The Globe Issue 9

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IN THIS ISSUE:

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4

Students develop photo gaming app for iPhone

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Matt Petras doesn’t find Donald Trump funny anymore

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Two track and field athletes are roommates turned rivals

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Issue 9

Point Park to offer new environmental journalism degree By Josh Croup

Point Park University is introducing a new Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Journalism. The new program, scheduled to launch in the fall, is made possible through a grant from The Heinz Endowments. “Point Park has developed a powerful learning opportunity for journalism students, and the Endowments is delighted to partner with the university on this new and exciting program of environmental journalism,” said Grant Oliphant, president of The Heinz Endowments in a press release. The degree program will integrate basic journalism training with data analysis techniques. The School of Communication and Department of Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology are partnering to provide students with courses in biology, ecology and environmental science. According to the Society of Envi-

ST. PATTY’S DAY PARADE CROWD BUBBLES OVER

ronmental Journalists, there are only three other universities in the country with similar programs. Today, the Society of Environmental Journalists includes more than 1,200 members. The program will utilize the new $2.5 million Center for Media Innovation, also scheduled to open this year. “Point Park University is in a unique position through its Center for Media Innovation to partner with The Heinz Endowments and train a new generation of environmental journalists,” said Point Park President Paul Hennigan in a press release. “Armed with the tools to provide critical, unbiased reporting, these students will gain a heightened awareness and better understanding of practices impacting the environment.” Each year, Point Park will host a professional journalist-in-residence to collaborate with students on projects. Simulating the work of existing

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USG allocates club and organization funds for final spending period USG By Sabrina Bodon USG Beat Writer

With a budget of $16,183, clubs and organizations throughout the University requested about $31,300, Point Park’s student government allocated about $14,500 in funds to clubs and organizations for the final spending period of the school year. The largest budget the United Student Government (USG) allocated went to COPA Theatre Club for COPA Prom and the Theatre Club Banquet,

totaling $2,563. Following COPA Theatre’s Club budget were Rugby Club with $1,935, Strong Women, Strong Girls with $1,513 and SAEM Club with $946. Only six clubs and organizations of the 31 that requested budgets received the full amount. Throughout the funding period, the Finance Committee cut funding for conferences and apparel due to the amount of money USG had to allocate. “Across the board, the Finance Committee decided to not fund con-

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Female war veterans speak on experiences during their service By Josh Croup Editor-in-Chief

Rosie the Riveter is an iconic image, one that taken on a larger-thanlife feminist quality more symbolic than anything else. But her origins are grounded in fact, representing real American women who entered the workforce in World War II. Three of those real women, including two World War II veterans, spoke to students Monday following a presentation called “The Wonder Women of World War II.” Todd DePastino is the founder and executive director of the Veterans Breakfast Club in Pittsburgh. His presentation, co-hosted by the Honors Program and the History Department, took students through the

years leading up to and during World War II for women in America. Honors Program Director Helen Fallon worked with Assistant Professor of History Jehnie Reis to coordinate the event. Fallon said the opportunity to host the event during women’s history month seemed like a natural fit. “What I like to do always is try to plan for Point Park University some academic oriented events with speakers,” Fallon said. “I love working with Doctor Reis and with the history department in particular and this opportunity to hear Todd DePastitno was too good to pass up.” DePastino talked about the significance of Wonder Woman, who was debuted by All Star Comics just

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photo by Gracey Evans

In our photo cover contest winner, a St. Patrick’s day parade goer blows bubbles to the students crowded along the Boulevard of the Allies Saturday, Feb. 12.

WPPJ program takes home IBS award for ‘Best Radio Drama’ By Anthony Mendocino Co-News Editor

A class assignment turned into a trip to New York and shiny golden microphone award for “Best Radio Drama”. Point Park’s Tyler Polk, a junior journalism major, took home the award in the 2016 Intercollegiate Broadcasting System’s (IBS) College Radio Awards. “I legitimately just looked up to the sky and just went ‘yes,” Polk said. Polk’s now award-winning radio drama, “Larceny,” is based on the first scene from the video game “Grand Theft Auto,” with an M. Night Shyamalan-esque twist at the end. “It’s great for the station and Ty; it has extended our six year consecutive win record at the IBS awards,” said WPPJ’s assistant general manager Trevor Sheets. According to Sheets it is also the first win for “Best Radio Drama” in WPPJ’s history. “It creates a larger array of things we’ve been recognized for. Even as a small university we are regularly recognized for putting out good content,” Sheets added. Like the game, Polk’s production focused on a group of street racers

planning to rob a bank. After fleshing through some of the details, the group, in a constant bicker over the plan, enters the bank. As the group enters the bank, background noises like gunshots and cries from frightened bank-goers bring the action to life. Polk enlisted the help of fellow Point Park students to bring his characters to life. Paul Fields, Josh Hutton, Tara Jackson, David Coleman and Julian Ransome, along with Polk himself, voice the characters. Even with help of his talented friends, Polk remained uncertain about the production. “Before I got the award and everything, I was sort of doubting my work,” Polk said. “How would they choose this to even get nominated?” Whatever doubts Polk may have had, after winning the award, there was nothing but dumbstruck delight. “Now that I’ve won, I sort of look at it like, ‘how did this win?’” Polk said. Some of Polk’s former doubts and current disbelief in the success of the drama stem from the fact that “Larceny” was born out of a one-minute class assignment and was the first

Weather Forecast Today: Showers H 66, L 44

Thursday: PM Showers, H 60, L 38 Friday: Partly Cloudy, H 53, L 31 Saturday: PM Showers, H 54, L 37

Sunday: Rain/Snow, H 48, L 33 Monday: Mostly Cloudy, H 47, L 32 Tuesday: Mostly Cloudy, H 50, L 37

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