5/4/2018 Digital Edition

NEWS

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May 4, 2018

INSIDE NEWS Dr. Way looks back on time as interim president Dr. Philip Way reflects on his year serving as interim president of SRU and discusses plans for the future.

Performing Arts Project Under Way Miller Auditorium and two other campus buildings will undergo renovations this summer to benefit the arts.

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Catch something exciting happening on campus? Want your Insta-photos to be featured in The Rocket? Just follow @SRURocket on Instagram and use # in the caption for your chance to be featured here!

THOMAS FABIAN/THE ROCKET

New senators all swear in with newly appointed SGA President Dallas Kline.

2018-19 SRSGA E-board and senate sworn in, Speaker of the Senate elected

By Hannah Shumsky Rocket Contributor

INDEX Blotter.................A-3 Opinion...............A-5 Sports...................C-1 CampusLife.............D-1

CONTACT US Newsroom: (724) 738-4438 Advertising: (724) 738-2643 Fax: (724) 738-4896 Email:

220B Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 16057

therocketnewspapersru@ gmail.com Awarded first place in Newspaper Overall Excellence

by The Society for Collegiate Journalists.

At the final Slippery Rock Student Government Association (SRSGA) formal meeting of the semester on Tuesday night, several financial items were approved prior to the elections of the speaker of the senate and students-at-large.

Goalball, French Club, Competitive Bass Fishing Club and Women’s Ice Hockey were approved for initiative requests of $406.50, $143.50, $4,212 and $126.70, respectively. There was one abstention from the vote for the initiative request for Women’s Ice Hockey due to a senator entering the meeting late.

The student leader stipend budget of $82,955 for the upcoming academic year was approved. The budget has been updated to account for the SRSGA vice president of diversity inclusion, a new position fulfilled by Kennedy Moore. The vote received three abstentions.

Rachel Lawler, the outgoing SRSGA president, also recited a proclamation to recognize SRU president-elect William Behre, who will take office on July 1.

Lawler then swore in Dallas Kline, former vice president of campus outreach, as the SRSGA president for the 2018-19 academic year.

“Being a part of SGA has really allowed me to grow as a person and as an individual, which is why I’m so upset tonight. To everyone else who is continuing, I wish you the best and you’re going to do great things, especially with the new president coming in,” Lawler said in her final officer report.

After Kline swore in the 2018-19 executive board and senate, a new initiative request

Slippery Rock Class of 2018: By the Numbers

of $960 for homecoming was approved.

The request will fund rental cars to escort the homecoming court during the parade.

Elections were held to name a new speaker of the senate and two students-at-large for the Board of Directors. Logan Tupper, vice president of finance, motioned to suspend the rules for the election in order to elect a speaker of the senate based on a majority vote instead of a two-thirds vote.

A majority was not reached after the initial vote, leading to a runoff vote between the two candidates with the most votes. Taylor Cochran, a sophomore early childhood and special education major, was ultimately elected speaker of the senate.

During the elections for the two studentsat-large, Tupper motioned to suspend the rules, allowing for the senate to vote for both the one-year and two-year terms in the same election following approval.

Riley Keffer, former vice president of finance, and Brennan Smith, former parliamentarian, were elected. Keffer, who will be a graduate student in student affairs in higher education in the fall, will serve a two-year term while Smith will serve a one-year term during his senior year as an economics and finance dual major.

David Kershaw, chairperson for the political science department, was approved as the SRSGA adviser for a second year.

“He kind of turned us from a general senate to a hardcore senate. I think too, because of his guidance, he brings a different perspective than what we’ve had in the past,” Kline said.

This was the final SRSGA meeting for the semester. For the fall 2018 semester, meetings will be held on Monday nights at a new time, 7:30 p.m.

Graduate Studies

College of Liberal Arts

College of Education

7 p.m., May 11, 2018

10 a.m., May 12

2 p.m., May 12

329 students have

212 students have

172 students have

applied to graduate

applied to gradate

applied to graduate

College of Health,

College of Business

Information on

Environment and

2 p.m., May 12

graduation courtesy

Science

460 students have

of University Public

10 a.m., May 12

applied to graduate

Relations.

540 students have applied to graduate

NEWS

May 4, 2018

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POLICE BLOTTER April 27 - Police were called to Thompson Field for a medical emergency.

April 26 - Police were called to An ambulance was dispatched and the Weisenfluh Dining Hall for an employee person was taken to the hospital. who would not leave. The person ended April 28 - Police received a call for an up leaving. intoxicated person standing on Kiester April 26 - A community assistant from Road. Person was taken to the police Building F saw a door open with no one department and picked up by a friend. The inside and observed beer. Police could not person was cited. enter room without consent of the owner.

The community assistant was advised to April 28 - Health Center staff called report it and dispose of alcohol. police to report an intoxicated person trying to leave in their car in the Rhoads April 26 - A community assistant from Hall Staff Lot. The person was eventually Building E called police about a marijuana taken to the hospital by ambulance. odor. Police found no odor and cleared without incident.

April 28 - Police received a call for a possible disturbance on Green and White Campus

Way. One person was taken back to the May 1 - Police received a fire alarm from police department and was picked up by a Building E. The cause was burnt food. parent. Bailey Wilson, 19, was cited with an alcohol violation.

May 2 - Police were called to the Physical Therapy Building lot for a non-reportable April 28 - Derek Bird, 19, was cited for accident. Information was exchanged. an alcohol violation.

May 2 - Health Center staff called to April 29 - Drew Durasa, 22, was cited report a person who was ill in the Dinger with driving under the influence.

Building. The Health Center could not respond. The person did not want any April 3o - Police were called about a treatment. Police took the person back to stolen bike. The bike was just moved and their residence. found later.

May 2 - Police assisted Pennsylvania April 30 - A person reported a can State Police to process a DUI at the police smoldering in Central Loop. Police station. extinguished the can with water.

Compiled by Hannah Shumsky

President Way reflects on time as interim president

By Eric Davies Multimedia Editor

Since July 21, Dr. Phillip Way has led Slippery Rock University through a time of transition and change, and less than one year later, on June 30, he will have to hand over the reigns to the now President-Elect Dr. William Behre. By accepting the position of interim president, Way agreed to not be considered for the full-time position and took on the daunting task of guiding the university until the Board of Governors approved his replacement. While his tenure was short, Way said the year as interim president was the best year of his life.

Transitioning from Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Way had a short trip up the administration ladder to the top.

"The way we're organized here, we are very thin at the top," Way said. "You've got Amir Mohammadi, who is in charge of Finance and Administration and Advancement now, and I've got everything else including the [campus] police, and so it's one small step to really having everything under me and because I'm educated in business and human resources, I know that stuff anyway."

On the transition between positions, Way said that he enjoys getting to speak to different stakeholders that he used to not have reason to speak to.

"Basically I was spending a lot of time with faculty and administrators and some students, but the change has been a reallocation of time, such that it's more 5050 between the internal audiences and the external audiences, and the external would include business

people, politicians, alumni, but more student contact outside the office too," Way said. "Not just meetings with SGA and so on, but really getting out and talking to more students and staff and alumni who wouldn't have otherwise needed to meet with me."

While Way was the acting president, he came into the position knowing that his time would be limited.

"The chief difference [of being interim president compared to president] is that I've had to tee things up for the new president," Way said. "I didn't want to make irrevocable decisions that would limit him."

Recently Dr. Way has set his eyes outward, applying for the position of university president at Millersville University. Although the position ended up going to former Slippery Rock University presidential candidate Dr. Daniel Wubah, Way still believes that he would make a good permanent president.

"I think, yes, I'm prepared for a presidency, I'd like it, I've enjoyed this year thoroughly and it seems like good timing with a new person coming in," Way said.

The hours have been long as interim president, but Way says they do not bother him.

"I'm doing something that I'm totally, totally in love with and I'm in an institution that I love doing that work," Way said. "So I don't see it as work. People say, 'How can you start so early and go so late?' Well, I don't notice it. It's fun."

Very few people know what it's like to be president of Slippery Rock University, which leaves very few people who can give advice going into the job. In his experience, Way said that the biggest lesson to learn is time management.

"Manage your time well," Way said. "If there is a challenge with being president, it's time management

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Dr. Philip Way will return to his previous position of provost on July 1.

and making sure that you acknowledge all the stakeholders who are out there or on campus and make sure you allocate enough time to go some way to satisfy their needs."

Dr. Way will resume his position as provost on July 1 when Behre takes over as university president.

NEWS

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May 4, 2018

New staff marks beginning of an era for The Rocket

CODY NESPOR/ THE ROCKET

The 2018-19 Rocket Staff (Not Pictured: Lauren Ault).

By Cody Nespor Editor in Chief

As The Rocket continues to move further away from its traditional print roots, incoming staff members for the 2018-19 academic year will be entering a transition between eras like the paper has never seen. In 2018-19 no staff member will have ever printed every week, which ended following the 201516 issue of The Rocket, and there will only be two members who were on staff in 2016-17.

The Rocket's adviser, Dr. Brittany Fleming, will be entering her second year as adviser to both the paper and WSRU-TV. Fleming said that she expects the same out of the new staff as past staffs.

"It's going to be going through that process of training all the editors again to do everything the way things have been done in the past and holding

them to the exact same standard that The Rocket has always been held to," Fleming said. "It's just going to be a big year of learning and training and getting into the flow of things."

Departing from the staff are threeyear staffers Cody Nespor, editor-inchief, and Victoria Davis, copy/web editor. Nespor and Davis graduate with fellow seniors Dan DiFabio, news editor, and Justin Kraus, sports editor.

Other non-returners are assistant campus life editor Megan Majercak and advertising manager Miranda Morgan.

Leading the 2018-19 Rocket staff will be senior digital media production major Eric Davies. Davies, a Dallas, Pa. native, will take over as editor-inchief after two years as The Rocket's multimedia editor. Davies will enter his third year on staff alongside Megan Bush, who will continue to serve as campus life editor for her third year.

Davies said he is excited by the staff that has been put together for next year.

"We're getting all of our editors back and they all did a great job this year and there's no reason that they shouldn't excel in the editor position even though many of them were assistants this year," Davies said. "I think the hiring process went really well and we really got the best people for the positions."

Davies and Bush will be the last two staff members who will ever have worked under the paper's former adviser, Dr. Mark Zeltner. Zeltner advised The Rocket for 19 years before resigning from the position prior to this year.

Bush said that Zeltner had a stronger emphasis on the traditional print version of The Rocket and it is up to her and Davies to carry on that mindset as The Rocket becomes more and more digital.

"I think as the last two staffers who served under Dr. Zeltner, I feel that we need to keep that love for traditional print alive," Bush said.

Moving into editor positions will be second year staff members Adam Zook as news editor, Steve Cukovich as sports editor, and Heather Donat as copy/web editor.

Zook, a junior journalism major from Tyrone, Pa., will be joined by sophomore secondary education English major Hannah Shumsky serving in her first year as assistant news editor. Zook said he has learned a lot from a year working with DiFabio that he is excited to use as an editor next year.

"Of course there's the technical skills you always learn, but I think I've learned some managerial skills from Dan," Zook said. "There's things I want to focus on, especially when reaching out to contributors and trying to motivate them to produce quality work and get better throughout the year. I think I've become a better motivator."

Paris Malone will return for a second year as photo editor. After a revolving door of assistants this year, Malone will joined in the photography section by newcomer Jack Hopey. Lauren Ault will move from assistant photo editor to advertising manager for next year.

Other rookie staffers will include Oscar Matous, assistant sports editor, Hope Hoehler, assistant campus life editor, Sarah Allen, assistant copy/web editor and Tom Fabian, multimedia editor.

Davies said that despite the staff turnover and the changes coming to the paper, he does not see this as an ending to the high standards that The Rocket has had.

"I think it's the starting of a new era, but I don't think that necessarily means anything will be worse," Davies said. "I think it's going to be a new time for the paper. A time when we are less dependent on print but we aren't any less motivated to go out, find out what's happening on campus and report that to our readers. While our medium is changing, what we have to do isn't."

Renovations start for Performing Arts Project

PARIS MALONE/ THE ROCKET

Miller Auditorium will be one of three campus buildings undergoing major renovations this summer, making it operational for the first time in seven years.

"This really means a lot to everyone," Skeele said.

"Miller Auditorium is going to be an overall

By Adam Zook better space. We're going to be able to put Assistant News Editor on more large scale productions and musicals that we haven't been able to do in years. The Renovations to three campus buildings University Union has served as a great space for will begin this summer to complete the long us, but this will no doubt be an upgrade for the anticipated Performing Arts Project, totaling students in all the performing arts departments." $25.5 million.

The Theatre Department is set to offer a Miller Auditorium, West Gym and East Gym Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting starting in 2019 will undergo extensive renovations to benefit according to Skeele, which would coincide with several of the performing arts departments the anticipated completetion date of August on campus. According to Dr. David Skeele of 2019 for each of the three buildings. Skeele said the Slippery Rock Theatre Department, these that Miller Auditorium will have an expanded renovations will allow him and his colleagues to lobby, seating area, and backstage area to store produce larger scale productions. large set pieces that they previously could not have utilized.

"We're just really excited to get the community involved," Skeele said. "Miller will be situated right off Morrow Way and will be able to house far more people than ever before."

Skeele said that renovations of Miller Auditorium have been promised for many years.

The space has not been used to host a production since the spring of 2012. Vice President of Facilities, Planning, and Environmental Safety Scott Albert is excited that the renovations are taking place after several years of anticipation.

"Progress can be very difficult at times," Albert said. "Once the contractors get here and the renovation process gets underway, it'll start to feel real. The whole Performing Arts Project is really going to pay off for each and every department who will make use of the new facilities."

Albert said that East and West Gym will also undergo thorough renovations this summer.

The main dance studio in West Gym will be completely redone, and the locker rooms in both gyms will be converted into full-time dressing rooms. According to Albert, the pool in West Gym will also be converted into a new dance studio.

A brand new black box theatre is also set to be constructed in East Gym to be used for small scale productions. Skeele said that this new space will provide a wide range of possibilities for more innovative shows.

"We're not always going to put together shows where we want to sell over 700 tickets," Skeele said. "The black box theatre is a real game changer for us in terms of the unique shows we'll be able to host there."

The promised renovations to Miller Auditorium began before Albert was promoted to his current position five years ago. Albert said he is happy to see this extended exile of the Theatre Department come to an end.

"Whenever you can renovate a space that helps advance the curriculum of a department, it's a win-win situation for everybody involved," Albert said.

O OPINION

OPINION

Our View

I have a bad feeling about this, graduation ticket distribution creates problems for seniors

Volume 101, Number 10 220 Eisenberg Classroom Building Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania 16057 Phone: Fax: E-mail:

(724) 738-4438 (724) 738-4896 therocketnewspapersru@gmail.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Cody Nespor

Editor-in-Chief

Daniel DiFabio

News Editor

Justin Kraus

Sports Editor

Megan Bush

Campus Life Editor

Victoria Davis

Copy/ Web Editor

Paris Malone

Photo Editor

Eric Davies

Multimedia Editor

Adam Zook

Assistant News Editor

Stephen Cukovich

Assistant Sports Editor

Megan Majercak

Assist. Campus Life Editor

Heather Donat

Assist. Copy/Web Editor

Lauren Ault

Assistant Photo Editor

Dr. Brittany Fleming

Faculty Adviser

ADVERTISING STAFF Miranda Morgan

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 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.

GRAPHIC BY LAUREN AULT/ THE ROCKET

The only thing that is as sure in Slippery Rock as snow and potholes seems to be the the posts on @SRUcrushes every semester of students engaging in a graduation ticket black market. Graduating seniors who are walking in a commencement ceremony at the end of the semester are each granted four tickets for friends and family to attend the ceremony in the Morrow Field House. For many students this is enough. For those who only have their parents attending or a few close friends, four is enough to have the people who supported them attend and share in their special day, but for those with larger groups it is a different story.

Any soon-to-be-alumni who has a large family or friend group they want to attend have no recourse through the school and are forced to purchase extra tickets form other students. For those with extra tickets, selling them is an easy way to make some money before you enter the work force. Offers on Twitter have gone up to $50 per ticket. The number of students asking for available tickets far outnumbers the posts of those selling tickets, further driving up prices as the day creeps closer. Considering this has

been a reoccurring problem, it's amazing that the way tickets are distributed has not changed.

One solution would be to simply have students submit names for their tickets. Putting the names of guests on the tickets would make them nontransferable and make it much more difficult for anyone to sell off their tickets. Any student who needs less then the four tickets that are provided wouldn't have the names of loved ones to use to apply for the tickets and the unclaimed tickets could be redistributed to those who need more then the allotted four.

Any extra tickets could then be put into a lottery system for all of those who need the extra tickets. This would require more work on the part of the university to distribute the extra tickets to those who need them but would result in a system that is much more fair than "current highest bidder takes all." Students are trying to spend a day that they have worked years for, and that some have gone into thousands of dollars of debt for. The last thing a graduating senior deserves is one last bill just to celebrate a hard earned sucess with the ones who helped them to get there.

In the Quad

This week’s question: What shaped you the most during your time at SRU?

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

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.

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.

Kali Kerstetter Senior Public Health Major Elizabethtown, Pa. “I would say my favorite moments would be the time I spent with the Marching Band. Because if it wasn’t for the Marching Band, I wouldn’t have met my roommates or any of my friends.”

Connor Himich Senior Public Relations Major Imperial, Pennsylvania

Hanna Bartels Senior Marketing Major Hershey, Pennsylvania

"In school, what shaped me the most would probably be the communication department.

All the professors really take the time to get to know who I am as an individual and get to know everyone as individuals. They take the time to be with you and better yourself as a person, both in and outside of the classroom."

“The thing that shaped me the most was probably a professor.

He makes you work hard at what you’re trying to accomplish and then you feel so accomplished and you are so much more proud of yourself after having his classes and all the effort that you put in.

OPINION

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May 4, 2018

Sports editor says, “lol, bye” Editor-in-Chief found his passion at The Rocket Justin Kraus Sports Editor

Cody Nespor Editor-in-Chief I can’t quite remember what it was like in the weird time between my high school graduation, and starting college at Slippery Rock.

At 18 years old we weirdly have to make a bunch of decisions that affect the rest of our lives, and looking back I somehow made a lot of really good choices. It has only been four years, but I feel like I have become almost a completely different person. Since starting college so much has happened; I have discovered my passion, I learned what I want to do with my life, I met the best friends I have ever had and, most importantly, I learned who I was. I realize that my college experience is not unique, in fact, it is probably more cliche than anything, but still I consider myself very lucky.

I feel like one of the one clichés everybody says but nobody actually believes is that “everything happens for a reason.” Surely not everything that happens has a reason behind it, some things must just be random coincidence. Yet somehow it always seems like every little thing we do comes back around to affect us in some way.

Anybody who knows me probably associates me with The Rocket before anything else, and for good reason. I have been writing for The Rocket literally as long as I have been at Slippery Rock.

My first day of classes ever I received a random email from The Rocket’s then sports editor asking for new writers. I had never written for a newspaper before and my high school barely even had a newspaper, and yet for whatever reason, I replied to his email and joined the sports section of the paper. I honestly cannot remember what made me respond to that email or made me think that I could write for the paper, maybe I was still in that freshman mindset of having to join every club on campus, but whatever the reason, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my entire life.

I started writing for the women’s cross-country team, a beat that I do not think a lot of people would be overly excited about, but I instantly fell in love. Back then I was very nervous and honestly, I was scared to talk to people that I did not know. And yet when I did interviews for the paper, when I wrote my stories it all felt very natural. I was never nervous to interview someone, I never experienced writer’s block while writing a story. At the end of my freshman year I was hired on to The Rocket staff and the rest, as they say, is history.

I was going to try and count exactly how many stories I have worked on and how many interviews I have done in my time at The Rocket, but four years is a long time and I gave up before I got through my freshman year. You are just going to have to trust me when I say that it is a high number.

I realize that I am incredibly lucky to find my passion basically on my first try, but I hope everyone who goes to college had the opportunity to find what they are truly passionate about like I did. The Rocket has been a huge part of my time at college and I honestly do not know what I would be doing right now if I had never answered that random email freshman year. Through The Rocket, I have had amazing experiences, have met so many interesting and wonderful people that I would never have otherwise and I have had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most incredible people I have ever met. Without The Rocket I may have never found what I am truly passionate about, I may never have met some of my best friends and I would not be the same person I am today. I have tried so many new things and developed so many skills and because of this, I owe this student newspaper a debt that I do not think I could ever repay. Having the opportunity to be the editor-in-chief this year has been one of the most challenging, and yet deeply rewarding experiences of my entire life.

I am not going to try and list every single person that has been important to me along the way because I know I will certainly leave someone out. Suffice it to say, there are lot of different people that I have met through The Rocket who have made a big impact on my life.

I do not know if there is some sort of moral or deeper meaning to my story, but I love having the opportunity to share it with people and pay tribute to the odd little student newspaper that changed my life forever. Sometime in the very near future, I am going to have to walk out of ECB 220B for the last time as a Rocket staffer and I honestly do not know how I am going to feel. As much as I have loved working at The Rocket, I know that my time at the paper has come to an end. I know that it is time for me to turn the reigns over to a new EIC and a new group of staffers to take the paper wherever it is supposed to go next. My only hope is that any and all staffers that come after me have an experience working for The Rocket similar to mine because it has been an amazing ride.

I do not know where life is going to take me next, but I do know that wherever I go I will be bringing all the amazing and wonderful memories from my time working at The Rocket with me, and just knowing that is enough.

To everyone who has ever worked on staff with me: all the laughs we shared in the office, all the stress we felt when we were pushed up against a deadline and all the wacky little things that we never expected to happen, I just want you all to know that I am taking all of those with me. I love this newspaper and I want to thank you all for sharing those experiences with me.

Not to be the most cliche person on earth, but it really does feel like yesterday I rolled out of bed with a text from then-assistant sports editor Cody Nespor asking if I wanted to do an article on the Division II football playoffs. Three years, 10 papers and 128 stories later, it is finally time for me to part ways with the newspaper and people that forever changed my life.

I know these goodbye columns tend to turn into a thank you-fest, but I can’t help it, because a number of people contributed so much to making me the writer, editor and most importantly, person that I am today.

First let’s start at the top, because without these three people, I would have never had a single story published or read by a soul besides myself. Victoria Davis, Amanda Salvia and Heather Donat: the copy/web trifecta that turned my bare-bones-English slop into masterpieces. If I ever win any awards, please re-direct them to the houses of these three amazing women, whose skills as editors is second only to their place as phenomenal people.

The rest of my staffers all made me feel at home (even when I didn’t belong in the office before I was on staff) in a way I never thought possible.

I have life-long tremendous friends in “Big Dog” Cody Nespor and “I’m scared of horses (but not really)” Danny DiFabio (even though he’s not a staffer, one-time contributor “Ol” Jack Lindy as well). Adam Zook is somebody who I know I could talk to about anything. A 20-year old with the knowledge and wherewithal of a 60-year old, I know that you are destined for greatness.

To Ryan Barlow, I’m very glad I actually did cover cross-country for you in the fall.

While I sadly did not get to interact with the Campus Life crew that often, the power house Megans (Bush and Majercak) were always smiling faces that added to an amazing newsroom-atmosphere. Megan B., I know you will only get even better than you already are running this second right now, and Megan M.: have an amazing semester overseas!

First, although I was never on staff with them, a very special shout out to Becca Dietrich and Kendall Scott. I used your pictures so many times throughout the years, it helps to have a stockpile of images from a duo that won about 345,987 awards. Paris, I honestly will never know how you did it. With what seemed to be a revolving-door of assistant editors, you made it work in an amazing way. You somehow were six places at once, and took breathtaking photos of all of them. It didn’t matter if it was Ty Dolla $ign or Tyler Walters, you always captured the moment with absolute perfection.

Without your photos, not one sports story would have been complete. I believe you finally have a great assistant in Jack Hopey, I know you two will only up the excellence!

Finally to Eric, you helped me become a much better videographer even if you didn’t know it. You always came through on sports videos, and that only helped me better myself. Again, you added personality to the sports section that nobody else ever could have. With you as EIC next year, things are only going to get better.

Tom, we all know you will be wildly successful, thanks for always nerding out about Jacksfilms and the Avengers with me.

Of course, I could have never done anything without my best-assistantin-the-world, Steve Cukovich. There was never once that I asked Steve to do something and he didn’t deliver. There were about 50 occasions, however, that Steve went above-and-beyond what I expected. While I will admit, I’m glad I can finally turn off Twitter Push-notifications for every team on campus, I know that I’m going to need to read every Rocket sports story next year, because with you at the helm, it is going to be out of this world.

Oscar my man, I am so glad you finally get your shot at assistant sports editor. If nobody knows Oscar, this is the only thing that needs to be said.

Oscar was asleep in bed at 10:50 a.m., and I asked him if he could go to a baseball game at 11 a.m. He went, interviewed the coach and a player, and wrote a great story in a matter of hours. That work ethic will only make this section even more stellar.

I am nothing without my contributors. Keegan, the world’s most acclaimed writer for anything involving running. Karl who became one of the most dependable people I know with insane turnaround times on his stories. Brendan came along as a freshman and blew me out of the water with his drive and pure writing ability. Zack, your pure enthusiasm for Division II tennis is truly something to behold, you will only continue to improve with everything you do. It really hurts me that the sports section only has two positions, because all of you deserve to be staffers. You will all have your time to shine.

I know this is getting very long, I’m sorry Victoria, it’s almost over. The Sports Information department deserves a special thank you for meeting me with nothing but professionalism throughout my three years and providing assistance. Individual thank you’s to coach Papa, coach Van Alstyne, coach Swiney, coach Meredith, coach Griggs, coach Small, coach Reynolds, coach McGraw, coach Messer, coach Rice and coach Lokash for making my job insanely easy by being forever patient and giving. A super-special thank you to coach Lutz for being an amazing coach in three years with Rock football, and an even more amazing coach to interview, #Relentless.

To every player I interviewed, thanks for giving the weird, chubby, bearded guy with an anime t-shirt on your five minutes. I will forever look back on my opportunity to interview tremendous athletes and people like Marcus Martin, Tyler Walters, Alex Pantuso, Sabrina Anderson and about a million more.

This is already too long, so this will be as brief as I can make it. Thank you to everybody who ever mentored me, assisted me or read the paper.

You are the reason I was able to make it through college. When my mother passed away last February, I heavily considered leaving The Rock for good.

After this newspaper pulled me back in, I can say that myself, my amazing girlfriend Chey and my mother are eternally grateful for creating an atmosphere that I looked forward to being in every single day. With one last dab, this me me big boy is out for good.

OPINION

B-2

May 4, 2018

Copy/web News editor burns ALL THE BRIDGES editor blasts off for the last time

Daniel DiFabio News Editor Victoria Davis Copy/Web Editor I’m not one of those noble people who does work for internal satisfaction.

[Like many of the editors I’ve seen in my three years on The Rocket staff.

This need for external validation makes my job incredibly difficult. No one really notices the copy editors’ work unless we have made an error. No one notices the work it takes to create a livestream unless your hands have made it shakey. No one notices the spacing on the website unless it’s off. I struggled with this when I was first hired, and I continue to struggle with this to this day. There is no award for Best Grammar nor an award for Best Social Media Management, and the awards for web design will never have my name on them.

I wish I could say that I overcame this need for praise and recognition, but with every paper, I grew frustrated. While I never got over this internal frustration, each week I became more and more proud to be a part of the creation of each and every story. To a lot of people, this job is a glorified grammar checker, but in the last three years, I have discovered that so much of this job is having the privilege to watch and help people improve- to aid in the growth of SRU students as both writers and people. Another part of this job, managing the website and social media, I am equally grateful for in that I have the privilege to share the amazing work of our editors with the world. While I may not be “proud” of my work correcting the Rock to The Rock or number one to no. 1, I am proud every week I see an editor’s writing improve because they took the time to look over, and I am proud every time I see a story one of my coworkers has labored over getting some well-deserved love on Twitter.

I would be remiss if I did not talk about my favorite time on The Rocket staff: The APSCUF strike. At 5 a.m. on the first day of the strike, our asst. photo editor Kendall Scott and I drove to the Slippery Rock park. In the next three days, Kendall and I, along with then-asst. copy/web editor Amanda Salvia trekked around the picket line, getting video, photos, and ceaseless updates. To us, it was the least we could do for the professors who had done so much for us. One of the greatest honors of my life was a professor giving me a ride to the announcement of the end of the strike, where I caught APSCUF President Ben Shaevitz swearing on video, surrounded by professors laughing and hugging. While I never received a reward for the work I did during the strike, if you scroll for a long time on the New York Times website, you’ll see that in their coverage of the PASSHE strike, they embedded one of my tweets of sleepy-eyed professors marching the picket line at 5:30 a.m. Between you and me, sometimes I write “New York Times-featured journalist” as my LinkedIn headline just to see how it would look. You can decide if that’s stretching the truth.

My point in all of this is that I don’t look back on my time at The Rocket fondly because of the doors it’s opened or the awards I’ve won. I am grateful for my time at The Rocket because I have been able to watch and help the journalists at Slippery Rock University grow into strong writers and people of purpose.

I am so proud to have served on three staffs of The Rocket, and cannot wait to watch staffs to come continue to change the shape of SRU forever.

I’ve served as news editor for The Rocket since the 2016-17 school year and experienced many things.

I’ve heard the sound of 14 kazoos play outside of a Primanti’s which broke the quiet air and reminded me that I was with family. I witnessed a staff member resurrect. I covered a strike where the staff bonded and tried to avoid a stampede of faculty and students marching to Old Main. I’ve run through the Atlanta and Pittsburgh airports faster than I wanted to, trying to keep up with a well-seasoned traveler.

I begrudgingly watched Sonic X. I discovered the “Tomato Horse Theory,” which will probably be my legacy. Sadly.

I have many people to thank and if you’re not included here don’t take it to heart. My memory is not what it used to be as I’m pretty old (22).

First off is Dr. Mark Zeltner. As both a professor in class and an adviser to The Rocket, he helped to make the transition into a college journalism easy. His critique that would be posted every Friday on The Rocket Facebook tore me down sometimes but overall improved my writing, interviewing and overall reporting tremendously. Even when he wasn’t our advisor he would stop in and say hello, ask me what the news was (Dr. Zeltner, I still don’t know, but feel free to ask) and just bring character to a room.

I enjoyed hearing your stories over the years and thank you for saying that one time that you think I’m good enough to get an entry-level journalism job. I have very low confidence so it meant a lot, even though my reaction probably didn’t express that. He also appreciates cats as much as I do, which is a huge bonus.

Dr. Harry, thank you for teaching the basics of writing and letting us pitch stories in Feature Journalism and Advanced Reporting. I’m sorry I didn’t go on the courthouse trip, instead interviewing President Norton. You’re a cool guy, which is high praise, I just don’t feel like looking up synonyms for “cool” to make myself sound smarter.

Dr. Li Pu you’re an awesome professor and I looked forward to all the classes I had with you. You brightened Miranda and I’s days and brought energy to even dreary Mondays.

The rest of the Communication Department is pretty cool too. If I thanked each individually this would be 5,672,456 words.

Moving on to students, in no particular order: I was also fortunate to have the best copy/web editor in in the world with Victoria Davis on staff. Thank you for helping me decipher state trooper records (HONORABLE MENTION!!) and being someone I could rant to and complain to. XOXO GOSSIP GIRL (You wanted me to put that).

Amanda Salvia you’re cool and I like “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and so do you, so yeah.

Let me know what you thought of Season 2.

Kendall Scott you’re cool and you like cats and you take nice photos. You also kept me in this dimension so I’m thankful.

Becca Dietrich you take nice photos as well but I hate you because you and Cody made me sit in the stands at the IUP game where I was melted by the sun.

Jordyn Bennett you’re the coolest person I’ve known in my time at SRU. You are as charismatic as something that’s super charismatic and I’m glad to see you succeeding through Facebook.

Ryan Barlow (who was my first editor in chief when I started) thank you for being approachable. When I came in the first night of production for my sophomore year I didn’t feel welcome, but you introduced yourself and made that stressful night better. You were a great leader and helped to avoid in-fighting and bickering with the staff. You also like musicals and Marvel movies so you’re an okay guy in my book.

Eric Davies you’re chill and you like Chance the Rapper. I also like Chance the Rapper. That is all.

Megan Bush you have a cool personality and we got to talk about Crazy-Ex Girlfriend a good

bite. Thank you for watching it. Thanks for never being negative and staying pretty positive in the office.

Paris Malone you are hilarious, in a good way.

You’ve said some of the funniest things I’ve ever heard. I still don’t understand the shorts brand, Chubbies. They just don’t look comfortable.

I think you’re also a great photographer and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Follow your dreams. Shoot for the stars (like with a camera, get it?)

Heather we had math class together and you helped me through some tough problems. Math problems. I suck at math.

Steve you’re carrying the legacy of cool assistant sports editor. Giddy up and keep on keeping on with Fortnite. You’re better than the rest of the staff at the game. Except that one time when I used the trampoline and flew behind the team we were fighting and then flanked them perfectly and screamed into my microphone.

Adam you’re amazing. We are polar opposites in terms of outlook on life but I think we balanced each other out. You embodied everything a good assistant (and friend) should have. You’re going to do amazing things next year and in the future. You never wrote the Star Wars fan fiction piece so you owe me one. Or just give me five dollars. Please.

Cody Nespor you’re a good friend. I know sometimes we argued or disagreed but we created some dank memes while we chased our dreams and schemed. You were also a reason I got back into Overwatch so I’m not sure if that’s a positive or negative. Try to remember me in the future (the good memories, not when I was dumb) when you’re at grad school or whatever.

Be nice to people. Be considerate. Be kind. Also keep your PlayStation 4 handy so you, Justin, Jack and I can maybe play games. Thank you for letting me hang out in your apartment. Sorry the first time we ever hung out I made you and Jack take the trash bags out of your apartment.

Keep your apartment clean or else I’ll be around. I am the trash man.

Justin Kraus. What I can I say in only a few words? I think you’re cool. You got me back into DBZ. You and I went out for food a lot and you made me realize that I can make chicken and waffle combinations at many restaurants. You got me a nice autograph and were a good friend.

I don’t think we’ve ever fought so thank you for that. The ghost memory is also the funniest thing I’ve ever experienced so thank you.

That’s pretty much all The Rocket and Communication people I think. Thank you all.

I would also like to thank all of my Building D friends (you know who you are). They made my first two years phenomenal and are great people.

Other people to thank: Logan Short thanks for seeing Marvel movies with me and getting Weisenflu. I’m sorry I dared you to eat Quaker Steak wings and you threw up because you have Celiac’s disease.

Good luck in the future trying to find the cure to defeat gluten.

Evan Andrews you’re a great roommate and a great friend. You are also one of the hardest working people I know and I’m glad to see you be successful. Be nice to Lizzy she’s cool.

My girlfriend Kyra is awesome. She has helped me immensely throughout my life and made some weekends where I just wanted to cry and break down manageable with a smile and kindness. If you’re reading this I hope you smile.

That’s pretty much it. I spent a lot of my goodbye column thanking people and it’s mainly focused on The Rocket, not Slippery Rock University. So that leads me to the penultimate section of this long piece of work.

To SRU: You’re cool. People here are nice. The weather stinks. My umbrella constantly was flipped around because of rain and wind. Other than the weather I enjoyed my time here. If people are looking for a university I would go here. I made good memories and met amazing people.

That’s it I’m stepping off my soapbox. Thanks again.

I’m reminded of leaving high school where different friends were going different places for different reasons. I wish everyone the best and hopefully you think of me now and then and I made a positive impact on your life and made memories that make you smile.

I’m not sure exactly what my future holds but I know my past holds lifelong memories due to SRU and the people I met.

I feel like I should end this with a great quote from some esteemed person. But I’m not going to.

I apologize for the clickbait title. I won’t burn bridges because they all led me here, to the end of my undergraduate career.

B-3

May 4, 2018

RESPONSIBLE

DRINKING STARTS WITH A PLAN KNOWING YOUR LIMIT

DRINK FOR

QUALITY NOT QUANITY EATING BEFORE DRINKING AVOID DRINKING GAMES

FINDING A DD

BEWARE OF UNFAMILIAR

DRINKS Remember: It is illegal to consume alcoholic beverages under age of 21 in the state of Pennsylvania.

Funded by a grant through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

S SPORTS

INSIDE SPORTS Baseball gears up for PSAC Playoffs

Softball season comes to a quick close

Senior Tyler Walters breaks PSAC home run record in sweep of Alderson Broaddus.

Softball falls one game short of PSAC Playoffs behind third place California (Pa.).

See Page C-2

See Page C-3

Martin & Park sign NFL priority-free agent contracts; Johnson invited to mini-camp

HUNTER CASILIO/THE ROCKET

Three SRU football players sign NFL contracts following the 2018 Draft in Marcus Martin (Seatle Seahawks), Ian Park (Philadelphia Eagles), and Marcus Johnson (Buffalo Bills).

By Oscar Matous Rocket Contributor

The Slippery Rock university football team has added two more players to represent them in the National Football League (NFL). Seniors Marcus Martin and Ian Park both signed free agent contracts this week with the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively.

Martin leaves SRU as one of the most established players in Division II football history. He currently holds the NCAA record for career sacks with 56, according to Rock Athletics. He also holds school and PSAC records for sacks in a single season with 16. Park was a transfer to SRU prior to start of the 2017 season. He graduated from Northwestern University in 2017 with a degree in communications.

Rock head coach Shawn Lutz said that he knew, at different points, that both of

these men were NFL caliber football players.

“After Marcus’ breakout season, that strong sophomore season, I realized that Marcus is where he is at in large part because of his work ethic,” Lutz said. “He is relentless in wanting to achieve his goals.”

Lutz continued and said that since Park’s clock ran out at Northwestern, the coaching staff knew he had to play for a Division II school. Park is from Western Pennsylvania and attended Upper St. Clair high school, so he had always been on SRU’s radar, Lutz explained. Lutz said on the first day of practice last season, seeing how “big and powerful” Park was, that he knew was going to make an impact on the team.

“I knew right then and there he was something special and had the opportunity to further his career,” Lutz said.

Lutz said he is confident in both Martin and Park to have a successful career in the NFL. The duo is just happy to have been given the opportunity to further their career, he said. Lutz said it would not surprise him one bit to see the two make a significant impact in the league someday.

Lutz said that if Martin and Park were on the team a number of years ago, they would have been able to declare for the NFL draft. It is hard, he said, since the NFL is different than every other sport in the sense that there are no guaranteed contracts.

He continued and said that a lot of players like Martin and Park sometimes prefer to sign free agent contracts because they can get multiple offers, like in the case of Martin.

Martin had multiple offers from a variety of teams, but ultimately decided on Seattle. As a member of the Seahawks, Martin will be listed as a fullback, which is a change from his college position of defensive end. Park will begin his career with the reigning Super Bowl Champions as a member of the offensive line.

In addition to Martin and Parks signing NFL contracts, former Rock wide receiver Marcus Johnson was invited to tryout at the Buffalo Bills’ mini-camp from May 11-14.

Lutz said he had a feeling Johnson could possibly be invited to a mini camp and that he is so happy his former player had been given this opportunity.

“I really did not think Johnson could make it to the NFL until this year, to be honest with you,” Lutz said. “His ball-catching skills improved dramatically this year and he was one of our most dynamic players.”

Lutz said he is extremely proud of all three of his players who were given such a “gifted” opportunity.

“My hope is some day in the near future I will turn on Sunday Night Football on ESPN and see all three of them fulfilling their dreams,” said Lutz, enthusiastically.

Senior centerfielder proved highly consistent at the plate throughout her collegiate career

REBECCA DIETRICH/THE ROCKET

Senior Emily Nagle has ended her colligate career with the most triples in program history, along with the fourth most hits in school history.

By Stephen Cukovich Assistant Sports Editor

In the past two seasons, no Rock softball player has had more consistancy in the batter's box than senior centerfielder Emily Nagle.

Out of the past two seasons, Nagle has played a total of 84 games, but only 11 of those games she went without a single hit, with her 2018 season producing six of those hitless games. To add, she has had plenty of game-hitting streaks, with her longest streak last season at 17 games, while also having an 11 game-hitting streak this year.

"Mentally I tell myself every time I go up to bat like I can do it," Nagle said. "I guess cause I've been doing it since I was three so I don't know, I'm not nervous anymore like I see the ball and I just know I can do it."

Coming in as a freshman, Nagle wasn't sure of her role, as she had to earn her position first. She made 20 starts in 29 games played her freshman year, with a batting average of .333, earning her a starting spot and the following season started all 43 games at centerfield.

After getting the start halfway through her freshman season, Nagle has then gone on to start in 144 consecutive games for The Rock all the way to the end of her senior year this season. Her career batting average came to .363 with 180 total hits, 45 RBIs and two home runs.

"I mean just taking on more responsibility, I guess," Nagle said. "Like coming in as a freshman like I had to work for my position and then once I had it I didn't want to let it go so I think that knowing that I could lose it at any moment if I didn't do well or if I didn't step up and I just think that helped me out a little bit knowing I needed to perform and do well to keep my position."

Through her four years on the team, Nagle has created some memories with her teammates and coaches such as going to the playoffs her sophomore year and hitting homeruns. Though one story sticks out to Nagle the most when her former teammate Caitlyn Baxter hit a home run during practice off the scoreboard in centerfield which also struck a bee hive causing the bees to come out and sting her other former teammate Nicole Sicilano, which gave everyone a good laugh, Nagle said.

"It's just something I won't forget," Nagle said. "It was really funny, it's something I just never thought would happen."

Nagle, an environmental science major, will be graduating this May, but says she isn't sure what her next move is quite yet. Her career goal would be to work for the state department and work in environmental protection. One problem that strikes her is water quality because her dad works at a water facility and she simply wants everyone to have good drinking water, Nagle said.

"I don't really have any plans right now," Nagle said. "I'm currently looking for a job, but I don't have anything lined up right now, kind of just in limbo. I'm going to maybe enter a draft to play softball during the summer, but then going from there I'm probably going to look for a job. Just kind of going with the flow."

Nagle said the game of softball is what she is going to miss the most. It has brought her so many memories and friendships during her time at The Rock.

"I'm not going to cry at graduation, I already know I'm not," Nagle said. "Like I already cried at my last game, so I'm not going to cry at graduation, it's just like I'm done."

Head coach Stacey Rice explained how she thinks over the years the game has slowed down for Nagle, which has allowed her to do the great things she has done. Rice also mentioned how Nagle knew she would need to show her abilities in order to get some playing time, which she continued to prove time and time again.

"She understood as soon as she got here that nothing's given, everything is earned," Rice said. "She had to win a position as a freshman, she beat out an upperclassman and then understood that same thing could happen to her."

SPORTS

C-2

May 4, 2018

Rock baseball finishes strong and looks for success in the playoffs

Softball 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Gannon Seton Hill California (PA) Slippery Rock Mercyhurst Edinboro

26-12 (15-5) 21-13 (13-7) 19-18 (12-8) 24-19 (11-9) 8-30 (5-13) 6-25 (2-16) PARIS MALONE/ THE ROCKET

The Rock's 24 wins is the second most since the 2008 season.

Baseball 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Slippery Rock Mercyhurst Gannon Seton Hill California (pa) Indiana (pa) UPJ Clarion

28-14 (18-6) 28-10 (17-7) 28-15 (15-9) 24-20 (14-11) 23-19 (11-13) 15-25 (10-14) 11-28 (8-16) 11-32 (4-21)

Next games on Friday, May 4th

VS

Lacrosse 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

West Chester E. Stroudsburg Mercyhurst Lock Haven Slippery Rock Indiana (pa) Bloomsburg Millersville Seton Hill Shippensburg Kutztown Gannon Edinboro

17-0 (12-0) 13-2 (11-1) 12-5 (9-3) 13-5 (8-4) 13-5 (8-4) 9-6 (6-6) 10-8 (6-6) 10-7 (5-7) 5-11 (4-8) 7-10 (3-9) 6-11 (3-9) 4-10 (3-9) 3-13 (0-12)

13 wins this season is the most in program history.

Women's Tennis 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Indiana (pa) Mercyhurst Slippery Rock Seton hill Edinboro Clarion California (pa.)

20-5 (6-0) 23-3 (5-1) 13-13 (4-2) 7-9 (3-3) 8-11 (2-4) 5-10 (1-5) 0-6 (0-6)

Standings as of Thursday, May 3rd at 6:34 pm

Rock senior first baseman Tyler Walters looks to catch the throw from senior third baseman Matt Mendes in a game against Clarion University on March 30.

By Oscar Matous Rocket Contributor

The Slippery Rock University baseball team’s season is coming to a close with one more four game series against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rival Gannon University. The first two games will be held on Friday at Kelly Automotive Park in Butler, Pa., with first pitch schedule for 11 a.m. while the second game is slated for a 1 p.m. start. Games 3 and 4 will be held at McConnell Family Stadium in Erie, Pa., with first pitches scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Rock head coach Jeff Messer said that he likes his team’s chances against the Golden Knights this weekend.

“Our pitching is going to be the deciding factor this weekend,” Messer said. “So far this year, our pitching, for the most part, has been strong. We figure to have Alex start game one for us.”

Senior Alex Pantuso, who recently broke SRU’s strikeout record this season, is scheduled to start game one on Friday, and will probably be held to 80-85 pitches before being taken out of the game, Messer said. Messer continued by saying that this is all subject to change.

“We are going out this weekend looking to win every single game,” Messer said. “But the PSAC is set-up to not be favorable in any way and with rain scheduled for this weekend, everything is up in the air as far as who pitches. If Alex pitches Saturday, it means he couldn’t pitch Wednesday in the first round of the PSAC tournament.”

Messer stressed the urgency of these next four games

because of proximity between The Rock and some of the other teams in the regional rankings, Gannon included as one. The Green and White is looking to at least split the four-game series with the Golden Knights to maintain a strong position in the rankings, Messer said. Messer said that his team has three “go-to” pitchers for Wednesday, one of which will be “guaranteed” to be ready to pitch.

The three pitchers are Pantuso, senior Matt Gordon, and junior Chris Anastas.

“I have no problem with throwing Alex, Matt, or Chris on Wednesday,” said Messer, confidently.

Messer’s confidence in his pitching staff is justified.

Between the three pitchers, they have an average ERA of 4.05 and combined totals of 158 strikeouts and 139.5 innings pitched.

Messer’s pitching staff is not the only area of the game that The Rock has strength in. SRU’s offense is led, in large part, by ‘Rock Solid’ performances from freshman Abraham Mow. Mow ranks sixth in the PSAC in home runs, with 10. He has recorded a .681 slugging percentage and 41 RBIs, good for eighth and seventh in the PSAC, respectively.

Rock seniors Christian Porterfield and Tyler Walters, likewise, have helped contribute to the offensive onslaught set in place the Green and White this season. In 143 at bats, Porterfield has obtained a .364 bating average, which includes 52 hits (seventh in the PSAC), 10 home runs, and 42 RBIs. Walters has continued his strong senior season with a .379 batting average that includes 12 home runs (a PSAC best), and recording 38 RBIs. Walters recently set a milestone by becoming the PSAC’s all-time home run leader, with 48 career home runs.

Walters said that he believes he has had success in college because of his confidence at the plate.

“I know I am a good hitter,” he said. “Before I step up to the plate I try to imagine what’s going on in the pitcher’s head, but once I do step up to the plate, my mind is blank.

Baseball is a mental game so I try not to let things get to me.”

Coach Messer said that Walters “is up there” with some of the all-time greats that he has had the privilege to coach in his 33 year span at The Rock.

“Tyler has all the tools to play at the next level,” Messer explained. “Maybe not as a catcher but definitely as a first baseman or an outfielder.”

Walter said he likes his team’s chances going into the playoffs because, as a team, there is an expectation to be ‘great.’ As a senior leader, he said he does not hope to make a deep run in the playoffs, but expects to.

“We have a good group of seniors out there,” he said. “I expect us to be successful in the playoffs.”

Van Alstyne sets precedent for successful future

By Brendan Howe Rocket Contributor

This past season, the Slippery Rock University women’s lacrosse team had what many would call their best year since the program was reinstated over a decade ago.

The team surpassed the singleseason wins record that it had set during the 2017 campaign while also making an appearance in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs for a second straight year. At The Rock’s forefront was first-year head coach Kelsey Van Alstyne, who made evident the school’s choice in a new varsity coach was the correct one.

Van A l s t y n e ar r ive d i n Slippery Rock following a tenure at Morrisville State College in central New York. “When I took over, it was a program that was more so run like a club than a legitimate program,” she said of the Mustangs’ Division III program. The credibility of the team changed in its' first year under Van Alstyne’s guidance.

The Mustangs secured their first North Eastern Athletic C onference (NEAC) crown in 2015 and made their firstever appearance in the NCAA playoffs. Two seasons later, Van Alstyne and her Mustangs went 13-6 and earned both their second conference title and another showing in the national tournament.

What made her s e cond title at Morrisville even more impressive was the fact that six of her players hadn’t played the sport in high school, but were

PARIS MALONE/THE ROCKET Senior attacker Bre Vodde moves in on goal during The Rock's 18-10 home win over Bloomsburg University, on their way to a program best 13-5 record.

taught by Van Alstyne to play lacrosse. “In a way, I had to build it from the ground up,” stated Van Alstyne. “I really had to learn how to get the team invested into being committed to the big picture, the culture, the value, and everything we were trying to do.”

In a way, the experience at Morrisville also changed her philosophy on what is needed to build a program the correct way. Rather than purely stressing talent, Van Alstyne realized that the environment of a program helps a player flourish. “[My time at Morrisville] taught me a lot about, just, the whole picture of what a student-athlete really is,” she said. “If you can get them to buy into the stuff off the field, like the mission that you’re on and the values, then it easily translates onto the field.”

Under Van Alstyne, players thrived. Twenty of her studentathletes were named to AllConference teams, and she had at least one major award winner in each of her three seasons in New York. The individual successes continued at SRU, where two of this year’s most key players, midfielder and leading scorer Tia Torchia and goalkeeper Emily Bitka were named to All-PSAC squads along with freshman defender Rachel Shaw.

As one of the best keepers in the country this season, Bitka was also named as the PSAC’s Lacrosse Athlete of the Year in 2018.

The possibility of Van Alstyne coming to Slippery Rock was an idea even before she was included Entire story can be found at theonlinerocket.com

SPORTS

May 4, 2018

C-3

Rock softball falls just short of the playoffs despite winning season

By Stephen Cukovich Assistant Sports Editor

The Slippery Rock University softball team had their season come to an abrupt end this week after falling just one game short of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) playoffs.

SRU ended their season with an overall record of 24-19, with a conference record of 11-9, placing them in fourth place in the PSAC West. This regular season comes as head coach Stacey Rice's most successful season in her four years as head coach, despite falling just short of the postseason.

"Quality of players, recruiting classes, things of that nature, but also our student athletes buying into what I've been selling," Rice said regarding her success this season. "Finally things start to click, that's why a lot of head coaches are given that time to develop a program."

If The Rock would've won both of their final regular season games against then fourth place California University of Pa. (18-16), they would've been able to secure third place in the PSAC West and a playoff birth. The Green and White split their double header with the Vulcans, leaving their fate in CalU's hands the following day, as they needed two wins over Edinboro University (6-25) to jump SRU in the standings, which they did.

Throughout the season, the team has had more than their fair share of weather cancellations, with some instances going more than a week without playing a single game, or even getting a nice practice outside.

"I don't want to make excuses obviously, we're not in that business, but in the game of softball and baseball you need to play in order to fix things and get better," Rice said. "It's definitely hard when you're at a standstill, you don't know when you're going to play, it does create its own challenges."

The Rock finished the season with a team batting average of .293, landing them in 11th in the PSAC in that category, but placing fifth in hits with 340 on the season. Pitching wise the Green and White finished with a team ERA of 3.69, while holding opposing batters to an average of .272 on the season.

"I really feel what we did offensively was enough," Rice said. "Our defense did great too, but I think when I'm looking at our pitching they obviously

PARIS MALONE/ THE ROCKET

Rock softball finished their regular season with a 24-19 record and a 11-9 record in conference play, but was held out of the PSAC playoffs after finishing fourth place in the West.

are strong, but I feel like we fell short on a couple games where we should've relied on them to pull through. We can't put the whole team on their shoulders, but they understand that our success depends on their arms."

Looking into next season, The Rock has plenty of positives going for them such as a new ace pitcher in now freshmen Camie Shumaker, along with offensive fire power in junior Kailey Myers who came almost out of nowhere, Rice said. In addition, Rice had high praise for freshman Becca Roesch, who finished her first year with a batting average of .318, while playing shut down defense in the field.

There is one thing though Rice says that worries her and also gives her reasons to look forward to next season.

"The same thing that gets me excited is the same thing that terrifies me," Rice said. "We're going to be a young team, so that excites me because of the fresh mindset, the ability to reset and not take anything with us from this season. But at the same time, inexperience also can create some issues... but I'm looking forward to working with a whole new set of girls."

In the end, The Rock's 24 wins are the second most in a season since 2008, where the team won 27 games that season.

Senior goaltender Bitka leads Rock to back-to-back record breaking seasons

PARIS MALONE/THE ROCKET

Senior Rock goaltender Emily Bitka has helped lead SRU to an all-time best record for a second consecutive season.

By Karl Ludwig Rocket Contributor

Most universities are lucky enough to receive four years of stellar play from their super-star athletes and while The Rock was not as lucky, senior women’s lacrosse goaltender Emily Bitka was still able to pack four years of exemplary play and leadership into two years. Bitka, originally from Amherst, N.Y., spent two years vying for the starting goaltender job with Division I powerhouse University of Albany.

After transferring to The Rock after her junior year, Bitka has been a steady presence in the net for two very talented teams. This past season, Bitka helped the Green and White to an all-time best record for a second consecutive season.

“The success of our team,” Bitka said when asked about this season’s defining moment. “Last year we had record wins and this year we broke our record again.

That was definitely a big thing we worked towards.”

While some players chase statistics and put an emphasis on reaching new career highs in individual statistics, Bitka was completely dedicated to team success. That is not to say she was not one of the most valuable players in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), because she was. In the PSAC, Bitka has arguably the strongest case for All-Conference.

“I think my style of play is definitely something that’s different, that I’ve noticed in the PSAC. I’m a very active goalie, the way I play is not traditional. I had 104 ground balls, I made a lot of interceptions.”

The senior from Amherst played 1005:28 minutes this year, which was good for third in the PSAC, and achieved a goals against average (GAA) of 8.65. Bitka led the PSAC in save percentage at .554 and totaled the second most saves in the PSAC with 180. Bitka also placed third in the PSAC with an average of 10 saves per game.

Along with dominance in traditional goaltender statistics, Bitka set an NCAA record with 104 ground-balls. “I wanted to get 75 ground-balls, I broke that and got a 104.

I got an NCAA record,” Bitka said. “When you’re playing and you’re out there, you don’t really think about your individual stats, but now that my career is over, I can look back and I’ve broken a lot of records here.”

Majoring in Physical Activity and Fitness Management, Bitka has utilized her major in order to play in each of the 36 games over the past two seasons. In only two years, she practically rewrote The Rock record books. In 36 career games at The Rock, Bitka allowed 265 goals on 718 shots to leave her GAA at a sparkling 7.95. With 307 saves over the past two seasons, her save percentage sits at .537 while her 25-11 record will stand among the all-time greats forever. The two highest single-season save percentages belong to Bitka while she also owns the two highest single-season win totals along with the two highest single-season ground-ball totals. In the history of Slippery Rock University, Bitka sits second in all-time wins and sixth in all-time saves. To accomplish these feats in only two years is simply remarkable.

“I loved my time in Albany, I think my time in Albany made me a better player and I got two years of Division I experience. But to transfer to a Division II school and have the opportunity to play and have a role immediately definitely helped. I would have loved four years here, but I loved my time in Albany,” Bitka said, not regretting only playing two years here with the Green and White, but ponderous of what could have been.

A disappointing end to the season with a loss to no. 22 Lock Haven University put a bit of a damper on an otherwise successful season, but Bitka embraces the many positives The Rock achieved together this season. “It was successful. We definitely had highs and lows like any team, but we fell short of our overall goal. We wanted to win PSACs, we wanted to play in the NCAA tournament. We did fall short in that regard, but we also hit a lot of personal and team goals this year. We fell short of our overall goals, but hit a lot of highs this year,” Bitka said.

The conclusion of a highly successful collegiate career does not necessitate the end of Bitka’s lacrosse career. “I’m going to the UK this summer to play for two weeks, and then I’m actually going to coach here in the fall, do my internship, then in the spring, I’m going to coach for the semester. So that’s something I’m really excited about,” Bitka said.

When asked about coaching in the future, Bitka, with a sly grin,, confirmed her desire to stay involved with the sport she has played since her youth. “I definitely want to be a college coach, that’s something I’m working towards. I’m going to work here next week and work toward a GA position and eventually a head coach position,” Bitka said.

Regardless of whether or not Bitka returns to The Rock one day in the future, her place among the all-time greats has been cemented. Maybe one day coach Bitka will be roaming the sidelines of Mihalik-Thompson stadium, continuing from where she left off in pursuit of a PSAC championship for Slippery Rock University.

SPORTS

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May 4, 2018

Stage is set for Rock men to host the PSAC Championships this weekend

By Stephen Cukovich Assistant Sports Editor

The Slippery Rock University men's outdoor track team is set to host their third meet this season with the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships that will run from Thursday through Saturday this weekend.

This will mark the first time The Rock has hosted the PSAC Championships since 2011. Having a meet like this on your home turf can give a slight advantage to the athletes, explained SRU track head coach John Papa.

"It's great for our athletes to compete on their own facilities 'cause their very familiar with them," Papa said. "You know a home field advantage kinda like in a lot of other sports so that definitely helps. We have a great facility here without a doubt."

For the men, senior J.J. Ollio looks to continue his dominance in the shot put, as he is currently on a five week run of NCAA provisional marks, while also improving his shot each week. His last toss came last week at the Ashland Alumni Open with a first place throw of 17.21 meters, currently his personal best, which helped Ollio move to 20th on the national list.

"When you're highly motivated, you know a lot of good things happen," Papa said regarding Ollio. "He's just been figuring some things out 'cause the throws, a lot of that's technical. You can try as hard as you can, but if you're not lined up correctly...kinda like being a baseball pitcher so it's not easy."

Last week at Ashland, Ollio also broke his personal best in the discus, with a throw of 51.65 meters, also earning him a win and an NCAA provisional mark in the process.

Senior Anderson Novalin might give his teammate Ollio a run for his money, as he placed third in the shot put last week with a toss of 16.92 meters, also earning a NCAA mark.

PARIS MALONE/THE ROCKET

Freshman Dillion Butz runs in the 4x100 meter relay during the SRU Open the other week, earning the top spot in the event.

Also coming off NCAA marks last week were seniors Jordan Pacheco and Andrew Koksal, who placed second and third with matching clearances of 4.8 meters in the pole vault.

On the track, The Rock's 4x100 meter relay team is coming off a win last week from sophomore Ian Nieves, junior Collin Darby, freshman Dillon Butz, and sophomore Liam Okal with a time of 41.52 seconds.

"We had our indoor championships and we saw most of the athletes there," Papa said. "Some of the events are different, but still most of the athletes that are going to be here were at the indoor championships so our guys at all the different events have a really good idea of what everybody can do."

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With this being one of the last chances for some of the seniors on the team, Papa mentioned how in the past they have rose to the occasion in the final meets in their last go around.

"I know every year at our conference championships we have some pleasant surprises," Papa said. "I know a lot of times the seniors in their last ditch effort they find that little bit extra so I'd say our seniors they're going to provide us with the leadership and give us a couple surprises."

Following the PSAC Championships, the team will have one last meet in the Last Chance Meet in Allegheny, Pa. next Friday before NCAA Nationals May 24-26 in Charlotte, NC.

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THE SRSGA WANTED TO GIVE A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE CAMPUS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT THIS ACADEMIC YEAR!

OPEN POSTIONS Stay connected: @SRSGA

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CAMPUS LIFE

INSIDE CAMPUS LIFE Young Progressives raise awareness for gun violence The Young Progressives displayed an exhibit raising awareness for gun violence outside the Smith Student Center this past Tuesday.

Theta Chi undergoes official installation The Zeta Alpha colony reached chapter status this past weekend, and are now able to be officially recognized as a Greek organization.

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Ty Dolla $ign, Vince Staples, Cousin Stizz thrill SRU

Ty Dolla $ign comes onstage during UPB's Spring Concert.

By Eric Davies Multimedia Editor

Ty Dolla $ign performed for a crowd of SRU students on Monday in the Smith Student Center (SSC) ballroom. Joined by Vincent Staples and Cousin Stizz, Ty Dolla Sign performed hit after hit as part of the Slippery Rock University Program Board's (UPB) annual spring concert.

After an issue caused a delay in announcement, UPB unveiled the trio of rappers as this year's concert back in early April. Initial criticism of the decision to bring the two headliners was apparent, with many taking to twitter to express their disapproval. Despite the push back the show went on and managed to bring in 758 ticket sales according to the UPB director of concerts, Ryan Ferguson.

Undoubtedly the buy one get one free sale that UPB started a little over two weeks after tickets on sale helped to get more students to come out and get their tickets.

The Boston native, Cousin Stizz was the first to perform after a short set from his DJ. Stizz started off his set with his biggest track to date Vince Staples performed his newest single.

Vince Staples shrouds the stage in fog.

"Headlock" and started off the concert strong for all in attendance.

Following Cousin Stizz was Vince Staples.

Staples, a rapper from the north side of Long Beach California came out onto a hazy stage and performed his newest single in front of a video of goldfish fading in and out of view, a visual representation of his newest studio album Big Fish Theory.

After a set including ,"Ascension" a collaboration with the group the Gorillaz, and hits like Norf Norf from Staple's album Summertime '06 and Oops from the Black Panther soundtrack the rapper returned to his dressing room and Ty Dolla $ign took the stage.

Sophomore communication major, Chloë Frey, attended the concert and said she had a great time.

"I really liked how the first two acts hyped the crowd up but Ty really interacted with the crowd," Frey said. "He dumped water on people, he jumped on the crowd a few times, like I got to grab him a couple times. He jumped right on me. I was holding him."

Ty Dolla $ign interacted with the pumped-up crowd.

Ty Dolla $ign performed a set of almost all smash hits. Between his own songs like "Pineapple" and "Or Nah" and songs on which he was featured like the Post Malone song "Psycho" or Jason Derulo hit "Swalla," Ty Dolla $ign had a set that had every Slippery Rock student singing along.

During his set Ty Dolla $ign brought 4 members of the crowd up on stage to dance with him during one of his songs.

"I thought it was really cool and meant a lot to those people and I think he created a lot of new fans or stronger fans from his performance here," said Frey.

A divergence from the normal venue of the Aebersold Recreation Center this year the concert was moved to the SSC ballroom.

Frey described the new location as "intimate", mentioning that the more familiar feel of the smaller venue would have been more ideal for the performers.

"I liked it being in the ballroom because it was more intimate, I felt closer to [Ty Dolla $ign]," said Frey. "It was one of my favorite concerts I've ever been to."

Cousin Stizz gave the Spring Concert a strong opening.

PHOTOS BY PARIS MALONE

CAMPUS LIFE

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May 4, 2018

College Dress Relief: Celebrate your Diploma in Style

MAKENZIE CAVALLINE/COLLEGE DRESS RELIEF Senior Rachel Spence models three different outfits for graduating women to wear under their gowns during commencement. Each is comfortable yet sophisticated, ideal for a warm spring day.

By Rachel Spence Rocket Contributor

Congratulations, you did it!

Graduation is finally here and marks an exciting time of your life that you won’t forget. Graduating is a relief in some ways but also kind of scary, so it’s important to be prepared for the big day.

Graduation is the last major event of your college career, so step out in style. It marks the end of something old and the beginning of something new. Feeling your best during this time will make commencement much more memorable. You want to leave a good last impression on your professors and peers who you might not see again. You may or may not be worried about what’s going to be under your gown but for pictures you’ll want an outfit that compliments your welldeserved diploma. In preparation

for the big day, I have picked out some go-to outfits to make you feel confident and ready.

It’s time to dress to impress. Pick something that shows you are now a respected college graduate.

After all the hard work you’ve put into the last 4-5 years, the walk across the stage is your runway and time to shine. Getting to my first tip, what shoes you wear is crucial. You don’t want to pull a Lizzie McGuire and trip in front of everyone. This is not the time to wear a new pair of shoes because you’ll be walking a lot. Stick with something that’s comfortable but cute because your shoes are the only part of your outfit that will be seen until the commencement ceremony is over. Girls, wear fancier sandals, flat or heeled. Try to keep the heel under 3 inches though so you’ll be able to walk the distance of the stage without stumbling. Guys, wear a nice pair

of dress shoes and make sure that your pants come the whole way down to your ankles.

Next, it’s time to plan what you’re going to wear beneath your gown.

It’s most likely going to be hot, so stick with something sophisticated and sleek. Prepare for your every move to be documented. Gown or no gown pictures are going to be taken. These pictures are going to be framed and posted on every social media platform so it’s important to wear something you’re comfortable in. Stand out, in a fiery, statement-color like red.

It goes great with the black gown and you’ll appear confident among the sea of whites and pastels.

Feminine frills are girly and extremely in right now. A ruffled mini dress is classic and will look great in graduation photos.

Summery florals are perfect for warm weather celebrations. With a black gown, I’d normally say

steer clear of a black dress but blending it with a colorful floral design looks effortlessly chic.

The classic white dress, will never go out of style. The black gown with white underneath makes the perfect combo. White is symbolic, and is used for many different occasions. It’s also easy to style so you can’t go wrong. Don’t forget, wearing a dress isn’t required and a jumpsuit or dress pants would look equally stylish.

For the guys, pick a dress shirt that’s airy so you won’t sweat to death. A white shirt and colorful tie will make you look sharp and put together. It’s not necessary to wear a tie but make sure you wear a dress shirt and dress pants. You don’t want to look mediocre next to all the fancy ladies.

My last piece of advice: wear your tassel to the right, accept your diploma in your left hand and shake with your right hand.

Young Progressives use shoes to raise campus awareness of gun violence

By Hope Hoehler Rocket Contributor

COURTESY OF SRU YOUNG PROGRESSIVES SRU Young Progressives collected shoes in April in order to create an exhibit based around the idea of gun violence in schools and on college campuses. On Tuesday, the exhibit was put on display outside the Smith Student Center and, in order to get more exposure, was left until Wednesday at 2 p.m.

On Tuesday outside the second floor of the Smith Student Center from 10 a.m. to the following day at 2 p.m., the SRU Young Progressives put out pairs of shoes.

Each pair represented a victim of gun violence, a very important issue to the Young Progressives The Young Progressives Club was founded by senior political science major Lindsey Newton and junior political science and philosophy major Caitlyn Kilmer.

"Our main goals on campus have been getting the campus involved in recognizing social justice issues in America," Kilmer said.

Other events that the Young Progressives have had in the past include a legalization of marijuana panel and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) information table. Additionally, the Mayor of Braddock and candidate for Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman came to speak, and the Young Progressives also cosponsored Take Back the Night with the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance (FMLA).

SRU Huddle, a group created by Lindsey Newton, Nicole Loncaric, Caitlyn Kilmer, and a group of professors and members of the

community brought the idea of shoes to the Young Progressives.

The event was left out over night to get as much exposure as possible.

"I actually came up to take pictures for our social media as soon as they were laid out and it was a very grim atmosphere, everyone that walked by stopped and looked and they all looked solemn and I realized we were getting our message across," Kilmer said. "When you lay it out right in front of students, I think it becomes real to them and that it's happening and the numbers are higher than we think."

"I hope those who saw the exhibit thought about the implications of such little gun regulation," Newton said. "The goal is not to ban guns completely, but there needs to be more regulation, so those with ill intentions can never take another life through gun violence again.

If nothing else, I hope people thought about the lives of others and how quickly that can be taken away. We need to work together so another life is not taken through the same actions we have seen time and time again."

If you want to learn more about the Young Progressives you can follow them on Facebook (SRU Young Progessives) or on Twitter @SRUProgressives.

May 4, 2018

CAMPUS LIFE

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MTS performs songs from the silver screen

By Carlee Smith Rocket Contributor

PARIS MALONE/THE ROCKET Junior Andrew Borcherding performs "The Greatest Show" from "The Greatest Showman" during a dress rehearsal for MTS #Cabaret. Borcherding is directing the show which will take place Friday in the University Union MPR.

If you don’t have anything planned for this Friday, you’re in luck, because the Slippery Rock University Musical Theatre Society (MTS) is performing its #Cabaret at 8 p.m.

The #Cabaret will feature songs from movies and television shows such as "The Greatest Showman", "La La Land", "Smash" and "Glee".

The one-night show will take place in the University Union’s Multi-Purpose Room (MPR) and costs $5 with a student ID or $7 for general admission.

The director for #Cabaret is Andrew Borcherding, a junior who also holds the position of MTS Treasurer. Borcherding will be performing "The Greatest Show" from "The Greatest Showman", the 2017 musical movie starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron.

The upcoming one-night show taking place is the second one of the semester. The first cabaret that took place in March of this year was Broadway Showstoppers, directed by junior and Vice President of MTS Brody McKenna. McKenna's show won the Rising Star award for best on-campus entertainment.

McKenna will be performing "Soul Man" from Drake and Josh, originally by the Blues Brothers, with junior Patrick Freed.

MTS usually has four cabarets per year, two each semester, but

every other year the organization does a full musical production in the spring. #Cabaret is “a big, diverse show full of everyone that loves to be here, all different majors,�

Borcherding said.

Some of the songs featured in this show include “Let it Grow� from "The Lorax" (2012), “The Hanging Tree� from "The Hunger Games" film series, “I’ve Had the Time of My Life� from "Dirty Dancing" and “Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee� from Grease. “The most difficult thing was just trying to teach all of the choreography and all of the voice parts and everything that goes into each number in like three weeks before we got to tech week which is what we’re in now," Borcherding said of only having a month to get the production done. "It was just trying to get everyone on the same page, trying to keep everyone up to date, making sure we weren’t moving backwards, making sure everyone was reviewing their stuff and just keeping us with everything which everyone has done a great job of so it’s going to be a good time.�

The #Cabaret is a one -night show that will take place on Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m. in the University Union MPR. Keep up with MTS by following them on social media @SRUMTS and on their CORE page. All majors are welcome in the society.

Theta Chi installed as Greek chapter

By Megan Bush Campus Life Editor

Signing the very first bid for a brand-new chapter of a Greek organization is a privilege held only by a handful of people, and senior Riley Keffer is one of those students. Keffer was the first to sign a bid for the Zeta Alpha colony of Theta Chi, therefore being one of the founders of the SRU chapter.

Last Sunday, Theta Chi was officially installed as part of Greek Life, receiving recognition from other Greek organizations as well as the national level of the fraternity.

Keffer said the journey to installation was a lot of work, but the amount of dedication had by the members of the executive board, and the other highly-involved members of the colony, made the process go 30-percent quicker. “They usually allow about 18 months to get from colony to chapter status, so it was about a third of that time,� Keffer said. “The leaders of the group were driving it really hard.�

Theta Chi was founded on the ideals of truth, temperance and tolerance, which is why Keffer decided he wanted to found a chapter at SRU. “It was kind of a longer decision, but I did a lot of research, and for me, the decision came as an opportunity to develop something that I had a lot of say in,� Keffer said.

Junior economics major Sky Pederson was recruited by Keffer, and now serves as President of the fraternity, having a liason-style role between his brothers and the national committee.

Pederson agreed with Keffer, saying that getting to the installation point was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it because the fraternity has a lot of good planned for the future. “The position that we’re in right now is, we can build it to what we want to,� Pederson said. “We want to kind of change the whole environment here on campus.�

Because Theta Chi is new to SRU, the brothers aren’t overwhelmed with traditions to follow, and they are able to pave their own way for the future of their organization. Pederson mentioned that overcoming the stigma surrounding Greek organizations is one thing he wants Theta Chi to get away from, and he wants their reputation to be very positive; the fraternity has a generally positive reputation already due to their work involving the Sacred Purpose and the events they’ve held on campus already.

Keffer also mentioned that Theta Chi brothers are very involved on campus outside of the fraternity, with brothers representing the Student Government Association, the Musical Theatre Society, the First-Year Leader Scholar Program and more. Having brothers who are so involved led to their dedication to the fraternity, as well.

Parts of the installation process were recruiting enough guys to make up a full fraternity chapter and to act as a fraternity to prove that it’s something they can do. With the events they’ve held and participated in, like Kate Harding’s discussion and Greek Week, Theta Chi grew their own reputation and Pederson said the fraternity will continue to grow and develop their presence here at SRU.

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