October 2011 Impact

Oct. 2011 Vol. 6, No. 2

IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose

University celebrates long-awaited Roberts Chapel Roberts Chapel serves as a testimony to the Waynesburg University mission, giving both students and faculty a new place to worship

F

or 162 years, Waynesburg University has waited for a house of worship that exemplified the

principles upon which the University was founded. On Saturday, Sept. 24, the wait ended.

The University formally dedicated

Roberts Chapel during a private ceremony and inaugural concert where more than 400 individuals including faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends, donors and guests shared in the historic event.

Roberts Chapel, named for Sherl Levi

Roberts and Sarah Bertha Earnest Roberts, the parents of the late Dr. Roy Roberts, a 1942 graduate of Waynesburg University, is located at the peak of the University’s campus. The Chapel stands as a symbol of God’s grace that has guided the University for more than 160 years. Prior to his passing, Dr. Roy Roberts shared his vision with Waynesburg University President Timothy R. Thyreen, and provided a generous lead gift of $4.5 million.

The dedication ceremony included

remarks by Waynesburg University President Timothy R. Thyreen; a performance by the Waynesburg University Lamplighters; an organ and piano concert featuring Mr. J. Christopher Pardini, organist, and Mr. David Allen Wehr, pianist; and a prayer of dedication given by Mr. Mark E. Fox, chairman of the Waynesburg University Board of Trustees.

The dedication ended with a benediction from the Rev. Thomas Ribar, University Chaplain.

“This is a special time for this

University,” Thyreen said. “This place

handiwork. I’ve seen you all work in

grow and mature spiritually here, they

is a house of worship that will be shared

rain, snow and thunderstorms to build a

will be equipped to make a difference with

through the years, affecting the lives of

building that you may or may not even

their lives in a world that is in desperate

current and future students.”

believe is necessary. I don’t know if you

need.”

guys believe in God, but I do know that

Thyreen, Waynesburg University’s first

God is using you. This church will be a

chapel service, just three days after the

lady, indicated the true significance of

sanctuary for me to worship the God who

Chapel’s dedication, President Thyreen

the day and its meaning to Waynesburg

created me. Because of you, I’ll have a

echoed Fox’s thoughts by challenging

University students. The letter, written

place to praise the Lord. I am so thankful

students to align the meaning behind the

by a Waynesburg University student, was

for you.

vision of Roberts Chapel with their own

found in May of 2011 in the fence that

Sincerely,

lives.

surrounded the chapel throughout most

A Friend

of the building process. The envelope was

As the letter was shared, the

this university and its mission,” Thyreen

addressed to, “the men who have brought

importance of the day became evident to

said. “We are charged to be worthy of this

beauty to this campus.”

all in attendance.

building. We want what you have learned

here to make a difference in the world. We

A letter read by Mrs. Carolyn

The letter read as follows:

“This is truly a joyous day,” said Mrs.

During the University’s first weekly

“This building is a great testimony to

Dear Silent Heroes,

Thyreen. “This space on this hill will be

want to know that because of your life,

forever devoted to the glory of God.”

the world is a better place.”

from dust. When I arrived here to the

University on August 14, I looked out

asked that “God’s blessing and grace be

groundbreaking ceremony held in May of

my window to find a concrete foundation

forever on this place.”

2010, Roberts Chapel stands completed

engulfed amidst construction. As the

at North Washington Street on the north

year progressed, I continued to look

University has become,” he said. “As

out my window in admiration of your

generations of students come and

You have created a masterpiece

During the dedication prayer, Fox

“We praise you for what this

One year and four months after the

side of the campus quadrangle.

Living out Waynesburg’s mission unifies cross country team

T

o begin the season living out

the mission of Waynesburg

our County, and I thought this project

that day and learned a few lessons that

situated in an area with so much need

University, the University’s cross

would be great for our large team, as trail

I hope will stick with them throughout

and opportunity for service, it is difficult

country team recently completed a day of

maintenance is time consuming,” Hardie

the season and into their everyday

for me to see why one wouldn’t feel

service on the Greene County portion of

said.

lives,” Hardie said. “Traits such as

convicted to get involved.”

the Warrior Trail.

Kameron Schaefer, a senior history

patience, teamwork, determination, and a

major from Ohiopyle, was grateful for the

willingness to give back were all brought

President Llew Williams and Chris

experience.

to the forefront. As a team, we need

Hardie, head cross country coach

to carry those lessons and traits with

at Waynesburg, 36 members of

team,” he said. “After I saw the condition

us when times get tough, both in our

Waynesburg’s cross country team worked

of the trail, I wanted to do as much work

personal lives and on the playing field.”

together to beautify the historic Warrior

as possible.”

Trail. In desperate need of restoration

for one organization, Schaefer realized

and revitalization, the work was no easy

Hardie has decided to make the Warrior

the importance of living Waynesburg

feat, as portions of the trail were deemed

Trail service an annual project for his

University’s mission of faith, learning and

impassable.

athletes.

service daily.

Co-led by Warrior Trail Association

“The Association does so much for

“I enjoyed the service we did as a

Recognizing the impact and the need,

“The team endured a few hardships

Beyond providing a day of service

“As students of this University,

IMPACT NEWS & NOTES • Waynesburg University’s Forensic Science Program recently received a

Two students have unforgettable semester in Spain

A

pretty stark contrast to

first.

Waynesburg, Pa., two

“For the first few weeks I was in culture

Waynesburg University

shock, mostly because I couldn’t speak

students put down roots in a European,

the language that well, and that made

Portable Optics Group. The donation,

Spanish-speaking city more than 4,000

me feel isolated,” Bartley said.

a hand-held Raman infrared chemical

miles across the Atlantic Ocean last fall.

Time proved to be on their side,

identification system used for rapid

Although they left with assumptions,

however, as both women slowly

identification of a range of materials

Shannon Bartley and Jessica Sarnoskie

recognized the unfamiliar transitioning

from

never could have prepared themselves for

to the familiar.

narcotics to

what the next three months would hold.

Daily life consisted of class conducted

explosives,

Bartley, a junior early childhood and

entirely in Spanish from 10 a.m. to

will further

special education major with a Spanish

1:30 p.m., with a break titled “siesta”

enhance

minor, and Sarnoskie, a senior forensic

following. During this time, they would

Waynesburg

accounting major with a Spanish minor,

have lunch, complete assignments and

University’s

studied in Spain through the Semester

relax. Monday nights involved Flamenco

mission to

in Spain program offered by Waynesburg

lessons. During other nights of the

offer students experiential learning

University. Through this program,

week, they applied a key principle of

scenarios, preparing them for their

students undergo an intensive study of

Waynesburg University to their life in

and I never attended church when I was

careers after graduation.

Spanish history, language and culture

Spain by serving in their community.

younger,” Sarnoskie said. “Coming to

in a nurturing and accommodating

For two hours each week, Sarnoskie

Waynesburg has changed my mind about

• Sarah Rizzi, an art education

Christian environment.

went to the Hospital la Caridad, a

faith and what I believe. I believe I was

major from Irwin, Pa., will present a

“I had never been out of the country

veteran’s facility, where she visited

sent to Spain to grow in my faith and

collection of her work at Waynesburg

before I traveled to Spain,” Sarnoskie

with the elderly men and played bingo.

find God. I had no one there; I could only

University in a three-week exhibit.

said. “I was scared, nervous and excited

Bartley spent her time traveling one hour

rely on Him.”

The show will run through Friday,

all at the same time. I had no idea what I

to a local convent where she served as

Since returning, Sarnoskie has become

Oct. 21, in the Benedum Fine Arts

was getting myself into.”

an English tutor and friend to a group

very involved in faith-based activities.

Gallery. The Gallery is open 9 a.m. to

The women reached Seville Sept. 1,

of girls. For Bartley, the service allowed

She credits her semester in Spain with

4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by

2010. Upon arrival, they met the host

her to grow in her faith, and helped her

helping her to overcome her fear, getting

appointment. Admission is free and the

families who would serve as their three-

to recognize the ways faith and service

out there and believing.

public is cordially invited to attend.

month guide to life in a foreign place. In

coexist.

“I am so thankful to have had this

Ceramics, watercolor and acrylic

addition to the vastly different culture,

As for Sarnoskie, her visit to Spain

experience,” Sarnoskie said. “It will be

paintings, drawings and jewelry will be

the language barrier proved difficult at

impacted her faith in life-altering ways.

one thing I will never forget.”

donation from Thermo Scientific’s

Shannon Bartley with fellow Semester in Spain students in the town of Ronda at the oldest bullring in Spain.

“I didn’t grow up in a church family

featured in the collection. Select pieces will be available for purchase. For more information, call 724-852-3274.

• The Pittsburgh Chamber Players, an acclaimed group of talented Pittsburgh Symphony musicians, will perform in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center Monday, Oct. 17, as part of the University’s Performing Arts Series.

The Chamber Players perform in mixed ensembles of two to eight artists.

Audiences and critics celebrate the Players as innovative, eclectic and of the highest artist quality and ability.

Admission is $5 and the public is invited to attend.

• The Waynesburg University Players will present “Julius Caesar” Wednesday, Nov. 2 through Saturday, Nov. 5. The performances will take place in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. each evening.

Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. Seating is limited and tickets should be reserved. For more information, call 724-852-3226.

• Irina Nuzova, an acclaimed solo pianist, will perform Tuesday, Nov. 8, as part of the University’s Performing Arts Series. The performance will be held in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.

Nuzova is an acclaimed pianist who has appeared in recitals as a soloist and as a chamber musician in Europe, South America and the United States.

Johnson serves as Crosby Lecturer

U

niting faith, service and learning is one of Waynesburg University’s principal goals — a goal that was recently met and exceeded by September’s Glenn A. & Jane L. Crosby Lecture Series speaker, Dr. Byron Johnson.

The Crosby Lecture Series, notorious for bringing scholars distinguished in their disciplines to interact with Waynesburg University students, faculty and staff, hosted Dr. Johnson September 22 as he presented “More God, Less Crime: More a Leap of Faith or a Matter of Fact.” The topic, deemed “stimulating and appropriate” by a number of students, was well-received across a number of academic disciplines.

As a sophomore criminal justice major, Morgan Blumer thought herself to be the perfect audience for Johnson’s message. According to Blumer, Johnson’s correlation between faith and criminal justice caused her to consider new avenues of thought.

“Some of the statistics were rather surprising and interesting,” Blumer said. “I also found Dr. Johnson’s way of thought and open mindedness to really open my own mind to new questions and perspectives.”

Johnson, professor of social sciences at Baylor University, is involved in a series of empirical research studies regarding the religious landscape of China and additional studies related to religious intolerance and tolerance in America.

As both the director of the Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR) and the director of the program on Prosocial Behavior, Johnson is considered a leading authority on the scientific study of religion.

Thomas Paulone, a sophomore criminal justice major from Jeannette, Pa., was deeply affected on a personal level by Johnson’s presentation.

“I learned from Dr. Johnson how complex the criminal justice world can be,” Paulone said. “It’s crazy to see how some people live and where they come from; it makes me feel blessed for what I have.”

Pieces of Johnson’s research have been used in consultation with the Department of Justice, the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor and the National Institutes of Health.

“Having a speaker of this caliber is such an honor,” Paulone said. “No other school can live up to the experience we get at Waynesburg University.”

Blumer, too, credits the University with the opportunity to meet celebrated researchers and speakers.

“Waynesburg University and its wonderfully experienced professors are always presenting students with countless resources and helping hands,” Blumer said. “They open our minds and present us with new opportunities to lead us in the direction of our aspirations after graduation.”

Crown pre-ranked first in the country Even though the 2011-12 season has yet to get underway, junior wrestler Alex Crown is already making big headlines and program history. The third-year standout, who finished fourth at the NCAA Division III National Championships this past March, was pre-ranked number one in the country at 125 pounds by d3wrestle.com. It is believed to be the first time that a Waynesburg wrestler has been given the top spot by the prestigious national website. As a sophomore last season, Crown not only won his second-straight Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) title, but he finished in the top two at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Championships for the second-straight season after winning his first championship.

Women’s soccer off to tremendous start As of Oct. 3, the Waynesburg University women’s soccer team was on one of the most successful stretches in program history. The Yellow Jackets had won ten-straight games and were on top of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) with a 10-1 record.

Their ninth win of the year came on Sept. 28, when they beat a solid Wimington team 1-0. Senior forward Courtney Ebersole tallied her 12th goal of the season and senior goal keeper Katrina Kelly made the score stand up with seven saves in goal. The ten-game winning streak is the program’s longest since at least 2001.