Valley: Lebanon Valley College Magazine (Fall 2006)

2006·12.4 MB·

by  Lebanon Valley College

Ih~OY.glley
Vol. 24 Number 1 Fall2006
Editor:
Dr. Tom Hanrahan Features
Writers/Contributors:
2 Practicing What We Teach
Jasmine Ammons Bucher '97
Lauren McCartney Cusick By Mary Beth Hower
Dr. Tom Hanrahan Media stories often portray college students
Mary Beth Hower
as self-indulgent and irresponsible. These
Pat Huggins
LVC students respectfully disagree with
Kenya McCullum
Cindy Progin '04 that common misperception.
Dr. Susan Verhoek
Anita Williams
7 Katrina Relief: A Firsthand Perspective
Design:
By Cindy Progin '04
Momentum Communications
A bus load of 19 L VC volunteers were shocked
Production Manager: and inspired when they traveled to Louisiana to
Kelly Alsedek help in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Photography:
10 A Work in Progress:
Kelly Alsedek
Jasmine Ammons Bucher '97 The Neidig-Garber Science Center
Vicki Cantrell '99
The $18.4 million Neidig-Garber Science Center
Mike Crabb Photography
transformation has begun. View pictures oft he
Stuart Leask
Shawnalee Miller first stages of work here and on our web site
Ann Pinca ( www.lvc. edu/science).
Cindy Progin '04
LaRue Troutman
Departments
30 In Harmony, On Message
Send comments or address changes to: By Lauren McCartney Cusick
Office of College Relations 12 Valley News
What a long, strange trip it's been: joe Frazier
Laughlin Hall
Lebanon Valley College recounts his start as a singer performing with 24 Class News & Notes
101 North College Avenue The Chad Mitchell Trio and john Denver to his
39 In Memoriam
Annville, PA 17003-1400 current role as an Episcopal priest.
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail: [email protected]
The Valley is published by Lebanon
(1. tor.): Dan Kelly '07, Rachel Maurer '07, Kris Miller '08, Holly Sallade '08, Joe Tomtishen
Valley College and is distributed
without charge to alumni and friends. '08, Allie Wiegand '09, Chrissy Garrison '10, Rob Celentano '09, and Paige Callan '07 (front,
sitting) represent the members of the LVC football team and Servants for Christ. Dr. Stephen C.
The Valley is produced approximately MacDonald, LVC president, awarded the two groups with the President's Award earlier this year.
five months prior to being received The award is given to student groups "exemplifying the achievements, character, and leadership
by its readership. Class Notes news shown by the early leaders of the College."
received after production has begun
will be included in the next issue of Inside Cover: Bryce Gabler '07, a biology major from Shippensburg (left), and William Verdon
the magazine. '07, an elementary education major from Annville, started their 2006 summer break by helping
others through the Appalachia Service Project in West Virginia.
Editor's Note: Thomas G. Myers '83, vice president of High Point Safety in Red Bank, N.J., was
incorrectly identified in the Class Notes section of the spring 2006 Valley (p. 21). Myers has just
begun a term as elected president of the Casual Actuarial Society, the highest honor in the industry,
and will be highlighted in the February, 2007 President's Report. The photograph of classmate
Thomas Zimmerman '83, a partner at Conrad Siegel Actuaries in Harrisburg, was used instead.
FALL 2006
• •
)
,.....
What We
By Mary Beth Hower
From retirement communities to flood-stricken towns, LVC students
pulled on their gloves and pitched in to help those in need.
ne evening last fall, class president Elwood Brandt '08 and a
small group of students knocked on every door in every
residence hall. Their goal was to collect funds for Hurricane
Katrina relief Lebanon Valley College students responded generously.
The one-night collection netted $1,000. But Brandt and the Class of 2008's executive
board did not stop with door-to-door canvassing. They also organized their class to donate
proceeds from working at The Underground in the Mund College Center. They fielded
takeout orders on the phone, worked the grill, and delivered food to students in their
rooms. Even though the effort brought in only $50 more, Brandt was pleased. "Every
little bit helps. Our money could be used to buy a couple of new appliances for someone,
to be put toward a new roof, or to help fix a wall."
Hurricane Katrina prompted many students to brainstorm for ways to help. But even
without that storm surge of giving, LVC's long tradition of community service has never
been stronger than it is today.
2 THE VALLEY
During the 2005-06 academic year,
students completed 17,648 hours of
COMMUNITY SERVICE,
equal to $318,378.94.
More than 40 LVC student
organizations and athletic
teams participated in
projects that included
support for cancer research
(Relay for Life, top left
and immediate /eft),
environmental improvement
{Quittie Park cleanup,
top center), and building
homes for the less fortunate
(Appalachia Service Project,
top right).
FALL 2006 3
both personally and professionally. She
used her experience as a music recording
technology major and as president of the
Audio Engineering Society (AES) to put
together a relief concert at the Valley in
November 2005 that brought in $445
for Katrina victims. "People were excited
to come out and have fun and, at the
same time, support Katrina relief efforts.
Concerts are usually well attended on
campus," she points out, and she should
know. Before organizing the Katrina
benefit, she helped run two other
successful concerts during Relay for Life,
an American Cancer Society event. AES
members and numerous other students
helped, too.
For Katrina relief, the successful ideas
kept coming from all over campus-over
15 projects were adopted and completed.
The Psychology Club raised books, not
money, and sent over 2,000 volumes to
Two years ago, Eugene "Gene" communications; and Dr. Kathryn Gulf Coast libraries. Hallmark Dining
Kelly '01 began to track student service Oriel, assistant professor of physical Services contributed the cost of a Sept. 24
hours closely as part of his role as assistant therapy, challenged students to increase meal from anyone willing to sign one
director of student activities and student their community service hours by 30 per away. Over 800 students and staff did just
development. During the 2004-05 cent, to 17,000 hours. That's more than that. One student, Jenna Sloan '07,
academic year, students completed 10 hours for each of the 1,600 students donated her tips from a weekend of
12,801 hours of community service, on campus. Students responded enthu waitressing at The Hershey Pantry.
equal to $224,657.55 worth of service siastically to the aggressive goal, logging Impressed by her generosity, her employer
to the local community. The students 17,648.5 hours throughout the 2005-06 matched her earnings, for a total
represented 42 organizations, athletic academic year, equal to $318,378.94. donation of $240. In all, students gave
teams, special interest residence One reason Brandt participates in over $7,500 to the American Red Cross
communities, and campus-wide volunteer projects is that both of his for Katrina relie£
planning committees. main extracurricular activities-student
According to national standards, government and the men's music
volunteer time was valued at $17.5 5 fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
per hour during 2004, so the dollar value require community service. But more
of the students' time was calculated by importantly, Brandt, like many students,
multiplying their nearly 13,000 hours volunteers because it's meaningful to him.
by that hourly rate. "We went door-to-door for Katrina
Then, last year, the newly formed relief because we wanted to help,"
faculty/staffTask Force on Service and Brandt said. "We try as a class to plan
Service-Learning set the bar significantly at least one fund-raiser a year where the
higher. The group, comprised of Kelly, proceeds go to a charity and not to us.
the Rev. Dr. Paul Fullmer, chaplain; There's a peace of mind and a great sense
Dr. Christopher Brazfield, associate of satisfaction when you accomplish
professor of mathematical sciences; something and know that you did a
Dr. Philip Blatt, assistant professor of good thing."
Some LVC students spent four days in the
physical therapy; Dr. Grant Taylor, Amanda Marsteller '06 has Appa/4chian Mountains during spring break
assistant professor of art and digital found a way to give that is satisfYing to help transform an old school house into a
retreat center.
4 THE VALLEY
Each year, as part of the College's Oneida, N.Y., helping transform an old
annual Founders Day ceremony, school house into a retreat center. On
President Stephen MacDonald another occasion, more than 20 students
recognizes students who demonstrate traveled to West Virginia after finals
good moral character, leadership on and spent one week in the Appalachian
campus and in the community, concern Mountains constructing a center to house
for cooperative living on campus, and volunteers who come to work in the
community service. Last year, the honor poverty-stricken area. The students put
went to Servants of Christ (SOC) and on a roof, a partial second floor, and a
the football team. garage during their stay.
As president of SOC, Stephanie When speaking of the trip to West
Whitmore '07 leads a multitude of Virginia, Whitmore expressed pride
volunteer projects. Her group builds in the accomplishments of her fellow
with Habitat for Humanity, visits local students and the attitudes they brought
nursing homes, and organizes food and to each day. "There were 22 college
clothing drives-just to name a few students who gave up their first week of Dave Zimmerman '07, a member oft he LVCf ootball
efforts. The group logged 144 volunteer summer break to work from 8 a.m. until team, made a friend for life at a retirement
hours during November 2005, more 4 or 5 in the evening, and we enjoyed community in Annville. Dave and his teammates
completed 1,728 hours ofs ervice in 2005-2006.
than any other organization that month, every moment of it," she said.
and a total of 1,332 hours of service for The football team participated in
the event required. The day drew strong
the year. SOC's 35 members represent numerous service projects, including
student support; 35 teams (each averaging -
different majors, class years, and interests. helping to landscape the campus grounds
15-20 people) worked to raise funds
One thing they do have in common is in preparation for President McDonald's
and walk the track during the relay.
the willingness to lend a hand wherever inauguration and visiting the elderly at
Anastasia Geisler '07 provided a
it is needed. "We don't just handle projects Annville's Kindred Place. One of the
personal touch by talking to the crowd
that are convenient," said Whitmore. football team's largest service projects was
about dealing with her own cancer
"We go into the surrounding community helping with the College's annual Relay
diagnosis and chemotherapy, while her
and out of state." for Life. The team completed 1,728
friend Adrianne Mezzino '07 spoke
One of those out-of-state trips hours of service by assisting with
about her experience of having a friend
occurred during spring break, when a a sports memorabilia auction as well as
with cancer. The Relay was a huge
number of students spent four days in the setup, moving, and cleaning that
success, netting nearly $25,000 for the
American Cancer Society.
"There are two reasons why it's
important for students to engage in
community service while at LVC," said
Kelly. "The first is that it has a positive
effect on areas that we seek to impact
while at College." He quotes from a study
by the Higher Education Research Institute
that claims, "Participating in service during
the undergraduate years substantially
/
increases the student's academic development,
life skill development, and sense of civic
responsibility." Kelly added that "it
also helps create a sense of community
interdependence here in Lebanon
County, because our LVC community
works alongside members of the local
Howard Frankel '06 signs the
area to effect positive change."
American Cancer Society's Wall of
Hope during March's Relay for Life
event held in the Arnold Sports Center.
FALL 2006 5
For more than a decade, LVC students have helped to beautifY and maintain Annville's Quittie Creek Nature Park under
the guidance ofD r. David Lasky, professor emeritus ofp sychology, and Dr. Lou Laguna, associate professor ofp sychology.
Members of this year's group were joined by Laurel Martin, head field hockey coach (far right).
For more than 10 years, students have explained that the drives were held on Patrol, and Lifesavers (a railroad safety
helped beautify and maintain Annville's campus three times during the past organization), the focus grew to include
Quittie Creek Nature Park. Dr. Lou year, and that this year, for the first about 150 children. APO is planning to
Laguna, professor of psychology, has time, LVC won an award in the Central hold another Community Safety Day
been organizing work days at the Quittie Pennsylvania Blood Bank's College during the 2006-07 academic year.
for the past five years. There are usually Challenge. "It's a simple process and "''ve been involved with volunteer
two cleanup projects per year, one in a great way to give back to the commu work all my life," said Carter, who
the spring and one in the fall. Twenty nity," said Carter. participated in the National Honor
to 50 student volunteers come from APO also hosted a very successful Society in high school, served in her
many campus organizations, as well as Community Safety Day in the fall. church's handicapped program, and
sports teams and clubs, and are joined Children, aged 2 to 12, came to campus directed a community theater company
by LVC faculty and staff. They clean up for games, food, fun, and a chance to in her hometown ofWest Bedford,
trash, pull weeds, spread mulch on the learn about fire and general safety. The N.J. "It's a great experience to be part
foot trails, and plant shrubs along the idea came about when APO applied of something that gives back to other
stream banks to prevent erosion. "It is an for a youth service grant from the APO people."
important project," Laguna said, "because national office. At that time, the group
park maintenance is accomplished almost was planning a much smaller event Mary Beth Hower Is a freelance writer
from Lebanon. She Is the former director
entirely by volunteers." centered on bike safety. But after work
of media relations for LVC and currently
The service fraternity Alpha Phi ing with the Annville Police Department serves as advisor to the Qulttapahllla
Omega (APO) also works to benefit the and contacting organizations such as yearbook staff.
community with its annual blood drives. the Lebanon Ambulance Corps., the
Sarah Carter '07, chair of the event, Annville Fire Department, the Civil Air
6 THEVALLEY
A Firsthand Perspective
By Cindy Progin '04
Black Team 5 members, representing LVC faculty and staff, were (!. to r.) Black Team 4 members, also representing LVC faculty and staff, were
Joy Albright, Todd Gamble '98, Donna Brown, Sue Sarisky '92, William J (1. to r.) Donna Miller, Dr. Stephen C. MacDonald (LVC president),
Brown Jr. '79, LaRue Troutman, Jeff Snyder, Shawnalee "Shawn" Miller, Bob Riley, Ashley Morgan, Tami Morgan, Andy Greene, Cindy Progin
and Vicki Cantrell '99. They were joined by Tjler Scott {second from right) '04, Dr. Allan Wolfe, Monica Cisneros, and Ann Pinca.
and Delbert Scott (far right), a father-son team from Lebanon, Oregon.
H
ard work. Tattered homes. of Virginia, the flatlands of the Mississippi 14-person, Army-green tents, females
Heat. Humidity. Sweat. delta, and finally, over the massive blue on the left, males on the right. A white
Exhaustion. We all had waters of Lake Pontchartrain near New canvas-like material covered the mess
preconceived ideas of what Orleans. We were headed to St. Bernard hall. The showers were in trailers, and a
we would face while gutting houses in Parish to help our Louisiana neighbors string of less-than-modern options served
one of the most hurricane-ravaged areas who were devastated by Hurricane as toilets.
of Louisiana. But we were completely Katrina on Aug. 29, 2005, nearly nine On Sunday evening, many of us took
unprepared for the scale of the devastation months earlier. a walk through the nearly abandoned
we would encounter. We would find Camp Premier, the FEMA-run base neighborhood across the street from the
ourselves in foreign territory. camp, would be our home for the next camp. But even that failed to prepare us
It all began on Saturday, May 20, five days. Although young AmeriCorps for the depth of destruction we faced on
when 19 of us, mostly LVC staff, gathered volunteers lived there in tents and Monday after a short bus ride landed us
at the College's Heilman Center for the coordinated the hurricane cleanup, at our assigned neighborhood. We stood
22-hour ride to Chalmette, La. After a Camp Premier was set up and run like in silent awe to take it in: shell-shocked
send-off from family and friends, we a military camp, cordoned off by a fence houses with broken windows and crum
were on our way through the rolling hills and guarded by security personnel. No pled doors, debris-strewn roofs still bearing
of Pennsylvania, the majestic mountains photos were allowed. We were housed in the high-water mark, and overturned cars
FALL 2006 7
i1l
I
"' ........ -- _.......:L;
We saw no anger, only appreciation for our help.
We saw no bitterness, only REGRET FOR THINGS LOST.
We saw no apathy, only a resolve to move forward.
William Brown Jr. '79, dean of
admission andf inancial aid, seals
a freezer so that it can be tossed out
with the family's other belongings.
Todd Gamble '98 (left), information
technology services, prepares to help
Dean Brown.