March 2012 Vol. 6, No. 7
IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
University awards three Community Impact Grants to benefit students, community In an effort to act out Waynesburg University’s mission of faith, service and learning, three student organizations were granted $1,000 each for their visions for community development.
A
s servants for God, we are called to continually give to others. In 1 Peter 4:10, the Bible states “As
each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” At Waynesburg University, students are taught to provide assistance using their specific gifts and talents. Each semester, Community Impact Grants are awarded during Who’s Your Neighbor Week to students who want to make a difference in the community. Since the fall of 2009, students have been able to see a need within the local community and apply for a grant to aid their choice of community to find its needs and have
project.
Shannon Bartley, junior elementary
“We believe if we can save one life by
come up with exciting ways to educate
education major and CEC president, is
providing individuals with the experiences
a total of $3,000. The Council for
and excite the community about these
grateful for the additional funds that will
and information which enables them to
Exceptional Children (CEC), Freshmen
issues.”
make this day a success.
rethink their choices, our mission was
This year, three organizations received
Bonner Scholars and the 2011 Vira Heinz
Individuals were able to apply for a $500
“We hope this day we have planned not
accomplished,” Digiandomenico said.
recipients were selected by a committee
grant; classes, groups or organizations
only provides a fun day for the children,
consisting of University faculty, staff
could apply for a $1,000 grant. Grant
but also shows others that people with
received $1,000 for their Mondo Giusto
and administration based on the project’s
recipients are required to complete their
disabilities are just like everyone else and
and Garden: Ethical Consumerism and
value to the community, the project’s
project within the current semester and
deserve to be included,” Bartley said.
Sustainable Living project. Mondo Giusto
fundamental short- and long-term impact
are eligible for one award per school year.
and its planning and implementation
Candidates were required to fill out an
received $1,000 for its Distractions While
about practices of fair trade, buying
process.
application that included a budget and
Driving project. The goal of the project
locally and living sustainably. In addition,
a recommendation from a non-family
is to raise awareness about the risks of
the Vira Heinz recipients will hold a
member.
distracted driving through the “Arrive
dedication ceremony for a garden which
Alive Tour.” The Arrive Alive Tour
will serve as a beautiful and sustainable
Sarah Brandstetter, Bonner Scholar coordinator and a member of the selection
The University’s freshman Bonner class
The 2011 Vira Heinz recipients
will educate the community and campus
committee, believes that these grants
After being reactivated last fall, the
are a blessing to the community and
Council for Exceptional Children sought
enables community members to climb
connection between the campus and
the students through the application of
to build relationships and a sense of
into a vehicle and virtually experience
community.
Waynesburg University foundations.
community between local families
distracted driving through a simulator.
“It is so exciting to see students connect
with students with special needs and
Freshman Bonner Scholar and
Megan Peebles, a 2011 recipient and junior interactive design major, hopes
faith, service and learning through civic
University students. The $1,000 grant
psychology major Kyle Digiandomenico
their event will showcase the importance
engagement,” Brandstetter said. “All three
received will support Activity Day on
anticipates the positive effects of the
of buying locally and cause community
organizations have researched our local
campus planned for April 21.
simulation.
members to consider fair trade.
University alumnae continuing Waynesburg’s mission of service after graduation
T
wo Waynesburg University
individuals in nonprofit organizations
receiving the support of a community and
alumnae have made an impact
throughout the city to perform volunteer
the hands-on experience in a potential
end of their leadership experience with
and gained attention for
service for 35 hours a week.
career field,” Graham said.
PULSE, they remember fondly their
their dedication to maintaining the
Both Graham and Spicuzza work
Both women have been recognized
As Graham and Spicuzza near the
accomplishments at both Waynesburg
University’s mission of faith, service and
directly with the skill sets they learned
for their service by an online, higher
University and with the PULSE program
learning after their graduation dates.
at Waynesburg University, such as
education magazine, and Graham
and look forward to a lifetime of service.
social media, newsletter writing and
was recently named one of Western
relations and sociology graduate, and
annual report writing for the nonprofit
Pennsylvania’s 2012 “Rising Stars,” by
things that Waynesburg was able to
Sarah Spicuzza, a 2011 communication
organizations to which they are assigned.
Get Involved!, Inc. These awards are
offer me. Graduating from PULSE is like
and advertising graduate, have continued
Spicuzza serves as an executive assistant
presented annually to 21 local, young
graduating college
life after college with Pittsburgh Urban
at Serving Leaders, and Graham serves as
professionals ages 21-29 in the nonprofit,
all over again,”
Leadership Service Experience (PULSE).
the communication coordinator at East
business and governmental sectors
Spicuzza said. “I
Liberty Development Inc.
who dedicate their time and talent to
am excited to see
community organizations and who are
what God has in
making a positive difference.
store for me.”
Margaret Graham, a 2010 public
PULSE, an organization committed to cultivating a community of young servant leaders to transform Pittsburgh, places
“PULSE provides a great opportunity to explore vocation and calling while
“PULSE is an extension of the great
IMPACT NEWS & NOTES • Waynesburg University will celebrate its 163rd year and the 162nd anniversary of its charter by
University director ordained and installed as Presbyterian Minister
W
aynesburg University’s
the many Ministers and Elders did I look
Roberts Chapel recently
toward the congregation and see how
hosted an ordination and
many wonderful people were there.”
installation service for the Rev. Dr.
The Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes, senior
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Lawrence M. Stratton as the director
pastor of the Shadyside Presbyterian
Tuesday, March 20. The celebration
of Waynesburg University’s Stover
Church in Pittsburgh, preached
will be held in Waynesburg University’s
Center for Constitutional Studies and
a message entitled “The Great
Roberts Chapel at 11 a.m. The
Moral Leadership and a minister of the
Temptations of Scholarship” in which he
Rev. Dr. M. Craig Barnes from
Presbyterian Church.
outlined the challenges that Stratton will
be part of Waynesburg University’s
face as a newly ordained minister. One
endeavor of being a Christian institution
Shadyside Presbyterian Church in
The Rev. Tom Ribar, Waynesburg
Pittsburgh will address those in
University chaplain, issued words of
temptation, Barnes said, is to satisfy the
dedicated to the pursuit of truth and
attendance. The public is cordially
welcome and a call to worship for the
educational hunger of students.
service, especially as my academic and
invited to attend.
very special service. Ribar quoted Psalm
“As a professor, and now a minister,
spiritual path to Waynesburg began almost two decades ago,” Stratton said.
46 verse 10, “Be still and know that I
resist the opportunity to fill the hunger
• The Waynesburg University
am God,” to illustrate God’s hand in
of students. God created them to be
Department of Criminal Justice
Stratton’s journey to ministry.
hungry,” Barnes said. “You are to nurture
interim executive presbyter at
this hunger and to help your students
Washington Presbytery, conducted the
Administration and the Office of
Stratton was surrounded by his
The Rev. Dr. Donald P. Wilson,
Admissions will host its spring Mock
colleagues, friends and family as he
and your colleagues ask better questions
prayer of ordination and the “Laying on
Crime Scene Workshop Saturday,
received the traditional “Laying on of
about the world.”
of Hands” ceremony. Wilson charged the
March 24. The event provides high
Hands” ceremony and accepted the
school students the opportunity to
charge to guide Waynesburg University
sang two anthems, “Sicut Cervus,” by
the Lord and to welcome Stratton with
work with Waynesburg University
in the way of Jesus Christ.
Giovanni P. Palestrina and “My Soul’s
open arms. In the same prayer, he called
students and faculty, as well as experts
Waynesburg University’s Lamplighters
University to hold strong to its anchor in
“It was a very special experience to
Been Anchored in the Lord,” by Moses
Stratton to be an example of Christ in
in the field, to analyze crime scenes
be surrounded by so many people from
Hogan, under the direction of Melanie
Waynesburg University’s classrooms and
and collect and process evidence. A
the Waynesburg University community,
Catana, director of choral music at
hallways.
variety of workshops will be offered
along with my family and many friends
Waynesburg University. University
“We live in a broken time; to accept
and will allow students to determine
and colleagues from the past,” Stratton
faculty, staff and trustees, as well as
a call to ministry at a time such as this
if a criminal justice or forensic science
said. “During the service, I looked
University President Timothy Thyreen
could be frightening,” Wilson said. “The
major is right for them.
forward toward the pulpit and lectern;
and his wife, Mrs. Carolyn Thyreen,
University accepts Stratton at a time
only when I stood up after kneeling for
attended to show their support.
such as this to continue a mission of
the laying on of hands and after greeting
“It is a constant inspiration for me to
University alumna speaks about travels, documentary • The Waynesburg University Music Program will present a spring jazz concert Monday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. The event will be held in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center. The event is free, and the public is cordially invited to attend. The Waynesburg University Vocal Jazz Ensemble, the Instrumental Jazz Combo and the Percussion Ensemble combine to bring you a night of jazz and percussion standards. • Waynesburg University’s second annual Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held Saturday, April 14, in the University’s Center for Research and Economic Development. All undergraduates who have been actively involved with research projects mentored by University faculty are eligible to showcase their work by displaying a poster or giving an oral presentation. All research presented is representative of research as defined by Council On Undergraduate Research (CUR). CUR’s definition states that research is “an inquiry or investigation conducted by an undergraduate student that makes an original intellectual or creative contribution to the discipline.”
On February 15, the Waynesburg University community was blessed with the presence of a Waynesburg alumna, Anne Banister. Since graduating in 2009, Banister has committed her life to serving the world around her by applying the skills she gained at Waynesburg University. She spoke to faculty and students in McCance Auditorium about her life after graduation through a lecture titled “Mountains Between Us: Educate, Equip, Empower.” During her time at Waynesburg University, Banister pursued a degree in communication with a minor in service leadership. Originally, she was unsure of attending a small school, but after visiting Waynesburg University for the first time, she got a sensation that something bigger was going on and that God was present on campus. She soon found that her academic experience would extend much further than the classroom. “In the fall of 2006, one of my friends invited me to attend a viewing of Invisible Children during Waynesburg’s ‘Who’s Your Neighbor Week,’” Banister said. “I was absolutely shocked by the genocide in the 20-year war. This really sparked my interest in picking up my minor in service leadership and my interest in helping those in need.” The staff and faculty at Waynesburg University pushed her to work harder and to achieve more. Before graduating, Anne produced four documentaries for four nonprofit organizations, including the West Waynesburg Jesus Distributor, PeaceWorks, World Vision and Big Brothers Big Sisters. “The faculty at Waynesburg University really did encourage me to be the best that I could be,” Banister said. “The hands on, real world application along with the leadership aspect that Waynesburg focuses on pushed me out of my comfort zone and has really given me more than adequate preparation for what I am doing now.” Since graduation, Banister has been working with organizations in the small country of Nepal. Located South of China, Nepal is a developing country that suffers from poor health, social inequality and a lack of government support. “A lot of people are required to fend for themselves,” Banister said. “The country consists of a lot of farming; it’s a physically demanding environment there.” Banister has been fighting for equal rights in Nepal through working with the charity the Edge of Seven, an organization that invests in projects that further alleviate women in developing countries of social inequalities, along with giving them education, health and economic opportunities.
faith, serving and learning.”
Standout women’s basketball trio named All-PAC The Waynesburg University women’s basketball team was rewarded for one of its best seasons in program history by the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) when it handed out its annual post-season awards. Three Yellow Jacket standouts were honored as members of the All-PAC teams, including senior point guard Hannah Hunter, who was lauded as a first-team pick. Hunter finished second on the team and eighth in the conference in scoring at 13.3 points per game, while also finishing second in the league in assists (5.41 assists per game) and steals (2.96 steals per game). Hunter was also lauded as a three-time PAC Player of the Week and a two-time member of the D3Hoops. com Team of the Week. Junior guard Jessi Drayer picked up a second-team nod after leading Waynesburg and finishing sixth in the PAC in scoring with 14.5 points per game. Drayer was also a member of one of the D3Hoops.com Teams of the Week and her 31 points against Chatham Dec. 10 were the second highest individual scoring performance in the PAC this year. Fellow junior guard Brittany Spencer rounded out Waynesburg’s All-PAC trio with an honorable mention selection. Spencer averaged 10.3 points per game, while leading the team and ranking sixth in the PAC in rebounds with 7.4 boards per game. After the player awards were announced, Jacket head coach Sam Jones picked up one of the biggest honors of his time with the Jacket women when he was named PAC Coach of the Year.