Issue 1

IN THIS ISSUE:

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4

Pioneer Records chooses newest artist

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6

Josh Croup shoulders the Globe

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8

Competitve cheer and dance becomes official University sport

Wednesday, Januar y 13, 2016

Issue 1

WPPJ-AM among college radio’s best for sixth straight year

Four programs recognized by Intercollegiate Broadcast System for college radio excellence By: Anthony Mendicino Co-News Editor

Four Point Park broadcasters have been recognized by the Intercollegiate Broadcast System (IBS) as among the best college broadcasters in the nation, making this the sixth straight year WPPJ 670 AM has received such nominations.

The honorees, Tim Zahren, Paul Daniels, Matt Kruth and Tyler Polk will travel to New York to attend the 76th annual Intercollegiate Broadcast System (IBS) Conference and College Radio Awards ceremony March 4-6. David Fabilli, WPPJ’s advisor will accompany them.

“It’s certainly gratifying, and I’m honored the people at the college broadcasting awards thought to nominate my show,” Zahren, a senior mass communication major, said.

Zahren describes his talk show, “The Tim Zahren Show,” as “extremely loose and fun.”

“I usually have a live audience in the studio during my show with a lot of ideas and banter among people happening,” Zahren said. “I like to create a fun environment in the studio that permeates through the airwaves.”

Zahren’s show is WPPJ’s very first nomination in the “Best Talk Show” category.

Daniels and Kruth are both nominated for “Best Sports Talk Program” for their work on “The Paul Daniels-Matt Kruth Show.”

“Our show is called ‘PM Sports’ and we have always had fun doing the show year in and year out,” Daniels, a junior broadcast reporting and broadcast production and programming major. said. He also serves as WPPJ’s Programming Director.

Daniels added, “I was surprised when Matt texted me about the nomination, because I knew the competition nationally was strong and it’s not easy to get recognized.”

Daniels noted that he became nervous considering the competition for the award when Fabilli sent an email to members of WPPJ. The email, sent a week before the nominations were due to come out, said that the committee needed more time because this year’s field was so strong.

AWARDS page 2

By: Josh Croup Editor-in-Chief

photo by Liz Berie

General station manager Trever Sheets, junior broadcasting major, is doing a show in the WPPJ studio inside Lawrence Hall.

Humanities Department conducting rare study By: Anthony Mendicino Co-News Editor

A unique study being conducted

by Point Park’s Humanities Department that merges psychology and urban studies will attempt to determine perceptions of well-being in the Pittsburgh region.

Through the use of an online survey, Dr. Brent Robbins, chair of the Humanities Department, and Kirill Kryuchkov, a graduate student in the department are conducting the rare study.

The pair hopes to identify and connect socioeconomic issues to an individual’s own perception of well-being.

“It’s about well-being and the connection to one’s environment,” Kryuchkov said. “Sometimes it is easy to see what effects on well-being in terms of the human environment, the environment where we live and how to improve well-being and give some solutions.”

The study will be conducted through a survey posted online. Respondents will self-report how they perceive their own well-being. That information will then be combined

with environmental factors such as socioeconomic standing and location.

“How can you measure well-being?” Kryuchkov said. “I can measure it objectively if I make you feel pain.

I can measure your EKG, but in that case it is not self-reported. It is more ‘how do I perceive how I feel’.”

This study is a replication of a study first done by researchers in Russia. Those same researchers will be assisting Kryuchkov and Robbins in their study.

“They’re there to help us. They have the software to create a map, essentially. They are able to show a geographical map and convert the scores on the well-being study so that it reflects graphically on the map,” Robbins said.

The study is targeting adults ages 18-64 in Allegheny County. “We are looking at well-being and its relationship with a geographical area. So we will be able to use this inventory to assess mental and physical well-being and see if there are correlations with certain geological areas,” Robbins said.

STUDY page 2

Cheer goes varsity in 2016

photo courtesy of Sam Robinson, Point Park Athletics

Point Park cheerleaders perform cheers on the bench during a women’s basketball game against Northwestern Ohio on Nov. 6 at CCAC South.

Next year, competitive cheer becomes a varsity sport.

See “Cheer” on Page 8.

The second semester for most United Student Government (USG) presidents is usually the last. However current USG President Blaine King says he is only getting started.

King began his second semester as USG President this spring after he was elected last March during his sophomore year. The junior broadcast reporting major plans to serve as USG President until he graduates.

“We get to be consistent,” King said in a phone interview Jan. 5. “We get to work at a better pace than previous years. We will be able to continue where we left off [next year], unlike previous years where you have to start and restart.”

As a student in the School of Communication, improving the way USG communicates with students is a priority for the second-semester president.

“As of right now, it’s OK,” King said. “It’s not good, it’s not perfect and it’s not bad. We definitely want to improve from OK to good, and from good to great. That’s our next step. We want to be good at communicating, and by time the year’s over, we want to try and get on the cusp of being great at communication.”

For Vice President Gabe Dubin, improving communication starts by increasing USG’s presence on campus.

“Part of that comes from just putting ourselves out there as USG,” Dubin said in a phone interview Jan. 9.

“Some people just aren’t aware that USG exists and that they have advocates to help them with their issues.

In a guerilla marketing type sense, going out into the community and showing people that we care is first and foremost.”

Last year, USG introduced student concern boxes across campus as a way to gather feedback from students.

USG also has a presence on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and, most recently, Snapchat.

Snapchat was introduced near the end of last year and is still trying to gain momentum.

“We have to figure out the metrics and how people look at Snapchat,” Dubin said. “Is having a USG Snap Story something we want to do? Do we just catalog events happening on campus so people know what’s going on? It’s an interesting tool that we ourselves have to figure out the best way to utilize its capabilities.”

King wants to communicate to students that he, along with the rest of USG, is open to hearing any issue a student may have.

“We are working for the students; we were elected by the students. It can be about any issue - any concern a student may have that can improve their time at Point Park.”

The top two concerns King said he hears are about WiFi and food service.

King said he is an easy person to contact. He has an open email policy

PRESIDENT page 3

Weather Forecast Today: AM Clouds/PM Sun H 23, L 17

Student government president eyes run at second term

Thursday: Cloudy, H 41, L 31 Friday: PM Showers, H 48, L 36 Saturday: AM Light Snow, H 36, L 24

Sunday: Cloudy, H 30, L 14 Monday: Cloudy, H 27, L 17 Tuesday: Cloudy, H 26, L 15

2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

NEWS

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

WPPJ students seek IBS awards in New York

Point Park working alongside Russian researchers for study on well-being

from AWARDS page 1 “This was our first year submitting our material, and it’s tough to say whether I thought we would be considered for an award,” Daniels said. “I knew our show was great and the material we talked about was solid, but there are a lot of sports college radio shows out there and it’s not easy to get a nomination for anything nationally.”

The final program nominated is a radio drama.

“Larceny,” written and produced by Polk, is a gritty crime drama based on the video game “Grand Theft Auto.”

Nominated for “Best Radio Drama,” the program is about a bank heist that takes a serious turn at the very end.

“Primarily the betrayal at the end, that’s where the name comes from,” Daniels said.

“I was truly surprised at the nomination. I’ve never been to New York. This will be my first time there,” Daniels added.

IBS picks five finalists in every category, and the awards are only part of the conference.

Speakers at the event include New York radio personalities Dan Kelly and Shawn Novatt, ESPN program director Justin Craig and representatives from WABC News Talk Radio.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit CBS Radio New York, 107.5 WBLS, 95.5 PLJ and NASH-FM. “I’ve never been to New York, so this should be pretty exciting. It feels a little like the Heisman Trophy Awards, except with extremely un-athletic people,” Zahren said.

from STUDY page 1 Eventually, a map of Pittsburgh could be constructed showing the correlation between well-being and a particular location.

“Our colleagues are in urban studies, they are not psychologists,” Kryuchkov said. “We need them in terms of their help in the urban explanations.”

The researchers in Russia need the help of Kryuchkov and Robbins’ to explain the correlations between the results of the study and the human mind.

“They can help us create this map and provide us with some explanations on the urban factors,” Kryuchkov said. “We can help them with the psychological things.”

According to Robbins, this collaboration between urban studies research and the psychology of well-being is relatively new.

“Mostly, the research has been on the relationship between community factors and mental health, but not well-being.” Robbins said.

This research aims to show more than that.

“In other words, are there certain kinds of social, economic or cultural correlations that we can find that link up to the psychological variables of well-being?” Robbins added.

This is a more positive spin on psychology. According to Robbins, very few people have done research in positive psychology.

This study will link psychology, usually the study of the individual, to thinking about the individual in their larger social context.

“We aren’t looking at how people go wrong but how they go right,” Robbins said.

Anthony Mendicino can be reached at awmendi@pointpark.edu.

Anthony Mendicino can be reached at awmendi@pointpark.edu.

Next issue: Pittsburgh celebrates bicentennial, invites students to join

photo by Dominique Hildebrand

This year marks the 200th anniversary of Pittsburgh’s incorporation and the city is throwing a year-long party to celebrate. Next week, the Globe will take a look at what Pittsburgh is planning to observe the occasion, and how Point Park has partnered with the city to help plan the festivities.

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

3

Blaine King seeking second term as USG president, sets sights on communication from PRESIDENT page 1 and also welcomes students to contact him via social media.

“We’re open to and willing to answer any email; you can drop by our office, drop something in the student concern box, anything that makes you comfortable.”

Along with improving communication amongst the general student body, King plans to improve the communication he has with the numerous club leaders across campus.

Dubin said having an open line of communication with club leaders is vital to USG’s success.

“It’s imperative to have a good level of communication with the club leaders,” Dubin said. “Club leaders are people who are more engaged and are going above and beyond what the average student is doing.”

USG allocates funds to clubs twice every semester.

Last year, USG was penalized for over-allocating the previous year. It could not give as much money to clubs as it did in the past.

USG receives 11 percent of the student activities fee each semester which ranges from $40,000-$50,000 each semester.

Sophomore executive board member and treasurer Amber Mole said the number of on-campus organizations has increased, but the amount of money that clubs are requesting has decreased.

“This year, it almost seems like we have more than enough and that clubs aren’t even asking for the amounts that they used to, even though we do have more,” Mole said. “That could be just because we have completely new club members working on completely

different things.”

Improving communication is just The increasing number of clubs is one item on King’s to-do list this sea welcome sight for Dubin, who is in mester. Re-election is another. his fourth year at USG. When March rolls around, King He is faced with the challenge must run again to earn a second term of educating the growing number of as USG President. Last year, he ran organizations on the proper way to unopposed. He does not expect this to spend the money USG gives them. change, but is open to competition.

Allocated money not spent by clubs “[USG members] like how everybefore the end of the funding period thing is going so far, and they want to rolls back to USG. continue that prog“We would like ress,” King said. “We to see clubs spend look at everything to their money just be a two-year thing. so we can show the We let everybody in administration that USG know that we USG would like to expect to be here invest more money again next year beso that we can give it cause we really want out to clubs because to make an impact at clubs are using it Point Park.” for good reasons to Sophomore Parimprove the Point liamentarian Charles Park community,” Murria said he would King said. not be surprised if USG is in close someone on USG decontact with club cides to run against leaders when it is time King, particularly the to divvy out funds. younger senators.

As the number “Our first-year of clubs continues senators are realto increase, comly adamant about municating with change,” Murria said each club leader can in a phone interview Charles Murria prove difficult.

Jan. 10. “I think some “I try to email Parliamentarian, of them are going to club leaders at least United Student Government run for president or once a month to give vice president. It’s them updates and going to be an intersee how everything is,” King said. esting election.”

“We try to make ourselves known, Murria is on board with the twowe try to attend events to show sup- year plan and said the young USG is port for them, and we’re working still transitioning into the new adminwith SAIL to improve communica- istration. The group members adjusttion with club leaders.” ed to their new positions last semester

“Our first-year senators are really adamant about change.

I think some of them are going to run for president or vice president. It’s going to be an interesting election”

and are ready to hit the ground running for the spring semester.

“This semester is really going to be our time to shine,” Murria said.

“Blaine and Gabe have led us through it because they’re the most experienced out of anyone on USG right now. Their leadership is really appreciated.”

An open election that challenges the current administration could create an interest in USG that Dubin said has been missing in recent years.

“I personally think that having someone run against [King] creates a different level of intrigue around elections,” Dubin said. “In the past, there hasn’t been a lot of turnout for elections. I think that there can be some people that are just running to shake things up, but I think the level of cohesion of having a two year plan is good because we can have a consistent message over a long period of time instead of having a shake up with different administrations. Only time will tell.”

With a lot on his plate, King said he likes to stay busy and has loved serving the students as USG president.

“It’s been a challenge; it’s been fun and I enjoy it,” King said. “There are days where I’m like, ‘What am I doing with myself?’ I always look at it with a smile on my face and say, ‘Well, it has to get done somehow, someway, so let’s go.’”

Josh Croup can be reached at jdcroup@pointpark.edu.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

FEATURES

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Pioneer Star brings blues sound to Pioneer Records By: Neil Strebig For The Globe

Last semester, John Rushlander, a junior sports, arts and entertainment management (SAEM) major at Point Park, became the newest addition to the campus’ very own record label, Pioneer Records.

Rushlander, an Army veteran who served in Iraq, became immersed in the music scenes and live performance atmospheres of cities like Chicago and New Orleans after finishing his tour with the Army. He performed at various bars and venues in those cities prior to moving to Pittsburgh and being chosen as the Pioneer Star.

Rushlander, a Pittsburgh native, began playing guitar in high school with the sole intention of becoming a better player. Eventually, this led to Rushlander writing songs during his four-year stint in the Army.

Pioneer Star, Point Park’s annual contest, offers a Point Park student the opportunity to record with Pioneer Records’ experienced recording team and musicians at Red Caiman Studios located Downtown. photo by Chloe Jakiela “We had about 25 finalists who sub- John Rushlander, junior sports, arts and entertainment management (SAEM) major, won the Pioneer Star Award mitted all kinds of music all from Point which allows him to record at Pioneer Records, a record label run by Point Park University and managed by the SAEM Park, but when it came down to it, he program. It is located at Red Caiman Media, a recording studio located in the uptown section of Pittsburgh. was unanimous,” said SAEM assistant professor Ed Traversari in an interview on the 11th floor of West Penn. Traversawhere he belongs really hits him. versity with the chance to enter in Pioneer Star. ri was part of the Pioneer Star selection process “I’m doing the right thing right now. It has “At first, I was a bit apprehensive of doing it. and will also work with Rushlander in the re- been quite natural,” Rushlander said. “There re- I didn’t know if it was for me,” Rushlander said. cording process. ally hasn’t been too many bumps with the guys “I kind of submitted some things and ended up “[He’s] a singer-songwriter, still a little more in getting my stuff down, which is the one thing I backing out of it because I didn’t think I wanted bluesy. When he plays his acoustic guitar – I’ve was a bit worried about -- going in there and be- to go through with it, but I think it was some of never heard him play electric yet – he can also ing out of my element, because I’m used to play- my own insecurities and madness.” sound like a Stevie Ray Vaughn. It is kind of a ing live, but so far it has been very, very good.”

Alongside Point Park staff and the young guifolksy, funky blues. It’s a nice sound [that] he Rushlander will work with Traversari, Red tarist’s friends and family members, Rushlander has,” said Traversari.

Caiman Studio owner and producer Jesse Naus, has been encouraged to stick with it. Ultimately, An innate guitarist, Rushlander credits the and the rest of the Pioneer Records team to pro- he is beholden to them for directing him towards likes of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Muddy duce a 3-song EP. Impressed by the precision an experience that he has deemed “great.”

Waters, Incubus and Alice in Chains as promi- and professionalism of the Pioneer Records Rushlander’s EP will be released later this nent influences, and describes his playing style team, Rushlander had a difficult time picking a year. Until then, he will continue performing live as “bluesy.” He began performimg live as often favorite on the upcoming album, but spoke high- at local venues in the city. His next live gig will be as he could – a transition he described as a “kind ly of his track titled “Go Around, Come Around,” during the Strip District’s Music Festival on Satof natural process.” along with the experience of working with The urday, Jan. 16. He’ll be performing at the Beer “I’ve already learned a lot,” said Rushlander Clarks’ bassist, Greg Joseph.

Hive on Penn Ave., Jan. 16 at 10 p.m. Point Park in an interview in Lawrence Hall. “[Pioneer Star] “I’ve never played with such professional senior Hannah Jenkins, the first Pioneer Star is already kind of benefiting me, and that’s what musicians,” Rushlander said. “It’s been great. winner, who Rushlander considers a trailblazer, I need is to learn more about the recording pro- It’s been opening up opportunities for me that I will also be performing there at 5 p.m. cess and what it takes to get a sonic idea – the probably wouldn’t have had without it.”

Point Park students are encouraged to visit sound – and give it a professional sound,” RushAs grateful as Rushlander is for the opportu- and watch Rushlander during his Pioneer Relander said. “Ultimately getting my songs and my nity that winning Pioneer Star has provided for cords recording sessions. Session times and music out there and broadcasted is what I want to him thus far, his current musical path is rather dates are listed on the bulletin board on the 11th get out of it. Hopefully make a fan base. With Pi- serendipitous. After his military tour and his floor in the West Penn Building. oneer Records, they’re able to showcase my music Midwestern travels, he managed to make his way in ways that I’d be unable to.” back home to his native Pittsburgh with plans Neil Strebig Rushlander admits that whenever he has of finishing his college education. As fate would can be reached at been in the studio, the realization that this is have it, he landed himself back at Point Park Uni-

nmstreb@pointpark.edu.

CAB brings in new semester with ice-skating event

Students skate for free at third annual event held at PPG rink By: Karly Rivera Features Editor

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is starting the New Year and the new semester with a free ice-skating event on Jan. 13. “[Students] should expect to have a fun time,” Louis Spanos, a junior sports, arts and entertainment management (SAEM) major and the Experience Pittsburgh events coor-

dinator for CAB said in a phone interview Saturday afternoon.

CAB will provide free ice-skating for students at Point Park on Wed. from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Students can enjoy this opportunity at the PPG ice rink.

Spanos said that spots are limited and CAB can only fund the first 75 students to show up. Students can receive vouchers in the Lawrence Hall lobby.

photo by Chloe Jakiela

The Campus Activities Board at Point Park University is holding a free skate at the PPG Place rink Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. The first 75 students that go to Lawrence Hall Lobby for a voucher can get free admission.

“In a perfect world, we could get all 75 [students] to come,” Spanos said. “As many students up to that are covered by us, but even if anyone wants to come and chat, we will be there.”

This is CAB’s third year hosting the ice-skating event for students, and Spanos’ second year for planning it.

Kiersten Lewis, a senior photojournalism major, said she has not attended one of the ice-skating events in the past, but this event is something that she is interested in.

“It sounds like it would be fun,” Lewis said in an interview Monday morning in Academic Hall. “Even though I can’t ice skate well, I would still go.”

Angela Goodwin, a first-year graduate student in the school of business, has never ice-skated before but said that it is a bonus that the event is provided free to students.

“Free definitely sounds good, and to get out and do something,” Goodwin said in an interview Monday afternoon in the Lawrence Hall second floor lounge.

Goodwin said during her time as an undergraduate student that she attended other CAB events and always had a great time.

Spanos said that while he may not be good at ice-skating either, all

levels are welcome to come out and give it a try. He is excited to cheer on anyone who is willing to go out on the ice.

“I’m just happy to give students the opportunity to have a great time,” Spanos said.

Lewis said since some of her friends have graduated, and that as a commuter, it is difficult to meet others, but she said that CAB events are always a great opportunity to take advantage of the chance to making new friends.

“Being a commuter, [the events] might be a way to meet new people and friends,” Lewis said.

Spanos said students should wear anything they would feel comfortable ice-skating in for a fun evening.

If interested in attending, students will need to stop by CAB’s table in Lawrence Hall Lobby on Jan. 13 to receive a stamp for free ice skates and ice time. Spanos said that to ensure students have enough time for skating, CAB’s table will be open until 9:30 p.m.

For more information about this CAB event and other upcoming events hosted by the organization, visit their Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Karly Rivera can be reached at kmriver@pointpark.edu.

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

FEATURES

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

5

Point Park business professor receives recognition

Elaine Luther named 2015 business communicator of the year By: Eddie Trizzino Co-Features Editor

After a career in business spanning several corporations over several decades, Point Park business professor Elaine Luther has been recognized by an organization made up of business professionals throughout the nation.

Luther has been named 2015’s Business Communicator of the Year by the Pittsburgh branch of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), a worldwide organization made up of over 14,000 members, according to its website.

“I thought it was just a really nice recognition

for me for doing things I do anyway, like I’m always reading the news and keeping up, which I think is what an M.B.A. in business should do,” Luther said.

Luther was nominated for the award by KDKA’s political analyst Jon Delano, who Luther has corresponded with on several news stories for KDKA. She was also nominated by Point Park’s marketing and media relations department.

A representative from the department said that they nominated Luther because she is a goto expert in business affairs and really showed her know-how in over 50 appearances with Jon Delano on KDKA. They also said she is special in

that she is a great writer while simultaneously being a straight-up expert in her field.

Luther received her award at a ceremony held by IABC Pittsburgh, where the theme of the event was Mardi Gras.

“It was funny seeing everyone there wearing colorful masks,” Luther said.

Luther started her business career after obtaining a degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh. She then held business jobs with several corporate organizations, including Pepsi-Cola for several years, before beginning teaching classes in business, accounting and finance at Point Park about 20 years ago.

In 2005, she obtained her doctorate degree in accounting from Robert Morris University, at the same time that she was teaching classes at Point Park.

She also recently dabbled in the world of small independent business, opening a shop called Look What I Found at Elaine’s about a year and a half ago, where she sold some of her personal belongings, such as her Halloween and Christmas decorations to clear out her storage unit.

“I kind of wanted to do it to see all the steps you have to go through to open your own small business,” Luther said, who said she is now in her last month of operating the business.

At Point Park, she continues to teach four to five classes each semester, including business communications, intro to business, human resources and seminar in HR this semester.

Nowadays, Luther said she reads multiple newspapers every day, which helps her keep current all the time. She continues to lend her expertise to news organizations, such as KDKA and the Pittsburgh Business Times.

“I don’t like doing the same thing every day, I always want to try something new and keep doing different things,” Luther said.

photo by Connor Hochbein

Elaine Luther, Professor of Business Management, is the recipient of International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Pittsburgh Golden Triangle Awards. IABC’s 36th annual award recognizes excellence and creativity in business communication skills and management. Luther was honored at a dinner at Sheraton Station Square on Wed. Oct. 7, 2015.

Eddie Trizzino can be reached at eatrizz@pointpark.edu.

6

OPINIONS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

2015 went out in a blaze of garbage: Welcome to 2016

’S

POINT

By Laura Byko

Co-Opinions Editor

New semester, new goals It’s a new semester at Point Park University. All the stress of the fall should have melted away, even as everything else in sight finally starts to freeze.

Coming back after a long, probably-not-as-relaxing-as-you-wouldhave-liked break is the ideal time to take stock of where you are in your college career and figure out where you’d like to go from here. At the beginning of the semester, the world seems bright and full of possibilities.

Forget about how shriveled your soul felt by the end of last semester and focus on what you need to do.

Take control of your life while you still have time to make decisions.

Don’t have an internship yet?

Start applying. Visit a career counselor. Ask your favorite professor if she knows about any opportunities.

Feeling panicked about the blank spaces on your resume?

Join a club. Point Park has an impressive array of organizations that cater to nearly every major and area of interest. If you like writing or reporting, write for the Globe.

Even if you don’t like either of those things, write for the Globe. Write for the Globe; we’re excellent people and very friendly.

Unsure about your major?

First, so is probably every single person on this campus. You are not alone, and we are all organisms flail-

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

ing in the dark toward some sort of meaning and satisfaction. Second, take an elective that seems interesting, and consider how much time you have left at Point Park. Do you really want to spend that time doing work that you hate?

Panicked about your workload?

Breathe. Breathe again, but slower this time. Really do it this time – don’t just read the words. You can do this. Make a plan. Schedule your work. Schedule breaks within your work. Remember to eat. Try to get enough sleep. Write down every deadline you have. Go to class. Keep doing those deep breaths.

Still reeling over that one time you failed badly last semester?

You are flawed. People like your flaws. You will fail because you have flaws. If you never failed, people would like you much less. These are not excuses; these are facts. Accept that you failed. You will fail again, and you will fail again after that, and that is ok. You are a human and you are learning and you are trying.

It’s a new semester, Point Park.

You can do this, and you can do more.

We at the The Globe look forward to seeing exactly how much you can do.

The Globe can be reached at globe@pointpark.edu.

A couple weeks ago, you might have noticed, the year changed. This means we’re now living in 2016 instead of 2015, and I personally was a little disappointed by this turn of events.

2015 is on the record now, you see. It wasn’t a yearlong fever dream I had created for myself. It wasn’t an elaborate hellscape from which I could never escape. Rather, it was real life, an ordinary year that could expire just like any other, rolling into 2016 without anything beyond a number really changing at all.

It all seemed a little underwhelming, mostly because 2015 seemed so outrageously, spectacularly bad.

Not on a personal level, mind you, or at least not on one I want to disclose in The Globe. On a national scale, however, things seemed to reach a level of darkness that I only believed existed in semi-trite satirical books and movies.

A fascist was running for president in 2015. I was really hoping that was something we could leave in 2015, but no, Donald Trump is still running for president. God help us, he is leading in the polls in New Hampshire and Iowa.

An obscenely rich former reality TV host who has declared bankruptcy four times and whose political stances basically amount to “gosh all those nonwhite people seem scary and I sure wish they would act whiter” is the leading candidate in one of our two major political parties.

This feels like a heightened situation.

But the real tragedy here is that it’s not. This is the reality of America; this is ordinary; this is the rule and not the exception.

That’s what made 2015 so hard to stomach: the grinding, everyday ordinariness of the mass shootings, the police violence against people of color, the attacks on women’s healthcare.

I worry that I am becoming used to these things, that people largely have mistaken what is for what should be and that I will someday, maybe someday soon, make that same mistake.

But the only thing that would be worse, more capitulatory, than accepting tragedies as the status quo because they happen every day is accepting them because meaningful change seems impossible.

Good things happened in 2015.

Gay marriage was legalized nationwide. Relations with Cuba were normalized. Pittsburgh decriminalized marijuana possession.

They didn’t happen without reason. They happened because of hard work, of activism, of difficult conversations and of an openness to change.

When we accept the Trumps of the world, when we don’t bother fighting back with words and with actions, that’s when we really lose. 2015 felt bleak, felt dark, felt bad, but it didn’t feel like a loss.

Let’s do better in 2016. Let’s not accept the status quo. Let’s be kinder, be stronger, be more honest. Let’s, at the very least, believe that we can.

Laura Byko can be reached at lobyko@pointpark.edu.

Letter from the editor...

Josh Croup becomes the third Butler grad in a row to take over as Chief

Think back to kindergarten and first grade.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Most of us have had a change of heart since then, some more than others.

Some have had a change of heart in the past few months and have switched majors or even schools.

From preschool through fifth grade, I wanted to be a lot of things.

I wanted to be a firefighter, a police officer, an astronaut and even a professional football and baseball player.

I really wanted to be a scientist at one point.

Things have changed.

Reading, writing and words in general never got along well with me. I loved solving math problems, studying geography and inventing things in elementary school.

I hated reading and I really hated writing. I liked that I could do it, but that was about it.

In fifth grade, I auditioned for my elementary school’s television station and was selected as the “Crew Chief” for the upcoming year. I read the morning announcements, directed morning shows and assisted with game shows.

I fell in love with television and had another change of heart. I wanted to work in the media.

Reading, writing and words started to grow on me in sixth grade. If I was going to work in the media, I had to befriend the trio.

I haven’t had a drastic change of heart. Since then, I’ve become a broadcast major with the intention on working in the media in some way, shape or form after I graduate.

I practiced my reading more and began writing poetry with an after school club. At Butler Junior High School, I wrote more poetry, won a poetry contest and worked even more at the television studio.

Reading, writing and words were still growing on me.

Our relationship took somewhat of a hit at the

beginning of ninth grade. Greek mythology confused me, my English teacher was really critical of my writing and I was frustrated.

That only made me better. My ninth grade English teacher eventually changed the way I looked at words. He changed the way I read and he changed the way I wrote.

My best friend convinced me at the end of my junior year to take the newspaper class during my senior year. I needed an extra class on my schedule and wanted to get my feet wet with something other than a camera or a microphone before heading to college.

Herb Thompson taught that class and he changed my life.

I discovered the art of journalistic writing, the importance of the news in society and the endless possibilities that words have.

When I arrived at Point Park, Jon Andreassi was the Editor-in-Chief of The Globe. He is also a Butler graduate and a Herb Thompson product.

I started covering the Point Park Rugby Club during my first week. The players welcomed me and covering the team helped me develop my writing skills. By the end of the year, I had my own column and covered a number of different Point Park sports.

Kristin Snapp took over as Chief after Andreassi. Snapp was not only the second straight Butler grad to run The Globe, but the second straight Herb Thompson product.

She did a phenomenal job running this paper for two semesters. She hired me as the sports editor to begin my sophomore year. Three weeks into the year, I was approached about the Editor-Elect position and applied shortly thereafter.

Fast forward to now, and I am stepping up as the Editor-in-Chief of The Globe during the second semester of my sophomore year. Snapp became the youngest Chief in The Globe’s history to take over at the same age last year.

The Globe board consists of Josh Croup and fellow editors. Opinion articles, letters to the editor, columns and cartoons do not necessarily reflect the position of the newspaper or editorial board. The Globe reserves the right to refuse advertising and edit all submitted articles and letters to the editor.

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There’s something to be said about three straight Butler graduates, and three straight Herb Thompson students, taking over this paper. We also just happened to become Editor-Elect after working at the sports desk.

If you told me before my senior year of high school that I would become the editor of my college paper, I would have told you that I only wanted to work in television and sports, not at a newspaper, and that it was out of the question.

Well, if you told me that I wasn’t going to be a scientist in first grade, I would have told you that I didn’t want to do anything else.

Man, how things change.

No, I do not want to necessarily work at a newspaper after graduation, but Herb Thompson opened my eyes to what a writing background can provide.

I learn more and more each day how important writing is to a career in the media.

Whether it is working as a production intern in Minor League Baseball, hosting a show on campus television or writing the story of a women’s soccer conference championship, having a writing background is imperative to success in this business.

Reading, writing and words are everywhere.

They’re everything.

We’ve had our ups and downs, but these three are more important to me now than ever before.

Welcome to 2016. I hope it is as wonderful as possible for you and brings you nothing but good opportunities and happiness.

Let’s begin this journey at The Globe together, and may reading, writing and words guide you throughout the year.

Because, why not?

Editor-in-Chief

Josh Croup, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Mendicino, Co-News Editor Alexander Popichak, Co-News Editor Karly Rivera, Co-Features Editor Eddie Trizzino, Co-Features Editor Johanna Wharran, Co-Opinions Editor Laura Byko, Co-Opinions Editor Michael Richter, Co-Sports Editor Matt Petras, Co-Sports Editor Dominique Hildebrand, News Photo Editor Chloe Jakiela, Features Photo Editor Liz Berie, Sports Photo Editor Julianne Griffith, Layout Editor Alex Grubbs, Co-Copy Desk Chief Emily Bennett, Co-Copy Desk Chief Kayla Novak, Copy Editor Carrie Reale, Copy Editor Quinn Baumeister, Copy Editor Nicholas Fischer, Copy Editor Isabelle Opsitos, Copy Editor Emily Kubincanek, Copy Editor

Dana Bohince, Online Editor Gerri Tipton, Online Editor Sabrina Bodon, USG Beat Reporter Meg Davis, Social Media Editor Brianna Murray, Social Media Editor Alexa Yanyanin, Social Media Editor Emily Yount, Graphic Designer Arianna Khalil, Graphic Designer Kariann Mano, Business Manager Dr. Steven Hallock, Faculty Adviser

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THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

SPORTS CROUP’S CORNER

By Josh Croup Sports Columnist

Spring semester - what to look for Welcome back to another semester at Point Park and to another semester of Point Park sports.

The first semester for the Pioneers was as successful as the previous two semesters.

Point Park ended the term atop the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) Commissioner’s Cup standings as it tries to defend its title as the top athletic department in the KIAC. Will the winter and spring sports teams help Point Park stay at the top of the conference for two straight years? That’s just one of the stories to watch for in the spring semester of 2016.

Padding the record book How many wins will men’s basketball coach Bob Rager rack up at the end of the year?

Rager had a great 2015. He led last year’s squad to a KIAC Tournament Championship appearance and became the all-time wins leader among coaches in the region.

The men’s basketball team entered 2016 with a 7-6 (2-3) record.

The offense, when hot, can put up triple digits on command. When they’re cold, they’re ice cold.

The season high in points stands at 125 for Point Park, while the season low is more than half that at just 58.

Which team will show up for another KIAC Tournament run?

The one that can score 125, or the one that scores 58? Hopefully the former of the two as the team jumps into conference play.

The more wins means a better seed come tourney time, and a longer climb for Pitt coach Jamie Dixon to catch up to Rager in the city’s record book.

Automatic bid is a must The women’s basketball team keeps grinding out wins.

With a 9-5 (4-1) record entering winter break, the team is on the right track. Two automatic bids to the national tournament are up for grabs this year, and the only way the Pioneers are going to the tournament is with one of them.

Head coach Tony Grenek changed his approach this season.

Before, the goal was reaching the tournament from the start. This season, the focus is on KIAC play.

The team with the top regular season record earns one automatic bid to nationals. The conference tournament champion earns the other.

Point Park has never lost more than two straight games under Grenek, now in his fifth season.

The Pioneers have lost twice in a row only three times.

Winning and Grenek have been best friends since he first stepped on campus.

Priority number one for Grenek’s team: get an automatic bid.

Second lap around the track Point Park begins its second year competing in men’s and women’s track and field this year.

If cross country season was any indication of the potential the teams have, we’re in for an exciting track season.

Point Park should field a strong squad all around.

Will any of last year’s records from the inaugural season still stand at the end of this year? How many more records will sophomore Katie Guarnaccia break this year?

How many national qualifiers will the teams produce? Guarnaccia already has.

There are a lot of things to watch for on these track and field teams in what should be a fun season. Point Park’s next meet is at Youngstown State on Jan. 22.

Point Park Field at Water Park That’s what the baseball team’s home facility should have been called last year.

Point Park Field at Green Tree Park didn’t see action until late April last season. Will Mother Nature treat the baseball team better this season, or will the Pioneers have to travel to Butler for more “home” games?

Replacing nine seniors Last year, the Point Park softball team produced a 29-16 (21-7) record and finished as the number two seed in the KIAC, but was sent home on day one of the tournament.

This year’s team returns four of nine starting hitters and two of five pitchers. Will the veterans combine with the newcomers to fill the void left by the nine seniors?

Both the baseball and softball seasons kick off near the end of February and into March. Stay tuned for a more in-depth preview of the teams as the seasons approach.

Defending and climbing Although golf season may seem far off, that doesn’t mean it’s too early to look ahead.

Last year, the women finished fourth at the KIAC Tournament.

The men, however, went on to win the conference and place 25th at the National Tournament. Can the men defend their title, and can the women improve from their fourth place finish last year?

The KIAC Commissioner’s Cup currently sits in the Athletic Department office in the Student Center. The Cup is a reminder of the strong showing Point Park had all around last year.

Now, it’s time to defend the cup. The Pioneers are already off to a great start. Now it’s up to the spring teams to pick up where the fall ones left off.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

7

Students land baseball jobs

By Mia Rupani For the Globe

In less than a week, sophomore sports, arts and entertainment management (SAEM) major Casey McGaw had 10 job interviews with Minor League Baseball teams.

McGaw was one of six Point Park students invited to attend the 2015 Baseball Winter Meetings Jobs Forum from Dec. 6-9 in Nashville, Tenn.

“When I heard about these meetings, everybody who talked about them said that if I really want to work in baseball, this is the best possible place I could go,” McGaw said.

The Pittsburgh Center for Sports Media and Marketing had interested students from any major complete applications and attach their resumes for a chance at attending the forum.

Out of those applicants, ten students were interviewed by a panel of members from the Center for Sports Media and Marketing and other University officials before the six students were chosen.

Point Park Graduate Assistant Kelsey Veydt was put in charge of planning the trip, as well as teaching a seven week prep-class where the students prepared for interviews, revamped their portfolios and made business cards and websites.

“The Winter Meetings are held every year where representatives from the major and minor leagues come together to talk about the upcoming season,” Veydt said. “They also have a job fair where there are around 500 job postings, and that’s what the students go for.”

The forum provides students with the opportunity to be interviewed for both internship and entry-level positions within a minor or Major League Baseball team.

“From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. the students attend a workshop on the first day where they learn all about the business side of baseball,” Veydt said. “The rest of the trip, every half hour they have interview postings.

Students have to keep track of the positions they apply for to see if they are chosen for an interview.”

McGaw described the whole

experience as exhausting, but credits it with helping to get her foot in the door to the business. She landed a ticketing internship with the Tri-City ValleyCats, a single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros.

“Honestly, my favorite part was the people I was able to meet,” McGaw said. “Yeah, you can apply for these jobs online and talk over email, but here I got to sit with these employers face-to-face and make connections that way.”

This is the second year Point Park students were able to attend the Baseball Winter Meetings Jobs Forum. Last year, two students were hired as interns

by Minor League Baseball teams.

“If our students continue to be successful and land jobs at these forums, we will continue to take them there,” Veydt said.

Senior broadcast reporting major Zach Aaron credits the forum with giving him the opportunity to make connections and network with representatives from many different teams and organizations.

Similar to McGaw, Aaron attended 11 interviews during his time at the forum. His interview with the West Virginia Power led him to a production internship with the Pittsburgh Pirates Class-A affiliate.

“It was one of the craziest experiences of my life and it was incredibly rewarding,” Aaron said. “I’ve interned with two Minor League Baseball teams already, so it was nice to see those people again but in a more casual setting. And I was able to get a lot of good advice there for my career path.”

McGaw and Aaron have already started recommending their experience to friends interested in the business.

“If you’re interested in working in baseball and you know all the requirements it takes to work that job, like the long hours, I would absolutely say to attend this forum,” Aaron said.

Mia Rupani can be reached at mlrupi@pointpark.edu.

Josh Croup can be reached at jdcroup@pointpark.edu.

Page 7 Photos courtesy of Sam Robinson, Point Park Athletics

Sophomore center Baylee Buleca attempts a free throw during the Northwestern Ohio game on Nov. 6 at CCAC South.

Senior guard Alexa Xanakis shoots a free throw against Northwestern Ohio on Nov. 6 at CCAC South.

8

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

SPORTS

THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY

Cheer and Dance becomes official sport

Athletic department expects new team to better sports program By: Michael Richter Co-Sports Editor

The Point Park athletics department announced it will add competitive cheer and dance as an official varsity sport for the 2016-2017 season, on Jan. 7.

“They (the cheerleading club) have always had a positive presence at basketball games,” said Point Park director of athletic communications Kevin Taylor in a phone interview Jan. 9. “They add a lot to the atmosphere, and now that will only get enhanced.”

There have been several incarnations of cheerleading clubs at Point Park since the 1960s, but it has never been an official school sport.

For the last five years, there has been a cheerleading club that has performed at Point Park men’s and women’s basketball games and competed in cheerleading competitions.

“There is already the makings of a team,” Dan Swalga, Point Park athletic director, said referring to the current independent cheerleading club at the school.

Since there was already an interest, the athletic department felt it was necessary to make cheerleading

an official University sport. crease enrollment, and the addition Furthermore, the National Asof a cheer and dance team should sociation of Intercollegiate Athletics do the same.

(NAIA) just recently recognized “I think it can be very well competitive cheer and dance as a received with both current students, sport, and it will be the league’s 24th and prospective students who are not championship sport in 2017. Thereeven at Point Park yet,” Taylor said. fore, the univerAs for the dance sity felt it was aspect of the team, the right time to Taylor points out add competitive that there could be cheer and dance crossover appeal for as a varsity sport. the school’s newest “It is an varsity sport. Point emerging sport Park possesses a in the NAIA,” noted dance proSwalga said. gram, so perhaps This is not there are dancing the first time in artists who would recent memory enjoy performing that Point Park competitively. has expanded its Moreover, he beKevin Taylor intercollegiate lieves this team will Director of Athletic Communications mesh well with the sports offerings.

Point Park University In Nov. 2013, Point Park culture. the school added “There are track and field as a lot of talented a varsity sport. students at Point And in 2009, it added men’s and Park, and this new team fits in with women’s golf as varsity sports. other things going on at Point Park,” According to the athletic Taylor said. department, the addition of these The athletic department is curaforementioned sports helped inrently accepting coaching staff appli-

“There are a lot of talented students at Point Park, and this new team fits in with other things going on at Point Park.”

Page 8 Photos courtesy of Sam Robinson, Point Park Athletics

Point Park cheerleaders perform a halftime show during a women’s basketball game at CCAC South campus on Nov. 6.

Women from Point Park’s cheerleading team perform a stunt during the women’s basketball game half-time show. cations for its impending competitive cheer and dance team. Students who are interested in joining the competitive cheer and dance team must meet the requirements of the NAIA eligibility center.

According to the club’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, Bettina Herold is the coach of the current unsponsored Point Park cheerleading team.

As of now, it is uncertain if she is interested in a competitive cheer and dance coaching position.

Point Park’s competitive cheer and dance head coaching job is a part-time position. Swalga is looking for a coach who has experience in competitive cheer and dance. He also values someone who has strong recruiting skills.

“This person has to be knowledgeable about the sport (competitive cheer and dance),” Swalga said.

Both Swalga and Taylor believe this will enhance the overall quality of Point Park’s athletic program.

Michael Richter can be reached at mwricht@pointpark.edu.

University athletics kept busy over break Men and Women’s basketball players don’t stop shooting hoops

By Michael Richter Co-Sports Editor

Over winter break, academics may have halted, but Point Park sports surely did not. The men’s and women’s basketball teams were busy, and the Point Park Athletic Department announced the addition of a new varsity sport, competitive cheer and dance (see above).

Women’s Basketball: The Point Park women’s basketball team now has an overall record of 12-5, and a 5-1 Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (KIAC) record, which places the team second in the KIAC colonial division.

At the Shawnee State Classic from Dec. 11-12, the women’s basketball team went 0-2.

The Pioneers were defeated by the No. 12 ranked Shawnee State 83-61 in their first matchup. The Pioneers had a difficult time on defense, as Shawnee State made 52 percent of its shots from the field.

Freshman guard Kaitlyn Smith scored 13 points while fellow guard Celina DiPietro led the team in

points with 14.

On the second day of the tournament, the Pioneers fell to Auburn Montgomery University 53-49.

Point Park garnered a commanding 22-9 lead at the end of the first quarter, and it maintained the lead until a dominant third quarter from Auburn Montgomery.

In that defensive contest, Smith scored a team-high of 10 points. She was the only Pioneers player to reach a double-digit point total, and she was one of two players from both teams to reach double digits.

From there, the Pioneers picked up their game and won three straight contests on the road— two of which were against KIAC foes.

Point Park defeated Rio Grande 74-65 on Jan. 2. Guard Alexis Xenakis led the team in scoring with 18 points, 12 of which came from beyond the arc, and Smith added 15 points to the Pioneers’ total. Carly Forse finished with a double-double — she amassed 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pioneers pummeled Penn State University-Fayette 90-54 on Jan. 7. This is the team’s best offensive showing of the year thus far.

They made 53 percent of their field

goals. Bench players Kiana Daley and Devon Larkin led the team with 16 points, respectively.

With 19 points each from DiPietro and Xenakis, the Pioneers claimed victory over Cincinnati Christian University 68-55. Center Baylee Buleca also had a great game — she put up nine points, 11 rebounds, four steals and four blocks.

Men’s Basketball: After going 1-2 in its last three games on the road, the Point Park men’s basketball team has an overall record of 9-7 and a 2-4 KIAC record.

Currently, the Pioneers have the fifth-best ranked offense in National Athletics Intercollegiate Association (NAIA) Division II basketball.

The Pioneers fell to Rio Grande 117-114 on Jan. 2. Point Park guard Kelvin Goodwin scored 31 points and shot 91 percent from the free-throw line. Fellow guard Jerah’me Williams added 20 points.

In this high scoring affair, Rio Grande’s three point offense catapulted it to a win. The Ohio school made 43.6 percent of its three-point attempts, and 51 of its total points

were from three-pointers.

The Pioneers beat Penn State University-Fayette 90-84 on Jan. 7. Just like the Point Park women’s basketball team, the men’s basketball team shot well against Penn State University-Fayette.

The Pioneers made 59 percent of their shots from the field. Goodwin scored 20 points. Off the bench, Pioneers guard Sa’iid Allen generated 12 points.

On Jan. 9, Cincinnati Christian defeated Point Park 99-91. Cincinnati Christian led by as much as 17 points at one point in the third quarter, but the Pioneers battled back and came within four points of the Ohio-based team with 2:30 left in the game.

However, the Pioneers were unable to mount a come-from-behind victory. Williams led the Pioneers in points with 28 and Goodwin racked up 26.

Michael Richter can be reached at mwricht@pointpark.edu.