Articles
Making good use of a week off: Senior leaves her mark
As seniors, we tend to think of spring break as our last chance to gather up a group of friends and take an unforgettable trip to an exotic island or somewhere far out of the country. For me, that was not the case.
What I have chosen was by far unforgettable, but I did not take part in relaxing by a warm, sunny beach. I chose this opportunity to become involved in changing the lives of those less fortunate.The Wolfington Center hosts an annual spring break trip that takes students to the Appalachian mountain area of West Virginia, known to us as “Project Appalachia.”
Many people confuse this service trip as “Habitat for Humanity,” but what we have experienced was beyond that. Not only did we have the chance to start rebuilding and refurbishing homes, we were able to see the lives of those affected first-hand and give them a sense of hope that their lives would be changed forever.
A group of 17 students and staff members ventured out to Montgomery, W.Va., to spend five days living at the Montgomery Presbyterian church. Tim Stewart and his wife Joan run the programs for the college students who take part on the immersion trips. The Stewarts take the time out of their day to explore the town and discover those in need of help for a better life.
During our time in West Virginia, we split into two groups working on two work sites. Everyday, each group worked hard to promote a better living for the accommodating families.
It is easy to miss the beauty in the world when we hear about poorer regions, but in our case we saw the beauty within West Virginia. lying beneath the poverty we were exposed to.
Before coming into this experience, I did not expect to come across valuable life-learning lessons. I would have to admit that this trip has been the most eye-opening experience I have ever had and a part of me wishes I would have taken the opportunity to attend this trip in my previous years at Cabrini.
Not only did we learn about the lives of those living in West Virginia, but a lot about ourselves as well. Most of us faced our fears, conquering obstacles that we never thought we could. And through it all, we all remained a team.
I have never been surrounded by such amazing and supportive people and the bond that we have made will last through the memories we all shared together.
A Day in the Life of the Phillie Phanatic
Picture this: waking up bright and early, arriving at the ballpark three and a half hours before game time, coordinating and preparing routines for the fifth and seventh inning, all while having to make time for appearances in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, at events for businesses, community days and weddings.
For us, this is no ordinary routine. But for the Phillie Phanatic, this is just a walk in the ballpark.
How is there time for the Phillie Phanatic to make appearances during the on and off season while devoting his time at the Citizens Bank Ballpark? From making appearances not just in the Greater Philadelphia area, but around the world as well, the Phanatic has roughly 560-600 appearances a year.
“You name it, the Phanatic has been to about everything,” Tom Burgoyne said.
Burgoyne, who calls himself “the best friend of the Phanatic,” has traveled everywhere from minor league to major league ballparks and has even made appearances in Japan, Australia and Europe. Burgoyne has even attended every All Star game since 1996. In his 22 years of bringing joy to the faces of Phillies fans everywhere, Burgoyne incorporates the character of the Phanatic to raise awareness in the Philadelphia area for a great cause.
Not only does the Phanatic parade around the ballpark bringing smiles to fans, but he is also part of a movement to encourage the importance of reading. Burgoyne launched the “Be a Phanatic About Reading” program to encourage kids ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade to read for 15 minutes or more a day. After they complete the program requirements, the kids fill out Phanatic-themed sheets to campaign for the mascot to visit the top 20-30 schools each year that participated in the program. The schools selected host a group reading assembly with the mascot.
When it comes to reading, Burgoyne isn’t all talk. He writes Phanatic-themed children’s books and just finished his eighth book, which comes out this spring.
“It keeps me busy a bit, but it’s all within the merchandise of the Philles and the Phanatic. I keep very busy and I enjoy writing books for children to encourage them to read,” Burgoyne said about his books.
The books can be purchased at the ballpark and, in the beginning of May, all the Barnes & Noble stores will have a special display for the books.
During game time, the Phanatic barely gets a break. The Phanatic isn’t just responsible for rehearsing routines; he has to create and coordinate them as well. Before each game, Burgoyne makes his way up to the control room, meets with the music operator and tells him exactly what he wants to do each night.
“It [game night] is a busy night, but it’s always different, and that’s what I like about the job. It’s crazy, but that’s what I like about it,” Burgoyne said.
Before Burgoyne gets suited up into the fuzzy green costume, he surveys his surroundings to get a sense of what’s going on. After he’s dressed, Burgoyne is out on the field on his red ATV, doing anything from messing with the choir singing the anthem to goofing off with whichever guest throws the first pitch. These acts are all to emphasize the comedic character of the Phanatic.
During the game, Burgoyne goes back out into the crowd, visits folks in the stands and then gets ready for his routine in the fifth inning. He has a break between his fifth inning performance and his seventh inning performance on top of the dugout.
“I could have Cabrini College dancers coming in to dance, other schools or dance groups at a time to come in, or another mascot to help out with another skit. There’s a lot of things that have to be coordinated,” Burgoyne said.
The Phanatic is preparing for the “Paint the Town Red” week, which is the last week of March. This is the fourth year for the event, and the Phanatic exchanges his typically green costume for a red one before the first home game to remind “phans” that baseball is approaching.
This year’s “Paint the Town Red” event will be especially important for the Phanatic. On March 29, the team will unveil 20 five-foot fiber glass statues of the Phanatic, all painted in different designs by various artists. These statues are going to be up all spring and summer throughout the city’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Philadelphia Zoo, Constitution Center, Liberty Bell, Love Park and more, all of which are open to the public.
The kick-off event for the “Paint the Town Red” week will be held at the Please Touch museum (Memorial Hall) and all information is posted on the Phillies Web site, Phillies.com.
Amidst his sea of responsibilities, the Phanatic still treasures his title as the most lovable mascot.
“I do feel like it has been an unbelieveable exeperience. I’ve lucked into it and it brings smiles to so many faces,” Burgoyne said. “The best thing is to see reactions of the kids and seeing that the adults get just as excited as the kids do. By being the Phanatic, you’re bringing a lot of joy to a lot a of people and one day I’ll look back and say, ‘Wow that was an unbelievable experience!’”
Campus assaults most under-reported crime, study finds
Photo Illustration
Imagine waking up, unconscious of your whereabouts from the night before, feeling pain and confusion. In the back of your mind you know something wrong has happened, and you are unsure whom to turn to and what people will say or think. You keep your distance from others, trying to forget about what happened by avoiding people or situations that remind you of the unthinkable.
These thoughts are not uncommon for victims of sexual assault. Victims of sexual assault tend not to report their assaults to campus security officers or to the police, according to a nine-month investigation by the Center for Public Integrity.
Sexual assault is present on college campuses across the nation. The Rape Treatment Center (RTC) at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center states that one out of six women reported being a victim of sexual assault. Roughly 30 percent of the women surveyed were between the ages of 18 and 24 during the time of the assault. RTC also claims that most of these incidents occur by the victim knowing their assaulter.
Between 2005 and 2007, four reported and confirmed forcible sex offenses happened to students at Cabrini College. Statistics are low, and one of the reasons may be that students do not come forward to report sexual assault.
“It [sexual assault] is the most unreported incident that will ever happen on campus, and it’s the most unreported crime. If it is reported, we encourage the victim to go to the hospital and we’ll guide them towards services if they refuse to go to the hospital,” Diana Pohl, captain and assistant director of Public Safety, said.
Students and officials say that sexual assault is the most under-reported crime. Only if victims come forward and report the assault can action begin to be taken against the perpetrator.
“The sad part is we sometimes will never know, it all depends on the victim,” Lil Burroughs, director of Public Safety, said.
With the victims feeling anxiety along with psychological trauma, most cases of sexual assault amongst college campuses are put in the dark, without being discussed or reported.
“They [victims] won’t report sexual assault for a couple of reasons,” Ransom Cozzillio, sophomore communication major, said. “One would be embarrassment and they would feel very vulnerable. Second, they may feel as though they may get in trouble.”
“It seems that when it does happen, young girls are sensitive to come forward to report sexual assult,” Justin Ferkler, Public Safety officer, said.
For a year that Ferkler has been an officer at Cabrini, no one has come forward to him. Ferkler says there have been a few scares, but no actual reports have gone through in the past year.
In order to go from a report to a crime, Public Safety works in cooperation with local police departments. “When a crime is committed, we have to alert the authorities and bring enough information from the assault as possible. However, most investigating is done by the police,” Ferkler said.
“We see these kids day in and day out. We just want the students to feel comfortable enough to talk to us,” Ferkler said.
RTC states that reporting the crime can help the victim regain a sense of personal power and control. This can also help to ensure the safety of other victims. If not reported, the assault will step in with the victims’ ability to live up to academic responsibilities and decrease their participation in social activities.
The Counseling and Psychological Services at Cabrini created a public service announcement titled “What you can do to prevent sexual assault” that will be aired on WYBF “The Burn.” The PSA presents tips and facts to bring awareness to sexual assault. This PSA includes eight steps to stop acts of sexual assault before it happens.
Dr. Sara Maggitti, director of counseling services, along with Public Safety, agrees that there is help and assistance provided for victims. The victim has a choice to press charges through the local police department or through Public Safety. Regardless, Maggitti encourages the victim to seek support for this trauma.
“It is important for the student who has been sexually assaulted to regain a sense of safety and control in their world,” Maggitti said. “It is possible for them to resume normalcy in their lives through reliance on their support systems and/or seeking mental health treatment from a qualified provider.”
Both Public Safety and the Counseling and Psychological Services hope that if any incident of sexual assault occurs, students will come forward knowing that their information is safe and confidential. If you or a friend have been assaulted, there is on and off-campus assistance. Talking about the assault can help relieve some of the control it has over the victim to start the process of recovery.
Change in attitude could help alleviate financial woes
Even though private institutions have been ripping off students for years, they would never grant you with any sort of compensation.Even though in the predicament, we as students who are struggling with payments are the “less fortunate.” Now listen, I’m not asking for my 40 grand back, I’m just asking that the business office be a little more people-friendly during the holiday season, I mean, during all seasons.
And yes, I’ll be the first to say it aloud (or at least in text) that I am fed up with seeing that I cannot register semester after semester due to a hold on my record. Come on now, let’s be real. It’s not like I have money to throw in the faces of the tuition management collectors, because getting a loan is impossible due to the not improving economy, and trust me I’ve tried.
The point I want to make is this, just because we go to a private Catholic institution that is highly recognized for numerous accomplishments, doesn’t mean that we need to be talked down to by the business office.
I don’t appreciate having my feelings hurt by being insulted just because I cannot make a payment on time. They should know that times are tough and many students, if not most, pay for college or are not provided with financial help from both their mom and dad. It’s sad enough that my mom works here and I can’t even get a discount because she’s “part-time.”
I don’t need the business office to tell me that they cannot do anything for me in order for me to register to take classes for next semester. Instead, I would be thankful if they could offer help, rather than make me feel hopeless.
They should change their attitude and find ways for students to apply for extra financial help, grants and scholarships since they know the ins and outs of all this stuff. I mean, that’s their job, right? To be kind to the students of Cabrini when they’re in need of help and assistance.
With all the stress we face with our classes and other responsibilities, we don’t need anymore negative attention. To the workers of the business office, I ask respectfully if you could try to take this into some consideration.
I assure you that if you would be a little less intimidating and a little more helpful, then you’ll feel the giving holiday spirit.
College receives award for civic engagement
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O’Brien commented on the college motto, “service beyond one’s self,” saying that “it says so much and confirms so much of Cabrini’s powerful commitment to social engagement.” O’Brien noted that social justice was the central unifying concept and experience for students at Cabrini.
During the acceptance speech, George spoke of the new core curriculum launched this year known as Justice Matters. The curriculum educates students about the root causes of injustice in the world and empowers students to work for lasting change.
“Every student, not just some, not just those who are engaged in service learning courses but every student will be exposed to a developmentally linked series of seminars that exposes them to themselves, their concepts, beliefs and to the world so that they can then begin to identify some of the systemic issues and then go and change the world,” George said.
“The commitment to social justice education has been a part of our history in providing a Catholic, Cabrinian education, but now it is gaining wider recognition,” George said. “It was exciting to travel to Washington, D.C. with students, faculty members and Wolfington Center staff to accept this prestigious award. I am so proud for Cabrini that we received this honor in recognition of our new core curriculum, Justice Matters.”
George accepted the award held at the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
Two students were recognized during George’s speech, Shannon Keough, senior English and communication major, and Beth Briggs, senior psychology and sociology major, for their outstanding involvement in social justice.
“I think that it’s important for students to become involved in social justice issues because the world needs more voices to advocate for change,” Keough said. “Social justice isn’t something that you do just in college; it’s something that can affect the rest of your life as well.”
The Cabrini education incorporates social justice into the college curriculum to show that students can change the world by applying their knowledge and first-hand experience from civic engagement.
The other four colleges acknowledged for enhancing student learning through civic engagement were Elon University, Tennessee State University, Villanova University and Wartburg College. These colleges and univeristies serve as models for the nation’s colleges and universities by involving students in civic engagement and community service, according to the Washington Center.
The event had an attendance of 500 people and raised an estimated $400,000, for The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars. These funds will contribute in placing students from around the world and the United States in internships throughout Washington.
The Washington Center has placed approximately 45,000 students in civic engagement internships. Cabrini students have been granted internships through it, including an internship in the White House. Students interested in the Washington Center should contact Dr. James Hedtke, professor of history and political science.
“The Washington Center recognized that Cabrini’s curriculum is groundbreaking because we are trying to reach every single student to develop critical thinking, so that our students can address the root causes of injustice in the world,” Dr. Jerry Zurek, chair of the communication department, said.
“Social justice affects many aspects of my life, including the way I think and the choices I make,” Keough said.
“I think that spreading social justice messages are extremely important and I try to spread those messages to my family, friends, classmates and co-workers.”
Editors tell all
From growing up in South Philadelphia and living down the street from the unforgettable Veterans Stadium, I have witnessed numerous encounters that have made history in Philly sports throughout my life. Now I know what you could be thinking, this isn’t the sports section, so why is she leading to Philly sports?
As most (or hopefully all) of you know, the Phillies clinched the National League East title for the third consecutive year in a row. Although there were some mistakes made in 2007 that didn’t lead the Phils to victory, they proved their doubters wrong as they captured the 2008 World Series, which happened to be the greatest night of my entire life.
I remember the night as if it were yesterday, the rush of adrenaline as I watched Brad Lidge throw his last pitch in game five. I immediately ran out of my grandfather’s row-home down to Broad Street with my friends trailing by my side shouting words of praise as we faced the crowded streets of red and white.
So, what’s the point here? Although I’ve had an experience of a lifetime saying that I have seen the Phillies win a World Series title in my youth, I have always said I could never get enough. That’s right, I’m praying for another title; but what’s really on my mind is this: can the outrageous ongoing celebration be as unbelievable as last year?
It’s hard to think about, since it has only been about a year since the Phillies were handed the glorious 2008 trophy. I’ve asked around the town of South Philly and many locals believe it cannot top last year’s celebration; I beg to differ.
The only thing that can break the hopes of another unforgettable parade is that Philly is and has been in a major budget crisis that may have a huge impact on any celebrations for the near future. Did you know that just last New Year’s the city tried to stop the Mummers from marching down 2nd street? How could they take that away from us?! Because it costs a lot of money to clean the streets after hours and hours of continuous New Year’s partying.
Who says we’ve had enough? This is not meant to be a jinx and I am not trying to boycott the city to force a parade amongst us. All I am saying is this, let’s be in high hopes, “high apple pie, in the sky hopes” that if we are able to attain such an astounding achievement again, we will celebrate in high hopes on the streets of Philadelphia until the street cleaners take us to the sidewalks or until the cops ask us to leave. Good luck to the Phillies during the 2009 post season and let’s win it for Harry.
Cabrini volunteers bring hope to West Virginia
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Along with Camp Kismet, Cabrini College works in part with Project Appalachia, also in West Virginia.
Cabrini’s mission in helping and reaching out to those less fortunate continues as members from the college support and volunteer with Camp Kismet.
Hollie Havens, Cabrini alumni ’98, coordinates volunteers, fund-raising and donations for Camp Kismet and has volunteered for five years. Havens, along with Colleen Poole, education field supervisor and education professor, with her daughter Caitlyn Poole, Lauren Bariglio, sophomore elementary and special education major and Jessica Jaxel, Cabrini alumni ’09, were the five volunteers from Cabrini this past July.
“It’s a very intense experience for one week. It feels like we were there for a month,” Poole said. “It was amazing how quickly relationships develop.”
Each year, Camp Kismet brings in around 125 children from poor financial backgrounds in West Virginia to spend a week in the facilities held in the state park in Fayetteville, Va.
“There are some kids that come with only one or two outfits, one pair of underwear, no socks, no sheets, no pillow, et cetera. It’s really sad, but at the same time, you feel the impact you can have. Giving things to people who really need them is so very rewarding,” Jaxel said.
The camp provides educational seminar activities which teach the children awareness with safety, hygiene, environmental and drug and alcohol programs in affiliation with community groups in West Virginia.
The group of Cabrini staff, faculty and alumni counselors bring donated clothing, new sneakers and a brand new backpack filled with supplies for each child participating in the camp.
“I think the most important thing for this camp, the thing it needs most, is publicity. There is literally no way someone could go there and not want to return. The experience is truly moving,” Jaxel said. “Not solely because you’re there helping kids who genuinely deserve your help and time, but the amazingly strong sense of family presented by the volunteers of Fayetteville County.”
Poole hopes that the awareness of participating in Kismet will spread throughout campus so hopeful students and staff will become involved.
“I think the biggest impact for me is relationship and how intent it is in five days. I only knew them [children in the Kismet camp] for five days and they will be with me for life,” Poole said.
“It’s so funny, but when I came back from just one short week, I really missed the girls I had spent literally every moment with. We became more than just counselors, we were their friends,” Jaxel said. “As we stood there saying goodbye to them, Lauren and I couldn’t stop the tears from coming. I could feel myself welling up and thinking, ‘How could I not go back and see these kids again next year?’ There’s just no way; I have to go back.”
Without counselors, Camp Kismet cannot operate. Students and faculty interested in volunteering for Camp Kismet 2010 can contact the Alumni Office at alumni@cabrini.edu.
Live music reaches college students on Main Line
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Originating in Ardmore, Pa. in 2005, MilkBoy got its name from MilkBoy Recording in 1994 by musician and recording engineer, Tommy Joyner.
Shortly after, a smaller shop opened in Bryn Mawr, connected to the historic Bryn Mawr movie theater.
Selling more than just coffee, the MilkBoy Coffee Shop serves a wide variety of breakfast and lunch.
Both shops are known for their free live acoustic shows, which are open to the public.
The MilkBoy Coffee Shop have been voted The Best of Life 2007 and 2008 for Best Coffee House for Main Line Life Reader’s Choice. The MilkBoy main stage is located in the Ardmore shop and the Bryn Mawr shop holds the acoustic cafe.
Just like Cabrini, MilkBoy in Ardmore has Open mic nights.
The sign-ups are free and are requested before 6 p.m. of each show.
Shows are weekly and anyone is eligible to sign up via phone or by walking in. Monthly calendars are available online at milkboycoffee.com.
“We have great food and good coffee and the open mic nights are great for aspiring musicians,” Gillen, server at MilkBoy in Ardmore, said. “The shows give the aspiring musicians a chance to play with professional musicians.”
These coffee shops accommodate students with a quiet atmosphere that makes it easy for them to study and read.
“We get a large number of college students that come in with their books and laptops and feel comfortable to relax and study in here, knowing that they aren’t in an overcrowded area,” Gillen said.
“The environment is chill,” Lisa, manager of MilkBoy in Ardmore, said.
“A lot of coffee shops don’t have much space and constantly want people to keep moving. Here we have a good amount of space to accommodate our customers to make them feel welcome to stay and kick back,” Lisa said.
Philadelphia strives for new ad campaign
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“Our office is a separate group [from Go Phila],” Cara Schneider, Media Relations Director for the “With Love Philadelphia” campaign, said. “Our job is to promote travel in the city through a pretty aggressive campaign.”
Last year, Go Phila attempted the “Philly’s more fun when you sleep over” commercial advertisements, which did not attract as many people as expected.
“The city is in a pretty significant budget crisis,” Schneider said. “We spend money to make money. For every media dollar spent on an ad, we receive $185 that is generated on an economic impact.”
“I think they should do more advertising,” Pedro Perez, senior business administration major, said. “They should have more publicity in airports. I think it is a great way to put Philly out there for travelers.”
“The marketing campaign has been a huge success,” Schneider said. “Different events and groups want to piggy back on it.”
It seems as though this ad campaign will improve Philadelphia’s budget crisis by attaining a steady flow of visitors, but what do residents of Philadelphia think of this new approach?
Kurt Gibson, a resident of Philadelphia, believes that although the campaign seems friendly, the main objective for the “With Love Philadelphia” campaign is to make money -and that’s it.
“They’re being your friend so you’ll spend money here,” Gibson said. “What they are doing is a desperate attempt to make money for the city,” Gibson said.
“You don’t see ads for places in the city such as Geno’s or Pat’s steaks because people know of those places and want to go to them because they’re both famous and historic,” Gibson said, about the ‘With Love’ campaign’s newest ad featured on the Go Phila Web site titled “Dear What’s a BYOB?”
“The campaign is trying to get people to go to big restaurants to spend more money,” Gibson said.
Alfred Krawitz, owner of the Blarney bar and restaurant in Philadelphia, thinks that advertising in Philadelphia is a waste of time.
“Why do they advertise in Philadelphia? They should be advertising outside of Philadelphia to bring travelers in,” Krawitz said.
Krawitz believes that businesses shouldn’t promote or join the campaign because he is not aware of how the “With Love Philadelphia” funds are provided for other businesses.
“Unless the state gave them [businesses] money, where do the funds come from? Are they coming out of Philadelphia tax dollars?” Krawitz said.
The taxes for Philadelphia increased from seven percent on the dollar to eight percent over last year and both Krawitz and Gibson agree that the “With Love” campaign is just another marketing tactic for Philly to get money for the city and to benefit the mayor.
Supporting or not supporting the “With Love Philadelphia” campaign may differ between residents of Philadelphia and outsiders, but who knows what ad campaign will launch next? The advertising campaign is content as long as the revenue goal is reached and the city’s sights and hot-spots are earning a pretty penny.
Welcoming the class of 2013
Parting ways with families, starting a new beginning
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The idea of saying goodbye to your parents is not emotional until the day it actually happens. The class of 2013 has surely anticipated their arrival on campus over the summer, but the emotions did not kick in until Thursday, Aug. 20.
Students and their families were unpacking cars and unloading belongings into the residence halls while being welcomed to Cabrini College with activities, ceremonies and events throughout the hot and muggy summer day.
Cabrini students welcomed the class of 2013 and their families by helping with luggage and showing families around campus, which was a relief for many families.
Cindy and Michael Olsen, parents of Kristin Olsen, felt that Cabrini provided a lot of assurance for the families and made move-in a stress-free event.
“The college made it so much easier. Cabrini is like a resort. It’s so beautiful,” Mrs. Olsen said.
The excitement and mixed emotions were shared between the Olsens while reminiscing on their daughter’s important day.
“She is the first one out of the kids to go to college; this is an eye opening experience for us,” Mr. Olsen said.
“It was really comforting when the parents left her room and she turned around all excited to us and said ‘yay!’” Mrs. Olsen said.
Inside of the residence halls, throughout the day, families organized rooms while greeting their child’s new dorm room neighbors.
The Lehr family was relieved to finish unloading their daughter Lindsey’s belongings before most of the other freshmen were halfway finished.
“I anticipated it being chaotic, the heat doesn’t help but moving in is not so bad,” Lindsey said. “I’m pretty nervous to start college, but now that I am here and settled in I am pretty excited.”
Lindsey’s father, Hal Lehr, enjoyed the festivities outside of Founder’s Hall as well as the Philly Phanatic, who made an appearance for the big day.
“We’re going to miss her, but it is a new experience and we’re all looking forward to it. The Philly Phanatic was helpful,” Mr. Lehr said.
After the relieving feeling of moving in, the freshmen socialized and started to feel at home. Roommates Adam Conte and Andrew Layne anxiously waited for what would come next after unpacking.
“I’ve got some pretty cool roommates and new stuff for our room. I’m anticipating what’s next like all of the cool people and professors I am going to meet,” Conte said.
“I’m excited, I’m playing lacrosse here and I visited twice so I am ready to start school and start playing,” Layne said.
The day ended with the Matriculation Ceremony and Liturgy which brought students and their families together before the emotional goodbyes were shared.
Dr. Marie Angelella George gave a heartfelt welcome to the class of 2013.
“Cabrini is a place to learn, reflect and grow. This year you’re making history at Cabrini,” George said.
The ceremony displayed a video of selected 2009 graduates and how appreciative they are to have had a Cabrini education.
The long day finished with a picnic on the commons, which welcomed families and students who realized that their Cabrini education starts now.
Bonnie Uditsky was not nervous or sad to leave her son Billy at Cabrini, knowing that he is ready for his college experience to begin.
“This is the best thing for my son,” Mrs. Uditsky said. “As a parent, leaving him at Cabrini is the best fit for him and I won’t miss him because I know he is happy and that he doesn’t have any rules but his own. I told him, college is the best part of your life, so enjoy it now while you can. As a parent I am very happy that he is here and I am glad that he’s really happy.”
To be involved or not to be involved: questions loom for Cabrini freshmen
Picture this: when August comes around, incoming freshmen are anxiously prepping themselves. From buying ridiculously priced textbooks to splurging on dorm accessories, getting ready to make your first impression at college doesn’t happen overnight.
But for me, prepping myself happened over a nine hour and forty five minute plane ride back to the United States.
Flashback to the summer of 2007, instead of prepping myself like most other freshmen did at the time, I was getting ready to take on the greatest vacation I could ever imagine. Sicily.
Did you actually think that during the course of the summer I could possibly be worrying about school over a vacation like this?
Of course not. However, prepping myself could have helped me out, especially since I came back into the country two weeks after classes have started. I wonder what my teachers thought of me then?
Seems pretty irresponsible, right? To show up late and miss out on all of the fun stuff such as move-in day, orientation and all of the other countless events. Well I figured I’d be here for four years, so what’s wrong with missing these events for one year? Well, here is what went wrong.
I already made a bad impression when my professors met me for the first time, two weeks after classes had begun. I missed numerous assignments and for some classes, I had missed quizzes and tests.
That’s when I realized, maybe it would have been better if I had taken the earlier flight. But everything happens for a reason and I would never take back any of my time traveling around the most gorgeous island in the world.
So to make up for my late arrival, I had to prove myself to my professors and show that I am here for a reason. I quickly made up all of my work and caught up with all of my seven classes. I even made Dean’s list for both semesters that year.
The only thing I regret is not getting involved early and not exploring my options. I was so unaware of campus activities and events on campus that I had missed out on a lot of them.
I would have loved to be a part of a club or organization to meet new people and make new friends on campus; but since I was extremely busy making up homework, I couldn’t experience that during my freshmen year.
But I did find other ways to get involved besides being a part of a club or organization. My advantage was knowing my major right off the bat. If I didn’t declare a major right away, I probably would have been screwed, because involving myself in communications made up for all that I had missed. I met a lot of new people and made many friends by doing what I love.
By the end of my freshmen year, I already worked in the radio station and the studio. Although I started a bit late, I am proud of what I accomplished freshmen year because it got me to where I am today.
So here’s a little advice, if you want to go on a trip knowing that you will be a couple weeks late for school, prep yourself; but most of all enjoy yourself.
Trainor honored to play in America
The Cabrini men’s golf team is swinging into action, currently ranked third in the mid Atlantic region.Four main starters on the team include Mike Ryan, Chris Lawler, Tim Harner and Conor Trainor, an exchange student from Ireland. Trainor is enjoying the transition from Ireland to America and is creating everlasting friendships with his fellow teammates.
“The great thing about the four main starters on our team is that we are all as equally as good as each other and we know that if we are all on our game then nobody will defeat us,” Trainor, senior human resources major, said.
“We play off each other’s strengths and help each other when we are playing. Although it is a team game, individually we try to compete with each other and that can only be healthy for our team in the long run,” Trainor said.
The team has been ranked favorite in the CSAC this season.
“With a little more tweaking, our team shouldn’t be far off in the CSAC,” Trainor said. “Let’s just hope we all keep at it and make it down to Miami for the national championship in May.”
Trainor started playing golf at age 11 with his uncles and cousins.
“Since then I have been a member of a golf course called Ardglass. It is a small seaside resort built on the Irish Sea coast line,” Trainor said. He described Ardglass to be the best scenery.
Trainor won a scholarship to a college in America for a year.
“I picked Cabrini due to its location, campus, the fact that we have a great golf team and the added incentive was Coach, Tony Verde,” Trainor said. Verde has welcomed Trainor with open arms. “Verde and the team have made me feel like I have been here for the past three years,” Trainor said.
Adapting to the style of golf in America can be difficult to adjust to coming from another country, but Trainor is progressing throughout the season.
“Personally I started last season quite slow, but I am starting to get the feel for American golf now and slowly but surely I am beginning to stamp my authority on the golf course. Just last week I won the MVP of the week.”
“So everything is looking great for the last few weeks of the season,” Trainor said.
Playing in America for Trainor is not only a privilege, but an honor.
“I love playing golf due to the relaxation feel I get from it, the exercise of walking for four straight hours, the amount of friends I have made worldwide from playing golf and the added incentive of getting to play on glorious golf courses,” Trainor said.
Commuting at Cabrini won’t leave you lonely
Many people wonder, do you get the full experience of college if you’re a commuter?My answer is that getting the full experience is what you make of it, whether you’re a commuter or not.
I have been commuting since freshman year. Now that I am almost a junior, I have adjusted easily to the whole commuting back and forth to school sort of thing.
In my opinion, commuting isn’t all that bad. As long as you become involved in activities, hang out occasionally on campus and obtain social and friendly qualities, you’ll fulfill the college experience.
You don’t need to live on campus to experience the typical college life. Let’s face it, the “college life” is a superficial illusion. It’s not as wild and crazy as they portray it in the movies. Well, Cabrini isn’t for the most part.
Of course during freshman year, college is new and exciting, so it may seem that way at first. However, after adjusting to your freedom, partying on campus gets old after awhile. Which is one of the reasons why commuting can be a plus, since you won’t have that feeling of missing home and being stuck on campus.
So you may be thinking, how would I know about freedom and being on my own if I commute?
Although I still live at home, that does not mean that I live a Cinderella-curfew lifestyle. My mom has been lenient since I have started college, so I don’t feel like I’m being babied. And plus, I get the reward of home-cooked meals after a long day at school.
A disadvantage of commuting is parking. Cabrini’s parking lots are usually over packed with cars and it gets annoying after awhile searching for a spot. I do not have a car of my own; however, when I get the privilege to use my mom’s car I can say that I have trouble finding a good spot.
Depending on rides is another disadvantage of commuting and not having a car of your own. Sometimes it becomes frustrating when I have to compensate with my mom or brother’s schedules. Waiting for the Cabrini shuttle bus isn’t convenient either, since it runs on a timely schedule.
Funny Fest delivers laughter
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The stand-up comedy battle sponsored by Cabrini’s radio station, 89.1 WYBF-FM The Burn, brought students and locals together in amusement on April 3.
The Burn’s general and executive staff helped set the stage in preparation of a successful show.
“We decided to give it a second run and it was really successful,” Caitlin Friel, English and communication major, said.
Friel is the promotions director for The Burn and was in charge of planning the event.
Heather Fullerton, general manager of The Burn and Jessie Holeva, junior communication major, thought of the event last semester.
“About 115 people were in attendance and we had nine contestants,” Friel said. “That is awesome and I could not have asked for a better Funny Fest.”
The host for the evening, young and rising comedian John Poveromo, broke the ice by performing stand-up for the attendees and contestants. Poveromo has been featured in The New York Times, Comcast On-Demand stand-up, Sirius satellite radio and a part of Punchline Magazine’s 2008 Comedian’s New Year’s Resolutions.
His energy and sense of humor made the contestants feel comfortable and at ease to take the stage.
Poveromo participated as a judge for last semester’s Funny Fest.
Students cast their votes by placing tickets into bags that displayed the names of each contestant.
The atmosphere of the event is perfect for students to come out and show off their humor by entertaining their classmates and friends.
“For anyone who wants to start stand-up, this is the best environment to do it,” Poveromo said.
“The Funny Fest is just an all out fun event to promote our radio station and give the students a good laugh,” Friel said. “It is a good event because people get to let their funniness shine on stage while their friends get to watch.”
All of the contestants who participated share a love for comedy. “Stand-up comedy is my favorite thing on earth. All I watch is Comedy Central,” Billy Bacovin, senior human resources management major, said.
“I did the song for my boss and he really liked it,” Spencer Henry, freshman English and secondary education major, said. “Everyone from my work convinced me to do it for Funny Fest and I thought I had nothing to lose.”
After all of the contestants performed their best to make the audience laugh, a winner was chosen.
Verterano will perform a five minute stand-up act at Comedy Cabaret.
“I thought the event was very good. I was pleased and had a great time,” Joe Windt, senior criminology major, said. “I didn’t expect it and I thought the contestants were very funny.”
“It’s a good event to have each semester because it gets the students involved and it promotes the radio station to the college,” Friel said.
“This is a really nice little get- together. It’s great how many people come out and how classmates support each other,” Poveromo said.
Poor second quarter dooms Cavaliers
The outcome of the Cabrini men’s lacrosse game on Saturday, March 21, ended as a close attempt to victory. Within the last two Saturday games, this concluded the team’s third loss as Roanoke College defeated the Cavaliers 16-13.Roanoke’s fast transition offense changed the game entirely. “They scored eight goals in the second quarter and we couldn’t recover after that,” Bobby Chambers, senior criminology major, said.
Winning four games and losing three so far this season, the team has high hopes for winning and plans on improving their record for the season.
“It’s our third loss of the year,” Kevin Fahey, senior business administration major, said. “Our expectations are still high and we’re excited for the CSAC games coming up,” Fahey said.
Casey Grugan, junior offense attackman, totaled four points on one goal and three assists during the game. With 177 points in just two seasons, Grugan is ranked fourth-place all-time on the Cavalier’s list.
Scott Reimer, senior offense attackman, scored three points on three goals adding to the tallied points throughout the game. Reimer accomplished to score 200 points throughout his career on the team and is listed as second-place all-time. Reimer and teammate Matt Conaway retrieved six ground balls.
Senior face-off specialist Mike Dolente won 14-of-30 draws and seven groundballs. Dolente was ranked 12th nationally in win percentage entering Saturday’s contest.
“Saturday was a tough game. The second quarter killed us. Roanoke scored eight goals to our one,” senior business administration major Mike Dolente said.
Dolente scored his second goal of the season against Roanoke. Other contributions were made by midfielders Rich Romanelli, Paul Skulski and Christian Burrows. Romanelli and Skulski each scored three points on two goals and one assist.
A captain on the team, Jeff Moore, was injured and still made effort to participate in the game.
“Jeff showed a lot of leadership,” Chambers said.
Moore was injured during the second half but still tried to help pull the team to a close win. Just because of the few losses, the team has experienced this season does not mean that there is no chance to be a part of the NCAA tournament.
“Once we start winning our games, we should get on a roll and be fine by the NCAA tournament,” Chambers said.
“Although we lost, we played well and if we are able to play a complete game, I know we can play with any team in this country,” Dolente said. “I think as a team we are looking forward to getting back to our winning tradition and play well into the NCAA tournament.”
“Our team approached this game knowing that it would take their best effort to beat Roanoke,” assistant coach Rory Friel said. “They entered the game 8-0 for a reason. Our play dropped off in the second quarter and Roanoke took advantage of our mistakes. That’s what good teams do.”
Young softball team ready to turn heads
Despite ending the 2008 season with an overall 12-25 finish and an 8-12 mark in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, the Cabrini women’s softball team has hopes to better their record this year.For senior players, it’s astonishing to start their final season playing Cabrini softball.
“I think people are going to underestimate us, because of last year just going by our record,” Kelsie LaBauve, senior religious studies major, said. “We have a lot of new players, so a lot of people won’t expect what we’ll bring to the table.”
Last season, two teammates received PAC All-Conference recognition, Kristie Sandefur and Melissa Benedetti.
In addition to those achievements, LaBauve earned All-Sportsmanship Team honors.
Bernadette Dolan, senior marketing major, explained how the team lost a key player last season, but gained a lot this season with freshmen players.
With new players on the team, Dolan has high hopes for the upcoming season.
“I’m pretty excited this year. It’s exciting to see all of the changes and I’m hoping to leave with a CSAC Championship,” Dolan said.
Leslie Farrell, sophomore math and secondary education major, said, “Last year was the first time we made playoffs in a while.”
According to Farrell, last season the defense was good, whereas the offense needed some work.
“Hopefully we’ll be more well-rounded this season,” Farrell said.
The team has come together as a unit, but not everyone has started off playing since freshmen year.
Benedetti, senior exercise science and health promotion major, did not play softball her first two years at Cabrini.
“I’m still learning about the team and team traditions,” Benedetti said.
Benedetti earned second-team honors last season, with a .343 hitting clip, 11 runs scored and 12 runs batted in. She is one of the 39 Cabrini student athletes to receive PAC All-Academic honors following the spring 2008 semester.
“There’s a lot of new teams we’re playing this season. We still have some of our old rivals, but hopefully we’ll win a championship. It’ll be fantastic,” Benedetti said.
Lisa McGregor, head coach of the women’s softball team, has high hopes for her team this upcoming season.
“I think they play very well as a team. They come together as one unit,” McGregor said. “We’re going to shock a lot of teams in the CSAC with what we’re bringing to the table.”
The team’s first game will be over spring break in Virginia Beach, Va. against Gallaudet University on March 6.
McGregor and the team will come back to open the CSAC at Cabrini on Saturday, March 14 against Marywood University.
“I think that Cabrini softball this year is going to be a team to watch for,” McGregor said. “We have a group of girls this year that want to win and be successful, and I want to see them do that.”
Planned Parenthood gives out gift certificates
When I think of gift certificates, restaurants and stores cross my mind. Never would I think of an organization such as Planned Parenthood being the provider of gift certificates.I can see this stirring up controversy, maybe even praise.
National Public Radio had a talk show in December about the idea of Planned Parenthood giving gift certificates to women in need of healthcare during the tough economic downturn. Cecile Richards, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, explained on the show that the gift certificates can be used for any services offered by the clinics, including abortions.
I think it’s a strategic way to reel in more women who are not receiving healthcare, but my concern is that young women will abuse the privileges. They may see it as a free ride for purchasing Plan B, birth control or may even use it towards an abortion.
If Planned Parenthood is worried about women lacking healthcare, don’t you think they would worry about their supplies running out? And with the economy being in a terrible condition, how will they receive the supplies they need if they’re basically giving them away for free?
The government will most likely turn down the idea of providing Planned Parenthood with more funding. So if Planned Parenthood is thinking of ways to promote their company’s services, they better think of ways to buy more supplies.
Richards’ goal for the use of certificates is to provide family planning and primary healthcare needs. She stated that Planned Parenthood clinics throughout America see almost 3 million women a year for birth control and breast cancer screenings.
I have never been to Planned Parenthood, nor do I plan on going there anytime soon, but I do know what Planned Parenthood offers and why many women go there.
And from what I heard, they did not go there for things such as breast cancer screenings.
In my opinion, Planned Parenthood’s initiative is clever; but I feel as though young women who are not mature enough will take advantage of the opportunity.
Indiana State Health Commissioner Judy Monroe M.D. praised this idea of giving gift certificates in the mist of the financial crisis. So far, Indiana is the only state allowing Planned Parenthood to provide gift certificates in the United States.
Will the number of states following the idea change in the future? My guess is that if the gift certificates become a success, then possibly other health commissioners will approve of it.
The number of women without healthcare who have low income continue to grow each year, according to Richards. I can see how she cares about women in America who are not provided with healthcare, and I can also see why women may praise this idea.
Many women turn to Planned Parenthood rather than family or friends. I do not see a problem with that, whoever you feel comfortable going to is your choice. I am not saying that Planned Parenthood is a bad organization, I am sure they have helped many women over the years.
I think Planned Parenthood should monitor who they give the gift certificates to. I don’t think that women under the age of 18 should have access to the gift certificates, because in my opinion, younger teens who aren’t mature enough will think, “Oh hey I’m going to go out tonight, do whatever I want, and maybe tomorrow I’ll stop by Planned Parenthood and use the gift certificate on Plan B.” I’m not saying all girls under 18 act like that, but there are girls out there who abuse Planned Parenthood and its services.
Roberts accepts Ivy Young Willis Award
Icon honored for broadcasting career
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“This award was established at Cabrini College, through the vision and commitment of Mr. William G. Willis,” George said. “There were 15 previous recipients of the award, all of them being distinguished, worthy roll models.”
With over 40 years in broadcasting, Roberts has won numerous awards, including three Emmy’s. She was cited by the American Women in Radio and Television as “one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting.” Roberts has also been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
“Cokie Roberts is an accomplished author of American history, who has helped shine a light on the often ignored contributions of the women who helped shape this great country,” George said.
Roberts is involved in non-profit institutions as well as serving on the President’s Commission on Service and Civic Participation.
“The Ivy Young Willis Award gives us the opportunity annually to celebrate a woman whose contributions to public affairs helps shape our society, and leave a lasting impression on our world,” George said.
“I am thrilled to receive an award at Cabrini College, where I have been so impressed witheverything that I have learned about the fabulous commitment to public service and community service that this college exemplifies,” Roberts said.
Roberts touched briefly on the new program available at Cabrini entitled Justice Matters, which engages students to become involved in social justice. Roberts believes it’s an exciting program that will lead students to changing the world.
During the ceremony, Roberts spoke of her parents’ involvement in Congress and politics. Roberts also told stories of the women throughout history who have shaped our country by outstanding accomplishments to emphasize the importance of a woman’s role in our society.
In the past, Roberts explained how many women were left behind, in a time when women did not have the right to vote and were considered property of their husbands.
Roberts spoke about Eliza Hamilton and Isabella Graham’s initiative to use their sense of business and politics to create their own organization, the Widow’s Society. Acts like these during times when women did not receive much acknowledgment in business and politics have placed women on a higher level.
“The truth is, women do make an enormous difference,” Roberts said. “They have made a difference in this country since the beginning.”
“All of the movements that have worked toward perfecting this union started with the women who began the continuum that St. Francis of Cabrini was part of, and those of you will carry on into the country as you fulfill your obligations as young Americans to be change agents for the world,” Roberts said.
Roberts’ mother once said, “know thy power.” Nancy Pelosi, friend of Roberts, used the phrase of inspiration to write a book titled, “Know Your Power: A Message to America’s Daughters.” This book explains a woman’s role in politics, while explaining Pelosi’s perspectives on growing up as the daughter of a congressman.
While quoting Pelosi, “I didn’t come across congress to change the attitude of men, I came to change the policy of our country.” Roberts added on by saying, “And that’s what all of you need to be part of, and that’s what this wonderful institution is leading you to. That is also what this award celebrates and I am so pleased to have it.”
After thanking the applauding audience, Roberts wished everyone, “good luck as you go out there and change the country.”
Nardello, breaking records with a smile
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“I did it because my older sister did it,” Nardello said. “We always used to race each other for fun. When we were younger, we raced each other officially once in middle school.” She continued throughout highschool, at Paul VI in Haddonfield, New Jersey.
Nardello did not expect to run track in college, until she met James Williams, coach of the women’s track team at Cabrini. She sent in her running-times and Williams reserved her a spot on the team.
“How many captains do you know that are sophomores,” Williams said. Williams describes Nardello as a leader and a team player, which are the qualities every captain should possess.
“She’s a very serious person, and I admire that about her,” Williams said.
“Track isn’t like any other sport,” Nardello said. “It’s a team sport because you’re with each other eight hours a day, but at the same time it’s an individual sport.”
Nardello has ran the 500, 800, 1000 and 1600 meter races.
“Last year, I broke the 800 meter race at Cabrini,” Nardello said, with a time of 2:23.25. She also broke the 1000 meter record at University of Delaware on Jan. 31.
“She was in last place up until the last lap,” Williams said. “She sprinted passed them in the last lap because she knew she was faster than them [competitors].”
“I’m on the relay teams for three other records. The four by 400, four by 200 and the distance medley relay,” Nardello said. Last year Nardello was awarded all American in the 4X400 race, which is four teammates running 400 meters.
Nardello clearly enjoys the challenge of competing on her own.
“You beat your personal times, and I liked doing that. There’s no team to back you up, it’s all you,” Nardello said.
With all of the individual races, training and practices, winning as a team is also rewarding. “I’m glad all of the work pays out. It’s nice when everything pays off. Individual races are great, but relays are better because you’re working as a team,” Nardello said.
Teammate Shakeya Ladson, freshman social work major, knows that Nardello is an all around good captain. “She’s a very postitive person, hard-worker and a good captain,” Ladson said. “At practice she works very hard. She’s a tough runner.”
“She is one of the best middle distance runners in our program,” Wlliams said.
ABC political commentator to receive award for dedication to journalism
Called a “living legend” for her dedication to journalism and hard work, Cokie Roberts will be receiving the Ivy Young Willis Award for 2009 at Cabrini College on Feb. 5.Roberts is a political commentator for ABC News. ABC had a weekly interview program titled “This Week” which Roberts and friend Sam Donaldson co-anchored weekly from 1996-2002. She also contributes to National Public Radio, serving as a senior news analyst.
“I love listening to her political analysis on National Public Radio,” Cathy Yungmann, associate professor of communication, said. “Years ago when she was one of the only women to appear regularly on the influential Sunday morning television talk shows, she pressed the pundits with reality checks, but always did it in a most gracious way.”
Throughout the 40-plus years working in broadcasting, Roberts has won numerous awards including three Emmy awards.
She was cited by the American Women in Radio and Television as, “one of the greatest women in the history of broadcasting.” Along with that achievement, Roberts has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
Roberts and her husband, Steven V. Roberts, write weekly columns together for United Media. The Roberts also wrote a book together titled, “From This Day Forward” which gives an overview of their marriage as well as other marriages throughout American history. “From This Day Forward” was on the New York Times bestsellers list, along with one of her solo pieces entitled “We Are Our Mother’s Daughters.”
Roberts wrote two other books on the bestseller list: “Founding Mothers” and “Ladies of Liberty.”
Roberts also has a strong understanding of politics. Growing up as a child, both of Roberts’ parents were senators from Louisiana.
Roberts dedicates time to serve on the boards of several non-profit organizations and is a part of the President’s Commission on Service and Civic Participation.
“I’ve been a fan of Cokie Roberts for years with her inside knowledge of the workings of politics,” Yungmann said. “She’s able to cut through political maneuvers and pronouncements to pinpoint motivations and effects.”
The history and political science department sponsors the Ivy Young Willis Award.
“It’s a yearly award that’s been given since 1992, with prestigious award winners,” Dr. James Hedtke, history and political science professor, said. “There is a long history of important women who have won this award.”
The Ivy Young Willis Award acknowledges women who have been an inspiration and contributed exceptional pieces of work to the field of public affairs. Last year’s recipient for 2008 was Lisa Nutter, president of Philadelphia Academies, Inc.
The history and political science department nominates a recipient each year and informs the Willis family to finalize the decision. The purpose of this gracious award is for students to be exposed to women in our society who have made a difference in public relations.
Roberts will receive the Ivy Young Willis Award on Feb. 5 at 3:30 p.m. in Grace Hall Atrium. The event is free and open to the public.
