November 21, 2013 | VOl. 91 NO. 11 | waynesburg.edu
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University drafts plans for leadership in ministry program Seminar will aid ministers in five areas, allow school to uphold commitment to Christian service
By Nick Farrell Executive Editor
Waynesburg University is developing a leadership program that will open doors for ministers and religious leaders in the community and elsewhere, according to the president of the institution. Douglas G. Lee, university president, announced plans to create a Center for Leadership in Christian Ministry, which will serve as a de-
velopment seminar for a small group of chosen ministers who desire to become better leaders for their congregations. Lee said Waynesburg University, a school committed to educating students on the values of faith, learning and serving, is the perfect venue for a program meant to specifically enhance servant leadership in the community. “We think this program could add a dimension that could add to the
mission in terms of people visiting and seeing what Waynesburg University is all about,” said Lee. “Really, the way I like to think about it is that it’s another opportunity for the institution to serve.” Lee noted this program is not meant to serve as a recruiting tool, but rather to increase the effectiveness of ministers who have already received other training. In addition, Lee hopes this new program will benefit the university’s
A heaping holiday helping
reputation as a leader in Christian higher education while assisting the development of more effective congregations. When Lee officially announced the development of the Center for Leadership in Christian Ministry at his Nov. 11 news conference, he stated the program will focus on strengthening the participants’ skills in five main areas. These five See Ministry on A4
Rev. Wilson to retire as Director of Christian Life
here.” Despite not intending to be in his current position For the past year and a long term, Wilson certainly half, the students and staff of has enjoyed the last year and Waynesburg University have a half. He says the commuseen Rev. Donald Wilson nity atmosphere has created lead the weekly chapel ser- long lasting memories. vices and serve as “I feel the sense director of Chrisof c om mu n it y tian Life. from the students On Dec. 15 this and the entire staff, will change, as from the president Wilson will return of the university to the Board of down through,” Trustees. said Wilson. “It has “ I ’v e f i n a l l y absolutely made come to the point the job easier and now where I can more enjoyable.” Wilson retire and do some Wi l s o n a l s o other things I want to do,” went on to say the calisaid Wilson. “I have some ber of students brought to writing I want to do, some Waynesburg has impressed travelling I want to do and him, along with how recepprobably some teaching as tive it has been to return to well.” and revive the Christian misWilson has spent his entire sion for the university. As he tenure at Waynesburg in an leaves his position, he hopes interim position. to see a few things live on. “I’ve had a long history “It has always been my goal of interims – none of which to get to know everyone and had I planned – including express interest and friendWaynesburg, but God some- ship with them,” said Wilson. times does that to you,” said “I’ve also tried to convey that Wilson. “It was never my intention to have a long tenure See Wilson on A2 By Matt Koll
For the Yellow Jacket
Abby Wernert, Yellow Jacket
Rev. Carolyn Poteet, director of Faith and Mission, delivers a plate of Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing to a group of students during the annual Thanksgiving dinner in Benedum Dining Hall. Staying true to tradition, Poteet was one of several faculty and staff members that served the meal to students.
Nursing students to Students to benefit from new loan rules return to Haiti for medical service trip By Eric Bost
Managing Editor
As seniors at Waynesburg University see one race inch closer to the end, another one is set to begin. For college and university seniors across the country, the upcoming spring semester will be their last, as they spend the rest of their collegiate careers preparing for what is in store for them in the real world. Graduates have to overcome many obstacles in the immediate months after their college life ends, among those having to pay back student loans. For students finishing college this spring, the U.S. Education Department has made changes to student loan rules
that have added regulations in order to make it easier for borrowers to avoid default and pay their loans. “The worst thing to happen on any student is to go into default on their student loan,” said Matt Stokan, director of Financial Aid. “The government does everything they can – remember all loans go through the federal government – they make every effort to make sure that students don’t go into default.” The changes were made after 600,000 federal student loan borrowers who began repaying their debts in 2010 defaulted on their loans by 2012. Almost half – 46 percent – attend for-profit colleges, like DeVry University. For-profit schools had a 22
percent average default rate, much higher than the national average of 15 percent. Waynesburg University, a four-year, non-profit university, figures in significantly under the national average at only three percent. “In [Waynesburg’s] case, we’re less than three percent on the two year rate and less than four percent on the three year rate,” said Stokan. “So that means that 96 percent of our students who go into loan repayment pay back the loan. So if you compare it to the national average of 15 percent, there’s a significant difference.” Stokan said that seniors have a six-month grace period after they graduate to find a job before the borrower goes into repayment.
They then have nine months, or 270 days, to either begin making payments on their loans or make arrangements for deferment if they are still unemployed and cannot make payments. If borrowers cannot make their payments consistently on time during that ninemonth period, they will fall into default. According to Stokan, being in default ruins a borrower's credit, among other things. “First off, you are no longer eligible for any other type of federal aid programs. Students that go back to school and apply for financial aid but are in default are not eligible for any aid,” said Stokan. “Secondly, it hurts See Loans on A2
but I don’t know if she went. She kept saying ‘so you can’t fix my yellow eyes?’ It was Professor of Nursing Dr. very sad.” Terri Small describes the From Jan. 5-10, a group of heartbreak that comes with Waynesburg University nurshaving to tell a Haitian refu- ing students and staff are takgee nothing ing on the can be done to Students from various challenge of help them. departments on campus p r o v i d i n g “ O n e medical aid will embark on domestic woman came to Haitian to the clinic and international mission refugees in two years ago trips during Thanksgiving Nassau, Bato see if we break. hamas for For more, see A3. the fourth c ou l d h e lp her with her year in a yellow eyes,” said Small. row. According to Small, “This woman was probably the refugees are extremely around 30 or 32. We didn’t grateful for even 10 Tylenol have any way to diagnose it, given to them to help them but we highly recommended her to go to a patient clinic, See Nursing on A3 By Carson Fox
Editorial Assistant
Inside
Bomb threat avoided
Fedorka lauded by pac
WU in holiday spirit
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Waynesburg Central High School reported a bomb threat. The event brought to light the new security measures the school has implemented.
Senior Brandon Fedorka was honored as the PAC Defensive Player of the Year.
The university's symphonic band and choir will collaborate for the first time when they play the sounds of Christmas in an upcoming concert.
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