February 2011 Vol. 5, No. 6
IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
Students inspired by Roberto Clemente’s servant heart A recent service mission trip to Roberto Clemente’s hometown in Puerto Rico afforded 17 Waynesburg University students the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with Clemente’s widow and three children.
While Roberto Clemente never saw Sports City come to life, it has become a part of his legacy. His wife and children, and now service mission teams like Waynesburg’s – the facility’s first volunteer group – continue to fulfill Clemente’s desire to serve others. Each day, the service mission team worked from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., before taking a lunch break that included stories from Luis Clemente. In a thank you note from Sports City,
D
Luis Clemente left the mission service
uring his 18-year major league
team with these words: “In four days it
baseball career, Roberto
has been absolutely incredible what the
Clemente established a legacy
whole crew was able to accomplish for
as one of the greatest outfielders of all
us. I commend you for that. Waynesburg
times. A Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder,
University, we will forever be thankful for
Clemente earned many remarkable honors
all that this means and represents for us.”
including the 1966 National League’s
More than the hours spent raking and
Most Valuable Player Award, 12 Golden
mowing, Kabay said the Clemente family
Glove awards and four National League
was encouraged and uplifted during the
batting crowns.
group’s visit to the their home.
Primarily known for his excellence
“One thing that was unique to this trip
on the field, “The Great One” offered
was the recognition that even people who
just as much, if not more, off the field.
serve need people to serve them,” Kabay
Clemente’s off seasons were spent serving
said.
those less fortunate. His mission to end
For Jenna Stolzfus and Casey Patterson,
poverty and suffering ultimately led to Clemente’s untimely death. In 1972, Clemente boarded a plane to deliver
hometown of Carolina, Puerto Rico. A life-long dream of Clemente’s, the
What are we doing for the people around us?’”
food, clothing and medical supplies to
Center was established two years after his
Kabay said Krause’s question set the
Nicaragua’s earthquake victims. Shortly
death to provide athletic opportunities
tone for the entire trip and allowed
after takeoff, his plane crashed along the
and life lessons for Puerto Rico’s youth.
students to recognize the true meaning of
Prior to the trip, Kabay and Bush
Waynesburg University’s mission of faith,
old. He left behind his wife, Vera, and
required students to perform research
learning and service to others — a mission
three sons, Roberto Jr., Luis Roberto and
related to the facility and the life of
that was certainly put into action during
Enrique Roberto.
Roberto Clemente. Richard Krause, chair
the nine-day trip.
coast of San Juan. Clemente was 38 years
This one act of selflessness defined the
of the Department of Communication
Financed by the government of Puerto
spirit of giving embodied by Clemente. As
and life-long Pirates fan, and Julio
Rico, Sports City was between funding
a result, Clemente was, and still is, a light
Quintero, assistant professor of Spanish
and had been closed and without water or
in the lives of countless individuals. That
at Waynesburg University, were also
electricity three weeks prior to the group’s
light was recently felt by a service mission
instrumental in the trip preparation.
arrival. As a result, the team worked with
team of 17 Waynesburg University
“One of the things Professor Krause told
Clemente’s middle son, Luis, to perform
students led by Michele Kabay, director
the group is something that I will carry
much-needed physical labor at the facility.
and assistant professor of athletic training,
with me forever,” Kabay said. “He said,
Through mowing, painting, weed-
and James Bush, professor of mathematics.
‘This man left a legacy not just on the
whacking and other maintenance tasks,
In December, the team had the privilege
baseball field, but to his community and
the group was able to leave its mark on
of serving at Clemente’s Sports City in his
the entire country. What have we done?
the 304-acre, non-profit recreation facility.
junior athletic training majors, the newfound relationships ignited growth in their faith and their passion for service. “The most significant result of this trip is not tangible,” Stolzfus said. “The relationships that we built with the Clemente family and the encouragement that we gave them through service planted seeds in all of our hearts and presented many blessings.” Patterson recognized the same. “The trip became a faith-driven, wonderfully loving experience that strengthened each individual’s faith in different ways and on different levels,” he said. “For me, service is such a critical aspect of personal faith, and it is such a refreshing reality that my university believes the same.”
Students offer gift of tax preparation services to community
T
ax time is a stressful time for
program saves eligible individuals and
benefits of the VITA program,” said Bryan
addition, students also helped qualifying,
many individuals across the
families between $300 and $600 in filing
Phillips, a senior accounting major from
low-income wage earners receive $37,198
country. For the fifth consecutive
fees. Certified by the IRS, Waynesburg
Winona, Ohio. “It’s also giving us life
in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
year, a group of Waynesburg University
students are required to receive two
experience in our field.”
students are allowing many local families
eight-hour days of training with an IRS
the opportunity to breathe easy.
Last year, Waynesburg students clocked
agent. Following the training, students
nearly 1,100 training and tax preparation
Twenty-four students, led by Melissa
must pass a computerized exam given
hours among 164 refunds. Students saved
Heider, assistant professor of accounting
by the IRS before they are permitted to
those involved with the program more
at Waynesburg University, have joined
volunteer. The volunteers are trained
than $70,000 in filing fees and collected
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and
to file tax returns under the IRS’s e-file
more than $120,000 in federal and state
Community Action Southwest to offer
system. Trained students will volunteer
returns.
low-income families and individuals free
more than 30 hours each through April 6.
tax preparation services. Offered through the Volunteers in Tax Assistance (VITA) network, the
“Providing a free service for under-
Nearly $200,000 was brought back into Greene County as a result of the
privileged families, and saving them
VITA program and the assistance from
hundreds of dollars, is one of the best
Waynesburg University students. In
IMPACT NEWS & NOTES • Waynesburg University will host a free Reading and Writing Clinic for
Coach committed to four marathons in four days
C
ancer has a new hero. Chris
through,” Hardie said. “Although the
Hardie, Waynesburg University
tragedy hit close to home, we know
head cross country and assistant
that there are millions of others who are
track and field coach, raises money for
continuing to battle each and every day.
grade seeking individualized help with
the cause through his God-given talent:
For that reason, we are committed fully
literary skills. The after school program
running.
to doing all that we can to help.”
children in kindergarten through sixth
will begin February 14, and will run
Hardie will lace up for an astounding
Hardie hopes to raise $5,000, an
Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:45
four marathons in four days to benefit
amount that will bring his collective
to 4:45 p.m. Area youth will receive
the American Cancer Society. On Feb.
total to more than $20,000 raised for
focused attention in needed areas, while
25 at 7 a.m., Hardie will begin the first of
cancer research.
university education students gain
his 26.2-mile runs.
valuable experience in their intended
“God has blessed me with an ability to run for long periods at a time,” Hardie
field.
said. “I use this gift to raise money for a • Waynesburg University will host Resonance, a Caribbean jazz and global
cause that I believe is very important.” Three more consecutive days of
“With each penny, dime and dollar, community and they need to understand
we are making a difference––a difference
the importance of serving others.”
that will one day culminate with a
Hardie’s athletes admire his dedication to both coaching and service. Sarah
cure,” Hardie said. “That is the goal.” Hardie will run each of the marathons
Beth Rood, a senior nursing major and
in a different part of Greene County
fusion music group, Wednesday, Feb.
running will bring the coach to a total
member of the cross country team,
including Ryerson Station State Park, the
23, as part
of 105 miles, a goal that he hopes to
respects his adherence to Waynesburg’s
Greene River Trail and Wana B Park in
of the
complete in 77 hours. Though this feat
mission.
Carmichaels.
University’s
seems impossible to most, Hardie is no
Performing
stranger to exhausting challenges. Hardie has completed six ultra-
Art Series. The concert
marathons and six regular, 26.2-mile
will be held in the Goodwin Performing
marathons. He has also competed in
Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Admission is
more than 75 races of varying distances.
$5, and the public is cordially invited to attend. • Waynesburg University will host its
Hardie hopes that his challenge will
“I look up to him as a leader and
Hardie’s dedication to the fight against
someone I would want to be like
cancer, his commitment to the Greene
someday,” Rood said. “He is true to what
County Relay for Life Team and the
Waynesburg is all about.”
support of his family, will propel him
Motivated and inspired by the support of his wife, Kelley, assistant director of student activities and advisor of the
when his legs grow tired. Even in the frigid weather, Hardie refuses to slow. “Those with cancer don’t get to pick
motivate his Waynesburg University
University’s Colleges Against Cancer
and choose the days that are good and
student athletes to a life of service.
chapter, Hardie’s 105-mile challenge
bad,” Hardie said. “In honor of them
marks his fifth “Chris Cross the
and their courage, I will never postpone
County” long-distance effort.
the run for bad weather or other outside
“As a Waynesburg University coach,
annual “Soup for the Soul” luncheon
I feel it is imperative to live up to the
Wednesday, Feb. 23 from 11 a.m.
mission of the institution,” Hardie said.
to 1 p.m., on the third floor of the
“Our students are the future of this
“My wife recently lost her aunt to cancer, and it was very tough to go
factors; I am committed to this cause 100 percent.”
Stover Campus Center. Tickets can be purchased for $5 at the door. The public is cordially invited to attend. All proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Waynesburg University Mission Trip Scholarship Fund. Those in attendance have the opportunity to taste a number of soups, and vote for their favorite. Donated by faculty, staff and members of the local community, the winning soup holds the “Best Soup for the Soul Soup” title until the following year. • Waynesburg University will showcase the original work of Edward L. Powers, associate professor of theatre, Friday, Feb. 25 and Saturday, Feb. 26. The oneact play, “Glenside”, will premiere at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Admission is free. • More than 50 Waynesburg University students, faculty and staff will aid in the University’s annual Youth Day. The event will be held Saturday, March 19, on the campus of Waynesburg University. The event is intended to challenge youth to discover what it means to follow Jesus Christ through a day of fun including activities and games, uplifting worship and educational workshops. Admission is $20 per person or $15 per person for groups of 10 or more. Area youth are cordially invited to attend.
Unique camps to offer summer encore
T
his past June, more than 80 high school students from around the country made their way to Waynesburg University’s campus, not for class, but for summer camp. The University hosted two unique, week-long summer programs, the annual CSI Summer Camp and the newest addition, the Sports Announcing Camp. Both camps offer participants the opportunity to train with certified experts in a small group setting while making valuable connections with professionals and peers. The success of both camps has paved the way for an encore performance. Beginning Sunday, June 26, a new group of campers will arrive to learn from some of the best in the business. “We were fortunate to acquire presenters for a range of topics so students can see the wide variety of career paths available in the criminal justice and forensic science world,” said Alison Chasko, forensic science research coordinator and camp coordinator at Waynesburg University.” The camp will include special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Secret Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Campers will also have the opportunity to tour the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division located in Clarksburg, W.Va. Camp topics will include FBI profiling, Crime Scene Processing, Meth Lab Recognition, Excavation of Burial Remains, Fingerprinting and Serial Killers. Hands-on experience and professional development is not just for the leftbrained. The Sports Announcing Camp, hosted by Lanny Frattare, assistant professor of communication at Waynesburg University, provides campers a number of practical experiences including the play-by-play announcing of a Washington Wild Things game at Consol Energy Park in Washington, Pa. Students will learn the ins and outs of announcing from Paul Steigerwald, voice of the Pittsburgh Penguins; John Steigerwald, author of “Just Watch The Game,” and former WTAE and KDKA sports anchor; Bob Pompeani, KDKA-TV sports anchor, and Frattare, former long-time voice of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The camp offers workshops in announcing techniques, radio and TV sports reporting, sports talk, radio and TV play-by-play, sports interviewing and practical announcing exercises. “Students interested in sports announcing need to be exposed to the realities of the career as soon as possible,” Frattare said. “Our camp offers the theories and the practical experience. We are most fortunate to have three gifted presenters who have enjoyed extremely successful careers and who are anxious to share their advice with young people.”
Women’s basketball season continues strong The Waynesburg University women’s basketball team continues to have a truly memorable season. As of the beginning of February, the Yellow Jackets sported a 14-5 overall record and a 7-4 mark in Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) play. Victory number 14 tied this year’s squad with their predecessors from the 2002-03 and the 2005-06 seasons for the most wins this decade. Their seven conference victories have already set the mark for most PAC triumphs in a season over the past 11 years. The Jackets have been led by senior forward Elisha Jones, who is posting career numbers. The 1,000-point scorer is averaging right around 16 points and eight rebounds per game and is in the running for PAC Player of the Year laurels.
Forty-five athletes honored for academic achievement For the third-straight year and the seventh time in the last eight years, Waynesburg University boasted the most honorees on the Presidents’ Athletic Conference’s (PAC) annual Fall Academic Honor Roll. A total of 45 Yellow Jacket student-athletes, who competed in the school’s seven fall sports, were given the nod for the award, which requires a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.6 or higher on a 4.0 scale during their semester of competition. The Jacket women’s soccer team led the way with a school-high 14 members of the honor roll.