WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
THE TRUMPET
VOL. 100 – ISSUE 2
The Student Voice of the Hilltop
West Liberty moves up in national rankings pg. 4 COVID-19 delays fall sports until spring semester pg. 8
@WLTrumpetOnline @thetrumpetwestliberty
@TheTrumpetWestLiberty
@WLTrumpetOnline @thetrumpetwlu westliberty.edu/thetrumpet @thetrumpetwlu
WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
THE TRUMPET
NEWS
New study suggests COVID-19 will hold back economy for years to come pg. 4
FOLLOW US ON @TheTrumpetWestLiberty
@WLTrumpetOnline @WLTrumpetOnline westliberty.edu/thetrumpet
COVER BY: WLU MEDIA RELATIONS
SPORTS
CULTURE
Nutting Gallery in fine arts building has reopened pg. 5
Senior soccer player Katie Kota prepares for her last season as a Hilltopper pg. 9
THE TRUMPET
The Student Voice on the Hilltop
The Trumpet’s mission is to provide WLU students of all majors an opportunity to learn how to gather and present news information to the campus community, and to serve the WLU community with fair and accurate reporting on matters of significance and interest.
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief Online Editor Culture Editor Intern Sport Editor Graphic Designer Digital Media Editor Video Editor Intern Faculty Adviser
Annalise Murphy Creed Kidney Hanna Perry Anna Johnston Morgan Kafana Morgan McFadden Lauryn Fridley Danielle Mehlman-Brightwell
Letters to the Editor
To submit a letter to the editor, please email anmurphy@westliberty.edu. Please put your name, address, phone number, email address. If the editor decides to publish it, she will contact you to conform your identity.
Contact Us
Wltrumpet@westliberty.edu (304) 336-8873
NEWS
SEPTEMEBER 24, 2020
NEWS
Editor-in-Chief: Annalise Murphy
PAGE 3
- anmurphy@westliberty.edu
West Liberty moves up in national rankings according to U.S. News & World report West Liberty University had a great year when it came to rankings. The U.S. News & World Report for college and university rankings came out last week, and West Liberty moved up in three categories. The university was also upgraded to a new category, Regional Universities South, after being in the Regional Colleges South category since the rankings first took place. The new category arrives at exciting times for the university, especially since the school has added more masters and athletic programs. These additions helped West Liberty qualify for the category. West Liberty moved up two spots to number ten in Top Performers on Social Mobility, which ranks universities who have a successful enrollment and graduation rate among economically disadvantaged students who were awarded Pell Grants. WLU also moved up two spots to number 28 in the Top Public Schools category. Rankings are very important to any university because it shows where each of them rank at a national level. National rankings may not seem
important to most students, but they matter to the administration who works hard at making sure West Liberty remains a caring and affordable school for everyone. One of the qualities that makes West Liberty stand out among the other universities, according to President Stephen Greiner, “is a combination of quality academics and quality students. What we see with our students is they continue to excel in their academics.” WLU has one of the greatest faculty to student ratios, which stands at 15:1 and the average class size stands at 25, which is lower than most large high schools in the state. When it comes to rankings, students may not really look when deciding which college to attend. When it came time for sophomore Kaiden Lamkin to make a decision, they said, “The only ranking that I looked at when it came to my college decision making process was the nursing program ranking. They were ranked #4 in the state, so it was an easy decision to come to West Lib.” Another sophomore Erin Schumacher, said, “I didn’t really think about rankings when I was applying for colleges.
(Photo Credits: Morgan Kafana, Graphic Designer) Pictured above is Shaw Hall, located on West Liberty’s main campus
I came to West Liberty because I was offered a scholarship. Other schools didn’t really compare to West Lib when it came to scholarship money.” President Greiner says, “that West Liberty excels when it comes to university rankings, but the one thing that we really need to do to improve our numbers is the percent of alumni giving. That is too low right now, we’re only at 2 percent when it comes to alumni giving.” Greiner went on to say that the university ranks very high in acceptance rate, freshman class, and SAT/ACT
percentile, but alumni giving is where the school needs help. “So, this message is to our alums that we need your help. In order to climb in the rankings, we’ll keep doing what we’re doing here, but we could use your assistance to help us improve in the rankings” The U.S. News & World Report rankings are just a fraction of rankings that West Liberty is a part of. College Raptor came out with rankings of the 2020 Hidden Gems in the Northeast, and West Liberty was number two on the list of WV colleges.
PAGE 4
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
NEWS
New study suggests COVID-19 will hold back economy for years to come Fear from the virus will cause more long term damage to the economy in the U.S., researchers say. As the nation awaits a vaccine to bring the COVID-19 pandemic to a standstill, the damaged U.S. economy is making getting back to normal more difficult. A new study, “Scarring Body and Mind,” suggests that the crisis generated through the fear from the virus will affect our economy for years to come. The study focuses on the effects from American citizens’ fear and how it is going to affect the economy today and in the future.
(Photo Credits: Media Relations) Topper the Bear keeping West Liberty safe by wearing a mask!
(Photo Credits: Unsplash Photos)
The study suggests that businesses, people, and the whole world will make future decisions with the possibility of another pandemic in mind.
involved in the study.
Prior to COVID-19, most Americans (and the world) never considered the risks and unpredictable nature of the world we The pandemic has already live in. caused nearly 100-thousand This study came too as businesses such as malls, restauCongress continues to remain rants, and other outlets to close deadlocked over another stimulus for good across the entire counpackage that could provide varitry after the government shut all ous lifelines to unemployed Amernon-essential places down. icans, small business, and indepenAccording to top econdent college students. omists, half of the losses of jobs Top economists say that and businesses could and will this stimulus package, if passed, continue to become permanent. could reduce both the short term Although COVID-19 has not and long term losses caused from yet proven to be worse for our the virus. economy than the great recession of 2007 through 2009, this West Liberty college stupandemic will leave long-term dent, Katlyn Roberts said, “Belasting effects that will be more cause I am 18, my mom did not permanent damage than the get any money for me from the recession. first stimulus check. At the start of the pandemic, I had just started “While the virus will a new job. Once the pandemic hit, eventually pass, vaccines will I got scheduled one day a week, be developed, and workers will which wasn’t enough for me. As return to work, an event of this a freshman college student, not magnitude could leave lasting getting money from the stimulus effects on the nature of economand getting put to one day a week ic activity,” said the researchers
sucked and was hard for me.” Everyone has lost something amid this global pandemic. Jobs, education, money, and unfortunately, people they love. The study “Scarring Body and Mind,” suggests that our economy can and will be affected long term due to the amount of businesses and jobs lost throughout the past few months. According to economists, without the second stimulus package being passed, the possibility of bringing economic hardships throughout the nation to halt will cause irreparable damage for several years ahead. This article was cultivated by using the article orginally published by USA TODAY. For more information, please click on the hyperlink provided above to read the orginal article, or contact the author of this artilce at anmurphy@westliberty.edy
CULTURE
CULTURE SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
PAGE 5
Culture Editor: Hanna Perry - heperry@westliberty.edu
The Nutting Gallery on West Liberty’s main campus has officially reopened for in-person viewing Contributing Writer: Samantha Snyder The Nutting Gallery, located in the Fine Arts Building on campus, has officially reopened. The first show, called Let’s Get Reacquainted, is a purely volunteer based gallery.
Students, staff, and faculty of West Liberty University were encouraged at the beginning of September to submit work created from the second half of the Spring semester throughout Summer. Currently, if you are able to be on campus, you can go into the gallery itself to see the art in person.
There’s a plan in place for the Nutting Gallery to go virtual, much like how classes have adapted. In the near future, both the Gallery’s Facebook page and Topper Station will allow the public to access the gallery remotely. Due to COVID-19, the university can’t have their usual gallery opening nights where they have the guest artists speak. Professor Brian Fencl, who is in charge of Nutting Gallery, explained the plans for the gallery this year and why it was strictly volunteer based.
(Photo Credits: Samantha Snyder) Pictured above is one of the few art pieces currently displayed in the gallery.
Although restrictions on campus have left little to do, being able to access and enjoy this art safely is something that Fencl wanted to ensure. He went on further to explain the choices within the gallery.
(Photo Credits: Samantha Snyder)
“When you get an artist booked for the gallery, they have to transport their work here. On top of that, try to schedule out the opening night to be present. In the beginning we weren’t sure if we’d open the campus. So, it wouldn’t have been fair to get an artist booked just to have to turn around and tell them we can’t do the show. That could potentially cost them money, and hurt the schools reputation with them,”
Fencl said. West Liberty University will remain open while strictly enforcing both CDC and university guidelines to keep the community safe. Now, students can look forward to a new artist to be showcased in the next gallery exhibition. Be sure to keep an eye out on Topper Station and the Nutting Gallery Facebook page for more information on the remote viewing options as they look to become available. https://www.facebook.com/ nuttinggallery https://topperstation.com/
PAGE 6
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
CULTURE
Dr. Brian Fitzpatrick creates new political science club for students interested in politics dent, Isaac Deel as secretary and Anna Johnston as treasurer.
The subject of politics can often be a touchy one when it comes to discussing it in school; however, the new political science club offered at West Liberty University is changing those views. On Sept. 15 at 5 p.m., the club held it’s very first meeting. Of course it was done remotely, via ZOOM, to stay in accordance with social distancing guidelines.
McConnell and Wynn were then given the responsibility of creating an outline of the club’s constitution and bylaws while other members and future members are required to fill out the student orientation form, social media form, and officer roster form. “I found out about the club from classes I have with Dr. Fitzpatrick. I hope that this club feeds into my interest in politics with peers who also enjoy discussing politics,” said McConnell.
The main goal of the meeting this week was to discuss future plans as well as determine club positions.
The club members all agreed that the purpose of the club should be to allow students to get together and to create a place to share an interest in politics.
Dr. Brian Fitzpatrick, a political science professor here at the university, is the advisor of this new club.
Students who join this club would be permitted to watch debates, political movies or attend political events, if approved.
He began planning last year; however, when COVID-19 came around in full swing last spring, he had to postpone creating the club until the beginning of this semester.
Students joining this semester could engage in activities such as watching the debates on Oct. 15, conduct student debates or forums and watch political movies of their choosing.
“I started it as a way for students to become more involved in politics. Students would express interest in my classes, and I wanted them to have that outlet outside of class to be able to discuss political matters,” said Fitzpatrick.
The club also discussed creating an informational sheet on candidates for students and staff to allow them to understand the standpoints of political figures.
The club kicked off their meeting by filling the position of Charli McConnell as president, Jonathan Wynn as vice presi-
The political science club meets via ZOOM on Tuesdays at five o’clock. Students who are interested are encouraged to email Dr. Fitzpatrick at brian.fitzpatrick@westliberty.edu for a link.
(Photo Credits: Media Relations) Dr. Brian Fitzpatrick, Assistant Professor of Political Science Political Science Club Advisor
(Provided By: Media Relations) Political Science Club Interest Poster
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
OPINION
OPINION
PAGE 7
Fall is officially upon us! Stay cozy with these five tips It’s officially September which means the autumn sweater weather is officially upon us! The first official day of autumn was yesterday, Sept. 22, which means the autumn leaves will appear on the trees and we will be able to witness a small sample of nature’s beauty.
like the perfect pair? There is nothing that I love more in the fall than sitting underneath a warm blanket while reading the latest novel that I am working on. I love spending some time getting lost in a book and distressing from the real world for a moment.
Autumn is the perfect time to be baking. There are many fall treats that you could bake such as pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, or even pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
Sometimes the best autumn days are the ones that are spent indoors where you can be warm, cozy, and happy. Follow one (or all) of these five tips to enjoy this fall season.
Freshly made cookies are always a welcome treat as the weather cools down. Not
R T
E
As chilly weather sets in, nothing warms the body better than a nice hot drink!
R
There is nothing better on a cold autumn day than drinking a warm beverage whether it be a hot chocolate or a Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Latte. 2. Snuggle Up With A Good Read
Doesn’t a cozy blanket and a new favorite book sound
4. Have A Movie Night
D E
it I would highly recommend watching it this autumn season. 5. Sweater Weather
T
C A
3. Indulge In Baking
On cool, crisp, autumn days there is nothing like wearing a cozy sweater and drinking a warm beverage while you’re wrapped up nice and tight in a warm, fuzzy blanket.
1. Sip a Warm Beverage
only is the smell of baking sweets perhaps the essence of coziness, you’ll have plenty to share with your friends, family, or coworkers the next day. Just be sure to leave some to enjoy with your hot beverage and new novel!
You really can’t go wrong with having a movie night.
Sit back, relax, and get cozy with a blanket and enjoy some of your favorite films. Halloween is just around the corner so it’s not too early to start watching some of your favorite Halloween movies.
A personal favorite of mine is Hocus Pocus, which is absolutely hilarious. If you’ve never seen
All summer, we were just dying of heat, and now that it’s gotten a bit chilly we can finally dig out all those lovely fall and winter knits we oh-so-happily shoved to the back of the closet in June. Fall is not for everybody, but personally, I think it is pretty great. By following these five tips, I hope that you can stay warm, happy, and cozy this autumn season. For more information regarding this article, please contact the author, Hanna Perry, at heperry@westliberty.edu. (Jessica Peters, Pinterest)
SPORTS
SPORTS SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
Sports Editor: Anna Johnston
PAGE 8
- acjohnston@westliberty.edu
COVID-19 delays fall sports until spring semester 2020 has been quiet on the hilltop with competitive sports taking a break for the semester due to Covid-19. Regular fall sports such as football, volleyball, soccer and cross-country have been postponed until the spring after the NCAA cancelled fall championships for Division II. This second blow comes after an abrupt halt to competitive sports back in March as the pandemic became a more pronounced problem in the United States. Several of West Liberty’s sports teams had been off to a strong start back in the spring before the shutdown. Coach Herb Minch’s softball team was on track for a second MEC title win in a row after an exceptional 2019 season. The 2020 campaign came to an end almost as soon as it began with the Mountain East Conference making the decision to call off sports not long after the opening of their season. West Liberty’s Acrobatics and tumbling squad also saw a strong start to their season with rookie Head Coach Kelsey Kyle pushing the squad to achieve several new records. The abrupt end to the season for spring athletes lead to the decision to grant those
(Photo Credit: Morgan Kafana, Graphic Designer )
athletes affected by the pandemic to gain back a year of eligibility if they decide to take it. Sydney Schumacher, a sophomore on last semester’s acrobatics and tumbling squad, said to hilltoppersports. com, “It was an awesome decision that an extra year of eligibility is being granted to all of us but the truth is, most people won’t be able to take advantage of it. They have to graduate and move on with their life instead of sticking around strictly for athletics.” A similar problem is posed for athletes missing out on a competitive season this fall. Although athletic seasons have only been postponed until spring, the number of competitions will be significantly reduced, and for those planning to graduate in December, none of the benefit is received. “Since other colleges and high schools are playing their fall sports, I feel like we could have altered our season to keep us and others safe while still trying to compete in games,” said Katie
Kota, a senior on the women’s soccer team. “I have worked hard in school to graduate in the fall so this was supposed to be my senior season. It being pushed to the spring makes me possibly not have a senior season.” Seniors face a difficult and immediate choice over whether to play sports at a collegiate level for another year or move on to the next phase of their lives. Cate Calissie, a senior on the women’s soccer team said, “It’s been hard. Being a team player, I obviously want to be able to have a full season with my team one last time. On the other hand, I want to be able to use what I learned at West Liberty and go out into the real world.” A lack of competitive sports and reduced abilities to practice has also made it difficult for incoming freshmen who expected to have a competitive season. “It’s tough whenever you haven’t played a competi-
tive game in so long to come out here and have to wait until spring to be back in season again,” said Mark Donnelly, a freshman on the men’s soccer team, from Ireland. “At the minute, it’s all about trying to improve and be as ready as we can be for whenever the season eventually comes around.” Campus life feels different without having live sporting events to attend. The lack of a homecoming football game removes a major event from the WLU social calendar. Students are unable to go out and cheer for the Topper teams each week and athletes are missing the regular adrenaline rush gained from competing. West Liberty’s athletic staff, alongside the MEC and NCAA, are now working hard to ensure that sports can make a safe return in the spring. For updates on West Liberty’s response and resources surrounding the Coronavirus, head to https://westliberty.edu/coronavirus/ for the latest.
SPORTS
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020
PAGE 9
Senior soccer player Katie Kota prepares for her last season as a Hilltopper Contributing Writer: Cate Calissie Katie Kota is a senior on the WLU Women’s soccer team from Wheeling, W.Va.. Having made 50 appearances with 36 starts in her three seasons at West Liberty, Kota is a well-loved and central part of the team. Kota has always been dominant on the field, but has also managed to be a contributing factor to the women’s soccer program’s streak of high team GPAs. An exercise physiology major, Kota has made the Dean’s List every semester at WLU, making her a force to be reckoned with both on and off the pitch. Kota has always proved to be a key asset to the WLU soccer team. Last season, she scored a goal against rival Wheeling Jesuit on her birthday, giving new life to the Hilltoppers in one of the most intense games of the season.
With the pandemic pushing the Hilltoppers soccer season to an unofficial spring season, consisting of seven games within the MEC, Kota has had to deal with deciding what to do in regards to graduation and soccer. Having had planned to graduate early this fall, Kota feels torn between pursuing graduate studies and taking another semester to play with the team she loves. “I have worked hard in school to graduate in the fall so this was supposed to be my senior season and it being pushed to the spring makes me possibly not have a senior season,” she said. Despite this dilemma, Kota has remained optimistic and continues to both study hard and practice with her teammates in the safest way possible. Her conflicting ideas of what the future
(Photo Credits: Katie Kota)
holds further emphasizes Kota’s desire to help her team, but also to continue her academic career. Altogether, Kota embodies what the Hilltoppers hope to instill in all of their players - dedication. Whether she decides to play in the spring
Her electric presence on the field and unmatched speed has been a valuable tool the Toppers have used against teams. Kota has played in almost every position possible in soccer marking her as one of the most versatile players in WLU Women’s Soccer history. (Photo Credits: Katie Kota)
or pursue a Master’s degree elsewhere, Kota has contributed to the success of the women’s soccer program as well as the culture here on the hilltop. For more information, please visit hilltoppersports.com, or contact the author of this article at ctcalissie@westliberty.edu.
