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NEWS

News Editor: Benjamin Brumbaugh – msqy@iup.edu

Mask mandate elicits mixed reaction BEN BRUMBAUGH News Editor msqy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP’s decision to reinstate its mask mandate was a controversial one judging by students’ reactions and comments on social media.

On August 16, IUP students received an email from the university that stated that they would be required to wear masks in indoor settings around other people whether they are vaccinated or not.

The email said in part: “Effective Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 8 a.m., IUP will require face coverings or masks to be worn indoors in public spaces at all campuses and centers.”

This means that masks are required of all people when indoors, during meetings with others and on IndiGo buses, regardless of

COVID-19 vaccination status.

Masks, however, are not required in outdoor settings.

IUP also announced this decision on various social media platforms including Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

The university had previously rescinded its mask mandate over the summer for students who were fully vaccinated.

The announcement came just a week before fall semester classes were scheduled to begin on campus and was based on updated Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations in response to the delta-variant of COVID-19.

Some students reacted positively to the university’s decision.

On Instagram, Carly Brewster (sophomore, psychology) said, “It’s about time y’all mandated masks.”

Also on Instagram, Amanda Iandiorio (sophomore, music) said, “So glad you’re making the best decisions for the community.”

“I’m glad I won’t have to worry about students lying about their vaccine status. Now everyone can be safe by wearing a mask,” Iandiorio said.

“As someone who has worked in an emergency department all summer, I feel masks in class is a valid idea,” Nick McShea (senior, nursing) said. “I have encountered many fully vaccinated individuals who tested positive for the virus.”

“Masks should be worn indoors and in class in order to give us the best chance of having in-person

classes for the entire year,” Mason Racicot (senior, education) said.

Other students reacted negatively to the news.

On Instagram, Kegan Stiles (junior, geology, environment and planning) said, “I’m fully vaccinated, this is a joke.”

Also on Instagram, Joshua Merichko (senior, geology) said, “Masks don’t work. The CDC is corrupt and Fauci is a liar.”

“Masks lower oxygen levels, trap bacteria and viruses, trap exhaled air and may increase risk among other things,” Merichko added.

Many students expressed their displeasure with the timing of IUP’s announcement.

On Instagram, Alessandra Abate (senior, psychology) said, “Funny how you announce this right after almost everyone’s moved in, and classes start in less than a week.”

Also on Instagram, Dmitri Marcus (senior, psychology) said, “Might be a little too late considering you people literally packed all the freshmen onto the football [field] with no precautions.”

The mixed feelings of IUP students on this issue are not unique.

The debate about masks and mask mandates is a common topic of discussion throughout the United States currently.

It is unclear how long the university’s mandate will remain in effect.

For more information about IUP’s COVID-19 response plan, visit https://www.iup.edu/newsevents/coronavirus-information/ covid-19-dashboard/.

(IUP Facebook) (The Penn Archives) On July 27, the CDC updated its masking guidelines to recommend indoor mask use President Michael Driscoll discussed the university’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts for individuals in areas of high transmission regardless of their vaccination status. including the updated mask policy Thursday in a video on IUP’s YouTube account.

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News

IUP selected as ‘Best for Vets’ university Selection follows distinction as one of 162 Gold Designations nationwide BEN BRUMBAUGH News Editor msqy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP was named by the Military Times in June as one of the top-16 schools for veterans in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The distinction was given as part of its “Best for Vets: Colleges” ranking which is meant to help military service members and veterans make decisions about their education.

IUP provides many services for active-duty military personnel and veterans.

One of these services is the Military and Veterans Resource Center (MVRC), which opened in 2014.

“At the time IUP created the MVRC, less than 20 percent of colleges and universities had such a center,” MVRC director Cory Shay said.

According to IUP’s Military and Veterans Resource Center’s webpage, “IUP’s Military Resource Center and Veterans Affairs Office’s mission is to provide personalized and caring support to IUP student veterans during their transition from military service to college life.

“The MVRC increases campus awareness of student veteran issues and fosters a sense of camaraderie, community and well-being for all veterans, military-affiliated students and their families.”

Additionally, it provides a wide variety of services for active-duty military and veteran students on campus, becoming a “one-stop shop” for resources.

“We provide military students with their own space on campus

with a lounge, coffee, computer labs, free printing and a place where they can meet and socialize with other military-affiliated students,” Shay said.

“We help students get their GI Bill benefits and provide referral services to support [them] at IUP and off campus.”

At IUP, active-duty military and veteran students are provided a quality education from professors who understand their needs.

“Our No. 1 major for military students is criminology, and IUP has a nationally-ranked criminology program.

“IUP's support for veterans and military students starts at the top, and all departments, faculty and staff have shown their support for military-affiliated students,” Shay said.

A collaborative effort among various facets of IUP has made distinctions like these possible.

“To truly be ‘veteran friendly,’ a university needs to have support from the top on down,” Shay said. “IUP's leadership, academics and supportive services have worked together to provide the necessary support for veterans and military-affiliated students.

“IUP also has a military fraternity and student group that is highly active in the community and on campus.”

The university was also recognized by Victory Media in March, who awarded IUP a Gold Designation in its “Military Friendly Schools” ranking for 2021.

Only 162 universities received the Gold Designation nationwide.

“This distinction is just further proof of the commitment IUP and the MVRC has made to serve veterans and military-affiliated students,” Shay said.

IUP students and faculty can

(The Penn Archives) IUP’s Military Veteran’s Resource Center (MVRC) is moving from Pratt Hall to the Suites on Maple East G-60 Suites. The new location is centrally located and is designed to be more welcoming.

(IUP.edu) At the MVRC, military and veteran students can relax and get to know each other in a safe space. show their support for veterans on campus in a variety of ways, including through a “Dog Tag” program.

“The ‘Dog Tag’ is a sign that faculty, staff and students can hang in the office, on their door or in some public area that shows

they are a member of the military, a veteran, a dependent or somebody that supports veterans,” Shay said.

“IUP can show support by attending veteran events such as IUP's Veterans Day Celebration, the Veterans Day Six O’Clock Se-

ries and our Lunch and Learns with the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement.”

Students who wish to learn more about the MVRC and the services that it provides can visit https://www.iup.edu/veterans/resource-center/.

August 23, 2021

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Beaver Run Reservoir testing continues Project led by students, faculty entering its 11th year BEN BRUMBAUGH News Editor msqy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP students and staff will continue to conduct water testing at the Beaver Run Reservoir.

IUP and the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County extended their partnership for an 11th year when the Authority board voted to approve a contract of $106,000 at its June 17 meeting.

The project began in 2011 and IUP has received $980,000 over 11 years to conduct water tests in the Beaver Run Reservoir and surrounding areas.

It is a collaborative effort between IUP students and faculty in the Department of Geography and Regional Planning and the Madia Department of Chemistry.

The former collects data and samples that the latter tests and analyzes.

IUP professors Dr. Nathan McElroy (chemistry) and Dr. Brian Okey (geography and regional planning) oversee the project.

The project involves several different components.

“First, we do water testing at many sites around the gas well pads; these are fairly coarse measurements to alert us to any potential issues,” Okey said.

“Second, we collect water samples for lab analyses from the major streams draining into Beaver Run Reservoir.”

The results are then analyzed in IUP’s chemistry lab under the direction of McElroy.

“Third, we go out in a boat during the warmer months and collect additional lab samples from

within the reservoir itself. Finally, we have stationary probes continuously monitoring a small number of locations to highlight the possible presence of contamination,” Okey said.

The project’s main focus is monitoring for various contaminants in the reservoir.

“Surface water (e.g., streams, lakes, etc.) in western PA have been affected by anthropogenic activities (e.g., coal mining, oil & gas drilling, industry, commerce, etc.) for a couple of centuries now,” McElroy said.

“Effects of these contaminations are cause for concern, especially if a water body (such as Beaver Run Reservoir) is a drinking water source for a community.”

Beaver Run Reservoir serves about 130,000 customers so monitoring the water is important.

“There is a great deal of public

(Submitted Photo/Brian Okey) Students and faculty have been conducting various tests for contaminants in the area since 2011.

concern over the shale gas activities occurring very close to this water source,” Okey said.

The lives of citizens within the communities that may be exposed to the contaminated supply can be greatly affected by these contaminants.

“For municipal customers, contamination of a public water supply may add to treatment costs, and in the event of a major accident, a disruption of service,” Okey said.

“For rural residents who rely on wells, serious contamination could cause illness or force a dependence on bottled or trucked water.”

Farmers are also impacted. Their livestock could be harmed if exposed to contaminated water.

“More broadly, water pollution threatens fishing and other recreational activities (with economic implications), and aesthetic benefits which also contribute to quality of life,” Okey said.

The testing project benefits the surrounding community in several ways.

“Projects like ours are beneficial to local communities so that the public is aware of what’s in their water,” McElroy said.

Through the testing, independent third-party data is made publicly available and can be found on a website. This allows government officials, citizens’ groups and other interested people to stay informed.

“The field and lab data we gather from these site/samples are then publicly displayed on our project website (https://lambic.nsm.iup. edu/BeaverRun) and we provide the results to the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland Co. (MAWC) who funds our project,” McElroy said.

The data that is provided helps MAWC with their Source Water Protection plan identify possible problem areas. By looking at those areas, they can analyze more findings at their own lab.

“Projects like ours are beneficial to local communities so that the public is aware of what’s in their

(mawc.org) water,” McElroy said.

The project is also beneficial to IUP students who are involved with it.

“Over 80 graduate and undergraduate students have worked on this project since its inception,” McElroy said. “Regardless of their major or who they’re working with, the project provides them practical experience related to their field of study in a real-world setting.”

The project also gives students laboratory and scientific study experiences. They learn proper laboratory and scientific study methods.

“When possible, we use the same protocols as EPA-certified testing labs to ensure the best/most reliable results possible,” McElroy said. “Many of my students have used this experience to get parttime employment and/or internships at water-testing labs.”

Students working on the project gain real world experiences in field, lab and computer mapping techniques. These skills will help build their resumes and serve in their career goals.

“They will gain a greater understanding about an important environmental issue in our region, and satisfaction from helping to protect a valuable natural resource.”

The benefit of this project to the IUP community goes beyond the students who are a part of it.

“As a part of the state system, I feel it’s part of IUP’s responsibility to leverage the expertise of faculty and students to give back to the community – providing a public service through projects like this,” McElroy said.

“Projects contributing to the public good raise IUP’s profile in the community and reinforce the value of regional institutions of higher education,” Okey said.

Students wishing to learn more about the project can visit https:// lambic.nsm.iup.edu/BeaverRun to view the test results.

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News

Speech pathology lab prepares students Lab provides practical, hands-on experience BEN BRUMBAUGH News Editor msqy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Speech pathology students at IUP are acquiring hands-on experience in the department’s simulation lab.

Most speech-language pathology programs across the country typically focus on working with children. IUP’s lab allows its program to focus on the healthcare aspect of speech-language pathology.

“The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association approved the inclusion of simulation hours in 2016,” Erin Clark, director of the speech, language and hearing clinic, said. “Then, in December 2020, University Advancement helped us run a crowdfunding campaign to turn the one-bed hospital room into a four-bed acute care unit with donations from alumni, faculty, students and friends.”

The generosity from both organizations led to a dedicated lab space. “[The lab] is revolutionizing the simulation experience offered in

(IUP.edu) Erin Clark is the director of the speech, language and hearing clinic.

(IUP.edu) The speech pathology lab is featured in a July 13 YouTube video featuring an interview with Dr. Erin Clark on the university’s channel. the speech-language pathology program at IUP,” she said.

The lab allows students to explore a variety of career paths and options during their time at the university.

“We have seen students who initially chose the major because they wanted to work with children in a school setting do a complete position shift to healthcare settings after their experience in the simulation lab,” Clark said.

The lab also allows students to gain practical skills and confidence within their discipline before they enter the healthcare field.

“The acute care component of speech-language pathology challenges many novice clinicians when patients with complex medical needs require services in the intricate physical and technical environment of an acute care setting.”

“This clinical challenge aligns well with the patient safety mission of simulated learning

environments where training and trial and error learning can occur with no risk to patient welfare,” Clark said.

By having a simulated learning environment, students get the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a low-risk environment.

Students who go through IUP’s lab experience during their tenure as speech-language pathology students gain desirable skills for employers that allow them to pursue and acquire jobs in their field.

“The speech-language pathology faculty at IUP continue to provide cutting-edge and innovative learning opportunities that are supported by research and, similarly, contribute to the research in our field,” she said.

“At the end of the acute care simulation course, students feel prepared and confident for their healthcare internships.”

The foundational experiences that IUP students bring to their

healthcare placements have been commented positively on by site supervisors.

“Our graduates have even self-reported an edge in job interviews when they describe the medical training they have received at IUP,” Clark said.

Students have responded positively to this type of hands-on training during their experience in the lab.

“I loved my experience in the lab,” Kristin Legge (graduate, communication disorders, special education and disability services) said. “This lab allowed us to get hands-on experience in everything and anything that we possibly could.”

“I felt supported to learn and make mistakes that are necessary to practice and learn. Having something so hands-on before we work with directly with patients gives us a chance to learn from one another’s mistakes,” she said.

“It’s so important to feel con-

fident in what you do, especially when working with patients.”

Legge spoke very highly of her professors and department crediting them with mentoring her and with preparing her for her first of two graduate internships that will begin this fall.

“I can’t imagine beginning my internships at large hospitals without the experiences gained in this lab,” Legge said. “Not only do we have things like a hands-on experience in medical and school-based settings, we have an amazing faculty.”

“They make sure to get you the best experience in what would personally benefit and interest you,” she said.

“I feel more confident than I ever thought I would.”

For more information about the Department of Communication Disorders, Special Education, and Disability Services and its speech pathology programs and lab, visit https://iup.edu/ special-ed/.

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News

Anthropology students conduct field school Faculty, students study site of WWII plane crash in Germany BEN BRUMBAUGH News Editor msqy@iup.edu @ThePennIUP IUP students and faculty took part in a field study at the site of a 1944 World War II plane crash in Germany from July 3 to Aug. 15.

11 IUP students, a linguist and 3 students from other universities participated in the field study. IUP professors Dr. Andrea Palmiotto (anthropology) and Dr. William Chadwick (anthropology) directed the field school. Palmiotto was the project’s director.

“IUP conducted this study through a partnership with the Department of Defense’s Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA; see https://www.dpaa.mil/) and supported by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation,” Palmiotto said.

The primary goal of this study was to identify missing U.S. service members and bring them home to their families.

“This field school was primarily a humanitarian mission to bring MIA service men and women home,” Palmiotto said. “The USA is one of the few countries in the world dedicated to the recovery and identification of missing service members from past conflicts.”

Many IUP students and their families have family members from past conflicts that are missing.

“This type of field opportunity reinforces the U.S. government’s commitment to ‘bring them home’ and helps bring families closure after years of waiting. Here at IUP, we are humbled and proud to contribute to this mission.” Palmiotto said.

The students and faculty members conducted testing on the area to determine the boundaries of the crash site and search for missing service members.

“The site had been investigated and excavated previously, but past teams had not found the edges of the crater or determined the depth of the crater,” Palmiotto said. “Our goal was to determine the size and depth of the crater and excavate in the hopes of recovering any remains or artifacts from crew members lost during the crash.”

Dr. Chadwick utilized ground on experience to prepare them The classroom curricula are “The skills learned through geared towards applied archaethe field school will show future penetrating radar (GPR) to identify to work in the professional field ology, as well as numerous field employers that there will be less the boundaries of the 1944 aircraft of archaeology,” Palmiotto said. opportunities, which help students training needed, and more of a crash crater.

“Students are exposed to and connect with history in a real, help to their teams than a hin“[This] helped us plan our excalearn how to conduct a variety of tangible way. Students get to see drance,” Parker Chadwick (senior, vation efforts on site. The students archaeological excavations and first-hand the long-term impacts of anthropology) said. participated with the collection of analyses—and this field school war and conflict.

This even exposes “We are excited to teach stuthe GPR data,” Palmiotto said. represents one of those opportustudents to international expedents about forensic archaeology Students that participated in the nities.” riences and helps broaden their in a setting that can have huge study used standard archaeological “Many times, students are able cultural horizons. implications for families still waiting methods to excavate the four-meto complete archaeological field “Field schools are an invaluable for answers about their loved ter square area. They were able to schools in the United States, but to learning experience for those inones and ensure students learn confirm the horizontal and vertical complete a field school in another dividuals seeking employment in real-world applied methods that boundary of the crater. country provides cultural experiarchaeology, anthropology, and, will serve them well in their future “Students were taught principles ence that can only be gained with in my opinion, for the pursuit of careers,” she said. of forensic archaeology while we opportunities and experiences any career in which data collecStudents hoping to learn more worked to recover missing U.S. such as this one,” Ashley Nagle tion or note-taking skills (to name about IUP’s anthropology departservice members from WWII,” (junior, anthropology) said. just a few) play a role,” Sonja ment and discover future opportuPalmiotto said. “We also applied Rossi-Williams (graduate, anthroIUP’s students have high emnities like this can visit https://www. geoarchaeological methods never pology) said. ployment rates post-graduation. iup.edu/anthropology/. before used in this type of crash to determine their utility in aircraft crash site analysis.”

IUP’s Department of Anthropology is recognized nationwide for its work.

Additionally, IUP’s Department of Anthropology faculty have professional experience in a number of specialties including osteology, geoarchaeology and maritime archaeology. “[These experiences] are all conducive to working with the DPAA on the wide range of sites where U.S. service members have gone missing,” Palmiotto said.

“Most of these sites are very challenging logistically, requiring creative problemsolving and diverse skillsets for optimal recovery.”

The field study provided valuable experience to the students involved in it.

“IUP Department (IUP.edu) of Archaeology Field work is an integral part of an anthropology major’s education due to how hands-on careers in anthropology are. provides students It provides skills and expertise that will be used in a student’s career after graduation. relevant hands-

News

August 23, 2021

Kopchick Hall Construction Progresses

(The Penn/Nick Schmidt) Construction on Kopchick Hall continued over the summer. Construction of the building began on September 23, 2020. The building is set to open for the fall 2023 semester. “Once completed, the more than 142,000-square-foot Kopchick Hall will be the hub of activity for all things science and math at IUP,” according to IUP.edu. The building will include three flexible classrooms, two multi-purpose computer labs with shared instrumentation spaces, 43 research lab modules, collaboration spaces for group study, conferences and tutoring as well as student organization space. The building will also have a greenhouse designed for students to undertake research in various fields, as well as a planetarium that will be used in astronomy and geoscience classes.

Finally, sitting atop the planetarium will be an open-air roof terrace/ green roof for use in biology and geoscience classes.

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News

Opinion The Penn’s plans for fall 2021

Here at The Penn, we know it has been a trying couple of years for our student body and faculty. As editor-in-chief, I wanted to take a moment to address some things that may be on the minds of our student body going forward.

For many of us, this is our first time back on campus in a long time. Many things may have changed in our own lives during the course of this pandemic.

Many students may have differing views and opinions on different subjects on campus, but I want everyone to remember that we are all IUP Crimson Hawks.

As a student body, it is our job to learn and grow as people, and we need to be accepting of differing views and opinions. As we get back into our new “normal,” I promise that everyone at The Penn will work their hardest to make sure that our student body is informed and get them the most relevant and accurate news possible.

Just as we need to be un-

derstanding of other students’ views on campus, we need to understand that The Penn is a student-run organization. We pride ourselves on accuracy and relevancy. We do not take mistakes lightly; however, quick turnaround times can sometimes cause small oversights in our issues.

We have five different editors looking over each issue, and they work tirelessly during the year to ensure that our student body can have a voice on campus. Even during tough times like finals, our staff is working fervently to make sure an issue goes out.

Every mistake we make will help us learn and grow like every student on campus. I promise that our staff is committed and will give 100 percent every single issue.

At The Penn, we want to try and return back to normal, much like the rest of our university.

We are going to make it a point to get our multimedia pres-

ence back. We are planning on bringing back our podcasts and documentaries.

It is important to us that we are providing our student body with an immersive online experience with a variety of options to digest news content.

So as this year progresses, it will be a learning process for everyone on campus. There will be growing pains, but we want to be a part of this process. We will be involved in conversations happening on campus.

We want to hear you and help our student body have a voice on campus. Students, organizations and businesses are welcome to reach out to us at any time.

We look forward to having everyone back on campus for the first time in over a year and being able to share your news this year.

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By Jeff Hart Editor-in-Chief

(The Penn) Members of The Penn Staff, Caio Gomes (left/Lead Culture Writer), Lane Lannan (center, Culture Editor) and Eva Tillich (right/ Managing Editor), greeted students during the Student Activity Committee’s (STATIC) Happening at the HUB on Saturday.

(The Penn Facebook) The Penn has been serving IUP’s students, faculty and the Indiana community since 1924. We are always looking for new writers, photographers and even people interested in podcasts. The Penn is a great way to make connections with new people, gain real-world journalism experience and is even a way to make some money.

The atmosphere is professional yet fun and engaging. It is our goal to keep our readers informed and up-to-date with different activities, sporting events, groups and distinguishments at IUP. Additionally, it is our mission to increase our readership and reach as many new people as possible with accurate and intriguing articles. If you are interested in joining The Penn, please check our website thepenn.org or our social media platforms. The Penn Staff wishes everyone a safe and happy school year.

Opinion

August 23, 2021

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Culture PASSHE consolidation vote prompts concerns Culture Editor: Lane Lannan – ffpcc@iup.edu Lead Culture Writer: Caio Gomes – hysbc@iup.edu

‘We hoped improvements could be made that did not involve such fundamental changes to our universities.’ ~Dr. Jamie Martin (APSCUF President)

EVA TILLICH Managing Editor jxsbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s (PASSHE) Board of Governor voted in favor of consolidating several universities across the state.

The decision was made final on July 14. California, Clarion and Edinboro Universities of Pennsylvania, located in western Pennsylvania, are planning to merge as well as Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield Universities of Pennsylvania which are in northeastern Pennsylvania.

“It is no secret that Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF) has had questions and concerns about the plans, and those who spoke against or who want to delay consolidation have valid, important concerns,” Dr. Jamie Martin, APSCUF’s president said in a press release.

“We hoped improvements could be made that did not involve such fundamental changes to our universities.”

This move towards consolidation was brought to the attention of the PASSHE Board of Governors after PASSHE Chancellor Dan Greenstein spent about a year persuading students, faculty and lawmakers alike.

Chancellor Greenstein said that if the consolidation of the universities did not happen, they might need to close all Pennsylvania state schools.

“Unless we figure this out, I will be recommending to the board that we come back to the senate next year with a legislative package to dissolve the system,” Chancellor Greenstein said in a press release prior to the

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(Facebook) The PASSHE Board of Governors passed a vote to consolidate California, Edinboro and Clarion Universities of Pennsylvania in western PA, and Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield Universities in eastern PA. consolidation vote.

Despite the Board of Governors’ vote to move forward with the plan, the consolidation process is not complete and there are several questions that still need to be addressed.

“We trust that when the answers come — and as additional feedback and suggestions are given — they will guide the plan moving forward, will allow for course correction when new information or issues suggest it, and will allow for substan-

tive changes if warranted,” Dr. Martin said.

APSCUF will continue their efforts working for students and staff. The organization wants students to know that their concerns and voices are being heard.

APSCUF represents about 5,000 faculty, staff members and coaches across the state. There are also 14 universities represented in the state system, with IUP being one of them.

“We will do all we can to make sure the outcome is the best it can be for our students,” Dr. Martin said. “Our universities will continue to be places of great opportunity.”

Although IUP was not affected by the consolidation vote, some students are worried about what could happen in the future, while other students are not too concerned that IUP will be faced with this issue.

“I know a lot of people at IUP are worried about us potentially merging with another university in the future, but I am actually

August 23, 2021

not too worried about it myself,” Sydney Greitz (sophomore, exploratory) said. “At least to my own knowledge, the schools that are merging were some of the smaller Pennsylvania State System schools.”

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania’s enrollment is about 4,319 students and Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is about 8,151 students. IUP, however, has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 8,036 students.

“Because IUP is a bigger school with more students, I feel like we don’t face the same problems that the smaller schools encounter,” Greitz said.

Another student, Hannah Roth (sophomore, anthropology), is worried about IUP merging with another university in the future. She fears that if PASSHE is unable to tackle monetary woes and other funding issues, more consolidations could happen.

“Last year, a lot of programs in the public school system lost funding,” Roth said. “Now,

students are leaving, and we have limited staff, too. Everything is happening all at once and the [Board of Governor’s] decision was very choppy and ill -informed.”

Many students, and even staff members, do not have much information about the situation and want their questions answered.

Roth thinks that if schools like IUP continue to lose funding, more students will leave, and enrollment will drop. With lower enrollment rates, a consolidation between IUP and another school is a grim possibility.

The consolidation plan has received some other negative criticisms from some students and faculty within the state school system, too, because of a lack of information. While most do agree that the system needs changes, they disagree with the current direction.

As of right now though, there are no plans to consolidate IUP with another state university.

Culture

Culture

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August 23, 2021

Editor shares tips, strategies for freshmen LANE LANNAN Culture Editor ffpcc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP

(The Penn/Eva Tillich) You are eligible to donate blood if you are in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and are 16 years or older in most states.

Hawks urged to give blood, combat national shortage LANE LANNAN Culture Editor ffpcc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The Red Cross continues to experience blood shortages across the country.

Donating blood is one of the best ways for everyday individuals to get involved with helping other people.

Because of the severe influx of people needing blood following postponements during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as patients with COVID-19 that need blood, the demand has vastly increased with the supply not being able to keep up.

An official statement from the Red Cross said that organization has donated 12 percent more blood products to hospitals around the country, but hospitals are dealing with a higher volume of patients from normal procedures as well as emergency room visits.

“While generous individuals across the country have rolled up the sleeve to help hospital patients,” Paul Sullivan (senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services) said, “unfortunately, the Red Cross continues to face a severe blood shortage.”

Sullivan went on to say that the Red Cross needs to collect approximately 1,000 blood donations a day in order to meet the high demand. This number of donations is well above the average donation target, but it is the only way for the organization to even attempt to meet the needs of hospital patients that require blood.

Coming to a college campus can be a stressful experience for new students, but with proper guidance and tips, navigating the new environment can be a breeze.

If you are new to the IUP campus, feel free to follow some of the advice issued here to have a successful and fun college experience.

JOIN CLUBS One of the best ways to meet new people, friends and get more involved on campus is to find clubs that you are interested in. With the many different student-led groups dotted across the campus, it can be very easy to find one that speaks to you and your interests.

A good place to look for different student organizations and clubs is on Crimson Connect.

WALK AROUND CAMPUS

In another statement from Chris Hrouda, the president of the Red Cross Biomedical Services, the need for donating becomes even more clear.

“Our teams are working around the clock to meet the extraordinary blood needs of hospitals and patients,” Hrouda said. “Distributing more than 75,000 more blood products than expected over the past three months to meet demand.”

Hrouda went on to say that, on average, every two seconds someone in the United States will need blood, and since approximately 40 percent of deaths after hospitalization occur because of extreme hemorrhaging, the need for blood products only goes up, as stated by the Red Cross.

With all that in mind, the question then becomes what the IUP campus can do to help. Luckily, the answer is simple: donate.

Donating can seem intimidating to some people, but the Red Cross has several resources on its website to educate students about the procedure in addition to why donating is important.

One reason listed by Red Cross states that an average car accident victim can require as

much as 100 units of blood, not to mention the countless cancer patients that may need blood during their chemotherapy treatment.

Those cases put a strain on the blood supply under normal circumstances, but with the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Delta variant still very present in the world, blood donations are needed now more than ever.

One way to meet these needs is by hosting a campus blood drive. IUP has hosted blood drives in the past, so students should keep an eye out and make sure to donate when possible to help handle the shortage.

The Red Cross has some rules to follow and information to know prior to donating.

Apart from knowing the standard information like your blood type and weight, there is a requirement to know your COVID-19 vaccination type. All donors must know the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they got.

If you are interested in donating blood, learning more about the process and saving lives, visit redcross. org. If you are eligible for donation, then get out there and donate.

It may seem simple, but the act of walking throughout campus could prove to be incredibly helpful. Going on walks through the campus will help you create a mental map of the campus, which will prove to be useful when classes start. It can be hard to locate different buildings for classes if you are unfamiliar with the campus, so knowing it will help you transition to a new space.

Do not be afraid to use a campus map when you start or even ask other students for help.

TALK TO PROFESSORS Talking to professors is another great way to interact with campus.

Building connections and relations is a great way to get your name out there and have more people know you. Building relationships with professors could also lead to other opportunities on campus, so while it is not necessary to get to know every professor, there can be benefits in doing so.

Most professors will also have office hours, too, if you have questions or even if you just want to introduce yourself to them. Your professor are always there to help and guide you so do not be afraid to reach out.

ATTEND EVENTS Whether hosted by the Student Activity Committee (STATIC), or

just another organization, attending campus events is a great way to interact with a wide variety of students. It can also be incredibly fun. Keeping an eye out for events and following the STATIC lineup for the academic year is a great way to stay in the loop and find out what events are appealing to you and which ones are not your style.

APPLY FOR CAMPUS JOB While it may seem like a daunting task, especially considering the stress of a college semester, finding a job on campus can be very rewarding. Whether you just need some money to have or are looking for something to add to a resume, there are a plethora of potential jobs on campus depending on your own personal interests.

LEARN TIME MANAGEMENT Being able to manage your time appropriately is a crucial skill for a college student to know. Balancing a social life as well as academics is possible but can be difficult at times like finals week. A good strategy to start a good time management schedule is to figure timing out during a calmer time, leaving appropriate spaces for other activities. This will work to give you buffers when your schedule may get fuller, thus reducing stress if times do not perfectly go according to plan.

FIND PERSONAL TIME Finally, one of the most important tips for new students is to take time for yourself. Whether that means spending time watching movies or listening to music alone or hanging out with a group of friends, it is very important to give yourself time to unwind and relax.

With all that in mind, welcome freshmen to IUP. We here at The Penn are very happy to have you here, and we hope you can use some of this advice to guide you through your first semester.

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August 23, 2021

Culture

New hawks hit campus, experience events Freshmen arrive at IUP for Welcome Week activities (The Penn/Nick Schmidt) Welcome Week activities for the 2021-22 school year kicked off on Aug. 14. Events included yard games, outdoor movies, a hypnotizing presentation given by Tim Miller and a Kahoot event. The events went on throughout the week, wrapping up all festivities on Aug. 22. The goal of the activities is to expose new students to the IUP campus and to get them more involved in the lifestyle of the campus, as well as the flow of student life.

Culture

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August 23, 2021

Students anticipate return to campus, prepare for classes LANE LANNAN Culture Editor ffpcc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP With students returning to the campus, IUP is coming back to what it was prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Considering the narrowed attendance of the past academic year, many students are eager to return to a sense of normalcy on campus.

This eagerness is backed by feelings of anxiety for many, as normalcy means returning to face-to-face instruction after a time when virtual classes became the norm.

“I am excited to return to campus for the school year,” Bridget Gardner (sophomore, environmental engineering) said.

“I think classes will go much more smoothly in person.”

Gardner said that she feels joining clubs and connecting with different people in classes will be

easier to do. Gardner also has hope that with more students returning to campus, there will be a sense of community in and out of classes that will bring the campus together.

The sense of community returning is important to many students, especially for the new class of freshmen, as they wish to experience the campus as much as possible.

Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Delta variant, there is a very real fear about the potential of in-person education and campus life being put at risk in the event of more cases.

“Although I’m very excited for in-person lectures, let’s be honest: overall, I’m excited for the social scene,” Sydney Bower (freshman, political science) said. “It’ll be fantastic to meet so many new people.”

Bower said that her experience has been great on campus so far.

Just being able to walk through campus gave her the opportunity to meet a lot of new people, as well as

getting to see more of the campus.

Bower also said that the promise of face-to-face teaching is much more appealing, as trying to navigate through school via Zoom and other virtual platforms is frustrating at times and makes getting a complete education harder.

In-person instruction is appealing to students for a multitude of different reasons. For some, it is to offer a break from the monotony that Zoom classes brought. For other students, there is potential to meet people in classes and interact with professors more.

“I’m most excited for the faceto-face interaction,” Lily Carone (sophomore, pre-medicine) said.

“I think the vibe on campus will be more high energy and exciting.”

Carone added that the ability to see and meet students that she had only previously seen

(The Penn Archive) Students are excited for the ability to return to campus for in-person instruction, which will begin on Aug. 23 through the computer screen of an online meeting is very appealing and has the potential to lead to close friendships and fun experiences on campus.

Students around campus are ready to return to a sense of normalcy. It will take work, but as long as the IUP community works together it can be achieved.

“Everyone will be free at last after a whole year of online classes,” Evan Orr (senior, mathematics) said. “I’m really looking

forward to this semester.”

Orr also said that he thinks the vibe on campus will be incredible, and that he cannot wait to experience the full scope of the IUP campus again after a prolonged gap filled with online learning and remote instruction.

So go out and enjoy campus, Hawks. Just remember to mask up and follow the university-issued mandate to ensure that in-person teaching can continue with students being able to re-

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Culture

August 23, 2021

Students share best moments, experiences of the summer

(The Penn/Caio Gomes)

Over the summer break, IUP students went on vacation, worked at internships and studied abroad.

CAIO GOMES Lead Culture Writer hysbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Summer is the only season that allows students a freedom in choice for what they will do with their time.

While the fall and spring semesters are filled with classes and the winter break keeps students of most cultural backgrounds busy with its holidays, summer is the only season in which students are truly free to do whatever they want.

That freedom can be explored in several ways. This summer, some students chose to take a well-deserved rest and enjoy a vacation, others decided to take a summer class, and many were determined to get ahead in the professional world through finding a job or an internship.

A few students took the challenge to do all the above.

“This summer I did a little bit of everything. I had an internship, I took a chemistry class here at IUP and went on a vacation to Florida,” Madison Reddick (sophomore, nursing) said. “All three at once

was a lot, so next summer I will probably want to do just an internship because it was my favorite out of the three and it gives me experience in my career.”

(The Penn/Caio Gomes) Vacations are ways for students to unwind after a long year.

Gathering experience through working either an internship or a job is one of the most popular ways students spend their sum-

mers. In the competitive world of today, many hiring professionals look at whether students have had any work experience while attending college.

Additionally, working during summer is a wise way to figure out if one likes the career they are pursuing or not.

After all, sometimes one chooses to work in a specific field because they like the subject, but they end up disliking the environment.

It is better to figure that out while still in school rather than after graduation.

“I chose to do my internship at Shirley Eye Care because I’m not sure if I want to stop at nursing or if I want to go to medical school,” Reddick said. “I already have experience at nursing because of my high school program, so I wanted to see how the environment at a medical office is and see which one suits me best.”

Studying abroad is another popular way to broaden horizons and gain experience during summertime.

Students studying abroad not only learn the materials covered in

class, but also learn more about a new culture.

While everyone can and should take advantage of studying abroad regardless of major, students majoring in a foreign language are the ones that can benefit the most. After all, it is easier to improve a language skill when you are surrounded by that language. “[This summer] I studied abroad in Costa Rica because my major is Spanish and ESL (English as a Second Language) education, and it is a requirement to study abroad,” Mackenzie Eicher (senior, Spanish/ESL education) said. “My experience was incredible, though; I loved every moment of being there.”

“I want to teach English as a second language, and I definitely can see myself teaching there.”

Being immersed in a new culture with a different outlook on life was a phenomenal experience, Eicher said, as I was able to challenge my current beliefs and grow as a person.

Some students, however, claim that the best part of their summer

was taking that well-deserved break.

Taking some time to rest is important for both your mental and physical health, and studies show that students that take a small break improve their productivity during the school year.

“This summer I worked in a restaurant at my town, and I took a class at IUP, but my favorite part was going to Orlando for vacation,” Brandon Kimmel (sophomore, nursing) said. “It was nice to just take some time to relax and enjoy a fun time with my girlfriend and friends.”

No matter how you have spent your summer, The Penn welcomes you back to IUP and wishes you a great fall semester.

Culture

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August 23, 2021

Hawks ready to spread their wings Students recount their experiences abroad

CAIO GOMES Lead Culture Writer hysbc@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Most college students agree that having a successful “college experience” is important to them; to some, studying abroad is one of the best experiences that college could offer.

Attending university is all about stepping out of one’s comfort zone.

After all, most students are required to live on campus for the first time; for many this means living alone for the first time and for many more it means living outside of their hometowns for the first time.

Unlike any other college experience, studying abroad goes beyond simply leaving a hometown. While students moving from out-of-town and out-of-state areas may experience minor cultural shocks, students studying abroad experience living in a completely new and different culture — dealing with different currencies, different food and sometimes even a different language.

Experiencing those differences, however, is one of the biggest perks of studying abroad. Through studying abroad, students learn, even if indirectly, how to interact with people from foreign countries—a key skill in the age of globalization.

“Learning how to interact with people from other countries and cultures equips future leaders in all sectors to address urgent issues shared across borders,” Dr. Allan Goodman, the president of the Institute of International Education, wrote on his op-ed to The New York Times.

Because it takes time and money to study abroad, many students opt to do so in the summertime.

Studying abroad in the summer has several advantages, one of which being the fact that it does not take up a full semester, so students do not have to stress about whether they are missing out on certain credit-requirements for their majors.

Other students point out that they also just do not want to miss out on experiences that may happen on campus during the semester.

“If I were to study abroad, I would probably do it in the summer,” Jaden Hemphill (freshman, nursing)

said. “I feel like I would be missing a lot of what’s going on at school if I go during a semester.”

One of the most popular ways of studying abroad during summertime is through faculty-led programs.

As the name suggests, faculty-led programs are education abroad programs led by an IUP faculty member. In this program, students are directly enrolled in IUP courses; therefore, they will earn grades for each course.

On the other hand, studying abroad during the semester also has its advantages. It lasts longer than the summer programs, giving the opportunity to deeply connect with the country they are studying in.

“This summer I studied abroad at Costa Rica, and it was a life-changing experience,” Kendall Gomez (sophomore, international studies/ Spanish) said. “But now I really want to study abroad for a whole semester because I felt like a summer session was too short.”

Gomez says she does not stress about credit-requirement for majors because she will consult with her advisor prior to picking one of the programs offered at IUP. “IUP has study abroad programs

that you attend a partner university in a different country and the classes you take there all have transferable credits,” Gomez said. “So, it’s really just a matter of looking through the options and talking to your academic advisor to see what is best for you and for your major.”

Gomez is referring to the Crimson Exchange program. As described by the Office of International Education, Crimson Exchange programs are “reciprocal agreements between IUP and an international institution that provides for an equal exchange of students. In a Crimson Exchange program, IUP students pay close to IUP in-state tuition and out-of-state fees for their credits abroad.”

For Crimson Exchanges, students attend regular university classes with students from the host country and no special classes designed for foreigners. For this reason, language proficiency in the host country’s language may be required.

Regardless of which option you choose, studying abroad is guaranteed to enrich your college experience. Students interested in studying abroad can ask further questions to the Office of International Education.

(The Penn/Caio Gomes) Students traveled abroad for the ability to learn about differnet cultures and traditions.

(The Penn/Caio Gomes) Traveling abroad can be very rewarding for students as it gives them unique experiences that can be used in professional life.

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Culture

Sports

Sports Editor: Austin Smith – A.S.Smith7@iup.edu

Hawks are up to task with tough schedule IUP football returns to the turf with a strong offseason AUSTIN SMITH Sports Editor A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The Crimson Hawk football team has flown back into Miller Stadium to kick off the season with some tough competition on the east side of Pennsylvania.

IUP’s football team will face against the Kutztown Golden Bears at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11 on their home turf at Miller Stadium.

Without any football for a while, fans and the Indiana community are looking forward to what kind of competition the Crimson Hawks can bring on opening day.

A new season means new faces for IUP’s roster both on the offensive and defensive side. There are few players that came from different schools and have veteran experience.

“Players like Irvin Charles (senior, unclassified), Connor Kelly (junior, marketing), Malachi Newell (graduate, school of continuing education) and Bryce Gibson (senior, business) are just a few that should have a very first good season with IUP,” Head coach Paul Tortorella said.

This football season is going to look a bit different compared to the previous years.

“There are five playoff teams on our schedule this season which will be very challenging,” Tortorella said.

Later in the season, teams like Mercyhurst, Slippery Rock, Cal-U and at the end of the season, West Chester. A competitive season this year means the Crimson Hawks will have to bring their “A game” to the table.

The Hawks had strong off-season practices and intensive training program they had to follow according to Tortorella.

“We put in a much tougher

Sports

summer program for our players in regards to strength and training,” Tortorella said. The 2019 season was a solid one. The hawks finished with a record of 10-2. The Crimson Hawks did not end the season with the same winning streak at the start and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Shepherd 31-27 at Miller Stadium.

Going back to their opponents on the 2021 calendar year, Shepherd will be the second game of the season for the Crimson Hawks as well as being a hall of fame game.

A new season always promises returning players, and IUP has a few stars returning to the turf.

Some of those players include Josh Dauberman (senior, criminology), Duane Brown (junior, sports administration) and Nazir Streater (senior, business management).

In the offensive game, Brown put some high numbers in 2019.

He accounted for more than 900 receiving yards and clocked in 13 touchdowns. Similar, offensive numbers from Brown can put the Hawks back up to where they were in 2019.

The defensive side is just as important as the offensive side.

Defensive back Streater strung up 45 tackles and six interceptions.

The combo of Brown and Streater for this season give the football team a chance to have impressive numbers on the board again.

Then there is the whole army in front of the quarterback: the O-line. Dauberman is a two-time all Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West selection and a force to be reckoned with on the field.

In the anxious wait for the season to start, the Indiana community and fans will be right behind their Crimson Hawks after a long

(IUP Athletics) The IUP football team has been working vigorously to prepare for their tough 2021 season.

August 23, 2021

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Volleyball Coach Torbett prepares Hawks for success AUSTIN SMITH Sports Editor A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The Crimson Hawks volleyball team is spiking its way back into the new season.

It has been a long wait for the IUP community and the IUP students as the entire 2020 season for the volleyball team was non-existent.

The Hawks will start their year off with a few preseason matches against Wheeling University and Davis and Elkins University, which allow practice for players and observation on the coaches’ part to see which players need more help before the season starts.

It also allows the freshmen that are just coming in to see what kind of playing style works for the team.

The Crimson Hawks start their

first invitational at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC) on Sept. 3 at 2:30 p.m. against Tusculum University, following a match at 7 p.m. against Ohio Dominican University.

The 2021 season will be in full swing with a few new additions to the team, including a new head coach for the women’s team.

Julie Torbett (head coach) gained a lot of success throughout her coaching and

playing career, coming from coaching Division I volleyball; most recently Torbett coached at Eastern Carolina University.

“I am pleasantly surprised with the high energy when I came to IUP,” Torbett said.

With Torbett’s transition to Division II, she can help the Crimson Hawks develop a stronger game in the upcoming season and meet the high expectations for this return; the Crimson Hawks could be a potential threat in the Pennsyl-

vania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West.

The Crimson Hawks did not have the best season with a 7-21 overall record in 2019, but Torbett’s addition on the team creates high hopes for the volleyball team’s next season.

“I have wide-open expectations this season since the 2020 season was non-existent,” Torbett said, “and we should improve.”

The 11 upperclassmen on the volleyball team are vital in helping the incoming freshman get back on track for this next season. Even the sophomores’ shortened time on the court due to the COVID-19 pandemic will probably need a few refreshers by the senior players before the competitions start.

“There’s a lot of girls on the team that the freshmen can look up to,” Kylie Osborn (senior, natural pre-pharmacy) said. “We try

to set an example in everything we do.” “[Torbett] has high standards for this program, and we plan on keeping it that way for upcoming years.”

Osborn also commented on the changes in the team as well as the team’s future.

“We are a completely different team from past seasons,” Osborn said. “I expect big changes in our record and hopefully a spot in the playoffs.”

In the 2019 season, the Hawks only managed a 1-9 record at the KCAC and 5-5 record on the road.

If the Hawks can manage an even record at home and on the road, they will be in for a season of success with Torbett leading the way.

Get your IUP volleyball gear ready because the first matchup is right around the corner.

(IUP Athletics) Senior Kylie Osborn is looking to lead the Hawks on the right road as the 2021 season approaches and Head Coach Julie Torbett finds her new spot as head coach.

Sports

August 23, 2021

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August 23, 2021

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Sports

Braun thrilled to have Swan aboard AUSTIN SMITH Sports Editor A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP The time of year has finally come, and the Crimson Hawks golf team are ready to get back on the green.

Luckily, the Crimson Hawks have seen some spring action which will better prepare them for the fall season. Head coach Dan Braun and the rest of his team have a lot to look forward to, like a new addition to the team.

Isaiah Swan (freshman, finance and economics) tied for No. 53 at the 2021 Boys Junior Producer’s Guild of America (PGA) championship in Lexington, Kentucky.

“Isaiah is a very talented, driven young man,” Braun said. “We are both excited and fortunate to have him as a part of the IUP Golf Program.”

“I am looking for Isaiah to have a successful season.”

It is always difficult to predict how a new player will perform during their first year due to the adjustment to both the new level of competition, Braun said, as well as being a new college student.

“Isaiah has experienced success at each level in which he has competed thus far. I don’t think the adjustment will be difficult to make,” Braun said.

Competing in high categories so far, Swan enters his initial transfer to IUP with high praise as a junior PGA golfer and can put him in the top a lot quicker than others.

“Isaiah possesses a very strong mental game,” Braun said. “It is what struck me quite early in the recruiting process. His ability to remain in the present is a key element in achieving success on the golf course.”

“He is very adept at keeping proper perspective, which helps him deal with adversity better than most golfers his age.”

With Swan being the only freshman on the team, this will allow him to learn and pick up some new skill sets that he may

not have had previously.

It also allows the upperclassmen to see what he can bring to the table.

“I honestly don’ t think I could pinpoint the strongest point because golf is not always the same each day, but I would say my two most consistently strong aspects of the game are my mental game and distance,” Swan said. “Golf is mostly a mental battle for 18 holes [where] confidence and focus are key.

“But distance is something that is a powerful weapon to attack the course with. It gives me a lot of leverage on the course that not many people have.”

Swan is in a new environment and the only freshman on the team, but his roommate is a member of the team and thus may help ease this transition.

“It’s early to say that I have really adapted to the new team,” Swan said. “I played on a very charismatic golf team for four years in high school. A team that I personally thought was as good as it got. We had a lot of success but more importantly we had a lot of fun.”

“I am getting to know all the guys now; I’ve played a round with all of them but two.”

The rounds were very character revealing to me then as, after round meals, I got to find out even more about my new team,” Swan said.

“I am rooming with a teammate, Luke Lestini, and I feel like the times are going to be a lot of fun,” Swan said. “I am definitely looking forward to the following season and showing the guys what I can do and how I really am: not just a golfer. They will soon see why I have the many nicknames that I have.”

Braun is not only the men’s golf coach, but the academic coordinator for the IUP Athletic Department; this gives Braun a broader view on how his team may be doing overall.

“I think it is important for our athletes to reach out and get the necessary help they need for their

(IUP Athletics) Head Coach Dan Braun’s full roster of seniors will be good mentors to Freshman Isaiah Swan academics,” Braun said.

Athletics can be the only focus a student athlete has at times, but academics cannot be ignored.

“We try to teach them about balancing everything they do,” Braun said. “A lot of times, our student-athletes just need someone to talk to who listens to them.”

Braun is an advocate for the academic world, helping restore and refresh the minds of the athletes.

“Dan is great about communicating with the student-athletes about their role,” Athletic director Todd Garzarelli said. “He does a great job setting up a conduit for our student-athletes to get any help they need.”

With Swan ready to go, Braun and his crew are ready to hit the greens in Charleston, West Virginia, for the Charleston Invitational, looking to have a solid upcoming season.

“Obviously, one of our season goals is to win another PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) Championship,” Braun said. “We will deal with that in October.”

“Until then, the most import(IUP Athletics) ant event on the schedule is the next tournament.”

Freshman Isaiah Swan is ready to get started with the Hawks.

August 23, 2021

Sports

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Chiavacci, Agard looking to push the Hawks

Team starts season with competitive Labor Day weekend

Senior Georgiana ChiavaccI,(left) and sophomore ,Blaise Cugini (right) look to help the team chemistry thrive while Agard conducts team.

AUSTIN SMITH Sport Editor A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP Even though it has been over a year since they took the field, their goals are the same. The IUP field hockey team is ready to take a big step forward this season.

Like the rest of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the Crimson Hawks last saw the field in 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellation of the 2020 season.

IUP finished that season with a 9-9 record and just missed out on a conference playoff berth with a 4-6 league record to come in seventh.

Despite not making the conference playoff berth, the Hawks put up a valiant effort to finish their 2019 season. They ultimately lost their final match against No. 3 Kutztown in a tight 2-0 game.

That season, the Hawks faced off seven times against a nationally ranked team and held two of them to only one goal. To cap things off, head coach Gary Agard summarized his team’s season.

“I think this journey brought the team closer,” Agard said. “It was a roller coaster ride with highs and lows. I think how the team galvanized through the whole process was the most gratifying.”

“I think the confidence gained this season, knowing we can compete with the elite teams in the league, will serve us well going forward.

Even though it is a new year and much has changed, one thing has not: this team is back and ready to compete.

IUP returns three of its top four scorers from that season, including

(IUP Athletics)

Blaise Cugini (sophand Lindenwood on omore, education Sept. 5. and communicaThis will be a tions) who scored 16 great chance for the points on five goals Hawks to show off and six assists as a what they have been freshman. Georgiapreparing for over na Chiavacci (senior, the last year against human resources Newberry, who went management) and 13-5 in 2019, and Lizzi Clemmer Lindenwood, who (senior, nursing), a went a respectable former All-PSAC se11-7 in 2019. lection, also return The last time the after combining for Hawks played, they six goals and five ended their season assists in 2019. knowing that they The Hawks open Head coach gary agard were capable of their highly anticipatcompeting against ed 2021 season with anyone. With crucial the IUP/Hilton Garden Inn Labor members returning to this squad, Day Tournament at Miller Stadium. there is no telling how far this They'll host Newberry on Sept. 3 team can go this year.

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August 23, 2021

Sprinting into action

Sports

Coach Zins will coach both track and cross country AUSTIN SMITH Sports Editor A.S.Smith7@iup.edu @ThePennIUP As sports are starting to return to the field again, the IUP campus must prepare for the cross-country team to make its own comeback. The 2020-2021 spring season was a way to get back into the swing of things and prepare for the spring season in 2021.

The Crimson Hawks cross-country team picked fifth in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s (PSAC) men’s poll.

In the “Welcome Back” Mini-Invitational, both the men’s and women’s teams finished strong with the men’s team finishing first out of the two teams.

Some of the standout runners were Marco Cardone (sophomore, kinesiology health and sport science) who, in his Crimson Hawk debut, finished second overall with a time of 16:16.2 on the 5K course.

There were some veterans at the event that had their own notable performances.

Sam Lenze (senior, biochemistry) took third place with a time of 16:22.6, while Evan Weaver (senior, history/pre-law and political science) took fourth at 16:33.4 and Isaac Evans (senior, natural

science and pre-physical therapy) finished in sixth place with a time of 16:47.2.

At the California University of Pennsylvania (Cal-U) spring invitational, Lenze finished fourth overall with a time of 14:36.3 on the 2.74-mile course averaging a time of 5:19.8. Lenze was one of three IUP runners in the top 10.

The Crimson Hawks were able to manage a respectable fourth place, with Edinboro University taking first, Shippensburg University claiming second and Lock Haven University taking third place.

IUP was able to tally up a total of 158 points, which was 11 more points than its rival Gannon University. Using what they learned from this past invitational, the Hawks could have a smoother transition for the competitive environment of their first match in the fall.

The Hawks will have their first invitational at 1 p.m. Sept.

4 against Cal-U. Their next meet will be in a few weeks at 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 against Robert Morris University.

On the roster this year for the Hawks, there is a ratio of six upperclassmen and 13 underclassmen of which is beneficial when it comes to the amount of seniority versus new faces on the team.

With the season approach-

ing, Joey Zins (director of cross country and track and field, head coach) has his hands full with leading both the men’s and women’s track and field teams as well as his position as head coach of the cross-country programs.

“I am excited to elevate Joey into this new role of men’s and women’s

track and field head coach, in addition to his leadership of both cross-country programs,” (IUP athletics director Todd Garzarelli said.

Zins’ experience offers shared influence on the teams he oversees, and it allows for different techniques to

be explored during their upcoming season.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of leading the men’s and women’s track and field programs in addition to our cross-country teams,” Zins said.

The Crimson Hawks look to have a solid season coming up with standout players, like Weaver and Cardone, who can pave the way for the Hawks to a successful fall season.

Grab your gear and get ready to watch the cross-country team

IUP ranks fifth in the preseason poll as they prepare to go into the 2021-2022 season.

(IUP Athletics) Head Coach Zins talks to Sam Lenze and Isaac Evans during the spring season of 2021.

(IUP Athletics)

(IUP Athletics) Senior, Evan Weaver is looking to lead the hawks far this season.