teams will compete at MACs this weekend, which will he held in for the MACs. events. While the practices Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Overall, the team is looking are physically demanding, forward to going to the MACs this sophomore captain Tom Hagerty admits they are The men’s team leaves for the MACs with a 2-11 coming Valentine’s Day weekend. also a lot of fun. record, but this won’t prevent them from improving “I can’t wait for MACs!” Hagerty said.

The women’s team enters MACs with an 8-6 record their fifth place finish from last year. Senior Chris “It’s always great to get everyone together from for the season­— their first winning season in 10 Miller leads the men, with a bronze medal under his the conference and get the highest level of competiyears. Last year, the team had two major highlights: belt from last year in the 500-yard freestyle. tion we can.” then-junior Gretchen Geiger won second place in two Drob, who had his best time at the MACs last The MAC championships will be held in Wilkesevents, and former sophomore Lindsay Riley took a year in the 100-yard freestyle, is also a front runner. Barre from Feb. 13-15.

W

gold medal in the 50-yard freestyle. This year, Coach Dan DeHass has expectations for the women to make a strong showing at MACs. According to DeHass, the greatest potential lies in the 100- and 200-yard breaststroke with Geiger. The only event that may give the Elizabethtown swim team trouble this year is the butterfly, which has been the weak stroke on both teams throughout the season.

sports

February 12, 2009

the Etownian

etown track and field

15

Relays participate in NYC; teams head to Dickinson Shana M. Mihovics Staff Writer

A

fter their successful performances at both the Penn State National Invitational and the Haverford Seamus McElligott Invitational last weekend, the men’s and women’s indoor track teams continued to excel at the New Balance Invitational Friday, Feb. 6.

The New Balance games gave the team the opportunity to run at a professional track and a different change of scenary.

“We did really well in New York,” first-year Kathryn Howser said. “It was a lof of fun warming up because instead of running around a college like we are used to, we got to see the city and dodge people on the sidewalks.”

Because of a large delay in the events, the women’s team was frustrated because they warmed up too early.

They women had to warm up again to make up for the time that they sat

waiting for the event.

So far, they’ve competed in the Ursinus Winter Invitational, Susquehanna Orange and Maroon Classic, Ursinus Collegeville Classic, Ursinus Pentathlon, the National Invitation at Penn State, and the Haverford McElligott Invitational. With the MACs approaching, the team is constantly working.

“We put in a lot of hard work, and everyone is always there cheering each other on,” first-year Nicole Lipari said.

Both the men’s and women’s teams participated in a variety of events, including the distance medley, which is made up of four different distance events ranging from the 400 m to the 1,600 m, with the 1,200 m and the 800 m in between. The athletes did an outstanding job in the distance medley followed by great performances in the other events, especially the women’s medley.

In this event, the team had their second best time in program history, compared to last week’s meet at

the Penn State National Invitational where they had their fifth best time in program history. The team consisted of seniors Chelsea Miles and Tiffany Kulp, junior Megan VanDenHengel, and Howser.

The teams have just two more meets and then they are on their way to the MAC Championships. As they get deeper into the season, the runners are trying to shave off every possible second off their times. In the field event area, the athletes are pushing themselves to get the best results possible.

The teams are always supporting each other as well. At practice, they have “buddy groups” where distance runners, sprinters and field events are put together in different clusters daily.

This forms a bond between all the team members. Instead of practicing in their individual areas every day, they are training together during the most vital time of the season.

The track teams seek motivation

and determination with the help of their coaches. Without the coaches’ help, the teams could not perform with such success.

“Every point counts,” Lipari said.

Even though track can be seen as an individual sport, every member of the team must do his or her part. The runners must push themselves to collapse over the finish line blinded by sweat, the jumpers must try whatever it takes to get that extra height, and the throwers must strive just as much to achieve that extra distance.

At the rate the teams are going now, they will most likely end the season with the same success with which they started the year.

For seven years in a row, the men’s track team has kept its indoor MAC title,so there is no doubt they will keep up the hard work.

Hopefully, the women will follow the success of their first-ever team championship in 2006.

etown men’s basketball

Men confident about end of season; look ahead to playoffs Joelle E. Atkinson Assistant Campus Life Editor Ross M. Benincasa Staff Writer

T

hese past few weeks have been rough for men’s basketball. Coming off of a loss at Messiah, the Blue Jays were once again ready for action this past Saturday at Widener University. The men overcame a seven-point deficit in the first half of the game.

They went on to lead by five in the second half before the Widener Pride gained an advantage. The final score was Widener 66, Etown 62.

Junior captain Mike Church scored eleven points to lead Etown for a majority of the game. A 12-2 run turned a Widener lead of 36-31 into 43-38 in favor of the Blue Jays, following a three-pointer by sophomore Keith Fogel.

Widener came back with seven of the next nine points, and the teams continued to trade the lead back and forth for quite some time.

Etown tied the game for a final time at 1:11, with a layup

by Chris Hill. However, the Pride gave up the ball on its final three possessions, and Bobby Edmunds hit two free throws with only 25 seconds left in the game.

“We played a solid game,” Church said. “It came down to a three minute stretch that we struggled under pressure [from the Pride]. They have the best record because they keep the pressure coming, but they should be worried to see us again.”

Fogel and sophomore Joe Flanagan each scored nine points for the Jays while senior Phil Schaffer recorded seven points, with seven rebounds and nine assists. O verall, Etown shot an average of 45.6 percent from the field and held an edge in rebounding with 35-27 over the Pride.

With only three games left in the season, players look back on past games as well as forward to the rest of the season. Their current 10-11 record may look unimpressive on paper, but considering five of those 11 games were lost by only single digits, Etown could be a team in position to compete realistically for the

conference crown.

“Our mindset is finishing up these last three games [with] wins, taking each game one day at a time,” sophomore Chris Hill said.

Although the men have lost their last three games, they are the favored to win the rest of their regular season matches, as they have beat each team earlier in the season.

Ultimately the real focus of the team are playoffs and the MAC championships.

“One of our main goals was to win our conference, which we still have a legitimate shot at,” coach Bob Schlosser said.

We always strive to play with high intensity and enthusiasm and

I believe we have done that on a consistent basis.”

The men f a c e d c on f e rence opponent Lycoming last night. The Jays defeated the Lions 76-56.

With the season winding Photo: Matthew P. Butera down, the men Junior Josh Houseal looks for a teammate appear more in a match against Albright College last focused and de- week.The Jays lost in overtime at home. termined than ever and hope to add a conference champion- to a season marked by constant ship trophy to the new cases determination from all the players and fans and a great precurin the JayWalk.

This would be the perfect end sor for the season to come.

Opening Days for Spring Sports Sun

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Baseball: @ Shenandoah

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Women’s LAX: vs. York

Softball: vs.

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sports

the Etownian

etown athletics • pro sports • ncaa coverage

February 12, 2009 high school football • olympics • analysis

etown women’s basketball

Ladies lose sixth straight; still have high hopes Thomas D. Hagerty Staff Writer

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he struggles have continued lately for the women’s basketball team. Thursday night, The College of New Jersey traveled to Thompson Gymnasium to take on the Lady Jays, who were already in the midst of a three-game losing streak.

TCNJ hit the ground running with their not-so-secret weapon, 6-foot-3 center Hillary Klimowicz. Klimowicz is a transfer from Saint Joseph’s University following her first-year campaign, when she was the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year.

The Blue Jays are not the only team to have problems against Klimowicz, as she leads the New Jersey Athletic Conference in points per game, rebounds, shooting percentage, and blocked shots.

“It’s not every day you play against a former Division I player. She had size and skill,” junior Courtney Kofeldt said.

The Lady Jays had to put TCNJ behind them quickly as they had another contest Saturday, traveling to Widener University to take on the Pride.

The Jays kept the game close, as they were only down three points with less than six minutes to play. The only problem was Elizabethtown’s shooting.

In the final minutes of the game, they only hit a pair of free throws by Megan Quinn.

out the rest of the way to even have a chance at the playoffs,” Toczylowski said. “We’ve been working really hard. I think we just need to lighten up a

one being our motivation and attitude coming into the game,” first-year player Teanna Ziegler said. “We’ve changed our warm-ups before games, and the coaches are now taking suggestions to help us improve in games. Hopefully, we will see something positive come out of it.”

Like Toczylowski, Ziegler knows the team needs to win its final three games for playoff possibilities, but she sees another reason that the team would benefit.

“I think it’s really important to end the season positively because we are losing three extremely strong assets to our team, and ending on a good note will give our returning players more confidence in the team for next season,” Ziegler said.

The women’s basketball team has three more chances to boost their confidence for next year and, more importantly, three more chances to get a shot at this year’s playoffs. They hosted Lycoming last night in Thompson Gymnasium. The ladies lost Photo: Matthew P. Butera the match 65-52.

Senior Jenn Montague takes a shot against the College of New Sophomore Megan StroJersey. The ladies will play Lebanon Valley this Saturday. hman finished the game with an impressive 17 points. She brings the team’s losing streak little and start having a little also had 7 rebounds.

The Lady Jays are back in to five. The Jays know that more fun.”

With a five game skid, some action this Saturday at Lebanow is the time to turn it around if they want to make kind of change is definitely non Valley College. They are needed. “We have been discuss- scheduled to take on the Flying the playoffs.

“It’s imperative for us to win ing things we need to change, Dutchmen at 2 p.m.

They missed their last 12 shots from the field, and Widener increaced its lead to a final score of 57-43.

Saturday’s loss to Widener

the etownian’s

Athlete of the Week Deron Sharp

Michael D. Steiner Assistant Sports Editor

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he Etownian is electrified to name junior wrestling heavyweight Deron Sharp as Athlete of the Week.

Sharp, who has been wrestling for seven years, started off his impressive week by posting a 5-3 win over Andrew Feldman of Wilkes University Friday Feb. 6 at a dual meet at Wilkes’.

After only one night’s rest, the Blue Jays traveled to York College to compete against both York and Hunter College. Sharp used the momentum he gained the previous match to help him defeat both oppenents.

Sharp gave York’s Shane Cooley the cold shoulder as he downed him by a score of 9-4. Sharp then pinned Hunter’s Day Heydebrand in one minute and 10 seconds.

Two wins in one day, now thats a good day at the office.

Sharp’s fourth win of the week came Tuesday night when the Blue Jays faced off against the Monarchs of King’s College.

Sharp proved he could be counted on to pull through.

He b att le d t hroug h a tough match until he finally came out victorious in the fourth overtime!

The Jay’s will be training hard leading up to the Metropolitan Championships, held at York College, on Feb. 22.

Good luck to the Jay’s and congratulations to Deron Sharp for being named the Etownian’s Image: etown.edu/wrestling Athlete of the week!

n w o t h t s e b ic a t z i e El Athl

InsideSports Etown Sports: Wrestling

Swimming

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Page Track and field Page Basketball (M) Page Basketball (W) Page Athlete of the week Page

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Sports Recap Wrestling (5-12, 2-6): Wilkes 31, Etown 0 York 24, Etown 9 Etown 43, Hunter 13 Kings 21, Etown 15 Track and Field: NYC Armor y (New Balance Games) Basketball (W) (10-13, 3-7): Widener 57, Etown 43 Lycoming 65, Etown 52 Basketball (M) (11-11, 5-5): Widener 66, Etown 62 Etown 76, Lycoming 56

Q&A

Schedule

Favorite Jay’s Nest grill item: turkey pretzel melt Something not many people know about me: I’m a Tom Petty fan, Favorite Sports team: Dallas Cowboys Favorite TV Show: Family Guy I can’t live without: text messaging.

When I leave college I want to: go to graduate school.

Basketball (M): Feb 14: @ Lebanon Valley, 4 p.m.

of Sports

Basketball (W): Feb 14: @ Lebanon Valley, 2 p.m.

Swimming (M): Feb 13-15: @ MAC Championships, WilkesBarre, Pa. Swimming (W): Feb 13-15: @ MAC Championshps, WilkesBarre, PA Track and Field: Feb. 14: @ Dickinson Invitational www.etown.edu/spor ts