January Impact

January 2011 Vol. 5, No. 5

IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose

University receives additional Vira I. Heinz scholarships For the first time in Vira I. Heinz Scholarship history, Waynesburg University has been awarded two additional scholarships due to the University’s quality of applicants and program efforts.

music management, photography and Shakespearian literature at Middlesex University.

Pa., will spend her summer in Udaipur, India, through ProWorld.

Italian International Institute Lorenzo de’ Medici located in Florence, Italy, through Academic Programs International.

L

will study in London, England, through the Center for International Studies (CIS)

spent six weeks in one of Russia’s

Abroad. She plans to study photography

most ancient cities as a result of the

and multimedia journalism.

Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in

Global Leadership. Established in 1954,

India, through ProWorld.

check given each fall to a junior woman

at an area university. Today the Vira I. Heinz Foundation offers several $5,000

Through the Vira I. Heinz

scholarships to women at 16 local and

scholarship, Alyssa Lang

regional colleges and universities in

(pictured with fellow SUNY

Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.

College of Brockport Study

Abroad Russian Program

Living with a Russian family who

spoke little English, Lang was forced

student) was able to take in

out of her comfort zone but quickly

Russia’s historic landmarks

recognized the importance of self-

as she studied the Russian

confidence, determination and hard work.

language, art and history.

Regardless of the struggles, Lang said her

encourage myself on a daily basis to complete the tasks at hand and became fully dependent on God for the strength and courage to do so,” she said.

As a result, Lang had the opportunity

to discover the beauty of the Russian culture as she developed relationships with “intriguing Russian professors and students.” The hospitality and openness of the culture taught Lang to value relationships, but also revealed the hurt and brokenness of the Russian culture — the result of seven decades of communism

As their departure dates approach, all

five women agree that the experience to travel abroad will offer a number of exciting experiences resulting in an unforgettable journey.

Scholarship recipients were required to

complete an application, submit academic and personal letters of reference and a proposal for their intended plans. The proposal included a budget for the trip including the cost of airfare, housing, meals and classes, among other items.

time in Velikiy Novgorod, Russia, made a

and spiritual support, I learned how to

Heidi Weaver, a human services major

from Denver, Pa., will study in Udaipur,

the scholarship started as one $1,000

“Far removed from all emotional

Peebles, an interactive design and

advertising major from New Salem, Pa.,

international studies major,

George, an English and creative writing

major from Mamont, Pa., will study at the

ast summer, Alyssa Lang, a junior

lasting impression on her life.

Byler, a nursing major from Salisbury,

Applicants were also required to explain and church oppression.

$25,000 in scholarship money.

Lang was one of Waynesburg’s three

Sophomores Caitlyn Bolon, Lynae

how the trip related to their academic areas of study and future plans.

2010 recipients. This year, Waynesburg

Byler, Natalie George, Megan Peebles and

University has been awarded five

Heidi Weaver are the 2011 Waynesburg

overseen by The Heinz Endowments and

scholarships which affords two additional

University recipients of the Vira I.

administered through the University

women the opportunity to experience a

Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global

of Pittsburgh’s Center for International

journey similar to Lang’s. The quality of

Leadership. The scholarships will afford

Studies. The program requires the

applications submitted by Waynesburg

these women the opportunity to travel

recipients to attend two weekend retreats,

University students, new program

and study overseas through various study

one before traveling and one upon return,

requirements and the recruiting efforts of

abroad programs.

as well as a community engagement

Pat Bristor, director of Student Activities

experience with an international focus

and the Vira I. Heinz Program coordinator

media major from Washington, Pa., will

after traveling. A paper is also required to

at Waynesburg University, led to the

spend her summer in London, England,

integrate leadership training, the study

additional awards. The five scholarships

through the Center for International

abroad experience and community service.

offer the recipients a combined total of

Studies (CIS) Abroad. Bolon plans to study

Bolon, a public relations and electronic

The Vira I. Heinz Scholarship is

New concentration prepares leaders in health care

W

aynesburg University

security officers, Web content developers,

informatics experts in the field to

INS domains of practice outlined in the

recently began offering a new

IT programmers and researchers, and

facilitate courses.

American Nurses Association Scope

concentration in its graduate

governmental lobbyists, among other

nursing program. The 36-credit Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration

positions.

Graduates of this program will be

“We are extremely excited to be able to provide this Nursing Informatics concentration in an accelerated format to

Informatics (2008).

“With the mandate by the Obama

in Nursing Informatics is designed to

eligible to sit for national certification

prepare the nurse to assume leadership

by the American Nurses Credentialing

and education positions as an Informatics

Center in the specialty practice of

policies and health policy, health

the current explosion in health care

Nurse Specialist (INS) within health care

Nursing Informatics, by virtue of the

promotion, and evidence-based practice

information technology needs for both

organizations, facilities and agencies.

Nursing Informatics coursework and 220

provide the student with a foundation on

the consumer and clinician, graduates of

supervised practicum hours.

which to build the operational framework

our program will be well-positioned to

for nursing informatics practice.

assume leadership and education roles

The current job market for the INS includes professional positions within the

Dr. Pat Davies, assistant director

our students,” Davies said.

and Standards of Practice in Nursing

Core courses in critical thinking,

informatics domain as project managers

of the Accelerated Health Programs

Nursing informatics courses emphasize

and directors, nurse analysts, quality

at Waynesburg University, currently

the application of cognitive, computer,

improvement specialists, compliance and

oversees the program and has recruited

information and nursing science to the

administration for fully digital electronic health records by the year 2014, and

in response to current and anticipated informatics positions,” Davies said.

IMPACT NEWS & NOTES • Melany Chrash, assistant professor of nursing at Waynesburg University,

Annual Conducting Symposium reaches new heights

A

s if guided by the melodies of

conducting sessions will be provided

and served as the conductor of the Duke

the pied piper, band directors

and the visiting clinicians will evaluate

University Wind Symphony.

will come together from beyond

conducting skills, make subjective

Stamp has directed winners of national

the tri-state area for Waynesburg

recommendations and offer opportunities

band championships and his musical

professor of nursing at Waynesburg

University’s fifth annual Conducting

for participants to polish their skills.

expertise has been recognized through

University, recently presented at the

Symposium.

American Association of Colleges

Celebrated musicians Dr. Jack Stamp

of instrumental music and director of the

including the Indiana University of

of Nursing’s Annual Conference,

and Dr. Linda R. Moorhouse will share

Waynesburg University music program,

Pennsylvania’s “Distinguished Alumni

“Reform and Innovation: The Charge

their talents with visiting band directors

implemented the Symposium in 2007

Award” and the Orpheus Award from the

for Baccalaureate Nursing Education.”

through four lecture sessions covering a

and has seen the program grow each year.

Zeta Tau Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha for

The conference was held in Orlando,

variety of musical topics including score

Fla., in November. The co-authored

reading, expressive gesturing, rehearsal

and students have found this event to

paper was one of approximately 50

techniques and other conducting

be very beneficial,” DePriest said. “I

from the University of Illinois to

papers chosen from more than 300

methods.

have worked in other capacities with

amplify the event’s offerings. Moorhouse

and Dr. Kathy Stolfer, assistant

“I am excited that so many colleagues

the earning of many prominent awards

service to music.

Stamp will join forces with Moorhouse

Dr. Moorhouse, and the students and

earned a bachelor’s degree in music

conducted a podium presentation on

Band and selected local high school

conductors are in for a treat. In addition,

education from the University of Florida,

the topic, “Clinical Teaching Strategies

musicians will form the Clinic Band

Dr. Stamp is allowing us to prepare

a master’s degree in music education

for Clinical Prevention and Population

and lend themselves to the direction

one of his new compositions titled,

from Louisiana State University, and

Health: Reforming Community

of Symposium participants. Two

‘Miniature Overture,’ so I feel especially

a doctorate degree in musical arts in

honored to glean from his expertise.”

instrumental conducting from the

submissions. Chrash and Stolfer

The University’s Symphonic

Dr. Ronda DePriest, assistant professor

Health Nursing Education,”

An alumnus of Indiana University

highlighting cutting edge changes

University of Washington.

made to the newly developed senior

of Pennsylvania, Stamp has returned

Moorhouse served Louisiana State

level nursing course at Waynesburg

to his stomping grounds and now

University for more than 20 years and

University. The course, titled Clinical

serves as professor of music, director

was awarded a number of university

Prevention and Population Health,

of band studies and chair of the music

awards as a result of her commitment

is focused on creative approaches for

department. He conducts the Wind

and talent. In addition, Moorhouse is

clinical experiences as a result of the

Ensemble and teaches courses in

a recipient of The John Philip Sousa

recent revisions of The Essentials

graduate conducting. After receiving

Foundation’s Sudler “Order of Merit”

of Baccalaureate Education for

additional degrees from East Carolina

and Phi Beta Mu’s “Outstanding

Professional Nursing Practice.

University and Michigan State

Bandmaster Award” for Louisiana.

University, he taught for several years in the North Carolina public schools

• Waynesburg University’s Performing Arts Series will host Chestnut Brass, a Grammy-winning musical group formed as a street band in Philadelphia in 1977, Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

The performance will take place in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center on the campus of Waynesburg University.

Admission is $5 and the public is cordially invited to attend.

• The work of Waynesburg University art faculty members Susan Keresztury, David Lesako, Yoko Sekino-Bove and Susan Phillips will be on display in the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery from January 31 through February 18. An opening reception will be held January 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. The exhibit will encompass a variety of artwork, and various pieces will be available for purchase.

• Waynesburg University will host Amena Brown, poet, speaker and journalist, Tuesday, Feb. 1, in celebration of Black History Month. Brown will speak during the University’s chapel service at 11 a.m. in Alumni Hall. She will also take part in Waynesburg University’s Open Mic Night at 7:30 p.m. in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center. The event is cosponsored by the Black Student Union.

Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

Valuable connection brings Penguins’ vice president to campus

I

n October, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) student chapter attended a Public Relations Society of America event in Pittsburgh — an event that would prove to be beneficial to a different group of Waynesburg University students in the months that followed.

Following the keynote given by Tom McMillan, vice president of communication for the Pittsburgh Penguins, students were given the opportunity to network and learn more about the respective career fields they planned to pursue. Sarah Spicuzza, a senior communication major at Waynesburg University, took full advantage of the networking opportunities offered by the conference.

Spicuzza spoke with McMillan and quickly learned of his willingness to come to Waynesburg University to speak. Excited by the opportunity, Spicuzza took action.

“After seeing him speak at a PRSA event in Pittsburgh, I knew our students would benefit from his enthusiasm and learn from his successes through the Pittsburgh Penguins’ ups and downs,” Spicuzza said. “Given the nature of the business, I knew he would provide a window into many different facets of communication, which would in turn benefit our students entering a variety of fields in the near future.”

As a result of the connection, McMillan stepped foot on Waynesburg University’s campus in early December to share the ins and outs of his job, including his involvement with the 2011 NHL Winter Classic. Although the game’s outcome was far different than any Pittsburgh Penguins’ fan had hoped, Waynesburg University students benefited from McMillan’s stories and experiences related to the planning phases.

In addition to his involvement with the Winter Classic, McMillan has witnessed many changes in the organization including the team’s bankruptcy, several attempted sales and the 2004-2005 NHL lockout. In addition, McMillan observed Mario Lemieux’s purchase of the team and his comeback as a player, the drafting of Sidney Crosby, the 2009 Stanley Cup victory and, most recently, the opening of the new CONSOL Energy Center.

As a result of the progression of his varied career, McMillan was able to offer students some down-to-earth advice.

“What you think you want to do is probably not what you’ll end up doing,” he said. “My experiences as a writer and a host prepared me for this job, and I can say that I feel like I’ve never worked a day in my life.”

Waynesburg basketball making great strides With their 77-69 win over Thiel on Jan. 6, the Waynesburg University women’s basketball team won its 10th game of the year and guaranteed the program’s best win total in a season since going 14-13 in 2005-06. As of Jan. 12, the Yellow Jackets were 10-3 on the season. The program, under the guidance of third-year head coach Sam Jones, has also seen some individual milestones surpassed by senior forward Elisha Jones.

Jones reached the 1,000-point plateau during a road PAC game at Grove City on Dec. 11. The fourth-year standout also landed 500 rebounds during her team’s victory over Thiel on Jan. 6.

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Mark Christner, the Waynesburg men’s basketball team has also taken a big step forward from their 2009-10 performance. After winning just two games last season, the Yellow Jackets were 5-9 as of Jan. 12. The Jackets have also ended losing streaks to several PAC opponents.

First big test for wrestling On Saturday, Jan. 15, the Waynesburg wrestling team hosted its first annual wrestling tournament. In all, seven teams participated in the event, with the Jackets taking home the team title. With third-year head coach Ron Headlee leading the charge, the Yellow Jackets jumped out to a 8-2-1 record over their first 11 dual matches of the season.