Gun violence needs action, B1
Zinn encourages LGBTQ+ info, C1 (2)
Art teachers show side in exhibit, D1 (2)
Football toppled in opener E1 (2,3)
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Volume 63 No. 2
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Laundry fee slashed, new suites introduced
Hannah Pollock Managing Editor
Meghan Schiereck/The Slate
The school of engineering will find its new home in the steam plant along Prince Street in Fall 2020. The building will be updated and renovated beginning in January 2020 to better serve engineering students.
‘Right here, right now’ Steam plant plans move forward
Hannah Pollock Managing Editor
Construction on the steam plant to prepare lab space for the School of Engineering on North Prince Street will begin in 2020. Shippensburg University Director of Facilities Management and Planning Adam Roth gave updates regarding the project during a tour with student media leaders of the steam plant and the exterior of Stewart Hall. Roth said the steam plant will be transformed into “state of the art” lab
space for mechanical and civil engineering students, as part of the school of engineering. Engineering students are currently using lab space in the Franklin Science Center and Mathematics Computing Technologies building. The steam plant was originally used to heat campus buildings through burning coal and remained vacant after the installation of the chilled water plant in 2014, according to Roth. Roth said SU decided to reuse the building, as the new school of engineering needed lab space. In late 2017, they said “Let’s turn this into something.”
He compared the project to “building a ship in a bottle.” The structure of the building will remain the same, while the interior will undergo extensive renovations. According to Roth, the updated building will include labs, conference rooms, manufacturing areas, a fabrication lab and energy efficient LED lighting. SU is the lowest energy consumer in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, he added. See “STEAM,” A2
The days of carrying bags of quarters to and from the laundry room are over for Shippensburg University students. Free laundry is now available for students living on campus in the residence halls, according to Megan Silverstrim of Shippensburg University media relations manager. President Carter recently announced in her letter to campus, published in the Aug. 27 edition of The Slate, the addition of free laundry for students living in the residence halls. Silverstrim said the idea originated from conversations held in the during the Residence Hall Association sponsored President’s Hours last year. “The students asked for this and President Carter worked with housing and residence life and SUSSI (Shippensburg University Student Services Inc.) representatives to respond for the need for reduced laundry fees,” Silverstrim said. Student fees have not changed as a result of the elimination of laundry charges. Starting in the 2020–2021 academic year, SU will offer special interest suites. The suites were advertised at the recent Student Involvement and Services (SIS) Fair.
According to a flier distributed at the SIS fair, special interest suites are described as a “new opportunity for your friends, club or organization to live together and create a community dedicated to a common purpose.” By participating in this style of housing, residents would have the opportunity to utilize hall spaces for group activities, and create a strong presence on campus. The community could also serve as a recruiting tool, Silverstrim said. Alex Karlheim, assistant director for residential education, called the new suites “a neighborhood for you and your friends.” Silverstrim said the new suites have already garnered interest. Special interest suites can reserve four to 14 beds, but if a group is larger than 14 beds accommodations can be made. Group and organization applications for special interest suites are due online by Oct. 11. Applicants will be notified in mid-January if their request is approved. Over the summer McLean Hall, a traditional residence hall, saw renovations and updates to give more students the opportunity to live on campus.
See “UPDATE,” A2
Two SU-related sexual assault cases head to county court Hannah Pollock Managing Editor
Two sexual assault cases involving Shippensburg University students are heading to Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas this fall, according to court documents. In April 2019, charges were filed against two men who were accused of sexual assault in separate cases — one on campus in an SU residence hall and another off campus. According to court documents, both assaults occurred in 2018. One of the accused men, Josiah Michael Kushner, 20, of Hummelstown, was charged with multiple counts relating to an assault in McCune Hall, including two second-degree felony sexual assault charges and multiple misdemeanors including strangulation and harassment. Kushner is accused of sexually assaulting a female Shippensburg University student in Sept. 2018 in her McCune Hall room. According to court documents, the woman reported the assault to the Shippensburg University Police Department the morning after the attack. The victim told police she invited Kushner to visit her and attend an off-campus party on “Frat Row.” However, the victim said she changed her mind about going to the party, which caused an argument between her and Kushner, according to the affidavit. She reported that Kushner grabbed her chest multiple times throughout the argument, before she agreed to go
to the party where she drank alcohol. According to court documents, the woman, her roommate and Kushner returned to her room around 1:25 a.m. The woman reported that she woke up feeling “sick and dizzy” and then Kushner started to assault her. She fell asleep before waking up to Kushner sexually assaulting her again, according to police. The court documents said Kushner put his hand around the woman’s throat while he sexually assaulted her, causing her to be unable to breathe. She was able to push him away. In a Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office and university police recorded phone call, Kushner admitted that he did not have consent to touch the woman in a sexual manner and that he may have injured the woman, according to court documents. Kushner’s trial is scheduled for Nov. 4. In the second case, Joshua Michael Koumaras, 22, of Phoenixville, was charged with second-degree felony sexual assault and a misdemeanor indecent assault of an unconscious person for actions related to a March 2018 incident. According to the police report, a woman reported she was told that Koumaras, an SU student at the time, accompanied her home after a night of drinking at a party. She could not remember coming home with him but told police she “would never” have sex with him. See “ASSAULT,” A2
Meghan Schiereck/The Slate
Corn festival attendees enjoyed various types of food including corn on the cob. The one-day festival attracts thousands of visitors to King and Earl Streets.
Corn Fest returns to Ship Hannah Pollock Managing Editor
The 39th annual Shippensburg Corn Festival filled King Street with thousands of people on the last Saturday in August. More than 200 craft vendors presented their jewelry, gifts, home décor, soaps, baked goods and more for craft show enthusiasts. For those not searching for the perfect home décor, there was a variety of food vendors and entertainers who filled downtown, participating in the celebration of Shippens-
burg’s largest crop: corn. The community-based festival featured musical and dance performances including members of the Shippensburg University Marching Band, Blue Ridge Thunder Cloggers and The MidLife Cowboys. The fan-favorite corn eating contest also returned, crowning a new champion. This year’s festival was held from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. The festival is always held the last Saturday in August and will return next year on August 29, 2020.
NEWS
A2
September 10, 2019
Student Government Updates •
All senators were in attendance except Sen. Anastasia Clapper and Sen. John Enerah. Their absences were excused.
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A Commuter Student Association has been established.
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A sidewalk will be installed on the west side of campus to accommodate students who live in Hot Point Commons and The Creek apartments.
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according to Sen. Olivia Gregory.
Jonathan Bergmueller /The Slate
Stewart Hall renovations are expected to be completed in November. The building will act as a welcome center for members of the campus community.
Stewart Hall renovations, updates expected to wrap up in November Hannah Pollock Managing Editor
Members of the Shippensburg University community will soon fill Stewart Hall once again. Pending weather conditions, construction and renovation of Stewart Hall is expected to end in November. Throughout its long history at SU, the rooms at Stewart have been used as class space, a bowling alley, a gymnasium and the Black Box Movie Theater Stewart Hall will now welcome students — past, present and future — as a campus welcome center. According to SU Director of Facilities Management and Planning, Adam Roth, Stewart will have an “breath-taking” open floor plan with around 3500 square feet of space for events, as well as a
second-floor exhibition area. It will include exposed brick to feature the “character” of the historic building. Achieving “balance” between modern amenities and honoring and respecting Stewart Hall’s history was a key factor in the project, Roth explained. New flooring, railing, energy efficient lighting, windows as well as an elevator for ADA accessibility are among the updates to the building. However, the front door that thousands of SU students have walked through, will not change. “We’re keeping the original front door. It’s the front door to campus,” he said. Stewart Hall will serve prospective students as the location of “Raider Day” tours, welcoming students to campus. Stewart Hall is the second oldest building on campus,
“UPDATE,” from A1 According to Jason Barauskas, SU assistant director of housing operations, McLean Hall was renovated over the summer to better serve students. Renovations and updates included new furniture and TVs, painting and a kitchen remodel complete with a brand new sink, stove, refrigerator and cabinets, he said.
opened in 1894, according to Ezra Lehman Memorial Library archives. In 2016, then SU associate vice president of facilities planning and maintenance Lance Bryson said the university and the SU Foundation would spend $4 million on the Stewart Hall project. The project was funded by both the university and SU Foundation. The SU Foundation sold bricks to allow members of the SU community to become a part of Stewart Hall and raised money during the Charting the Course, Lighting the Way Campaign which began in 2010, according to Anne Detter Schaffner, SU Foundation director of marketing “Alumni, friends and businesses have made charitable contributions toward the renovation of Stewart Hall,” Detter Schaffner said.
Traditional housing in McLean Hall costs $2,660 per semester, a cheaper option compared to the similar two-person, one-bedroom modern style B-suite option which costs $3,889, according to the student accounts office. The two-person rooms include closets, desks, shelves and a shared bathroom with other students living on the floor. Barauskas said McLean is housing almost 100 students during the fall semester.
The Wood Honors College welcomed a freshman class of 55, its largest yet
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The Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) Sen. Isaiah Smith and Sen. Danielle Williams invited encouraged all students to attend MSA’s events.
“ASSAULT,” from A1 Koumaras told the woman that they had sex that night, the report said. In November 2018, Koumaras admitted via text that he and the woman only had sex when he “raped” her. He added, “I could literally be in jail.” Koumaras is scheduled for a pre-trial con-
ference in mid-October. Resources for campus community members impacted by sexual assault or misconduct are available through the Women’s Center, Counseling Center, Shippensburg University Police Department, Dean of Students Office, the SU Title IX Coordinator Dr. Daniel Velez and the United Campus Ministry. For more information on these resources, visit ship.edu/no_more
Veteran reenactor announces plan for 2020 Gettysburg event Marc Levy
Associated Press
GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP) -A veteran Civil War reenactor in Pennsylvania says he will take over planning a 2020 reenactment of the battle of Gettysburg after the organization behind the annual event said it didn’t intend to host one next summer. Dustin Heisey of Manheim, who says he has been taking part in reenactments since he was 14, says he wants to keep the tradition of honoring the soldiers alive. “My primary focus is, let’s bring honor back into our hobby and, we’re portraying these men who sacrificed so much for their country, I want them to be remembered and I think it should be done every year,’’ Heisey told The (Hanover) Evening Sun. The Gettysburg Anniversary Committee said in a post on its website last week that after a quarter century of organizing the annual July observance, at this time it “does not anticipate organizing or hosting a 157th reen-
actment.’’ Operations Manager Randy Phiel said the aging demographic of reenactors and varied visitor interest meant that “the hobby is declining somewhat.’’ He also said the trend shows that reenactments are most successful every five years, and spreading them out might help build anticipation and visitor interest. Heisey told the newspaper he plans some changes, including a flat rate for reenactor participation (although he ultimately hopes to make it free); no stage tent area or VIP seating in the grandstand; and a Settlers Row area where reenactors can sell Civil War paraphernalia. “Ultimately, I want to keep the atmosphere feeling as 1860s as much as possible,’’ Heisey said. To pay for the event, his ideas include a T-shirt campaign and sponsorships, he said. Heisey said the response he has received from reenactors, spectators and Gettysburg residents has been “overwhelming.’’
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August heat sets records Jonathan Bergmueller /The Slate
The interior of the steam plant will see various renovations and updates including the creation of multiple floors, conference rooms and labs for students. “STEAM,” from A1
Graphic courtesy of Tim Hawkins / Department of Geography and Earth Science
According to Tim Hawkins of the SU Department of Geography and Earth Science, August was the 38th driest August on record. It is the first time since March 2018 that the word “driest” has been used to describe the month’s precipitation in historical terms. A record high of 97 degrees was set on the 18th.
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The multi-floor building will be ADA accessible and will include a facility manager to ensure safety. “Our most important value is safety,” Roth said. “Learning comes second.” Engineers often work at strange hours, so the facility will be open 24/7, Roth noted. No classes will be given in the steam plant. Roth explained that theories will be taught in the MCT and professors will bring their students to the plant for lab time, similarly to how a chemistry student would spend time in lecture and in the lab. Construction is slated to begin in January and will conclude in June. Final touches including machine calibration will be completed over the summer and if all goes to plan, students will be able to use the space for the Fall 2020 academic year.
According to SU Media Relations Manager, Megan Silverstrim,, a final budget for the project is a work in progress as SU is still determining the role of industry partners and the positive budget impacts created by the success of the engineering programs. Silverstrim said SU is making a strategic investment based on future enrollment and growth in a program that will contribute significant revenue to our budget through tuition. The university estimates the mechanical and civil engineering programs will average almost a million dollars in tuition annually for the first five years alone. Roth said the school of engineering is working on getting local industry partners such as Volvo to give students more opportunities. “This is what future students are coming to next year,” Roth said. “Engineering. Right here, right now.”
Check out theslateonline.com for all the latest news about campus throughout the week!
September 10, 2019
NEWS
Campus Police Briefs Student to be charged for possession of marijuana
A3
Your World Today
Commentary: Mistrust in media often misplaced, can be fought
SU police were on patrol on Aug. 30 around 10 p.m. when officers noticed the Mazda sedan they were behind had lighting problems and pulled into a handicap parking space without a handicap pass. According to police, officers approached the car driven by Taalib-Din Tariq Mackie Jr and smelled a strong odor of burnt marijuana. Mackie admitted to smoking in the vehicle earlier and turned over the remaining marijuana and paraphernalia. Mackie will be charged for possession of marijuana. Student cited for underage drinking SU officers observed three males holding beer cans walking through the G1 parking lot around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 30. According to police, two of the males were identified as being 21 years old but the third, Spencer L. Dieuveuil was identified to be 18-years-old. Dieuveuil was cited for underage drinking. Student cited for underage drinking SU police were on patrol in the G1 parking lot when they observed a male walking with a beer can who appeared intoxicated shortly after midnight on Aug. 31. Police say they stopped 18-year-old Brennan V. Moran, who was slurring his speech. Police administered a breathalyzer test which indicated an estimated BAC of .115% Moran was cited for underage drinking. Student cited for underage drinking SU police responded to an emergency call box activation at the intersection of Adams Drive and Dauphin Drive just after 1 a.m. on Aug. 31. While checking the area, officers said they noticed a woman stumbling while she walked and checked on her welfare. The woman, 18-year-old Destiny R. Wade, had a strong odor of alcohol and her speech was slurred, according to police. Police administered a breathalyzer test which indicated n estimated BAC of .150%. Wade was cited for underage drinking. Student cited for underage drinking SU police were on patrol around 1 a.m. on Sept. 4 near the Spiritual Center when they were flagged down by pedestrians to check on a woman who was vomiting. Officers said they stopped and identified the woman as Brianna Geesey, who had a strong odor of alcohol and admitted to drinking. She was unable to take a breathalyzer test due to vomiting and was transported to the Chambersburg Hospital for treatment. Geesey will be cited for underage drinking. Students cited for underage drinking SU police were dispatched to an emergency call box activation at the intersection of Adams Drive and Dauphin Drive around 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 2. Officers said they stopped five males in the area and reviewed video footage to see who had activated the call box. The officers also reported that four of the five were found to have been underage drinking. Tanner Hunt was cited for underage drinking and disorderly conduct and Alexander Fouse, Haden Ocker and Ian Weikel were cited for underage drinking. Students to be charged for possession of marijuana SU Police responded to the third floor of McLean Hall on Sept. 4 for reports of a burning marijuana smell. Officers said the odor was coming from room 325. Residents Dieumaitre Devine and Amir Horton, allowed police to enter the room and search it. Police reported finding a green leafy substance that tested positive for THC and drug paraphernalia. Both Devine and Horton will be charged with possession. Student charged with underage drinking SU police were on patrol near the S storage lot around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 6 when they observed a woman throw a bottle into the fence line outside the parking lot. Officers stopped the woman, Lauren Edie, who admitted to throwing the bottle. When speaking with Edie, officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from her. Police administered a breathalyzer test which indicated an estimated BAC of .128% Edie was cited for underage drinking. Student cited for underage drinking SU police were on patrol in the S storage lot around 1 a.m. on Sept. 7 when they observed a man who was having trouble walking. The man, identified as Blake Vanplersen, had a smell of alcohol coming from him, according to officers. Police administered a breathalyzer test which indicated an estimated BAC of .118%. Vanplersen was cited for underage drinking. Multiple charges to be filed against man who attempted to flee police SU police were on patrol in the G-1 parking lot shortly after 1 a.m. on Sept. 7 when officers saw a man walking thorugh the lot holding an alcoholic beverage. Police said when they exited the car, the male, identified as Joell Chandler, began running toward Richard Avenue. SU police and Pennsylvania State Police pursued the male. State Police were able to take the male into custody on Richard Avenue. Officers found a small bag of a green leafy substance which later tested postitive for THC and found that Chandler had an active arrest warrant out of Cumberland County for receiving stolen property. Chandler was turned over to the Cumberland County Sherriff’s Office for transport to the Cumberland County Prison, police said. He will be charged with flight to avoid apprehension, possession of marijuana, possession of drunk paraphernalia and public drunkenness. Student to be charged with possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia
7.
SU police were dispatched to 301 McLean Hall to address an burnt marijuana odor on Sept.
Upon arrival, officers said they made contact with resident Samuel Taylor, who agreed to let officers search his room. Officers said they found a grinder and package of cigars, whih Taylor said contained marijuana. Taylor will be charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Jonathan Bergmueller Editor-in-Chief Nobody likes being put on the spot. And sometimes, that’s precisely how some people feel when they are being interviewed for a story. It isn’t a little-known fact that trust in the news media has declined over the past few years. Especially with the onset of Trump’s era of “fake news,” Americans progressively feel the news media, and by association on-theground journalists, are pestering and conniving schemers who hold little regard for the well-being of others. This is best illustrated in a 2018 Gallup Poll, which mentioned “Most U.S. adults, including more than nine in 10 Republicans, say they personally have lost trust in the news media in recent years.” I’ve not worked with any of big-name national media groups, so quite frankly I can’t argue against the assertion that all they care about is getting a good story. However, my experience does rest in local news, and I can speak to the fact that most journalists I know do this for a love of telling stories, connecting humans to one another and educating the public. I mention all this because The Slate is beginning to see a growing reluctance from individ-
uals who do not want to be quoted, do not want to be photographed and do not even want to have their voice recorded for note-taking purposes. One might understand the reluctance of some individuals to go on-record for hard-hitting and ground-breaking news pieces on scandal or controversy, but this isn’t happening for just those pieces. Droves of wouldbe interviewees seem to be reluctant to answer such as simple question as “How was your first week of classes?” for a flavor piece on the Ship Life pages. Readers might understand our confusion. During the assembly of this “Question of the Week,” segment (read on C1!), Ship Life Editor Justin Hawbaker and his assistant, Chaela Williams, observed that while seniors, juniors and sophomores were amicable and willing to be interviewed, six freshmen they approached balked at the prospect of being quoted. I see this all the time in my personal life, where friends and acquaintances will give me ideas for innocuous, and even positive, stories in the community but insist they not be quoted as tipping the stories off. A source on a story I wanted to work on with Staff Writer Sam Fegan couldn’t find 15 minutes in their life to be interviewed regarding a service they were pioneering. I completely understand that life can get busy, but 15 minutes for a news story that could bring deserved attention and support to a new service seems comparatively small and simple to the otherwise fast-
paced rush of life. Do these people find the idea of newspapers a silly and pointless waste of time? Were the freshmen just too busy, or were my friends too timid? Or are they scared? Is this a reflection of a much larger issue appearing across the nation as a result in media distrust? Are everyday Americans afraid of having their words twisted? For my part, I encourage my fellow staff members at The Slate to be consistent and transparent with their intentions. It’s scary to hear a journalist wants to interview you, but having friendly assurance that it’s over something innocent and uncontroversial helps assuage others’ anxieties over saying something that could make themselves look ignorant. But the rest of the bill falls on the side of the table of the everyday people who might be interviewed. I don’t think it’s reasonable to ask the public to blindly put all their trust in the media all at once. But as student journalists attempting to establish ourselves as ethical young professionals, the benefit of the doubt would benefit us all when we are producing innocent soft-ball pieces on uncontroversial subjects. The same Gallup Poll mentioned previously in this column says, immediately following the first sentence that was quoted, “At the same time, 69% of those who have lost trust say that trust can be restored.” Let’s hope that 69% decided to attend Shippensburg University, because The Slate is here to win them back.
Homecoming Royalty 2019
Homecoming is approaching faster than you know it. Applications for Homecoming Royalty for 2019 are open on ShipLink until Thursday at 4 p.m. Applicants must be a junior or senior and must be sponsored by a student organization. There will be a Candidate Q&A on Thursday from 6-8 p.m. After that, voting for Homecoming Court will open on Shiplink Friday and will last util Wednesday of next week at 4 p.m. Homecoming Court will be revealed the next day on Thursday, Sept. 19. For all rules and regulations as well as a list of events, see the Homecoming Royalty Candidate Nomination Form online at theslateonline.com/Homecoming2019. If you have any questions, contact the Royalty Coordinator Elizabeth Yoder at eayoder@ship.edu.
APPLICATIONS ARE DUE THURSDAY AT 4 P.M.
State Police Briefs Man charged for fleeing, eluding, agricultural vandalism, DUI Pennsylvania State Police attempted to pull over a man for vehicle code violations just after midnight on Aug. 30 near Bard Road. The man, Michael Roger Oatman, 30, of Shippensburg, led officers on a pursuit that ended on Weaver Road in Franklin County. Oatman was arrested and charged for fleeing and eluding, agricultural vandalism and DUI. Juvenile to be charged with indecent exposure Pennsylvania State Police say a 14-year-old boy “mooned” a person walking down East Garfield Street.
B1
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Opinion
The Slate Speaks
Gun violence needs action Gun violence in America has been a common scene of both chaos and carnage. National leaders respond to the issue in a seemingly systematic manner — thoughts and prayers; thought and prayers; thoughts and prayers — while innocent Americans continue to die. Recent mass shootings at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, at a garlic festival in California, on a street in Dayton, Ohio, and and on a highway in Odessa-Midland, Texas, have continued the trend of thoughts and prayers but little action. In Pennsylvania alone, there have been at least 6,624 shootings since 2014. Of these shootings, 2,656 people were killed and 5,704 were injured. This leads to the following question: At what point will Americans decide they have had enough of death and destruction from gun violence? According to a recent Washington Post article, Walmart has decided to stop selling ammunition in their stores and have also asked their customers to stop openly carrying firearms within their locations. Other retailers including Kroger, CVS, Walgreens and Wegmans followed suit. Target, Starbucks and Chipotle have had policies against open carry for years, according to article. The actions of these businesses are a first step in the right direction. But what is the second step? In 2014, the man behind the Midland-Odessa shooting failed a national criminal background check when he attempted to purchase a firearm. This was because he was deemed mentally unfit. The man, who was fired the morning of the shooting, is said to have purchased a firearm from a private seller. According to an article by politifact, a national poll conducted by Quinnipiac University in 2017 (the most recent of its kind) asked Americans if they sup-
ported background checks for all gun buyers. A staggering 94% supported the notion. Other polls stretching throughout 2016 asked the same question and saw respondents approve anywhere from 84-89% in favor of background checks. Still, the Odessa shooter was able to circumvent this by not buying from a store. Clearly, we need to have a national conversation about gun laws in our nation and prohibit the ability of the mentally ill to obtain weapons like the one the Odessa shooter used to wreak havoc and destruction in Texas. How do we as a society solve our gun problem? Is it through stricter gun laws, more thorough background checks or banning assault weapons? How do we define an assault weapon to begin with? Is it the length of the barrel? The specification of the stock? The capacity of the magazine? Or the number of bullets it can spew out in a minute? What happens when we find a public that does not wish to be disarmed of their weapons? A significant group of Americans hold true to the foundation of our nation that the Second Amendment does not exist to protect ordinary citizens from each other, but from a tyrannical government. Any action from our legislative bodies may succeed in some areas; however, rural, small-town America is sure to take unkindly to the proposition that they give up their guns. Disarming the public of their assault weapons would most certainly end in violence. Nobody likes to have their property taken away, and this would also lead to an ugly precedent setting forth the ability for legislative bodies to seize property from private citizens. How could the seizure of weapons oc-
cur successfully — and without causing excess gun violence? If the government cannot accurately count every individual during the census every 10 years, how can it expect to successfully remove the weapons from our society? Americans take pride in the rights they are given through the founding documents of their country. It is what sets them apart from other nations. The conflict between these two sides and ideologies eerily echoes the controversy surrounding the Patriot Act of the early 2000s, which asked Americans to forego their national values of freedom and privacy to help ensure the continued safety of their fellow citizens. By adding TSA security at the airports and limiting what can be taken on a plane, Americans are arguably safer than they were 18 years ago. But adding security to seemingly everywhere is not an attainable reality. The issue of gun violence has been building to an undetermined breaking point. Almost daily, there is news of yet another American city affected by gun violence. When is enough enough? Obviously something needs to be done. The Slate generally agrees that all gun purchases, whether they are from a Walmart store or from your neighbor down the street, should require background checks. But it is difficult to weigh between the freedoms of the individual and the necessary safety of the public. The American people have the right to own and carry guns. But those same individuals also have the right to have an education, go to the mall or movie theater without the fear and danger of “what if…” Americans should have the right to live their lives without fear.
Where’s your voice? •
Shippensburg University students, staff, faculty, administrators and affiliated people are welcome to submit letters to the editor for publication.
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Letters must be no more than 300 words and may not contain derogatory language or messages of hate or discrimination.
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The Slate may reject letters for any reason.
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Letters become property of The Slate.
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Letters without a name and title (affiliation to SU) will not be accepted.
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Letters should be sent to The Slate one week prior to the day of publication. Late letters may be accepted but published the next week.
Disclaimer
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The views and opinions expressed in this section are those of the writer and not of The Slate or Shippensburg University.
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The unsigned staff editorial, “The Slate Speaks,” represents the views and opinions of The Slate as an organization. Participating editors help shape the staff editorial.
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Commentary: Mending the rift
Chase Slenker Guest Columnist
Americans consistently complain of Congress’ inability to reach a middle ground year after year. Statistics show that the political divide in Congress continues to widen with Democrats becoming more and more liberal and Republicans shifting more toward the conservative end. The number of bi-partisan bills continues to shrink year after year. Last year we experienced the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history. Members of Congress seem to spend more of their time slandering each other’s credibility, personal lives and past choices than they do proposing legislation, meeting with constituents and solving the problems Americans are begging Congress to solve. Though this is true and I in no way think it is justifiable, I believe that the largest concern for political gridlock lies within me and you. The American public hasn’t actually matched that shift. The general American has remained in the “moderate” category and most self-identifying Democrats and Republicans aren’t as far to either end of the spectrum as Congress is. Yet all we see in the news are extremely polar events, politicians and marches. Our society, as perceived, seems so rigidly separate on our political
views. Congress’s persistent “cat fights” and coverage of far-left and far-right groups has led to the perception that politics is something not to talk about. Due to Congress’s focus on slander and lack of actual respectful political discussion, Americans are afraid and refrain from opening their eyes to other people’s perspectives. The lack of conversation and understanding of other people’s political beliefs leads us to a divisive society in which we don’t truly understand others. We perceive that political differences are a bad thing and that we should only associate and talk about current issues with those that we agree. Talk about cognitive dissonance. In schools across our nation, political discussion is often viewed as a “bad thing” and “something to be very careful with, so not as to offend others who disagree.” This lack of honest, respectful political discourse is, in my opinion, a perpetuated result of what we see in Congress and the media, when in fact a very small portion of Americans are actually like this. For the sake of preventing political gridlock and the goal of having our nation’s problems solved, I plead and encourage you: Don’t just shut down any conversation on political matters. Respect other’s around you. Just because someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t mean they are a horrible person. Be open to other opinions, consider them, and you might just be surprised how similar we are to our fellow Americans. We elect Congress, so we must be their example.
Management slate.ship@gmail.com Jonathan Bergmueller.........Editor-in-Chief Hannah Pollock...............Managing Editor
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News Hannah Pollock......................News Editor slatenews@gmail.com
Copy shipcopy@gmail.com Ali Laughman...........................Editor Mia Furby..................................Editor
Opinion shipspeaks@gmail.com Nicholas Sones....................Editor Tony Caravaggio...................Asst. Editor Ship Life slate.shiplife@gmail.com Justin Hawbaker.........................Editor Chaela Williams...................Asst. Editor Sports slatesports@gmail.com Christopher Wurtz............................Editor Matthew Gregan..................Asst. Editor Isaiah Snead........................Asst. Editor A&E slateae@gmail.com Olivia Riccio..........................Editor
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Tuesday, September 10, 2019
Ship Life
Pride Center Director seeks acceptance Justin Hawbaker Ship Life Editor
You do not need to be part of the LGBTQ+ community to visit the Pride Center office, according to former student and new director Dani Zinn. Zinn, who identifies as she/her/hers or they/them/ theirs and as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, began working as the Pride Center director earlier this summer and plans to focus on what students want when it comes to the center. “This year I am really pushing pronouns – why they are important, what they are and how to be more inclusive,” Zinn said. Zinn has always considered Shippensburg to be her home as both of her parents graduated from Shippensburg High School. Zinn graduated from the Shippenburg University’s Counseling, College Student Personnel Program in May and decided she wanted to continue providing her services to campus. Prior to Shippensburg, Zinn attended Penn State University, where she ma-
jored in psychology and minored in sociology. “I wasn’t sure if higher ed was exactly what I wanted to do at the time but I knew I wanted to help people,” Zinn said. A major piece of advice Zinn wants everyone to know is that they don’t need to have everything figured out when it comes to their sexuality and who they are. She recommended the Pride Center resource library which has books that go into detail about different identities as well as other information about the LGBTQ+ community. Thinking back to her coming out experience, Zinn said she had been outed when she was 19 and has learned to accept herself for who she is. “It was not always easy and it has definitely shaped who I am today and made me realize that I am resilient and can get through much more than I had thought at 19,” Zinn said. Zinn plans to have many opportunities for different members of campus to visit the center, whether it be a student, staff or faculty
member. The center will provide a support group for students who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community on Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. There also will be a time for anybody to visit the center to eat lunch and hang out on Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. First year students who identify with the LGBTQ+ community are invited to come to the center on Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. The Pride Center will also hold monthly Safe Zone Trainings in Ceddia Union Building (CUB) in Room 119 on the fourth of every month from now until December from 3-4:30 p.m. This opportunity will be for all students, staff, administration and faculty members who want to come and learn more about the LGBTQ+ community. All are invited to partake in the open sessions the center will be holding in an effort to receive feedback on how to make the center better and more efficient for students.
Read the full story at theslateonline.com.
C1
Question of the Week: How was your first week of classes?
“My first week actually went smoothly, I just had to get used to getting back into the swing of things.” Eric Jones, sophomore
Photo courtesy of ship.edu
Dani Zinn wants everyone to feel free to visit the Pride Center regardless of sexual orientation.
MSA kicks off year with crab fest Chaela Williams
Asst. Ship Life Editor
Photos by Chaela Williams/The Slate
Students and family spent the evening at MSA’s annual crab fest on Saturday.
MSA staff members handed out bags filled with pre-seasoned crab to guests.
Shippensburg University’s Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) hosted its annual crab fest and BBQ at the hockey rink on Saturday. Students, family and faculty filled the hockey rink to get a taste of crab and homecooked soul food. The fifth annual event was created to welcome all students to mingle and have a great time. Executive board member of the black union Afro-Am senior Lance Hines-Butts volunteered to help at the event by serving dessert to guests. “[Afro-Am] likes to put an event like this because people like to have a good time and eat good food,” Hines-Butts said. “We want to bring in freshmen so they have a comfortable time at Shippensburg University and with black student union.” The adviser of MSA, Diane Jefferson, spent the evening greeting everyone with a warm, motherly affection, making sure they had something to eat and were comfortable. Jefferson wanted to bring people together in a clever way. For her, race and gender cannot get in the way of people coming together to find a middle ground. “[Crab fest] is really about
diversity. We try to find that thing we [all] have in common by doing it in a fun way and most people enjoy crabs,” Jefferson said. “For me that’s the win of it all, finding that common ground and peace.” By the end of the fest, students loosened up and got out of their seats to dance to the “Cha Cha Slide” and other hip-hop anthems showcasing the Afro-Am’s desire to bring students together and celebrate. Junior Maddy Albright attended Crab Fest for the first time and was pleased by the hospitality from the staff that made her feel at home. “I had a great time meeting new people. I especially enjoyed the dancing. The food was great,” Albright said. The organization is confident that its crab fest will last for years to come. Afro-Am member Abdul Omar Tucker was positive that students will always come out to the event. “There’s no other way to bring people together but by having food, normally when you see all these people they wouldn’t be seating together they usually just walk by each other,” Tucker said. “It’s that one time that everyone can get together and eat and listen to music. I don’t see why this [event] would stop.”
“The first week was fantastic and I enjoyed all my classes because I knew the people in them.” Ally D’Ercole, junior
“It was stressful. I had to drop a class and add another one to better suit my major” Katherine Dirosa, junior
“I’ve had a really strong support system [at Ship] and I’m really liking the community. It’s been a good time getting into my classes.” Brendan Rosenberger, senior
Recipe of the Week: Jamaican Curry Chicken
Curry chicken is an essential dish in Jamaican cuisine. Rich and tasty, you will enjoy making and eating this with friends and family. Ingredients -1lb of boneless chicken -Thyme -¼ cup vegetable oil -1 onion, chopped -1 tomato, chopped -1 garlic clove, chopped -2 tablespoons curry powder -2 slices of jalapeno pepper (optional) Photo by Chaela Williams/The Slate
It takes 10 minutes to prepare this dish. Cooking takes 45 minutes. Maximum servings is 4. 1. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cook and stir onion, tomato, garlic, curry powder, thyme, jalapeno pepper (optional) until onion is golden, about 7 minutes. 3. Stir in chicken and cook until chicken is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 4. Pour water into the skillet. 5. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until chicken is no longer pink at the center, about 30 minutes. Season with salt.
SHIP LIFE
C2
September 10, 2019
Student Trustee tells students to find passion, overcome life circumstances Hannah Pollock Managing Editor
Stephen Washington had a less than conventional journey to his position as student trustee. In fact, one could argue that it was a difficult road for the junior management information systems major and military science minor. However, Washington credits his successes to his passion for leadership. His journey to Shippensburg began just outside of Pittsburgh in Moon Township. Washington attended public school, where he received Cs, Ds and Fs in his classes. “I was failing in high school. I was always told that I could do anything and get the lowest passing grade,” Washington explained. “They were just pushing me along.” Washington said he approached the administrators of his school district with concerns about the status-quo. Unsatisfied with the answers he was given, Washington made a pivotal decision — he left and enrolled in military school. “I wanted something different,” he explained. Many of Washington’s close friends and family members are or have been involved in military service and he wanted to serve as well. Washington began attending Carson Long Military Academy for his junior and senior years of high school. He credits the “structure” of his experience at the military academy for his own personal development. “It has helped me realize the importance of self-care, emotional awareness and leadership,” Washington said. During his first year at the academy, Washington found himself in a familiar situation with his grades. But something was different that time. “My first year, my grades were not that different from public school,” Washington said. “But I did it on my own.” For the first time, Washington said he earned his grades. During his senior year, Washington became involved in leadership, when he was named Senior Cadet
Command Sgt. leader for his unit; a position which included overseeing 60 individuals. In the classroom, he earned nothing lower than an A. After graduating from the academy, Washington set his sights on continuing his journey in military service. Washington said he was drawn to Shippensburg because of the university’s highly-recognized ROTC program. “The ROTC program was one of the best in the nation, but also the academic support programs available [at Shippensburg] are amazing,” Washington said.
“It is my job to hear what the students are saying. It’s one thing for the administration to say, ‘here’s the data’ but I can provide what the students are saying.” Stephen Washington Student Trustee Washington attended the Academic Success Program (ASP) before the start of his freshman year. The following year he became a peer leader for the program. Washington had prepared since 7th grade for a career in military service by participating in Civil Air Patrol, his two-year stint at military school, and ROTC training at Shippensburg. However, his military future was taken away from him. “I was medically disqualified from all branches of armed forces due to a peanut allergy,” Washington said. His scholarship was removed and he was no longer allowed to continue in ROTC. “I trained for nine years to become an officer and then I was told that I couldn’t do it,” he said. Washington admitted that he could have very easily “climbed into a hole and done nothing,” but instead, he channeled his passion for service into a new medium. “I decided to pursue other student leadership positions and venues of service, but nothing really fit,” Washing-
ton said. Washington wanted a way to work toward his future goals while also serving others. After a trip to the Career, Mentoring, and Professional Development Center, he found his next opportunity: Student trustee. He says Victoria Kerr, director of career development, pointed out the position. “I wanted a new leadership activity and to step out of my comfort zone,” he said. As student trustee, Washington said he will be the eyes and ears on campus. “It is my job to hear what the students are saying. It’s one thing for the administration to say, ‘here’s the data,’ but I can provide what the students are saying,” he said. Part of Washington’s duties as student trustee include holding a seat in the Student Government Association (SGA) and on the Shippensburg University Student Services Inc. (SUSSI) Board, as well as reporting to the Council of Trustees. “It is my job to communicate with the administration and trustees. When decisions are made, I have to decide for the students,” he said. He will hold his position until his graduation in 2021. When asked if he had a role model, Washington said he does not have “one.” In fact, he discourages it. He said, “I believe if you model yourself as one person, you will only go as far as that one person.” Washington added, “I have very ambitious goals that one person won’t fit. I do not have one mentor.” His career aspirations include becoming a senior level executive with Mercedes Benz USA. Washington keeps busy with an ever-growing list of campus activities including his membership with the Pivot Team and his latest initiative of starting his own leadership program for students. He will be introducing a new program to the campus community in early October. He said he created the program because he saw a need for it when he was completing his own search for a new organization to join after his discharge from the ROTC program. Read the full story at theslateonline.com.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Washington
Washington says he isn’t a “big partier”, but that does not mean that he is not social. “I would rather stay in and have a good conversation,” he said.
Hannah Pollock/The Slate
Aven Bittinger (left), Meredith Scarr, Logan Wert and Stephen Washington all serve on SGA. Washington sits on SGA, SUSSI and Council of Trustees.
Police chief brings 20 years of experience to SU campus
Hannah Pollock Managing Editor
Michael Lee has been named the new chief of the Shippensburg University Police Department. Born and raised in Arkansas, Lee moved to Frederick, Maryland around age 13. He would eventually start his career in the western Maryland city. “I applied to SU because I was looking to move ahead in my career,” Lee said. There has been an adjustment period for Lee, “Shippensburg is definitely different. Frederick is a little faster-paced.” He has served his community as a school resource officer, patrol sergeant, drug unit supervisor, and most recently as the assistant director of public safety at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland.
While Lee has spent more than 20 years in the field, he was not always interested in law enforcement. “Initially, I wanted to go into nursing,” Lee explained. “But I realized that I was not smart enough,” he said with a laugh. Lee’s appointment comes months after former Chief of SU Police Cytha Grissom retired in January 2019. Lee has officially been on the job since May 28 and will formally be announced to the student body in August, according to Megan Silverstrim, SU media relations and social media manager. During his adjustment period, Lee said he was looking forward to the upcoming school year and interacting with clubs, introducing himself to the student body and making himself available to the campus.
Courtesy of Megan Silverstrim/SU Media Relations
SU Police chief Michael Lee can be found with other police officers Tuesday at the Picnic With the Police.
ShipTALKS
What do I do if I have a conflict with a roommate? Living in a small space with another person is never easy and conflicts may arise, but they should not make your year an uncomfortable one. There are several things you can do if you have an issue with a roommate. One thing that a lot of people do not do is talk to their roommate about the situation first. Problems are often solved by going directly to the root of the conflict. If the issue is not solved by communicating with your roommate, then you can go to your Resident Assistant (RA) and asked for advice on what can be done. RAs are there for students in situations such as a roommate conflict. If worse comes to worse, moving to a new room is an option, however this should always be a last resort. You do not have to be best friends with your roommate, but you have to at least respect one another as you’ll be sharing the same room together. No matter the size, conflicts should be dealt with to make for an easier, fulfilling year. And roommates: Don’t cause any unnecessary conflict with the person who lives with you. College is a time for growth and acceptance. Be the individual to strive to be better person. Your college years only last so long, so try and make the best of them. Sincerely, The ShipTalker
D1
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
A&E
Art teachers showcase their creative side in new exhibit Olivia Riccio A&E Editor
The “Artists that Teach” exhibit shows viewers a different side of teachers as it made its debut at Shippensburg University’s Kauffman Gallery on Aug. 26. The exhibit features work from artists who teach kindergarten to 12th grade. The art comes from teachers all over central Pennsylvania. When stepping into the exhibit, a viewer is greeted with all mediums, from acrylic paintings, ink drawings, sculptures made from paper-mache and even found objects. Each piece tells a story of the teacher, and some even about how their students inspired their work. Jill Claire Rakowicz of Littlestown Area School District created a piece titled “Reinal,” which she gained inspiration from her students. It features drawings that her art students have made, all jumbled together in blue, green, white and yellow markings. “Intrigued by intuitive and raw mark makings, I have collected drawings from elementary art students over the past several years. I observe the juxtaposition between random and intentional when a child begins a drawing, erases, adds, and subtracts,” Rakowicz said. “Observing those drawings makes me question ‘What is intuitive and what is automatic?’ And ‘Can the automatic be defined?’” Rakowicz strives to combine her students’ representational images with automatism by deconstructing her students’ drawings. “I attempt to find a balance of drawing without any rational control with an instinctive need to connect the shape,” Rakowicz said. Other teachers took their pieces to the classroom and included their students’ work, while teaching life lessons as well. Jessica Barlup of Newport School District created “The Pointer,” a large acrylic painting of a big blue pointer dog with green farmland in the background. “I created this particular painting in my classroom, where students could watch me make mistakes, problem solve and express myself,” Barlup said. “The process provoked a healthy and necessary creative exchange. It helped my students see that I am human and share similar struggles as well as successes.” The exhibit also showed what these art teachers do that is just as imaginative as what their students come up with and influence. Kelly Lani-Burtch of Huntingdon Area School District created a three-dimensional, paper-mache, water-dragon-like monster whose head protrudes from the gallery wall, teeth baring at the viewer.
Dave Krovich/The Slate
“Helping all kids, no matter age, race, gender, or learning ability, understand the positive impact that art can have in their life is my goal,” art teacher Jessica Barlup said. The piece is called “Untitled,” and LaniBurtch named it that because she wanted the viewer to dive into their imagination when seeing it. “I did not title my sculpture because I want to invite you to imagine. Is this creature a terrifying ruler of the Pacific or a fierce, but protector of the alpine lakes?” Lani-Burtch said. Another teacher invites the viewer to imagine her artwork as a scene of nature the viewer hopes to see. Julie Geisinger of South Western School District painted “Fragmented Reflection,” which encompassed with acrylic paint and layers of colored pencil to reveal a serene mountain scene. “My hope is to evoke the viewer’s eye with an explosive scene of nature as either someplace you have or hope to see with your own eyes one day,” Geisinger said. “Artists that Teach” gallery invites people to step into the minds of teachers, and minds of their own when it comes to imagining what art can be. The exhibit opened officially Aug. 26, and will be located in the Kauffman Gallery until Sept. 20. To find Kauffman Gallery hours, visit its website at www.ship.edu/art/gallery.
Fall exhibit of community art opens at Thought Lot Meghan Schiereck
Movie Showtimes
Multimedia Editor
Tucked away in an inconspicuous warehouse lies The Thought Lot: a gallery that shows contemporary art exhibits and concerts. The opening reception for the fall gallery opened at 6 p.m. on Sept. 6, and will be on display through the end of October. Inside the gallery, the atmosphere is buzzing with warmth. Artists and patrons alike stroll around, munching on snacks and chatting with friends. String lights wrapped around poles and tables and chairs turn the industrial look of the warehouse into something more inviting and akin to a cozy living room or family gathering. Hannah Nawa, an artist manager for The Thought Lot and owner of Whiskers Vintage and Vinyl, a shop nestled in a corner of inside the lot, was all smiles and greeted visitors by name. “We feature new and contemporary artists from Cumberland Valley,” Nawa explained. “Most of the events are free here. And [for] all-ages.” Nawa said. The Thought Lot is all about inclusivity and expression, whether you are 13 or 100 years old. Mary Seay, an artist from Shippensburg, says she wants people to make their own message about her art. “I like art to be as relatable as possible. I don’t want it to be about one specific thing,” she said. And that rings true, Seay’s abstract art is
Showtimes for Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept.10 and 11 at AMC Classic 7 in Chambersburg
Shows
Meghan Schiereck/The Slate
Tracie Leisher, a Shippensburg digital artist stands next to her photography inspired by patterns of nature.
open to interpretation through her use of bold colors, mixed materials and use of ’90’s-inspired patterns. Tracie Leisher, a digital artist from Shippensburg, credits nature as her main artistic inspiration. “I love nature. I’m fascinated by the patterns. It’s natural,” she said. Leisher takes digital photographs and turns them into glitchy, psychedelic edits combining the world of computers and graphics with the natural world. “This is my first time,” Leisher said about being in the exhibit. “I’ll do my art and just put it out here.” You may find an abstract piece next to a photograph, or a photograph next to a watercolor piece. All three styles meshed together, using bright colors as a common theme. The variety of the show gives people of all different tastes and preferences something to enjoy.
Times
1. IT Chapter Two
7:00 p.m.
2. Good Boys
5:15 p.m.
3. Dora and the Lost City of Gold
3:45 p.m.
4. Ready or Not
8:30 p.m.
5. The Lion King
7:00 p.m.
6. Fast & Furious Presents: Hobb and Shaw
7:30 p.m.
7. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
7:30 p.m.
Billboard Top 10 1. Truth Hurts- Billie Eilish
6. Ran$om- Lil Tecca
2. Senorita- Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello
7. No Guidance- Chris Brown feat. Drake
3. Bad Guy- Billie Eilish
8. Talk- Khalid
4. You Need To Calm Down- Taylor Swift
9. I Don’t Care- Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber
5. Old Town Road- Lil Nas X
10. Lover- Taylor Swift
Tuesday, September 10, 2019
E1
Sports
Field Hockey, E2
Men’s Soccer, E3
Images courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.
David Balint III dives for the pylon to score a touchdown that narrowed the Red Raiders’ deficit. Balint III totaled 64 receiving yards in the loss to Clarion.
Football stumbles in home opener Chris Wurtz Sports Editor
The Shippensburg University football team could not overcome a flat first-half performance in what amounted to a 48-28 defeat at the hands of Clarion University in the Red Raider’s home opener on Saturday afternoon at Seth Grove Stadium. It was the first time Clarion (1-0, 1-0 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) had defeated the Red Raiders (0-1, 0-1 PSAC) on their own turf since 1996. “Listen, it was just a disaster in the first half,” Shippensburg coach Mark Maciejewski said. “There was nothing there at all in the first 30 minutes that suggested that we practiced and prepared at all for this game.” The Red Raiders were baffled by everything Clarion threw at them in the first half, falling behind 34-0 by halftime. The Golden Eagles pound-
ed SU on the ground, as Ross Greece and Mylique McGriff punched in one-yard scores in the first quarter to take a 13-0 lead. In what felt like a matter of minutes, Clarion added a passing score, a rushing score and an interception returned for a touchdown to extend the lead to 34-0. “Guys just weren’t doing what they were supposed to do,” Maciejewski said. “There was no emotion or passion on either side of the ball. There is enough fault or blame to go around for everybody for the breakdowns today.” The Red Raiders showed signs of life on both sides of the ball after halftime. Touchdowns from redshirt-freshman Bill Williams and redshirt-junior Winston Eubanks in a span of 1:08 of game time narrowed the deficit to 34-14. Clarion answered with a nine-play, 81-yard touchdown drive of its own to push
the lead back to 21. Two early fourth quarter scores by Williams and redshirt-sophomore David Balint III brought SU within 13 points, 41-28. Once again, the Golden Eagles stifled the comeback effort with a long scoring drive of their own to put the Red Raiders away for good. Shippensburg did outscore Clarion 28-14 in the second half, but the first-half collapse was too drastic to overcome. “The second half was night-and-day compared to the first half,” Maciejewski said. Redshirt-sophomore quarterback Brycen Mussina salvaged his statline with a strong second-half performance. The reigning PSAC East Freshman of the Year completed 24 of 39 passes for 264 yards and two touchdowns. He threw an interception and was sacked four times. “[Mussina] started making
the right decisions, reading what he was supposed to do and getting the ball out of his hands quickly,” Maciejewski said. “There was definitely a noticeable difference there.” Eubanks was effective on the perimeter, reeling in seven catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. It was his 10th career 100-yard receiving effort. The Raiders defensive unit struggled all afternoon, particularly at stopping Clarion’s run game. The Golden Eagles racked up a whopping 341 rushing yards on 48 carries behind an offensive line that decimated the Red Raider’s front seven. The loss snapped a streak of five consecutive wins in season openers for the Red Raiders. With plenty of work to do at practice this week, Shippensburg’s next test comes Saturday on the road at Slippery Rock University’s Milhalik-Thompson Stadium.
Brycen Mussina runs for a first down on Clarion. Mussina totaled 264 passing yards in the loss.
Women’s soccer wins thriller, opens season 2-0 Isaiah Snead
Asst. Sports Editor
Image courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.
The women’s cross country team runs as a pack in its home invitational meet, the Galen Piper Alumni Open/Cross Country Challenge.
Cross country opens strong at home Courtesy of SU Sports Info.
The Shippensburg University women’s cross country team had a strong showing in the 2019 season opener Friday, running second to the NCAA Division I squad of Pitt in the 2019 Galen Piper Alumni Open/Cross Country Challenge on a pleasant night on the campus recreation
fields. Freshman Isabelle Gulgert, one of five women making their Raider debuts Friday night, paced the team with a seventh-place finish in 15:24. Fellow freshman Madison Murtland ran 16:05 for 16th place, while sophomore Kyra Gerber impressed with a time of 16:10 just one place behind.
Sophomore Sam Crouse was one place behind Gerber with an 18th-place time of 16:31. Sophomore Jade Fry completed the course in 16:51 to round out the scoring contingent. Olivia Sommers was one spot behind Fry with a time of 17:00. Read the full story at www.shipraiders.com
The Shippensburg University women’s soccer team got its season started on the right foot with a 1-0 win in its home opener against Pitt-Johnstown University (UPJ) on Thursday afternoon. It was an up-and-down game as both teams controlled the ball for a short period before turning it over to the opposing side. SU played tough defense for the duration of the game as they got great starting debuts from freshmen Sydney Miller and sophomore Mackenzie Mitchell on the defensive end. On the offensive end, they relied on last season’s leading scorer senior Izzy Weigel as she had a team-leading three shots in the game. The only goal of the game came off the foot of Weigel as she found the back of the
net with a nicely-placed assist from junior Casey Bell at 39:02 in the first period. Weigel spoke about the feeling of notching that first goal of the season after the game “It was great. It was a very exciting feeling especially this being my last season,” Weigel said. “I hope to lead the team in goals again, or if not, have someone right there with me.” Junior goalkeeper Delaney Shifflett continued her stellar play from 2018 into the first game of this season as she blanked UPJ with six saves. One save came with under a minute remaining in the match with the Mountain Cats threatening in close, as Shifflett stopped a close shot and fell on the ground. SU coach Rob Fulton commented on the importance of getting that season opening win and how he assessed his team’s play. “It’s definitely good always
to get off to a good start and win the first one it builds a little confidence and a little momentum as you go forward,” Fulton said. “I thought we did fairly well, there were some really good things and positive things we did, but there is definitely room for improvement and as we move forward hopefully we can get better from game to game,” Fulton continued. In the second game on Saturday night against Frostburg State University, junior Kendall Mikkelson netted a last second header to give Shippensburg a 1-0 win. SU pitched a shutout in back-to-back games for the first time since 2016. Shifflett was credited with two saves in the win. The squad will be back in action on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at home against Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East rival Shepherd University.
September 10, 2019
SPORTS
E2
Field hockey begins title defense Raiders pick up two dominant wins over Belmont Abbey, Queens in North Carolina Matt Gregan
Asst. Sports Editor
The Shippensburg University field hockey team opened up its season with a pair of non-conference wins in North Carolina on Saturday and Sunday. The Raiders’ season began on Saturday afternoon with a 4-0 win against Belmont Abbey. Shippensburg dominated offensively, outshooting the Crusaders 27-4 and 16-2 in shots on goal. The scoring began early, with SU tallying two goals in the game’s first seven minutes. Sophomore Jenna Sluymer finished with a hat trick, scoring three of the team’s four goals on the day. She was second on the team in goals (12) last season, and she quickly showed that she will be a major force in the Raiders’ offense again this season. Junior Jazmin Petrantonio also had a good game, totaling a goal and an assist in the win against Belmont Abbey. The Raiders, winners of the NCAA Division II field hockey national championship each of the last three seasons, are a special team partially because of their offense and their ability to control the ball in the opposing team’s side of the field. Against Belmont Abbey, they once again proved their ability to win using an attacking,
smothering style of play. Shippensburg opened up Sunday’s game against Queens (North Carolina), a 3-1 win, in the same fashion as Saturday’s game, with an early goal by Sluymer. The goal was her fourth of the season and came in the fifth minute of the game. It was assisted by Petrantonio, something that is a good sign for the Raiders. If those two players can consistently work together and develop a chemistry on the offensive side of the field, it will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Queens put up a better fight than Belmont Abbey, tallying 12 shots and four shots on goal. However, they were only able to get one shot in the net past redshirt sophomore Megan Lay. Lay, who only played in four games as a redshirt freshman, is inexperienced and it helps to have an experienced group of defenders in front of her as well as an attacking, aggressive offense that is more than willing to keep the ball in the other team’s zone for most of the game. Senior Rosalia Cappadora also had a strong game on the offensive end, totaling three shots (two shots on goal) and scoring one goal. The Raiders (2-0) continue their season Wednesday with their home opener against Millersville University at Robb Sports Complex.
Images courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.
Jazmin Petrantonio is a key player in the Raiders’ quest for a fourth straight national championship.
Jenna Sluymer, a native of the Netherlands, leads the Raiders’ scoring attack against Belmont Abbey.
Volleyball picks up two home wins Saturday sweep completes 3-0 opening weekend Courtesy of SU Sports Info.
Images courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.
Senior Samantha Webber racks up a new single-match career high 25 kills in the win over Walsh.
Senior Gabriella Johnson returns a serve against Walsh. Johnson led the Raiders with 24 digs.
The Shippensburg University volleyball team completed the season-opening Raider Classic on Saturday with two victories, beginning the day with a sweep of Roberts Wesleyan (25-18, 25-15, 25-14) before squeaking out a five-set win in a riveting affair with Walsh (25-22, 2521, 25-27, 22-25, 15-13) in non-conference action from Heiges Field House. Shippensburg (3-0) hit .202 and served 20 aces over the course of Saturday’s matches to complete the weekend with an unblemished record. The nightcap against a strong and resilient Walsh squad featured 41 ties and 16 lead changes, with the Cavaliers nearly completing a comeback after dropping the first two sets to the Raiders. Senior Samantha Webber clinched the win over Walsh with her 25th and final kill, marking a new single-match career high. It was Webber’s third career match with 20 or more kills. Webber hit .385 against the Cavaliers despite a team-high 52 swings, and also recorded three blocks. For the weekend, Webber hit .443 with 46 kills over the course of 88 attempts.
The nightcap also featured 46 assists and 16 digs from junior Emily Hangen, and 10 kills and a team-high 24 digs from senior Gabriella Johnson. Redshirt-freshman Syera McCormick finished with a match-high five aces, giving her nine over the course of the season’s first three matches, but also served eight of SU’s 18 service errors in the match. Senior Kendall Johnson finished with six blocks against Walsh; she began the day with eight kills and a .429 percentage against Roberts Wesleyan. Webber had 11 kills against the Redhawks, while Gabriella Johnson had nine kills and 13 digs. Freshman Kaitlyn Townsend once again impressed off the bench, producing six kills, zero errors, a .316 hitting percentage and three block assists in the fiveset win over Walsh. Overall on Saturday, Townsend slammed 12 kills without an attack error. Her season-opening weekend featured 17 kills, eight blocks and a .341 hitting percentage. Shippensburg travels to West Virginia State and Charleston next weekend for the first of two PSAC/MEC crossover tournaments.
SPORTS
E3
September 10, 2019
Raiders’ Corner Football drops season opener against Clarion 48-28 on Saturday • Brycen Mussina: Passed for 264 yards, two touchdowns and one interception • Winston Eubanks: Made seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown • Laron Woody: Recorded five total tackles, 1.0 sack and one interception Images courtesy of Bill Smith/SU Sports Info.
Sophomore Julian Horstmann finishes this weekend’s game against Nyack with four shots. He was tied for the team lead in shots. However, none of his shots found the net in the Raiders’ 2-2 season-opening tie.
Men’s soccer begins season with 2-2 tie against non-conference opponent, Nyack Courtesy of SU Sports Info.
Second-half tallies from freshman Seth Crabbe and redshirt-senior Joey Gallucci allowed the Shippensburg University men’s soccer team to rally from a two-goal deficit on Thursday and achieve a draw in the 2019 season opener, tying visiting Nyack by a 2-2 score from David See Field. Shippensburg (0-0-1) fell behind 2-0 in the 59th minute after a Moritz Albrecht goal from the visitors but recovered five minutes later to make it 2-1 on the first collegiate strike for Crabbe — one of four men making their Raider debuts in the match. Crabbe finished a short cross in the box from sophomore Cory Ferguson, whose strong run up the right wing led to the tally. Despite being out-shot by a 15-5 margin in the second half, it looked as if the strong start by visiting Nyack (0-01) would result in a victory for the visitors. In the final minute of regulation, however, a long through ball off a re-start in the SU zone from junior Ben Warner sailed all the way down the field and
found its way onto Gallucci, who chipped a ball past the oncoming keeper to equal the score at 2-2 with 43 seconds remaining. Each team nearly achieved a golden goal in overtime. With six minutes to go, se-
nior Colin Marks rang a close-range shot off the crossbar. In the 109th minute, a Nyack corner kick sailed straight onto the foot of Lucas Fiuza, but his shot from point-blank range went over the goal.
Senior Bradley Brickman, making his first collegiate start, was credited with four saves for the Raiders. Shippensburg is next in action Wednesday with a road match at Chestnut Hill.
Field hockey opens season with two non-conference wins over weekend • Jenna Sluymer: Scored four combined goals, including three against Belmont Abbey • Jazmin Petrantonio: Totaled two goals and two assists
Volleyball goes 3-0 in annual Raider Classic • Samantha Webber: Totaled a new single-match career-high 25 kills against Walsh • Emily Hangen: Recorded 46 assists and 16 digs against Walsh Women’s soccer begins season with wins against Pitt-Johnstown and Frostburg State • Izzy Weigel: Totaled one goal and Erik Espinoza (pictured on the right) defends against an upcoming attacker in a game last season. He finished the game against Nyack with one shot on goal.
one assist