May 2011 Vol. 5, No. 9
IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
Stover Center affords students prestigious opportunity A recent trip to the nation’s capital provided a day of hands-on learning for 15 Waynesburg University Stover Scholars. Networking with revered dignitaries enhanced the day’s events as students gained a stronger sense of American politics and law.
F
ifteen Waynesburg University Stover Scholars were recently afforded a prestigious opportunity
to meet with a number of high-ranking officials in the nation’s capital.
“Waynesburg University’s Stover
Scholar program is committed to developing leaders who embrace the constitutional principles that guided the Founding Fathers in an effort to positively impact the direction of American politics and law,” said Waynesburg University President Timothy R. Thyreen. “We want our students to be inspired by those who dedicate their lives to public service.”
During the Washington, D.C., trip,
the students met with Justice Samuel A. Alito at the United States Supreme Court, where he described the dynamics of legal adjudication and shared his views regarding constitutional interpretation.
“I enjoyed meeting with Justice
Alito in Washington, D.C. Having the opportunity to discuss Supreme Court cases with an influential member of the Supreme Court was fascinating and inspiring,” said Madeline Snyder, a senior elementary education major from Jefferson, Pa.
Melissa Fox, a senior elementary/
special education major from Waynesburg, Pa., shared Snyder’s sentiments. “As soon
as Justice Alito walked into the room, I
sophomore sociology (pre-law) major from
gain a stronger sense of respect and
was in awe and felt a part of history,” Fox
Conneaut, Pa., recognized the benefits of
admiration for those who have served or
said.
the day’s hands-on learning opportunities.
are serving our government.”
Commenting on the opportunity
“The trip was a valuable supplement
Waltemeyer’s “respect and admiration”
to interact with prominent officials,
to my Waynesburg University education,”
for political leaders “drove home the
Stephanie Laing, a junior communication
Moyer said.
purpose of the trip,” said Dr. Lawrence M.
major from Nevada, said, “I really enjoyed
Stratton, Visiting Director of the Stover
gleaning such invaluable information
Attorney General Edwin Meese III. Meese
Center for Constitutional Studies and
from respected and influential political
encouraged students to reflect upon the
Moral Leadership.
figures. I now have an opportunity unique
original intent of the Constitution by
from my peers to take these prominent
challenging them to comprehend the
students to these high-ranking officials.
figures’ words and advice and apply them
objectives held by the document’s authors.
to my own ideas for the future.”
Meese urged the students to consider
to interact with individuals who daily
the ways in which the government is
address the constitutional and geopolitical
for the day’s noteworthy offerings.
limited by the document’s structure and
issues of our age,” Stratton said.
enumerated powers.
that are at the height of Who’s Who in
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
American Politics and once seemed far
major from Riverside, Calif., said he
first human in space as they discussed
beyond our reach,” said Anthony Cooper,
was honored to represent Waynesburg
cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin’s 108-minute
a sophomore sociology (pre-law) major
University in such an “influential and
orbital flight with Russian Ambassador
from Lewisburg, Pa.
professional setting.”
Sergey Kislyak at the Russian Embassy.
Laing was not alone in her appreciation “It was surreal to meet dignitaries
Following the meeting with Alito,
The group also met with former
Jacob Waltemeyer, a junior English
“The opportunity to put into practice
“It was a pleasure to introduce our They had the unique opportunity
The students also had the opportunity
“Only 20 years after the Cold War,
students met with Pennsylvania Senator
all that we have been learning through
visiting the Russian Embassy was an
Pat Toomey. Toomey discussed his desire
the Stover Program was an invaluable and
unprecedented and politically insightful
to fight for fiscally responsible policies,
amazing experience,” he said. “Seeing
opportunity for the Stover Scholars,” said
lower taxes and job creation.
a more in-depth picture of the political
Daniel Czajkowski, a sophomore criminal
world in Washington, D.C., allowed me to
justice major from Frederick, Md.
Like Laing and Cooper, Karen Moyer, a
Business students attend largest student investment conference
S
ince its inception into the business
from Canonsburg, Pa.; and Joel Wingard,
program at Waynesburg University
a junior finance major from Uniontown,
professional money managers, hedge fund
in 2009, the Student Investment
Pa., attended the conference.
managers, option broker dealers and other
some of the brightest financial minds in
Club has recognized steady growth.
professionals in the field of finance.”
the country.”
hands-on opportunities outside the
members of the club were recently
classroom that sets student members
Dayton and the United Nations Global
with valuable tools and professional
afforded the opportunity to accompany
apart in the workforce.
Compact, R.I.S.E. is the largest student
ideas to apply to their business classes at
Christian Ola, assistant professor of
investment conference in the world.
Waynesburg.
business administration at Waynesburg
and practice their financial analysis and
University, to the 11th annual R.I.S.E.
investment skills.
opportunity to learn from individuals
and involvement in the markets is due
Forum at the University of Dayton.
with professional backgrounds related to
to the fact that we are being taught by
As a result of this success, four
Joshua Cogar, a junior engineering/
The Student Investment Club offers
It also allows students to develop
“The Club has generated great
“At R.I.S.E., they learned from
Sponsored jointly by the University of
Each year it affords participants the
finance,” Mikkilineni said. “We were able to meet and learn from
The conference equipped the students
“Our broader perspective of business
participation and interest from our
Wall Street, Corporate America, financial
professors who really care about our
chemistry major from Waynesburg, Pa.;
students. As a result, we looked to attend
media, international community, and
learning and well-being,” Htlatky said.
Mark Htlatky, a sophomore business
a conference that would present them
more.
management major from Uniontown, Pa.;
with the opportunity to network with
Puja Mikkilineni, a senior finance major
students from around the world,” Ola said.
was learning about the several facets of
“The best part of the conference
IMPACT NEWS & NOTES • Waynesburg University’s annual Baccalaureate and Commencement
Passion for peace fuels student’s next steps
L
ike most Waynesburg University
University and Queen’s University
seniors, Brandi Ullom will
in Belfast, Northern Ireland, allowed
receive her diploma May 15. As
Ullom to study abroad in the 2010 spring
many ponder post-graduation plans,
semester.
15 on the campus of Waynesburg
Ullom, an international studies and
“I would not trade my experience in
University. The celebration will honor
biblical ministry studies major from
Northern Ireland for anything,” Ullom
approximately 700 undergraduate
Waynesburg, Pa., will continue her
said. “It was there that I knew I could
and graduate students. Pittsburgh
academic journey at the third oldest
both emotionally and physically handle
Steelers’ punter Daniel Sepulveda will
university in the English-speaking world.
living in another country and that my
address students and their families at
Ullom recently competed for a place
childhood dream of living abroad was in
the Baccalaureate service at 11 a.m.
in the University of St Andrew’s School
my grasp.”
Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rob
of International Relations’ Peace and
While studying in Belfast, Ullom
McCord will address the class of 2011
Conflict Studies Program in Scotland.
completed an internship that immersed
as the commencement speaker at 2:30
The competitive 12-month program
her in peace and conflict situations. This
requires a 15,000 word dissertation,
few short months, and she couldn’t be
p.m. Families are encouraged to arrive
experience solidified her academic path.
happier.
to commencement exercises early, as
courses in peace and conflict and a
“After those experiences, I knew that
fieldwork component.
She hopes to glean knowledge from
the processional begins approximately
this was the area of study God called
world-renowned professors, and awaits
30 minutes prior to the ceremony.
Choosing the prestigious university,
me to pursue,” Ullom said. “All human
founded in 1413, was an easy decision
the challenges of a 10-day case study
beings deserve to live in a peaceful
and hands-on experiences in areas such
• Two Waynesburg University students,
for Ullom as it matched her vision of
world, and I want to do my part in
her own “dream program.” The program
as conflict resolution. Ullom will meet
led by Katie White, assistant director of
helping to achieve this global goal.”
political leaders and policy makers in
Admissions at Waynesburg University,
will allow her to gain key experiences
Through its unfailing message of
unmatched by the offerings of graduate
the foreign country and speak with non-
joined more than 100 students from the
faith, service and learning, Waynesburg
governmental organizations on peace
Commonwealth’s independent colleges
programs in the United States.
University has propelled Ullom’s
“I have always dreamed of living
issues.
and universities for the annual Student
academic and spiritual voyage from an
Though she’s not entirely sure of
Lobby Day Tuesday, April 12. Madeline
abroad,” Ullom said. “Choosing to go
idea to a reality.
to an international graduate school will
what God’s plans are for her life, Ullom
Snyder, a junior elementary education
“Without Waynesburg, I would have
knows that she wants to help others.
major from Jefferson, Pa., and Kelsey
help me make that first transition.”
never grown my passion for social justice
Her time at Waynesburg University
The peacemaker wishes to work in
May, a freshman middle level education
and humanitarian work, which are both
a humanitarian field, either dealing
major for English/language arts from
opened doors that led to Ullom’s
emphasized by visiting speakers and
intended career path in peace and
directly with issues of social justice or
Mill Run, Pa., represented Waynesburg
professors,” Ullom said.
advocating for better education on these
University and met with local
conflict, as a partnership between the
This reality will greet Ullom in a
issues.
exercises will be held Sunday, May
legislators to discuss the importance of increased funding as it relates to private colleges and universities. • Dr. Ezekiel Olagoke, assistant professor of sociology at Waynesburg University, was recently notified that his manuscript, “Millennial Muslims: Second Generation Nigerian Muslims in the United States,” will be included in The Review of Faith and International Affairs. The quarterly journal is published by the Institute for Global Engagement’s Center on Faith & International Affairs. • Dr. Esther Barkat, associate professor of social sciences at Waynesburg University, will travel to Chennai, India, July 19 through July 23 to present her academic paper titled “Distinguishing Linguistic and Cultural Factors from Communication Disorders.” • WCYJ-FM hosted its second annual 24-hour broadcast from Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. to Friday April 15 at 6 p.m. Hosted by senior communication majors Emily Ellis and Mike Winland, the special broadcast set an initial goal of $800 for the station’s Mini-Relay For Life team. The broadcast exceeded that goal, raising $1,400 for cancer research.
Two Bonner scholars to inspire others through 78-day cross country summer road trip
I
t is their deep seeded passion for loving others and an ambitious attitude that will fuel two freshmen on a 78-day cross county road trip to bring awareness to an issue close to their hearts. This summer, K Scarry, a psychology major, and sociology major Sarah Blais, will partner with Best Buddies International and visit 35 different states to spread a message of love and acceptance. “Best Buddies is an international, nonprofit organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Scarry said. “It’s a lot about recognizing ability in people.” Scarry has been a Special Olympics coach for five years while Blais was inspired to promote social acceptance by her older brother Matt. “I have been working with students with disabilities since high school. I have several cousins with Autism, and my brother has Asperger’s syndrome,” Blais said. “I’ve always had a passion for people with disabilities.” Scarry and Blais are Bonner Scholars who will each complete 560 hours of service this year alone – including a summer project. The two determined young women came up with the idea to partner with Best Buddies and ‘Spread the Word to End the Word.’ While traveling across the United States, Scarry and Blais will be stopping at schools, summer camps and shopping malls to speak about social acceptance to young people – and anyone who will listen. “A big part of our project is the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign which is an educational campaign about why the word ‘retard’ in our everyday speech is offensive,” Scarry said. “It projects a negative image on people with disabilities, and we are trying to eliminate that.” When Scarry and Blais first came up with the idea for their summer project, they were ecstatic; but not everyone was as confident their plans would come to fruition. “I have to admit, I originally thought this was a lofty goal for two freshmen,” said Coordinator of the Bonners Program at Waynesburg University Sarah Brandstetter. “However, they quickly proved to me that this project was going to happen. I was amazed.” What started as a bold idea has now formed into a meticulously planned summer road trip that will conclude at the Best Buddies Leadership Conference where the two young women will present a workshop on putting great ideas into action. “We’re just trying to restore things to the way God intended them to be,” Blais said. “We are all equal in God’s eyes but our society discriminates against people who don’t seem normal. This is about recognizing that everyone is beautiful and just loving them.”
Jones and Post named PAC Athletes of the Week Three times in the first month of the season, a member of the women’s track and field team has been honored as the President’s Athletic Conference (PAC) Women’s Field Athlete of the Week, a weekly award given to the top field athlete in the conference. Sophomore Jaimee Post took home the award after winning the triple jump at the Westminster Invitational. Post’s jump of 11.11 meters (36’ 5.5’’) also qualified her for the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships. Elisha Jones, a two-time NCAA AllAmerican in the javelin, has taken the award twice; first for winning the javelin at the Mary Frye Invitational. Jones qualified provisionally for the NCAA Division III National Championships with a throw of 40.62 meters (133’ 4”). She also took the award after besting a field of 42 throwers to qualify for the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championships at the Bill Van Horne Invitational.
Shepas soars to all-time women’s lacrosse goal leader The women’s lacrosse team has a new all-time leader in goals scored. Maria Shepas, a senior from Youngstown, Ohio scored her teamhigh 18th goal in the final game of her Jackets career. Her 18 goals on the season gave her 28 career goals in just two seasons of playing lacrosse.