10.09.14 Yellow Jacket

Page 1

HOMECOMING 2014

Welcome home, Alumni

OCTOBER 9, 2014 | VOL. 92 NO. 5 | THEYELLOWJACKET.ORG

STUDENT PRODUCED SINCE 1924

Facelift in Miller creates more usable space Alumni Hall receives new carpet, lighting; more to come By JENNY SCHOUPPE Convergence Editor

Renovations are underway in one of the most historical buildings on Waynesburg University’s campus. Miller Hall, specifically Alumni Hall, has received a

facelift this semester and the overhaul has only begun. Alumni Hall, the large gathering room on the third floor of Miller Hall, has received mostly cosmetic updates so far. The older, worn carpet has been replaced with a lavish maroon carpet with navy blue and gold circle design. The dim ceiling lights have also been replaced with brighter, modern lights. Though updates have been made to the area, the historical architecture, such as the large stained glass windows, remain

in the hall. “The changes really dress up the room,” said Douglas G. Lee, university president. “It’s a really special room for the university.” Lee made sure to point out that the renovations are still not complete. As he walked around Alumni Hall, he pointed out that the large projector screen needs to still be framed in, the hanging curtains by the screen will be taken down and some of the plaster needs to be redone.

The renovations done in this room were made possible by the donations of alumni. “This entire room is a gift from alumni,” said Lee. “Their donations have allowed us to keep the room in great condition.” Alumni Hall was originally used as a chapel for many years but is now mostly used for public speakers, dinners and other large university events. Miller Hall was built in See MILLER on A4

New role designed with Poteet in mind University recommits to international integration and advancement By NICK FARRELL Executive Editor

The Rev. Carolyn Poteet knows a thing or two about international travel. Between her current passport and a now-expired passport issued in 1992, Poteet has collected stamps from exactly 40 countries. “I used to say I’ve visited a country for every year I am old,” said Poteet. She’s going to start accumulating more stamps soon — and gain the five stamps she needs to again be able to make that claim — through her new role at Waynesburg. As announced by the university in a press release Friday, Poteet will step into the newly formed position of director of international programs, leaving her post as director of Faith and Mission. In addition to the change in Poteet’s title, The Rev. Jim Tinnemeyer, director for the Center for Leadership and Christian Ministry, will become university chaplain. This change, according to Mary Cummings, vice president for Student Services, is a sign of the institution’s recommitment to a specific aspect of its strategic plan

Jenny Schouppe, Yellow Jacket

The Rev. Carolyn Poteet, Waynesburg's new director of international programs, shows off her expired passport with stamps from nearly 40 different countries. by focusing on international education through a newly developed position. “It’s a step toward dedicating a resource to some-

thing we know we need to do in our strategic plan,” said Cummings. As stated in one of the seven points in that strate-

gic plan, Waynesburg is committed to “creating global literacy and diversity” among See POTEET on A2

JACKET LIFE

An occasional series

Specialized center aids students with ‘great support service’

his staff provides. “I think there are a lot of things this office does that not It’s a place some may not many people realize that we know, but provides help to help them,” said Carr. many on campus. It is a cenAccording to Carr, the tralized place for Center for Student students to get help Success receives when their grades referrals through a become problems system that alerts or they just need him to students that some assistance are not doing well. with classes. The referrals from The Center for faculty allow Carr Student Success to determine what provides students academic resource with opportunities is best suited for Carr to receive assistance each situation. through tutoring programs, The system has students help with the writing process meet with Carr to give them and mentoring through their the opportunity to realize what time at Waynesburg. services can be provided to Brian Carr, director of Cen- help each individual student’s ter for Student Success and needs. Disability Services, leads the “There is such a wide range team that provides these pro- of issues our students are congrams, and he believes helping tending with on a daily basis,” students through many areas said Carr. “Things as basic as is just a part of the Waynes- time management and orgaburg way. nizational skills, those basic The focus for Carr is pro- executive functioning skills viding all the programs for that are paramount in a prostudent success in a central- fessional setting, sometimes ized place for all students to students aren’t equipped with receive help. them so we are helping them “Part of the Center for Stu- in some instances.” dent Success was really taking Pam Abbe, tutor coordinaresources and putting them tor and director of the Knox under one roof,” said Carr. Learning Center — Educa“We have a spot and location tional Enrichment Program, for students to know, this is also believes that students where I go to get help and get realize the great benefit they a great support service, wheth- receive by speaking up, despite er it’s tutoring or the writing hesitation to admit the need center.” for help. The Center for Student Suc“Students finely admit and cess gives students opportuni- say, ‘OK, I’ll do it,’” said Abbe. ties to get assistance in all areas “Once they do it they realize of academic life and according it painless and it’s only great.” to Carr, each part provides a One instance in which the valuable service that helps stu- Center for Student Success dents improve. helps students is the mentorThrough his work in the ing program. center, Carr has encountered Students enrolled in the many students that thought program are mandated to be they may not have needed help, are unaware what he and See SUCCESS on A4 By JOHN LYDIC

Multimedia Manager

Students, counselor Homecoming events slated for weekend share mixed emotion about nearing recess By KIMMI BASTON Managing Editor

By JACOB MEYER Managing Editor

With the university adding a fall break to the academic schedule this semester, differing opinions exist among students about the break. Some students are in favor of the fall break because they think the grind of classes and other activities from lateAugust to late-November is very difficult, as is being away from their families for that long of a period. Others are not in favor of the fall break because it shortens their Christmas

break by a week. Some students have to travel a great distance to go home, so they either have to pay more money than usual to go home, or stay on campus that week when most of their friends are away. “Incoming freshmen students’ for their first time away from home are coming in in August and they have to make it all the way to November before receiving a break,” said Mary Cummings, vice president for Student Services. “It was See BREAK on A4

Waynesburg University’s homecoming weekend always includes a variety of events for students and alumni. This year, planning the weekend posed a greater challenge than ever, since Homecoming falls on the same weekend that the university’s newly instated fall break begins. Pat Bristor, associate dean of students, said this did raise some concerns for the planning staff, which includes Theresa Butler and Emily Hoffman, chairs of the Special Events Committee for the Student Activities Board. In the end, however, Bristor hopes there will still be a large turnout. “Honestly I think there’s a

large number of students that have to be here anyway from sport teams, to cheerleading, to the band,” said Bristor. “After we thought about it, there will be a nice number of students who will be here through Friday anyway. My hope is that a lot of them will stay and support the teams and go home after the game.” Homecoming activities began on Monday, Oct. 6 with the Cram the Van kickoff. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., WCYJ-FM The Hive played music outside Benedum Dining Hall while SAB served lemonade and hosted activities. According to Bristor, the goal was “to get people aware of why the van is there and what our goal is.” The van will be parked outside of the cafeteria through Oct. 11,

and students can bring clothing and nonperishable food items to fill the donation van with. The items benefit the Salvation Army. On Tuesday, SAB hosted Sting’s Teaser in Johnson Commons. The event featured ice cream and was held to prompt students to sign up for Sting’s Gauntlet. The bulk of the Homecoming festivities begin on Thursday, Oct. 9. In the past, events were spread over the whole week, but adjustments were made to accommodate midterms. “We’ve learned over the years that when Homecoming falls on midterm week, attendance is sporadic because academics are a priority,” said Bristor. “So rather than stress the students out that attend and the ones that

have to plan, we tried to put more things on Thursday and Friday.” At 6 p.m. on Thursday, students can take part in Sting’s Gauntlet at Purman Run. According to Bristor, this event used to be a sort of mud run obstacle course. This year, it is being advertised as a “Wacky Olympics” event. Afterward, there will be a bonfire and s’mores at Purman Run, and sophomore Amelia Graves will be providing music. Friday’s dinner will be served picnic-style in Johnson Commons for students and alumni. At 7:15, the pep rally will begin, at which the cheerleaders and pep band will get students fired up for SatSee HOMECOMING on A4

INSIDE

HAUNTING IN GREENE COUNTY

A FAMILIAR OPPONENT

WU IDOL CONTINUES

Campus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . A1–A4 Region. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1, B4 Editorial/Op-ed. . . . . . . . B2 News Digest. . . . . . . . . . B3 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C1–C4 Arts & Life. . . . . . . . . . . . D1–D2 Entertainment . . . . . . . . D3–D4

Waynesburg founder Thomas Slater has been seen in the past couple years. The disturbing part is — he has been dead for decades.

When senior linebacker John Sikora takes the field at Saturday's homecoming game against Case Western Reserve, he'll know a thing or two about the Spartans.

Eight singers showed their stuff for a spot in the finale, which is scheduled for Friday in Johnson Commons.

Copyright © 2014 Waynesburg University 51 W. College St. Waynesburg, Pa. 15370

See B1

See C4

See D1


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.