Thursday, February 3, 2011
Vol. 88 No. 14
51 W. College St. Waynesburg, PA 15370
GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
New director of counseling to bring ‘ideas and vision’ By Alex Hinton Editorial Assistant Waynesburg University has hired a new director of counseling for its graduate and professional studies programs. Dr. Scott Tracy will take the place of Dr. Jim Hepburn as the new director this April. Prior to acquiring his new position as Waynes-
burg, Tracy worked as both a clinician and a counseling educator. He also had a private practice in Fayette County and worked as a school guidance counselor. “Through my work as a school counselor, I developed a passion for counseling children and adolescents, especially student athletes,” Tracy
Not so taxing:
“Getting to learn the needs of students as well as the program becomes my first priority.” Scott Tracy Director of Graduate and Professional Studies
said. He said that Waynes-
burg University’s identity as a Christian school
Students help low-income families with tax preparation
interested him in the GAPS counseling program when the position opened up. “It’s a premier program,” Tracy said. “It has a high reputation among counselors. I have the opportunity to work with a diverse and experienced faculty.” Working at a university will not be an entirely
Staff Writer The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is offering free FAFSA completion sessions throughout the month of April. The sessions will assist students and their families in completing the form, qualifying them for 2011 - 2012 financial
Waynesburg students are volunteering with Volunteers in Tax Assistance program. By Amanda Wishner
See STUDENTS on A4
assistance. “If you want to apply for financial aid, the FAFSA is the key document for federal, state and institution aid programs, so they [members of PHEAA], try to do whatever they can to encourage students and parents to complete the form,” said Director of Financial Aid See WORKSHOPS on A3
Record number to attend Merit Day
Editorial Assistant Monday, Jan. 31 marks Waynesburg University’s fifth year serving alongside the Volunteers In Tax Assistance program. Students will assist low-income, disabled or elderly families in both Greene and Washington County with their tax preparation. Melissa Heider, assistant professor of accounting, oversees the program, which works together with the Internal Revenue Service and Community Action Southwest to provide eligible families with the help they need. Twenty-four students with various majors are volunteering this year. Students are required to undergo 16 hours of training over a period of two days, as administered by an IRS agent. Volunteers
See TRACY on A3
Workshops to help students complete FAFSA scheduled By Cori Schipani
Photos courtesy of University Relations
new experience for Tracy; he was also an assistant professor and coordinator of counseling at Chatham University. During his first few months as the new director of counseling, Tracy said he hopes to look at new and innovative programs to see what he can add to Waynes-
By Sarah Bell Editorial Assistant
Eric Gray works to complete a form required by the Internal Revenue Service. Gray volunteers with VITA, which helps lowincome, disable or elderly families with tax preparation.
On Feb. 5, Waynesburg University will host prospective students for the annual Merit Day. Richard “Skip” Noftzger, senior vice president for Institutional Planning, Research and Educational Services, realizes the impact Merit Day has on the success of the University. “It is a key day for us
in terms of recruitment,” Noftzger said. “It’s not just a selection on our part to be able say we have a large pool of prospective students but another opportunity for those prospective students and their families to visit campus.” On Merit Day, on-campus organizations set up displays to attempt to appeal to the visiting stuSee SCHOLARSHIPS on A2
Obama uses social networking to encourage discussion By Sierra Shafer Op/Ed Editor Following the State of the Union address, the Obama administration hosted a series of public forums in hopes of fostering educated political discussion among young American citizens.
The Office of Public Engagement hosted the “2011 Youth Kickoff Call” with young Americans, David Plouffe, assistant to the President and senior advisor; and Assistant to the President for Special Projects Stephanie Cutter. During the call, host-
ed by Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement Kalpen Modi, Plouffe and Cutter discussed issues directly pertaining to the young listeners, including the job market, the economy, education reform and the Affordable Care Act. The Act has major
implications for young adults, namely that they will be allowed to remain on their parents’ health insurance plan until the age of 26. After Plouffe and Cutter spoke on these issues, the phone line was opened to listener questions. While President
Barack Obama did not participate in this call directly, he delivered a statement to young Americans in correlation with the week’s events. “I’ve always believed that here in America, every young person should be able to set goals and reach them,
SPORTS
ARTS & LIFE
REGION
Wrestling swept its PAC regular season schedule by beating Thiel Friday night. See Page C1
Five Times August performed at noon on Monday in Benedum Dining Hall.
Ryerson Station State Park held its sixth annual Winterfest Saturday.
INSIDE Copyright © 2010 by Waynesburg University
to discover their passions and follow them and to earn their piece of the American Dream,” Obama said via MySpace, where he delivered the address. Bringing to light many of the policies supported by his
Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A1-A4 Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B1, B4 Editorial/Op-Ed . . . . . . . . . . . . .B2, B3
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C1-C4 Arts & Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D1-D3 Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D4
See Page D1
See OBAMA on A4
See Page B1