Valley: Lebanon Valley College Magazine (Spring 2008)

2008·15.3 MB·

by  Lebanon Valley College

Ih~Y~!ley
Vol. 22 Number 2 Spring 2008
Editorial Staff Features
Kelly Alsedek
Jasmine Ammons Bucher '97
2 Why Does College Cost So Much?
Lauren McCarrney Cusick P'08
Dr. Tom Hanrahan By Laura Wood
Find out why the cost oft uition, room, and
Writers/Contributors
board at American colleges and universities has
Jasmine Ammons Bucher '97
Lauren McCarrney Cusick P'08 risen in recent years, how some LV C students
Marie Cusick '08 manage to pay for it, and why most people
Jayanne Hogate Hayward '0 1
think a college education is still worth the price.
Pat Huggins
Christine Brandt Little
Natalie Hope McDonald '97
Lori Myers
Cindy Progin '04
Dr. Susan Verhoek -~"··
Anita Williams, Class Notes 12 A Conversation with Rick Beard
Laura Wood ....
Ryan Zvorsky '09 •, "·. .- ' I By Pat Huggins
~. I' A local writer speaks with Athletic Director
Designer Rick Beard '90, M'92 about his transition into
Tom Castanzo -.~
the position and his plans for athletics at LVC
Primo 106 Marketing
Communicarons, Inc.
I j
Production Manager
'
Kelly Alsedek " .
Photography
Matthew Lester
14 Creative Strategies: Supporting
Send comments or address changes to:
Science Research and Equipment
Office of College Relations
Laughlin Hall By Lauren McCartney Cusick P'08
Lebanon Valley College Running a college chemistry department
101 Norrh College Avenue
requires lots ofc reative thinking- not only
Annville, PA 17003-1400
to come up with great research projects for
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone] students, but also to find the equipment and
E-mail: [email protected]
fonds to support it.
E-mail: [email protected]
The Valley is published by Lebanon Departments
Valley College and is distributed
without charge to alumni and friends. 16 Valley News
In the foll2007 issue of
The deadline for submission of infor The Valley magazine, we 22 Class News & Notes
mation for The Valley is approximately incorrectly published a
41 In Memoriam
five months prior to being received photo ofD r. June Eby Herr
by its readership. Class Notes news '34 with the obituary of
received after the deadline will be
Kathryn Nisley Herr '25.
included in the next issue of the
To the right is the photo of
magazine.
Kathryn that should have
appeared.
ft: Primed on paper containing 30 percent
'-tl posrconsumer content.
SPRING 2008
BY LAURA WOOD
Why is college so expensive? Is it worth it? These are questions young
people, their families, and even Congress are asking as the cost of
higher education continues to rise each year. Given the price of a
college education- up to $50,000 or more at some institutions,
"it's no wonder that families and students are asking a lot more
questions," said William}. Brown Jr. '79, LVC's vice president of
enrollment, who oversees financial aid and admission.
The "sticker" price at LVC for the
2008-09 year is $3 7, 110 for tuition,
LVC students have access to
advanced technology laboratories full board, and a standard room.
as well as traditional classrooms. But most LVC students don't pay
that price. About 98 percent ofLVC
students receive financial aid based
on merit or need. With an average
aid package of just under $11,000,
many students will see their final
bills come down to a more manage-
2 THE VALLEY
S)e OJ
oru..douaJilS----t
How I Paid for College
able $26,110. Bur paying for it remains a
JILL BRADER '08
challenge.
"The American public still loves higher
Giving advice appears to be an inborn ing layout, graphic design, and writing.
education and most want it for their chil
talent. Some people are meant to give Brader has been able to pursue her pas
dren," said Don Francis, president of the
while others are meant to receive. sion thanks to a combination of scholar
Association of Independent Colleges and
LVC senior Jill Brader fits comfortably ships and family funds.
Universities of Pennsylvania, "but they
into the advice-giving category. Earlier To help pay for her college education,
think we're too expensive. And they have
this year, Brader and a friend came up she annually receives a $6,781 LVC Achi
with the idea of writing a newspaper evement Award, guaranteed to students very little understanding of how we are
advice column for a project in their jour in the top 30 percent of their high school financed and how much we really cost.
nalism class. On the insistence of their class. and a $3,000 scholarship from "They think the tuition paid at the
professor, the idea became a reality as Rodale Press, her mother's employer. public or private college or university is
"Take It or Leave It," a weekly column The remainder is paid for by income from too much to pay for an education. They
in the College's newspaper, La Vie summer jobs, campus employment, con don't really understand that the tuition
Collegienne. tributions from her parents, and the gen is subsidized with dollars from the state
At first Brader was nervous about erosity of her grandfather.
and federal governments, donors, and
appearing to be a know-it-all. But Bob Brader, who works nine hours per week
endowment earnings to pay the true cost
Vucic, the newspaper's advisor and an for the College's publications office, will
of the education ... they are getting a
adjunct instructor in English, insisted graduate this year practically debt-free.
great bargain because the cost is actually
that she and Kasey Arnold '08 put their She has only a $5,000 Stafford Loan to
much higher than they think."
names on the column. repay. It's fair to say she has received
Now, there's no turning back. They a lot of bang for her buck. In addition to Lebanon Valley College President
may not be know-it-ails, but they are writing her column and editing the "Per Stephen C. MacDonald, whose son
definitely know-it-somethings, having spectives" section in the newspaper, John, is a recent college graduate, under
skillfully navigated questions about room Brader has been captain of the swim stands both sides of the issue very well.
mate problems, money woes, college team, vice president of the rugby club for As a college president, he must provide
romance, and "senioritis:· The column is three years, and during the spring semes students with an affordable, high-quality
a big hit. ter, had a design internship at Whitaker college education; as a parent, he's had to
"It's been a really fun experience:· said Center in Harrisburg. She was also a lay
foot the bill. "We know that paying the
Brader, a digital communications major out editor for the yearbook.
cost of a private higher education represents
from Allentown. She enjoys everything She recently finished her final season
a burden for our students, and that is why
related to the publishing business, includ- on the swim team. "It's a little bit sad;'
the largest single item in our annual bud
she said. Brader has been involved in
get is the money we devote to financial
competitive swimming since she was in
aid," he said. "In the current academic
sixth grade.
The women's rugby club made it to year, LVC will provide more than $18
the playoffs this year for the first time million in institutional funds to our stu
since 2002. Brader never played the sport dents in the form of scholarships."
before she came to LVC. "I've grown to
love rugby because it's so competitive
LVC Rated #1 in the North in "Great
and it's just been fun to learn a new game;·
she said. Schools. Great Prices"
Brader hopes to get a job in magazine
Efforts to control costs at the Valley
publishing next year-or, who knows?
while still providing students with excel
become the next "Dear Abby" for a
lent academics-have won national rec
newspaper. In a recent column, Brader
gave advice to a student grappling with ognition. The College was rated number
the restlessness of senior year. "Don't one in the North in the "Great Schools,
skip classes;· she advised. "Enjoy the Great Prices" category among "Best
time you have left here and make the Baccalaureate Colleges" in US.News &
most of it." That's advice she intends to World Report's 2008 edition of the book,
follow herself. America's Best Colleges.
President Stephen C. MacDonald chats with
elementary education majors Charlie Fisher '09
and Emily Ross '08 in Lynch Memorial Hall.
important now that the average student
nationwide takes six years to graduate. At
LVC, the vast majority of students earn
their degrees in four years. The Valley has
one of the highest (top 3 percent) grad
uation rates in its category according to
America's Best Colleges.
MacDonald and the Board ofTrustees
regularly review LVC's tuition and fees to
make sure they are competitive with simi
lar institutions. In a major affordability
Scholarship Guarantee to Top Students a national trendsetter in the move to re
study conducted by the College two years
ward and encourage high school students'
The College's unique Presidential
ago, LVC was ranked the fourth lowest
academic excellence.
Scholarship program assures the top 30
in tuition and fees among 11 compara
percent of graduating high school seniors
bly sized private liberal arts colleges in
that they will be rewarded for their efforts Graduate on Time or It's Free Pennsylvania, such as Elizabethtown Col
with guaranteed tuition breaks ranging
In addition to its merit-based scholar lege and Susquehanna University. In that
from 25 to 50 percent, according to their
ship program, the College has a long same study, the College was ranked as the
class rank and other factors. [See box).
standing graduation guarantee. LVC fourth highest to meet the demonstrated
"We are unique in guaranteeing a scholar
promises that students who meet all of financial need of its undergr~duates-de­
ship based on high school performance,"
the academic requirements of their majors spite having a far lower endowment than
MacDonald pointed out. In fact, LVC
will graduate in four years-or else they many other colleges.
pioneered the return to achievement
can finish their education here tuition
based scholarships in 1991, and became
free. That graduation guarantee is especially
• • Presidential Scholarships at LVC are guaranteed to student applicants in the top 30
lVC Merit-based Scholarship Program
percent of their high school class. If a student's class rank moves up or down at the
end of the student's senior year in high school, so may the scholarship.
Vickroy Award Leadership Award Achievement Award
• One-half tuition scholarship (50%), value • One-third tuition scholarship (33%), value • One-quarter tuition scholarship (25%),
for 2008-2009 = $14,325 for 2008-2009 = $9,550 value for 2008-2009 = $7,163
• Awarded to high school seniors graduating • Awarded to high school seniors graduating • Awarded to high school seniors gradu
in the top 10% of their class in the top 20% of their class ating in the top 30% of their class
• Retention requirements: 2.75 semester • Retention requirements: 2.50 semester • Retention requirements: 2.25 semester
GPA freshman year; 3.00 semester GPA GPA freshman year; 2.75 semester GPA GPA freshman year; 2.50 semester GPA
all remaining years all remaining years all remaining years
Students who rank outside the top 10% of their high school class or who attend a high school that does not rank, but have a combined Critical
Reading and Math SAT score of 1100 or ACT composite score of 24, will be invited to interview for one of the Presidential Scholarships.
Students who complete the admission process are automatically considered for the scholarships. There is no separate application; however, to
ensure full consideration, the admissions process must be completed by May 1.
SPRING 2008 5
College Graduates Earn More College graduates earn, Medical School study published this
spring found that Americans with more
There's no doubt that college degrees on average, nearly $1
than 12 years of education can expect to
are worth all the effort and expense.
million dollars more in live to 82, seven years longer than high
Graduates earn, on average, nearly $1
school graduates. The longer life expec
million dollars more in their lifetimes
their Ufetimes than those tancy is attributed to fewer deaths from
than those without higher education
smoking-related diseases, but also to a
degrees according to a recent report from without higher education
higher income, which gives those with
the U.S. Census Bureau. "The average
degrees ... more education access to safer neighbor
holder of a bachelor's degree earns twice
hoods and better health care.
the lifetime earnings of a high school
dropout. Advanced degree holders earn
more than three times as much ... so economy continues to change. The lib Rich. Rewarding life
education really pays off," said U.S. Sec eral arts education, with its emphasis on
But perhaps the greatest benefits of
retary of Labor Elaine L. Chao in a recent critical thinking, careful analysis, and cre
higher education are intangible. "Edu
speech. ativity, primes people to be agile in their
cational experience broadens horizons,
The financial payoff for our country careers as well as to create the goods and
makes one consider other points of view,
is also huge. Colleges like LVC strive to services the world will want.
enlarges perception, and develops habits
develop students with the skills to adapt College graduates can look forward
of thought and questioning that allow a
throughout their lifetimes as the world to long and healthy careers. A Harvard
JARED PITT '08
When Jared Pitt was a boy, he was often in the Sixteen hours a week, he is employed as a
woods behind his house in New Jersey looking for veterinary assistant at Annville-Cleona Veterinary
woodchucks, garter snakes, and turtles. It seemed Associates for $8 an hour. There he draws blood,
there was no animal that failed to inspire his interest. administers vaccines, and restrains animals. It's not
When a stray cat gave birth to a litter under the everyone's idea of fun, but Pitt is in his element.
hood of the family car, Pitt was thrilled. He decided He's also mixed solutions for LVC's Biology
early on he wanted to be a paleontologist, but Department, and worked as a Saturday-night boun
changed his mind in second grade after realizing cer at LVC's Underground in the Mund College
the potential for studying live specimens was frus Center. In the summer, he works for an animal or
tratingly small. phanage near his home in West Berlin, N.J.
He decided to be a veterinarian instead. When Pitt was deciding on a college four years
Pitt's dream has remained unchanged, and he ago, he narrowed his choices to Rutgers, the State
is now a senior biology major at Lebanon Valley University of New Jersey, or LVC. He ended up in
College, hoping to attend veterinary school a year Annville because he "liked the fact that it was a
after he graduates. Hard work and scholarships from small, beautiful campus:· Also, he said, "It didn't
LVC have made the fulfillment of his ambitions pos seem like a really big party school."
sible. Completing a biology major is a lot of work, so the
Pitt is the recipient of an annual $7,500 Multicul relative quiet of LVC has been a big plus. Veterinary
tural Fellowship. He received a half-tuition Vickroy school will be another four years of study and, if all
Scholarship and has taken out about $17,000 goes well, of scholarships and loans. Fortunately,
in federally-subsidized Stafford Loans. His the financial burden of attending LVC has not been
mother has paid tuition bills ranging from so great he can't handle these future expenses. His
$5,000 to $10,000 each of his four years. dream of caring for the world's animals in a veteri
Pitt, who lives off campus to save money, nary business somewhere not too far from home is
makes up the difference by doing assorted closer by the day.
jobs on and around campus and by working
in the summer.
Keeping Tuition in Line
Tuition, fees, room, and board charges
at LVC have been rising 4.5 to 5.5 percent
annually in recent years, said Deborah
Fullam '81, LVC's vice president and
controller. This is well below the historic
average for college tuition increases in the
United States over the past 50 years. Over
that period, tuition increased annually an
average of 8 percent nationally.
Colleges must constantly struggle to
keep tuition within the range of compet
ing institutions. "We're very driven by
market forces," said Fullam. The level of
competition among providers of higher
education is one of the greatest benefits for
the consumer; a free and diverse market is
in the interest of every buyer.
"A college is like a traditional business
in some respects, but quite different in
others," said MacDonald. "Like any other
business, we operate in a fiercely competi
tive market. Many other coUeges and
universities are vying for the same 'cus
tomers' and we all have to advertise and
market ourselves if we wish to attract
students in the number and of the qualiry
we require.
"But, some of the things we do are very
The Coffee Bar, funded
different from what happens in a classic
in Lynch Memorial Hall h4s become ll
popular spot where stutlents, ftZCU/ty, and market economy," he added. "For exam
staffg ather. ple, we refuse to sell our services to some
people even if they are willing to pay us
full price. We do this when we deny an
person to lead a much richer, rewarding With a little research, students can
applicant admission to the College. And
life. Too often we allow hostile media, compare the cost of attending LVC to
we give money to different 'customers' in
government officials, or parents to put us other colleges and begin to understand
order to encourage them to buy our ser
on the defensive about our costs. I believe the complex realities behind that tuition
vices. We do this when we award scholar
the personal benefit from a good college bill. OfLVC's entire $39.2 million op
ships."
education is worth far more than the erating expenses in 2007, $26.3 million
Kendra M. Feigert, director of finan
price we charge," Francis said. or-77 percent-came from tuition and
cial aid, spends time talking to families
Lebanon Valley College spent more fees. "We also rely on room-and-board
about scholarships and their options for
than $15 million or nearly 40 percent revenue, earnings from our endowment,
financing a college education. "We do a
of its entire 2007 operating budget on earnings on investments, gifts, and earn
lot of counseling. We keep a pretry close
instruction, which included instructional ings on so-called auxiliary enterprises
communication with our families," she
materials and equipment as well as sala like the bookstore and the Arnold Sports
said. "We're a smaller school so we're able
ries for professors and instructors; $3.2 Center to cover the difference between
to do that. We have an open-door policy
million, or 8 percent, on student services; what a student pays in tuition and what
so pretry much anybody can come in
and $6.4 million, or 16 percent, on ad it actually costs to deliver that education
and sit down and talk to us to explore all
ministrative expenses. to the students," said MacDonald.
available options."
SPRING 2008 7
How I Paid for College
Investing in Faculty and Technology
RACHEL MINGLE '09
There is no mystery as to why tuition
increases do not correspond to the general
The Roaring Spring Department Store She also receives $3,500 a year from
inflation rate. The costs of running a col
has been in the same family for three non-LVC scholarships. This year, she is
lege do not mirror the Consumer Price
generations. It's also been in business working as a resident assistant in Silver
Index, but are subject to unique inflation
without interruption for 144 years. When Hall for which her room fee is paid by the
ary pressures. At LVC, the single greatest
customers go there to buy furniture, College.
budgetary priority is the faculty. "Higher
household utensils, and clothes, they're Last summer, Mingle worked in the
supporting one of the longest-lived inde College Advancement Office, and when education at a small, private institution is
pendent businesses in Pennsylvania. she's home, she helps out in the family very labor intensive," said Fullam. Unlike
Unwittingly, they're also contributing store. This summer, she'll earn about less expensive universities that employ
to Rachel Mingle's education at Lebanon $3,000 as a live-in nanny in North Carolina. graduate students to teach courses, LVC
Valley College, where she is a junior major Mingle hopes to get a job as a music maintains a full-time teacher/full-time
ing in music education. Like many LVC teacher soon out of college, which will student ratio of 16 to one by using only
students, she pays her tuition bill by cob help pay off $11,612 in federally-subsi
professors rather than graduate students to
bling together funds from a variety of dized and unsubsidized Stafford Loans.
teach. Students and faculty alike treasure
sources, including the department store Her debt burden should be lighter than
the relationships they develop in small
her parents run. the average LVC student, who graduates
classes. Students are not overlooked; many
The store has helped put Mingle, her with about $27,000 in federal and private
develop lifelong friendships with their
brother, and two sisters through college. loans, which is about the national average.
professors.
That's a lot of mattresses, sweaters, All in all, Mingle's expenses are less
paint, and toasters. than those of her brother, Benjamin, Not only does the College consider it
Fortunately, due to the scholarships who's a sophomore at Penn State. "He's a sound business practice to keep faculty
Mingle has received at LVC, the burden actually paying more than I am because salaries increasing at or above the rate of
for her education has been relatively light. I have so much in aid and scholarships," inflation, but it also must bear increases
LVC guarantees scholarships to the top she said. in the cost of benefits that significantly
30 percent of high school graduates. Mingle, who sings in the concert, exceed the inflation rate. Medical ben
Mingle, who was in the top 10 percent chamber, and gospel choirs, is glad she efits have gone up significantly in recent
of her class, knew she qualified for LVC's chose LVC-and not just for financial rea
years, said Fullam.
Vickroy Scholarship before she was even sons. "The atmosphere is really warm
Some areas of the budget have seen
accepted. It has paid half of her tuition and inviting. I love the fact that when I
even more dramatic increases over the
every year. walk across campus, I know almost
last 20 years, most notably the costs of
every single person I see;· she said.
maintaining the latest information tech
To someone who has lived all her life
in Roaring Spring, 20 minutes from nology on campus. That means upgrad
Altoona, Annville and the intimacy of ing and introducing new software and
LVC seem right. providing new technology, such as the
She also loves the high ratio of teach 1998 introduction of swipe cards used by
ers to students. "It's a good environment students to buy meals, check out library
to learn in. Every teacher knows every books, use the sports center, and enter
one of their students on a first-name
buildings. All residence halls will have
basis. You can ask a question and not be
this safer, keyless entry system installed
afraid. I get a lot more out of education
by the end of this year.
when I can identify with the instructor."
Another recent technology improve
ment is the College's new student and
staff portal, unveiled last August. It acts
like an alternate web site within the Col
lege that gives students and staff easy
entrance to AccessLVC, Blackboard, and
the library, as well as to their e-mail and
documents, without having to sign in
repeatedly. The portal also provides im
portant announcements, and lists daily