February 2012 Roar

GOP Mock Election

JOE PATERNO REMEMEBERED Page 9 AN IDOL AMONG US Page 12 MEN’S BA SKETBALL TEAM RANKED NO. 2 IN NATION

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MOCK GOP PRIMARY

Campus stuffs the ballot box

Managing Editor

bjp5053@psu.edu

If Penn State Beaver students, faculty and staff could pick the GOP’s presidential nominee, Mitt Romney would edge out Ron Paul and Rick Santorum in a close primary race, with Newt Gingrich trailing.

Romney took 50 votes to Paul’s 33, Santorum’s 26 and Gingrich’s 13 in a Mock Election sponsored

by The Roar Feb. 13.

More than 130 students, faculty and staff cast ballots.

In addition to selecting the top choice for the Republican primary, the ballot also paired each Republican candidate against President Barack Obama as well as a bonus match up of Obama versus Colbert Report host Stephen Colbert.

Obama was the top vote getter among campus voters, no matter which candidate he was pitted against, including Colbert.

Obama managed to gain more than a two-to-one advantage. The closest race was between Obama and Colbert, 46 to 30.

The results could be attributed to campus voters’ strong Democrat leaning: 64 of the 125 voters who responded identified as Democrats, while 34 were Republican and 27 Independent.

Turnout for the mock election, held in the Bistro, may have been unintentionally boosted by a Student Activities stuffed animal event just 10 feet from the mock election.

Participating students could stuff their own hippos, zebras and penguins for free.

At one point during common hour, the line of people waiting actually blocked everyone from entering the Bistro, and many of those waiting had nothing else to do but vote in the mock election.

“I knew about the stuffed animals but I didn’t know about the mock elections,” freshman Azhura Townes said.

In all, 109 students and 23 fac-

PARTY AFFILIATION Democrat 64 Republican 34 Independent 27

VOTES

Mitt Romney Ron Paul Rick Santorum Newt Gingrich

CLOSEST RACE Barack Obama Stephen Colbert

The ROAR//Cathy Benscoter

Danielle Joyner, Ashley Vallesarmand and Zach Young submit ballots for the mock GOP election in the Brodhead Bistro, while Robert Szymczak, associate professor of history, casts a faculty/staff ballot.

“

Students are disillusioned with the government.

They voted in a president who they believed would change the course of our economy, among other issues, and students may not have received the change they had counted on.”

Brittany Kincaid Junior

ulty and staff cast their votes in the mock election.

A majority of the student voters, 67, said they would definitely be voting this year, while another 49 said they were likely to vote. Only 14 said that there’s no way they would vote.

Pennsylvania’s primary election is set for Tuesday, April 24.

Freshmen Alan Kosan and Tory Ley and sophomore Emma Myers

all answered confidently that they would be voting in this year’s presidential election.

Despite his conviction to vote, Kosan, a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, said he was unsure of who he would vote for. “I think that I don’t know. It’s hard. It needs to be less about party and more about the person.”

“I’m voting for the lesser of evils,” Kosan added. “I haven’t

done much research on who’s running yet.”

That was a comment echoed by the majority of people who cast ballots, many of whom complained that they didn’t even recognize the names on the ballot.

Junior Brittany Kincaid cast her vote in the mock election, and was one of the few who felt informed.

“I think President Obama has a good chance of securing his seat in the White House,” Kincaid said. “This really depends on who wins the Republican nomination, as well. According to polls, Mitt Romney seems to stand the best chance of competing with Barack Obama for the presidential election. However, I don’t see the American people being inspired by Romney nor relating to him.”

Kincaid said she, like most college students, is concerned about the economy, jobs and education.

MONICA M. PITCHER Staff Writer

mmp5317@psu.edu

RESULTS

BRANDON PERINO

Faculty concerned about jobs, economy

50 33 26 13 46 30

But another issue that’s important to her is Internet freedom, and she’s opposed to any government intervention that would restrict the Internet.

The last presidential election four years ago saw students turn out in great numbers, helping to elect Obama as president.

This year’s election may be a repeat if Penn State Beaver students are any indication.

Kincaid hopes so.

“I was surprised to see such a high voter turnout among young adults last election, and I hope to see a similar turnout for this election,” she said. “Students are disillusioned with the government.

They voted in a president who they believed would change the course of our economy, among other issues, and students may not have received the change they had counted on.”

Not only did the overwhelming majority of those who cast ballots say they were definitely or likely to vote, but 72 also said they were already registered, while more than 10 students walked away from the mock election with a voter registration form or absentee ballot in hand.

The economy – and especially jobs for new college graduates – is the primary concern among faculty and staff in this year’s presidential election.

Robert Szymczak, associate professor of history, said he is worried about the economy and the unemployment rate.

Szymczak noted that the unemployment rate for college graduates is about half that of the national figure – 4 percent for college grads compared to 8 percent overall.

He’s specifically concerned about the struggles that many

“

They’re more interested in the social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Even texting. It takes up a lot of their time and so they don’t have the time to really read, learn or even think about the issues at hand.”

Robert Szymczak Associate Professor of History

recent college graduates have had in finding work.

“It’s still worth it [to get a col-

lege degree], but it’s not as easy as it used to be,” Szymczak said.

Angela Fishman, instructor in mathematics, agreed.

“Students worry about finding employment in their fields of study and the rising cost of education, which puts a financial strain on students and their families.”

Gail Gray, student aid and veterans coordinator, shares those concerns.

“I have many concerns but my main ones focus on funding for higher education, women’s issues and voting rights,” Gray said.

Despite concern about the everrising cost of a college education, political interest among college-age

students seems to have declined since the 2008 election when President Barack Obama ran.

“The younger generation doesn’t take the time to read all the information,” Szymczak said.

“They’re more interested in the social media such as Facebook and Twitter. Even texting. It takes up a lot of their time and so they don’t have the time to really read, learn or even think about the issues at hand.”

So, who do faculty and staff think is going to win the White House in November?

“I support Obama,” said Gray.

“I already started campaigning for him by attending rallies, contribut-

ing small amounts to his campaign and hanging up fliers. I even went door to door.”

Szymczak refused to single out any candidate above the others, saying he didn’t want to bias any students.

Fishman, however, said she was disappointed when her top Republican candidate, Herman Cain, dropped out of the race a while back.

Fishman said she’s worried about the Republican’s chances in November.

“It’s hard to beat an incumbent, and the Republicans haven’t gotten their act together very well this time around,” Fishman said.

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News

Corbett takes aim at PSU budget again

Students oppose SOPA and PIPA Internet restrictions

ALEXA SHANK Staff Writer

ads279@psu.edu

The song sounded familiar as Gov. Tom Corbett released his state budget proposal Feb. 7, and Penn State students are not pleased.

Once again, the governor’s proposed budget calls for no tax hike.

That’s not good news for Penn State and the rest of the public colleges in Pennsylvania.

Corbett has proposed a 28 percent cut in funding for Penn State, and 30 percent for two other staterelated universities, Pitt and Temple.

This means that Penn State will lose another $163.5 million in state funding if the budget is approved by the legislature before the July 1 deadline.

State universities like Slippery Rock and Clarion, as well as community colleges, weren’t spared either, with proposed 20 percent and 8 percent cuts respectively.

Even the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, which provides grants to needy Pennsylvania students, would see a 6 percent cut.

Last year, Corbett rocked PSU with a 19 percent cut to higher education. Penn State lost $182 million of its state appropriations.

At Penn State Beaver, tuition rose 2.9 percent.

Some Penn State Beaver students were wary of more cuts long before Corbett announced his budget.

On Dec. 21, former Student Government Association President Lawrence Council sent out an email issuing a call to action for students.

“Basically it was an email to all the campus saying that tuition is the way it is because of the state legislature cutting Penn State’s funding,” said Council, who resigned from SGA after Christmas break due to financial reasons.

SGA’s new president, Iman

Abubaker, shared the same message as Council, urging students to take action. “(SGA is) trying to get students to meet with their local legislators to avoid them cutting funding even more,” she said.

SGA wants students to set up meetings with their county legislators to discuss the future of PSU’s state appropriations.

The idea was sent to them from the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, made up of SGA representatives from all over the state.

“Students need to find out how the state budget is directly affecting tuition,” Council said.

SGA held meetings on Feb. 8 and 10 that outlined what Beaver could do in response to the impending cuts.

SGA is trying to get students to participate in Capital Day, a rally in Harrisburg on April 4 that brings together students from across the state to meet with leg-

Wellness Center to open in April ZACK JAMES Staff Writer

Staff Writer

ads279@psu.edu

The ROAR/Wendi Barnett

The Wellness Center is still undergoing construction.

million. When construction finally started again in late spring, the steel needed to build the foundation was about six weeks late due to fabrication issues.

Project overseers are doing their best to open the Wellness Center as soon as possible.

“I wish we could have delivered earlier. No one wanted it to be available earlier more than me,” said Finance and Business Director Luke Taiclet.

The two-story, open-atrium facility will come equipped with a regime of fitness machines and a studio.

With construction costs reaching $3.5 million, students are saying the Wellness Center is well worth the wait.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s taken so long, but I’m really excited. I guess all good things take time,” said freshman Kaitlyn Wisniewski.

on tuition.

“Penn State Beaver is more tuition based. If tuition goes up, it will affect enrollment. But it’s not a simple equation,” Taiclet said.

“The legislature could modify it, and in the past they have.”

Corbett, in his budget address, said Penn State has to decide if it wants to be public or private, and part of that is complying with open-record laws that refer to where the money is going.

The two requirements are what information the university sends to the IRS and a list of the 25 highestpaid employees.

“Over the past two decades, Penn State’s appropriation from the commonwealth has seen a dramatic downward decline, including a 19.6 percent cut last year,” Penn State President Rodney Erickson said in an email on Feb. 3.

“We are now supporting 24 campuses and 96,000 students at our 1995 funding levels in state support.”

Beaver’s SGA chooses a new president ALEXA SHANK

zjj104@@psu.edu

Delays in construction have postponed the opening of the Wellness Center for quite some time.

Although the center was originally scheduled to open in early November, budget cuts and steel fabrication issues have pushed the opening date to around mid-April.

Staff involved in the project expressed great urgency in getting the ball rolling.

“It’s unfortunate we weren’t able to open at the beginning of the spring semester. It’s been one of the few projects taken off hold, and we’ve really been pushing construction,” said Chancellor Gary Keefer.

Last spring Gov. Tom Corbett proposed a 50 percent budget cut that caused Penn State to stop construction on all projects over $1

islators. SGA hopes the campus administration will consider the day as an excused absence for those who attend.

Pennsylvania students have already begun their opposition.

More than 100 students, called the Pennsylvania Association of State-Related Students (PASS), rallied in the state Capitol Feb. 1, though neither the House nor the Senate was in session.

Last year after the governor announced his budget proposal, Penn State Beaver was forced to put construction of the Wellness Center on hold.

Construction resumed after a two-month hiatus over late spring but ultimately has delayed the opening of the facility.

Chancellor Gary Keefer was not available to comment on the budget proposal.

Luke Taiclet, director of financial and business, said he is concerned about the effect the governor’s proposed budget could have

Penn State Beaver’s Student Government Association chose a new president after sophomore Lawrence Council left for financial reasons.

Council left the SGA presidency over Christmas break, but Iman Abubaker, previous vice president, soon accepted the position.

“We held an emergency meeting by speakerphone when I was told I was the president,” said Abubaker. “It was very surprising.”

Right now there are no plans to fill the vice president’s position.

In the meantime, Abubaker said Secretary Amanda Palombo

and Treasurer Kurt Lantz have taken on the vice president’s responsibilities.

Abubaker still wants to conduct meetings and maintain the SGA agenda the way Council did.

Right now she says SGA is working on finalizing Beaverfest in April and organizing the election committee for 2012-13.

Abubaker said the biggest challenge is still getting students involved.

“Last semester we did office hours,” she said. “Students never came.”

“So we want to put up more signs, or on the tables in the Bistro,” she said.

SGA is working on other projects this spring, including a bowling event with students and faculty in April.

J. DURBIN Staff Writer

jad500@psu.edu

If you tried to look something up on Jan. 18 on Wikipedia, the largest online encyclopedia in the world, chances are you were met with a black screen and a message about raising awareness for legislation that could change how we use the Internet.

Maybe you tried to use Google, the largest search engine in the world, as millions do every day, only to see a black patch over the logo when you landed on the site.

Or maybe you – like Penn State Beaver senior Courtney Hower – visited one of the 7,000 other sites that were blacked-out that Wednesday to protest the proposed SOPA and PIPA legislation.

That afternoon, Hower logged onto his computer to look for something on Craigslist. He had not heard of SOPA or PIPA until that very moment.

A popup blocked the site, requesting visitors to petition their Congressmen to stop the legislation.

Hower was not unlike other students on campus that day.

Sophomore Trish Van Winkle had not heard about SOPA and PIPA either until that morning when she was getting ready for school.

She heard about the blackout on “Good Morning America” and later went to the Google and Wikipedia sites to see what all the talk was about.

The talk was about the Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect IP Acts that were introduced to Congress to combat the sale of pirated U.S. products.

SOPA, a bill introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives, would allow intellectual property owners to go to an offending website’s advertisers and payment providers and request they sever ties.

Search engines would need to remove that site from their search results and the Internet Service Provider would be required to prevent customers from accessing the site.

PIPA, a bill introduced by the U.S. Senate, is a slightly different version of the same legislation, one that does not require search engines to remove an offending site from its indexes. Unlike SOPA, PIPA does not have a provision penalizing a copyright holder for making a false claim.

John Chapin, professor of communications, is concerned about the “chilling effect” SOPA and PIPA would have on the Internet.

“Stopping piracy is a good idea, but stopping piracy at the cost of shutting down the Internet is not such a great idea.”

Opponents like Chapin say the bills would infringe on the basic right of free speech and that the bills are an attempt to control and

censor the Internet.

Freshman Kevin Hupe agreed.

He said that since the FBI shut down megaupload.com, “the bill wasn’t necessary to control online piracy.”

“It was only intended to allow the government censorship powers over the Internet,” he said.

On the other hand, supporters of the bill, which include those most affected, like the film and music industry, say the legislation is needed to protect intellectual property and jobs.

U.S. Representative Jason Altmire (D-Pa) is one of the many in Congress opposed to the SOPA bill.

He said he was “convinced that we need to find a more balanced way to protect intellectual property and combat online piracy and copyright infringement.”

“The current bill has the ability to stifle innovation and shut off access to legitimate, popular web-

sites,” he added.

Even though the protests are considered a success, that success is recognized by many to only be a short-term win.

Not only do the bills that prompted the blackout and petitions still exist, but new bills have also been introduced.

Kausalai Wijekumar, associate professor of Information Sciences and Technology, said the problem is not going to go away and that “legislatively speaking, it probably won’t work.”

“The piracy is so out of the realm of what we can legislate,” she said.

Wijekumar said it will take the economic market feeling the pressure of the financial downside of piracy before something will eventually give.

“The market will then regulate itself by companies deciding they’re not going to sell certain content,” he said.

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New law puts the brakes on texting MONICA M. PITCHER Staff Writer

mmp5317@psu.edu

The ROAR/Zachary Benscoter

Freshman Pete Zdranik browses Facebook on an iMac in the Library. The iMacs were moved from the Media Commons on Nov. 8.

Move brings iMacs to Library ALEXIS SHELTON Staff Writer

acs5360@psu.edu

Senior Jocelyn Wensel has taken classes for almost four years and likes to think of herself as an active Penn State Beaver student.

But for someone who is supposedly in the know, she had no idea what the Media Commons is.

“What in the world is the Media Commons?” Wensel asked.

Wensel’s not alone. Most students, when asked, don’t know what the Media Commons is or where it is located.

And now, some of its computer equipment has been moved to the library in the hope that more people will use it.

The Media Commons studio is located in room 12 on the lower level of the Michael Baker Building.

The studio is locked, but students can preregister with the information technology department in the lower level of the

General Classroom Building and then use their PSU ID card for swipe access.

The Media Commons was established two years ago and equipped with green and blue screens, digital video and still cameras, wireless microphones and two high-end iMac computers featuring video editing equipment. The cameras and microphones can be signed out by students for up to two weeks.

As of Nov. 8, Nick Smerker, a specialist for the Media Commons at University Park, demanded that the iMac computers be moved from the studio to the Library.

“The computers were in the back of the studio and they were hardly used. University Park checks the computers’ usage monthly and noticed nobody ever used them,” said Ted Froats, manager of information technology at Beaver. “(Head Librarian) Marty Goldberg in the Library suggested that they be moved into

the Library to see if the results change,” Froats added. “They’ve received a lot more attention from the students since, and that’s now the home of the new iMac computers.”

The iMacs are getting the attention of some students.

“I’ve noticed the newer computers in the Library. They looked too confusing for me though, so I don’t touch them,” sophomore Crystal Johnson said.

Not everybody finds the Mac computers complicated. Freshman Tiayonna Pelzer has enjoyed her experience with them.

“The Mac computers have some great features, such as Garageband and iMovie. I used Garageband in high school; it’s a great program that allows you to create your own music. iMovie is used for, well, creating your own movies. I definitely recommend students giving the computers a try,” she said.

Goldberg said the relocated computers are getting used.

“Since the computers have

been moved to the Library, they’ve received a lot more attention,” he said.

“There’s a computer upstairs for students to use whenever, and one downstairs (of the Library) for students who need to create an audio project in silence. All they need to do is ask for permission to use that one. The room does echo however, but we’re working on that problem,” Goldberg said.

Not everybody is pleased that the computers have moved to the Library.

Junior Alexa Shank, a member of the Roar staff, is a communications major who used the iMac computers often.

“I really don’t like having the computers in the Library,” Shank said. “I needed to edit video for a class, and when I came into the Library, people were on Facebook. That’s not what they’re for.”

Students can use these computers during the regular hours of the Library.

Students who text while behind the wheel will be in for a surprise come early March.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett signed a bill into law last fall banning motorists from texting while driving.

The new law only prevents texting while driving. Talking on the phone is still legal for now, though legislators have talked of addressing that issue sometime this spring, according to state Rep. Katharine Watson.

The new texting law gives police the authority to pull over and cite a texting motorist on sight.

Violators will be issued a $50 fine, double if caught in a school or construction zone.

Many students agree with the new law.

“I think it’s a great idea! If you need to get a message to somebody, go park somewhere and give them a call,” said freshman Nick Coleman.

“I think it’s a very good law,” freshman Kevin Lusky added. “It’s a dangerous habit because I know from experience, and it needs to be addressed.”

Other students find it to be positive, but possibly a nuisance.

“Though I know it’s safer, it’ll be a big pain to have to call everyone and people will probably still text anyway,” sophomore Amy Haggart said.

Freshman Joe Benscoter said, “It’s a good idea. However, I find that it would be difficult to enforce.”

Penn State Beaver Police Chief Anthony Budris said he’ll be watching for texting motorists.

“Since it’s going to be Pennsylvania law, as police officers it is our duty to enforce it,” Budris said. “It’s a good law and I feel that everyone will follow it once it’s enacted. And if not, they will be cited and hopefully learn to take it more seriously.”

Budris named chief; Schwartz retires N.L. PAOLETTI Staff Writer

nlp5099@psu.edu

After being a police officer at two different Penn State campuses over the last eight years, Anthony Budris found it relatively easy to step into his new position as campus police chief Jan. 1.

Budris replaces former Chief Ron Schwartz, who retired in December.

Budris started his college career at Penn State Beaver and graduated from Penn State in 2003 with a degree in history. He graduated from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy.

“I’ve always wanted the excitement of being a police officer,” Budris said. “And the opportunity to help others,” he added.

Budris said he first looked for openings at the Beaver campus, before Schwartz put him in touch with the chief at Mont Alto, where he knew there was an opening. After Budris spent five years at Mont Alto, a position opened up at Beaver.

“I applied for the transfer because my family lives in the Beaver area. This is home,” Budris said.

“It’s a different experience (at Beaver),” Budris added. “This campus is smaller and the interaction with the students is more positive.”

Budris’ first order of business as chief, he said, is to try to connect with the students, staff and faculty to make sure they are comfortable with the police presence.

“Community policing is a priority,” he said. The new chief walks the campus often, stopping to talk to people and getting to know them.

Budris has no plans to change any policies in police procedure at this time because he feels the policies in place work well. He said he plans to take things one day at a time and deal with situations as they arise.

While the campus usually has five full-time police officers, there is now a vacancy that will soon be

Chief Anthony Budris

filled.

Luke Taiclet, director of business and finance, said a committee put together specific criteria that a new police chief would have to meet. One of the most important criteria was strong community policing skills.

“Budris embraces community policing and that is something that is very important for the campus,” Taiclet said.

Campus Police Officer Christina Hemminger said she and her coworkers were happy someone within the department was chosen for the position.

“It’s a lot easier when you know the person who gets that job.”

Schwartz, who served as the chief for 28 years, said Burdris is a good choice as a replacement.

“I’m confident that he will do an excellent job of running the police department and keeping the Beaver campus safe.”

Schwartz said he’s looking forward to his newfound freedom.

“It was a good time to retire. My daughters and grandchildren live out of state and I wanted to spend more time visiting with them.”

Schwartz also said he would miss interacting with people on campus, “especially those I have known for a long time, and in particular the officers that I had the pleasure to work with.”

Police Beat

Student found with Ecstasy in Harmony Hall Penn State Police reported finding two Ecstasy pills in a Harmony Hall room Dec. 6, but charges have not yet been filed.

Campus police said the female student consented to a search of the room, during which the suspect gave campus police two pills she said were ecstasy.

Police Chief Anthony Budris said he could not release the name of the student until charges are filed.

Police said another Harmony Hall student had reported to police what she thought were drug sales on campus, including pictures of pills, which resulted in the search.

Fighting students charged Campus Police charged sophomores Mia Smith of McKees Rocks and Kalynn Hill of Pittsburgh with disorderly conduct in connection with a fight at the gym Oct. 30.

Police did not file the charges until Dec. 8. Smith was also charged with harassment.

In an unrelated matter, Smith also pled guilty to disorderly conduct at a preliminary hearing Dec.

8 for a separate drug-related incident.

Police charged Smith with possession of marijuana Sept. 9 outside of the museum near Harmony Hall.

Smith agreed to a $200 fine plus $138.50 in court costs. She had failed to report to two previous preliminary hearings on the charge.

Fire extinguisher leads to fine Joseph Heim of Cornwall on the Hudson, N.Y., pled guilty to criminal mischief Jan. 23 for spraying a fire extinguisher throughout the second floor hallway and men’s room of Harmony Hall.

The incident took place April 24. Heim, who is no longer a Penn State student, agreed to pay a $300 fine.

Student charged with possession of marijuana Junior Ileana Muhlach of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, was charged by Campus Police with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after an incident Nov. 3 in Harmony Hall.

Police said a resident coordi-

nator made a drug complaint to campus police. Police filed the charges Jan. 18.

Student to attend alcohol class Sophomore Brian Nuckols of Pittsburgh agreed to attend an alcohol education class after Campus Police said they found him drunk in the Student Union Building Nov. 13.

Nuckols entered his plea at a preliminary hearing Jan. 18.

Upon completion of the class, the underage drinking citation Nuckols was issued will be dismissed.

Alcohol found in car While patrolling campus the afternoon of Feb. 5, campus police found students drinking inside a car in parking lot A, below Michael Baker Building and Harmony Hall.

Police said they noticed a suspicious vehicle with four occupants at 4:05 p.m. After the occupants walked away, police checked the car and spotted a case of Corona through a window.

The driver was under 21 years of age, the police report said.

Police have not yet filed charges.

LISTEN TO WBVR PENN STATE BEAVER’S OWN RADIO STATION

HTTP://WWW.USTREAM.TV/CHANNEL/WBVR-LIVE

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Viewpoint

MANAGING EDITOR Brandon Perino bjp5053@psu.edu

ART DIRECTOR Amy Green

aig5089@psu.edu

BUSINESS MANAGER Patrick Vaughan plv5009@psu.edu

EDITORIAL EDITOR Lydia Moon

ljm5207@psu.edu

PAGE DESIGNERS Wendi Barnett

wkb5019@psu.edu

Jennifer Kirby

jmk5907@psu.edu

Kahla Rosenberger kmr5493@psu.edu

Alexa Shank

ads279@psu.edu

Olivia Skonieczny

December 2011

December 2011

Say no to cuts

Gov. Tom Corbett has proposed a 28 percent cut to Penn State’s funding.

This would cut $64 million from Penn State’s budget.

Penn State Beaver students are sure to be affected. With every cut to Penn State’s funding, students literally pay the price with an increase in tuition.

Last year, Penn State’s funding was cut by 19.6 percent. Beaver students got off easy with only a 2.9 percent increase in their tuition – roughly $372 more a year for a freshman.

What’s likely to happen to this year’s tuition isn’t known, but one thing is

for certain: if the governor gets his way, students will likely be paying a lot more.

Now is the time for students to take action.

Student Government Association is calling for all students to be part of Capital Day, April 4, when students go to Harrisburg and rally to show their dissatisfaction. SGA is also calling for students to meet with their local legislators to tell them how they feel about the proposed budget cuts.

But students may not realize why they should care. After all, many stu-

dents are not even registered to vote because they do not believe their voice can make a difference.

Think of it this way: every semester, some students do not return to Penn State Beaver because they are unable to pay the tuition. Other students scramble to find the money to cover their previous semester. With the proposed budget cuts, one of these students could be you next semester.

Your education and your future are at stake. Why not do everything in your power to save it? In the end, it’s all you really have.

Students: Stop texting while driving Students today can’t seem to function without their cell phones. At the movies, during class, even in the bathroom, people are constantly texting.

Soon, people in Pennsylvania will have to tear themselves away from texting while they are driving.

Last November, Gov. Tom Corbett signed a bill banning motorists from texting while driving. If caught, motor-

ists could face a fine of $50.

No reasonable person would object to this new law. In fact, most would applaud it. But undoubtedly, many of these same supporters will still sneak a text or two while driving.

No wonder we need this law.

It is sad to think that a lack of common sense on the part of so many people has led to this law.

Do you read a book while you are driving? No. So why would you read and respond to a message on a tiny screen while other people’s lives are in your hands?

In our fast-paced society, many people believe they must be accessible at all times.

No one is that important. A text is not worth your life or someone else’s.

ols5006@psu.edu

Dan Trzcianka

dvt5050@psu.edu

Caitlin Vodenichar cav5119@psu.edu

Corey Wright

cjw5372@psu.edu

Jenn Zuratovic jrz5049@psu.edu

ADVISERS Terrie Baumgardner tbm2@psu.edu

Cathy Benscoter cub15@psu.edu

Daniel Pinchot djp114@psu.edu

Two years of engagement stories are gone It was a direct call from my fiancé asking for a break-up.

A sudden panic was whirling in my head. I sat on the chair in my room in Harmony Hall, staying blind, trembling. My day was ruined; no, I was ruined.

I tried to catch one thought that I could stick to. There wasn’t even a thought. Nothing was floating in my mind. It was simply blank. I was wavering in my room, walking around the small space. There was nothing I could do. That is a tragedy.

There were no tears in my biggest tragedy. For me, the tragedy never carries tears, I found. Tears are for dramas maybe.

My ex-fiance lives in Japan. We met in the summer of 2009 while I was home in Korea and she visited as an exchange student.

in my own words

Kyung Min Kim My two years of engagement stories were simply gone. I didn’t know that life was that simple. When I possessed something, everything looked complicated. When I lost it, only the simplicity stood there. But, behind the simplicity, the solitude was waiting.

When I got settled, life offered me some time to encounter solitude. The time of solitude gave me many distracting thoughts. Sometimes the anger inside me burst; I was so disappointed at myself for not having control.

I tried hard to push away the dis-

tracting thoughts torturing me. It worked sometimes, but only temporarily. What I was doing was avoiding.

Sometimes people say, “Just let it go or let it flow.” Unfortunately, human minds never work that way. When your mind is clogged, you’ve got to clean the dirt out. You have to confront what’s inside the solitude.

You need to go to each of your memories and talk to them. You may shout at them, curse them, and even threaten them. When you finish, you may feel the need to apologize to them.

That is the point where you finally find yourself freed from the solitude.

Avoidance is the most natural human tendency in dealing with broken relationships but also the most detrimental thing to your mind. Confronting what’s bothering you is taking one step.

Penn State Beaver Roar

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Opinion LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Roar is published several times each semester. Letters to the Editor are encouraged and can be emailed to: roar-editor@ psu.edu by the 20th day of each month.

Please include your full name, address, email address and cell phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published.

FREE ADS FOR CLUBS Because The Roar receives funding from the Student Activity Fee, free advertising space is offered to any universityrecognized organization or club to promote upcoming events.

The space is limited to one advertisement, one-eighth of a page in size, per organization or club per month. To reserve space, email The Roar business manager at: roarbusiness@psu. edu by the 20th of each month.

Paterno’s passing

JoePa’s death helps student discover Penn State pride BRYAN A. TESTA Special to The Roar

Let’s just get one thing out into the open before I start. I’m not “Mr. Penn State” or “Penn State Proud.” When someone yells the famous “We are...”, I have a tendency to shy in the corner and not say a word.

I’m not your average Penn State student by any standard.

The past three months have been a roller coaster for ALL Penn State students. But speaking as someone who was less than a mile from the riots, who delivered food to the Lasche Football Facility, and who drives past Beaver Stadium every morning, it’s a bit difficult walking to class dodging news vans and reporters.

The scandal in itself is repulsive, and I don’t have a comment on it. Joe Paterno’s passing just two months later, on the other hand, I do have something to say about.

As I said before, I wasn’t the typical student. I just wanted my degree and to leave. Joe Paterno’s passing sent shockwaves through the Penn State community, and even though I attempted to not care or really generate an opinion, that was impossible.

I spend an hour a day either studying or sleeping in a secluded corner of the library that bears Paterno’s name and was built with money he donated. I can see the stadium lights from my window.

I walk past his statue every day. It’s a constant reminder that no matter what happens to Penn State, Joe Paterno will always be Penn State.

It’s very difficult for someone who does not live in State College to grasp the reality of what that means. You are in an area that comprises two zip codes worth of Blue and White and Nittany Lion Pride. You are constantly reminded of why you are here and who you represent.

This isn’t a tour of Happy Valley and I’m not going to bore you with details of Allen or Atherton Street. That you must experience on your own. I’m going to tell you what Joe Paterno represented. I watched coverage of the aftermath of Joe Paterno’s firing. I remember him telling the students standing outside his humble home, “Go home and study and above all pray for those kids.” I have been at University Park for just over a semester as these events and many others

Special to The Roar/Sami Huling

Students turned the Joe Paterno statue outside of Beaver Stadium into a makeshift shrine of candles and flowers days before his died. A U.S. flag was draped on his arm.

have unfolded.

As we know, not long after being treated for lung cancer the man, the legend, Joe Paterno passed away. Many will argue that

he lived a long life and in those 85 years accomplished many great things for this university and the state of Pennsylvania in general.

In the time after his death, I can honestly say I have never felt more proud to be a Penn State student. I was with the hundreds who stood holding candles on the Old Main lawn. I took my turn standing in line for the public viewing for a man I never spoke to, never heard anything from, never really cared about career-wise, and honestly only saw once from a distance at Beaver Stadium.

The legacy I’ll remember of Joe Paterno is not of a football legend. It is not of a humble man who put others in front of himself.

It has nothing to do with his mission that before his players could become great athletes, they must become great students. It is of an 85-year-old man who lived his life doing what he loved with integrity. It is of a man who loved his family, his players, the university and the entire student body as if they were his own flesh and blood.

I stood 5 feet away from a casket covered in white roses, while son Jay Paterno and his four young children walked in front of me. Each child walked up to Joe’s casket and kissed the side as if saying hello to their grandfather. Joe’s sons, Jay and Scott, shook my hand and the thousands of others and thanked us for coming, as if we were family as well.

It’s difficult to comprehend what going to Penn State really means to us. It differs from person to person. You’ll receive a great degree with endless possibilities and timeless memories that will never leave you.

But at one point or another, you’ll understand that being a Penn State student is about being something more. There is something much greater than what we can understand. We are part of something bigger, something you feel in your heart. Joe Paterno stood for just that. This was a humble man who loved the university and what it stands for.

Joe Paterno did not leave this earth a broken man; he left us as a legacy that WE as students must continue to embody. To live life ending each day with something better than what we found.

We must all understand that, regardless of how we feel towards Penn State, we are part of that legacy. Joe is part of that legacy.

And that will never be broken.

Bryan A. Testa is a former Penn State Beaver student who is now a junior at Penn State University Park majoring in education.

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Spotlight

TIM HARDIE

Senior Staff Writer

Remembering Joe Paterno

“Words will never do justice to what he really meant to me and my family.”

Donald Sheffield, faculty member

Sheffield mourns loss of mentor

thh112@psu.edu

The death of legendary Penn State football Coach Joe Paterno has left Penn Staters everywhere devastated.

Even at Penn State Beaver — a campus Paterno hadn’t visited in more than two decades — students, faculty and staff have expressed their grief over his loss, both publicly and privately.

At a campus Spirit Night celebration at the gym on Jan. 25, people signed a matted, framed photo of Paterno that was later sent to his family on behalf of the campus.

Between the men’s and women’s basketball games that night, Director of Enrollment Daniel Pinchot, an alumnus, shared briefly what Paterno meant to him and other local Penn State alumni.

Former Roar reporter Sami Hulings, now a senior communications major at University Park, attended a candlelight vigil in honor of Paterno’s passing held in front of Old Main on the University Park campus.

“Thousands of candles illuminated the front steps of Old Main,” she said. “The glow created the illusion of mid-afternoon near the stadium.”

Bryan Testa, a junior education major at University Park who previously attended Beaver, was particularly moved by this vigil.

Initially, he didn’t even plan on attending.

“I’m a Penn State student,” he said, “but I’m really not the poster boy for ‘Penn State Pride.’”

However, the student testimonies and atmosphere soon melted his heart. Feeling inspired, Testa decided to attend Paterno’s viewing.

The line for the viewing stretched far beyond the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center

TIM HARDIE

Senior Staff Writer

thh112@psu.edu

The ROAR/Cathy Benscoter

Students, faculty and staff stand for the singing of the Penn State Alma Mater in the SUB auditorium during the Joe Paterno memorial service.

where it was being held, with some waiting over two hours to pay their respects. Officials estimate about 40,000 people passed through the spiritual center to view Paterno’s casket.

Chris Bowyer, a Penn State alumnus who attended Beaver, works for Harrisburg television station CBS 21 News and covered the funeral. He said the experience was indescribable.

“I don’t want to come across as morbid saying that a funeral was amazing,” he said, “but seeing the amount of people that were touched by Paterno was just absolutely incredible.”

Testa said the experience of viewing Paterno’s casket was just as incredible. After waiting in line for an hour to reach the altar where the casket was flanked by two Penn State athletes as honor guards, Testa was gently motioned by a man to step aside for four small children. The children walked up onto the altar, said the Lord’s Prayer and

kissed the edge of the closed casket.

At this point, Testa recognized the man who tapped him as Jay Paterno and the children as Joe Paterno’s grandchildren.

“This all happened within 10 feet of me,” Testa said.

Bowyer remembered years of watching his dad celebrate Paterno’s victories and clutch his chest and pull his hair with each defeat.

“Win, lose or draw,” Bowyer said, “he always said he loved Joe because he stood by his players and always put education first.”

When Testa was still in high school, his uncle told him attending Penn State was one of the best decisions of his entire life. He was going to get an education, his uncle told him, but he was also going to become something greater.

Experiencing the tribute services made him realize just what that meant.

“That was something I never expected to see,” Testa said. “That’s certainly something I will not forget.”

“I don’t want to come across as morbid saying that a funeral was amazing, but seeing the amount of people that were touched by Paterno was just absolutely incredible.”

Chris Bowyer, Beaver alumnus

For The ROAR/Bryan Testa

Thousands of students, alumni and families gathered in front of Old Main at University Park for the Joe Paterno candelight vigil.

Over the more than half-century Joe Paterno coached at Penn State, he didn’t have much contact with the Penn State Beaver campus.

However, Donald Sheffield, affiliate associate professor of education at Beaver, both worked with Paterno and called him a personal friend.

Sheffield first met the iconic coach in January 1983 when he was asked to pick him up at the airport and take him to a Freedom Area High School basketball game where a recruit was playing.

The two soon became friends.

During another trip to Beaver County, Paterno stayed at Sheffield’s home and met his family.

“My 6-year-old watched Paterno autograph a few pictures and decided he would give Joe his autograph,” Sheffield said.

Paterno kept the autograph and shared it with his family.

In the spring of 1984, Sheffield told Paterno he wanted to get his doctorate degree but didn’t want to attend Pitt.

That summer, Paterno offered him a job as his administrative assistant so that he could work in Penn State athletics while enrolled in Penn State’s doctorate program at the University Park campus.

“Coach was my biggest fan academically,” Sheffield said.

“Although I had a job to do for him, he made it clear that if I didn’t become Dr. Sheffield, it wouldn’t be a ‘win-win’ for the both of us.”

In 1987, Sheffield became the

Donald Sheffield

interim director of the newly established Academic Support Center for Student Athletes, and the next year Paterno helped make this position permanent.

In 1989, with the coach’s support, Sheffield completed his doctorate. “Paterno was all smiles and congratulated me on what I accomplished,” he recalled.

Sheffield quickly reminded Paterno that he never could have succeeded without his support. The coach deflected all the credit back to Sheffield.

“But you did it. You stayed the course, made the sacrifice and persevered. I was just glad to help,” Sheffield recalled Paterno saying.

Sheffield was devastated when he learned of Paterno’s illness and death. “He has a special place in my heart,” he said. “He became a mentor and father figure as well.”

“Words will never do justice to what he really meant to me and my family,” Sheffield added. “I will forever be indebted to him for his kindness and support. I will never forget Joe Paterno.”

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Penn State Beaver Roar

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Features

Features

Student auditions for Idol

Beaver’s Thon tradition continues ‘For the Kids’

Freshman gets a golden ticket to Hollywood, then comes home

“

The judging process is really different.

There are producers and bright lights everywhere.

It’s more strenuous. ... You have to be interesting, not just talented.”

BRANDON PERINO Managing Editor

bjp5053@psu.edu

Millions of viewers tune into “American Idol” every week to see the next batch of hopefuls, flops and eventual stars arise from the auditions.

These auditions show off many different hopefuls who seem to show up, sing one song and then wait to get the yes or no from the three celebrity judges.

It’s an amazingly simple idea that showcases the excitement, surprise and embarrassment of the participants.

But the truth of the spectacle is quite different, attests former contestant Abigail Prepelka, a Penn State Beaver freshman.

Prepelka auditioned when Idol held its first audition last summer in Pittsburgh.

She earned the coveted golden ticket to Hollywood but did not

Abigail Prepelka Freshman

Abigail Prepelka

make it past the first round in the Pasadena Civic Center.

Prepelka said the real-life audition process is a lot different from what people see on TV. “The judging process is really different. There are producers and bright lights everywhere,” said Pre-

pelka. “It’s more strenuous.”

It’s not just a talent search, either, Prepelka said.

“You have to be interesting, not just talented,” she said.

For Prepelka, that element of being interesting came in the form of her job.

She works for a laundry mat, which got celebrity judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler asking “Whose laundry

is dirtier?”

Jackson and Tyler were amazed when Prepelka told them men’s laundry was dirtier.

Lopez agreed, Prepelka said.

The show did not reveal how the celebrity judges voted for Prepelka in Hollywood. She did say that she thought Jackson took a liking to her, but Tyler did not.

Though this is not shown during the show, the participants sing for producers, and not just one song.

In the Pittsburgh auditions, Prepelka sang “Hometown Glory” by Adele and “Like a Star” by Corrine Bailey Rae. During the airing of the Pittsburgh auditions as well as Hollywood week, Prepelka got little air time.

Neither her audition nor her taped interviews were aired. But, Prepelka could be seen for a few seconds in Pittsburgh with all the contestants who received golden

tickets celebrating on one of her hometown’s bridges.

“I was ecstatic and nervous,” Prepelka said of the Pittsburgh auditions.

Prepelka said that she had actually never really watched “American Idol” before auditioning, but that her mom and dad were “cruising online” and her dad said she had to try.

“My mom dragged me out of bed and down to register,” she said.

“I was very unhappy with my performance,” she said of her audition.

“There is no water, you’re nervous, and the stress got to me.”

But Prepelka said she ended up loving the experience. “It’s cool.

You get to meet people from all over.”

“I’d probably do it again,” she added, “but I want to wait a couple more years and get a bit more experience.”

E-readers becoming a popular textbook choice B. KEELER Staff Writer

bak5266@psu.edu

Freshman Caitlyn Arroyo-Myers sat in her Harmony Hall dorm room recently reading on the Nook she got for Christmas.

She was not using the e-reader for leisure reading or checking Facebook; she was actually using it as a textbook.

Arroyo-Myers said she got an e-reader to use for her textbooks as a way to save money.

She bought the Nook in particular because of the Nook Study Program available at Penn State.

Arroyo-Myers is one of many students switching to an e-reader for their textbooks.

The switch is a slow-growing

trend at Penn State Beaver, but it’s gaining traction across the country, even though the reliability of e-books can be questionable at times.

Arroyo-Myers said the switch to a Nook textbook hasn’t been without struggles: so far she can’t completely rely on her Nook.

In fact, the campus bookstore ended up giving her a hard copy of her textbook because she couldn’t always access it on her Nook.

Arroyo-Myers said that although the e-reader does violate the notechnology-in-class rule of most of her professors, they are willing to compromise in most cases.

English instructor Kristin Oberg is one such professor who is willing to work with students who want to

use e-readers and tablets in class.

“I would be fine with students using e-reader tablets in class as long as there is no extra playing around,” Oberg said. “Fun new toys can be distractions.”

Oberg said she has had some problems with students fooling around on their tablet devices, mainly checking Facebook.

To help make sure this problem is not an on-going one, she makes sure to check screens.

Many students are able to take very effective notes on their tablets, she added – a use she is perfectly fine with.

If she suspects students of goofing off during class, she will keep them on their toes by calling on them often.

Oberg also said that because of the ever-increasing cost of college, she always is looking to help cut costs and is very open to moving her textbooks to an electronic format.

Today’s students embrace technology so much that it seems everyone has an e-reader, tablet or I-something.

Perhaps as a result, the campus bookstore says there has been a marked increase in sales of e-books this year.

The campus bookstore website states that a student can save up to 60 percent off the list price of textbooks – 10 percent more than renting them.

However, the Nook Study, the e-book service that Penn State uses,

has a limited selection of electronic textbooks.

Patty Bobbie, manager of the campus bookstore, said that despite the limited selection, there has been an up-tick in the purchasing of e-books as well as student questions about them.

Purchasing an e-book is as simple as buying a unique code in the campus bookstore to download the e-book to your computer or e-reader.

If you plan on purchasing all of your required textbooks online, Apple recently released an updated version of iBooks which features a large selection of textbooks.

Amazon users can also buy e-textbooks through the company’s website.

CAITLIN VODENICHAR Staff Writer

cav5119@psu.edu

With 2012 being the 40th anniversary of Thon, dancers J.J. Figas and Angelique Matthews are ready to continue the tradition of dancing “For the Kids.”

The Penn State IFC/Pan-Hellenic Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as Thon, is held annually at University Park, where students dance for 46 hours with no sleep or sitting down.

The tradition started in 1973 and has raised more than $78 million since it began.

The fundraiser benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital, where there is a continuous fight to find a cure for pediatric cancer.

“I grew up in hospitals,” said Matthews, a freshman. “I wanted to do this for my sister and the different kids I’ve been around [with cancer].”

Matthews’ younger sister was diagnosed with cancer in her sophomore year of high school, so being able to dance for the cure is something special for the both of them.

Matthews even sports a tattoo

THE ROAR / Dan Trzcianka

J.J. Figas auctions off Angelique Matthews, center, while Ana Lee waits for her turn at the Date Auction Feb. 10 in the Bistro. The acutrion raised more than $500 for Thon.

dedicated to her sister.

“Being a dancer is sort of a big deal,” said sophomore Figas. “I was really glad to be picked.

I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

Matthews and Figas hang out even when they’re not preparing for the marathon.

They work out together, have started special diets to cut out bad foods and caffeine, and spend time

getting to know each other better.

“I didn’t do it last year, but I wanted to go all out and dance this year,” Figas said. “It’s all about the kids.”

A week before Thon, Beaver had

raised about $5,000.

In order for the campus to keep dancers for next year, it needs to raise at least $5,100, the amount that was raised last year.

“Big Thon has magic numbers that they don’t tell us,” said Lydia Moon, chair of the Thon organization at Beaver. “If we don’t meet those numbers, we don’t get to keep our dancers.”

In the past few weeks, the organization has held a canning weekend, a date auction, and a blood drive, the proceeds for which all benefit Thon.

While canning made $716 in one weekend alone, students were shocked to hear that more than $500 was raised during the date auction Friday, Feb. 10.

The highest bid, $250, was for sophomore Ana Lee, made by a student from Pitt Greensburg who had heard about the auction through friends.

“It’s for a good cause,” said Paul Altmyer, the winning bidder. “My grandpa had cancer and I wanted to show my support.”

Lee is a Thon volunteer. “It’s all for the kids,” she said.

LINK U.P.

Students get their first taste of life at University Park LYDIA MOON

Senior Staff Writer ljm5207@psu.edu

On Saturday, March 24, Penn State University Park will host a program called Link U.P. for firstyear students at any Commonwealth Campus who are interested in learning more about University Park and the change-of-campus process.

This will be the third time this program has been provided by University Park. Link U.P. features academic college meetings, campus tours, a free lunch and a resource fair.

“

Link U.P. was helpful because I got to meet faculty I would be learning from the next semester, it helped me recognize people so I knew who to go to if I had a problem when I got up here.”

Mark Zanella Sophomore

“Link U.P. was helpful because I got to meet faculty I would be learning from the next semester,” said sophomore Mark Zanella, who is now studying at University Park.

“It helped me recognize people so I knew who to go to if I had a problem when I got up here.”

For many students, it is the first time they have ever been to University Park.

“Only about three out of 30 students that went last year had ever been to the main campus,” said Amy Gartley, associate director of Student Affairs.

Transition leaders, who are former Commonwealth Campus students, guide program attendees on a tour of campus.

Each group is divided by academic college.

“Because I am an agriculture major, I enjoyed going up and learning about the different jobs I could get at the farms up there,” sophomore Amanda Schiffner said. “I even got to meet with the head of my college. He helped me decide what I could do with my major.”

After touring the campus and meeting with faculty, it’s possible

some students will decide that University Park is not the place they want to go.

At the end of the program students can visit the resource fair.

“The exhibit hall helps expose students to majors offered at other Penn State campuses,” Gartley said.

“I liked the resource fair because I got a bunch of free stuff,” Schiffner said.

To learn more about Link U.P. and the change of campus process, visit www.psu.edu/ouic/intro/ procedure.html.

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Features

Features

Students clean up on MLK Day

Symposium highlights criminal justice careers

AMANDA PALOMBO Staff Writer

amp5831@psu.edu

Penn State students from across the Pittsburgh area grabbed brooms, rags, buckets and mops and spent the greater part of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 16 cleaning and helping non-profit organizations as part of PSU’s “A Day On, Not a Day Off” event.

Four Beaver campus students joined more than 50 other students from five other campuses at Penn State New Kensington to work at one of six New Kensington-area job sites.

Meanwhile, another 30 Penn State Beaver students worked at the Center for Hope in Ambridge reorganizing shelves, cleaning rooms and organizing clothes.

Sophomore Darlene Coulanges and junior Matthew Walker were among the students who went to the Center for Hope.

“Though it was in the simplest way, I felt I gave back to the community,” Coulanges said. “MLK would be proud.”

Walker agreed. “It really is my belief that MLK Day is a day on, not a day off. Just like all of the posters say.”

Some students separated dog food, others put clothes into assorted piles and even more cleaned just about everything in sight.

“Volunteering was such a great way to spend my day off. It really felt great at the end of the

The ROAR/Dan Trzcianka

Students gather into their assigned groups at the Center for Hope in Ambridge. Students grabbed brooms, organized shelves and sorted clothes as part of the MLK Day project.

day to know I had spent my free time helping others,” freshman Angelique Matthews said.

Sophomore Crystal Johnson added, “I enjoyed helping the people at the Center out. It seemed like we didn’t do a lot, but I know what we did helped. I know the people at the Center will be appreciative of what we did.”

Meanwhile in the New Kensington area, students cleaned an apart-

ment for the Center for Hope and a worksite for Habitat for Humanity.

They cleaned and organized merchandise at Tri City Life Center for impoverished single mothers.

They also cleaned, painted and even repaired plaster at the AlleKiski Valley Heritage Museum as well as the Family Services of Western PA.

GAIN EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCH

“It was fun to get together with people from other campuses and help out people in the community,” sophomore JJ Figas said.

“I really enjoyed being a part of a helpful group.”

Robin Schreck, Residence Life coordinator, said, “Service can be fun and the people who are the recipients of our work really, really appreciate it! It’s nice to know giving our time can make such a dif-

ference to others.”

Schreck wasn’t the only one proud of the Penn State community.

“I think bringing people of different backgrounds together for a day of service is a terrific way to recognize Martin Luther King,” said Kevin Snider, Penn State New Kensington chancellor. “We wouldn’t have the breadth or depth of impact had we not been joined by those of you at our sister campuses.”

Snider is an advocate for campus collaboration.

“This day is a great example of the power we can have when Penn State comes together,” Snyder said.

Freshmen Alyssa Cooper and Nick Anderegg were two of the students who painted at Family Services of Western PA. “I enjoyed doing it because it was for a good cause,” Cooper said.

“It really helps out the community.

Next year, I’ll get involved with it again.”

Anderegg called it a “fun experience.”

“I think that it was a better way to spend a day off than sitting around and complaining about being bored,” Anderegg said.

“The amount of civic duty these students displayed is immeasurable,” Residence Life Coordinator J. Parker Goolsby said. “Their time and dedication should be applauded and for that, they should be proud.”

Want to see your voice in the paper?

Enter the Undergraduate Research Fair Tuesday, April 4

Send us your ideas and see them come to life in

For information, visit http://www.beaver.psu.edu/Academics/ ugradresearch.htm

Email roar-editor@psu.edu

The ROAR

ZEKE NOWAKOWSKI Staff Writer

zeke4531@yahoo.com

According to presenters at an Administration of Justice Symposium on campus in January, the jobs are plentiful at the state and national level, especially for women and minorities.

At the county level there isn’t a great turnover rate, so there aren’t as many job opportunities locally. But at the state and national level the number of job positions increases dramatically, said Anthony Berosh, Beaver County district attorney.

That’s good news for campus AOJ majors such as junior Ryan Hudacsek.

“I chose criminal justice because it will give you a really good pension if you get a good job, like working for the government,” Hudacsek said.

In the eyes of Captain Anthony McClure, there just are not enough minorities working in the law enforcement field. Being a minority himself, he said most minorities typically don’t get along with the police very well. This stems from childhood, he said, so they are raised to hate the cops and are looked down upon if they join law enforcement.

There are even fewer women in law enforcement, said Detective Lieutenant Kim Clements, though

The ROAR/Dan Trzcianka

Assistant District Attorney Brittany Smith explains to students her role in the Beaver County Adult Probation system.

women bring a different and much-needed aspect to the field that men can’t, she added.

When Clements first started working, she was the only woman in her department.

Women only make up 13 percent of the employees in corrections, and only 6 percent of those

hold a rank, she said.

Another issue the presenters talked about was how technologically advanced the field has become.

GPS ankle bracelets, micro-chips and satellites are used in Beaver County to track where some convicted offenders are at all times,

said Beaver County Adult Probation Supervisor Brad Herr.

Beaver County is one of the most technologically advanced law enforcement agencies in the state, he added.

“It was very informative and I chose criminal justice because I wanted to stay at Penn State Beaver

for my entire college career,” junior Jim Musgrave said.

Berosh cautioned students to only pursue a career if they are passionate about the work.

“If you care, then you have a shot in life. But if you don’t, then you better find something you do care about.”

Research Fair will spotlight student scholars ZAKARY W. TAYLOR Staff Writer

zwt100@psu.edu

Can violent criminals be rehabilitated? Are men and women who are convicted of sex crimes more likely to re-offend than those convicted of drug crimes?

These are questions senior Christine Walzak will pose to an audience at Penn State Beaver’s 10th Annual Undergraduate Research Fair April 4.

Students are encouraged to par-

ticipate by filling out an abstract and sending it to Assistant Professor of Psychology Claire ConryMurray before the March 2 deadline.

Details regarding the abstract can be found in at http://beaver. psu.edu/Academics/ugradresearch. htm.

Projects can be submitted alone or as a group.

Participants will collaborate with Penn State Beaver faculty while conducting their research. Students

will then showcase their findings to a panel of judges for the opportunity to win cash prizes.

The Undergraduate Research Fair is a “tremendous learning opportunity,” said Assistant Professor of Business Administration Tim Few. Few added that entering the fair is a good way for students to build their resumes and prepare for graduate school.

“Doing research not only allows people to formulate their own theories but also to discover new ideas

that can truly make a difference,” Walzak said.

Walzak said she was inspired by her mother’s experiences growing up with infamous New York serial killer Joel Rifken. “Hearing about his personality traits when they went to school together really gave me an interest into how the not-soaverage mind works.”

Walzak, a psychology major, plans to continue her study of the criminal mind in hopes of finding which rehabilitation methods offer

the most success.

The focus of the research fair is to “emphasize scholarly work,” according to Senior Instructor of Philosophy Irene Wolf, who was instrumental in its conception 10 years ago. “It makes me proud to be a part of this campus.”

The Undergraduate Research Fair lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the lower level of the Student Union Building and is open to all students and faculty members who wish to attend.

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Penn State Beaver Roar

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December 2011

Penn State Beaver Roar

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Sports

Sports

Men ranked No. 2 in nation DuBois

Women challenged in PSU conference

“

ANDREW DIPIETRANTONIO

We have to worry about the PSUAC first, but I want to win it all this year.”

Senior Staff Writer

ahd5039@psu.edu

The Penn State Beaver men’s basketball team, ranked No. 2 in the nation, finished its last home game of the season with a resounding 89-60 victory over rival Penn State Greater Allegheny.

A free throw by sophomore Chris Weathers started a 5-0 run for Beaver before Greater Allegheny finally responded with a run of their own.

At the 13:44 mark of the first half, junior Nick Miller started an 8-3 run of his own to give Beaver a 22-11 lead with 11:22 left in the first half.

Beaver went into the half ahead 39-25. Senior Tyler Care opened up the second half with a threepoint shot to lift the lead to 16.

Greater Allegheny responded, but Beaver went on a 10-5 run to take a 20-point advantage (52-32) with 15:20 left in the half.

The momentum stayed in Beavers’ favor for the rest of the game, and a step-back jump shot from freshman Jeqa Powe gave Beaver its biggest lead of the day (87-57).

Beaver went on to win for the night 89-60.

In an emotional pre-game Senior Night ceremony, Coach Marcess Williams spoke briefly about each senior: Tony Houghton, Darius Prince and Tyler Care.

He talked about their impact on the team and on him as a coach.

He also gave them all their own framed jersey.

All the seniors said the game was going to be bittersweet.

“I am excited and sad,” Care said. “I am going to miss playing in front of my family and friends.”

Houghton agreed. “I have played with so many good players and many of them motivated me to be the player I am today. And Coach Marcess taught me that it is not all about the points. It’s about the team.”

Houghton, who joined 1,000point club this season, just keeps adding to his total. Houghton led all scorers with 17 points, followed

Tony Houghton Senior

THE ROAR/Dan Trzcianka

Freshman Mike Martin (No. 2) passes the ball during a defensive struggle against Penn State New Kensington Jan. 25. Penn State Beaver is now 16-1 in the Penn State University Athletic Conference.

by freshman Mike Martin with 14, Miller with 12 and Weathers contributing a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards as well.

Beaver also earned its first victory over non-conference rival Geneva College Feb. 13, 89-85.

The wins secured Beaver, 21-4 overall and 16-1 in the conference, with the No. 1 seed in the Penn State University Athletic Conference playoffs.

The playoff game is scheduled for Feb. 21 at an undetermined

location, with the tournament slated for Feb. 24 and 25.

Meanwhile, the United States Collegiate Athletic Association tournament is scheduled for March 6-10 at Penn State Fayette.

There are many reasons why the team’s record is so good, but there’s one reason that stood out among all the players.

Every player – from junior Julian Taylor to Weathers to Houghton to Care and Coach Williams – attributed the success to the

depth of the team.

“This is the best team in the Coach Williams era,” Taylor said, smiling.

“Our depth is unreal. We have a 15-man roster and we go 15 deep.”

Weathers agreed. “This year, coach isn’t worried about us being ready to play. He isn’t worried about our effort, because coach knows everyone on the team is ready to play every game.”

Houghton said the entire team is looking out for each other.

“It is not about you. It is about everybody. Everybody has each other’s back. Every player on the roster knows their role.”

Williams said the reason the team is where it is is not just because of the players on the court.

“It’s not just about the guys who get all the ink in the paper. It’s about the guys who come to practice, day in and day out, who make us a better team.”

Williams went on to say, “The players coming off the bench do their best, and every player takes pride in what he does.”

Senior Fan Ronald Wilkins agreed. “This is the fastest, most athletic basketball team I have ever seen at the Beav.”

The players, especially seniors Houghton and Care, said want that ever-elusive national championship.

“We have to worry about the PSUAC first, but I want to win it all this year,” Houghton said.

“This is my final chance to take it home,” Care added, “and I know what it takes to get there and I believe we have what it takes this year.”

The men’s playoff games will be broadcast live by Cornelius and D at www.ustream.tv/channel/pennstate-beaver-athletics.

fans fuel their loss ANDREW DIPIETRANTONIO Senior Staff Writer

ahd5039@psu.edu

The men’s Jan. 31 victory at Penn State DuBois had big implications in the Penn State University Athletic Conference.

Earlier in the season in a game at Beaver, DuBois was the only team to hand Beaver a conference loss at home.

But a plan devised by Penn State DuBois students to create a campus rivalry when Beaver played in their gym backfired.

DuBois students attempted to distract Beaver’s players with a typical rowdy college basketball atmosphere.

But they made one mistake: they made signs that, although creative, were ruthless and insensitive.

One sign referred to a player as a “freak show” and accused him of not being able to read.

Another made reference to a near-fatal accident one of the players suffered in high school.

But Beaver players said the signs didn’t bother them.

“The blatant disrespect caused our team to destroy DuBois with a big-time 26-point revenge victory,” said junior Julian Taylor, laughing.

Tony Houghton called the signs disrespectful. “But I also feel like a celebrity when people call me out.

“They went out of their way to make those signs. That means that something I am doing on the court is good enough for them to recognize me.”

Sophomore Markes Royster said the signs and the crowd fueled Beaver’s victory.

“The team fed off the crowd and used it as motivation, and our play silenced them.”

Beaver went on to win the game 84-58.

REINA CHEDID Staff Writer

rmc5314@psu.edu

For the fifth consecutive year, the Penn State Beaver women’s basketball team is headed to the Penn State University Athletic Conference tournament, but this time on unfamiliar ground as the No. 2 seed.

It’s the first time in five years the team has not held the conference’s top spot.

The Lady Lions, 14-9 overall and 11-3 in the PSUAC, ended the regular season with a loss at home against Ohio University Eastern, 55-64.

In what proved to be a big game for Beaver, the team defeated Penn State Greater Allegheny 64-52 in its final conference game at home Feb. 11.

Greater Allegheny had beaten Beaver 56-55 in the season’s first matchup in January.

This was also a “Pink Zone” game, which raises awareness about breast cancer.

Greater Allegheny started the game out with a 5-0 run, but then sophomore Kalynn Hill started a 5-0 run Beaver, which tied the game at five.

The back-and-forth continued as Greater Allegheny went on a 9-2 run with 10:07 left in the half, but junior Brittany Tomaselli brought the game within one (16-15).

After a layup by junior Brooke Mulneix, Beaver went on a 13-2 run to close out the first half with a 30-24 lead.

Beaver began the second half with a quick layup by Mulneix, but Greater Allegheny went on a 6-0 run to bring the game within two (32-30).

Beaver countered with a layup and one free throw from freshman Amanda Temple, followed by a three-point shot by sophomore Coleen Mead.

After a three-point play by Tomaselli gave the team a 10 point advantage (47-37), the game stayed in Beaver’s hands.

Temple led the team with 22 points and the team had double the

THE ROAR/Dan Trzcianka

Above, junior Brittany Tomaselli shoots a foul shot during the Penn State Greater Allegheny game Feb. 11. Below, freshman Amanda Temple shoots a foul shot against Carlow University Jan. 25. The team advances to the Penn State University Athletic Conference as the No. 2 seed.

points off of turnovers of Greater Allegheny.

The Beaver Lady Lions are now headed to the PSUAC playoffs’ “Elite 8” Feb. 21 at a location yet to be announced.

The PSUAC tournament is scheduled for Feb. 24 and 25 at

Penn State Mont Alto, followed by the United States Collegiate Athletic Association tournament at Penn State Fayette March 6 to 10.

Junior Guard Brittany Tomaselli said she loves getting her teammates mentally tough and ready to play.

“As the captain, I don’t feel any added pressure. I just try to maintain my composure and try to lead and motivate my team to the best of my ability,” Tomaselli said.

“Before each game starts, I always try to say something to get the girls excited and fired up.”

The Lady Lions had a perfect season at home until out-of-conference Carlow University stepped on Beaver’s home court and ended their undefeated streak on Jan. 25 with a 67-56 score.

The game began with six lead changes and six ties before Carlow went on a 6-0 run to take a 10-point lead.

The Lady Lions struggled on defense and went into halftime trailing 42-29.

Even though Beaver outscored Carlow in the second half 27-25, the Lady Lions ended up with the loss.

Coach Tim Moore is in his fourth year with the Beaver women’s basketball program, but it’s his first as head coach.

He is happy with the way everyone on the team is playing.

“Everyone is doing great and playing their role well.

However, our defense needs to get stronger. This team is young and it hurt us a few games,” Moore said.

“I think Penn State DuBois and Fayette were our toughest two opponents, but we beat DuBois twice, both times with them having a better record than us, so I was very happy about that.”

“We weren’t so lucky with Penn State Greater Allegheny, though.

(In the season’s first game,) we missed a lot of shots and didn’t play our best, so I think that was my most disappointing loss,” Moore said.

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Penn State Beaver Roar

Page 19

Sports

Sports

Lions pinned, but future bright

Women’s football player tackles new job

JAMIN JACKSON Staff Writer

jmj5228@psu.edu

The Penn State Beaver wrestling team finished its inaugural season with a 5-10 record, 2-4 in the Penn State University Athletic Conference.

Beaver’s most recent loss came in the Penn State University Athletic Conference-United States Collegiate Athletic Association combined tournament Feb. 12 at University Park. The Apprentice School finished in first place, while Penn College of Technology was the highest placing Penn State campus, finishing third. Penn State Beaver finished ninth out of 10 teams.

Two players were ranked in the tournament. Freshmen Fabian Jackson finished fourth overall and sophomore Wesley Mummert placed fifth.

But despite the losing record, Coach Jeff Winkle says the season was anything but a loss.

“For a new program starting out, the season was a success,” Winkle said.

The team wrestled against many established wrestling schools, along with competition from five other

Penn State Beaver Athletics

Senior Keagan Donnan faces off against a Penn State New Kensington wrestler in a match on Jan 19. Donnan lost his first match of the season but Beaver won the meet 18-15.

Penn State campuses.

The Achilles heel for Penn State Beaver may have been its lack of size. Sophomore Dylan Winkle, the coach’s son, said making weight might have been the hard-

est part of this season.

Dylan, who normally weighs 170 pounds, tried to make 149 pounds, though he said it wasn’t easy. Mummert said another unpleasant part of the season was

the matches at Messiah College, where the wrestling team was overwhelmed in size and skill.

The season wasn’t all bruises, though. As a matter of fact, the Penn State Beaver wrestling team

was able to accomplish a lot of firsts.

Winkle won his first individual match at the Washington and Jefferson College tournament in November. Mummert won his first team match in November against Penn State DuBois. The entire team was able to win its first match in December against Valley Forge Military College, plus its first home event in January against Penn State Mont Alto.

Winkle said he is focused on recruiting local talent. Even though there are no firm commitments yet, there is a good interest among high school players in the wrestling community, he said.

“There is significant local talent in western PA and the Ohio Valley and West Virginia area,” Winkle said.

Mummert said he won’t be coming back next season, but enjoyed having the opportunity to wrestle competitively again and would recommend that more people join the team.

Winkle said that next season Beaver will be hosting a number of home events where the student body can attend and cheer for the home team.

Fightin’ Beavs fall to third in league DAN TRZCIANKA Senior Staff Writer

dvt5050@psu.edu

With the two most recent losses, the Penn State Beaver Fightin’ Beavs dropped from first place to third place in the Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Roller Hockey League.

The Fightin’ Beavs hold a record of 5-5-0, behind first-place Grove City College and Slippery Rock University White.

Clarion University topped the Fightin’ Beavs on Feb 8. with a 4-3

victory. Slippery Rocky White also pulled off a 4-3 win the previous week against the Fightin’ Beavs.

Sophomore Shane Reger and junior Dan Vish are the league’s top point scorers. Reger attends Community College of Beaver County and Vish now continues his studies at University Park campus. Alumnus Justin Vorbach is the No. 2 goalie in the league.

The Fightin’ Beavs play again Feb. 22 at 8:30 p.m. against Duquesne University. The team is hoping for a large fan turn out.

The ROAR/Zachary Benscoter

Shane Reger scores in the second period of the Fightin’ Beavs loss to Clarion University Feb. 8.

CAITLYN BEATTY Staff Writer

ceb5356@psu.edu

If you see Barbara Jean Bertges – her friends call her BJ – hanging around the gym, you’re sure to know who she is. Just look for the friendly new female staff member talking to students and trying to help them.

Bertges is the new assistant athletic director and volleyball coach, but she brings some interesting experiences to the campus as a former professional women’s football player.

That’s right, Bertges was a defensive end for the Pittsburgh Passion Women’s Football team. She even played on the 2007 championship team.

The Pittsburgh Passion is paving the way for women’s football, Bertges said. It was the first team to be

Assistant AD Barbara Jean Bertges

televised and make ESPN Sports Center Top 10.

“Not many high school athletes get to compete in the NCAA or college level and even less get to play professional sports,” Bertges

said. “To tryout with hundreds of women and be one of the few selected to compete at that level is a dream come true.”

Making the team was actually a stroke of luck for Bertges.

“I always joked around that I wanted to play. And then I found myself at tryouts just trying to support a friend who wanted to go, but not alone,” she said. “We both ended up making the team, and when we started formal practices in the pre-season I fell in love all over again with competitive sports.”

Bertges stopped playing after deciding to get her master’s degree in sports management at California University of Pennsylvania. She also has her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Pittsburgh.

Athletic director Andy Kirschner said he is thrilled with his new hire.

“I saw someone who was confident and wanted to get back into the sports arena,” Kirschner said.

“She had a great interview and I felt she could bring something great to our campus.”

Bertges replaces former assistant athletic director Bert DeSalvo, who left last fall to coach women’s basketball at Clarion University.

Bertges also replaces former volleyball coach Dan Smith, instructor in business, who resigned his coaching duties but is still teaching on campus.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to coach at this level and I am looking forward to both the challenges and rewards it will bring,” Bertges said. “I have high expectations for the returning players and even higher expectations for myself.”

Bertges brings past athletic expe-

rience besides women’s football.

She played for the volleyball team at Pitt Greensburg, with experience as a setter, weak-side hitter and outside hitter.

Bertges said there are more important things for student athletes than winning. “With winning you will need a strong foundation, and I’m leaning on the returning players as much as they all are leaning on me to help build on what they already have.”

One of those returning players, freshman Candace Emanuel, a Libero for the team, said she’s anxious for the season to begin in the fall.

“I’m excited to get back to playoffs next season. BJ will hopefully take the team to the next level because we are good, but she will hopefully make us great,” Emanuel said.

Page 20

Penn State Beaver Roar

December 2011

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