Category: Campus News

What Were the Goals of the Recent Women’s March and Do You Think it was Effective?

Posted By under Campus News

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer
Lauren Tweed, lmt5428@psu.edu

“They were trying to prove that President Trump’s views on women were wrong. He is sexist, and looks at women as objects. It hasn’t had any effect yet, but with time it could open more people’s eyes and make changes.”
DAYANA MEJIA, SOPHOMORE, ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS

“I am not sure. I heard it was for women’s rights, as well as anti-Trump. I don’t really know what they were trying to do, but a lot of people came out. Nothing drastic is going to change.”
NICOLE DOYLE, JUNIOR, HDFS MAJOR

“To bring awareness to the problems with equality for women, planned parenthood, abortions, and more. Yes, it will lead to major changes. Many well-known celebrities gave speeches about it.”
MARY BOYLE, FRESHMAN, PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR

“To get Donald Trump’s attention on women’s rights and how important it is. I don’t think it’s going to change much.”
JANEILLE STORA, JUNIOR, MARKETING MAJOR

“I don’t know much about the women’s march, except they fought for the rights they have fought for years, such as planned parenthood. It certainly brought awareness, considering it was a trending topic on social media. Now, whether or not it was effective on convincing other to join the cause is a question that remains to be answered.”
PATRICIA CARLOS, SOPHOMORE, COMMUNICATIONS MAJOR

 

 

Orchard Residence Hall Welcomes all Brandywine Students

Posted By under Campus News

Beginning in Fall 2017, students of Penn State Brandywine will be showing up to campus with more than just their textbooks. Next fall, the newly built residence hall will fill up with both incoming freshman and returning Brandywine students, with Elizabeth Kearns as the director of housing and food services and Iris Richardson as the interim associate director of residence life. Kearns has provided a lot of information on the residence hall and important things to know for anyone planning to apply for a room!

It was decided that the residence hall would be named Orchard Hall, in reference to the former apple orchard on which Penn State Brandywine stands. Orchard Hall will consist of traditional style rooms, housing two people per room. However, the building will consist of much more than that. In addition to these traditional style rooms, there will be laundry facilities, multiple study lounges and a full kitchen for everyone’s late night cookie baking needs!

If the cookies aren’t enticing enough, don’t worry there’s more. Many have been curious about that huge stone building being built next to Tomezsko. That building will be the new Student Union which will house student affairs’ offices, the school bookstore, the Lion’s Den and a full dining facility.

When they say a full dining facility, they don’t just mean a typical school lunch with potato chips and pizza that tastes like cardboard. This dining hall, large enough to hold 300 people, will offer a fully stocked salad bar, pizza, pasta and a deli to make a variety of sandwiches. There will even be Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream! Also, for all of the students who can barely drag themselves to a 9:00 a.m. class without a double shot caramel macchiato, don’t worry because Brandywine secured a Starbuck’s license and will have a Starbucks included right in the Student Union building!

Convinced yet? If so, apply now! The application for freshman is first-come first-serve, so find a computer quick and log into eliving.psu.edu.

“As of February 3, students still interested in a housing contract can request through eliving.psu.edu,” said Kearns.

On this site students can apply for housing that puts them on the wait list for a room. Roommates are randomly assigned and there is a process for any conflict that may arise between roommates or any other issues.

The people who will help resolve some of these conflicts and will help make Orchard Hall a great place for everyone are the resident assistants (RAs). The process to become an RA is done in two simple steps. First, fill out and submit the application that will be available starting this spring. Second, take the RA class now offered at Brandywine called Higher Education 302. Successful completion of the class and a 2.5 GPA are required elements for RAs at Orchard Hall.

There are already students who have applied and have received notice that they will be having an on-campus experience this coming fall! Don’t wait.

“As a new resident, I hope to become more involved in Brandywine’s campus because I won’t have to worry about running back and forth between home and school,” said Brooke S. Theveny, Freshman student at Penn State Brandywine.

Orchard Hall, beginning in Fall 2017 will be the place to be for all Penn State Brandywine students! The rooms are filling up quickly so if interested, follow the steps to apply now. Living in Orchard Hall will provide you with everything you need for a successful college career and give you many opportunities to be more involved in the campus community.

How do you like them apples?!

Erin Ahlefeld, Lions Eye Staff Writer, efa5068@psu.edu

Snakes, Skinks, and Lizards Invade the Lion’s Den

Posted By under Campus News, Entertainment , , ,

Autumn Simms, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, als6765@psu.edu

Putting aside their fears of reptiles, students at Penn State Brandywine got to interact with various reptiles deep within the Lion’s Den. Keith Gisser, founder of the HERPS ALIVE!! program, brought creatures of varying sizes and intimidation levels for students to learn about.

Gisser has over thirty years of experience handling reptiles and amphibians. Since 1990, HERPS ALIVE!! has been traveling to 250 colleges in 36 states educating students on reptiles in a fun interactive way. They have been to Villanova University, Temple University and Delaware Valley College to name a few places.

Students like, Antonio Nicosia, got to pet one of four tortoises.

Nicosia said, “They’re pretty awesome. This stands out to me as a semester highlight.”Several students volunteered to be draped with an eight foot five inch Albino Burmese Python named Silas. Silas weighed 40 pounds. A student, named Ameer, described the snake as “super soft, exciting, and slippery.”

Bridget O’Donnell, assistant director of student affairs, said the event was, “Educational-something different for the students.”

While assisting Gisser and O’Donnell with the python, student helper, Vince Dejohn, said, “This is something I want to do for a living.”

There were skinks (a type of lizard), corn snakes, a baby alligator, a bearded dragon and an Asian Water Monitor. All the cold-blooded reptiles appeared extremely friendly and comfortable being in the hands of curious Penn State students.

There was a 5-foot, 10-year-old Asian Water Monitor named Gator, weighing 25 pounds. Gator nestled herself like a baby on students’ shoulders.

Jake Fida said, “It was fulfilling to hold a very large lizard.” He wasn’t the only one who felt this way.

Keith Gisser is also the executive director of the non-profit Herps Alive Foundation started in 2013 and dedicated to rescuing neglected and/or abused reptiles and amphibians. The volunteers of the Herps Alive Foundation rehabilitate these animals and provide a sanctuary for them until they find a new home. They emphasize the importance of educating the public about reptiles and amphibians.

Herps Alive Foundation is a member of the Northern Ohio Association of Herpetologist, U.S Association of Reptile Keepers and Zoological Association of America. They have their own website at gggreg.com/herps_alive.html and a Facebook page at Herps Alive.

 

 

Multilingual is the Norm at Global Discussion Lunch

Posted By under Campus News

As the world is becoming more interconnected, it is becoming more important for people to understand how multilingual individuals deal with daily life. That is part of the reason for Brandywine’s global discussion.

The luncheon session included a panel of two Brandywine students and two Brandywine professors. They opened up about where they were from, and their first/native languages. The panel members then talked about how they became fluent in other languages, mainly English.

One of the faculty members, Professor Mendez-Gallardo, originates from Puerto Rico. Her first language is Spanish and her secondary language is English. It was mandatory for her to take an English class in school, much like it’s mandatory for many students in American to take a Spanish or other language class.

Professor Mendez-Gallardo describes learning a new language similar to, “being in another world.”

Professor Mendez-Gallardo also said, “when I first moved to the U.S. in 2005 I could understand English but couldn’t speak it very well.”

A student who participated on the panel was Ivy. Ivy is from Russia but moved to China and then to America. Her mother is Russian and her father is Chinese. Ivy described her multilingual experience as, “a hard transition.”

Ivy also said that among all of the languages, English might be the most complex due to the emotion that has to be put into it.

Overall, the global discussion allowed students to understand the experience of people who speak multiple languages but live in America.

This event also helped promote the global and international programs of Penn State Brandywine

Dante Laws, Djl5710@psu.edu, Lionseye Staff Writer

Brandywine’s 50th Anniversary Preview

Posted By under Campus News

Najla King, Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, nxk5136@psu.edu

With the new semester in full swing, Penn State Brandywine has many things in the coming months to celebrate. Along with a new residence hall, a student union building, and new staff members, Brandywine also celebrates their 50th anniversary as campus in the Penn State community.

To celebrate this accomplishment, the Penn State Anniversary Committee, comprised of faculty, staff and students, have been planning events since spring semester of last year.

Co-chair of the committee, and Brandywine’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Bill Tyson said, “for the 50th anniversary we tried to highlight some of our campus’ achievements while also tying in some of our history as well.”

The events started with a roller skating party in the gym for students and staff. About 300 students filled the rink and, under the lights of a disco ball, they skated to the groove of 60s, 70s, and 80s music.Some events are for students and staff, while others are open to the public and alumni.

Tyson explained, “We chose to have a roller skating party because our school started off in a building underneath a roller skating rink. In February, Black History Month, we have some alumni coming in to speak with students about what campus was like for them in the 60s and starting the Black Student League on campus.”

Merging history and current student life at Brandywine, the 50th anniversary events continue well into the fall semester until the actual fifty-year mark on September 25, 2017.Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are encouraged to come out to various events on campus each month to learn about Brandywine’s history and commemorate 50 years.

For more information on when the events are scheduled, visit Penn State Brandywine’s official Facebook page, @pennstatebrandywine, check emails from student affairs, pick up a spring 2017 calendar in the advising suite, or be on the lookout for postings around campus.

“We want our students to come out and have fun during these events but we also want them to learn a little about their campus history,” said Tyson.

Food, prizes and surprises are only a small portion of what students, staff and alumni can look forward to in the coming months leading up to Brandywine’s 50th Anniversary.

 

Speed Networking Accelerates Success

Posted By under Alumni, Campus News

By: Jennifer Lindauer, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer

On Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at the Tomezsko Lounge, Penn State Brandywine’s Office of Career Services partnered with local Penn State alumni, Blue and White Society, and the Student Government Association to host its annual “speed networking” event. Students had the opportunity to network with successful alumni, and prepare for future job interviews in a relaxed coffee shop setting.Every student had four minutes to speak with an alumni by asking them various questions about their profession. Alumni also asked students simulated interview questions. This helped students build their confidence for future job interviews. Students and alumni were also able to build connections. After speed networking, both groups had the chance to continue to network over lunch.When asked about the benefits of attending a networking event, Student Government President Neeka Pharaud, said “networking isn’t what you know but who you know and how to combine the two. When a person advances in their career, there usually was a connection that enabled them to advance, and this networking event helps students build those connections.”Sam Andricola participated in the networking event. “I enjoyed talking to the alumni because I met many different professionals from really great companies. Now I’m interested in those companies, and expanding my network.”Bobbi Caprice Penn State Brandywine’s assistant athletic director shared why it’s important for students to attend networking events.

“The speed networking event is a great way for students to get connected with our alumni. Having the largest alumni association in the country, it is important that they start making those connections as early as possible, Caprice said. “Our world is sometimes more about who you know, versus what you know. So it’s important that our students start to build valuable relationships now.”

Throughout this event students had the opportunity to create many new connections. The advice that was given, the questions that were asked, and the connections that were built helped prepare students for the next step in their lives.

Thon Weekend begins February 17, 2017: 48 hours of fun

Posted By under Campus News, Uncategorized

By: Najla King, The Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, nxk5136@psu.edu

THON, which is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, is a year-long annual fundraising effort that benefits children and their families affected by pediatric cancer. All the money raised benefits the Four Diamonds Fund, which is an organization that supports children treated at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

As a student among the 20 Penn State locations, THON, is one of the most recognizable organization, with the most anticipated event. This 46 hour dance marathon at University Park will be held next year, February 17-19.

This academic year, THON is back and the goals are consistent with prior years: exceeding last year’s 9.7 million dollars raised. That means more canning, more fundraising events and most important more families assisted.

During common hour, in room 101 Main, THON meets to discuss the goals of the organization, in the weeks preceding the dance marathon, and answer any questions or concerns pertaining to fundraising, goals, getting acquainted and other general meeting topics.

Each member is required to participate in canning and two other excursions that include going door-to-door within a chosen community and collecting donations, to qualify to participate in the dance-a-THON at University Park.

Also, to keep the momentum going, members are divided into smaller groups and compete against each other to bring in as much cash as they can throughout the weeks. Canning and going door-to-door are some of the major forms of fundraising strategies THON does that helps bring in the most money. This promotes safety as well, so members won’t feel obligated to fundraise or venture into different parts of the city alone.

Fundraising for this season is already underway and during the last THON meeting, officers Derek Osborn (president), Alexis Proctor (vice president), David McDermott (treasurer) and Julie Lenon (secretary) discussed these topics with participants and revealed that so far, over $5,000 has been raised by our campus alone.

The officers took turns in discussing the goals moving forward and how, “this year’s group is shattering previous records of money raised this early,” said President Derek Osborn.

Launa Andrews is a new THON member and she shared her thoughts about the progress so far.

“I always wanted to be a part of THON. At first it was mostly to dance up at U. Park for Thon weekend and experience what that’s like. Now that I’ve attending some meetings and getting more involved in the fundraising part of it, I realize I want to be apart of this organization to raise a ton of money to help these families that are struggling.  You don’t even realize how the money our campus alone is raising can help significantly, let alone all of our campuses,” she said.

As the year progresses and Thon weekend approaches, updates on money raised and families that will be assisted will continue to expand and the Brandywine students of THON will surpass goals and dance until they can’t anymore, at THON, beginning February 17.

Freshman Seminar Leads Athletes On The Right Path

Posted By under Campus News, Sports

By:  Michael Patterson, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, map6169@psu.edu

Transition from high school senior to college freshman is a difficult and daunting task for any incoming freshman. At Penn State Brandywine, Bobbi Caprice, assistant athletic director has created a process to ease the transition from high school for all Brandywine student athletes. Caprice brings freshman student athletes into seminars that give them the resources to be successful on and off the field.

The freshman student athlete seminar was built to solve many of the problems incoming freshman were facing. Freshman were experiencing various scheduling problems or they were losing financial aid because they had no awareness of their own responsibilities. Caprice set out to develop a program to eliminate these problems.

Every other Monday, PSU Brandywine student athletes come together for Caprice’s seminars. Each seminar is tailored around the current needs of the student body. In the beginning of the year, students learn about scheduling and the available resources for them on campus such as the stem lab and learning center. As the year progresses, they’ll learn good study habits to help them be successful in the classroom and financial aid information so they can be prepared for the upcoming year.

The freshman student athlete seminar is a fairly new program that has grown over the last three years. The program was two years in the making for Caprice and the Athletic department personal, but it has shown tremendous success in three short years. They are constantly changing and updating it to benefit the students.  While it was mandatory for all student athletes to participate, they found that many students were still missing these informative seminars. As Caprice states, “(The program is) troubleshooting a lot of the issues we’ve had in the past and now it’s not happening as much. Even last year, any students who have had issues they were students who missed the opportunity to participate.” This year, they’ve added the seminars as a credited courses to entice more students to participate and it has been effective.

Penn State Brandywine proves to be a campus that is looking to make its students successful. The freshman student athlete program is giving the student body a chance to learn and be prepared for all that awaits them as they enter their first year of college.

One Day Left, Who Will Win?

Posted By under Campus News

By: Alyssa Abbonizio, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, aqa5498@psu.edu

For the first time in history, a female has won the presidential nomination and participated in a presidential debate.

Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton faced off in the first of three presidential debates on September 27, 2016. With an average of 84 million viewers making it the most watched debate in history according to Nielsen, the nominees debated on three topics: America’s direction, achieving prosperity, and securing America. The debate started out talking about jobs and how each candidate will bring back jobs to the U.S.

“We need to stop companies from leaving the United States and firing all their people,” said Trump. “We need to re-negotiate trade deals and stop countries from stealing our companies and our jobs.”

He mentioned how Carrier Air Conditioning fired 1,400 people because they’re moving their company to Mexico. He wants to bring companies that went overseas back to the United States and to get the American people their jobs back. His opponent, Hillary Clinton, wants fair trade deals and says we need a tax system that works for everyone.

“Donald’s version would give the biggest tax cuts to the top 1%,” said Clinton. “We can do more for the middle class, we can invest more in our education and our future will be better off.”

Trump rebutted with, “how will you bring back companies? Their current government is giving incentives, taking our jobs and doing things we don’t do. When we sell into Mexico, there’s a tax. When they sell into us, there’s no tax,” explained Trump.

“The recession happened because the government slashed taxes to the rich and 9 million people lost their jobs,” Clinton counter argued. “We can’t go back to the policies that failed us in the first place.”

As the debate went on, Clinton’s email scandal came up and she admitted to making a mistake saying, “There are no excuses. It was a mistake and I take responsibility for it.”

“It was not a mistake, it was done purposely,” claimed Trump. “You have your staff taking the fifth and it’s disgraceful and the Country thinks it’s disgraceful too.”

One of the biggest topics of the night was race relations. Moderator Lester Holt asked questions regarding race relations in the country, including police shooting and killing black people.

“Race remains a significant challenge in our country,” explained Clinton. “We have to restore trust between communities and police; we have to work to make sure cops are using the best training and techniques and that there well prepared to use force only when necessary.”

She’s calling for criminal justice reform and wants to tackle the plague of gun violence. On the other hand, Trump says we need law and order. He agrees with Clinton that we need better relationships between the police and community but his way around race relations is to do stop and frisk to regain law and order in the country.

“We have a situation where inner cities, blacks and Hispanics living in hell,” Trump began. “Stop and frisk worked really well in New York and brought down murders from 2,200 to 500. Communities in inner cities have been abused and used to get votes by democrats.”

Clinton rebutted his statement by saying, “Stop and frisk was found unconstitutional because it was ineffective. It didn’t do what it needed to do.”

Lester Holt ended the debate with one final question: Are you willing to accept the outcome of the election? Both candidates said they would accept the outcome and that it’s up to the people to get out and vote. So remember to vote on November 8.

Iconic and Informative: PSU Brandywine Bookstore

Posted By under Campus News, Sports

By:  Michael Patterson, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, map6169@psu.edu

Nestled on the second floor of the Commons building, the Penn State Brandywine bookstore is a hidden treasure. Two large glass doors lead you into a plethora of textbooks and student apparel. With a rich Penn State history and the promise of higher learning, the bookstore is a hidden gem that every student on Brandywine’s Campus should visit.

One can access the bookstore Mondays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m – 5:00 p.m, or on Fridays until 4:00 p.m. In the first few hectic weeks of the school year, the store is at its busiest selling textbooks for all incoming students. The store offers everything from basic classroom essentials to the iconic Penn State apparel. Apparel is especially popular with local residents who live and breathe Penn State. In the last two weeks, the store starts to buzz again with students looking to prepare for finals or sell their used textbooks.

Over the summer, the bookstore has reinvented school shopping with a phone app that allows students to purchase, rent, or download their classroom specific books. The app, ‘My College Bookstore,’ is available on the apple store or android for all PSU Brandywine students as well as other satellite campuses. When a student downloads the app, they get student and campus-specific sales which include a 25% off discount for downloading the app.

The Penn State Bookstore at Brandywine has been on campus for over 30 years and was originally run by Penn State Main Campus, but in the last 22 years it has been controlled by Barnes and Noble College. The Bookstore is managed by Alan Pine for the past three years, who is also a Penn State Altoona Alumni.

When a student starts their chapter at Penn State Brandywine, their first step is to prepare for their upcoming classes and there is no better way to start than by visiting the Penn State Brandywine Bookstore for all their needs.