September 2011 Vol. 6, No. 1
IMPACT Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
Traveling the nation to “Spread the Word to End the Word” Road trips are a staple in any college student’s carrier of experiences. From daily excursions with friends to traveling abroad, opportunities abound at Waynesburg University. This past summer, three Waynesburg ladies took a road trip like none other – a mission to spread one message of love and acceptance.
P
artnering with Best Buddies International, a nonprofit organization that creates a
variety of opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, sophomores Sarah Blais and K Scarry, along with senior Sam Civitate, joined the organization’s “Spread the Word to End the Word” campaign. The ladies spent 78 days traveling through 36 states to faithfully serve those living with disabilities by teaching others about social acceptance. Drawing attention to an issue that is close to each of their hearts, the campaign specifically focused on why the use of the word “retard” in everyday speech is offensive. Scarry has coached in the Special Olympics for five years, Blais’s older brother has Asperger’s syndrome and Civitate, like Blais and Scarry, believes the campaign’s message is something every person should hear. “People with intellectual and developmental disabilities want what we all want - to be accepted and loved,” Civitate said. “Everyone can make a
difference by making the decision to love
getting ready to go to Greece to cheer her
Buddies Leadership Conference in
others just as they are.”
sister on in the Special Olympics World
Bloomington, Ind., where Scarry, Blais
Throughout their inspirational trip,
Games.”
and Civitate built relationships and
Scarry, Blais and Civitate stopped at
Blais, Civitate and Scarry took their
presented a workshop about putting
schools, summer camps and shopping
message to a variety of groups across the
ideas into action.
malls to speak about social acceptance
country including places in California,
As these ladies now reflect about
to young people and anyone who would
North Dakota, Wisconsin, and many
the time they spent pouring out their
listen.
others.
passion, they continue to want those
The women began their 1,950-hour
It was those who are directly affected
they met along the way to know that
journey in Richmond, Va. They used
by “the r-word” who inspired so many
anyone can make a difference in the lives
a variety of social media outlets to
listeners, including the Waynesburg
of others.
keep their families, friends and recent
ladies who helped spark conversations
“The trip was so much more than a
acquaintances informed. They put more
about social acceptance across the
road trip,” Blais said. “It was a way to
miles to their story by continuously
nation.
show love through our actions.”
updating a specialized Facebook page,
“One of my favorite memories was a
And that is how one lives to make a
Twitter post and blog.
boy who stood up after our presentation
difference and embrace the Waynesburg
“We met some really awesome people
and spoke about how he felt when he
University mission to pursue lives of
from all over the world…and [we were
gets bullied for his disability, in front of
purpose through faith, learning and
able to] hear so many stories about why
an assembly of 500 students,” Blais said.
serving.
social acceptance matters to those we
“He definitely made a bigger impact than
To read more about their mission, visit
got to meet,” Scarry wrote in a blog
the three of us!”
the official blog at:
post. “We even met one girl who is
The trip culminated at the Best
http://stwroadtrip.bestbuddies.org/.
Wheeler’s “Colbert” essay receives international attention
A
spring semester assignment has
An avid fan of both the Colbert
to research specifically one aspect of
For Wheeler, the achievement was
translated into two published
Report television series and Stephen
rhetoric; I knew immediately my focus
“unexpected but exciting.”
pieces for a senior professional
Colbert, Wheeler’s focus for her
would be Stephen Colbert.”
“Connotation Press’s original
writing major at Waynesburg University.
History and Theory of Rhetoric
Trapp, chair of the Department of
publishing of my article was quite
Sarah Wheeler’s essay, “Rev. Dr.
course essay assignment was an easy
English and Foreign Language, said the
an achievement, but to have the
Stephen T. Colbert: The Embodiment
choice. Her essay analyzes Colbert’s
Department is delighted to work with
article republished by another online
of Truthiness,” recently went global
rhetoric through the examination of
young writers and to help them see their
journal, an international one at that,
after being picked up by a UK online
his evaluation and effect on American
work into publication.
is something I had never expected to
publication: Denis Campbell’s UK
political discourse.
“One of the best things about teaching
happen. I was honored,” she said.
Progressive, a magazine with more than
“I have always found Mr. Colbert’s
and mentoring students is watching
Wheeler credits her major courses
30,000 monthly readers known as “the
reporting style and tactics interesting,
them do well outside the University
at Waynesburg and the “firm critics
home of independent, critical insight.”
both of which are critical in
walls,” Trapp said. “Sarah’s success with
and constructive criticism” within
Prior to the UK publishing, Wheeler’s
understanding the comedic and rhetoric
this essay thrills all of us. She’s always
the Department of English for the
essay was published in the student
genius of Mr. Colbert,” Wheeler said.
had the potential, but the actualization
improvement of her writing and research
edition of Connotation Press.
“Dr. Trapp’s assignment allowed me
is what mentoring is all about.”
abilities.
IMPACT NEWS & NOTES
University welcomes new faculty members
E
Swarthmore College, and his master’s
of Science in Nursing and Doctor of
Friday, August 26, with the University’s
community.
and doctorate degrees from Carnegie
Nursing Practice degree programs,
annual matriculation ceremony.
Dr. Julia C. Bausman, assistant
Mellon University.
earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice
President Timothy R. Thyreen and
professor of education, received her
Dr. Chad D. Sherman, assistant
degree from Waynesburg University,
other University leaders welcomed
bachelor’s degree from Eastern Nazarene
professor of communication, received
a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania
approximately 430 freshmen students,
College, her master’s degree from Grand
his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate
State University and a master’s degree
representing 23 states and Japan.
Valley State University and her doctorate
degrees from Indiana University of
from the University of Pittsburgh.
Classes began Monday, August 29.
degree from Walden University.
Pennsylvania.
• Waynesburg University’s 2011-2012 academic school year officially began
ight full-time faculty members
Dr. Kent M. James, lecturer of history,
Dr. Kimberly Whiteman, assistant
recently joined the Waynesburg
received his bachelor’s degree from
professor of nursing in both the Master
University undergraduate teaching
Dr. Frances L. Boyd, associate professor
Dr. Kelley L. Solomon, assistant
• Maureen and David Budway, a
of education, received her master’s
professor of education, received her
brother and sister jazz singer and piano
degree and doctorate degree from West
bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate
duo from the Pittsburgh region, will
Virginia University. Boyd received her
degrees from West Virginia University.
perform Tuesday, September 20, as part
bachelor’s degree from the College of
Three new faculty members have
of the University’s Performing Arts
William and Mary.
recently joined the Waynesburg
Series. The performance will be held in
Melanie V. Catana, instructor of vocal
University Graduate and Professional
the Goodwin Performing Arts Center
music and the director of choral music,
Studies programs.
at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and the
received her bachelor’s and master’s
Dr. Scott L. Tracy, assistant professor
public is invited to attend.
degrees in vocal performance with a
and director of Graduate Counseling,
certification in music education from
earned a bachelor’s degree in science
• Waynesburg University’s Glenn A.
Carnegie Mellon University.
education and a master’s degree in
& Jane L. Crosby Lecture Series will
Joshua Chicarelli, assistant professor
counselor education from California
host Dr. Byron Johnson Thursday,
of business administration, received
University of Pennsylvania. He
September 22 at 7:30 p.m., in Alumni
his bachelor’s degree from Marshall
received a doctorate degree in counselor
Hall. Admission is free and the public
University and is a Certified Public
education from Duquesne University.
is cordially invited
Accountant for the state of West
Dr. Lawrence G. Kushner, assistant
to attend. Johnson,
Virginia. He received his Masters in
professor and director of Graduate
professor of social
Professional Accountancy (MPA) from
Programs in Education, earned a
sciences at Baylor
West Virginia University.
doctorate degree in education from
University, is
Debra C. Clarke, assistant professor
the University of Pittsburgh, and
both the director
of education and Chair of the Education
received his bachelor’s degree from
of the Institute
Department, received her bachelor’s
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
for Studies of
and master’s degrees from West Virginia
and his master’s degree from Duquesne
Religion (ISR) and
University.
University.
the director of the program on Prosocial Behavior. A leading authority on the scientific study of religion, the efficacy of faith based organizations, domestic violence and criminal justice, Johnson holds an extensive list of credentials and experience. • Waynesburg University students, faculty and staff will present a juried exhibition of photographs that display Waynesburg University associated summer travel through the “Where in the World Have You Been” exhibit. The exhibit will run Monday, Sept. 19 through Friday, Sept. 30 in the Benedum Fine Arts Gallery. An opening reception will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 19. Admission is free. Gallery Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by appointment. • Presented and performed by the Stover Center for Constitutional Studies and Moral Leadership Scholars, “Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution: A Reader’s Theater Production” will be held Monday, Sept. 19 at noon in the Goodwin Performing Arts Center. The production was implemented to celebrate Constitution Day and brings to life the Constitutional Convention’s historical debates. Edward L. Powers, associate professor of theatre at Waynesburg University, will direct the play based upon Jean Fritz’s children’s book, “Shh! We’re Writing the Constitution.”
Bausman
Catana
Chicarelli
Sherman
Alumna lands job with country’s largest television market Last summer Amy Mina, a 2011 Waynesburg University graduate, had the opportunity to work alongside the best in the business through a prestigious internship with FOX News in New York City. Her assignment with Neil Cavuto, senior vice president of FOX’s Business News, and Cavuto’s show, Cavuto, on the FOX Business Network, has since opened another door. In July, Mina was hired as a production assistant for The Willis Report on the FOX Business Network in New York City. Her job responsibilities include writing teases, researching and pitching stories, creating graphics and cutting video. “Through my internship, I gained invaluable connections and experience that helped secure a job,” she said. As a freshman, Mina wasn’t sure of her career path, but being able to explore all the options in the Department of Communication helped her to narrow her focus to what she enjoyed most — television news. At the completion of her internship last summer, Mina was certain of her future. In a fall 2010 interview, Mina said, “The experience has really brought my career goals into focus. I definitely left my internship experience with a fueled passion for the television news business.” Upon graduation, Mina e-mailed a contact inquiring about open positions within the FOX Business Network, and the rest is history. “Before I knew it, I was in New York going through the interview process,” she said. “A couple weeks later, I received a phone call and then a letter of intent indicating that I got the job!” As she continues to take steps toward her ultimate goal of becoming an executive producer, Mina credits Waynesburg and its ability to combine rigorous academics and experiential learning for her success. “I knew how to do the job before starting it. The [Communication] program provides a simulation of the real world, while most schools only teach through lectures and books,” she said. “The countless hours spent working WCTV productions translated into an edge over the competition. I felt very prepared because of all the practical skills I gained producing, scripting and crewing WCTV productions.”
Boyd
Clarke
Solomon
Kushner
Tracy
Whiteman
Three gridiron players recognized as pre-season All-Americans
E
ven before they arrived to campus for the 2011-12 school year, a trio of Waynesburg University football
standouts received perhaps the highest praise of their respective gridiron careers. Seniors Darryl Moore, Jr. and Sean Hunt, along with junior Adam Moses, were all lauded as preseason All-Americans by various websites and publications. Moore was named a 2011 preseason All-American by Beyond Sports Network, which features athletes from NCAA Division I FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA schools across the country. The native of Boardman, Ohio, practically lived in opposing backfields as he racked up 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks last season. Hunt was listed amongst the absolute best in Division III as a first-team AllAmerican cornerback by Consensus Draft Services. The Coroapolis native ended the 2010 season ranked eighth in all of Division III with eight interceptions, one of which he ran back for a touchdown. His 14 passes defended was the second highest total in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC). Moses was given the nod as a first-team preseason All-American selection by Lindy’s magazine after leading the Yellow Jackets in catches (37) and touchdown catches (7), while piling up 431 receiving yards last season.