Jan. 2012 Vol. 6, No. 5
IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
Four students selected to receive prestigious scholarship The Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global Leadership has awarded four Waynesburg University women the opportunity to fulfill dreams of learning and serving abroad.
I
n 2012, four women will dedicate their summers to continuing Waynesburg University’s mission
of faith, serving and learning in faraway cultures: one as an intern, two as young teachers and all as students of new experiences and cultural differences. Waynesburg University has been awarded four scholarships which will afford the women the opportunity to experience a journey unlike any other. The scholarships offer the recipients a combined total of $24,000 in scholarship money. Overseen by The Heinz Endowments and administered through the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for International Studies, the Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global Leadership started as one $1,000 check given each fall to a junior woman at an area university. Today the Vira I. Heinz Foundation offers several $5,000 scholarships to women at 16 local and regional colleges and universities in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. The four recipients of the 2012 Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global Leadership include Jenna Griffith, Angele Hagy, T’Erika Perry and Hannah Szymanik. Through the scholarship, these women will travel and study overseas through three study abroad programs. Griffith, a junior nursing major from Cambridge, Ohio, will spend her summer in San Ignacio, Belize. From June 2 to June 30, she will serve as an intern in the San Ignacio Hospital to further the nursing
skills she has acquired at Waynesburg
Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global
University.
Leadership means a jump start to her
“Although Belize has many natural beauties, the country still struggles
future. “A long term goal of mine is to live
received her cotillion celebration. “Vira I. Heinz is like a cotillion for me,” Perry said. “It is my opportunity to forge a bond as an adult with the women in my
against poverty, inequality and a lack
in Africa as a missionary, and this
family; this program is giving me a chance
of opportunity,” Griffith said. “This
scholarship allows me to begin that
to get an experience I thought I missed out
scholarship will enable me to serve
journey,” Szymanik said. “I am excited
on.”
and learn in a country where medical
to start showing love to underprivileged
assistance is needed and will help shape
children in a part of the world that has
submit an application, academic and
my life as a nurse.”
captured my heart.”
personal letters of reference and a proposal
Both Hagy, a sophomore early
Perry, a sophomore international studies
The four women were required to
for their intended plans. Applicants were
childhood and special education major
major from Baltimore, Md., will study in
also required to explain how the trip
from Pittsburgh, Pa., and Szymanik, a
Barcelona, Spain, May 29 to July 27. She
related to their academic areas of study
sophomore early childhood and special
will forever refer to this experience as a
and future plans.
education major from Mount Holly
cotillion of sorts due to an unfulfilled
Springs, Pa., will spend the summer in
family tradition.
Each recipient is required to attend two weekend retreats, one before traveling
Cape Coast, Ghana, through ProWorld, an
“In my family we have a tradition of
international study program. The women
holding a cotillion for the women in the
community engagement experience with
will volunteer as teaching assistants at an
family as they come of age,” Perry said.
an international focus after traveling.
elementary school for five weeks during
“During the senior year of high school,
These requirements encourage the women
the months of May and June.
the women are acknowledged as adults
to think deeply about their study abroad
and given the opportunity to travel to
experience and apply the world lessons to
surrounding states.”
life at Waynesburg University.
Through Seattle Central Community College, both Hagy and Szymanik will take courses in international education. For Szymanik, the Vira I.
and one upon return, as well as a
Because her mother passed away during her junior year of high school, Perry never
Campus supports Angel Tree’s Ministry
S
ince 1998, Dave Calvario, dean of
the University’s 14th consecutive
to letting the church solve some of the
through participating churches or
students and the director of the
partnership with the Angel Tree
problems in our society.”
Christian institutions. The University
Center for Service Leadership,
project to bring local children gifts for
What began as a small residence-
contributed and hand-delivered gifts to
has encouraged Waynesburg University
Christmas. The Angel Tree project
life program has expanded to include
more than ten families in the local area.
students, faculty and staff to consider
allows an incarcerated parent to request a
all students, faculty and staff at
a specific ministry during the holiday
specific gift for his or her child at home.
Waynesburg University. According to
receive a word of scripture to encourage
season.
Angel Tree volunteers purchase, wrap
Calvario, campus organizations and
and uplift them through the holiday
and deliver the gifts on behalf of the
houses typically sponsor a child as
season. On every angel-shaped gift tag,
incarcerated parent.
well as various academic or business
Angel Tree wishes a Merry Christmas and
departments.
lists Luke 2: 8-14, “This gift is sent to you
With more than 2.3 million Americans behind bars, benevolence and a passion for service can truly impact the lives of
“Angel Tree is a wonderful ministry
children with incarcerated parents during
because it allows us to use our resources
the holiday season.
to show God’s love,” Calvario said.
collected and distributed approximately
“Sometimes I think we need to get back
400,000 gifts to children last Christmas
This past December, Calvario organized
On a national level, Angel Tree
In addition to the wrapped gift, children
to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ,” as a message of inspiration.
IMPACT NEWS & NOTES
Bonner Scholars host drive to support campus program Bonner Scholar and elementary special education major, the need was obvious.
• Waynesburg University will host
Observing how empty the shelves
its annual DeVito Lecture Series
Dr. Fran Boyd, associate professor of education and director of the Reading Clinic, appreciates the additional books
featuring Makoto Fujimura Tuesday,
were in the Reading Clinic, Danley
Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. Fujimura’s lecture
proposed that for their project, the senior
“Generative Thinking – Towards
Bonner Scholars should raise money
tutorial skills, but we also teach them to
Culture
and purchase books to contribute to the
learn to love it,” Boyd said. “In a world
Care
cause. Her classmates were quick to
of distractions, we want them to pick up
Values”
agree, due to the impact of the donation.
a book.”
will be held in Alumni Hall. Admission is free
M
“I was astonished by the response
and the continued support of her dream. “At the clinic, we give the children
Each book is marked with a label
aya Angelou once said that
that I received for this project,” Danley
indicating that it belongs to the Reading
“Any book that helps a child
said. “So many of the senior Bonners
Clinic, but an additional insert was
form a habit of reading,
understood the need and took action.”
included to honor the students that
to make reading one of his deep and
For several weekends in October and
worked diligently to provide for the
and the public is invited to attend.
continuing needs, is good for him.”
November 2011, the senior Bonner
community. A thank you to the senior
In addition to his evening lecture,
Without encouragement to read, some
Scholars collected monetary donations
Bonner class is visible to all who read the
Fujimura will serve as the University’s
children may grow up never knowing
from patrons at Walmart and Giant
donated books.
chapel speaker at 11 a.m. in Roberts
the joy of becoming lost in a good
Eagle. As they were collecting the gifts,
Chapel the same day.
book. To foster this growth, the senior
they were able to tell the community
of education, thanked the students
Waynesburg University Bonner Scholars
members about the need for a literacy
profusely for their generous support.
• The Music Program’s first Collegium
recently donated 400 contemporary
program and the need for the books.
Musicum will take place Friday, Feb. 3
children’s books to the Reading Clinic,
at 4 p.m. in the Marsh Center inside
an annual spring event hosted by the
$1,000 was raised. With this money, the
wonderful gift and legacy,” Clarke said.
Roberts Chapel. Arts administration
Department of Education for local
group scattered to different libraries and
“Long after they leave Waynesburg
(music) majors, music ministry majors
children.
book stores in the area to purchase a
University, children in this community
variety of books. They attempted to find
will be reading the books that they have
and music minors will present a variety
To complete the project required by
Through their efforts, more than
Debra Clarke, chair of the department
“Their generous donation of many, many new books for the clinic is a
of soul-
each Bonner Scholar class, students
multiple copies to give to children who
donated. The gifts will help others learn
lifting
must identify a need in the community
participate in the clinic. In total, 400
to teach and will help others learn to
melodies
by impacting and educating the
books were added to the Reading Clinic
love to read.”
for
members. For Leeann Danley, a senior
library.
audience members. The concert showcases the knowledge, skills and techniques that music students have learned at Waynesburg University. Students will conduct a question and answer session after each presentation. Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. • An opening reception will be held Monday, Feb. 6 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for the art exhibition of Cecilia Cowger. Cowger, a senior at Waynesburg University, will display a number of pieces created over her four years in the Art Program at Waynesburg. The exhibit will feature ceramics, charcoal and pencil drawings, paintings and photography pieces. Various works will be available for purchase. The exhibit will be held in the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery through Friday, Feb. 24. Admission is free and the public is
Students sacrifice break to serve community Every semester, students live out Waynesburg University’s mission of faith, learning and serving, whether they travel to serve in a Third World country or at home in Pennsylvania. Some students even choose to spend time that could be spent with friends at home to serve over fall or winter breaks. In December 2011, 10 Waynesburg University students served in Greene County, Pa. through the University’s annual Greene County Immersion mission service trip. Before the trip, the students were educated in four major social issues that currently affect those living in Greene County: poverty, homelessness, hunger and education. During the trip, the students assisted several local organizations including the Corner Cupboard Food Bank, the Salvation Army, St. Ann’s Good Neighbors Dinner and Produce to People. Each day began with breakfast and devotions in the Prayer Chapel on the campus of Waynesburg University. From there, the students served at a different organization each day and late into the evening. Kelley Hardie, assistant director of Student Activities at Waynesburg University and leader of the Greene County Immersion trip, says it was rewarding to experience serving her neighbors in Greene County. “It was great to see how much hard work, effort and energy each person contributed in making amazing things possible,” said Hardie. “By ringing bells at Wal-Mart and Giant Eagle, we were able to raise over $1600 for the Salvation Army in four hours.”
Moore and Hunt named All-American
A
fter wrapping up stellar athletic careers at Waynesburg University, defensive tackle Darryl Moore,
Jr. and cornerback Sean Hunt were both recognized as two of the top players in all of Division III. Moore was lauded by D3football.com as a third-team selection on its annual All-America Team. He was also selected a 2011 preseason All-American by Beyond Sports Network and was eligible for the D3football.com team after earning firstteam laurels on the website’s All South Region Squad. The Boardman, Ohio, native was tabbed with the national honor following another outstanding season in which he racked up 60 total tackles, 36 of which were solo stops, nine tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He also broke up a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. Hunt was listed as a third-team Division III All-American at defensive back by D3Proday.com. The Coraopolis
cordially invited to attend.
native picked up the award after leading
• Who’s Your Neighbor Week will
straight year. His five pickoffs also tied him
take place Sunday, Feb. 12 through
for second place in the Presidents’ Athletic
Friday, Feb. 17, and will focus on
Conference (PAC) and helped earn him a
empowering the powerless through
second-straight first-team All-PAC nod and
the theme “Where is the Love?” Anne
a second-straight third-team showing on
Banister, a 2009 Waynesburg University
D3football.com’s All South Region Team.
alumna, will serve as the Who’s Your
Waynesburg in interceptions for the second-
Hunt ended his Waynesburg career with
Neighbor Week speaker. Banister will
16 total interceptions, which tied him for
present “Three Sisters: Empowering
the program record. After dealing with
the Women of Nepal” Wednesday, Feb.
some early-season injury problems, Hunt
15 at 7 p.m. Her lecture will take place
rebounded with all five of his senior-season
in Buhl Hall’s McCance Auditorium.
interceptions over the final four games of
Admission is free and the public is
the year, including two picks each against
cordially invited to attend.
Saint Vincent and against Widener in the ECAC South Atlantic Bowl.