March Impact

March 2011 Vol. 5, No. 7

IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose

Student faith journeys enhanced by University offerings Waynesburg University students are afforded tremendous opportunities to enhance their relationship with Christ while discerning their call. A close-knit campus community allows students to lean on one another while seeking purpose and truth.

part to the growth in my Christian faith are the friendships that I’ve developed amongst the students, faculty and many others I have had a chance to meet along the way,” he said. “The work and love of God was clearly visible in every encounter with each individual.”

As a result, Rosenbauer has embraced the opportunities to show God’s love to others.

“It has given me hope and motivation to continue exposing people to the unimaginable and unconditional love that Christ Jesus showed us on the Cross,” he said.

Rosenbauer said Waynesburg enhances its students’ faith journeys by offering

T

mission trips, unique and insightful

her faith with her daily routine. Hoping

Christian conference held in Pittsburgh,

to grasp an opportunity to mature in

Pa., that offers more than 60,000

her faith, Rurak decided to transfer to

college students the opportunity to

wo years ago, Dorothy Rurak

speakers, uplifting chapel services, bible

was a student at a public, secular

studies and conferences.

university struggling to connect

Such conferences include Jubilee, a

Waynesburg University for the second semester of her sophomore year.

“talk, learn, think and dream about the a light for others. St. Francis of Assisi’s

that even when God’s plans seem different

public implications of their personal

Now a senior environmental science

quote, “Preach the Gospel always and if

than what I expected – it’s better that

transformation.” For the last two

major at Waynesburg, Rurak is reflecting

necessary use words,” is one that Rurak

way,” she said. “I now realize that when

years, Schubert and more than 40 other

on the growth that has taken place in her

says she tries to reflect on daily.

God has blessed you, you pass it on.”

Waynesburg University students were

life over the last two years.

“When you grow in your faith you don’t

Like Rurak, Emily Schubert, a

Among Schubert’s many blessings are

afforded the opportunity to experience the

sophomore psychology major at

Jake Buss, a senior music ministry and

just transform one thing in your life,” she

Waynesburg University, embraces the

creative writing in faith double major

said. “Instead, you learn to grow in all

opportunities Waynesburg affords its

from Rochester, N.Y., and the time the

said. “The conference really makes you

aspects of your life. It’s an indescribable

students to be Christ’s hands and feet.

two have spent rehearsing together for

think about the ways you can use every

feeling to recognize that you know your

“I came to realize that it’s a blessing

Chapel Band.

minute of your life to live out your

place and that you belong.”

Rurak credits Waynesburg’s focus

to be a student at Waynesburg because

“He is a great leader, and he makes

life-changing event.

“The speakers are amazing,” Schubert

calling.”

it’s more like the real world. We are

sure we are getting the point of why we

In addition to its offerings, the

on faith, learning and serving for the

not always surrounded by people who

worship instead of us just going through

University as a whole, according to

numerous times she has felt God working

share our thoughts and beliefs,” she

the motions and music technicalities,”

Rosenbauer, also serves as an example by

in her life.

said. “Instead, you can make your own

Schubert said. “I just can’t imagine

practicing the goals of the Church.

experience through the opportunities

my life without the people I’ve met at

offered to grow in your faith.”

Waynesburg.”

“More important than being proud of the ways I’ve grown, I feel like hope is what I’m sharing with everyone else,” she

Mentored by Tom Ribar, Waynesburg

“Faculty members teach while setting great examples,” Rosenbauer said. “The

Kenny Rosenbauer, a junior exercise

exceptional thing about this institution

said. “I want people to realize that they

University chaplain, Schubert has

science major, has experienced the same

is the personal relationships that faculty

can grow and accomplish things because

challenged herself to dig deeper into why

growth as a result of the friendships

members are able to have with the

God will help them.”

she believes what she believes so that she

established during his time as a

students, unlike larger universities who

may be a blessing to others.

Waynesburg student.

do not have the one-on-one interactions

Above all, Rurak has learned that her actions cause her love for Christ to be

“My time at Waynesburg has shown me

“The greatest and most beneficial

like we do here at Waynesburg.”

Passionate advocate inspires students to embrace others

I

nspired by her father’s passion to

Day lecture, “Striving for Justice,”

simply labeling others, then we set

fight for the oppressed, Naomi Tutu

encouraged students to refrain from

ourselves up to being comfortable with

University’s b.f. maiz Lecture Series.

has become a passionate advocate

judging others based on first impressions.

that when those people are present,” Tutu

The b.f. maiz

for human rights. The daughter of

said. “It is important to let people know

Lecture was

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, recipient of

you know someone based on the way that

that we see them as human beings, people

created to honor

the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1984, who

they look,” Tutu said. “When you decide

of God, and it is important to treat people

the memory

is known for his work related to freedom

that you know someone based on race or

with respect so you can have the chance

of b.f. maiz,

and human rights in South Africa, Naomi

gender, you close off the opportunity of

to hear their stories.”

a prominent

has gracefully followed in her father’s

actually getting to know that person.”

footsteps.

“It is so easy to label and to decide that

Tutu’s lecture was part of the

spoken word poet

Alliance to Stop Intimate Violence and

and friend of the

emphasized the ways passing

the Foundation for Hospices in Sub-

University, who

Waynesburg University was blessed to

judgment leads to missed blessings and

Saharan Africa. In addition, Tutu leads

was passionate

welcome Naomi Tutu to campus in mid-

opportunities.

workshops dealing with issues such as

about the pursuit

race, racism and conflict.

of Biblical justice.

A much sought after speaker,

February. Appropriately, her Valentine’s

Through personal stories, Tutu

Tutu acts as a consultant to Spiritual

“As long as we are comfortable with

IMPACT NEWS & NOTES

Strong work ethic allows student to beat the odds of nearly 13, 24-hour days,

F

were Waynesburg University faculty

memorization, Piett said the majority

Waynesburg University junior

members in the math, computer science,

of the test calls for analytical skills and

Daniel Piett could be found submerged

business and tutoring departments. Piett

complex problem solving.

what it means to follow Jesus Christ

in topics related to the Probability

also credits his Mathematical Statistics

through a day of fun including activities

Theory in preparation for his upcoming

course for providing him with a solid

his ideal scenario includes attending

and games, uplifting worship and

Society of Actuaries test.

foundation to build upon as he prepared

graduate school in the field of business

for the test.

or applied mathematics. For now, Piett

• Waynesburg University will host Youth Day Saturday, March 19. The event will challenge youth to discover

educational workshops. More than

or 300 hours or the equivalent

As Piett hammered away at hundreds

Among his supporters and motivators

Looking to the future, Piett said

50 Waynesburg University students,

of practice problems spread among a

faculty and staff will aid in the day’s

variety of free online study guides, his

that course and the course helped me

exams as possible before he enters the

activities.

confidence level waivered as he thought

become a stronger analytical thinker,”

“real world” upon graduation.

about the likelihood of passing a test

he said.

• Waynesburg University will celebrate

with a 30 to 40 percent first attempt pass

the 161st anniversary of its charter by

rate.

the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

“This had been one of the only

Tuesday, March 22. The celebration

academic experiences in which I had

will be held at the First Presbyterian

really been unsure if I would be able to

Church in Waynesburg. The day

pass,” he said.

includes a formal procession of faculty

As his preparation continued through

“The bulk of this test was covered in

Although the test requires some

Taught by Dr. James Bush, professor of mathematics at Waynesburg University, the course, according to Piett, was imperative to his success.

Instead of breathing a sigh of relief and closing up the online study guides, Piett is preparing for the second test

and recognition of the students who

Christmas break, the small pass rate

in a series of five actuarial exams. The

have been chosen for the 2011 Who’s

percentage hung over Piett’s head like

tests, according to Piett, are difficult

Who Among Students in American

a large storm cloud. Recently though,

because the Society of Actuaries

Universities and Colleges directory.

his worry dissipated as his test results

and fellow test takers chose not to

The convocation will include a prayer

provided liberation and excitement.

discuss the information on the test. In

service and a performance by the

Piett was among the fortunate 30 to 40

addition, questions are pulled from an

University’s Lamplighter Concert

percent of test takers, large in part to his

exceptionally large pool of information.

Choir. The Rev. Dr. Stuart D. Broberg,

work ethic and determination.

senior pastor of The Church of the

“I dreaded the idea of having to prepare

“I feel the best way to study for the test is to learn the material in a course,

Covenant located in Washington, Pa.,

for it again,” Piett said. “I also knew

and then understand all the different

will address those in attendance.

there were a lot of people who thought

ways the test could throw a wrench in

I would pass it, and I didn’t want to let

the way you would normally solve a

them down.”

problem,” he said.

• Directed by Edward L. Powers, the

has plans to pass as many of the actuarial

Waynesburg University Players will present the spring musical “State Fair,” Wednesday, March 30 through Saturday, April 2. Shows will take place at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Admission is free and reservations are suggested.

Contact Powers at 724-852-3226 for more information.

• Seventy-seven students will spend their spring break on service mission trips with the University. Ten students will serve Haitian refugees in a health clinic in Nassau, Bahamas, while 26 students travel to Cabarrus County, N.C., to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge.

Nine students will take advantage of an environmental stewardship trip to Quio, Ecuador, where reforestation projects in the Mindo-Nabillo Protected Forest will be the focus.

Twelve students will travel to Belize City, Belize, to work with the Unity Presbyterian Church and Primary School located in the Collet area of the city. Twenty students will work with the Pittsburgh Project to provide free home repairs for those who may not be able to complete the tasks without assistance.

• Thayer Hall, home to approximately 120 male students, was crowned the winner the University’s Water Challenge. Led by the EcoStewards Club, Waynesburg University students worked together through the fall semester to decrease water consumption by 1.5 million gallons.

The challenge, a healthy competition between the residence halls, was created to increase environmental awareness among students.

Department lifted by scholarly achievements

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he Department of English and Foreign Language at Waynesburg University continues to strengthen its program, as faculty members remain steadfast on a common vision.

“The shared vision encourages students to find the place where their passions meet the ‘hunger of the world’ (Parker Palmer),” said Joonna Trapp, associate professor of English and Chair of the Department of English and Foreign Language. “We nurture our students into selfhood and help them to see that it’s not about a career or a job, but instead, a vocation.”

Trapp said the faculty members collectively aim to encourage and strengthen the department’s students, assisting them as they move forward with new found knowledge and self-confidence, so that they might better serve the world around them.

“We are person oriented, and that allows us to be committed to each student,” she said.

While the students remain the department’s priority, it is apparent that each faculty member also realizes the importance of utilizing and finessing their individual God-given talents. The strength of the department lies within the faculty’s motivation for continued scholarly achievements including published books, poetry, creative nonfiction and journal articles, among other genres.

Stefanie Wielkopolan, lecturer in English at Waynesburg University, recently published a book of poems titled “Border Theory.”

“By staying connected with poetry, it energizes my excitement and commitment to teaching,” she said. “It keeps me dedicated to helping my students learn how to express themselves.”

Other faculty members have added to the growing list of department achievements. Martin Cockroft, assistant professor of creative writing, will publish two poems in an upcoming issue of Prairie Schooner, a well-respected and well-known journal. Julio Quintero, assistant professor of Spanish, was recently notified that his book, El Poeta en la Novela Hispanoamericana, will be published by Editorial Universidad de Antioquia. Bob Randolph, lecturer in English, will soon publish his poem “Harbor Café” in the publication Marco Polo.

Trapp also adds to the extensive list with recent publication of Volume 16 of The Journal for the Assembly on Expanded Perspectives on Learning (JAEPL) of which she is co-editor. This scholarly journal publishes out-of-the-box thinking about teaching and learning, including spiritual aspects of teaching.

For many of the faculty members, the achievements are not a first, nor will it be their last.

Wrestlers crowned PAC champions On Feb. 11, the Waynesburg wrestling team cruised to the 2011 PAC team title.

Waynesburg ended the night with 146 team points, which shattered its total from last year (105.5), when they were also crowned champions. Thiel followed with 107 points, while W&J, which was wrestling without an entrant at 125 or 133 pounds because of injury, totaled 45.5 points. Sophomore Alex Crown (125 lb.), senior Nick Garber (141 lb.), freshman Luke Lohr (149 lb.), junior Garrett Johnston (157 lb.), junior Jared Roberts (174 lb.) and sophomore Cody Catalina (184 lb.) all won individual titles on the night. Roberts was honored as the PAC Most Outstanding Wrestler, while head coach Ron Headlee was named PAC Coach of the Year.

Cross country teams honored for academic achievement Both the Waynesburg University men’s and women’s cross country teams were recently honored for their excellence in the class room by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Yellow Jacket men and women both earned 2010 Division III All-Academic Cross Country status, which requires a squad to boast a cumulative team GPA of 3.10 or better and have compiled a score (finished at least five runners) at their respective NCAA regional championship.

As a team, the Jacket men averaged a 3.30 team GPA, while the women averaged a 3.38 team GPA.