Nov. 2011 Vol. 6, No. 3
IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
Students and alumni speak God’s language of love Whether a current student or a Waynesburg graduate, individuals exposed to Waynesburg University’s mission of faith, learning and service are passionate about making a difference in the world.
C
helsea Ritter, a forensic science major from New Tripoli, Pa., had no experience in teaching or
the Spanish language when she stood in front of approximately 1,000 Panamanian students, ages 4 to 18, on her first day abroad.
“Other than ‘hola’ and ‘gracias,’ I went
in with nothing,” Ritter said. “It was incredible, though, to see how the mind grows in necessity.”
Across the globe, Bethany Danaher,
a 2010 Waynesburg University alumna, faced a similar challenge when she walked into an elementary school in South Korea and hundreds of children called for her attention in a language different than her native tongue.
The young women used their faith as
a means to break down language barriers early on. “Living the gospel” helped them to communicate a passion for serving, teaching and loving others in unfamiliar environments.
Ritter traveled to San Felix, Panama, to
serve at Our Lady of the Way Foundation, a mission aiming to provide resources and jobs to the local community. For a little over a month, Ritter taught approximately 150 students, grades four through six, the English language.
When the English language wasn’t
enough, Ritter stopped talking and began speaking the language of love—God’s love.
“We should all be speaking that 24/7,”
Ritter said. “So, here’s to smiles and
the Korean language, Danaher teaches
their time spent as Bonner Scholars at
happy eyes and jumping jacks and high
20 classes for a total of 500 elementary
Waynesburg University, a scholarship
fives, none of which require a single word
students each week. Her faith has helped
requiring approximately eight to 10
but speak immeasurable volumes of His
her to show love and appreciation for the
unpaid hours of community service per
love and acceptance.”
Korean students and their language.
week and two 280 service-hour summers.
Through the scholarship, the young
South Korea called to Danaher, an
“My students show me each day what
elementary education major, both as a
it means to love and to be loved by God,”
women have met service as a challenge
student and as a recent graduate. The
Danaher said. “I need to be able to look at
and ultimately, a lifestyle.
Steubenville, Ohio, native traveled to
each child, no matter how they speak, as
Ewha Women’s University in South Korea
Christ would look at them.”
to do, no matter what city we’re in,”
as a sophomore college student through a
Danaher said.
partnership with Waynesburg Unviersity.
one year. She plans to return to the United
After falling in love with the people, the
States August 2012 to earn her master’s
even as they teach others and insist that
language and the culture, she decided to
degree in English as a second language.
the greatest education comes from new
teach there upon graduation.
experiences. Their faith encourages them
Since August 2011, Danaher has
Danaher will call South Korea home for
“I did not become interested in
“Service is something we are called
The young women embrace learning
teaching English as a second language
to speak the language of God’s love in
worked as a full-time teacher for the EPIK
until I studied abroad in South Korea,”
countries that need it, including the
Program in Cheongwon, South Korea.
Danaher said. “Since then, I have longed
United States.
EPIK, or English Program in Korea, aims
for the opportunity to teach others my
to place native English speakers with
language and culture.”
use you,” Ritter said. “He’s going to do it
Korean co-teachers in Korean schools.
anyway. Why? Because He’s God; He can
for serving others, as represented in
Though she is not entirely fluent in
Both Ritter and Danaher share a love
“You don’t need to be ready for God to
and He loves you.”
Nursing program achieves fourth consecutive 100% pass rate
T
he Waynesburg Baccalaureate
Dr. Robert Graham. “We are proud
a registered nurse.
behaviors that graduates must possess
Nursing Program was recently
of our nursing faculty and students.
in order to provide safe, high-quality
notified of its 100 percent pass
The accomplishment is a direct
the United States and achieved an average
care,” said Dr. Nancy Mosser, chair of the
rate on the National Council Licensure
result of our commitment to enroll
national pass rate of 87.81 percent.
Department of Nursing and professor of
Examination for Registered Nurses
bright and hardworking students, and
Pennsylvania had the fifth largest number
nursing.
(NCLEX-RN). Waynesburg was one of two
our commitment to provide them
of candidates, with 7,260 testing from
baccalaureate programs in the state of
with dedicated nursing faculty who
83 programs with an average pass rate of
to maintain the high pass rates by
Pennsylvania to achieve the 100 percent
consistently develop a culture of
87.66 percent. Thirty-one Waynesburg
continuing to
pass rate this year. This year’s feat marks
excellence in nursing.”
University students collectively achieved
offer a rigorous
the program’s fourth consecutive year
the pass rate.
curriculum
achieving the accomplishment.
graduates who tested Oct. 1, 2010
“The 100 percent pass rate is an
that challenges
The exam pass rate takes into account
This year, 144,570 candidates tested in
Mosser said the program plans
University administration, faculty,
through Sept. 30, 2011. Students take the
indicator of the quality of both the
students to use
staff and students share a tremendous
NCLEX subsequent to graduation from a
students and the program’s cutting
evidence-based
amount of pride in the accomplishment.
baccalaureate, diploma or associate degree
edge curriculum. Additionally, faculty
knowledge as
program. A student must pass the exam
members are committed to educating
the basis for
in order to become licensed to practice as
students in the professional values and
practice.
“This is a remarkable achievement,”
said Waynesburg University Provost