05 01 2015

Friday May 1, 2015 • Volume 98, Issue Number 25 • An Independent, Student-Run Newspaper

the rocket

www.theonlinerocket.com

PHOTO BY ALEX MOWREY LAYOUT BY KEVIN SUIRES

How changing your major affects when you graduate A4

See our special photo page with 2014-2015 highlights A6-A7

Find out 7 ways to live out your last days at SRU B2

The graduating staff members of The Rocket say goodbye B3

NEWS

A-2 7-DAY FORECAST FOR SLIPPERY ROCK FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Clouds and sun with a shower

Partly sunny and pleasant

Sunny and pleasant

Mostly sunny and warm

A t-storm in spots in the p.m.

Rather cloudy

Clouds and sun, a shower; warm

65°

42°

45°

69°

72°

REAL FEAL TEMPERATURE

®

Fri.

Sat.

Sun. Mon.

Tue.

Wed. Thu.

The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature is an exclusive index of effective temperature based on eight weather factors. Shown are the highest and lowest values for each day.

REGIONAL CITIES CITY Akron Allentown Altoona Cleveland Erie Harrisburg Indiana Johnstown Philadelphia Pittsburgh Scranton State College Wheeling Williamsport Youngstown

Friday HI LO W 68 45 pc 62 44 c 62 44 sh 64 45 pc 60 43 pc 65 47 sh 64 44 pc 61 44 sh 63 48 c 67 46 pc 66 45 c 62 45 sh 67 45 pc 67 45 sh 65 42 pc

Saturday HI LO W 71 49 pc 69 43 pc 69 46 pc 70 50 pc 62 47 pc 72 50 pc 70 44 pc 66 43 pc 70 52 pc 70 48 pc 70 45 pc 69 45 pc 70 51 pc 73 45 pc 69 44 pc

Sunday HI LO W 74 55 s 76 49 s 72 48 pc 75 56 s 68 51 s 75 51 s 71 49 pc 68 49 pc 78 56 pc 74 52 s 74 50 s 72 49 s 73 52 s 74 49 pc 73 52 s

48°

76°

55°

73°

UV INDEX

Fri.

Sat.

Sun

Sun. Mon.

Tuesday HI LO W 73 58 c 83 58 pc 77 57 pc 68 54 c 61 49 t 82 59 pc 77 56 pc 73 57 pc 84 62 s 77 57 pc 77 56 t 74 56 pc 77 57 pc 76 55 t 69 54 c

74°

48°

74°

Tue.

Wed. Thu.

Wednesday HI LO W 78 55 c 77 52 pc 75 43 pc 75 55 c 67 47 pc 78 47 s 76 52 c 72 54 c 78 58 pc 78 57 c 74 45 pc 74 46 s 77 57 c 77 44 s 74 52 c

ROCK NOTES Last Issue of The Semester This will be the last issue of The Rocket for the 2015 spring semester. The Rocket will resume publication on Aug. 29. Students are encouraged to visit theonlinerocket.com over the summer to keep updated.

FAFSA Renewal Reminder SRU students are reminded to renew their FAFSA's for the 2015-2016 academic school year before May 1. Questions can be directed towards the Financial Aid Office.

Bailey Library Open 24/7 Bailey Library will be open 24 hours in observation of finals week starting May 4. The library will close at 5 p.m. on May 8.

To submit a Rock Note please send your announcement by 6 p.m. Wednesday to Haley Barnes at hmb1006@sru.edu or to rocket.news@ sru.edu. The Rocket does not guarantee that all requests will be published in the paper.

Thursday HI LO W 80 57 pc 74 49 pc 68 53 pc 74 55 c 63 52 sh 71 54 pc 77 54 c 76 53 pc 78 59 s 83 60 pc 68 50 pc 68 53 pc 80 56 pc 70 52 pc 77 54 r

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Moon

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Rise 6:19 a.m.

6:17 a.m.

6:16 a.m.

6:15 a.m.

6:14 a.m.

6:12 a.m.

6:11 a.m.

Rise 6:03 p.m.

7:01 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

8:59 p.m.

9:58 p.m.

10:54 p.m.

11:48 p.m.

MOON PHASES

50°

Above Near Below Normal Normal Normal

Set 8:17 p.m.

8:18 p.m.

8:19 p.m.

8:20 p.m.

8:21 p.m.

8:22 p.m.

8:23 p.m.

Set 5:06 a.m.

5:36 a.m.

6:09 a.m.

6:45 a.m.

7:25 a.m.

8:10 a.m.

9:01 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

5/3

5/11

5/18

5/25

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2015

NATIONAL FORECAST FOR THE WEEK TEMPERATURES

IN THE SKY

The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. 0-2 Low; 3-5 Moderate; 6-7 High; 8-10 Very High; 11+ Extreme.

Monday HI LO W 79 60 pc 80 57 s 78 56 s 76 57 pc 70 56 pc 82 58 s 78 57 s 74 56 s 82 61 s 78 59 s 78 57 s 78 58 s 78 59 s 81 56 s 78 57 pc

50°

May 1, 2015 PRECIPITATION

Above Near Below Normal Normal Normal

National Summary: Other than a scattered shower across portions of Pennsylvania and New York on Saturday, dry conditions will prevail across the East and the South. Thunderstorms will impact areas from northern Missouri to southern Wisconsin as well as the Rockies. By Sunday, thunderstorms will occur in the Midwest and the eastern Rockies. Some storms across the Upper Midwest could become strong. High pressure will bring sunshine and dry conditions to the East Monday. Thunderstorm activity will spread from the southern Plains to the upper Great Lakes and into northern New England. The rest of the nation will be mainly dry with high pressure remaining in control across the Southeast.

NATIONAL CITIES

Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday CITY HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W HI LO W Atlanta 71 49 s 77 55 s 80 57 s 80 57 pc 81 59 s 84 61 s 85 61 pc Boston 51 40 c 58 45 pc 71 51 s 74 59 s 73 53 t 68 47 pc 62 51 s Chicago 65 47 s 74 54 s 78 59 pc 73 51 t 62 52 t 76 60 c 75 58 t Cincinnati 71 47 s 72 47 s 76 55 s 79 60 s 80 58 s 81 60 t 83 60 pc Dallas 79 55 s 80 59 s 79 61 s 79 62 s 79 66 t 79 69 t 81 69 t Denver 66 47 t 75 46 pc 74 46 c 69 49 t 65 47 t 67 44 t 64 39 r Detroit 72 48 s 73 52 s 76 58 s 76 57 t 67 52 t 72 53 pc 74 55 c Houston 83 58 s 82 58 s 80 62 s 82 65 pc 83 71 t 84 72 t 86 73 t Indianapolis 70 48 s 71 49 pc 76 57 s 79 61 pc 79 60 s 79 61 t 81 58 pc Kansas City 71 53 pc 75 59 pc 80 61 pc 79 62 t 79 62 pc 76 63 t 78 55 r Los Angeles 83 61 s 78 58 pc 74 55 pc 70 56 pc 69 56 pc 71 57 pc 75 60 s Miami 84 69 s 82 71 s 81 73 s 82 73 t 80 73 t 83 73 r 86 74 t Nashville 71 47 s 77 49 s 80 55 s 82 58 s 85 58 s 84 60 s 84 65 pc New Orleans 81 61 s 79 59 s 80 62 s 80 69 pc 82 70 pc 83 71 s 83 73 c New York City 60 49 c 68 54 pc 76 58 s 80 60 s 82 60 pc 75 57 pc 73 58 s Orlando 83 61 s 82 62 s 83 64 s 83 67 pc 83 68 pc 85 67 s 88 70 sh Phoenix 100 72 pc 97 72 s 94 71 s 90 69 pc 86 67 c 88 65 pc 88 67 s San Francisco 74 53 s 68 52 pc 66 50 s 65 51 s 66 50 s 68 51 s 72 52 pc Seattle 64 47 pc 64 45 pc 68 44 s 67 46 s 58 45 c 62 48 r 69 47 pc Washington, DC 66 53 c 75 55 pc 79 59 pc 84 63 s 88 65 s 83 54 pc 76 60 pc Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

'Pig Roast 2K15' attracts state police attention

By Haley Barnes and Chris Gordon The Rocket

The annual “Pig Roast” held at The Heights apartment complex on Saturday sparked the attention of state police and many news outlets, as the event was deemed ‘out of control.’

“This was a party that got too big, too quickly and the police had to step in to shut it down before it got out of control and something tragic happened,” said Rita Abent, director of public relations at Slippery Rock.

She clarified that the party was not affiliated with SRU and did not happen on campus. She said that this was not a riot and fights did not break out, as other media outlets have indicated.

Justin Hopf, 20-year-old sophomore safety management major, said that there was no pig at the roast.

“I saw security walking around, but I didn’t see that many police,” he said. “A girl was on a basketball hoop and went face-first into the crowd, but police were there to catch her.”

Angela Corey, 20-year-old double political science and philosophy major, said that there were a lot of state troopers at the pig roast and

security had everything under control.

Veneza Crespo, 19-year-old public health major, said the event was overwhelming, but that it was fun at the same time.

“I saw a fight. We were in the courtyard in the middle of The Heights and everyone was running into the corner,” Veneza said. “Two girls were fighting, but it was broken up pretty fast.”

Twenty-year-old sophomore dance major Caris Costantino said it was unnecessary for the paramedics to come.

“This one girl got dropped off by her boyfriend and was taken right away by paramedics even though she was fine,” Costantino said.

Abent said that the police were well prepared.

“It's unfortunate that several participants, many non-SRU students, did not exercise good judgment when consuming alcohol and will now have to deal with the consequences of their behavior,” Abent said.

The @PigRoast_2K15 Twitter account was deactivated on Monday.

Several images and videos of the event have been circulating through social media platforms like Twitter.

State police and the manager of The Heights were not available for comment.

SRU police use boots to curb parking violations

By Chris Gordon Rocket Contributor

A yellow 2004 Mazda parked in the Rhoads Hall staff lot is one of four vehicles that have been booted on and around campus since April 21.

T h e Ma z d a , w h i c h h a s accumulated $240 in unpaid Blotter.................A-3 S p o r t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C - 1 parking tickets plus a $25 booting fee, has been illegally sitting Opinion................B-1 Campus Life...........D-1 near Rhoads for some time, one Rhoads Hall staff member said.

Comics...................D-5 “The car has been sitting there since at least the 22nd,” the staff member, who wishes to remain anonymous, said. “It has been moved, but it always ends up there or in the 15 minute parking.

Newsroom: 220 Eisenberg Building I’ve seen it get ticketed multiple times in the 15 minute spot and (724) 738-4438 Slippery Rock this is at least the second time it’s Advertising: University gotten a boot in the exact same (724) 738-2643 Slippery Rock, PA spot.”

The staff member noted that Fax: 16057 the car has been an inconvenience (724) 738-4896 for Rhoads Hall, including staff of Email: the health and counseling centers. rocket.letters@sru.edu The owner of the Mazda was unavailable for comment.

Another vehicle was booted Nationally recognized as one of the top 10 four-year weekly in the University Union parking broadsheet newspapers by the lot and two others were booted Associated Collegiate Press. at the South Rock apartments, according to university and borough police.

Ticket rates have increased from $5 to $30 for vehicles with improper permits in an effort to curb parking violations, university police noted. Vehicles without any permit have a base

INDEX

CONTACT US

HALEY BARNES/THE ROCKET

The owner of a 2004 Mazda recieved over $250 in parking fees for illegally parking in the Health Center parking lot.

fine of $50.

“Before the increases, some students would budget for the fines,” said one university police member, who formerly worked as the parking lot attendant.

“People would park in the grass and anywhere else they wanted.”

University police noted that vehicles with five or more unpaid tickets or fines amounting to $150 are subject to booting. If no response is received within 48 hours of the booting, the vehicle

will be towed at the owner’s expense.

“When it gets right down to it, students just don’t want to walk,” university police said. “You can get anywhere on campus from the quad in 15 minutes and there is always parking available in front of the ARC.” A list of parking offenses is available on the university police page of the Slippery Rock University website.

NEWS

May 1, 2015

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POLICE BLOTTER Campus

April 22- Steam set off a fire alarm in Watson Hall. Police checked the room and reset the panel.

April 23- Police were called April 26- Jayvon Rosendary, 20, about an intoxicated person at was issued an alcohol violation in Starbucks. The individual left a previously reported incident. before officers arrived.

April 27- Police took a passed April 24- Police were called out person in Patterson Hall to the about an alcohol violation at Health Center.

Building E. Charges are pending.

April 25- An SRU student attempted to buy liquor at the Fine Wine and Spirits store using a fake Ohio ID. When questioned, the student left the store. The name on the card was traced to a student with a Munhall address and the photos matched. Charges will be filed.

April 22- Police received an emergenc y alarm ab out an individual having a seizure in Swope. An ambulance was April 27- Police received a call dispatched and the p ers on April 24- Police spotted SRU concerning damaged property at was transported to Grove City road signs in a Building E room Building A. The case is under April 25- Meghan Conner and Hospital. while on another call. The investigation.

Savannah Walker were given report was forwarded to Student underage and disorderly conduct Standards. citations after being found in the trunk of a car that was being towed for a DUI offense.

April 22- Police were called April 27- Police took a passed about a group climbing through a out person in ATS to the Health Building D window.

April 24- Police picked up an Center. individual off campus with an active warrant and transported April 26- Adam Lakari, Kyle them to Butler County Jail.

Shenenberger, Walter Love, Jessica Naples and a juvenile female were Borough given underage citations. Lakari April 23- A vehicle was booted was also cited for disorderly for unpaid parking tickets at conduct for possessing marijuana.

Rhoads Hall.

April 25- Police were called for an alcohol violation at Building E. April 25- Mariah Nicholas was arrested for drunk driving after being stopped for a traffic violation along South Main Street.

April 29- Alexander Walters was Ap r i l 2 3 - Po l i c e b e g a n charged with criminal mischief investigating a harassment report Apr i l 25- Police assisted after damaging a parking boot at Rhoads Hall. borough police in a traffic stop that was placed on his vehicle at along Maltby Ave., which resulted the South Rock Apartments on in a DUI arrest.

April 25- Daniel Campbell South Main Street overnight. received a disorderly house citation after being found intoxicated in a April 23- Police responded to April 26- An individual at vehicle stopped along South Main an intruder alarm at PNC Bank. Building D reported a stolen Street.

Cleaning staff set it off. laptop.

The case is under Compiled by Chris Gordon investigation.

Health Center staff sees highest caffeine usage during finals week

By Haley Barnes News Editor

Finals week is a time of the year where most SRU students push their bodies to unhealthy limits to cope with stress through all-nighters at the library, cramming information over short periods of time and the use of drugs to force the body to stay awake. The most common drug being used is caffeine.

Kris Benkeser, Director of the McLachlan Health Center, said that caffeine can be a friend of the body, while also being an enemy of the body.

Benkeser said that caffeine is a stimulant meaning it boosts energy and metabolism, but that there is a fine line between drinking a cup of coffee every now and then and consuming caffeine on a daily basis.

She said that excess caffeine induces anxiety, causes thoughts to race throughout the mind and causes mental disorganization. Caffeine also dehydrates the body and causes deprivation of sleep.

“Caffeine makes you more alert and it interferes with the R.E.M. sleep cycle,” she said. “For students, caffeine isn’t your friend.”

Benkeser said that students who consume a lot of caffeine have reported not remembering information after they studied for a long period of time. She explained that this is because caffeine doesn’t allow information to stick with the long term memory because it forces you to stay awake.

She said it's better to study without caffeine consumption, get a good night’s sleep and then wake up and review the information.

Benkeser said that around this time of year, the Health Center always sees at least one or two patients who are in really severe condition from drinking too much caffeine and that these students require emergency care.

Some students gain energy from drinking excess energy drinks during finals week. Benkeser said that the average energy drink is equivalent to six or seven cups of coffee. She said this causes extreme alertness and extreme jitters. Energy drinks contain anywhere between 50 to 500 milligrams of sugar.

“The crash from them [energy drinks] is horrible,” she explained. “Your body is not meant to be on high alert all day long.”

Benkeser explained caffeine withdrawal comes with symptoms like headaches, upset stomach and irritability.

Renee Bateman is the Health Promotion Coordinator for the Health Center and she said her main concerns with caffeine in the college setting are caffeine being abused during high

GRAPHIC BY REBECCA DIETRICH

Director of Operations at AVI Fresh and Supervisor of SRU's Starbucks Lisa Rodgers, said that every finals week the amount of drinks that Starbucks sells increases. During finals week of fall 2014, Starbucks sold 4,142 drinks, during finals week of spring 2014, Stabucks sold 3,377 drinks and during finals week of fall 2013, Starbucks sold 2,794 drinks.

times of stress and the mixture of caffeine and alcohol during college parties.

Four Loko is a premixed alcoholic drink that fuses alcohol and energy drinks. Benkeser explained that the company that produced Four Loko, as well as other companies who produced similar drinks, stopped the production and selling of these types of drinks because the companies didn’t want to be liable for the damage that the drinks do to the body.

“You have these drinks that are being pulled off of the shelves because they aren’t safe,” Benkeser said. “What makes you think it will be safe to make this kind of stuff at home?”

Bateman said the problem is alcohol is a depressant and caffeine is a stimulant.

“A lot of the time when people drink them together, they clash together,” she said.

Bateman said that students who have consumed these two drugs together have reported experiencing blackouts after only drinking one drink.

Bateman also explained that there is a possible correlation between caffeine abuse and depression and anxiety. She said that anxiety and depression are in the top 40 diagnoses of the health center.

She said there are other, more natural, ways for students to gain energy for finals week aside from abusing caffeine, like exercising, eating healthy, establishing a study pattern and establishing a sleep pattern.

Carina Iannarelli, junior theater and communication major, has been a barista at the SRU Starbucks since August of 2014. She said she sees some students multiple times a day and some students are surprised when she remembers them.

“I’m good with names in general and people are scared when I know their name,” she said. “They often ask ‘how’d you know my name’ and I’ll reply to them ‘well I just saw you a little bit ago.’ People get even more scared when I remember their drink order.”

She explained the main method of payment at Starbucks is by ‘Flex.’ She said once students run out of Flex to spend, they use gift cards more frequently.

“Starbucks would definitely lose business if students couldn’t pay with their Flex,” she said.

SEE HEAVY, PAGE A-4

NEWS

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May 1, 2015

Changing major has pros and cons

By Haley Barnes News Editor

Up on g r a du at i ng high school, students are expected to come to college alre ady knowing what they part three of three want to study and graduate in four years, but according to John Rindy, director of the career education and development office, 70 percent of college students nationwide will change their major once during college.

“The average high school graduate is aware of two percent, that’s right, two percent of the careers that exist and yet we ask them to choose a major and choose a job you want to do,” Rindy said. “It is foolish, but it is the same thing that all high schools expect students to be able to do, with little or typically no guidance.”

SRU offers over 130 majors and over 70 minors and Rindy said each major is able to be completed in eight semesters. However, Rindy said that most high school seniors choose their major using a ‘dartboard’ by basing their decision off of what jobs are familiar and sound appealing. He said that most students base their major off of what makes money and

sounds prestigious.

Rindy emphasized that students need to study something that they love because they will love going to class and will overall be more successful. He said that it is vital that a student’s interests, values, personality and abilities match their major.

“For example, earning C's in high school science does not typically translate into As and Bs in college without major and dramatic changes in study habits,” Rindy explained. “Yet across the U.S. a lot of folks pursue degrees in areas where they did not necessarily have a lot of success in high school to begin with.”

He expressed that a student earning C's, D's and withdrawing from classes is more than likely not passionate about that field of study.

Rindy explained frequent major changing throughout college may affect a student’s ability to graduate in four years and that this may negatively impact a student’s career.

“The other thing that I can say is factual, because employers tell me this all of the time, is that employers like to hear that students graduate in eight semesters,” he said. “They see it as dedication, commitment and stickto-itiveness.”

Rindy explained that any time a student comes to him with a resume with a date range that expands more than eight semesters, he

suggests that the student removes the dates.

“Because some employers will penalize you for taking more than eight semesters,” he said.

“It is an easy thing for them to do too because they already get plenty of folks of traditional college age who in fact do graduation in eight semesters.

Rindy said it is possible for students to change their major and still graduate within four years, but that some majors are harder than other and certain requirements for majors are only offered during certain semesters.

In order to graduate in four years, a student needs to average about 15 credits per semester.

“If a learner cannot average 15 credits per semester, or 30 credits for academic year, or academic year plus summer, then they will obviously not graduate in 8 semesters,” he said. “Learners also need to remember that dropping below 12 credits any given semester can have financial aid implications too. You need to be successful in 24 credits during an academic year to maintain most types of government-based aid.”

Rindy suggests SRU students take advantage of all of the on-campus resources, like the Office for Students With Disabilities and his office, which is located in Bailey Library.

New staff hopes to bring modern design to The Rocket

By Bridget McClure Rocket Contributor

A strong returning Rocket staff has the new Editor-inChief (EIC) excited for the 2015-16 academic year.

Janelle Wilson, communication-journalism major from Enon Valley, Pennsylvania, was hired as the 2015-2016 EIC of The Rocket and previously served as the Assistant Campus Life Editor.

She plans to bring a new modern format to The Rocket.

“I am going to try and bring a BuzzFeed style segment that will include things like quizzes and stories labeled '10 reasons why,'" Wilson said. “I think students are use to reading and digesting information in this fashion and if we promote it through social media I think we can reach more students than we have in prior years.”

Wilson expects the seven returning members to have just as strong of a commitment as they did when they came into their positions last year.

Previous Editor-in-Chief, Kevin Squires, a senior Biology major from West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, believes the new staff is on track to help The Rocket flourish, especially with the creation of a copy/web position.

“The number one thing that stood out to me about Janelle was that she always stuck around and asked if anyone needed help,” Squires said.

“Having that willingness to see things go through and a commitment to learn will help the staff as a whole grow.”

Returning members to The Rocket include junior Haley Barnes, a communicationjournalism major from South Fayette, Pennsylvania as News Editor, junior Amber Cannon, a communication major from Sharon, Pennsylvania as Campus Life Editor, sophomore Rebecca Dietrich, a communication-digital media production major from Plum, Pennsylvania as Photo Editor, sophomore Ryan Barlow, a communicationpublic relations major Girard, Pennsylvania as Sports Editor, senior Karleigh Santry, a communicationemerging technology and journalism major from Girard, Pennsylvania as Advertising Manager, and senior Shelby Stearns, a middle level English education major from Bay Village, Ohio as Copy/Web Editor.

The new staffers consist of ju n i or C h r is toph e r Gordon, a communicationpublic relations major from Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania as Assistant News Editor, sophomore Cody Nespor, a communication - digital media production major from Mercer, Pennsylvania as Assistant Sports Editor, sophomore Emma Pfeifer, a communicationpublic relations and dance major from North Huntington, Pennsylvania as Assistant Campus Life Editor, and freshman Victoria Davis, a secondary English education major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as Assistant Copy/Web Editor.

Squires brought the ‘It’s

KEVIN SQUIRES/THE ROCKET

The new Rocket staff consists of (front row from left to right) Haley Barnes, Janelle Wilson, Rebecca Dietrich, (middle row from left to right) Ryan Barlow, Emma Pfeifer, Amber Cannon, Shelby Stearns, (back row from left to right) Cody Nespor, Chris Gordon, Emily Brown, Kendall Scott and Victoria Davis. Not pictured: Karleigh Santry.

Rocket Science’ column to The Rocket this year that won an honorable mention-column or commentary award. The Rocket received 46 total awards this year for website, stories, graphics, photos, layout and design.

“I saw the awards as a great achievement for The Rocket this year, especially with so many new staff members,” Squires said. “They represented a diverse range of different strengths.”

Squires will be attending graduate school in the fall at Ohio State University for molecular, cellular and developmental biology at Ohio

State University. He doesn’t plan to do more writing, he didn’t even plan to join The Rocket, but he hopes to possibly write for a science magazine or journal and do reporting on science news in the future.

“I think that writing is a skill that everyone needs at some point and every point in their life,” Squires said. “The strengths and skills I gained from The Rocket are things that have helped me in everyday situations.”

Wilson hopes her staff will feel comfortable bringing new ideas and contributing with 100 percent effort.

“I am hoping they bring

as much enthusiasm to the positions as I did when I was an assistant because holding a smaller position doesn't mean you can’t step up and bring your ideas forward,” Wilson said.

She believes the addition of new hires will bring a lot of energy to The Rocket that they wouldn’t normally have had.

“A good thing about The Rocket is that it doesn’t draw people who aren’t committed,” Wilson said. “I’m excited for next year and I think that all of the returning staff will continue their capability and we will get fresh ideas from the new staff as well.”

Heavy caffeine consumers explain their usage Continued from Page A-3

Iannarelli said Starbucks at SRU is crazy during finals week because sales and promotions are happening to get students to buy their products. From her experience, she believes the most popular drink at Starbucks is not coffee, but a caramel macchiato.

“I don’t really think that caffeine consumption is a concern here,” she said. “The job description [of a barista] is to connect with people, so I understand why students come to Starbucks. I’m sure it’s [caffeine consumption] is just as bad as anywhere else.”

Assistant English professor Timothy Oldakowski said that for the most part, he identifies as a caffeine addict.

He said he spends around $200 per semester on caffeine.

“I don’t have to start my day with it [caffeine] every day, but I like to,” he said.

Oldakowski said that he believes his love for caffeine

began when he started college as a freshman. He explained that he lived in a dormitory that had males on one side and females on the other, but that the males weren’t allowed on the female side and the females weren’t allowed on the male side.

“We would meet in the middle of the dorm and just drink coffee because it was there and it seemed to be an adult thing to do,” he said.

He explained that he commutes an hour to get to SRU and that when he is in his office, he likes to do his work while drinking coffee. He said that he prefers iced coffee and that he can drink it six out of 12 months.

He said that even when he is at home working, it is simply a routine to go to a coffee shop or brew coffee at home.

Mandy Feldbauer, junior criminal justice major, identifies as a caffeine addict. She said that her addiction

began when she came to college and was exposed to Starbucks. She said that she is from Elk County, Pennsylvania, which she explained as one of the smallest parts of the state. She said she spends about $250 on caffeine per semester.

“We don’t have Starbucks in Elk County,” she said. “I got Starbucks everyday with my Flex because it was so new to me.”

She said that when she went home on weekends that she would have to find something similar to Starbucks, which is why she started drinking Red Bull.

“I started bringing Red Bull to school because I liked the taste of it so much and SRU doesn’t sell Red Bull on campus,” Feldbauer said.

Feldbauer said that this semester she has cut down on her Red Bull consumption to save money and to help with her depression and anxiety. She said she

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May 1, 2015

classifieds

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9 $349/Person $349/P ffor 2 or 3 Bedroom Apts 9 Furnished/Unfurnished Available

9 Pet Friendly 9 Free Parking (Fall 2015) 9 Short Distance to Campus 9 Tanning 9 Free Coffee

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For Rent

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FURNISHED ROOM IN Ben Franklin Rooming House. $420 includes utilities, Wi-Fi, large refrigerator, laundry, kitchen.

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2-3 BEDROOM COTTAGES and house available on a 2 semester or years lease. Located 1.5 miles from campus. Quiet, private, reasonably priced near Slippery Rock Creek.

Students & Non-Students Welcome. Contact us at 724-794-4314 or rbrendling@zoominternet.net

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APARTMENT FOR RENT 4 bedrooms, large apartment, comes with washer and dryer, available june 1st, 12 month lease, $275.00 per tenant plus utilitie walking distance sru. Call to discuss at 724 496 3323

SLIPPERY ROCK SELF STORAGE

Close to Campus. Special Summer Rates. Call us at 7247941020

Advertise with us! rocket.ads@sru.edu (724) 738-2643 SRU students and faculty can place classifieds online FREE with SRU email at www.theonlinerocket.com/classifieds

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Sondra Plunkett gives out free hugs to Ronnell Anderson and Veronica Saeler on Earth Day.

Drew Scales celebrates after his scored a touchdown dur

A

year in numbers: w numerous sporting

University during t

Cole Vecchio plays Ebeneezer Scrooge in The Christmas Carol.

Myles Parrish performs on stage in the ARC for

Members of Delta Zeta, Kelsey Kruse, Stephanie Lubic and Jessica Bodack play in the pink powder after UPB's Color Run.

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ing the homecoming football game against California Univeristy.

with the 125th year coming to a close these pages look back at the events, performances and campus activites that ďŹ lled Slippery Rock

the 2014-2015 academic school year.

the fall concert.

Forward, Dom Francis, stumbles during a play.

Photos by: Rebecca Dietrich and Alex Mowrey Layout by: Rebecca Dietrich

O

OPINION

Our View Relay for Life put on back burner for pig roast

OPINION rocket.letters@sru.edu Volume 98, Number 25

220 Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057 Phone: Fax: E-mail:

(724) 738-4438 (724) 738-4896 rocket.letters@sru.edu

EDITORIAL BOARD Kevin Squires

Editor-in-Chief

Haley Barnes

News Editor

Katie Ellis

GRAPHIC BY REBECCA DIETRICH

Campus Life Editor

Brian Hepfinger

Sports Editor

Alex Mowrey

Photo Editor

Andrew Conner

Web/Social Media Editor

Shelby Stearns

Copy Editor

Amber Cannon

Assistant News Editor

Janelle Wilson

Assist. Campus Life Editor

Ryan Barlow

Assistant Sports Editor

Rebecca Dietrich

Assistant Photo Editor

Emily Brown

Multimedia Reporter

Mark Zeltner

Faculty Adviser

ADVERTISING STAFF Karleigh Santry

Advertising Manager

ABOUT US The Rocket is published by the students of Slippery Rock University every Friday during the academic semester with the exception of holidays, exam periods and vacations. Total weekly circulation is 3,000. No material appearing in The Rocket may be reprinted without the written consent of the Editor-in-Chief.

The first copy of The Rocket is provided free of charge.

Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents each.

The Rocket receives approximately 5 percent of its funding from the SGA Student Activity fee paid each semester by students. All other income is provided through the sale of advertising.

Advertising inquiries may be made by calling (724) 7382643 or by emailing rocket.ads@sru.edu.

CORRECTIONS If we make a substantial error, we want to correct it. If you believe an error has been made, call The Rocket newsroom at (724) 738-4438. If a correction is warranted it will be printed in the opinion section.

Relay for Life is usually one of the biggest, most attended events on SRU’s campus, not only for the fact that it’s for a good cause, but also because it’s fun for people to go hang out for a night with their friends.

D i f fe re nt org an i z at i ons set up various booths to encourage guest participation, but w here t hes e b o ot hs usually draw various people, members of our staff noticed that attendance was lacking this year, and we think that was because of the overlapping times of Relay for Life and the Heights apartment complex’s annual pig roast, both of which were held Saturday.

For those of you who don’t know, Relay for Life is an annual walk-a-thon type event wherein people try to raise awareness and money for the American Cancer Society.

While we aren’t trying to decide how students should spend their time, we do think it’s appalling that students who had a choice between going to Relay for Life and the pig roast chose the pig roast.

Events like the pig roast occur throughout the year, and University Village hosts both the Block Party and Springfest.

It isn’t as if these things never happen and people in our college town never have a

In the Quad

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscriptions to The Rocket are available. Subscriptions are $20 per academic semester and $35 for the full academic year. Inquiries should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief at the address listed here.

chance to party.

It is also possible that people were all community serviced out after the Campus Community Clean-Up which the Green and White Society hosted Saturday. While that is also a great event to support, participating in one service activity doesn’t mean you can blow off Relay for Life, and the success of Relay for Life is dependent on student enthusiasm in participation, which was usually able to carry the event in past years.

Another factor we think was contributing to the low attendance was the change in times from the event’s usual overnight schedule from an all-night event to one that only runs noon to midnight.

This year’s event was cut short at 10 p.m. due to poor attendance.

Cancer seems to affect everyone, whether it be an individual, friend or family member being diagnosed, according to the American Cancer Society’s website With that in mind, many SRU students are being affected by cancer personally, be it in themselves or in their families.

It’s important students keep this in mind when deciding whether or not they should participate in Relay for Life.

Given such an important

cause and one that is so prevalent in today’s society, we think the question of what to do with your Saturday is not a difficult one, and the answer is not getting so drunk you fall off the top of a basketball hoop at the Heights. Attending Relay for Life is something that everyone can get behind. You can socialize, have fun and support a good cause.

We also feel that it is ver y important for more organizations to get involved with Relay for Life. This year, it seemed as if only about half of the track was covered with organizations while usually the entire track is covered.

For clubs and organizations, this is an opportunity not just for service, but to build a community within the group and across the campus by uniting against a common evil.

That kind of unity is lacking on this campus, and we can assure that it’s because of decisions students make to party instead of getting involved with something that really matters and has potential to make a difference.

As a campus, Slippery Rock University students must decide where their priorities lie. We think it’s an easy call.

Uniting for a cause is better than uniting to get drunk and rowdy any day.

This week’s question: What did you think of the pig roast?

What was the weirdest thing you saw?

In the Quad is a segment in which random students, faculty and staff are asked for their opinions on a specific topic.

EDITORIAL POLICY The Rocket strives to present a diverse range of opinions that are both fair and accurate in its editorials and columns appearing on the Opinion pages. “Our View” is the opinion of the Editorial Board and is written by Rocket editorial board members. It reflects the majority opinion of The Rocket Editorial Board.

“Our View” does not necessarily reflect the views of Slippery Rock University, its employees or its student body. Columns and cartoons are drafted by various individuals and only reflect the opinions of the columnists.

LETTERS POLICY The Rocket welcomes letters to the editor and guest columns, but does not guarantee their publication.

The Rocket retains the right to edit or reject any material submitted. Submitted material becomes the property of The Rocket and cannot be returned. Anonymous submissions will not be published.

Those who submit letters must identify themselves by name, year in school, major and/or group affiliation, if any.

Please limit letters to a maximum of 400 words. Submit all material by noon Wednesday to: The Rocket, 220 ECB, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pa. 16057. Or send it via e-mail to: rocket.letters@sru.edu.

Ryan Naylor Freshman, Biology Major, Honeybrook, Pennsylvania

D’Asia Chambers Senior, Sociology Major Farrell, Pennsylvania

Lauren Rittenhouse Freshman, Biology Major Stuttgart, Germany

It was the most college thing I’ve ever seen. The weirdest thing I saw was a mother/ daughter team win at beer pong.

I think it was an awesome experience. Things did get out of control a little bit as things do but it was still fun. I did see a guy sleeping on the ground and woke up from a dog licking him in the face.

I thought it was fun! I saw some guy running and swinging his shirt around screaming "USA.”

OPINION

B-2

April 24, 2015

Seven ways to live out the rest of your senior year at SRU through the eyes of your freshman self 6. Revisit your major building one last time 3. Get Some Sweet Souvenirs at the Bookstore Freshman you didn’t hesitate to buy T-shirts, hoodies and odd memorabilia emblazoned with the SRU logo, and now is the perfect time to revisit that long-forgotten part of yourself.

Because SRU is as obscure as all of the hipsters who hang out in the quad, you usually won’t be able to find pens, mugs and bathmats that will eternally remind you of your alma mater.

You better stock up now.

Janelle Wilson Commentary Janelle Wilson is a junior journalism major from Emon Valley, Pennsylvania and the assistant campus life editor of The Rocket.

1. Take a lame selfie with the “Senior Rock,” or any cliché spot of choice Don’t act like you didn’t take a selfie with the “Freshman Rock,” or the “Slippery Rock” fountain when you first rolled into Slippy in your family’s SUV. Freshman you wasn’t too good for that, and senior you isn’t any better.

You need to validate your formal education by taking a picture with the polished “Senior Rock,” or the Slippery Rock fountain to show what your hard-earned money is worth.

2. Turn up (or down) at GHill Ginger Hill is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea (or glass of beer, rather,) but it’s still worth it to commemorate your experience at the only bar in Slippery Rock that’s open past midnight and serves hard liquor. Despite its flaws, going to GHill is an unavoidable part of being an SRU student. While freshman you couldn’t go to GHill, freshman you always wanted to.

Commemorate the life of your freshman self by inconspicuously toting a backpack as you walk to GHill, looking over your shoulder to ensure you won’t get stopped by police while simultaneously shushing your drunken friend.

Good times.

summer POSSIBILITIES

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For a communication major like me, Eisenberg has become my home away from home. To think I couldn’t even distinguish it from the others in the quad when I first came to Slippery Rock. Whether your home building was McKay for you education majors, Spotts for you political science, English and philosophy majors, or even if you consider your home building to be Bailey Library for all of the hours you spend agonizing over your 4. Listen to the Top 10 Songs from 2011 finals, be sure to visit it one last time before you set off. It will be sure to bring back some Considering you’re a traditional four-year memories for you, and visit some of your student, and you came into Slippy bright eyed favorite professors while you’re at it. and bushy tailed in 2011, you probably heard your neighbors blasting 2011’s top 10 songs in 7. Write “Thank You” Letters to Everyone the dorms. Listen to “Rolling in the Deep” by Who Shaped Your Experience Here Adele to relive your short-lived crush on the While you’ve only been here for four years girl who lived down the hall who ended up (or more for you super seniors,) if you’re falling for the guy who had the sweet water anything like me, they’ve been the most speakers. Commemorate the first time you influential years of your life, especially your tried jungle juice in a dimly-lit basement by freshman year. Commemorate that experience listening to LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem,” by thanking the professors who showed you and celebrate the lameness of your freshman kindness after you almost missed your final self by jamming to Katy Perry’s “Firework.” freshman year and ran, backpack flailing into “Do you ever feel like a plastic bag,” was a lyric the wind, through the doors of your classroom that really spoke to freshman you. only to be met with a smile and laughter, (thank you, Dr. Laux). Many of your professors 5. Treat Yourself to the Red Baskets at Boozel helped you along the way, and there’s a good likelihood that you’ll forget what all they’ve Whether or not freshman you packed on the done for you. Think for a minute, and I’m sure Freshman 15, chances were that every once you can think of at least five who helped you in a while, you treated yourself to the hot when they didn’t need to. While you’re at it, dogs, burgers and grilled cheese sandwiches thank the people you’ve met here, who ended that accumulated grease in the bottom of up becoming your best friends, for sticking the red baskets. Senior you, now older, wiser with you through this crazy adventure. You and equipped with a limited food budget, wouldn’t be who you are today without the probably hasn’t graced Boozel dining hall nights spent on their couch, reading over notes since you moved out of the dorms, but now’s for a big test for the umpteenth time when your chance to relive the former glory that you decided to just watch Netflix instead. came with eating at Boozel. Drink pop from Lastly, thank the horrible roommate you had the fountain until it runs out of syrup, load up freshman year for teaching you humility by on tots during the extended weekend breakfast making you wash their dishes four times in a and on your way out, be sure to pick up an row, and teaching you how to deal with passive ice cream cone only to drop it once you open aggression the likes of which you’ve never seen the doors. This will probably (and somewhat before you came to college. Every experience thankfully) be the last time you will ever eat you had here has shaped you into who you there. are, and freshman you would like to see that experience be commemorated.

Don’t waste your summer trying to achieve that perfect tan only to watch it fade away. Instead, take summer classes at Gannon that will be beneficial in the long run and help you get ahead!

Choose from over 250 undergraduate and graduate courses that are offered during three sessions – beginning May 11, May 26 and June 29.

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You can catch up if you’ve fallen behind or jump on next semester’s workload. Only focus on one or two classes at a time to maintain a flexible schedule and still enjoy a little bit of summer.

For a complete schedule or to register, visit gannon.edu/summer or call (814) 871-7350.

Now what looks better on a resume – a perfect summer glow or college credits?

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OPINION

B-3

April 24, 2015

Staff graduates say goodbye Fashion columnist seeks to use experience Rocket staff, communication majors welcome biology major as editor-in-chief on the Rocket to further her future career

Kevin Squires I’ll never forget the day the gawky news editor of The Rocket, Jonathan Janasik, approached me with an uneasy “hey” at Boozel Dining Hall and said he thought I should write for the news section the next year. To be honest, I didn’t expect much from the encounter. I’d write an article or two maybe and that would be that. Two years and close to 100 articles later, here I am as the editor-in-chief and writing my final piece for The Rocket.

The Rocket has truly been one of the most enjoyable organizations I have been involved in and has genuinely changed my life. It has brought new friendships, fantastic opportunities and more late nights than I would probably care to admit.

During my time at Slippery Rock University, I’ve had the opportunity to examine the enzyme activity of triosephosphate isomerase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae; I’ve had the pleasure of compiling the ever-read police blotter (I’ll never forget the big VIP Arby’s coupons theft or that time some person

tried to leave Giant Eagle with $363.05 worth of meat, vegetables and fruit without paying for them); I’ve had the headache of memorizing over 20 different calculations for standard errors in biometry; I’ve had the chance to provide service to others through the Honors Program, FLSP, Dumbledore’s Army, Orientation and Admissions; And, of course, I’ve had the joy of reporting on the always thrilling meetings of the student government association. These experiences have all been unforgettable and I would not trade any of them or wish a single one away.

They have helped to shape me as a person and have given me perspective in life and in every decision I make.

One of my most cherished memories though was putting together The Rocket each week with staff that never ceased to impress with me with their hard work and dedication to ensuring the best quality of our paper. I’m proud of everything we accomplished and thankful to have worked with all of you, including our advisor, Dr. Zeltner, who has offered unwavering support of our endeavors and whom we would be completely lost without. I also appreciate the Communication Department opening its doors to an outsider and treating me as one of their own (actually, a number of students and professors mistake me for a member of their department).

Looking forward to the next stage in my life, attending Ohio State University for my doctorate in their Molecular, Cellular and Development Biology program, I hope to also bear witness to the exciting things that take off for The Rocket in the coming years.

Rocket photographer commemorates time quantitatively, with over 50,000 photos taken

Alex Mowrey College. Four years that we bury our noses in books, procrastinate on research papers, make new friends and discover who we are.

This is an adventure that no one can be prepared for, there is no manual for how to be successful in college. It is something we have to learn how to do by attending class and doing our work.

2,477. The number of miles I have traveled to come to school here. Being from San Diego, I always had a preconceived notion of what the East Coast was, living here has changed that for me. I have loved all the seasons Slippery Rock has to offer, despite the fact that it is either raining or snowing all year. I will always remember as a freshman, people would ask me "have you ever seen snow before?"

Yes, of course I've seen snow, but it made me realize how different our perception of the opposite coasts are. I've loved living here, it has been so great to me and I really hope to stay on the East Coast in the future.

720. The number of days I spent in college. This has been a long four years, but I have loved every second of it. There hasn't been a day I woke up and looked out my window and thought to myself

that I didn't like being here. Every trip, homework assignment and deadline I’ve done or met has made this the best time of my life.

50,000 plus. The number of pictures I took in four years at The Rocket. The newspaper has been my pride and joy for the time I have been in school. I still remember walking into the office the first week of my freshman year and telling the editor at the time that I liked to take pictures and was wondering if I could do it here. From that moment on I was attending athletic events and speakers to photograph them for the weekly publications. With my time at The Rocket I have been privileged to win 44 awards and travel all over the United States.

The Rocket has truly made my college experience the best it could have ever been.

5. The number of solid friends that I have. A professor once told me “you are most like the five people you surround yourself with” and I feel that I have made that solid group of individuals that will be with me the rest of my life. As the number of brothers in my fraternity surpases five, I know that I have a well rounded group of people that I will always be close to and that I can rely on in the future.

1. The number of college degrees completed. I’ve worked really hard to get to where I am today and I can attribute that to so many people. I wish I had an entire page to write the names of all who have changed my life and helped me along my journey.

Thank you to everyone, and I can’t wait to see where I go.

Katie Ellis Four years ago I can remember packing the back of my parents’ SUV with everything I thought I’d need to take with me as I started college. My boxes weren’t just weighed down by the pictures of my closest friends from high school, movies to watch when I had free time and my new wardrobe, they were also heavy with the hopes and dreams that I had for myself.

I wondered whether I’d be able to make new friends and if I’d become as close to them as I had with my high school classmates and whether or not I’d made the right decision to attend Slippery Rock. My doubts subsided as I checked into my room for the first time where my best friend was waiting for me, and as I said my tearful goodbyes to my parents, I somehow knew everything was going to be okay.

For many years I’ve known that my love of writing and my passion for fashion would lead me down the road to becoming a fashion journalist. I first tried my hand at fashion journalism in August 2011 whenever I wrote my first fashion column for The Rocket, which I’d later name “ROCK’N Fashion,” as a review of the fashions seen on red carpet for the MTV Video Music Awards, and the rest is history.

Four years later I’ve written nearly 70 columns on everything from red carpet reviews to trend reports to odes to some of the most recognizable fashion icons of our time. The feature stories that I’ve written over the years have been many, and I’m so thankful to have had the opportunity to talk to a variety of people and educate myself on the issues the student body cares about.

My time at Slippery Rock was made even better by the friendships that I know will stay with me for a lifetime. To Nicole, Lauryn and QuinnCee, the best roommates and friends a girl could ever ask for, thank you for standing by my side. All of the memories that we’ve made together from weekend trips to Butler to our epic craft nights to enjoying the conversations at Boozel more than the food, are just some of the moments that stand out when thinking about the time we shared together.

One of the highlights of my college career was becoming the Campus Life Editor of The Rocket. I was able to work with a group of people that are passionate and put their all into producing a paper of the highest quality every week. I couldn’t have accomplished all that I did this year without this year’s Assistant Campus Life Editor, Janelle, whose ideas and talent inspired me every week.

To all of the professors I’ve had, especially Dr. Harry and Dr. Zeltner, thank you for every lesson you taught me.

Thank you to two of my biggest fans, my grandmothers, who have been my most loyal readers since the beginning. I’ve loved hearing your excitement every time you get a letter full of articles in the mail and getting your feedback on what I’ve written.

Truth be told, I wouldn’t have made it through college without the support of my parents. Mom and dad, I wish I could divide my degree into thirds and share it with you.

Thank you for paying for me to go to school and for helping me with my assignments when I needed it.

You’re my twin pillars and my ultimate inspirations in everything that I do, and I’m proud to be your daughter.

All the days of my life have led up to this moment, and as I leave SRU I know that I made the right choice for my future by deciding to study here, and all of the experiences that I’ve had in and out of the classroom have prepared me for my future endeavors.

Bon voyage, SRU!

Sports editor takes pride in working on staff with ‘best minds in communication department’

Brian Hepfinger Over the past four years, I’ve been blessed to be a part of one of the top student-run newspapers in Pennsylvania.

During the first three years of my college career at Slippery Rock University, I was able to contribute for The Rocket. That experience showed me the way to what it means to write for a newspaper. I covered many sports over the three years, and each year I improved.

After I was extremely familiar with how amazing The Rocket truly is, I decided to apply for the sports editor position last spring. I was unsure of whether or not I would be offered the position, but I was very fortunate that it happened.

At that time, I was still unsure of whether or not I made the right decision to be in communication, let alone journalism.

However, the second I was informed that I would be the next sports editor, all of those doubts and questions evaporated. I had a newfound confidence and hope for myself.

Now that I’ve been the sports editor for

an entire school year, I’ve learned so many things. My skills with InDesign, writing and teamwork have been raised to new levels.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of the best minds in the Communication Department as well. My coworkers have always been very supportive and helpful, and that’s something you can’t really ask for.

I’ve also had the privilege of learning more and more about myself during my time as the sports editor. I’ve been able to see how hard I can work if I care about it and make the effort. I set a goal for myself at the beginning of the year to be at least an hour ahead of our deadline each week, and I did that.

Being a part of The Rocket staff has been one of the greatest experiences in my life.

Learning from other people and making myself better each and every day has been a blessing. When I first started out as a contributor, I never imagined that I would someday be the sports editor; I didn’t have that confidence. But, after three years of learning from three different sports editors and from journalism classes, I took that knowledge and skill into the sports editor position.

All in all, it’s been a great experience for me at Slippery Rock University, and The Rocket was the main reason for that. I found a great organization that I am proud to say I was a part of. That’s something I will always cherish.

S SPORTS

INSIDE SPORTS

Online Exclusive See theonlinerocket.com to see the results of Rock baseball's playoff game against East Stroudsburg on Thursday.

See theonlinerocket.com

Athlete of the Month Junior softball player Katie Kaiser was voted as The Rocket's April Athlete of the Month.

See Page C-2

Baseball ends regular season with sweep

By Ryan Barlow Assistant Sports Editor

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Sophomore Ty Zimmerman connects with a pitch during the Rock's home series against Pitt-Johnstown. Zimmerman finished the season with a .337 batting average, along with four home runs, nine doubles and 21 RBIs.

The Rock baseball team (29-16) closed out the regular season Saturday, sweeping the University of PittJohnstown (7-37-1) in a four-game home and away series. The Rock won the first two games in Slippery Rock 13-11, and 16-3, then traveled to Johnstown winning both games 16-3 and 12-11.

"We had already solidified a spot in the playoffs, but just had to wait for seedings," Rock head coach Jeff Messer said. "It helped keep us in the hunt for regional tournament bid, and it's good to end the regular season with a sweep heading in to the tournament."

The Rock got on the scoreboard in the first inning with an RBI double by freshman Ty Walters. Walters also hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning.

Sophomore Preston Falascino went 4-5 with an RBI single in the first inning, and a three-run home run in the seventh. Junior Alex

Bell hit a solo home run in the fifth inning, and also recorded an RBI in the seventh inning after reaching first base on a Mountain Cat error. Sophomore Ty Zimmerman added to the Rock's lead in the seventh inning with an RBI groundout, and redshirt sophomore Logan Brown hit an RBI single. Redshirt junior Kyle Vozar scored on a wild pitch in the seventh inning.

"We know we can put runs on the board, we just need to solidify our defensive presence," Messer said. "We knew we could score runs against UPJ, but it was just a matter of our pitching staff stepping up and keeping them off the board as well."

Senior Ryan Oglesby was on the mound for game one. Oglesby went 5.2 innings with five earned runs on eight hits.

Senior Geoff Sanner entered the game in the sixth. Sanner finished the game and allowed no runs, earning his third win of the season.

SEE ROCK, PAGE C-2

Women's track ends regular season at Ashland Open

By Cody Nespor Rocket Contributor

The Slippery Rock women’s track and field team had its final warm up meet before the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships this past weekend at the Ashland Alumni Open in Ashland, Ohio. In order to get extra rest before the championships, many of the Rock’s top athletes either sat out or competed lightly at the meet.

“Everyone knows what they’re getting into next week,” Slippery Rock head coach John Papa said. “We have quality people in each event and everyone can have a shot at an individual title.”

Slippery Rock athletes garnered 13 PSAC qualifying marks, one NCAA provisional qualifying mark, and an event win.

The top competitor for Slippery Rock was junior Ashley West, who earned the team’s lone NCAA mark in the high jump where she placed second with a 1.7 meter jump.

West, who also competed in the long jump, came in seventh place with a 5.2 meter PSAC qualifying jump.

Sophomore Sabrina Anderson competed alongside West in the high jump, earning a PSAC mark of her own with a 1.65 meter jump that landed her in fifth place.

Anderson will look for a good performance in the championships, where she will be competing in the heptathlon.

Also taking part in the 100-meter hurdles, Anderson had a PSAC qualifying time of 15.47 seconds that landed her in twelfth place. Freshman Sophie Mazza in 11th place, also earning a PSAC mark with a time of 15.18 seconds.

In the 400-meter hurdles, junior Casaundra Swartzbaugh and freshman Katie Teed both hit the PSAC standard.

Swartzbaugh came in fifth place with a time of 1:05.86 and Teed finished in seventh with

a time of 1:06.36. The single event win for the Rock came in the 4x100-meter relay. The team comprised of sophomore Kennedy Evans, junior Jasmine Bailey, Swartzbaugh, and junior Lexie Nowakowski ran a time of 47.96 seconds that was enough for the win.

The relay team is currently ranked as the second best in the conference and they will look to claim the conference title for a second straight year for SRU. The Green and White had a strong showing in the pole vault, with four athletes earning PSAC marks and placing in the top 12.

Junior Kaitlyn Clark and freshman Courtney McQuaide tied for second place with matching 3.5 meter clearances, sophomore Megan Matrisciano came in ninth place with a 3.35 meter clearances, and junior Michaela Kasik finished in 12th place clearing 3.2 meters.

Rounding out the meet for the Rock was the shot put event, where freshman Anna Frengel and senior Brittany Christiansen earned PSAC qualifiers and finished in the top 10. Frengel (12.39 meters) finished in fifth place and Christiansen (12.15 meters) ended in eighth.

Slippery Rock can now fully turn its attention to the conference championships where they will try to claim the team title after barley being edged out by the Shippensburg University team at last year’s championships.

“This year will be very similar to last year,” Papa said. “Every event will be critical and our ability to win individually will help us in scoring points. It’s not just us and (Shippensburg) though, all the teams are there to win and we need to remember that.”

The PSAC championships will be held Thursday April 30 through Saturday May 2 at East Stroudsburg University.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN PAPA

Junior Casaundra Swartzbaugh competes in the 400-meter hurdles in preparation for the conference championships next weekend.

SPORTS

C-2

May 1, 2015

Softball player encouraged to lead by example

By Ryan Barlow Assistant Sports Editor

When a team experiences a head coaching change, it is always important for certain players to step up and accept a leadership position to help the transition go smoothly. Junior softball player, Katie Kaiser, stepped into that position this past season, with her attitude both on and off the diamond.

The Rock softball team finished the season a 15-23 record, and Kaiser led her team with .353 batting average and 49 hits. She also had four home runs and 21 RBIs. Because it was important for her team to develop young talent this past season, Kaiser doesn't necessarily view the year as a disappointment based on wins and losses.

"We talk a lot about building our team and that it is a process," Kaiser said. "Yeah we didn't make playoffs this year, but we can build on what we've created and make that our goal for next year. We learned a lot of new things and I do believe that the team we had this year would have annihilated the team we had last year."

Kaiser also recognized that it was very important for all of her teammates who were upperclassmen to come together and makes things easier for the new coach, Stacey Rice.

"We were very excited about Coach Rice taking over this year, especially with her having already been an assistant coach with us in the past," Kaiser said. "We had some great juniors and seniors this year who were all on the same page, and we did our best to set an example for everyone else."

During her three seasons with the Rock, Kaiser has a .328 cumulative batting average with a total of 128 hits.

Among those hits are 19 doubles, 12 home runs, and three triples. Kaiser is also good for 59 career runs batted in. Besides being a leader on the field,

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Junior infielder Katie Kaiser fields a ground ball during a game against Edinboro University on April 7. Kaiser led SRU with a .353 batting average this season.

Kaiser realizes she also needs to set an example for her younger teammates by being a strong student.

"It's definitely stressful, but it's always important be in constant contact with your professors," Kaiser said.

"Our coaches have a really strong focus on academics. If we have a practice scheduled during one of our class times, we are expected to go to that class. But if we need to miss for a game, you need to communicate with a professor so that they understand you will still work

hard and make up for that assignment."

Kaiser created a lot of memories through out the season, but the fondest of those memories was when SRU swept Indiana University at home in late March. During the two game series, Kaiser went 4-10 with two runs, three RBIs, and a home run.

"Throughout the history of Slippery Rock softball, we don't really ever sweep IUP," Kaiser said. "It was awesome to get messages of support from friends and alumni who were excited to see us excelling

and showing we improved. People don't always recognize Slippery Rock softball, so coming out and beating a team that was ranked a lot higher than us in the PSAC poll meant a lot us."

With one year remaining of eligibility, Kaiser is excited to get her senior year started and help build this program to succeed beyond her time at SRU. "I want to set an example for underclassmen by how I respond to both good and bad situations," Kaiser said. "I don't care about records and big plays, I just want to set an example as a leader and that is what is truly important to me."

Rock offense erupts over four Men's track produces one NCAA game set with Pitt-Johnstown provisional mark at Ashland Open

By Brittany Fagan Rocket Contributor

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Senior pitcher Ryan Oglesby winds up for a pitch against UPJ on Friday. Oglesby allowed five earned runs and struck out four over 5.2 innings of work.

Continued from Page C 1

SRU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning of game two thanks to an RBI double by Bell, a three-run homer by senior Jake Nogalo and a solo homer by Walters. Walters also hit an RBI single in the fourth.

Brown also hit a three run home run in the fourth inning. Vozar hit a solo home run to right field in the fifth, quickly followed by an RBI double by senior Adam Urbania.

Rock senior Kyle Schneider pitched a complete game in game two. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out eight.

SRU's first five runs in game three involved home runs by Urbania, Bell, Walters and junior Jordan Faretta.

Faretta also hit an RBI single in the fifth, and an RBI double in the seventh.

Walters hit an RBI triple in the seventh, later followed by a pair of three-run home runs by Nogalo and Brown. Falascino was the starting pitcher in game three. He pitched six

innings while allowing just three runs.

Sophomore James Divosevic pitched the seventh inning and closed out the game for SRU. Falascino hit a three-home run in the third inning of game four to score Slippery Rock's first runs of the game.

Zimmerman hit a solo home run in the fourth, and sophomore Carson Kessler hit a three RBI double in the fifth.

The Green and White scored four runs in the seventh inning to take the lead over UPJ, capitalized by an RBI single to left field by Brown.

The Rock kicks off the PSAC Tournament on Tuesday with a 9:30 a.m. matchup against West Chester.

The tournament is a double elimination style, and the winner of the game will play game two on Thursday at 3:30 p.m., while the loser will play Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

Oglesby will is scheduled to start on the mound for SRU in game one, Schneider in game two.

The Slippery Rock men’s track and field team had their final tune up of the season last weekend at the Ashland Open in Ohio.

The team produced one NCAA provisional mark and fourteen Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference qualifying marks.

Many athletes have already qualified for the conference meet and are not included in that total number. Junior David Reinhardt led the men at the two day meet with a NCAA provisional throw in the javelin.

The defending NCAA Division II national champion threw a distance of 59.39 meters taking second place. Reinhardt also competed in the discus and hammer throw taking 11th and 13th with throws of 44.29 meters and 50.66 meters.

Senior Nick Garuccio and senior Nick Turk also competed in the hammer throw and had distances of 48.52 meters and 45.89 meters.

Trevor Miller placed ninth in the discus with a throw of 14.86 meters.

The 4x100 meter relay consisted of sophomore Erik Record, senior Monte Chapman, sophomore Brandon Vanderbrook and senior Hunter Williams.

The squad took fourth place with a time of 42.45 seconds.

Sophomore Logan Mooney ran the 400 meter hurdles taking seventh with a time of 55.43 seconds.

The distance squad also had a successful day with sophomore Tyler Palenchak and senior Tyler Melius taking fifth and ninth places in the 800 meter run. Senior Connor MacKelvey and senior Theodore Reynolds competed in the 3,000 meter steeple chase placing fifth and seventh place.

MacKelvey ran a time of 9:57.43

in the race, making it his first time ever to qualify for the PSAC meet.

“A f t e r t h r e e y e a r s o f determination and hard work on the team, I finally qualified for the PSAC Conference in the 3,000 meter steeplechase,” senior runner MacKelvey said. “I seriously cannot wait to wear my green and white jersey this weekend to represent the school and team I absolutely love.”

The pole vault team had a successful day with junior Michael Horrigan and freshman Andrew Koksal vaulting at 4.62 meters taking fifth and sixth place. Senior Andrew Lovano followed behind in thirteenth place at 4.32 meters.

The final PSAC marks of the meet were in the long jump.

Freshman Caleb Smithco recorded a distance of 6.60 meters placing sixth. Junior Cody Colagrande and freshman Jared Geist took seventh and eighth place at 6.54 meters and 6.38 meters. The men’s team is extremely excited to compete this week to represent their school in hopes of bringing home the blue trophy.

“In completing the regular season of our outdoor track and field season this past Saturday at Ashland, my fellow teammates and I have worked extremely hard to make it to this point in the season and perform to the best of our abilities at conference,” MacKelvey said. “The hard work is already done to compete this week. We just need to focus and know our capabilities. When we put on our jerseys this weekend to compete, we are not only going to be taking pride in our team, but pride in our school as well.”

The Green and White will travel to East Stroudsburg University for the three day event beginning April 30 this weekend. The men have recorded twelve PSAC team wins in history, the last one being in 2008.

May 1, 2015

SPORTS

C-3

Softball ends season with double header losses

By Brian Hepfinger Sports Editor

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Sophomore McKenzie Popatak squares up on a pitch during a game against Pitt-Johnstown on March 24. Popatak hit for a .294 batting average over 10 starts, including three doubles and two triples.

The Slippery Rock University softball team (15-23 overall, 1216 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) ended their season Monday with two losses against Edinboro University (23-14-1 overall, 15-12-1 PSAC).

Both games were blowouts in Edinboro's favor, with the Fighting Scots winning game one 11-3 and game two 8-1.

The first game featured SRU sophomore pitcher Carly DeRose (8-12).

DeRose earned her 12th loss of the season, allowing 11 runs and 18 hits while striking out two Edinboro batters.

"They were hitting her early in the game," SRU head coach Stacey Rice said. "We could see that they were on her and the timing was evident in the first inning. That was something we saw happening, so we tried to keep them on their toes with some off-speed pitches, but that's not one of Carly's strengths."

Rice said the team didn't have many options in terms of relief pitching due to freshman pitcher Brooke Dawson's injury, so they had to stick with DeRose.

The Rock offense was stagnant in both games, but they managed to score three runs in game one.

Junior shortstop Katie Kaiser, junior designated player Stacey Herzog and senior right fielder Alaynna Beers scored the only three runs for the Green and White.

"Some days, you're going to put up 13 runs, but most days you're only going to put up five or six," Rice said.

"I wasn't necessarily disappointed with the offense, we just weren't getting the clutch hits that we needed

to score runs. That was really the issue in the latter part of this season."

The second game didn't show any improvements from SRU. Sophomore pitcher Sarah Petrash (1-2) was tagged with the loss, her second of the season. Petrash allowed eight runs and eight hits while striking out eight Edinboro batters.

"We knew that there was a strong possibility that this would be our last game, so when it's your last game of the season, you want to end on a high note," Rice said. "Whether or not you're going to make the playoffs or not, you want to find something down deep to see who you are going to play for."

SRU's offense scored only one run in game two. Herzog went 1-2 and scored the only run. The Rock managed to have only six hits in the second game, and 13 total in the doubleheader.

This doubleheader sweep ended the Rock's playoff hopes and season.

They finished with a record of 15-23, which is one win short of and three losses better than last season.

The Rock was scheduled to face California University of Pennsylvania Tuesday, but with the doubleheader sweep, they were knocked out of playoff contention. This being her first season as the Rock's head coach, Rice said she is impressed and proud of what her team was able to do this spring.

"I'm super proud of what my team has accomplished and the hard work they put forth," Rice said. "We really start preparing in September, and it's a long process for these girls.

So, I'm absolutely proud of what they accomplished. They increased their batting averages from last year, decreased their ERA and individually players have improved."

Lock Haven blows out lacrosse in season finale

By Cody McCullough Rocket Contributor

Slippery Rock University lacrosse saw its playoff chances eliminated when it lost 15-3 to undefeated Lock Haven Saturday. Before the game Bloomsburg beat Millersville to tie SRU for sixth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) standings, and with the loss to Lock Haven, Bloomsburg won the tie breaker after defeating SRU earlier in the season.

Lock Haven controlled the game throughout with a 30-16 advantage in total shots and a 16-4 advantage in draw controls. The Rock did hold the advantage in ground balls 1916, but also led with 37 fouls, while Lock Haven only had 17 fouls. The Green and White finished the year with a 9-8 record, 6-6 in PSAC play.

“I think we had a good season this year,” junior Kaytlin Callaghan said. “We can together as a team, the team played as a whole all season and that will give us a big push going into next year.”

The Rock had five seniors this year, Lydia Heishman, Jess Verbic, Gigi Sani, Sarah Morris and Paige Costantino, who were honored before the game on Saturday.

Heishman and Costantino each scored goals in their last collegiate game. Morris picked up two ground balls in the game, bringing her single season school record total to 59. She is the all-time leader at SRU in ground balls with 164.

Costantino finishes her decorated career ranked fourth in career goals and assist, with 123 goals and 46 assists. Costantino ranks third in all-time scoring at SRU with 169 points.

Callaghan may have had the biggest moment of the game though. Her second half goal gave her 71 points on the year, which is a new single-season school record.

ALEX MOWREY/THE ROCKET

Sophomore attacker Chynna Chan looks to make a play during a match with Lake Erie College on March 17. Chan finished the season with 15 total points, including 14 goals and one assist.

Callaghan is one of the underclassmen that will be returning, and hopes to finally get her team into the PSAC playoff next season.

“We did beat the number six team in the nation,” Callaghan said. “Most of the players that helped beat that team are coming back next year. We have so many young players that saw the field. We are such a strong

unit, and after losing all the close games and the beginning of the year, this unit knows what to do so that we win those games next year.”

Callaghan believes the team would have made the PSAC playoffs if just one of those early games would have went Slippery Rock's way. Whether it was the back to back double OT losses against West Chester and Seton Hill, or the 19-

12 loss to Bloomsburg. Callaghan said she thinks since there were so many underclassmen playing this year that experienced the heart breakers, and it will fuel them to win those close games early on next season.

SRU is returning five of its six top scorers, and nine players that saw time in the starting line up during the season.

May 1, 2015

C--4

Summer Classes Begin May 18 Take a summer class or two at BC3 and transfer it back to your university

Affordable Tuition t Online & Hybrid Classes All BC3 Locations Cranberry Brockway New Castle Hermitage

Visit bc3.edu/registration for Class Schedules

The Smart Place To Start Contact Admissions 724-284-8501

Fall classes closed?

Think summer school

Sun, sand and

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at Slippery Rock University Great reasons to attend summer school at SRU: • Boost your grade-point average • Lighten your fall course load • Study abroad; earn credits • Summer internships • More than 295 classes

• More than 150 classes online • More than 60 graduate courses • Pay 2014-15 tuition rates • Undergraduate tuition for PA residents: $284/credit + fees

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Email: summer.school@sru.edu Phone: 724.738.2010

To view information on summer school and the summer class schedule: www.sru.edu/summer

Experience the Difference

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MASTER’S programs • Mass Media Arts and Journalism (MS) • Library Science (MSLS) • Nursing (MSN) Family Nurse Practitioner • Rehabilitative Sciences (MS) • Business Administration (MBA)

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Get a complete schedule at WWW.CLARION.EDU/SUMMER FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL 800-672-7171 OR E-MAIL CLARIONONLINE@CLARION.EDU Clarion University is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer.

C

CAMPUS LIFE

INSIDE CAMPUS LIFE

R.I.P Dr. Derek Shepherd

Sex, Hook Ups And Porn, Oh My!

'Grey's Anatomy' fan, Mandy Feldbauer, reviews last week's episode and shares her thoughts on how the show will continue on without McDreamy.

The Gender Studies program dicusses how watching pornography can influence hook-ups and students weigh in on whether dating and relationships still exist in today's culture.

See theonlinerocket.com

See Page D-3

'About Class Tomorrow'

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET Fine arts major, Tyler Sing, performs during the About Class Tomorrow showcase on Monday night. Sing is a member of the SRU Beatbox Society, who also performed at the showcase.

The showcase featured several different genres of music, local artists and a comedian.

SRU students discuss future plans as musical artists

By Emma Pfeifer different areas and genres of entertainment.

Kai Roberts is a 22-year-old business The event About Class Tomorrow gave 14 administration major, with a marketing local artists a chance to show their talent as concentration at Carnegie Mellon University. performers here at Slippery Rock University.

This show involved artists executing a variety of performances in all different fields of the entertainment industry. Although the performances mainly involved music, a comedian also performed. As the night went on, students crowded the room and cheered on each act as they progressed throughout their sets.

Emerging technology and multimedia major Brandon Lombardo was the director of the event. He said he worked hard for three months to put everything together and to ensure it was a success. Lombardo said the purpose of this show was to bring people together and create a diverse culture of music and support local artist.

Lombardo said the title About Class Tomorrow came from a comical night of Scan this QR code to watch to an exclusive hanging out with his friends. He said as interview with Tyler Sing, the Creature or go they were brainstorming ideas for this event to www. theonlinerocket.com throughout the night, they decided that they were not going to attend class the next day, therefore About Class Tomorrow became not only the title for the event, but the laugh of the He rapped during his time on stage and had night for them as well. the crowd waving their arms back and forth This event had many performers from out of excitement. Roberts explained that his Rocket Contributor

inspiration comes from his time at college and all of the experiences he has gone through thus far. His goal while on stage is to have the audience feeling positive energy from his performance. Roberts identifies as a solo artist and plans to pursue music in the future.

Another group that performed was the SRU Beatbox Society. Two members of the group, journalism major Kenny Moore, 22 and fine arts major, Tyler Sing, 19, are heavily involved with the group. Moore's stage name is Conscious KiD and Sing's stage name is the Creature.

Moore said he hopes to one day blow up within the music industry with his own label and brand. He is working on creating a new blog and sending out his ideas throughout the media. Moore believes that life is a “dream come true” and it is about “positive vibes.” He is working on creating a backpack line.

The atmosphere of the event was positive.

There was dark lighting for each performance and the event was standing-room only. For the majority of the performances there was projection of different images to go along with each artist's and group's performance.

Each performance was different and the night was a success. About Class Tomorrow brought not only local artists together, but supporters, faculty and students also.

CAMPUS LIFE

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May 1, 2015

How to find the perfect look for graduation day on a budget Katie Ellis "ROCK'n Fashion" Katie Ellis is a senior journalism major and the Campus Life editor of The Rocket.

Once again the end of another school year is on the horizon as finals week looms ahead, quiet hours go into effect and the average student’s caffeine consumption nearly doubles in preparation for allnighters. While the end of next week signals the start to another summer vacation filled with trips to the beach and days spent with friends for some, it’s the end of an era for the class of 2015 as we prepare to put on our caps and gowns and say goodbye to Slippery Rock forever.

With the stress of the end of the semester, it’s likely that many of you haven’t chosen your outfit for graduation day nor have you thought about how to decorate the top of your cap. There’s no more important outfit in a student’s college career than the one they choose to wear on graduation day, and going out in style no matter what your budget may be is just as important as picking the perfect first day of school outfit was four years ago.

Choosing a graduation dress doesn’t need to be a major investment because aside from the obligatory photo op with your parents before the ceremony, you’ll likely be wearing your black gown throughout the day as you say farewell to your college friends and pose for pictures in front of the famous senior rock. For $100 or less, you can find the dress of your dreams at your favorite store and still have money left over to buy supplies to decorate your cap.

Topshop’s Embellished Neck Skater Dress in pale blue is the right blend of sophistication and femininity for the graduate that wants to make a statement

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE There is no need to stress over decorating graduation caps and picking out the perfect dress for the big day. Finding the perfect outfit for graduation day can be as easy as looking on Pinterest for inspiration and shopping online.

on her special day. Coming in sizes 0-12, the dress will work on a number of body types thanks to its halter neckline and flirty skater skirt. Keep the accessories to a minimum with this $65 look and let the beaded, multicolored neckline do the talking.

There’s no occasion that industry favorite online retailer Asos doesn’t have the perfect look for, and graduation is no exception, with so many looks to choose from including pieces from their own line and from a bevy of celeb favorite brands like River Island. The Asos Floral Mesh Insert Fit and Flare Mini comes in two prints, bright blue and bright pink, and its lightweight chiffon feel makes it the perfect choice to wear underneath your gown on graduation day. For just $99 you can buy this figure flattering dress with crew neckline and pleated mesh skirt that will have you standing out amongst your friends come time for the perfect photo op.

The Loft is a great place for young professionals looking to assemble their post-graduation wardrobe to shop, and

there’s no time like the present to start building that wardrobe, especially when all dresses are selling for 50 percent of their original retail price. The Fringe Trim Shift dress currently retails for $89.50, but after applying the code “halfsies” at the checkout it’ll only set you back around $45.

Whether you choose the cobalt blue or whisper white look, both dresses feature delicate fringe details on the hem of its short sleeves and on the trim of its front pockets, which will hold your cell phone to ensure that you’ll have it to take a mid-ceremony selfie. The loose fit of this 60s-themed shift dress will also help keep you cool throughout the day.

The little black dress (LBD) is a look that will never go out of style and to find one in a classic silhouette that you’ll be likely to wear again after graduation, look no further than Gap’s Tank Flared Sweater Dress for $69.95. The sleeveless cotton dress features a fitted bodice and full skirt that hits just above the knee, making it a modest and practical look that can be worn for a job interview in the future.

Now that you have a dress, it’s time to worry about how you’ll be decorating the top of your graduation cap. No statement is too bold, as this is the time to let your personality shine through whether you want to pay tribute to your sorority, your parents or even give a nod to your future career.

Doing a Pinterest search for inspiration can help you find the right look, and once you’ve settled on a design, head to the nearest craft store to pick up the necessary supplies like stencils, glue and glitter to execute your design. If you’re struggling to decide what to do with your cap, keep it simple and trace your initials onto your cap and fill them in with glitter in your favorite color like Sharpay Evans did in “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.”

With the end of an era comes new beginnings, new friends and new dreams once your post-graduation life begins. May your graduation outfit be sharp, your cap be sparkly and your future bright.

Farewell, fashionistas!

Relay For Life falls short of fundraising goal

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET Senior public relations major, Kaitlyn Thoma, tie dyes a T-shirt at Relay for Life on Saturday at the Field House.

By Sam Delauter Rocket Contributor

Each year, more than four million people around the world join together to raise essential funds and awareness for cancer research through the Relay for Life movement. This past weekend, the Slippery

Rock community helped contribute to the cause during the university’s annual hosting of the 12hour event in the Morrow Field House.

Originated in Tacoma, Washington, Relay for Life was conceived by the late Dr. Gordan Klatt who at the time was participating in the 1985 24-hour Run Against Cancer event. Klatt, who had spent 24 hours and ran a total of 83.6 miles circling the Baker Stadium track at the University of Puget Sound, wanted to organize an event that would garnish even more community involvement. In 1986, Klatt's vision became a reality as 19 teams raised more than $33,000 for the very first Relay for Life event. Today, the event has raised more than five billion dollars to date and takes place in over 20 countries.

This past Saturday, Slippery Rock University welcomed the event with dozens of campus and community organizations, those of which contributed to the cause and raised funds for the American Cancer Society. The event, which in previous years ran from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., was originally set to run from noon to midnight, but ran until 10 p.m. due to poor attendance.

Senior early childhood special education major and recruitment director for Relay for Life Alex Nietert said the ultimate fundraising goal this year is $48,000, which has decreased, compared to last year's ultimate goal of $50,000.

The ultimate fundraising goal in 2013 was $75,000.

“In order to reach this goal, all teams are doing on-site fundraising today and have been doing prior fundraising through email and social media,” Nietert said.

With about $21,000 already raised in pre-event fundraising, Nietert said he is confident they will reach this year’s ultimate goal.

According to SRU’s Relay For Life Twitter page, the total amount raised was $30,000. The low amount of money raised was a result of conflicting events on Saturday, such as the pig roast and the

campus clean-up, which resulted in low attendance at the event.

Participating groups offered a variety of both conventional and unconventional fundraising activities.

Dumbledore’s Army was selling virgin butter beers for one dollar, Reese’s broomstick treats for one dollar and polyjuice potions for 75 cents. The organization was also charging people one dollar to have their picture taken with various Harry Potter themed props. The photos are uploaded to social media using the hashtag #DAatRelay.

Jail and Bail, the event that generated the most fundraising last year, returned this year as a unique way for people to donate. Conducted by the SRU Parks and Recreation Society, the game lets individuals donate any amount in order to have their friend locked in a jail cell for 20 minutes. If the chosen friend wishes to be let free before the allotted time period, he or she must match the donated amount.

Senior parks and recreation major Travis Wilson said the role-play is a yearly favorite among donors and that unfortunately, the organization can only jail friends who are present at the Relay for Life event.

Other fundraising activities included a shortened version of the popular MTV show, “Silent Library,” by the American Sign Language Club, massages offered by the physical therapy department, a ruck competition by the Army ROTC and various baked goods and food from multiple organizations.

Around 8 p.m., hundreds of glowing bags were lined around the track for the Luminaria Ceremony which seeks to honor those who are fighting and those who have lost the battle to cancer. Community members showed their support by writing personal messages on the bags which illuminated the track and signified the courage, passion and strength of those affected by the disease.

May 1, 2015

CAMPUS LIFE

D-3

'Hooking up in Pornified Culture’ addresses dangers of pornography and its influence on relationships that while women tend to use the term conservatively, while men tend to use the term more liberally.

“Although there’s no single definition of hooking up, we can articulate a general profile of hook-up sex,” Lacom said.

“It’s casual, it’s practiced with few or no expectations beyond the hook up, it is often not sexually satisfying, especially for women, and men and especially women often feel disrespected after hooking up.”

Junior information systems major Nikki Treater said she thinks some college students still believe in dating, but hooking up takes away from that experience.

“I feel like there are some people who want to take the time out to get to know you and make a title,” Treater said. “[Hooking up] takes away from that. Sometimes people don’t want to try to date, they just want to get the deed done.”

Lacom said research by a woman named Rachel Kalish suggested that men worry about their sexual performance during KENDALL SCOTT/THE ROCKET hook-ups. When she interviewed collegeaged men about what they were thinking Cindy Lacom, director of gender studies discusses her views on 'Hooking up in Pornified about during hook-up sex, most of the men Culture' on Tuesday during common hour in the Smith Student Center Theater. said they were thinking about what their the woman said yes, the man would typically male friends would think about the woman

By Amber Cannon pay for the date, which might include dinner he was having sex with.

Assistant News Editor and a movie, Lacom said. She said at the Some of the factors that normalize the end of the night, the man would probably hook-up script are the increased availability For some students, finding a date in today’s attempt a goodnight kiss and the woman, of birth control, third wave feminist belief culture can be difficult, but finding someone again, would have the power of either in sex as power, technology, a decrease in to hook up with can be as easy as posting a rejecting or accepting the kiss. If she resists, marriage and pornography, Lacom said. status on YikYak or Twitter. On Tuesday, the the man risks feeling stupid, angry and hurt, Lacom said that pornography damages Gender Studies Program hosted a discussion Lacom said. intimacy for men and women. She said to address the influence pornography has on Lacom said today, the hook-up culture that even if students don’t watch porn, they today’s definition of hooking up and creating is so familiar and ubiquitous that it seems are affected by the messages it sends, its relationships. natural, as if no other alternative could pervasiveness and content.

Director of Gender Studies Cindy Lacom possibly exist. According to Lacom, a study According to Lacom, pornography started the event off with describing how done in 2001 found that 40 percent of college increases acceptance of rape, sexual a simple date would go 30 years ago. In a women had hooked up, but more recent harassment, sexual stereotypes, interpersonal scenario 30 years ago, she said the man would surveys in 2007 and 2008 put the number violence and viewing girls and women as have initiated the request of a date, thereby for women and men who have had at least sexual objects. risking rejection and embarrassment, Lacom one hook up before they get out of college Sophomore social work major, Breanna said. She said the woman would have had the at 89 percent. Lacom said there is no single Upshur said she doesn’t believes that porn power to either accept or reject the date. If or simple definition of hooking up. She said ruins relationships. She said whether or not

UPB concert committee sells out the largest show in years for country artist

By Kelsey Phillips Rocket Contributor

Country singer Lee Brice and opening acts The Cadillac Three and Chase Bryant will perform for a sold out show at the Aebersold Recreation Center Friday, May 1.

As of April 27, the concert sold 2,370 tickets – the largest show in years, Brandon Cannon, junior public relations major and University Program Board D i re c t or of C on c e r t s an d Comedians, said.

UPB recorded that 97 percent of ticket sales were purchased by students, Cannon said. “ That means our club is achieving its purpose-providing the largest student run events to the student body,” he said.

After three semesters of no country artists, Cannon and the rest of the UPB executive board had an idea that students would vote for Lee Brice, a recent winner of the 2015 Academy of Country Music Awards for his single “I Don’t Dance,” in a survey released to over 2,500 SRU students, Cannon said.

SRU is one of only a few colleges included in Brice’s national tour, Cannon said.

In the days leading up to the concert, Cannon and the executive board have already begun the planning process for the next show, he said.

“Surprisingly enough, the day of the show is actually the easiest part in the process.”

The student directors select the artist, assist with contract negotiations, develop a public rel at i ons c amp aig n to s el l

tickets and work closely with tour managers, booking agents, production crews and UPB student committees, Cannon said.

On the day of the event, nearly 70 UPB student committee members, 48 crew members, 30 contracted security guards, campus police, local EMT services and additional local production members will be working at the concert, Cannon said.

“The UPB executive board does just about everything besides watch the show as it’s happening,” he said.

The ARC is divided into sections – the track, main floor, the outdoor line and the main lobby – with designated student and staff workers managing each portion, Cannon said.

For Cannon, UPB is much more than an organization – it is a family, he said.

“We all know that feeling of being at a concert, hearing our favorite song and remembering that moment for the rest of our lives,” Cannon said. “Right now I’m striving to make that experience a reality right here at SRU.” “For years, UPB has presented an image of SRU that makes big name national acts look forward to performing here,” he said. “To me, that means the university and UPB have been doing something right.”

Doors open for the concert at 5:30 p.m. and the first opening act will start performing at 6:30.

The event is 18 years old and over.

Students and the general public will be asked to show a form of I.D. at the door.

porn ruins a relationship depends on the people involved in the relationship. Upshur said sometimes couples watch porn to get new ideas about how to make their sexual life more interesting.

Lacom said not only can pornography damage intimacy, but it also contributes to sexual dysfunction. Some of the dysfunctions that men and women deal with is a loss of interest in sex with a real partner, a decrease in self-esteem, difficulty for boys and men to become aroused without porn, an increased roughness and violence in sex and an increased interest in risky, degrading, abusive or illegal sex.

Lacom also said watching pornography can also lead to dangerous and unsafe behavior among men and women.

“Some of the risky and unsafe behaviors with which porn consumption is associated is having multiple sexual partners, earlier and/or quicker onset of sexual activity, accessing porn at school or work and purchasing sex,” Lacom said.

Matt Housley, freshman public relations major, said attempting a relationship after hooking up is an unusual situation that will never amount to anything. He said if two people are going to date, he suggests dating someone who you haven’t hooked up with, that way, each person will start the relationship off with good intentions.

Lacom said the thing that concerns her the most about today’s pornified culture is the realization that agency and pleasure are compromised and even negated in hook up sex. She also said the best way for students to combat the takeover of the pornified culture is to speak out about the issue and bring attention to it.

“If you enjoy porn, if you love hook-up sex and think it’s the best thing in the world, then I absolutely think that’s fine,” Lacom said.

“If you find any of this problematic, what I would say to you is speak out. Bring attention and critical analysis to your choices, talk about pornified culture and its values, refuse to be silenced."

Student Government Association Join NEXT Year’s Senate!

Applications available online at www.srsga.org and in the office!

CONGRATULATIONS SENIORS!!!

HAVE A FUN AND SAFE SUMMER! SGA Kickball Tournament Saturday May 2, 2015 $50 Entry Fee per team 10-12 members per team Pick up registration forms in the CSIL Winning team gets free t-shirts!

Kickoff at 10 AM Intermural Fields 50 Shades of Grey

SSC Theater Friday at 4 & 8 PM Saturday at 8 PM Sunday at 4 & 8 PM FREE POPCORN! @srsga

sga@sru.edu www.srsga.org

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May 1, 2015

Congratulations to the Rising Star winners outstanding Service Event Award Athletic Training Association Collaborative Event Award University Program Board & Student Veteran Association Entertainment Event Award Black Action Society Educational Event Award Delta Zeta Greek Organization Event Award Sigma Sigma Sigma Fundraising Event Award Green and White Society Residence Life Event Award Building B Outstanding Greek Organization Award Sigma Tau Gamma Living Learning Community of the Year Award Sophomore Student Organizations of the Year Award Active Minds Club Advisor of the Year Award Catherine Massey Exceptional Service to Students Award Jeremy Lynch & Barb Frankenburg Silent Inspiration Award Aaron Steffine Student Community Service Award Evan Andreyo Student Leader of the Year Award John Beckage

â&#x20AC;˘

Rising Star Award Emily Brumbaugh Jaclynn Choma Abigail Iksic Alex Nietert Teresa Rothrauff Kara Shorr Genna Walker

2014-2015

Cultural Event Award Student Organization of Latinos/Hispanic and Allies

C

COMICS

Poppy

By Brooke Griffin

COMICS

Horoscopes Today's Birthday (05/01/15). Your year orbits around home and family. You're growing your nest egg. Focus more on planning before 6/14, and implementation after. Slow down around 7/15. October eclipses (10/13 and 27) prompt new fun and romance as well as introspective discovery. Release old baggage and clutter. Prioritize love. Set your spirit free.

To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) -- Today is an 8 -You're learning voraciously. Communication flows with Mercury in Gemini for the next three weeks.

Deadlines take priority. Record flashes of brilliance to follow up on later. Focus on a difficult task. A voice from the past reappears. Maintain objectivity.

Brooke Griffin is a sophomore communication major from Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Spaghett Kat

Ancient Spaghett Kat Comic Unearthed

Taurus (April 20-May 20) -- Today is a 9 -- The next few weeks should be good for making money, with Mercury in Gemini. Research profitable possibilities.

Find new ways to cut costs. Let others have their own way. Power up plans for the future. Discuss dreams.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) -- Today is a 7 -- You have a greater mental advantage for about three weeks, with Mercury in your sign. You are especially quick and can find the answers you need to make your case.

Accept feedback. Acknowledge a surprising reaction without complaining.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) -- Today is a 6 -- Allow yourself more contemplation time over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Gemini. Overlooked details could cause delays. Carefully avoid obstacles.

Allow daydream breaks. Speculate on what could be possible. Write down your discoveries. Listen to your angels.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Today is a 7 -- Negotiations go well. There's more time for fun later. Your friends are eager to help and the team's especially hot for the next few weeks, with Mercury in Gemini. Create a marketing plan. Brainstorm together. Write it all down.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Career opportunities arise over the next three weeks, if you're up for the challenge. There may be tests involved. Stay respectful with elders and authority figures. Watch out for breakage at home. Don't let it destroy your domestic tranquility.

By Jack Johnehsick

Jon Janasik Comic Archaeologist I feel bad for kids these days who are growing up reading modern comics. Look at all of the crap that is littering the comics page week after week.

There’s Peanutbrittle, which was designed to make children abandon hope in idea of friendship.

Then there’s Garfunkel the cat, were the former singer of Simon & Garfunkel pretends to be a I hate rocket science!

cat and just makes jokes about obesity.

Worst of all is the comic about consensual business meetings, Dildobert. We’ll talk about what’s wrong with Dildobert when you’re older.

Back in my day, we had one comic and we didn’t ask for any more. It was called Spaghett Kat and it was about a common talking house kat struggling with his addiction to Italian cuisine.

Although the comic’s jokes are archaic and the artwork is primitive, it did something magical.

It showed us that the Rocket would publish anything that was sent to them. Literally anything.

Smell that? It’s the smell of dreams coming true. Coincidentally, it’s also the smell of hate mail.

That’s why it’s an honor for me I don‛t know why I majored in it! I should taken classes that I enjoyed instead of going for an easy A!

to present the recently uncovered Spaghett Kat lost episode from the Jack Johnehsick vault.

For those of you not old enough to have originally experience Spaghett Kat, the lighthearted comic ended with a bit of a dark twist. Spaghett Kat moved to the moon because he realized that everything he loved risked hurting him. It’s almost as if Jack Johnehsick wrote the original ending to Kat at the same time he was suffering from the amount of depression that you would expect from someone who was getting ready to graduate college with two liberal arts degrees.

Spaghett Kat deserves more than that.

Spaghett Kat deserves a happy ending.

It‛s lemons! My dad always told me when life gives you lemons, make lemon pie.

N KI .

O PIE CO N M O I‛ EM L

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Begin an educational journey. Expand your influence over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Gemini.

Envision the long-range implications. Stick to tested strategies and techniques. New opportunities arise for advancement. Chart your itinerary and make reservations.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- Today is a 6 -- Financial paperwork makes more sense. Over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Gemini, review your budget.

Discuss desired changes with your team. Plan for the future. A rise in family prosperity is possible. You have the power.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Today is a 7 -Find ways to empower your partner over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Gemini. Brainstorm solutions together. Learn from each other. Be respectful. Explain your position and be open to theirs. Emotional revelations allow for new options.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- Today is a 7 -Carefully craft the wording of your statements. Take care of the details, or suffer the consequences. Your work is getting more very interesting over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Gemini. Your beliefs and assumptions get tested.

Oh toenails! I accidentally cooked up a rocket instead of a pie!

How could you confuse a rocket for a pie?

Spaghett Kat! You‛re alive! I‛ve been waiting at the spot that you flew away

years ago. Did you come back to be my friend forever?

Sometimes when I pass gas, it sounds like my conscience is talking to me.

I miss breathing.

I‛m going back to Earth!

Toot!

No.

Just kidding.

This is the greatest day of my life.

Lets go home.

I made speghetti.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- Today is an 8 -Communication barriers dissolve over the next three weeks with Mercury in Gemini. Words come easily.

Write, record and broadcast your story. It's easier to see past the hype to the fundamental truths of a situation. Express your view.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is a 7 -- It's easier to express yourself at home for the next few weeks, with Mercury in Gemini. Talk with family. Collaborate on household chores and projects.

Compromise is required. Have faith in yourself. Draw a picture if necessary.

(Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black's legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @lindablack.

For more astrological interpretations visit (www. lindablack.com and www.nancyblack.com) (c)2015 BY NANCY BLACK DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Jack Johnehsick was an alumnus professional writing and philosophy major from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

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