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.