IN THIS ISSUE: PAGE
@PPUGlobe April 15, 2020
McDermott, Hayzlett win 2020 SGA election
4 PAGE 5 PAGE 6 Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967
ELECTION page 2
as of 4/13
Refund
Students who paid the $185 student activity fee for the spring semester will receive a $70 student activity fee refund.
Commencement
There will be no virtual commencement honoring the graduates of the Class of 2020. The University will continue to search for a future date to hold an in-person ceremony at PPG Paints arena.
Webinar
The University will hold a webinar on April 15 to address issues regarding the transition of on-ground classes to online.
Alysse Baer | The Globe
Cordell Conrad For The Globe
crisis. Some children rely on their school to feed them, and now that schools are no longer teaching in classrooms, these children are left without lunch. Moreau stressed that school “was their safe haven” and that the bakery plans to start helping by donating food to local organizations who are working to solve this pressing issue. “We have always donated leftovers at the end of the day in every shop, but now we will start producing more so we can help.” Women’s’ boutique, Fresh Nostalgia in Market Square downtown is another small business impacted by the coronavirus. The shop opened this past year but is in the process of changing locations. Although the timing makes the moving process more difficult, the store owner, Beth Buenaventura looks forward to the new scenery. “I am so excited about the new location,” Buenaventura said. “We are moving only a couple [of] blocks away from Market Square and we will be in the Cultural District where so many cool things are happening.” The new shop will be located on the street level of the Roosevelt Building close to the corner of 6th St. and Penn Avenue. When Allegheny County Health officials recommended
On the evening of Mar. 9, 2020, Dr. Helena Knorr, Ph.D., was supposed to finally arrive back to her Wilkinsburg home after two-and-a-half weeks away in Spain. Knorr, a professor of organizational leadership at both the Rowland School of Business and the Department of Literary Arts and Social Justice at Point Park, arrived in the Basque Country of Northern Spain on Feb. 21 to present academic research at the University of Deusto in Bilbao. Knorr had planned to finally end her trip abroad and resume her personal and academic life here in Pennsylvania after 17 days of lecturing and seeing family in Spain and one long, protracted day of crossing the Atlantic from Bilbao to Pittsburgh with stopovers in Dublin, Ireland and Chicago. However, when a global pandemic occurs, almost nothing goes according to plan. On Mar. 6, three days before Knorr was scheduled to come back to the United States, Knorr discovered that she had a fever. After consulting with a physician whom she told about her March 9 flight to Pittsburgh, with the doctor’s advice, Knorr decided against flying stateside and has since been quarantined in Vitoria-Gastiez, Spain, 3,480 miles away from Wilkinsburg. “The fever was unexpected but I have been following and anticipating the spread of COVID-19 since January,” Knorr said of her reaction to becoming stuck in Spain. “I was lecturing students and making them think about human resources during times of crisis in relation to this virus back in January.” Now, a trip that was only intended to last under three weeks has eclipsed over seven weeks in length and may extend for a few more months. Knorr is not alone in being stuck thousands of miles away from where she lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of others from around the world currently find themselves stranded abroad due to travel complications related to the novel Coronavirus pandemic and are currently in efforts to lobby their governments to help repatriate them back — including 13,500 stranded American citizens and legal residents who have asked the State Department for help getting them back to the United States, according to the New York Times.
BUSINESSES page 3
STRANDED page 2
Jared Murphy | The Globe A homemade message thanking healthcare workers is seen the windows of an office building on Wharton Street in South Side on April 12, 2020.
Small businesses affected by COVID-19 Winnie Bobbitt For The Globe
While our planet combats the COVID-19 pandemic, society desperately tries to continue on with their day-to-day lives. Millions have been laid off, but some still work despite the government’s stay at home orders. There are small businesses still open, selling life-sustaining products to the public, and there are small businesses that are trying to transition to an online format, selling their goods exclusively over the internet. The fear of shutting down looms over the heads of micro-enterprise owners like a dark cloud, and as the public stays indoors, businesses struggle to survive the quarantine. Downtown businesses of all types face closure due to Governor Tom Wolf’s orders, some of which are popular and within walking distance for Point Park University students. French bakery, La Gourmandine is one of the many small businesses affected in the Pittsburgh area. The popular pâtisserie opened in 2010 in their Lawrenceville location and is owned by Lisanne and Fabien Moreau. “After 10 years we are still standing,” Moreau began. “It’s because of an entire team of dedicated people and such loyal customers.”
La Gourmandine now has four locations but has had to temporarily close its Downtown location. Their open locations are in Mt. Lebanon, Lawrenceville and Hazelwood. Moreau explained that sales began to falter around March, as more and more people began to stay home. This led to the downtown location being shut down. “Like most businesses, we are losing a lot of money every month, but we are the lucky ones who are able to stay open,” Moreau said and gave all the credit to the bakery’s customers. “We cannot survive without them. Because of that, the majority of our employees have kept their jobs.” Money is half of the battle for small businesses working and fighting their way through the pandemic. Operating at this time is difficult and requires more caution than ever before. La Gourmandine took certain measures to keep the public and their employees healthy. Not only did the establishments begin to implement take-out orders, but, “all of the employees wear masks and gloves while dealing with the public and in the kitchen,” Moreau said. Although COVID-19 may seem like everyone’s main concern right now, Moreau emphasized her concern for the many children who are struggling to be fed during this
Weather Forecast
Today: Partly sunny H 50 L 31
Issue 14
stranded in Spain
Sarah Gibson SGA Beat Writer
COVID-19 Updates for the Point Park Community
ppuglobe.com
HONORING HEALTHCARE HEROES Professor
SGA
On Monday, April 13, 2020, Dean of Student Life Michael Gieseke sent out the election results for the Student Government Association (SGA) presidential election. Dennis McDermott won the popular vote for president with 150 votes, with Grace Tyler Frank-Rempel behind him with 114 votes. “Folks, we’ve done it! I would like to thank everyone who supported me for their help as well as those who did not for contributing to the democratic process and for facilitating discussion between the candidates,” McDermott said on Twitter. “The number one person I would like to thank is @GTFRforPres. Despite attempts by others to create controversy, Grace remained above it all remaining cordial throughout. Grace has already agreed to stay on SGA and continue her work for the student body.” While Frank-Rempel did not win the presidential election, she said following the election results that she, in talks with McDermott, has assured that she plans on returning to SGA in the upcoming season, though the role she would take on remains unclear. The vice presidential race changed late in the game Monday morning when Recording Secretary Jordyn Hronec posted a statement on Twitter, sharing the news that she was dropping out of the race. Her statement can be found in full on her Twitter account @_Jor-
COPA dancers, faculty find silver linings in virtual learning environment Senior Globe staffers pen farewells & wish good luck to future staff members Sports Editor Allison Schubert pops champagne after her final column
Thursday: Partly sunny H 48, L 34 Friday: Wintery mix, H 44, L 35 Saturday: Partly sunny, H 53, L 42
Sunday: Rain, H 62, L 44 Monday: Rain, H 54, L 37 Tuesday: Partly sunny, H 59, L 45
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Obituary University will not hold virtual commencement
Tyler Robert White Dara Collins Editor-in-Chief
Tyler Robert White, 24, of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., passed suddenly on April 3, 2020, according to the Slater Funeral Service website. White was attending Point Park University studying photography. He graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 2013. “He was an amazing artist and photographer who saw the beauty in all things,” the Slater Funeral Service site read. White was also described as an outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as extreme sports like BMX biking, park skiing and aggressive inline skating. According to the Slater Funeral Service website, Tyler Robert White is survived by his parents Mark and Lisa (Haynor) White, brother Michael, sister Christine and brother-in-law D.J. Gallucci and their sons Gavin, Grayson and Grady. Tyler is the nephew of David White, Stefanie and Chip Haynor, Katey and Tom Malesic, Robin and Rich Weidman and Barbara Rawls. White was preceded in death by grandparents Jean and Bob Haynore and Edda Ruth White. The family held a private service and will hold a celebration of life when circumstances allow. “Above all, Tyler was a kind and sensitive soul,” the site read. “He had a quiet, loving heart with deep passions, ideas and dreams and he followed his heart in all of his pursuits.” Dara Collins
dmcolli2@pointpark.edu
Nicole Ufheil For The Globe
College students spend years working very hard each semester and dream of graduation day. Recent events concerning the coronavirus outbreak uprooted ordinary life for the class of 2020. Every university moved to online classes and graduations have either been postponed or canceled altogether. According to the CDC, the coronavirus is spread very quickly through coughing and sneezing. This is why the decision was made to postpone in-person graduation at Point Park University. On Monday, April 13, President Paul Hennigan published the results of a survey from the graduating class. He had this to say in his address: “Based on the results of a survey sent to the 900 students in the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs eligible to graduate this Spring, the University will not hold a virtual event and will wait to schedule an in-person commencement and graduate hooding ceremony at a time when it is safe to have large gatherings and we are able to rebook the PPG Paints Arena. We thank all who have offered their thoughts on this important milestone moment for the
Class of 2020. The University looks forward to honoring the accomplishments of these students.” School officials were previously exploring alternative options to an in-person ceremony. According to Hennigan, “Pennsylvania has issued a state-wide stay-at-home order through April 30, 2020.” According to Dean of Students Keith Paylo, “We needed to follow state, federal and CDC guidelines for large gatherings. These guidelines dictated that we were not able to carry out these ceremonies at this time.” Point Park University is no exception to these events. Most college students look forward to walking across the stage and receiving their degree as a symbol of hard work and accomplishment. The graduating class of 2020 has been thrust into an odd situation and the in-person graduation ceremony is postponed for now. The need for social distancing caused large social events to be prohibited. Point Park officials chose to reach out to the graduating class of 2020 to explore virtual options. Not being able to have a normal graduation ceremony is disappointing for some
seniors. According to Jessica Wrzosek, a graduating senior, “Not being able [to] graduate on time is disappointing but understandable under the circumstances.” As far as a virtual replacement goes, Wrzosek states, “I don’t think virtual ceremonies are adequate for the amount of work or investment we make as students. Point Park received feedback from graduating students about the virtual options available. Louis Corsaro, Managing Director for University Marketing and Public Relations stated, “plans are still in development for what a virtual ceremony might look like.” School officials are trying to find a suitable virtual replacement for the normal in-person ceremony. “We have sent a survey to all graduating students and asked for their suggestions for a virtual Hooding and Commencement,” Paylo said. “We will take these into consideration and determine if a virtual Hooding and Commencement is possible and desired by our students.” According to Paylo, the feedback and opinions of the graduating class were taken under strong consideration.
“We also recognize that not all of them would be able to attend a future ceremony,” Corsaro said, regarding the possibility of a virtual ceremony. “We have an open line of communication to all of our students and families, and have been sending regular updates to keep them informed on changes and policies in response to the crisis.” Before the survey results came in, officials were insistent that a future in-person ceremony would be held for seniors. “There is every intention to have an in-person ceremony when time will permit and it is safe to gather as a University community,” Paylo said. Other universities and colleges also had to postpone their commencement ceremonies, as well. According to the Duquesne University website, the university committed to an in-person ceremony in the fall for its graduating class. According to PittWire. pitt.edu, “the University of Pittsburgh will be offering a unique celebration honoring the achievements of the Class of 2020 virtually on Sunday, April 26.” Nicole Ufheil
ncufhei@pointpark.edu
Point Park professor is 1 of over 13,000 U.S. citizens stuck abroad due to coronavirus from STRANDED page 1 In contrast to the disquieting state of affairs of thousands of other stranded travelers the world over, Knorr’s condition in Spain is a little more comfortable. “I’m home with my family,” Knorr said about the possibility of staying in Vitoria-Gastiez for a few more months. “I’ll be fine.” Despite the six-hour time difference of being quarantined an ocean’s length away, Knorr still teaches her courses at Point Park online. Knorr has also spent time doing consulting work with three different Spanish businesses to help them transfer their services
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online. She also continues to do virtual consulting work with business owners in Mexico during her quarantine. In addition to preparing and instructing her online classes and doing consulting work at odd hours throughout the day, Knorr has also given some of her time to speak about her life in Spain and the state of the pandemic there to students in other Point Park classes. “It was very eye-opening to hear her talk about her situation over there,” Keera Frye, a senior broadcast reporting major, said of Knorr’s recent lecture to her International Media class. “Listening to her talk about her personal experience
of being stuck in Spain made it more real than just numbers.” When she isn’t working or lecturing from home, Knorr — who hasn’t left her quarantine in over a month other than to get groceries and take out the trash — spends time doing other activities that she enjoys such as sunbathing through an open window in the house and practicing yoga. Knorr’s circumstance in Spain raises concerns over how Point Park would be able to respond in the event that another faculty member or student were to be stranded abroad, according to Archish Maharaja, professor of Business and director of Gradu-
ate Programs at the Rowland School of Business. “In Dr. Knorr’s situation, she is home,” Maharaja said “That is one consolation for us that she is home and can be taken care of. But if it was a student or anybody else it would be very concerning to all of us here and it raises the question: How would we help that person out?” According to Knorr, the most important thing to take away from her current situation in Spain is: “Be humble and don’t take anything in life for granted.” Cordell Conrad
cconra@pointpark.edu
Berlin resigns as president with 1 week left from ELECTION page 1 dynator3000. “I decided to exit the race for Vice President after much deliberation,” Hronec said. “I came to the realization that should I hold both the position of Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of The Globe, I wouldn’t physically be able to give 110% of myself to both positions, and I’d rather do one job extraordinarily well rather than do two jobs only somewhat well. I also still hold the belief that The Globe and SGA both serve to hold our administration accountable and provide a voice to students, and this job is my true passion. I would like to thank all of the students who voted for me. I’ve been going through a tough time personally, so to know that so many people believed in and trusted me was really uplifting. But I also know that Bryce will do an amazing job. I never doubted that.” Hronec does plan to serve on SGA, though notably in a less involved role, in order to better serve The Globe. She will serve as a Senator-at-Large and continue work on the student concerns committee. With Hronec having dropped out of the race, Bryce
Hayzlett won the Vice Presidency with 56 votes, 23% of the popular vote. “As an information technology student from a small social circle who wasn’t able to properly campaign due to campus being shut down, I’m extremely grateful for all of the votes that I received,” Hayzlett said. “Jordyn and I have already worked together this year in SGA and I’m sure that we will again this coming academic year. I hope that I can make everyone who voted for me proud and that I’m able to properly represent the student body as a whole.” In Monday’s executive cabinet meeting, taking place nearly an hour before election results were to be revealed, then-Vice President Grace Tyler Frank-Rempel reminded the cabinet that next week’s SGA meeting will be the last of the year. Also decided in the executive cabinet meeting were the circumstances by which the swearing-in ceremony would be held. It was decided that the ceremony would be held via Zoom next Monday, and that is when the new president’s term would begin. To end the executive cabinet meeting, Treasurer Laura
Draghiciu stated that she would facilitate a meeting with the finance committee before next week’s meeting to form suggestions for potential amendments to the constitution regarding possibly unclear finance rules. Should this occur, a vote will be held next week. Lastly, in a bizarre turn of events, President Berlin tweeted on his presidential Twitter account at 9 p.m. on Monday, April 13, one week before McDermott will take office, that he is resigning in order to allow Frank-Rempel to be president, albeit for a short while. “It’s been an honor to represent all Pioneers across campus. This past year was a historic chapter in Point Park’s history. But students deserve to experience a Grace Tyler Frank-Rempel presidency. Therefore, I am resigning, effective immediately. Thank you for your support.” his tweet said. This would also mean that Vice President-elect Hayzlett would rise to the Vice Presidency immediately. Disclosure: Jordyn Hronec is the Editor-Elect of The Globe. Sarah Gibson
sagibso@pointpark.edu
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
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Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign “Something I admire about the left is the fact that they do not treat their politicians like celebrities.”
Jake Dabkowski Co-News Editor
Senator Bernie Sanders has suspended his campaign to be the Democratic nominee for the 2020 election. This decision makes former Vice President Joe Biden the presumptive nominee. “If I believed we had a feasible path to the nomination, I would certainly continue the campaign, but it’s just not there,” Sanders said during a live-streamed speech announcing the end of his campaign. Sanders will remain on the ballot in an effort to gain enough delegates to “shape the new platform of the Democratic party.” States that have not yet held their primaries will still be able to vote, however, experts recommend those wanting to cast a ballot do it by mail. “It sucks, but I expected it,” Dan Russo, a freshman broadcast production major, said. “He didn’t go after Biden hard enough and that cost him everything,” Marc Palombo, a freshman acting major, said. Biden and his campaign, who have been focused on the general election against incumbent President Donald Trump, have now expressed a desire to win over Sanders’ supporters. “I hear you, I know what’s at stake, I know what we have to do… our goal as a campaign, and my goal as a candidate for president, is to unify this party and then
Noah Neal
Sophomore Cinema Major
Photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Bernie Sanders in 2016
to unify the nation,” Biden said during a live-streamed press conference. A number of progressive groups announced that they will not endorse Biden, most predominantly the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). “Here lies the Democratic Party, they had their chance. We’d like to say they tried, but we all know that’s not true. Stay tuned for the political revolution,” the Pittsburgh chapter of
the DSA said in a statement released following the main organization’s announcement that they would not endorse Biden. The Youth Climate Strike organization also announced that they will not endorse Biden. The organization previously held nationwide walkouts last year, one of which was held in Pittsburgh. Many on the left expressed the fact that Sanders is not the end.
“Something I admire so much about the left is the fact that they often do not treat their politicians like celebrities,” Noah Neal, a sophomore cinema major, said. “Bernie is a public servant and he was unable to get the job done. While I am monumentally disappointed in how the Democrats are handling this election, I am able to recognize that just because our guy didn’t win doesn’t mean the progressive movement is even close
to done.” The DSA will still back candidates for other races in the 2020 election, as will Our Revolution, the PAC founded by the Sanders campaign following their defeat in the 2016 presidential primary. “We will fight to elect strong progressives at every level of government from Congress to the school board,” Sanders said during his live stream. “Now is the time when we must fight harder than ever to reject the status quo being conveyed by Joe Biden,” Neal said. “I have a lot of faith in a lot of the up and coming progressive leaders but movements are made by the people, not politicians. I am extremely optimistic for what the future holds.” Jake Dabkowski
jcdabko@pointpark.edu
Local businesses face adversity amid coronavirus from BUSINESSES page 1 all non-essential businesses close, Fresh Nostalgia shut down shop. “This has had a great impact on our sales since the majority of our business is from our brick and mortar as opposed to online,” Buenaventura explained. To make things more difficult, the rent of Fresh Nostalgia’s new location is expensive and depends on the store exceeding its sales goals for next year. Brave and determined, the boutique owner looks at the situation like a glass half full. “I’m remaining hopeful that the great people of Pittsburgh, and particularly our Fresh Nostalgia customers, will persevere,” Buenaventura said. Even though the store is closed, Buenaventura still works hard behind the curtain. The owner has been filling online orders and hosts online sales through Facebook Live. In doing so, the Fresh Nostalgia staff are taking special precautions to stay healthy through the pandemic. Buenaventura stressed that staff is “constantly washing hands and wiping down surfaces.” She also notes that she does not go out unless absolutely necessary, practicing social distancing. A popular, Greek food restaurant, The Simple Greek in Market Square in downtown is another small business that has endured, “a total 180,” as store owner Sasha Machel put it, in terms of the effect the pandemic has had on their business. The Simple Greek has been open since 2015 and
was originally named My Big Fat Greek Gyro, which opened in 2012. The establishment shut its doors and closed down shop in March, after St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday in which Machel claims normally, “kicks off to the busy season.” However, it was the Tuesday before St. Patrick’s Day that Machel believes she started to notice a change in her business. “That’s when PNC started to test their systems and had employees starting to work from home,” Machel said. “I knew after that that things were going to get dicey, but I didn’t think the
“You know the human connection was dying before this. I constantly am stressing to my employees about trying to strengthen it...That’s what this business is about, after all: food and conversation.” Sasha Machen
Owner The Simple Greek
whole world (or Downtown for that matter) would come to a halt.” Like many other small business owners downtown, Machel fears having to permanently close down her restaurant, which means everything to her. “I’ve given blood, sweat [and] tears and sacrificed my mental health for this place,” Machel said. “It’s really special because my dad and I built it together, and my brother has been a part of it too. I’ve learned so much about myself and business over the past seven years because of The Simple Greek.” Despite the pandemic, Machel is still hopeful for The Simple Greek and is eager to open up business as usual, and hopes that people appreciate the human connection that they’ve been deprived of in quarantine. “You know the human connection was dying before this,” Machel said. “I constantly am stressing to my employees about trying to strengthen it, and to just focus on that for the day. That’s what this business is about, after all: food and conversation.” Machel has a passion for her restaurant like many other small business owners do for their establishments in the downtown area. Her words seem to embody the emotions many micro-enterprise owners face during this time of darkness. “I’ve worked my ass off over the past seven years to build this, and to think it can end with not even so much as a goodbye—that’s sad.” Winnie Bobbitt
ewbobbi@pointpark.edu
Dara Collins | The Globe Fresh Nostalgia (above), a women’s boutique, and The Simple Greek (below), a popular Greek food restaurant located in Market Square in Downtown Pittsburgh. Both locations among other local businesses have been forced to shut down or otherwise change services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
FEATURES/A&E
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
From full-time tenured faculty to full-time creative artist Amanda Andrews Co-Features/A&E Editor
Los Angeles has often been seen as a hotbed of opportunity for creative people seeking careers. The dazzling spectacles and attractions can distract someone from their work and ultimately their success. A fresh-faced graduate from the University of South California determined to make his mark in the entertainment world in the 1980s. Despite having earned his bachelor’s degree in theater, he quickly realized his calling was in writing, not in acting. Pittsburgh native Steve Cuden, born and raised in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood, committed to screenwriting even though his success was slow to start. He prioritized his creative livelihood at any cost, even if it meant he starved. “I did things to survive,” Cuden said. “I figured out how to survive while continuing to write.” For some three decades, he bounced from odd jobs to numerous writing assignments, spending his time in LA, putting whole characters and worlds down on paper for some 90 scripts, ranging from children’s cartoons to an award-winning musical. His creative credits are almost innumerable. A screenwriter, teacher, podcast host, author, playwright, lyricist, director, actor, lighting designer and artist, Cuden has spent much of his life exploring and contributing what he can to the entertainment world. At age 64, his intention is to step into
retirement. Since 2011, Cuden has served as a full-time faculty member at Point Park University. He earned his master’s degree in screenwriting at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2010 so that he could teach at Point Park, and he now lives in Highland Park. As part of the cinema arts department, he has imparted his knowledge of scripts and entertainment success onto dozens of aspiring writers. One of those writers is senior screenwriting major Charlie Arrigo. Cuden has been Arrigo’s professor and advisor in his years at Point Park. Arrigo credits Cuden in guiding him in improving his writing as well as through the tumultuous process of dropping out and then returning to the university. “He really took me under his wing, mentored me and helped shape me into the writer I am today,” Arrigo said. “I would not be writing at the level I am now without him. Most importantly, Steve believes in me. That’s something that means more to me than anything else.” Around the beginning of the spring semester, Cuden announced to his students and colleagues he would be stepping down from his active role at the university and would become an adjunct professor for the fall 2020 semester. His close friend and fellow professor Laura Boyd, 50, of Stanton Heights, was not surprised but was a little relieved when Cuden made
Steve Cuden | Submitted
the decision. “I was like ‘shut up and go, do it,’” Boyd said. “He talked about it for a little while, and I was like ‘yeah right, this is never gonna happen.’ When he’s like ‘I turned in the paperwork,’ I was actually shocked. I thought he was all-talk because he’s so addicted to work.” Boyd said Cuden is so dedicated to his work that he is normally at the university most days from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. on weekdays—an anomaly for professors, particularly for those as active as Cuden in other side projects. “I would rather be busy doing something, something of value,” Cuden said. “That’s the key—something of value.” Cuden’s fascination with creative pursuits began at a
young age. Even though television was just developing during his childhood, Cuden was entranced by WTAE’s Paul Shannon and his “Adventure Time” children’s show where “The Three Stooges” and “Popeye” regularly featured. After setting up in Los Angeles, much of his career was spent writing for children’s cartoons such as “X-Men: The Animated Series,” “The Batman” and “Pink Panther.” His love of entertainment extends beyond television. At the age of 8, he discovered his love of theater at a summer camp, little knowing he would develop a musical that would debut on Broadway and become an international sensation. Cuden made a trip to
South Korea this past summer after “Jekyll and Hyde” became a smash hit in the country, running for some 14 seasons. Cuden’s emphasis on quality storytelling is long documented in his books “Beating Broadway: How To Create Stories For Musicals That Get Standing Ovations” and ‘“Beating Hollywood: Tips for Creating Unforgettable Screenplays,” which break down successful plays, musicals and movies for aspiring writers hoping to learn the craft. The lessons he hopes to impart to creators have very much been a part of his teaching style at the university. “Steve just challenges you to be your best, he has a bit of a reputation of being a tough critic, but that’s only because he cares,” Arrigo said. “He wants you to succeed and isn’t going to let you fall behind. Seriously, if he has a million notes, it’s not because he hates you, it’s because he’s invested in you and your story and wants it to be the best version it can be.” At this point, while Cuden is grateful to have had an impact on so many students, he feels a little constrained by his teaching responsibilities. After having spent a career as a freelancer in most areas, he is returning to those roots for teaching via his adjunct position and for the rest of his creative pursuits. Read the full story online at ppuglobe.com
Amanda Andrews aaandre@pointpark.edu
Dancers embrace challenges of online transition Marina Karis For The Globe
Once moving through big, bright and open studios with a live accompanist and the energy of their friends alongside them, dancers now attempt to move their bodies without hitting their dresser all alone in their bedroom. An art form normally done with people for people is now being practiced in isolation. “Being artists you crave that inspiration from your teachers and your peers, and at Point Park, we were inspired by everything around us,” senior dancer, Reba Bartram, said as she reacted and described what the transition to online learning has been like for her as a COPA student. Life as a dancer at Point Park prior to COVID-19 included full days worth of dancing followed by late-night rehearsals. All of which took place in the bright and spacious studios in the George Rowland White Dance Center. Now the days are looking quite different. Bartram and junior dancer Olivia Mann described how they and other dancers are struggling to try to juggle the online academics, dance papers, Zoom meetings and staying in the best shape possible. Some of the dance professors have been holding live dance classes via Zoom, which has been very beneficial for the dancers, despite the limited space they have at home. Other professors have required video submissions of the dancers dancing or completing workouts they are doing to stay in shape, while some other teachers are only expecting them to watch videos or movies about dance and complete discussion boards and essays
on them. With all of these new learning methods, many of the dancers are still left feeling unfulfilled. “Our dance program is so close-knit, and we are all always there in the studios together,” Bartram said. “When I wanted to talk to a teacher or get any kind of feedback, there was so much opportunity for that, which is something that you will not find present today in our virtual learning atmosphere.” The dance majors feel very lucky to get such personal feedback from their professors on a daily basis. Dancing with these professors every single day for four years inevitably gives them a bond with one another. Bartram and Mann both shared that they feel some teachers are trying really hard, while others have barely reached out at all. “We are all in the same situation right now, but it is still different for everyone,” Bartram said. “Not only could students be dealing with family issues, money issues, family business problems or just their own mental health, but everyone learns differently. I wish all the dance professors would reach out asking how we are all doing and give us that opportunity to lean on them for support and guidance.” However, students are not the only ones dealing with this major shift in education. The dance professors quickly had to move a dance course online, while still making it as beneficial, productive and enjoyable as possible. Jazz professor Michelle Van Doren opened up about her experience making this transition. “It was a definite challenge, but I embraced this transition as an opportunity to expand my breadth of knowl-
Alysse Baer | The Globe
edge and skills,” Van Doren said. “The hardest part was coming up with creative ways to teach a dance studio course in an online format. I am pretty sure I worked triple-time for a week to get my course to a point where I felt happy with it, but ultimately I was proud of the outcome.” Mann described the dance program to be a positive and comfortable atmosphere between her professors and her peers: “Being side by side with my peers, day in and day out, they were what inspired me and motivated me to get up and try my absolute best no matter what,” she said. Now, being left with only themselves as their teacher and motivator, the dancers have expressed how big of a struggle that can be, especially at home during a time like this. “As a dancer, it’s very difficult to stay in the shape
we were in when we were at school,” Bartram said. “Of course, we can go on a walk or do workout videos but any dance class we try to do now has most of us holding onto a wall, on a carpeted floor, with no space. My strength and flexibility feel totally hindered due to the restrictions I have. It just leaves me wondering how much my technique will suffer from all this.” Mann said she has experienced the same thing while trying to get herself back into her routine as a ballet dancer. “The flooring we were used to, versus what we are working with now doesn’t compare at all, it’s not safe especially for those of us trying to do pointe.” Dance, especially pointe work or anything in heels, cannot be done fully without the proper flooring and space. When asked if this big adjustment in their dancing has changed their mental health, both Mann and Bartram admitted that it had. “It has affected my mental health in that I want to be in a dance studio, especially as someone who is graduating,” Bartram said. “It is difficult to accept not being able to train right before going into the real world. At the same time, it is strengthening me and my mental health in so many other ways I didn’t know was possible.” “It feels like the growth and development of my dance technique has come to a halt, and it is all on me now to continue feeding it,” Mann said. Yet, she has been trying to maintain a positive attitude as best as she can. “At first, I was very sad about everything; the world, all we had to look forward to and being away from friends,” Mann said. “I keep reminding
myself that I am doing what I have to do, I am doing my part and that’s all I need to focus on.” Van Doren also addressed this issue with an encouraging and inspiring mindset. “It will impact each of us differently, but I believe those who will suffer the most loss in the end — be it in technique, artistry, mental health — are not those with the most challenging personal circumstances, but those with the challenging mindsets,” Van Doren said. “The wrong attitude could destroy you in times like this. These are the moments where we develop resilience, strength of heart and depth of character to face the many challenges life will throw our way. We must embrace the struggles with an attitude of acceptance, positivity and compassion toward ourselves and those around us who are struggling too.” Although things have come to a dramatic change, there are silver linings everywhere. Van Doren has noticed students embracing the challenges and growing in ways they never would have in the studio, people everywhere uniting in support of one another and students dealing with extraordinary hardships are stepping up courageously to make the most of every opportunity that brings them closer to fulfilling their dreams. “I get to watch awesome videos each week of my beautiful students dancing in their homes, with their pets, on the beach, pushing their creativity to new limits,” Van Doren said. “They are bright rays of sunshine in the grey skies of our pandemic world.”
Marina Karis mmkaris@pointpark.edu
OPINIONS
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
THE
GL BE’S POINT
A rough end to a good year of service Hey there, Pioneers. We know that morale is low right now, and while we typically try to lift your spirits here, we need to take a moment to join in the sadness. This is our final issue of the 2019-2020 school year. This is not the ending we wanted or expected. In fact our staff, like many others, is currently working remotely, editing articles via Google Docs through tear-filled eyes, sad to say goodbye to our work here until the fall, or for our seniors, forever. Our staff members, who typically spend hours each week together in our office, are very close, so not being able to work together has really taken a toll on us. And yet, we persist. Why? We persist because of you. We know that what we do at
The Globe is more than just a resume-builder or something fun to do once a week. We write, we photograph, we edit, we design all for the Point Park student body. Because we care about you deeply. We care about your rights to have access to timely, accurate information about what is going on at the university you attend. But we also care about you as students, as people and as individuals. As we wrap up this year of coverage, we look towards the future for brighter, better days. Next year, we will continue to serve you in the best way we know how. Please keep the light on for us.
Allison Schubert Sports Editor
When I think of the things that I am going to miss when I graduate, The Globe is always at the top of that list. The people, the writers, the stories, the atmosphere — it is truly unlike any other organization on campus. Students see the finished product on stands around campus every Wednesday, but they do not see the countless hours spent in The Globe office laughing, stressing, crying and producing the best possible version of the paper that week. That’s the part that makes it special. I am a writer by trade, but I can’t even begin to think of the words that will accurately describe the amount of love and gratitude I have for this little paper and the people it has introduced me to. To The Globe, thank you. To the class of 2020, we did it.
I have started and restarted this piece six times. This will be my seventh rendition. Throughout my time at Point Park, I have been involved in more clubs and organizations than I can count, have completed projects I never ever thought I would be able to take on and have held internships and executive board positions that I only dreamed about. Only one thing in that time has remained a constant: The Globe. I came in my freshman year as a copy editor, sat at the features desk for a while, then moved on to my truest of loves, the sports desk. For the past two years, I have put my heart and soul into that sports section and I am so incredibly proud of the work my writers and I put into that small but mighty piece of this paper every week. Emma Federkeil Feature/A&E Photo Editor
I didn’t get involved with The Globe until my senior year at Point Park because I was always afraid that there wouldn’t be a place for me there. A lot of my friends were already a part of this organization, but for some reason, I just didn’t feel like I would belong. In the spring of 2019, I took a trip to the United Kingdom. The girl who was set to become the next Editor-in-Chief of The Globe was also on the trip, and she became one of my best friends. From the start of the following semester, I got to spend more time doing what I love, taking photos and being with my friends. I believe that my senior year was made better because of my time with The Globe. It real-
Point Park Globe globe@pointpark.edu
Allison Schubert alschub@pointpark.edu ly means something when you get to see something you did printed in a physical form. In my four years at Point Park University, this year has been the best year of The Globe that I have seen because everyone on staff is dedicated to the stories they are telling. I think the reason why it was so successful this year was because we had fun. Some student organizations are either all fun with little work or all work with little fun that no one wants to be a part of them. This year at The Globe, there was a perfect balance, and it showed through the success of the paper. I will forever miss being the one to annoy Dara and Allison while they try to get work done.
Emma Federkeil ekfeder@pointpark.edu
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
5
A final goodbye from The Globe’s seniors 6 seniors pen farewell to staff, wish best of luck Nicole Pampena Online Editor (December ‘19)
I remember when I got the email from Josh Croup (EIC 2016) saying I would be a copy editor for The Globe my fall semester as a freshman. At the time, joining the staff wasn’t just something that was going to push me forward in my major and career. As a commuter who was worried about making friends, this would be what introduced me to some of the people that not only made college so great but also remain some of my closest friends to this day. That first week I was Nathan Vrablic Business Manager
I have been at The Globe for a year and a half now, and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. Being an advertising/public relations major, I originally came to The Globe for my practicum during the second semester of my junior year where I was a copy desk editor. When I got into my senior year, I became a co-copy desk chief and from there I became The Globe’s Business Manager. While I don’t think I did a good job as The Globe’s business manager, I am glad that I Hannah Walden Co-Copy Desk Chief
How can I summarize four years worth of experience and memories in an organization I care so deeply about? How do I summarize four years worth of friendship that I’ve had with the current and former folks at The Globe? It seems almost impossible that my time as a Pioneer and as a member of The Globe is almost to an end. I feel so old thinking of the same old clichés that our parents say about how fast time flies. For the entirety of my time as a Pioneer, I have called The Globe my family and The Globe office (whether it is the 7th floor of Lawrence Hall or the old Starbucks in Conestoga) my home. I was so easily welcomed into this Dara Collins Editor-in-Chief
I thought about a million ways to start this, and I couldn’t think of one single sentence that could do this reflection any justice. How do I put my current thoughts and feelings — that truly haven’t fully registered that my time at The Globe is at its end — in a short, less-than300-word mini-article? I, like Nicole, remember receiving an email from Josh Croup that I would be a copy editor in the fall of my freshman year. I went to the pitch meeting and went back to my dorm, also like Nicole, not knowing copy
too nervous to speak up and take a pitch, and I somehow didn’t realize copy editing would be immediately after the pitch meeting so I missed that too. The editors and veterans seemed so much older and intimidating. Over three and a half years, that person afraid to take a pitch went on to cover everything from a presidential inauguration to a Golden Quill Award-winning sports feature. That person eventually became an editor herself and learned that we all share one collective brain cell and are nothing to be intimidated by.
I could go on and on about the opportunities and the experience The Globe provides, but what will always stick with me is things like the twisted stuff we said that ended up on the quote wall, laughing with the people still in the newsroom at 2 a.m., and every cursed image we hang on the walls. From day one, and now up through all of us moving forward with our lives, The Globe provided me a place to belong, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
did it and I hope I didn’t upset Dara or The Globe in any way. Being the business manager has made me realize a few things. One, I really like advertising analytics and two, I don’t like dealing with advertisers. Being yelled at or trying to convince people that YES we do run advertisements and then getting ghosted by local businesses is not fun. I know that going through this experience helped to shape me and my future career goals. Over the year and a half I have been with The Globe, I have met so many unique and
awesome people who I am thankful to get to know better. I have learned so much about myself and my career goals than ever before. Being a part of The Globe is an amazing opportunity and I urge anyone to look into it. Lastly, I’m thankful for Carley Bonk (former EIC) for allowing me to be here in the first place and I want to especially thank Dara Collins for letting me stay for my final year.
organization, and I find it very difficult to say goodbye. I have learned so much and bettered my own writing ability through every piece I’ve written and layout I’ve edited. Being a part of The Globe has given me a wonderful experience that I couldn’t have had in the classroom. I urge all students who have a passion for this industry to apply for next semester’s staff. I hope that the experiences you have and the friends you make at The Globe are as worthwhile to you as they have been to me. The world keeps spinning and The Globe keeps publishing, and students come and go with each passing year. Now that it’s my turn to go, I wish for that globe to stop turning and to enjoy the last moments
while I can. Editing The Globe remotely doesn’t feel the same as it did in the office with the people I care about, and I feel robbed of my final weeks of working in that newsroom before leaving and starting someplace else. For the underclassmen that are going to carry the torch next semester, I’m proud of you and I can’t wait to see what you do next. Keep working hard, cover the quote wall, keep making that newsroom a fun and exciting place to work and please, soak up every wonderful memory before it’s your turn to sit where I’m sitting and write your senior goodbye.
editing happened immediately after. I quit after about two hours of editing. It’s comical to think that I’m now finishing up as the captain of this ship. During my time at Point Park, I went from a copy editor (kind of) to staff writer to co-sports editor to Editor Elect to Editor-in-Chief — and I’ve loved every minute of it. The Globe has provided me with some of my best journalistic experience as well as many headaches and late nights. It’s also given me some of my best friends and mentors. I’m so proud, and I also
admire every single person I have ever worked with on this staff. I’m so grateful for every person I have emailed, called, interviewed and photographed for the sake of student journalism. Every staff member, but especially the staff from my tenure, will hold a special place in my heart far after my time is done here in Pittsburgh. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, and I’m so excited to see what The Globe grows into from a distance.
Nicole Pampena nmpampe@pointpark.edu
Nathan Vrablic navrabl@pointpark.edu
Hannah Walden hwalde@pointpark.edu
Dara Collins dmcolli2@pointpark.edu
Covering the world of Point Park University news since 1967 Editor-in-Chief: Dara Collins Editor-Elect: Jordyn Hronec Business Manager: Nathan Vrablic Faculty Adviser: Aimee-Marie Dorsten Administrative Adviser: Dean Keith Paylo The Globe board consists of Dara Collins, Jordyn Hronec 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. Letters to the editor must be signed and include author’s contact information. The Globe offices are located at the corner of Wood Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard. Writers should address letters to:
The Globe 201 Wood Street, Box 23 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or globe@pointpark.edu
Advertising: Submit advertising related inquiries to globeadvertising@pointpark.edu All ads must be approved by the university. The deadline for ads is Friday at 5 p.m. Details: ppuglobe.com/advertising Story Ideas: If you have a story you think The Globe can use, email globe@pointpark.edu Meetings: Mondays at 2:40 p.m. in the CMI Details: ppuglobe.com/contribute
News Editors: Jake Dabkowski, Luke Mongelli Photo Editor: Jared Murphy Features/A&E Editors: Amanda Andrews, Tia Bailey Photo Editor: Emma Federkeil Sports Editor: Allison Schubert Photo Editor: Mallory Neil
Public Relations Co-Coordinator: Jake Berlin, Regan Tischler Graphic Design: Alysse Baer Staff Photographers: Katie Williams, Kylie Thomas, Alexis Wary Staff Writers: Rosalie Anthony, Jake Berlin, Ben Reinke, Mason Strawn, Logan Dubil, Zoey Angelucci, Kylie Thomas
Opinions Editors: Sarah Gibson, Shannon Copy Editors: Mya Burns, Chandni Shah, NarHartnett dos Haile, Sabry Mohieldin Online Editor: Mya Burns Delivery Assistant: Mya Burns Copy Desk: Sara Cronin, Hannah Walden Social Media Coordinator: Payton Comunale
6
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2020
All In with Allison
THE GLOBE NEWSPAPER POINT PARK UNIVERSITY
Sports Writing Tips Advice from Allison Schubert Sports Editor for The Globe
Allison Schubert
Go to the games! There is no better way to know the details than to witness them yourself. (This is also a good way to get post-game interviews.)
Sports Columnist
Pop the Champagne This is not how it was supposed to end. On Oct. 2, 2019, I wrote a column entitled ‘The First of Lasts.” In it, I talked about how much I dreaded the end of my time doing everything at Point Park that I cared about. One of those things was my final column. This is that column. The closure that I seek to my senior year will never quite be fulfilled. I will never get the last chance to host the Pioneer Sideline for U-View or a final layout session with my peers at this paper. The one thing that not even an international pandemic can take away from me, though, is my final time sitting here with my laptop writing my final “All In with Allison.” I inherited this column at the beginning of my junior year, and nothing has brought me quite as much joy as going ‘all in’ to the players, staff, coaches and statistics that make up the Point Park athletic department. I went back and read the first few columns I had ever written, and I just want to thank all of you for bearing with me for those first few weeks. Column writing and journalistic writing are very different and looking back now, it definitely took me a while to get my footing on these leftmost columns of the sports section. That being said, I am so unbelievably proud of how far this section has come. Not only this little glimpse into my mind every week but the section as a whole. None of the growth of this section would have been possible without my writers, the former editors that sat at this desk before and with me and especially the current Editor-in-Chief Dara Collins. A huge thank
you goes out to all of these people for aiding me in producing such a fantastic section week after week. Another thank you to the athletes, coaches and staff of the athletic department for allowing me to continuously ask questions and fact check my research to make sure the stories that make it to print are as accurate as possible. (A special thanks to Athletic Director John Ashaolu for being a good sport every time I talked about what big shoes he had to fill. He’s still doing a great job, by the way.) Like I said before, this is not how it was supposed to end. We were supposed to have a baseball and softball season. We were supposed to watch our fellow Pioneers race to the National Championship in outdoor track and field. We were supposed to celebrate our seniors. It is the tradition of almost every league in the country to pop champagne after a championship victory. So I invite you all to join me in a sports tradition as old as time itself to celebrate those seniors. (As long as you are of age of course.) They may not have won a championship (they could have, but we will never get to know), but they deserve to be celebrated even more than a potential River States Conference win. I will be enjoying a glass in honor of the seniors, this paper, the fact that I was the first female sports columnist of The Globe and our lost commencement ceremony. To the class of 2020, a toast to all we have accomplished this year. Thank you for going on this journey with me.
Allison Schubert alschub@pointpark.edu
Know your subject - do your research on the team/athlete/opponent before writing to find storylines Establish working relationships with the athletes, coaches, and staff - interviews will be better if it's with a writer they trust Use active voice to encapsulate the excitement of the game! Have fun! If you're doing it right, sports writing will never feel like work.
Alysse Baer | The Globe
An athletic year in review Allison Schubert Sports Editor
With the remainder of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) seasons canceled, Pioneer fans can take this athletic hiatus as a time to reflect on the successes of the various teams from this year as a precursor for what is to come.
SOCCER
The women’s soccer team’s season came to an end via a 4-3 loss to Asbury in the semifinal round of River States Conference (RSC) playoffs. This coming after clinching the No. 5 seed in the RSC following a 7-12-1 overall performance in the regular season. The Pioneers graduated six big-name seniors, but a lot of talent returns to the field with Tia Horew and Taylor Goldstrohm leading the charge. The women will also welcome a new head coach in the fall. John Newbery will be joining the Pioneer sidelines after a previous seven seasons of coaching at the NAIA level. The men’s team, led by head coach Jeroen Walstra, had a historic 15-3 year. The season concluded with a 4-0 win over Brescia on Senior Day to finish up the regular season. The Pioneers were ineligible for RSC playoffs and missed an at-large bid to the NAIA tournament by a single game. Eight seniors were graduated by the men’s soccer team, but a group of ten skilled juniors has already proven their ability to fill those holes.
VOLLEYBALL
The volleyball season came to an end at the RSC Championship, which was hosted by Point Park after clinching the East Division title earlier in the season. The quarterfinal loss to Asbury was just the second home loss of the Pioneers’ 22-9 overall (12-4 RSC) season. Point Park lost four seniors to graduation in setters Julia Menosky and Brittney Bianco and attackers Haley English and Maria Ferragonio.
Returning to the court next season will be dominant middle hitter Jazlyn Rozier, as well as defensive specialist Ashley Castelli and outside hitter Taylor Small.
TRACK & FIELD
The indoor track & field season concluded with the NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships. The women were represented by the distance medley relay, Reba Bartram in the 800m, and Alyssa Campbell in the mile. The men were represented by Xavier Stephens in the mile. Stephens placed sixth in the preliminary round for the mile, which advanced him on to the finals the following day. In the finals, he ran a time of 4:34, placing him tenth in the country. The distance medley relay consisting of Bartram, Campbell, Alyssa Boyd and Kiera Cutright posted a time of 12 minutes, 25.85 seconds and placed 11th in the NAIA. The next day, Bartram and Campbell competed again in their respective events. Bartram ran a personal-record of 2:16.77, good enough for ninth in the country in the 800m. Campbell finished the mile with a time of 5:07.49, placing 14th in the country. The only athlete from the national championship trip graduating is Stephens, the rest will return next year for another year of competition.
CROSS COUNTRY
The men’s cross country team finished their season second in the RSC, the third consecutive time the men have finished runner-up in the conference. Stephens and sophomore Brody Carlin competed in the NAIA Cross Country National Championship. Stephens got his first top-100 finish in three nationals appearances, ending his cross country career 84th in the country. Carlin made his nationals debut, finishing in 239th out of this year’s 335 qualifiers. The women’s team came out on top of the RSC for the third year in a row, qualifying the entire team for nationals. The team finished 27th in the NAIA with an average
time of 20:03 for its top five finishers. Campbell was also named an NAIA All-American following the meet.
CHEER & DANCE
The cheer team just missed out on an NAIA bid after placing seventh in the NAIA Southeast Regional Qualifier. They were due to compete for the second year in a row at the Cheer Limited Nationals at Canam, but the event was canceled along with the remainder of the NAIA season. The dance team was named a top-12 national qualifier for the third year in a row after claiming the NAIA Competitive Dance Southeast Regional Championship in late February. The dance team was on its way to the national championship when the initial news of a suspended season came. Both the cheer and dance teams will look to qualify for the national championships again next season under the direction of head coach Bettina Herold.
BASKETBALL
The women’s basketball team finished the season just outside of the playoffs with a 17-13 overall record and a 7-9 RSC record. Their final win came on senior day, hosting Ohio Christian University in what was one of the best offensive games for the Pioneers. Tyra James, Baylie Mook and Ariana Sanders were honored before the 92-88 victory and the final game of the season. Returning for the Pioneers are standout guard Michelle Burns and freshman Taylor Kirschner, both of which broke the previous record for most 3-pointers in a single season. Burns finished with 81 and Kirschner with 78. The men’s team was ended in the RSC Quarterfinals by No.22 IU Kokomo in Kokomo, Ind. The 97-63 loss came after the Pioneers’ 1516 overall record and 7-9 RSC record in the regular season. All five of the Pioneers’ starters will return next season under the leadership of head coach Joe Lewandowski.
Allison Schubert alschub@pointpark.edu