Fall 2015 issue 3 by The Penn

C O U N T R Y , C O W S A N D H O M E M A D E I C E C R E A M I N D I A N A C O U N T Y F A I R O P E N S P A G E 5

NE WS T UDE NTI S S UE T u e s d a y , S e p t e mb e r 1 , 2 0 1 5

V o l . 1 0 6 N o . 3

The Penn // INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

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EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief Cody Benjamin Managing Editor Samantha Barnhart

STUDENT SPOLIGHT: ENGLISH MAJOR AUTHORS NOVEL PAGE 6

WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR FRESHMAN SELF? PAGE 10

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F O R E C A S T T U E S D A Y

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FRESHMAN QUARTERBACK COMPETING FOR STARTING JOB PAGE 12

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News Editor Casey Kelly Wet Ink Editor Chris Hayes Sports Editor Kyle Kondor Copy Editor Michael Kiwak Photo Editor Samantha Nicholson Graphic Designer Alex Salyers

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New Media Editor Ailey Clark

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BUSINESS STAFF Business Manager Bradley Deppen

The Penn’# SPOTIFY PLAYLIST

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SEPTEMBER Earth, Wind, & Fire COMEBACK KID Brett Dennen

RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES Cage the Elephant

ARE YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO BE? Walk The Moon

SAYS SHE LOVES ME Aer

BANANA PANCAKES Jack Johnson

GOLD IN THE SUMMERTIME Matt Nathanson

SLEEPING WITH A FRIEND Neon Trees

BURNING PILE Mother Mother

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WAKE ME UP WHEN SEPTEMBER ENDS Green Day

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With New York City in the criminal clutches of the villainous Shredder, four unlikely vigilantes rise from their sewer lair to take back the city. Framed after a terrorist bombing, a U.S. embassy employee is on the run in London, while trying to stop another pending attack. Cruelly abandoned by his owners, a stray dog named Hagen survives brutal conditions to rally an army of mongrels bent on revenge. Obsessed with the “muffin top” she gained while trying to conceive, a wife discovers that her husband has impregnated a younger, thinner woman. Framed after a terrorist bombing, a U.S. embassy employee is on the run in London, while trying to stop another pending attack.

Secretaries Devyn Marenger Lynette Larssen Sarah Zbur

ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Director Lara Zimmerman Advertising Staff Meghan Donegan Ali Stanley Brock Romano Karen Sadaka

PRODUCTION STAFF Production Manager Rachel Clippinger

News

September 1, 2015

THE PENN

News Editor: Casey Kelly – C.E.Kelly2@iup.edu Lead News Writer: Kali Ledgard – K.J.Ledgard@iup.edu

Shot fired during Copper Beech fight; 2 injured By KALI LEDGARD Lead News Writer K.J.Ledgard@iup.edu

A large fight that took place outside the Copper Beech townhouses Sunday led to a shooting that left two men injured, one man suffering from a gunshot wound and another with a head laceration. Christopher Waters, 21, of Philadelphia, suffered a gunshot wound under his right arm. The bullet entered through his armpit and lodged in his trapezius muscle, according to an article in The Indiana Gazette.

Waters was sent to Indiana Regional Medical Center and was later transferred to a hospital in Pittsburgh in good condition, according to WPXI. Nathan Wright Jr., 22, also of Philadelphia, suffered a large laceration above his right eye. While Wright is an IUP student, Waters is not. Wright is a kinesiology health & sports science major. It is unknown how the laceration to Wright’s eye was caused. Despite the large number of people who witnessed the fight as well as the shooting, most witnesses have refused to

cooperate with police. Police have been unable to get any information on why the fight started or who fired the shot, according to the Gazette. The article also stated that the group was uncooperative while police were searching for witnesses. Many continued laughing, partying and drinking following the shooting. “It kind of amazed me that after people got shot, people were still laughing, partying in the street and smoking cannabis in front of everybody,” said Nathan Bennett, a resident at Copper Beech.

“It was just complete lawlessness,” according to WTAE. Copper Beech employees did not comment on the incident. The complex’s residents consist of both Indiana University of Pennsylvania students and non-students. The shooting caused some students to question their safety at the university. “IUP feels more dangerous now,” said Olivia Goulding (junior, psychology). “You never think stuff like that would happen, so it’s really scary.” Copper Beech resident Eric Agsten (junior, communications media) said

he feels the opposite about his safety in Indiana. “I don’t feel any less safe on campus at all, same for Copper Beech,” Agsten said. “I do not feel any less comfortable walking to and from classes.” State police were unable to give any comment on the situation. There have been no arrests made; however, there is an ongoing investigation, according to WPXI. Anyone who has any information on the incident or the identity of the shooter should contact police by calling 724-357-1960.

PTX military fraternity washes cars to benefit veterans By KALI LEDGARD Lead News Writer K.J.Ledgard@iup.edu

Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s military fraternity, Rho Tau Chi (PTX), held a car wash Saturday at Venice Cafe & Pizzeria to help raise money for veterans in the Indiana community. PTX, a co-ed, military-based community-service fraternity, was founded on Oct. 29, 1993, by IUP Reserve Officers’ Training Corps students. The fraternity welcomes members who are student veterans, ROTC students and students who are enlisted. Students who are simply interested in

the fraternity and veterans but have no military service background are also welcome to join PTX. Christina Maziarz (junior, biology), president of PTX, is one of the members who have no affiliation with the military. “I wanted to do ROTC when I came to school, but for personal reasons I was not able to,” Maziarz said. “I met one of the brothers, and they recruited me for the fraternity as an alternative to being a service member.” The fraternity is dedicated to helping local veterans by holding fundraisers such as car washes, candy grams and

bake sales. They have also sponsored student blood drives and collected cards for troops, according to the IUP website. While the fraternity is militarybased, its members are willing to help other organizations with events or community service. “Whenever community service is needed, we’ll help,” Maziarz said. “We don’t say, ‘You’re not military, we won’t help with that event,’ but we focus our efforts and especially our monetary donations towards veterans.” The fraternity holds their car wash fundraiser once per semester, and all the

money collected is saved until the end of the semester. The members of PTX then decide who to donate the money to, according to Maziarz. “We take all the funds that we have raised, and we take votes on which organization that semester’s funds go to.” Venice Pizzeria works with the fraternity each semester by holding the car wash at the restaurant, according to owner Sefer Cokguler. “The fraternity contacted me to see if they could hold the car wash here,” Cokguler said. Venice has also helped with various other fundraisers by providing coupons

for raffle baskets and monetary donations, according to Cokguler. “I love the community,” Cokguler said. “If you want help, let me know and I am happy to help.” This semester’s car wash included a disc jockey and raised a total of $318. While PTX focuses on military or veteran-based community-service events, they are willing to collaborate with any organization that needs help. “If anyone wants to collaborate on an event or if there’s a service project that’s too big for one to handle, we’re always looking to collaborate with different organizations on campus,” Maiarz said.

September 1, 2015

Police Blotter ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS

• Chelsea Mars, 19, of Evans City, was cited for underage drinking and public drunkenness after Indiana Borough Police observed Mars to be heavily intoxicated in Sheetz, 380 Philadelphia St., at 5:06 a.m. Aug. 26, according to police. • Anh Norris-Phan, 18, of Cranberry Township, was cited for underage drinking and possession of an open container of alcohol after he was reportedly observed by borough police carrying the open container in the 200 block of South Seventh Street at 11:53 p.m. Aug. 22, according to police. • Shannon McLaughlin, 18, and Raymond Cessna, 19, both of Springfield, were charged with public drunkenness and underage drinking in the 200 block of South Seventh Street at 12:51 a.m. Aug. 23, according to borough police. McLaughlin was also charged with disorderly conduct and carrying an open container, police said. • Anthony Paulauskas, 22, of Industry, was charged with public drunkenness after refusing to leave H.B. Culpepper’s, 653 Philadelphia St., at 11:17 p.m. Aug. 22, according to borough police. • Adam Davis, 20, of Lincoln University, was cited for underage drinking and public drunkenness after Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police reportedly found him passed out on the ground floor of Stephenson Hall at 10 p.m. Aug 16, police said. • Borough police responded to a report from Sheetz, 768 Wayne Ave., about a disorderly male inside the store at 1:33 a.m. Aug. 29, according to police. Anthony Ferrigno, 21, of Evans City, was observed by officers to be intoxicated and in possession of brass knuckles after an investigation, police said. Ferrigno was charged with possession of prohibited offensive weapons, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. • Kenneth Walker, 21, of Philadelphia, was cited for public drunkenness after university police observed Walker stumbling between Stright and Johnson Halls at 1:50 a.m. Aug. 26, police said. • Paying Moua, 21, of Ephrata, was charged with disorderly conduct and public drunkenness after she attempted to sleep in the living room couch of a residence located in the 600 block of School Street at 2:22 a.m. Aug. 28, according to police.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT

• Melissa Frain, 26, and Lester Petrovich, 37, both of Indiana, were cited for disorderly conduct after reportedly being involved in a physical altercation in the 900 block of Philadelphia Street at 5:18 p.m. Aug. 23, according to borough police. • University police investigated Stephenson Hall at 12:58 a.m. Aug. 27 for two students who reportedly violated a no-contact order issued by IUP Residential Living. Both were referred for non-compliance and one was also referred for disorderly conduct for posting indecent Twitter comments in reference to university staff.

ASSAULT

• Matthew Arthurs, 22, of Indiana, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault and possession of a small amount of marijuana after an investigation inside Stephenson Hall at 1:47 a.m. Aug. 23, according to university police.

News

‘Chat and Snack’ unites IUP women By MARGARET BURRIS Staff Writer M.W.Burris@iup.edu

During this school year, about 800 international students will be studying at Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s campus. All women are invited to the upcoming “Chat and Snack,” which will be Sept. 8 at 4 p.m. in the Allegheny Room of the Hadley Union Building. For many international students, the culture shock that comes along with moving to a different country is quite daunting and may be hard to approach on their own. The Office of International Education at IUP offers an abundance of programs for all students, including daylong trips to Washington, D.C., and the International Women Leadership Workshop Series. Hosted by the OIE, “Chat and Snack,” focuses on bringing all women together to talk to one another. Hassnaa Hassan (junior, political science) is one of the co-directors of this event along with Asmaa Alshehri (junior, English). Hassan clarified that “Chat and Snack” “is part of a women program that started in fall 2014. “It aims to integrate them in the IUP community and U.S. culture; chat and snacks allow women to mingle and learn from each other,” she said. At the core of this event is the importance of cultural diversity to IUP. Hassan explained that “cultural diversity is the heart of IUP. “It helps the community grow as the stereotypes diminish,” she said. “Most

IUP women can attend ‘Chat and Snack.’

importantly, it allows understanding; thus coexisting.” Even though the OIE has many events that focus on women, Hassan is honored to have the first women’s event of the semester. Hassan said that another goal of the social is to “introduce future events for international students generally and women events specifically.”

VEHICLE

• Borough police responded to an accident that occurred in the 900 block of Wayne Avenue at 7:17 p.m. Aug. 30, according to police. A Dodge Ram driven by a 17-year-old struck John Hatfield, 30, of Indiana, while he was attempting to cross the street, police said. Hatfield was transported to Indiana Regional Medical Center and later to Allegheny General Hospital, where he died as a result of the injuries he suffered from the accident, police said. The accident is still under investigation. • A tractor trailer reportedly damaged the docking area of the Crimson Cafe while attempting to back into the dock at approximately 4 p.m. Aug. 27, university police said. Police are investigating.

For over 21 years;

THEFT

• A black iPhone 5 was reportedly stolen while the victim was walking on Wayne Avenue between 2 and 2:30 a.m. Aug. 30, borough police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 724-349-2121. • A laptop was reportedly stolen from a residence located in the 500 block of Grant Street between approximately 11:30 p.m. Aug. 28 and 3:30 a.m. Aug. 29, according to police. Anyone with information is asked to call borough police.

rsdlawoffice@verizon.net

(Samantha Nicholson/ The Penn )

Some of these events include international poetry night, women’s leadership workshops, trips to malls and cities and a handful of lunchtime conversation events. To female students who are considering attending this event, Hassan said that “all women are welcome to join us for free snacks and valuable conversation.”

News

Indiana County Fair: Country, cows and homemade ice cream

The Indiana County Fair is open for its 153rd year.

(Kyle Richner/ The Penn)

September 1, 2015

English major authors novel, ‘Meant To Be’ By TYLER MILLER Contributing Writer T.C.Miller2@iup.edu

Vincent “Sonny” Smarra (junior, English) fulfilled a dream many people have in their lives, but few realize: authoring his own book. The book, titled “Meant To Be” and illustrated by his sister, Giavanna Smarra, follows recent high-school graduate Eddy Pilgrim, a valedictorian who enjoys books more than people, during his town’s Independence Day celebration until the mysterious specters of fate named the “Muses” appear to Eddy, informing him that his book is destined to be a new pillar in literature for centuries to come. However, a rival group of Muses is eager to do whatever it takes to apply its own influence. Smarra, influenced by many of his favorite classic authors, based the Muses, key characters of the book, off of his very own artistic muses, including Ray Bradbury, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemingway, Neil Gaiman, Douglas Ad-

ams and Chuck Palahniuk. Smarra said these influences affected how he wrote the story. “When I imagined them talking, I would think about how their writing made me feel,” he said. Smarra then said he would translate those feelings into his own unique voice and onto paper. Smarra also listed Bradbury as his driving influence for the book, explaining that he liked how Bradbury talked down to the reader, making his books more interesting. “Meant To Be” follows this path of writing but doesn’t mimic it. In an effort to stay motivated, he set and accomplished goals for himself, including finishing a draft of the fictional piece before he turned 20. Smarra said he was inspired to begin his book when he was turning a new chapter, preceded by a self-proclaimed all-time-low in his life. He said that it gave him novel ideas, and that one idea in particular seemed to be a recurring theme in the book:

“People should forge their own path even though everyone is telling them what to do,” he said. “Live life to be extraordinary and original, not just ordinary and cliché.” According to Smarra, it is a “story for people that feel like they have been fed a lie, for anybody that feels like they are looking for the truth [and want] the best truth that they can get.” The book’s primary aim is to make more people trust in what they feel is right. “Meant To Be” is not Smarra’s only work, as the author has his own website, sonnysmarra.wordpress.com, where he also writes short stories such as “Slaughterhouse (A Child’s Perspective)” and “The White Lighter.” Smarra is also a contributing writer for The Penn. “Meant To Be,” can be purchased for the price of $1 on either Amazon Kindle or the Nook app. Smarra also said that a print edition will be available soon on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

News

Involvement fair offers opportunities for students By MARY ROMEO Staff Writer M.E.Romeo@iup.edu

Indiana University of Pennsylvania students will have the opportunity to seek volunteer and internship positions at the Community Involvement Fair held in the Hadley Union Building’s Ohio Room Sept. 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Office of Service Learning has invited agencies and organizations from all over Indiana to share information with students about internship and volunteer positions. Leah White (senior, pre-optometry), event coordinator for the Career and Professional Development Center, spoke about the opportunities for students. “The Community Fair gives students an opportunity to reach out to the community in ways that will not only benefit themselves, but also the community,” she said. From the Alice Paul House to the Nurses Association, there will be about 30 organizations and nonprofit agencies that cover the interests of all types of students. “We have agencies from all over Indiana who come and try to recruit volunteers that are needed to help out with their operations,” White said. “Or, if there is a big event being held, sometimes agencies will need help with that too.” Agencies registered with the Service Learning Program can recruit Federal Work Study employees, according to an

article on IUP’s website. “It depends on the agency and what they’re looking for,” White said. “They might be interested in student workers or just student volunteers.” Students who are interested in furthering their careers with any of the organizations that attend the fair can always ask. “The positions are mostly volunteer or internship-based opportunities, so students shouldn’t prepare for a job interview, but it all depends what the student is looking for,” White said. “They can really get out what they want.” White encouraged all students to attend the fair, because an internship or volunteer opportunity might be exactly what students need to get their career started. “Just come,” she said. “You never know what you’re going to find. There might be agencies that peak your interest that you never even knew about.” Roughly 300 students are expected to attend the fair, White said. Resumes aren’t necessary, and there are no registration forms or fees required for entry. “It’s all about reaching out to the community and putting their best foot forward, so however they prepare for that, is completely up to them,” White said. “You never know how far it can take them. It could go on a resume years later; it could provide a lot of experience and even help somebody in the long run.”

Wet Ink

THE PENN

Wet Ink Editor: Chris Hayes – C.T.Hayes@iup.edu

What would you tell your freshman self? By MARGARET BURRIS Staff Writer M.W.Burris@iup.edu

The following is an opinion article: As the first week of classes at Indiana University of Pennsylvania draws to a close, it is easy to look forward to the bright years that await IUP students and their careers. Many freshmen are prepared for the world that lies ahead of them in full and are fearless as they enter this more independent stage of their lives. Upperclassmen, however, may be reflecting on what they would have done differently if they had a chance to go back in time. Angelica Cerra (junior, speech-language pathology) wished that she had done more when she was a freshman and said if she would have known how busy she’d be now, she would have never rested easy a few years ago. Within the last year, she has not only been accepted to the speech-language pathology program at IUP but has also been selected to be a community assistant this year. Samantha Pattillo (junior, psychology) agreed with Cerra and would have told herself to go out more. “Don’t just sit in your dorm all the

time,” she said. “Use good judgment and don’t let your emotions get the best of you.” Olivia Golding (junior, psychology) was less outspoken than she is today and would tell her freshman self to “stop being so shy and actively try to make friends.” Kylie Smith (sophomore, sociology) shared a similar train of thought. “Everybody is way too caught up in their own personal problems to care that you did something embarrassing or stupid or weird,” she said. “And if they do notice, they won’t say anything. And if they do say something, they’re a jerk and their opinion isn’t valid anyways.” Alyssa Zabicki (junior, natural science/pre-optometry) would tell her freshman self to take her schedule one day at a time and not to be overwhelmed. Furthermore, Zabicki would tell her past self to “remember the reason why you’re here, and use that as positive motivation.” Madison Crist (graduate, student affairs in higher education) reflected on the matter. “Going in undecided might not have been such a bad idea, and take time to explore different subject areas while tak-

ing liberal studies classes,” she said. There is no shame in being undecided, Alicia Gordon (sophomore, anthropology and international studies) agreed. Gordon said she realizes that if she hadn’t taken many classes that she had, she would not have realized what subjects she loved and hated. Shauna Huber (sophomore, criminology) said she thinks a key for freshmen is to be outgoing from the start. “I would tell my freshman self that it’s OK to ask people for help, to get ahead with the work so you never fall behind, to just start talking to people because everyone is just as scared as you are, and that time management is key to doing well,” she said. Alexis Vollmer (sophomore, biology/ pre-veterinarian) expanded on this. “It’s good to be ambitious, but be aware of your limits,” she said. “Don’t take classes harder than you can handle, cause you’ll be trying extra hard to fix your GPA later.” Abby Panek (sophomore, philosophy) said she would tell her freshman self to be more bold. “Just because something is scary, doesn’t mean you should avoid it,” she said. “Do it and do it afraid.”

who performed on stage with Robin Thicke in 2013 while making her raunchy debut to the world as the “new Miley,” was asked to return to the VMAs this year, but not to perform. “MTV doesn’t want to see me perform again, so I guess that’s why I’m hosting,” Cyrus said at the beginning of the show. A night of feuding celebrities, wardrobe malfunctions and possibly a future presidential candidate made this year’s VMAs one for the books. The night started with a pre-show featuring artists such as Walk The Moon and Nick Jonas and a welcoming of the stars on a new and improved colored,

checkered carpet. This year, the Moonman, the figure that appears on the award show’s trophies, was also redesigned by famous fashion designer Jeremy Scott. In an interview with E! correspondent Kelly Osbourne, Scott explained that the “VMAs is not only about music but about pop culture and what it represents.” Osbourne and Scott had the honor of handing out the first award of the night, Best Rock Video, to Fall Out Boy for its hit single, “Uma Thurman.” Cyrus referenced a flashback moment to the Oscars, when she attempted to recreate Ellen DeGeneres’ Oscar

The Oak Grove was abound with new students last week. (Samantha Nicholson/ The Penn)

MTV VMAs recap: Cyrus hosts the controversial awards show By RACHEL CLIPPINGER Staff Writer R.M.Clippinger@iup.edu

A night to celebrate music and pop culture in all of its outrageous glory occurred Sunday on MTV. The Video Music Awards, where artists are awarded for their musical videos, sound tracks and collaborations, is also a time for the community of expressional art to appreciate the year’s best – and sometimes worst – music. Since comedian Kevin Hart hosted the VMAs in 2013, there has not been a host for two years at the video award show. However, this year, Miley Cyrus,

September 1, 2015

selfie at the start of the show, but used mystical ideas and random audience members to fill the photo. Nicki Minaj headlined the show with her newest hit, “The Night is Still Young,” with a special guest performance by Taylor Swift to amend the artists’ recent social media scandal and show peace to the media and their fans. Although Swift and Minaj may have declared a truce, Minaj, while receiving her award for Best Hip Hop Video for “Anaconda,” made a comment to Cyrus on stage about her recent interview comments about Minaj. Cyrus quickly replied to Minaj, saying, “It’s no big deal,” by giving a speech

about losing and how her losing an award has not interfered with her career or left her complaining to the media. The night did not end there. Justin Bieber, Tori Kelly and The Weeknd all performed with unforgettable stages and wowed the audience. For Bieber, it was a performance that left him leaving the stage in tears.

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September 1, 2015

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back in plaque

Plaque honors Native American trails By MARGARET BURRIS Staff Writer M.W.Burris@iup.edu

One of the plaques outside of the Hadley Union Building gives a brief overview of a few of the Native American trails that once intersected near the center of Indiana University of Pennsylvania. However, the importance of the Kittanning and Catawba paths has done little justice as to their relevance in regard to Native Americans as well as English settlers. Long before IUP was founded in 1875, settlers and Native Americans alike utilized the paths. The heavy foliage of Pennsylvania meant that traveling to new homesteads was arduous for settlers. A simple solution was for them to use the cleared paths that Native Americans had originated. However, taking these paths was dangerous, as many of them passed through disputed land and ran along the fron-

tier of settlement. Travelers risked being raided or even killed in some situations as paths ran through land that was considered holy to Native Americans. The Kittanning path ran through the Allegheny Mountains and ended in the settlement now known as Kittanning. Back in the 1700s, Kittanning was the largest Native American village in the Ohio Country west of the mountains. Unfortunately for settlers who wanted to utilize this path to traverse the Allegheny Mountains, part of the path ran through land that was Native American in accordance to a settlement treaty with William Penn. After the French and Indian War, the settlers and Native Americans signed the Treaty of Fort Stanwix which, in short, opened up some of the land west of the Allegheny Mountains to settlement. The once-thriving Kittanning path fell into disuse in the 1780s as the Native Americans began to retreat into the mantle of the country.

The Catawba path is named after a Native American tribe that still exists today. They were once considered one of the most powerful Southeastern Siouanspeaking tribes. When they first came into contact with settlers, they were friendly because they were an agrarian tribe. However, the Catawba were at war almost constantly with other Native American tribes. During the Revolutionary War, the Catawba tribe allied with patriots. In the late 18th and 19th century, Catawba population decreased due to smallpox outbreaks as well as tribal warfare. The Catawba tribe was one of four main Native American tribes to utilize the Great Indian War and Trading path, also known as the Seneca Trail. Native American paths did eventually lead to the foundation of the modern highway system and allowed for settlers to continue their path west and extend the frontier.

‘Straight Outta Compton:’ The aftermath By SAMANTHA BELL Staff Writer S.M.Bell@iup.edu

“Straight Outta Compton” is a brutal shot of truth and a well-crafted glimpse of a rugged reality. Directed by F. Gary Gray, the film is a perplexing and, at times, gut-wrenching journey through Compton, Calif., in the mid-1980s. While seated in the theater, audience members may feel as if their shoes are scraping the concrete of the Compton streets. The film is a biopic portraying the formation, rise, downfall and the irrevocable impression of the rap group N.W.A. One of the most notable aspects of this film is the cast. It stars Corey Hawkins as the iconic beat-healer, Dr. Dre. Hawkins’s performance captured Dr. Dre’s passion, authoritative nature and his rise to prominence in the music industry very well. Jason Mitchell stars as the late EazyE, and he does so with startling accuracy. The film divulges his journey from a drug dealer who would use his earnings to provide the group with studio time,

to an iconic, ravenous rap artist whose legacy will continue to stimulate the rap scene for years to come. Ice Cube, the lyrical genius of the group, is portrayed by his own son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. His dedication to the perfect portrayal of his father’s legacy was evident. Also, the resemblance only made it infinitely more believable, as well as captivating. The effort put forth by these actors brought the struggles of this time period to life. The film pays homage to the inordinate obstacles faced by these artists such as police brutality, gang violence, low-income lifestyles and the backlash from not only breaking hip-hop’s mold, but sculpting its future. One of the most pertinent pieces of this film is rooted in the director’s and the producer’s dedication to the story’s authenticity.

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Sports

THE PENN

Sports Editor: Kyle Kondor - K.D.Kondor@iup.edu

2015 IUP grad flourishing as pro baseball player By VAUGHN DALZELL Staff Writer V.S.Dalzell@iup.edu

All athletes dream of hearing their names called on the biggest stage of their respective sports. For 2015 IUP graduate Ryan Uhl, that dream came true on June 9 when

he received a call from Major League Baseball’s Seattle Mariners. The team drafted Uhl in the seventh round as the 215th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Amateur Draft, and optioned him to play for its Single-A affiliate Everett AquaSox in Everett, Wash. IUP’s all-time leading home-run hit-

(Photo provided by Kristi Simmons)

Ryan Uhl awaits a pitch during an Everett AquaSox game.

NEWCOMER SPOTLIGHT: By JOSH HILL Staff Writer J.M.Hill5@iup.edu

Coming out of Sto-Rox High School, Lenny Williams (freshman, business) had some decisions to make. He had just concluded a sterling career that saw him FOOTBALL finish as the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League’s alltime leading passer, and was looking to play at the next level. While there were varying levels of interest from Division I schools, many wanted the 5-foot-10 playmaker to

move to defense, which he also played in high school. Williams, however, wanted to utilize his skills at the quarterback position and committed to Temple University. Fast forward a few months, and Lenny Williams now finds himself at Indiana University of Pennsylvania trying to earn a spot as the Crimson Hawks’ starting quarterback. Coming to a new school and team can be a daunting task, but Williams has a couple of friends who helped him try and make the transition to Indiana. “It’s been easy for me to click with these guys,” Williams said. “Especially being that I have people on the team

ter was watching the draft online with his parents when his phone rang during the sixth round. “The Mariners called me to tell me they were going to take me in the next round,” Uhl said. “I was speechless. I just hugged my parents and couldn’t stop smiling.” The 6-foot-6, 230-pound slugger became the eighth IUP graduate to be selected in the MLB Draft. “To share that moment with my parents was special,” Uhl said. “They support me in everything I do, and for them to be there with me when I got drafted was all I’ve ever wanted in my life.” Uhl started in at least 36 games during all four of his seasons as a Crimson Hawk, primarily as a first baseman. He became the 116th player to be drafted or signed to a pro-baseball contract after playing under IUP head coach Jeff Ditch, who’s the program’s all-time wins leader with 233 during his 10-year tenure. “The best two words to describe Ryan Uhl are ‘Ryan Uhl,’” Ditch said. “He is just a unique player and was a

tremendous team player. He was polite, respectful, talented and self-motivated.” Uhl hit 42 home runs during his collegiate career, 29 of which came during his senior season. Uhl’s 2015 home-run total led the nation and was an IUP single-season record, as was his 1.085 slugging percentage. He also set IUP single-season records with 74 runs batted in and 154 total bases. “In my 25-year coaching career,” Ditch said, “I can only compare Ryan’s season to that of Kevin Youkilis’.” Youkilis is a two-time World Series champion with the Boston Red Sox who hit 56 home runs with a .366 batting average at the University of Cincinnati from 1998-2001. Ditch was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Cincinnati from 1999-2003. In his first AquaSox game on June 18, Uhl hit three singles in three at-bats with an RBI against the Eugene Emeralds. Uhl hit his first home run as a professional baseball player on July 13 against the Boise Hawks. “Baseball is a process,” Uhl said. “I’m

adjusting to the [professional] game. The speed of the game would have to be the biggest difference. These are the best players in the country. My first home run was something I’ll never forget.” Through the team’s 69 games, Uhl is top five on the AquaSox in hits (47), RBIs (32), walks (22), at-bats (181), games played (55) and home runs (4), and he leads the team in doubles with 14. These numbers are a part of what have the AquaSox tied for the Single-A Northwest League’s top record of 40-29. Uhl will play for Everett throughout the rest of this season, which features playoffs that begin Sept. 7, but his success would indicate that he could be ready for a promotion in 2016. One in five players selected between rounds six and 10 of the MLB Draft make it to the major leagues, according to Bleacher Report. Uhl would be the first player in IUP’s 82-year history to do so. “My mindset,” Uhl said, “is to just take it day by day, pitch by pitch, and work as hard as possible to reach my goal of making it.”

lenny williams

(Samantha Nicholson/ The Penn)

Lenny Williams drops back during an IUP football practice.

that I know from home.” As far as some of his receiving options, Williams’ ability to build chemistry with them is an ongoing process that

September 1, 2015

he says has been going well. “There are a couple of guys that are on the same page as me,” Williams said. “Gabe Yuille (junior, criminology) and Jordan Brown (sophomore, kinesiology health & sport science) so far.” Williams has built a rapport with both Yuille and Brown throughout camp this year, but he was quick to mention that he and all of the receivers are getting on the same page. The Crimson Hawks have played in two intrasquad scrimmages, and Williams shared first-team repetitions with incumbent Chase Haslett (graduate, kinesiology health & sport science), who started in both scrimmages. Both quarterbacks remain in a stale-

mate, as neither has elevated his play to a level where he has been able to clinch the starting job. The coaching staff announced that it hasn’t decided on a starter for the season opener Sept. 12. William knows that his ability to run is important, but not the only thing he needs to worry about. “I think I’m [running] a little bit too much now,” Williams said. “When I feel the pocket collapsing, I try to get out, maybe sometimes too fast. I definitely want to be able to throw the ball effectively.” As a freshman, Williams still has plenty of time to mature with the Crimson Hawks.

Sports

September 1, 2015

News

Jeb Bush: an ‘establishment-oriented’ Republican By PATRICK KALIE Staff Writer P.D.Kalie@iup.edu

John Ellis “Jeb” Bush is a Republican and former governor of Florida from 1999-2007. He is the younger brother of former president George W. Bush and son of former president George H.W. Bush. His wife is Columbia Bush, whom he met during his stay there teaching English. Bush, 62, moved to Florida in the early ’80s to work in real estate. He briefly held the title of Florida’s secretary of commerce before working on his father’s presidential campaign in 1988. In 1994, he ran for governor. Although Republicans dominated the midterm elections, Bush lost. He later attributed his loss to being too forthright with his conservative idealism.

Presidential candidate profile In 1998, he softened his tone and ran again, this time winning. He was the governor during the 2000 presidential election in which his older brother was the Republican nominee. The fate of the election was in Florida’s hands, as it was experiencing issues with the ballots. Jeb declined to participate in any decision-making in the matter. Democrats are still sensitive about the 2000 election in which Bush came out the winner after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Florida Supreme Court’s ruling requiring a statewide ballot recount was unconstitutional. However, Jeb’s legacy in Florida will be that of a governor’s work on educa-

tion reform, environmental protection and improving the state’s economy. Why he might win the Republican nomination: Between campaign funds and the money raised by his super political action committee, “Right to Rise,” Bush has more money in his war chest than any other candidate. Since 1964, the Republican Party has consistently voted for an “establishment-oriented candidate” to become its nominee. Bush is the epitome of “establishment-oriented.” Also, with the race to the presidency becoming longer and more exhausting, the candidate who has the most money, is least gaffe prone and is most vetted will more than likely come out of the race a winner.

Why he might lose the Republican nomination: After the rise of the Tea Party, the base of the party has been urging for a non-establishment, firebrand conservative nominee. The failure of the Romney/Ryan campaign rattled them up even more. Not only is this not Bush, but Bush is actively running away from this wing of the party. He supports a “pathway to legalization” for illegal immigrants. He is also a vocal supporter of Common Core and other programs that turn away the base of his party. He refuses to move to the right on issues in the primary; that way he doesn’t make himself undesirable to an increasingly liberal general electorate. Why he might win the general election: Hispanics are a quickly growing

piece of the electorate pie. Bush’s wife is from Mexico, and he speaks fluent Spanish. He received his bachelor’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of Texas at Austin. If there is anyone who can appeal to this increasingly influential bloc of voters, it is either Bush or Marco Rubio, a senator from Florida. Bush is also a moderate that many independents could find themselves voting for. Why he might lose the general election: His older brother left the presidency tied for second-most unpopular president, above only Richard Nixon. His final approval rating was 22 percent. The “Bush” name might be a dealbreaker for those who remember the days of the “W” presidency.

September 1, 2015

News

Opinion

Penn EDITORIAL

No, Miley: We can stop With the MTV VMAs Sunday, and the sports calendar in full swing, it’s an appropriate time to examine a lingering topic in today’s American culture: Are children looking to the wrong people as role models? It’s certainly safe to say times have changed, even within the past decade or so. Just a handful of years ago, for example, Miley Cyrus was a lovable teen star on the hit TV series, “Hannah Montana.” Nowadays, she’s showing all kinds of skin while hosting awards shows and dancing in front of crowds of thousands. In sports, big names such as Lance Armstrong, Alex Rodriguez and Ray Rice have all taken hard falls from grace. These men made horrible mistakes and have paid the price, as public opinion has turned against them. But perhaps we should be asking ourselves not whether today’s youth are idolizing the wrong people, but instead: Why are they idolizing any of these celebrities and public figures in the first place? For one, pop stars and sports stars set a near-impossible standard. Not every person can hit a baseball 400 feet or have the talent and nerve to perform live while half the world is watching. These stars, perhaps through no fault of their own, have probably felt a sense of entitlement toward everyone and everything around them, maybe even since they were children. Their talent spoke for itself – they didn’t need to put in the extra mile or do the dirty work. Somebody else could simply do it for them at no charge. These values of hard work, commitment and sacrifice are crucial to learn at a young age. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a hot-shot child prodigy or the first born from a middle-class family in the middle of nowhere; if you work hard, gain knowledge and show respect, you have a great shot in this country. Maybe kids don’t need a role model to watch through a computer or TV screen. Maybe their role models are right around them, driving them to school or buying them groceries. It’s not that kids don’t need others to look up to. Maybe they’re just looking in the wrong places.

Cartoon by Samantha Barnhart

His words add morality to a strong scientific consensus for quick action By MICHAEL E. KRAFT TNS The following editorial appeared in the TNS Forum Thursday, August 6: In June, Pope Francis released a remarkable encyclical on “care for our common home,” the Earth. He called climate change a “global problem with grave implications,” and described our response to date as woefully inadequate. He called for aggressive efforts to reduce reliance on greenhouse-emitting fossil fuels and to promote cleaner and renewable sources of energy. The pope also offered a broad overview of how human actions are affecting the planet, and particularly the lives of the poorest among us, who are likely to suffer the most from a changing climate and environmental deterioration. His statement comes less than six months before a major international meeting in Paris in December, when

Opinion

the world’s leaders are to draft the next international climate change treaty. The unique contribution that Pope Francis made to this debate was to add a strong moral dimension to the prevailing scientific and economic discussions of climate change and the environment. He highlighted humanity’s pursuit of continued growth in material consumption at the cost of planetary health and human well-being, which he found to be morally reprehensible. The pope was right to call for a more ethical sustainable development that can meet our economic needs while also protecting the environment. He was wrong, however, to fault reliance on economic incentives as a way to deal with climate change. Most climate experts favor either a tax on carbon emissions or reliance on a market system for trading carbon permits, with a cap that declines over time. Both mechanisms seek to put a substantial price on carbon emissions as an effective way to change individ-

ual and corporate behavior in a market economy. Pope Francis argues that markets often fail to bring out the best in us, and he is right about that. Yet moral injunctions alone cannot move societies toward a low-carbon future. Markets might just do that. The higher price of carbon-based fuels should discourage their use, promote the search for alternatives, and stimulate energy efficiency and conservation. Such policies rely on market mechanisms that conservatives applaud, which makes bipartisan cooperation possible. It is imperative to recognize the seriousness of the problem, and Pope Francis’s encyclical did exactly that by endorsing the scientific community’s findings that climate change is both real and hugely important.

September 1, 2015

Editorial Policy The Penn editorial opinion is determined by the Editorial Board, with the editor-in-chief having final responsibility. Opinions expressed in editorials, columns, letters or cartoons are not necessarily that of The Penn, the university, the Student Cooperative Association or the student body. The Penn is completely independent of the university.

Letter Policy

The Penn encourages its readers to comment on issues and events affecting the Indiana University of Pennsylvania community through letters to the editor. Letters must be typed in a sans serif, 12-point font, double-spaced and no more than 350 words long. Letters may not be signed by more than five people, and letters credited to only an organization will not be printed. All writers must provide their signature, university affiliation, address and phone number for verification of the letter. The Penn will not honor requests to withhold names from letters. The Penn reserves the right to limit the number of letters published

from any one person, from any one organization or about a particular issue. The Penn reserves the right to edit or reject any letters submitted. Submitted materials become the property of The Penn and cannot be returned. Deadlines for letters are Sunday and Wednesday at noon for publication in the next issue. Letters can be sent or personally delivered to: Editor-in-Chief, HUB Room 235 319 Pratt Drive, Indiana, PA 15701 Or emailed to: the-penn@iup.edu Letters not meeting the above requirements will not be published.

September 1, 2015

Sports

BUCCOS BULLETIN

By JAKE ENDERS Staff Writer J.G.Enders@iup.edu

The all-star break has come and gone, summer is nearly over, and not much has changed for the Pittsburgh Pirates. As the team enters the home stretch of the 2015 season, the primary goal for manager Clint Hurdle, Andrew McCutchen and Co. remains the same: Run down the seemingly uncatchable St. Louis Cardinals and win the National League Central division for the very first time in franchise history. For Pittsburgh, the 2015 season has been nearly all positive. Even after stumbling out of the gate, the Pirates have the third-best record in the MLB as of Aug. 30 with a mark of 79-50. They have won 18 of their last 24 games. Andrew McCutchen is having another superb year in the field and at the plate, making his fifth consecutive AllStar Game in July and ranking fourth in the NL with a .924 on-base plus slugging percentage. Soon to be 25, pitcher Gerrit Cole has developed into the undisputed ace on a staff that includes three other former All-Stars. He’s on pace for 19 wins, and his 2.44 earned run average ranks fifth in the NL. Additionally, South Korean import Jung Ho Kang is a legitimate contender for the NL Rookie of the Year. The Pirates are within striking distance of 100 victories this season, an accomplishment that would make them only the third team in franchise history

to reach that milestone and the first since the 1909 world champions won 110. And still, despite all those positives, the Pirates face an uphill battle to not face a game of Russian roulette in the NL Wild Card Game. Pittsburgh has experienced a mixed bag in the Wild Card Game over the past two years. Russell Martin’s heroics highlighted the 2013 win and first MLB playoff game in Pittsburgh since 1992. In 2014, Madison Bumgarner and Brandon Crawford rained on the Pirates’ parade last season on their way to delivering San Francisco a World Series title. The undoubted preference for Pittsburgh is to avoid such a one-shot scenario again and go straight to the NL Division Series. The only way to do so is to win the NL Central. The real test for the Pirates comes now, in the month of September and the first week of October. Despite ending August at a minimum of four games behind the Cardinals for the division lead, it’s possible for the Pirates to catch St. Louis. However, 26 of their final 33 games come against opponents in the NL Central, including six against the Cardinals. Playing against teams from their own division has been the major Achilles heel for the Pirates this year. Their record in such games is only 21-29. Pittsburgh will have to overcome their struggles in the division to catch St. Louis and show that they, not the Cardinals, are the best team in baseball.

September 1, 2015 APARTMENTS

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1- or 2-bedroom student rentals. (724) 422-1207. Two bedroom furnished, one mile from IUP, $1350 per semester per student. 2 person apartment plus security and utilities. no pets. 724-465-8253. One student $2250 per semester plus utilities, security. Spring 2016. 1 Bedroom. $2575. Tenant pays only electric, cable/ internet. 724-388-5481 www.iupapartments. com Spring 2016. 2 Bedroom. $2175/ person. Tenants pay only electric, cable, internet. 724-3885481 www.iupapartments.com 2-4 Bedroom $2300 per person. Includes utilities and parking 724-4224852.

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