Red&Black | Students Participate in Student Mission Trip to Jamaica | 10/9/2015

Red & Black

The Free

s t u d e n t n e w s pa p e r o f w a s h i n g t o n a n d j e f f e r s o n c o l l e g e r e d a n d b l a c ko n l i n e . c o m w a s h i n g t o n , p e n n s y lva n i a October 9, 2015

students participate in mission trip to Jamaica By lauren Virgin page 2

Courtesy Lauren Virgin

ARTS: OLIVIA ODDO SPOTLIGHT PAGE 12

OPINIONS: SCIENCE VS. RELIGION PAGE 16

2 CAMPUS NEWS

Red & Black

Student Spotlight: Going Above and Beyond

9 O ctober 2015

THIS WEEKEND'S EVENTS HOMECOMING WEEKEND Thursday: • German Week Trivia – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by the mailroom • Comedian Zoltan Kazsas – 8 p.m. in the Alley (Hub LL)

Courtesy Lauren Virgin

Lauren Virgin Red&Black Contributor When given the opportunity to help others, Katie McClelland (class of 2017) and Tatiana Ruzzini (class of 2018) are two people who do not hesitate to go above and beyond. When McClelland’s church sponsored a mission trip to Jamaica, the two spent their spring break changing people’s lives.

McClelland is a native of Greensburg, PA, who is majoring in child development and education, as well as special education.

She hopes to one day run her own classroom. She is also involved in W&J athletics and plays a major role on the W&J women’s soccer team.

Hailing from Bethel Park, PA, Ruzzini, is an extremely valuable asset to W&J’s women’s soccer team and the track & field team. Her accomplishments include winning the ECAC Division III South Women’s Soccer

Rookie of the Week twice and Rookie of the Year.

McClelland and Ruzzini’s love of soccer stayed with them as they traveled and met with Jamaican soccer players to talk about the game. While there, the girls also donated over 60 W&J soccer uniforms, eliciting a deep appreciation from the team. Inspired, McClelland and Ruzzini also collected used soccer cleats to send to the team.

Their travels did not end with soccer, however.

McClelland and Ruzzini also visited the sick, namely the patients and babies in the pediatric ward. Ruzzini says that this was especially touching for her and stated, “As soon as I walked in, a little boy ran up to me and jumped into my arms and wouldn't let go. It touched my heart because… he just needed someone. I later found out that his family [had] left him at the hospital.” Their service for the community continued with a bible school which their group

hosted. McClelland especially enjoyed this because it related to her major, saying, “[It] was really great because I got to experience teaching in another country.”

The girls were also involved with hosting a health fair for the community members.

They gave cancer screenings, blood pressure and blood sugar checks, skin checks and free eye exams and eyeglasses.

After witnessing these many aspects of the community, McClelland said, “I went to Jamaica to change people's lives, [or] so I thought. Instead, every person I met changed me…

I learned that you don't need material things to be happy in life because although they had next to nothing, they were the absolute happiest people I have ever met.” Understandably, both McClelland and Ruzzini consider this to be a lifechanging experience that has taught them the value and importance of cross-cultural community service.

Friday: • German Week Trivia – 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. by the mailroom • Free Bowling Friday (with student ID) – 1-3 p.m. at Alpine Lanes • HC: Veteran’s Memorial Service – 5 p.m. at Swanson Flagpole • Monticello’s – 9 p.m. at the Hub (LL) • Homecoming Dance – 9:30 p.m. at the Tech Center Saturday: • HC: Student Biology Poster Session - 8 a.m. in DieterPorter • HC: Dieter-Porter Medical Lecture – 8:30 a.m. in DP 100 • HC: W. Edward Sell ‘45 Legal Lecture – 8:30 a.m. in Rossin Ballroom • HC: CIS Alumni Panel & Open House – 10 a.m. in the CIS Library • HC: Education Panel – 10 a.m. in Burnett 003 • HC: Psychology Panel Discussion – 10 a.m. in Yost Auditorium • Homecoming Football Game vs. Grove City – 2 p.m. at Cameron Stadium • Monticello’s – 9 p.m. at the Hub (LL) • SAIL Movie in the Alley – 9:30 p.m. at the Hub (LL) Sunday: • SAIL Movie in the Alley – 2 p.m. at the Hub (LL) • National Coming Out Day: The Case Against 8 – 6 p.m. in the Media Room

9 O ctober 2015

3 CAMPUS NEWS

Magellan Scholar Visits Chernobyl Red & Black

Courtesy Tyler Phillips

Tyler Phillips Red&Black Contributor

What do you think of when you hear the word “Chernobyl?” Most people are reminded of the 1986 disaster when a nuclear power plant experienced a catastrophic meltdown, contaminating a large part of the Ukraine.

Even today, some parts of the country have toxic levels of radiation that deters any wildlife or people.

After completing his Magellan project, Davy Oliverio (class of 2018) thinks of Chernobyl as a place full of life after seeing it firsthand. During his five-week learning experience entitled “Animal Health in Chernobyl,” he learned how the radiation affects wild

animals in the contamination he went to the site. While he the group spoke about their was there, he did field work work, gave demonstrations to zone to this day.

From June-July 2015, Davy with the scientists by setting attendants and reconstructed worked with several leading up wildlife cameras and track- Chernobyl in virtual reality.

From that point, Davy Chernobyl researchers from ing the animals that inhabited was ready to return home the University of Salford, Eng- the contamination zone.

Davy had to go through and excited to show W&J his land, along with researchers from neighboring institutions. multiple checkpoints to be research. Being a native of Washington Davy has and going to been in“Thanks to the Magellan Project, I had the college in his terested in C h e r n o b y l opportunity to finally leave my comfort zone hometown, Davy was ever since he was a child, and branch out as an individual, exploring both excited and nervous and W&J’s an unfamiliar enivornment.” to venture to Magellan another part Program afof the world. forded him a “Thanks to the Magellan promising opportunity to ex- cleared and allowed to go past Project, I had the opportuperience it firsthand. quarantined sections.

Throughout his project, After the research wrapped nity to finally leave my comDavy spent three weeks in up, the group returned to Eng- fort zone and branch out as England to meet the scientists land for a public engagement an individual, exploring an and help with research and activity that was filmed for unfamiliar environment,” he statistics on Chernobyl before national news. In this activity, said. This life-changing expe-

rience has already led Davy to eagerly plan another Magellan Project, this time incorporating his psychology major into his project by studying the impact of “Death Row” on prison inmates.

His reasoning for this different project is to see “how inmates’ perception of life and religion is altered by the death sentence.”

Considering that his last Magellan came together and worked well for him, it looks like this next project will be just as, if not more successful than the first.

The first part of the Magellan application is due Oct. 21, 2015. Contact Tyler Tenney, Magellan Project Coordinator with questions or additional information about the Magellan Project.

4 CAMPUS NEWS

Red & Black

9 O ctober 2015

Vira I. Heinz Program Provides Immeasurable Opportunities Emily Sterk Red&Black Editor-In-Chief It is during college when many young adults find themselves studying abroad or leaving the country for the first time.

For Kerry McGowen (class of 2016), her first experience abroad happened this past summer as a recipient of the Vira I. Heinz (VIH) Scholarship for Women in Global Education.

Every year, the VIH program selects three young women from 14 participating institutions in Pennsylvania and provides them with a scholarship of at least $5,000 to put toward the cost of an international experience of their choosing.

The VIH program is not just a scholarship, however. It consists of three components: the international experience, two weekend-long leadership development retreats and the Community Engagement Experience (CEE), which is a project put together by each institution’s awardees that educates their local community about a global issue they became aware of while abroad.

The VIH Program requires women to have no previous international experiences and have a minimum QGPA of a 3.0.

Upon being admitted into the Vira I. Heinz program, McGowen decided to travel to the Netherlands for her first international experience.

While in the Netherlands, McGowen studied the Dutch healthcare system and the similarities and differences between its healthcare system and that of the United States.

In order to achieve this goal, McGowen visited the GGD, Amsterdam’s healthcare municipality, where she learned from healthcare professionals about HIV prevention and treatment in Amsterdam.

She also visited a local hospital to hear from hospice physicians that perform physician-assisted suicides and euthanasia.

Additionally, McGowen also visited an abortion clinic and a psychiatric ward where she heard from professionals about the progressive treatments and how they are breaking down stigmas against both fields.

As a student interested in research, McGowen benefited greatly from these conversations and stated, “My experiences allowed me to form a better understanding of the healthcare issues that are often avoided in America due to their controversial and polarizing nature.”

After learning more about the healthcare system in the Netherlands, McGowen applied her new knowledge to better understand the foundations of the healthcare issues in America, specifically regarding the Affordable Healthcare Act. “Although the Netherlands has a far more liberal

Courtesy Kerry McGowen

approach to healthcare than the United States, the Dutch system is what the Affordable Healthcare Act is hoping to achieve,” said McGowen.

Aside from visiting healthcare facilities and interview medical professionals, McGowen completed bio-medical research at Radboud

University in Nijmegen.

Under the supervision of a PhD student, she researched a synthetic hemostatic polymer used to control surgical bleeding. McGowen credits the Vira I. Heinz program for her success while in the Netherlands.

“The supportive and empowering nature of the

Vira I. Heinz program allowed me to achieve all that I did while abroad and has inspired me to continue to travel in the future.”

Inquiries about the scholarship and potential study abroad experiences can be directed to Ms. Sara Kochuba, director of study abroad.

9 O ctober 2015

5 CAMPUS NEWS

Why Studying Abroad May Be Right For You Mikayla Aldridge Red&Black Contributor Have you always wanted to travel? Have you always wanted to experience another culture?

Studying abroad is the perfect opportunity to be immersed in a different culture and will give you credit towards your degree.

W&J has partnerships with universities all over the world, including Australia, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Korea, Egypt, England, Japan, China, Spain and South Africa. Studying abroad is not only fun, but

it also looks great on your resume and is taken as part of your degree.

Employers always want someone with that little bit of extra experience and studying abroad will make you stand out from everyone else.

By studying abroad, young adults learn a lot about other cultures that cannot be learned from books or television.

You also get a great opportunity to learn about the differences between American lifestyles and the rest of the world.

On a smaller scale, you also learn a lot about yourself. It is a great way to increase your

Red & Black

independence, improve your confidence and know what you are capable of.

Emily Sterk (class of 2017) recently studied abroad in Cuba. Sterk said that her experience abroad allowed her to step outside of her comfort zone.

She stated, "While I was abroad, I did many things that were definitely outside of my normal level of comfort, such as enrolling in a Cuban dance class. By doing these unordinary things, I was able to get the most out of my experience and thoroughly enjoy myself while being completely immersed in a different culture." If you are

S E C U R I T Y LO G S Date: 9/27/2015 Incident: Theft Campus and Public Safety responded to Lincoln Parking Lot where a male student took a cellular telephone belonging to a female student and refused to return it.

Date: 9/27/2015 Incident: Illegal Drugs Campus and Public Safety responded to Adams Hall where the smell of burning marijuana led to two male students admitting to its use. Charges are under judicial review.

Date: 9/27/2015 Incident: Alcohol Washington Police responded to 200 E. Chestnut St where a male was cited for under age drinking for carrying a can of beer along the sidewalk. He was charged

by Washington Police.

studying a language or major that relates to another country or culture, studying abroad gives you a great opportunity to improve your language skills while also giving you a better understanding of that culture.

The best way to learn a language, in fact, is to live it.

You can study abroad anytime from first semester sophomore year until the first semester of your senior year.

There are many programs and ways of studying. Students can complete intersession programs, semester or full year programs in the country of their choice. There are also scholarships available to help

make studying abroad easier.

Planning ahead is important, so come see the study abroad staff in the Office of Study Abroad located at 005 the Commons, off of the Ski Lodge.

Students can also arrange an appointment by emailing study abroad@washjeff.edu.

The office is open Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The office also hosts a weekly table every Thursday from 11:45 a.m. until 1 p.m. at G&Ts. Come see what opportunities are waiting for you! The office staff is always happy to answer any questions students may have.

Red & Black Established 1909 Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Social Media Chair Recruitment Chair Campus News Editor Life Editor Arts Editor Opinions Editor Sports Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Business Manager Distribution Manager Adviser

emily sterk amiti sharma lauryn halahurich bailey mudrick brittany graft shannon adams carolyn tomlinson katherine campbell siddhanta bista lauren lamm carolyn wilson jack myint mackenzie jakobs mike kovak

6 life

Red & Black

9 O ctober 2015

SAT Scores Less Influential in College Applications Elaine Nalikka Red&Black Contributor

Finding good predictors of future college performance that are also representative of high school achievement is the daunting task college admission offices face every year.

A recent article by the Washington Post has shed light on a school that is relying on some unconventional measures in its admissions process. Hampshire College, a liberal arts college in Massachusetts has gone beyond the 180+ colleges that are now considered “test optional.” It will no longer be accepting SAT/ACT scores at all.

Recently, there has been a big debate over the correlation of high school standardized scores and first-year college grade point average; a vast amount of studies have found that the correlation is not at all overwhelming: only 10% to 20 % of the variation in first-year GPA is explained

by SAT scores. “I don’t think standardized tests are great predictors, but neither is a high school GPA. A strong

GPA from a school that is not academically rigorous will hold the same weight as a difficult one, and that’s equally problematic,” said Emma Church (class of 2016).

Originally based off of an Army IQ test, the SAT was born in the 1930s as scholarship test exclusively for Ivy League schools.

Its intention was to get students from modest backgrounds to get noticed by prestigious universities and colleges. Unfortunately, data shows that standardized testing is actually doing the opposite now.

The SAT is racially and socioeconomically biased. In the picture provided we see evidence that the higher your socioeconomic status, the higher you’ll score.

Even the College Board has acknowledged the SAT’s flaws and they are currently in the process of making changes to the test for next year.

The revised test will be unveiled in 2016. It will focus on vocabulary words that are widely used in college and the workplace and the math section will draw from fewer topics. The essay, which was previously required,

will now be optional. The scoring will also return to a 1600-point scale. However, it is important to consider that this may not fix the racial and socioeconomic biases in the SAT. This is a big problem and the solution isn’t simple.

The discrepancy with SAT scores has led hundreds of schools, including our own W&J, to go “test-optional.” In a way, these schools are making a public announcement to embrace standardized tests are incomplete scorecards on how a student will fare in college.

Many schools also made this decision in the hopes that it will further diversify their student population.

Test optional means in order to rely on something other than a students’ standardized test scores, admission centers at schools will consider advanced placement courses and extracurricular activities.

Unfortunately, this is where test optional runs into its own set of problems.

Advanced placement courses at underfunded high schools will not be at the same level as other high schools. Not every student receives the

same education and the same opportunities. Commenting on W&J’s test optional decision, “It feels as if the school is placing a greater emphasis on its [diversity] image than actual academic standards,” said Eric Muthami, a junior.

Perhaps simply going test optional is not the solution. Hampshire Colleges’ President Jonathan Lash states that in Hampshire College admissions, they review an applicant’s whole academic and lived experience, “We consider an applicant’s ability to present themselves in essays and interviews, review recommendations from mentors, and assess factors such as their community engagement and entrepreneurism… look closely at high school academic records, in an unconventional manner,” said Lash.

Hampshire College has seen a rise in the quality of their applications, “because we made it harder to apply,” Lash argues.

The application requires a significantly larger amount of essays than most college applications, and as a result

“applicants were collectively more motivated, mature, disciplined and consistent… than past applicants” explained Lash.

“We’ve developed much better, fairer ways to assess students who will thrive at our college…we are in the top one percent of colleges nationwide in the percentage of our undergraduate alumni who go on to earn advanced degrees,” said Lash.

The college has also experienced a rise in students of color as well as a rise in students who are the first generation from their family to attend college.

Upon their removal of standardized test scores, Hampshire College was kicked off of the United States News & World Reports annual rankings.

Lash stated confidently “we cannot lose sight of our mission while seeking revenues or chasing rankings.

We’re done with standardized testing.”

Hampshire College is definitely a school to watch in the years to come, and maybe an example to schools everywhere seeking admissions reform

9 O ctober 2015

7 life

Red & Black

Biofluorescent Sea Turtles Discovered Kayla Marasia Red&Black Contributor

On a research dive near the Solomon Islands, an archipelago northeast of Australia, the last thing marine biologist David Gruber expected to see was a glowing sea turtle.

He and his research team were examining biofluorescence in coral reefs and sharks when a glowing hawkbill turtle, adorned with fluorescent green and red stripes, swam calmly into the camera’s view.

Biofluorescence, an absorp-

tion and reemission of colored light, is known to be caused by the presence of various proteins in an organism.

Blue light, which is plentiful in the ocean, allows the glowing colors to be displayed.

The researchers brought a large blue light with them on the dive, which made the glowing organisms even brighter.

While this colorful quality is common in fish, coral and jellyfish, Gruber’s research team marked the first documented discovery of a biofluorescent turtle.

“I think this turtle is the coolest thing,” said W&J stu-

dent Alyssa Rote when told about the discovery. “I didn’t even know that biofluorescence could be so widespread among oceanic organisms.”

However, this turtle is not an anomaly.

Biofluorescence is present in multiple turtle species, but the glowing colors were merely dismissed as camera flukes until now.

Scientists are now pondering the possible functions of biofluorescence for the animals.

It is thought, due to varying glow patterns between males and females, perhaps the turtles use the bright

markings to find each other in the deep blue sea, possibly for mating purposes.

The turtles could even use the markings as camouflage, helping them to blend in among the other biofluorescent fish and coral reefs.

Despite the hawkbill turtles’ beautiful patterns and importance to oceanic ecosystems, they have been overhunted for decades for their skin and shells, which are used for jewelry and decoration, “What’s even more sad, I think, about this [is that these] turtles have such a storied history, and now they’re critically endangered,” noted Gruber in

a recent interview with National Geographic. However, the discovery of the turtles’ hidden beauty may stem the tide of careless overfishing as research efforts increase and develop.

Studies are now being done on the proteins that cause the glowing phenomenon, which could lead to other valuable discoveries about oceanic life. Gruber’s discovery of the glowing turtle leads to another probing question: if the biofluorescence of these calm creatures went unnoticed for so long, what other secrets do our oceans hold in their deep blue depths?

the annual “Star Wars Weekends” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios continue to bring thousands of Star Wars fans together for all kinds of awesome, space-themed events.

However, Star Wars will become even bigger with Disney’s plans to create a Star Wars-themed land at both parks.

Announced this past summer at the Walt Disney Company’s biennial “D23 Expo” in Anaheim, Calif., each land will be approximately 14 acres -the biggest single land expansion to any Disney Park- and will receive new attractions relating to dining experiences and entertainment.

Although the plans are early and an opening date for each land is still unan-

nounced, some details have been released concerning the makeup of the lands.

Each land itself will be a “remote trading-port and one of the last stops before wild space.”

Showcasing a “never-before-seen planet,” both lands will virtually be duplicates of each other.

One of the signature attractions heading to each land will be a simulated flight on the iconic Millennium Falcon, providing guests with their own customizable missions.

Integrating elements from the upcoming Star Wars sequel “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” another main attraction will allow visitors to step in the middle of a climactic battle between the First

Order and the Resistance. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait some time until they are able to step into this “all-new planet.”

With no expected release date for these expansions, one can assume that the grand openings are still fairly far away at this point. Nonetheless, people who need their

Star Wars fix right away can pass the time by going to see “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” the first live-action Star Wars film in over 10 years, when it opens in cinemas on Dec. 25, 2015.

Until then my fellow Star Wars geeks, good luck and may the force be with you.

The Force Will Be With You at Disney Themed Parks Mario Tiberie Red&Black Contributor

Have you ever been to a Disney theme park and dreamed of visiting a strange planet in the farthest part of the Star Wars galaxy?

The Disney Parks already provide a variety of fun and exciting attractions for its numerous patrons, but soon Star Wars fans will become even happier at the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

Star Wars has had a strong presence at the Disney Parks for many years.

The popular “Star Tours” attraction has delighted guests at both Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., since its start, and

Courtesy comingsoon.net

8 life

Red & Black

9 O ctober 2015

Scientific Discovery: Water Found on Mars

Christopher Frydryck Red&Black Contributor

Courtesy boston.com

Christopher Frydryck Red&Black Contributor In 1878 Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli studied the surface of Mars and found a shocking discovery.

He exclaimed that there was several features on this red planet that contained “canali,” Italian for channels.

However, there was a loss in translation when reported in English, as it was translated to believe that sources of water were designed by an extraterrestrial being to navigate or even survive.

This idea of canals or channels on Mars seemed quite far-fetched for many, but it didn’t quite instill fear in the public until H.G. Wells

had written the classic novella “War of the Worlds” in 1897.

We as humans know our solar system is a heliocentric model, however we tend to be more geocentric about our thoughts.

We take for granted our natural resources and we fear of large green aliens from another solar system, when in fact this arbitrary idea is quite humorous.

NASA, the United States’ government agency, seems to be the only pioneers to think outside of the geocentric model we are conditioned to believe exists, and discovered something quite amazing.

NASA is not necessarily the first to discover liquid water on Mars, in fact, an

undergraduate student at the University of Arizona by the name of Lujendra Ojha discovered running water “streaks” through the mountainous terrain, and confirmed this running water happens during the spring and summer season of Mars yes, Mars has seasons similar to Earth.

So what exactly does this mean? It means that the probability of extraterrestrial beings is becoming more of a reality.

NASA’s Jim Green informed the public that, “Mars is not the dry, arid planet that we thought of in the past… Liquid water has been found on Mars.” Now before everyone has a mass

panic and creates some sort of panic room under their house, we are talking about an extraterrestrial being that could be a plant or even bacteria.

This interstellar phenomenon has been going on for many years, and the study of Mars as a habitable planet is nothing new in the scientific field of astronomy.

We are just studying what could be the future of civilization, a pioneer world that is beckoning our great minds of this solar system to study the now-flourishing ecosystem on this grand red planet.

Our biggest question is still unanswered: where is this water coming from? Since

we lack hands on experience on Mars, we cannot assume nor guess where or why there is water on a planet that we believe to be practically a red, barren wasteland.

What we do know, however, is, “[water] is largely either frozen, gaseous or trapped underground.

If organisms were to exist on Mars, they would be most likely be found in the stable underground reservoirs of water rather than the transient-state water at the surface.”

NASA has yet to have a formal announcement of sending a man or woman to Mars, but they have exclaimed several times that they have plans in the future to do so.

9 O ctober 2015

9 life

Red & Black

12 Traits That All Successful People Must Have Elaine Nalikka Red&Black Contributor We all know that one person; constant enthusiasm and excitement in everything they do, they are always fully prepared regardless of what they are doing, and the especially irritating habit of being able to casually leap over obstacles flawlessly.

Being extra intelligent, very honest and composed are all normal traits for successful people. But what is it about these individuals that allows them to excel with poise? ‘It’s all about emotional intelligence’ TalentSmart will tell you. TalentSmart, a consultancy that serves more than 75% of Fortune 500 companies, is the world's leading provider of emotional intelli-

gence tests and training. This company conducted research on over 1 million people to gather the 12 habits of highlysuccessful people.

They found ultra-successful people have a lot in common. “These super successful folks have high emotional intelligence (EQ), a quality that’s critical to achieving your dreams” explains Travis Bradberry the president and cofounder of TalentSmart.

While the author of this article and research has a strong background in clinical and industrial-organizational psychology, if you have ever had Dr. Benjamin Seltzer you might be scratching your head in confusion.

Dr. Seltzer, as well many other psychologists, will inform you that “there is actual-

ly no evidence that emotional intelligence is something that even exists!” This is mainly because in the realm of psychology, there is not an agreed definition of what it means.

It is simply a skill, perhaps a correspondent of general intelligence and perceptiveness.

Scientific accuracy probably was not the goal of Forbes when they shared this list, but we can still take the traits they found as a helpful guide.

The list was as follows: Successful people are 1. Composed, 2. Knowledgeable, 3.

Deliberate, 4. Speak with Certainty, 5. Use Positive Body Language, 6. Leave a Strong First Impression, 7. Seek Out Small Victories, 8. Fearless, 9. Graceful, 10. Honest, 11.

Grateful 12. Appreciative.

The research found these 12

habits to be consistently effective strategies that successful people employ to reach their goals. Some of these are hit or miss, you either have it or you do not and (I for one can already kiss ‘Graceful’ goodbye) but according to Bradberry, the challenge lies in “recognizing when you need to use them and having the wherewithal to actually do so.”

Anyone who is being honest with themselves knows there are annoying habits that hold them back; things that are causing them to be a little less successful than they could be. Perhaps there are some habits we could pick up, things we should change about ourselves to stave off mediocrity.

The important thing to remember is success can mean different things for different

people-it is subjective. Success could be feeling that tingle of excitement about what you do, sticking with what matters through hard times, or living a life you can feel proud of in retrospect.

The qualities of a successful person are dependent of how you personally define success.

“People I consider successful have many of these qualities, but not every single one.

I think the key is working on yourself and being the best person you can possibly be,” related Tiffany Dietrich. With that being said, these traits do not accurately define a successful person, they are just common personalities among many successful people.

An individual can still be successful even without the before mentioned traits.

temporary art project set up by street artist Bansky. In this sinister twist on Disneyland, adventurous art lovers are introduced to the gloomiest place on earth where all your dreams will come true and eventually die.

There is the wreckage of Cinderella’s carriage, where you will find the dead princess being swarmed by paparazzi photographers, eager for shot of the carnage. It specifically recalls Princess Diana’s 1997 fatal car accident in Paris and seems to represent something that takes up a good portion of our daily lives - pop culture.

The fake, vulture-like pa-

parazzi devour the corpse of Cinderella’s destroyed dreams.

One of the park’s darkest attractions happens to be a small pond where visitors can take control of little boats transporting migrants and refugees.

It’s up to the visitors to make sure that their boats full of migrants and refugees achieve asylum. They will soon find out, however, that they actually have no control over this matter as the boats they operate are always randomly switched with their controllers. It resembles boat passengers fleeing from Africa and the Middle East that have

recently drowned on their desperate way to Europe. The visitors handling the controls have no power over the fates of their little boats. This is the same scenario for the real-life passengers, who are at the mercy of much larger forces and have no control over their own fates.

Then there is the beloved children’s puppet show Punch and Judy. Bansky presents it through a darker lens. In the wonderful world of Dismal Land, the play tackles the issue of domestic violence and how generations of children have been convinced to accept the idea of Punch beating up

his wife Judy as an acceptable form of comedy. Amidst this wasteland of crashed police vans, dystopian Disney imagery and balloons bearing the words “I am an imbecile,” it becomes clear that Dismal Land pessimistically suggests we are moving towards anarchy.

The artist responsible for its construction makes the viewer uncomfortable by addressing adult problems using children's themes.

Bansky addresses pitfalls of our daily culture: media voyeurism, celebrity, war and violence in a way that no one else has.

Dismal Land Amusement Park Opens in England Diana Ciarallo Red&Black Contributor Somewhere in the town of Weston-super-Mare in southwest England there stands a desolate amusement park that appears to have been struck full-force by the apocalypse.

Visitors making it past the rude security guards and into this charming little hellhole are greeted by a dead-eyed girl wearing Mickey Mouse ears. The depressing scenario continues when the girl acknowledges park goers with a cheerless greeting. “Welcome to Dismal Land.” Welcome to Dismal Land, indeed - a

10 arts

Red & Black

9 O ctober 2015

Gaden Shartse Monks Visit W&J As Part of International Tour

Courtesy observer-reporter.com

Leah Seal Red&Black contributor Walking around campus last week, it would have been hard to miss the six monks dressed in their traditional colorful robes eating in the Commons and intermingling with students and staff.

The peace emanating from these men is unmistakable and comes from their experience and time dedicated to Buddhism.

The monks come from the Gaden Shartse Monastery in Tibet, and they are currently completing their tour around the United States called, “The Sacred Arts of Tibet.”

The purpose behind such a tour is to educate others of their way of life, as well as to spread their culture and beliefs to places around the globe.

Luckily, the students at W&J

were able to listen to their lectures on The Four Noble Truths and The Teaching of Buddha and World Peace and the Unity of all Religions.

Students passing through Olin were able to witness the construction of the beautiful sand mandala.

The monks worked on over the course of one-hundred hours. They were also able to attend an intimate Tara Puja Tea Ceremony.

The lectures were extremely interesting and shed light on how the monks view the world, as well as what we, as human beings, must do to fix it.

Their convictions lie within the self-purging of inner toxins in order to solve problems and “rid the poisons” of the outside world.

Such inspirational words emphasized heavily on self-

improvement and internal healing, that would in turn help greater society.

Perhaps the most important part of their words of wisdom was to “thank your enemies” because they allow you to become a better person, as you must treat them with love and respect.

The construction of the sand mandala also remains a tribute to their admirable patience.

Last week, the multi colored sand was placed in metal tubes that would be rubbed together to create the intricate designs on the plastic blue surface.

The intense concentration and precision to create such a beautiful masterpiece exposed their expertise as well as their respect for ritual as 100 hours of labor was then dismantled, leaving no remnants of its

short-lived beauty behind.

Overall, the meaning of the mandala is to express the aspects of Buddhism that the monks wish to represent in the piece, such as deities, nature, feelings of compassion and love.

Each circle of the mandala also contains cultural significance, either as a tribute to a divine form or the human mind.

Upon completion, the sand is ceremoniously swept in a certain fashion, as the monks hold a service for the dismantling of the sand mandala. The destruction of the piece represents the impermanence of life.

Finally, the Tara Puja Tea Ceremony is held to “dispel obstacles and to help flourish all Dharma activities” as stated in the W&J website.

It is also held to invoke the

female reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion in order to rid suffering from all beings.

The beautiful instruments used and the powerful chants entranced the audience, and gave a sneak peek to a traditional Buddhist Ceremony.

The relatively short tea ceremony presented at W&J was only an hour and a half, whereas a traditional service would take an average of 18 hours to fully complete.

Overall, the ability of the student body to learn about a new culture and a different way of thinking is an important aspect of personal development.

That being said, the Monks of the Gaden Shartse Monastery emanated peace and wisdom, showing how they live what they preach.

9 O ctober 2015

11 arts

Red & Black

Washington Symphony Orchestra To Score Big With Season Opener

Poetry Corner "Sleep Deprivation" Maggie Smith Red&Black contributor

Courtesy washsym.orgm

Adam Shaffer General manager, WSO PRESS RELEASE: On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Washington Symphony Orchestra opens its 2015-2016 season with “Fall Kickoff,” a celebration of falling leaves, football and all else autumn.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. at Trinity High School with doors opening at 7 p.m.

This is not the first time that the WSO has “played football.”

In 2012, a crew from ESPN filmed the WSO playing the opening theme for Monday Night Football.

That theme, “Heavy Action,” will be dusted off for the Oct. 10 concert.

The WSO will also play “Sabers and Six Guns” from NFL Films Music and the Trinity High School Marching Band will join the orchestra for “Mister Touchdown USA.” On the classical side, the orchestra will play the Violin

Concerto “L’Autumno” (Autumn) from Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

Edvard Grieg’s “Im Herbst” (In Autumn) and Johannes Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture” are also on the program.

Audience members may recognize the latter as the music that played during the opening credits of Animal House.

Keeping with the football theme, there will be a silent auction at the concert of signed football cards and photographs from more than 35 different retired players, including Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL Hall of Famers.

All ticket holders may participate in the silent auction.

“It was really encouraging how these famous players like Joe Green and Earl Campbell signed items for us despite not having heard of us before,” said Adam Shaffer, WSO General Manager.

“Sometimes we sent one card to be signed, and we got two or three back. Larry Cson-

ka sent us a full color 8x10 autographed photo.” Bidding on most cards will start out at only $5, with bidding open until the end of intermission.

Football fans will also enjoy meeting author and sports historian Jim O’Brien who will sign copies of some of the 23 books in his “Pittsburgh Proud” series.

O’Brien is the author of the football-themed books Golden Arms: Six Hall of Fame Quarterbacks from Western Pennsylvania, Lambert and Steeler Stuff.

Tickets start at just $17 and can be purchased online at washsym.org, by calling 1-888-71-TICKETS, or at the following locations: Washington Financial branch locations, Citizens Library and the Peters Township Public Library.

For further information about the symphony, visitwww.washsym.org or connect with the WSO on Facebook (facebook.com/washsymphony) and Twitter (twitter.com/ washsymphony).

The barren wasteland of my page, Mocks my slow, plodding thoughts.

The clock bemoans the hour of day, And ticks amidst its violent tocks.

“Such a shame!” my eyelids cry, Wondering if the bottom lashes they shall embrace.

Yes, a shame and utter waste, This slow, dull, plodding, pace.

My earnest plea to poesy, Falls on deaf ears of dead men, Consecrated to the altar of fancy, Striving to only meet an end.

Shall I meet with dearest love, The space beyond mortal man’s boundary?

Or shall I only dwell in fervor, And then go hence, weak and weary?

Take heed all ye who sally forth, Tis your mantle to carry on, Smartly apply yourselves anon, Or brace yourselves to greet the dawn “Guardian Light” Diana Ciarallo Red&Black contributor I make the deadly trek down the dark, treacherous road and though I don’t have a red cloak in my possession, I’m still very much aware of the reality of wolves.

The streetlights have buried the stars away in the dark graveyard of the desolate night sky, but the moon remains constant and vigilant- never fading and showing me the way home.

So why should I feel afraid to be outside at night when the wolves are wailing in fear of my guardian angel’s silver glow?

Why should any woman feel afraid in her own dark domaingoverned by the queenly moon and her shimmering, benevolent rule?

12 arts

9 O ctober 2015

Red & Black

Artist Spotlight: Olivia Oddo Brings Color Back To W&J Campus Kayla Marasia Red&Black Contributor

If you ever wander the halls of the Olin Fine Arts Center, you will likely find yourself surrounded by the colorful artwork that is plastered to the walls as well as the possible smells of paint thinner and pure determination.

Students involved in the art department often dedicate countless hours to their work in order to meet deadlines and reach their full potential.

Senior art major, Olivia Oddo, exemplifies this devotion to her craft.

When asked when she first became interested in art, she says, “In high school, my studio teacher got me into pop art. We went to the Warhol museum.”

Although Oddo’s favorite medium is now acrylic paint, she notes that in high school she almost exclusively sketched with pencil and paper.

“When I first came [to W&J], I wasn’t interested in painting at all. That changed when I took Dr. Schmidt’s painting class. He made painting more meaningful.

As I started to paint things, he

gave me insight and critiques, good and bad, that helped me progress as a painter.”

With W&J’s often rigorous academics, it can be difficult to balance classes with other activities. With perseverance and a few all-nighters, Oddo proves that it is possible to balance school and work.

“There have been times when I’ve created a painting over the weekend and neglected my classwork, but I’m good at meeting deadlines,” she says modestly.

“Last year, I only had three weeks to paint two huge 5x5 paintings [for the Admission House]. I pulled five or six, probably more, all-nighters, but I finished them.”

The bold pop art paintings of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson are now proudly displayed in the Admission House, welcoming prospective future students.

Although painting has become a fixed part of her life, she always makes time to complete her classwork and maintain her responsibilities.

She also works several hours per week as an attendant at the Olin Art Gallery.

Despite her various commitments, Oddo fully dedicates herself to every opportunity that is presented

to her. Oddo’s artwork is shaped from her own experiences and emotions as well as by her observations of the world around her, manifesting themselves into bold colors on a canvas.

She draws inspiration from other great artists as well, such as Warhol and Duchamp, but her work is always original and fresh.

Her style usually incorporates bold colors and lines in statement-making pop art pieces.

In fact, for her senior art show in the spring, she plans on displaying pieces with a pop tragedy theme, including works depicting Marilyn Monroe, Freddie Mercury and other celebrity tragedies.

“Even when I paint celebrities, they are all somehow connected to my experiences, and I manipulate that to match my feelings.

Celebrities look perfect on the outside, but a lot of them have inner turmoil,” Olivia muses when asked about the inspiration for her works.“I went through a pretty bad breakup a while ago. Dr. Schmidt just told me, ‘Embrace what you’re feeling right now and create something beautiful out of it.’

And that’s what I try to do.”

On most days, you can find Oddo feverishly working on her latest pieces for her senior show, set in late April or May. While she claims the classes at W&J helped her immensely in her growth as an artist and preparation for a job, most of her success is likely due to her passion

Courtesy Kayla Marasia

and sheer determination to produce meaningful work.

Be sure to attend the senior art shows in the spring to show your support for W&J’s talented artists; it will merely be a preview of the bright futures in store for these hardworking, passionate artists like Olivia Oddo.

9 O ctober 2015

13 arts

Red & Black

Caspian Sets the Bar High With New Album "Dust and Disquiet" Tyler Phillips Red&Black Contributor Post-Rock act Caspian released their new album ‘Dust and Disquiet’ on Sept. 25 to much positive acclaim.

This is the fourth fulllength album by the instrumental group, their latest release since 2013’s "Hymn For The Greatest Generation" before a change to their lineup.

The album shows an impressive use of dynamic sound and focus on songwriting. A mix of short and long songs gives it variety with

many highlights among the ten tracks. Rioseco includes orchestration mixed with layers of emotional guitar work building up to a powerful crescendo.

Arcs of Command opens with an electronic loop as the band members enter, making the reminiscent of a movie chase scene and ending with a heavy jam session.

Songs like Run Dry and Aeternum Vale provide a break from the more complex songs, slowing the pace between longer compositions.

Run Dry is a standout for

being one of Caspian’s songs with lyrics among their largely instrumental catalogue.

“Tears won’t help but help but to water the ground / nothing, nothing will grow, so weep til you’re dry / until you run dry,” are some of the powerful lyrics being sung over soft acoustic guitar.

"Dust and Disquiet" ends with its title track, a powerful closer clocking in over eleven minutes.

Starting with a familiar atmospheric soundscape for the album before a climax, it moves into a slow middle sec-

tion that slowly takes shape for the final section.

That section is much akin to the works of Caspian’s postrock contemporaries Explosions in the Sky and This Will Destroy You. The build-up continues as the other band members return with horns and guitars leading into another climax as the album ends on a very strong note.

Many other bands of the post-rock scene use extensive instrumentation outside of just guitar, bass and drums and feature other musicians in

their work. "Dust and Disquiet" is no exception. One of the guest violinists for the album commented on his contributions, saying “The string arrangements are just sublime, and I genuinely believe this album will hold up as a landmark in the genre.”

Caspian is currently supporting ‘Dust and Disquiet’ on a North American tour.

The album is a fantastic representation of the postrock album and a recommendation to anyone who is looking for a new genre of music to explore as it is sure to impress.

The Martian Book-to-Movie Adaptation Falls Flat Mario Tiberie Red&Black contributor

Imagine being stranded on a desolate planet millions of miles away, with nothing but a few rations and a knowledge of botany to remain alive.

Could you survive? That’s the question that faces astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) in Ridley Scott’s new science fiction film, "The Martian."

Based on the 2011 novel by Andy Weir, the movie follows the struggles of Watney as he survive alone on Mars after his crew, thinking he had died, evacuates the planet following a vicious storm. The film

highlights Watney’s problemsolving skills as he tries to sustain himself, while attempting to signal for help to Earth.

"The Martian" changes location between Watney on Mars, his crew members as they journey back to Earth and the employees of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) who attempt to bring Wantey back home.

The film starts off quickly and continues at a rapid pace until the third act, which is when I truly felt the longevity of the two and a half hour running time.

Although the well-thought science and enormous gravity of the situation help ground the film in realism, there are

minor details that also detract from that realism.

Damon provides an entertaining performance, often in scenes alone and talking to himself.

Although, he was given an excessive number of cliché one-liners which make his optimistic attitude as a “guystranded-on-Mars” look unrealistic.

Another problematic aspect is the fact that there are too many characters in the film.

The sheer number of supporting characters does make "The Martian" appear grander in scope.

Unfortunately, terrific actors such as Kristen Wiig and Donald Glover are given a

short amount of screen time, so their respective characters, Annie Montrose and Rich Purnell, appear forced and unnecessary.

"The Martian" does have an epic quality, especially when different nations unite in an attempt to bring the American astronaut home.

In addition to the elevated storyline and humongous setting, the visual effects are spectacular and make Mars look almost enticing to explore, even while watching Watney try to escape it.

Some of the brightest spots of the movie may perhaps come from the scene-stealing performances of Jessica Chastain and Michael Peña, who play Commander Me-

lissa Lewis and Rick Martinez, respectively. However, like many of the other actors, their screen time is unfortunately limited.

Fans of science fiction films and thrillers will enjoy "The Martian."

However, the time needed to commit to the film may not satisfy everyone.

The director does an admirable job, but the constant mishaps that occur in the plot may not entertain many viewers.

After contemplating the film’s strongest and weakest points, I give "The Martian" three out of five stars.

However, I encourage students to see the film and form their own opinions.

14 arts

Red & Black

9 O ctober 2015

And All That Jazz: Kyle Simpson’s Faculty Recital Professor Presents Original Compositions

Courtesy Nikha In-amkha

9 O ctober 2015

15 opinions

Red & Black

OPINIONS

The Social Solution to the Smoking Problem at W&J Cristopher Frydryck Red&Black Contributor

Undoubtedly one of the unhealthiest habits people voluntarily participate in is smoking. However, what was once a common pastime with actors, musicians and even your neighbor has slowly died down over time, and government intervention can be credited with the shortage of the smoking industry.

With high taxes, surgeon general warnings, advertisement limitations and the CDC’s public acknowledgement of smoking and secondhand smoke, smoking has been on the decline.

This does not denote the presence of smoke in the public sadly, and common

non-smokers are bombarded daily on their commute to class with the putrid smell of cigarettes. Designated smoking areas have become more common on college campuses, restaurants and even Disney theme parks.

It seems that a recognition of smoking pollution or second hand smoke has been on the rise for several years, however some are still on the fence about how to deal with such a case, including Washington & Jefferson.

Every day it seems that students walking past a group of smokers and holding their breath to avoid breathing in the cotinine of second hand smoke (the airborne nicotine that is a “biomarker” for measurements of smoke inhalation).

This is not only a problem for students, but a problem for the city of Washington. The

United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) since the 1970’s has been aware of the emissions of cigarettes and recommended “smoking permits” that are an annual renewal program to help the environment from the tobacco pollution. Although this has been proven effective in a large scale, it poses an issue for small campuses and becomes hard to regulate.

Before W&J is to take any action or students were to lobby against a board of directors, we must decipher what addiction is.

We as Americans view addiction as a chemical balance, in fact we believe that if nicotine were removed, there would be no addiction.

This is entirely wrong.

Johann Hari, a New York Times best-selling author and addiction specialist had explained on the TED stage

E ditorial P olicy The Red & Black is the official, registered student-produced newspaper of Washington & Jefferson College. It is published Thursdays with the exception of exams and break periods.

Editorials are based upon the opinion of the respective writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the newspaper, the

College or its students, faculty, or administration.

The Red & Black welcomes all reader contributions, but reserves the right to reject letters of pure promotional nature, as well as letters which do not meet its standard of integrity, accuracy and decency.

The Red & Black also reserves the right to edit submissions.

Letters are due on the Monday before publication and may not exceed 600 words. All letters must include the author’s name, campus box and telephone number.

Names may be withheld upon request under certain conditions on rare occasions. All letters may be submitted to redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu.

what addiction truly was. He had told everybody that it is a lack of better options, a formative decision perhaps with a lack of an opportunity cost, which makes the public want to smoke.

This realization was formed rather well through his words on the TED stage exclaiming, "Human beings have a natural and innate need to bond. And when we're happy and healthy we'll bond and connect with each other…but if you can't do that…you will bond with something that will give you some sense of relief.”

This relief in this case is cigarettes, and without a designated smoking area, or incentive to help our students with a nicotine prevention program, we may leave students behind due to one poor choice.

We, the community at W&J, must not ostracize

immediately nor promote public smoking on campus; we must help prevent the poor habit that has faded into obscurity over the years. Being an institute of higher learning and even higher expectations for our students, we must mold all of our students to the standard that had been promoted since day one of our college careers.

I firmly believe that designating smoking areas would not help the campus in any way, however allowing students to smoke anywhere is also an issue with pollution and public figure.

We must offer rehabilitation services for our students and attempt to make W&J a smoke-free campus.

After all, Johann had stated quite clearly, “the opposite of addiction is not sobriety.

The opposite of addiction is connection.”

C ontac t Telephone: FAX: E-mail: Mailing Address:

(724) 223-6049 (724) 503-1049 redandblackstaff@jay. washjeff.edu Red & Black 60 S. Lincoln St. Washington, PA 15301

16 opinions

9 O ctober 2015

Red & Black

W&J Hot Topic: Science Vs. Religion Science Has Gone too Far, Leaving No Room for Ethics Keira Frazier Red&Black Contributor

In a world that’s advancing in more ways than one, will there ever be a stopping point?

When it comes to science, is there a limit to what we as a human race can do?

The answers to those questions may never be found, but there is another question that can be answered: is there a limit to what we as a human race should do? Yes. Is that bar set by religion? Not necessarily.

Ryan Kierstan (class of 2019) commented, “I don’t think it’s entirely religion, but more so moral boundaries that make some ideas controversial.”

There is a definite moral boundary that nature has set, one that should be left uncrossed. But in the field of science, humans are progressing into a field in which they have no competence or understanding.

They have crossed the moral boundary where no man should go already with cloning, and with technology such as artificial intelligence.

It is not religion which holds science back, it is a moral balance between man and nature. Technological and

Courtesy cs.stanford.edu

scientific advancements are all over the news these days, with designer babies, cloned animals, and humanesque robots.

And let us not forget about the pop culture references.

We've all seen the movies where science gets out of hand, right? Like how the supposed cure for cancer turns the human race into zombies, or how technology gains sentience, begins an uprising, and takes over the world.

But we all know that things like that could never happen, right? But what about movies like Gattaca, where you

can design your child to be perfect, with no weaknesses or abnormalities? Human science has already begun that path, where they have manufactured a process where parents can decide what color eyes their child will have. First eyes, then what?

Page Lockett (class of 2019) believes that human morality is being tested.

When asked if religion was interfering with science, she answered, “Without a stable system, [science] would be out of control.” I personally agree with her, no matter if religion is the system she describes or

not. I personally have not yet seen an instance where religion has “interfered with” or “interrupted” scientific progress. I have failed to see an instance where anything has stopped the scientific field from marching onward.

Heck, the church tried to stop Galileo from spreading his teachings, and look where that got them.

And though abortions have been debated over for decades, they still happen whether legalized or not.

The scientific community is not only progressing too far, but it is disregarding a code of

ethics that humanity is calling for in these times. “People have to weigh the pros and cons of every decision,” Ryan Kierstan presses when asked if science is testing limits.

Are our options being considered, or are we simply rushing headlong into new ideas without acknowledging the consequences?

When it comes down to it, I believe ethics are being ignored, and science is overstepping its boundaries. As an evolved and intelligent race, it is our duty to think before we act and to not abuse our power.

9 O ctober 2015

17 opinions

Red & Black

W&J Hot Topic: Science Vs. Religion Religious Beliefs Hold Back Science and Progress Alec Swartz Red&Black Contributor

When I was a younger child, I can happily remember the times when my mother would read me stories before bedtime. I could imagine angelic bean stalks and towering giants, golden eggs and conversational bears.

Those fairy tales even had ingrained morals that were meant to ethically shape a child’s life.

As actively as those stories stimulated my imagination, I never actually believed they were anything more than fictitious tales told to me by my parents.

Consequently, it is admittedly strange to me that similar stories hold actual veracity in modern life.

Religious belief would not even begin to be considered quixotic if it had not been responsible for the creation of great masterpieces of art and literature as well as the most appalling atrocities and denigrations of human rights.

As we begin to understand more about our expanding universe, we are faced with a great cultural dilemma: can we preserve what is

Courtesy tibongrant.religionnews.com

transcendent and luminous without allowing for the advance of superstition?

A similar question is also can science and reason work in tandem with religion or are they diametrically opposed to one another?

The world famous evolutionary biologist Stephen Gould famously stated that science and religion were “non-overlapping magisteria” (also known as NOMA).

He claimed that religion and science answered two separate questions and that the advance of either should not be intrusive to one another.

In effect, they exist in two separate realms of understanding. Religion is responsible for the realm

of the supernatural and nonmaterial while science and reason observe the realm of the physical and concrete.

At face value, this theory seems to be absolutely reasonable. When given a deeper analysis, however, this idea is never actually applied in reality by those of genuine belief.

As a theist, one must accept that his specific deity or deities actively intervene within the natural world. For example, if a close friend or relative narrowly survives a horrific car crash, believers will often rejoice that it is a “miracle” or that they survived because of the “grace of God.” What we can see is that religious people who are so eager to accept the idea of

science and religion being in separate realms fail to evenly practice this idea in reality.

The theory collapses on itself due to its shear absurdity.

There has been no other institution on earth that has been so often empirically wrong than religion.

Virtually every major scientific advance in the western world has been vehemently opposed by the Church.

From heliocentrism to evolution, the discovery of oxygen to Einstein’s general theory of relativity, there has historically been a papist or a priest picketing these discoveries.

Science and reason give us a model of how to think, not what to think: by asking

questions, we can gleam a deeper understanding of our existence while accepting the idea that not all of our questions can be answered.

Any system of thinking that pretends to tell you everything, in truth, tells you nothing.

It is also important to mention that even if Jesus, Muhammed, or Moses — let alone Joseph Smith or Siddhartha Gautama — never existed, we would still have to face the fundamental question of how to live our lives, whether morally or spiritually.

The most important progress to this question, however, has been done by many great philosophers through the free exercise of skepticism and doubt, inquiry and experience, and not at all through faith and superstition. The problem with religion is that it was our first, and our worst, attempt at understanding the world around us.

It is comforting to know that we have moved past the concept that faith alone can heal sickness, no thanks to Mary Baker Eddy.

Perhaps, true “transcendence” in the modern era is the attempt to overthrow oppressive dogma and fearful belief.

18 opinions

Red & Black

9 O ctober 2015

W&J Hot Topic: Science Vs. Religion Science and Religion Can and Should Work Together Elaine Nalikka Red&Black Contributor

Science and religion. Religion and science. The relationship between the two has been a topic of controversy for centuries. Many voices portray the two as being opposed to each other, or a war of methodologies. Ernest Hemingway once said “All thinking men are atheists." In 1633, Galileo (although religious) was charged with heresy by the church for teaching that the Earth orbits the Sun. Within the church, science is often portrayed as challenging its fundamental beliefs. Radical and intolerant religious believers in the past and currently have hindered free speech, free will, and scientific exploration. Bill Nye, a mechanical engineer and well known for his hit 1990s television show “Bill Nye The Science Guy” has also made a few statements regarding science and religion. Biblical teachings contradict the evidence science has provided that the earth is billions of years old (4.543 billion to be exact!)

"The Earth is not 6,000 or 10,000 years old," Nye said in an interview with The Associated Press. "It's not. And if that conflicts with your beliefs, I strongly feel you should question your beliefs." Bill

Nye also addressed the issue has its own shortcomings; sure how it fits or relates to of religious parents passing a there is no doubt their bound- how Adam and Eve came to strictly religious view of the aries of science and religion be," said Halloway. "Maybe world to their children. constantly overlap. That frame Adam and Eve were humans, “If we raise a generation of mind is ideal but unfortu- or maybe they were just a metof students who don't believe nately unrealistic. Accepting aphor for how we should live in the process of science, who a scientific world view doesn’t our lives. I am still trying to think everything that we've always mean giving up reli- figure out how it all works out come to know about nature gious faith. since a lot does not equate." and the universe can be disThousands of scientists Halloway continued saying, missed by a few sentences carry out their research while "I don’t think the bible is a translated into English from maintaining personal spiri- lie, I am starting to think its some ancient text, you're tual beliefs. Sir Isaac Newton, more of a metaphor. It should not going to continue to in- a physicist stated that “Athe- not be taken literally; it is not novate," Nye said in a differ- ism is senseless and odious concrete, rather it is flexible. ent, wide-ranging telephone to mankind”.I asked a few re- A flexible interpretation of interview. There is no doubt ligious W&J science majors the bible correlates best with this can be science. interpreted I have as offensive Whether you are atheist or devoutly often wonto many dered, esworldwide. religious, respecting the views of others is of pecially in Many scienphysiolforemost importance. tists today ogy, the are religious chemical and see the processtwo as separate; finding no how they felt about their be- es that happen within your conflicts between their scien- liefs. Dakota Halloway (class body. It is almost as if it is a tific work and faith. Science of 2016) gave some insight change of chemical balances is a system of reason, empiri- as to what it’s like to feel as if that makes up a personality cism and evidence; knowledge your religious views are under and that just seems so awful to about the natural world and fire.“Some of things I have think about.” its behaviors. learned contradict what I have Kaitlynn Sollenberger Religion is revelations, learned in my religious educa- (class of 2017) explained that moralities, faith; the spiritual tion. My goal right now is to she was raised Lutheran. She world. This model is beneficial see how they can coexist." recalls trying to have this conbecause it credits both and "I really believe there is a versation with her parents, but reminds us that either is an God," said Halloway, "but the it was a conversation that they incomplete source of knowl- things that you learn in sci- were not interested in having. edge. They address different ence and can see for your own “Being a science major, questions that one may fall eyes, such as evolution, make there is a need for balance. silent on. However, this view a lot of sense to me. I’m not Nothing completely explains

everything. I think our parent’s generation had a more strict approach towards finding an understanding, but there is a way to embrace both” said Sollenberger.

Jackie Howell (class of 2018) also believed in a balanced, ‘50/50’ approach. “I was raised Methodist and I believe science and religion can coexist without questioning God’s existence. I believe in science to an extent and I believe in religion to an extent.”

Albert Einstein once said “A legitimate conflict between science and religion cannot exist. Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” Albert Einstein did not believe in God (he was deist) but he believed that true religion and accurate science cannot be in disharmony with one-another in the areas in which they overlap and that it is our duty to seek understanding of both.

Whether you are atheist or devoutly religious, respecting the views of others is of foremost importance.

The second most important, I would argue, is attempting to gain an understanding of the universe that does not discredit, but encompasses and complements both scientific knowledge and scientific beliefs.

9 O ctober 2015

19 sports

Student Athlete Spotlight: Jocelyn Sundar Red & Black

Courtesy gopresidents.com

Jordan Toohey Red&Black Contributor

Despite only attending W&J since last spring, Jocelyn Sudar has made quite an impact for the women’s golf team.

A sophomore transfer from Allegheny College, Sudar chose to transfer to W&J because she wanted to change her major from Business to Pre-Law and she felt that W&J would be a better fit.

“I definitely made the correct choice in transferring to W&J. The professors are great because they are always willing to help me and work with me. Also, the people are so genuine and truly great

friends. My team is like my second family and we are always there for each other," said Sudar.

Sudar is majoring in Political Science and Pre-Law with hopes of attending law school and becoming a mediator.

Her goal is to be able to work with the two parties and through mediation achieve a compromise that best suits both parties.

Along with golf, Sudar is also a sister of Kappa Alpha Theta.

Sudar started her golf career at Central Valley High School.

From the beginning, Sudar had a huge impact on her team’s successes.

Starting her sophomore year, she helped her team to

three consecutive WPIAL Championships, and her senior year when they won the PIAA State Title.

From her freshmen year to senior year of high school they were undefeated in all section and non-section matches.

Aside from her high school golf team, she also played in a series of summer tournaments.

Her college experiences so far have been as successful as her high school ones.

Upon transferring to W&J, she won a tournament in Myrtle Beach, where her team also came in second.

This past spring, the women’s golf team also had the honor to travel to Florida to compete in Nationals, where they placed 17 overall. During

the spring PAC tournament, Sudar had a great tournament having the two day low score while earning the title of spring PAC Champion.

She also made the AllConference list at the end of the championship.

Sudar and the rest of the women’s golf team will play at Cedarbrook on Oct. 2 and 3, where they begin their fight to maintain their title and hopefully make a second trip to Nationals, which will be in Texas this year.

“My hopes for this season include winning the PAC as a team.

Hopefully a member of our team will also win the individual title as well,” said Sudar.

“I would also like to win a few tournaments in the regu-

lar season, continue on to Nationals, and move up a few spots at Nationals.

Overall, I am looking forward to golfing with my team and making many lifelong memories.”

Along with having such great team success, Sudar has an all-time low score of 79.

Last season she posted her lowest average for the season, which was an 81.4.

So far this year, her average is an 82, despite the fact that the team has only been able to play in one tournament thus far due to adverse weather conditions.

Golf is a huge part of Sudar’s life and she loves that it is something that she will be able to continue enjoying for the rest of her life.

9 O ctober 2015

20 sports

Red & Black

Mark Lesako: Associate Director of Athletics/Head Athletic Trainer Kaitlyn Vogel Red&Black Contributor This past summer W&J announced Mark Lesako as the college’s Associate Director of Athletics/Head Athletic Trainer. Lesako spent the 2014-2015 academic year as the Interim Co-Director of Athletics.

Prior to moving into the Interim Co-Director of Athletics role, Lesako spent the last 15 years as the head athletic trainer. Lesako has been with W&J for 16 years now, before he worked at a small high school, Jefferson Morgan, for five years. During his previous years with the sports medicine office, he also spent four years as the school’s NCAA compliance officer.“I love being the

Associate Director of Athletics and Head Athletic Trainer because it allows me to perform administrative duties, as well as athletic training. I enjoy having the interaction with the student-athletes and administration and hope to continue to help play a role in making W&J the best it can be,” Mark Lesako stated.

A college’s associate director of athletics is the second in command to the director of athletics, who help oversees all the college’s sports.When asked about working alongside Scott McGuinness, Lesako said, “He has been one of my best friends since he came to W&J. I have great deal of respect for Scott. He is a very hard working, is driven and has a love for W&J. Under his

direction and with the help and support of the administration and our outstanding Athletic department staff, we are collectively working hard to make our department and facilities the best in the country while also attempting to create a memorable, top notch experience for our studentathletes.” If you are stop by the trainer, you may notice that there are two Lesako’s working. That is because Mark has a twin brother, Mike who is Co-Head Athletic Trainer.

Lesako stated, “I feel very fortunate and blessed to be working with Mike for many reasons. We came to W&J together and it has been a great experience working alongside him and continuing the great tradition that that Jack Rea

second half down 1-0, the Presidents finally got on the board with a goal from Justin Nolfi, his second of the season, in the 88th minute.

Finally, the Presidents were able to pull ahead with a goal

by Scott Hanna in the 109th minute to give the Presidents the win.

This goal gave Hanna his fourth goal of the season. He leads the Presidents with four goals, followed by Nolfi and Justin Carter, both with two goals.

“It was a hard fought game by both teams, but we definitely had more chances that we should have tucked away when we could,” said

Hanna. “Fortunately I was in the right place at the right time when it counted. A record of 5-3-2 looks a lot better than 5-2-3 with only one game left before conference play. Also, a game winner with fifty eight seconds left in overtime is a pretty great too.”

The men are looking to make some noise in the PAC Conference this year.

After having an overall record of 7-10-1 and a 3-4-1 conference record in 2014, the team is looking to have a winning record and make the conference playoffs.

Hanna thinks the team is going to have a great start to conference play. “I’ve been

built of a strong Sports Medicine program at W&J. Mike is an outstanding athletic trainer and more importantly, a great person and someone I admire.

He is a very hard worker and takes a lot of pride in his work.

It’s nice working with him because you know things are going to get done right and on time. We work well together and we know we can count on one another.”

W&J is very lucky to have Mark Lesako as Associate Director of Athletics/Head Athletic Trainer. When asked what the best part of working at W&J was and about his job he said, “The best part of my job is getting to work with bright student-athletes and getting to know them and their families on a personal

Courtesy gopresidents.com

level. We have a great student body at the college. It very unique! Everyone is friendly.

People say please and thank you and they genuinely care about your well-being. It is like a “family atmosphere” at W&J and I feel very blessed to work with great coaches/support staff, talented studentathletes and our administration.”

Men’s Soccer Team Ccore in the 110th Minute Jordan Toohey Red&Black Contributor

Playing longer than the normal 90 minutes of soccer has not been an unusual occurrence for the W&J Men’s soccer team.

Five out of their total nine games have either gone into an extra 10 or 20 minutes, including five of their last six games. Despite the circumstances, the men’s team is off to a great start to their season with a 5-3-2 record going into conference play.

In their last game, they beat Muskingum 2-1 in double overtime. Heading into the

Courtesy gopresidents.com

waiting for a year like this to come around again. My brother helped lead W&J to the PAC Finals two years ago, so I hope to be able to do the same this year. The squad looks solid and as long as we play the game we all know

how to play I guarantee that we can win this thing,” said Hanna.

Come out and support the W&J Men’s soccer team at Alexander Stadium as they start their conference play on October 7 against Grove City.