Category: Campus News

Getting to Know Your Counselor, Jennifer Toadvine

Posted By under Campus News

By: Margot Gargus, The Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, mbg5317@psu.edu

Coming from a background of adoptive parents and friends’ dependent on her, Jennifer Toadvine knew her calling. Jennifer is the clinical counselor here on the Brandywine campus in the commons building. She works and talks with students every day to discuss their issues and help them through college. After starting here just about a year ago, Toadvine says she’s now comfortable on campus and is happy to be at Brandywine.

When asked what made Toadvine dive into the counseling world, her face lit up. She stated, “I remember growing up and I was always the person people came to talk to, so in a weird way I just fell into counseling.” Jennifer moved on to talk about her family life, and how that had affected her choice. She said, “being adopted, my family was very different than a lot of other families, it made me very curious, so I actually ended up getting my degree as a couples and family therapist.” Using her prior experiences, she was able to migrate to counseling.

Jennifer loves school and everything it has to offer. Earning her undergrad at Elon University in North Carolina, and a master’s in couples and family therapy at Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia, she then went to Widener University for her master’s in education, and Ph. D. in human sexuality. “I absolutely love school and what it has to offer and if I could still be taking classes I would!” she stated.

She fell in love with Brandywine the day she arrived. “It is so small and personal, everyone knows everyone and they just invite you in,” she said. She believes that college is an extremely difficult and important time in someone’s life, which is why she chooses to counsel college students. “You guys have a lot going on as commuter students,” she stated, “with your families still having a big part in your life because you’re living at home… I love to help students and listen to them. I love being able to walk building-to-building and recognize people. It is also incredible to meet some of the students and watch them grow as individuals and find themselves, I feel, as a counselor, that’s one of the best aspects of my job.”

Being a counselor, Toadvine is asked every day for advice and is called upon to be there in times of need. She may even be considered a mentor to some people. When asked who her mentors were she smiled and said, “I was really influenced by my undergrad research mentor. I still talk to her and that relationship was just so fabulous. Authors and therapists also have influenced me. I love looking at the way they think about their profession and their thoughts on certain topics. I also thank the people who have taught me throughout my life and helped shape me into the therapist I am today.”

Being someone to turn to on our campus, Jennifer Toadvine cannot wait to move forward with her career here at Brandywine. She is excited to mentor counseling interns in her office too.

Students are encouraged to make an appointment or stop by her office. Whether it’s a small worry about a class or relationship; need to vent; or an ongoing concern, Toadvine’s door is always open. The counseling office is in 213 Commons, in the Student Affairs Suite.

Butterflies of Brandywine

Posted By under Campus News

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

Over the course of three days, September 6-8, the students at Brandywine came together to consider suicide prevention. During common hour in the campus Lion’s Den, students, staff and outside guests gathered to share stories and resources.

In Pennsylvania, suicide is the second leading cause of death for people aged 15-34. High school, through college, into early adulthood is the range in which those are most affected.
There is no single cause to suicide, however, it most often occurs when the daily stressors of life exceed a person’s current coping abilities. They may also be suffering from a mental health condition, like depression.

Before the festivities began, supporters had the opportunity to post a personal message to those struggling on one large poster board. The title was, What would you say to someone who is struggling?

Messages covered the board with inspirational quotes like, “just keep swimming,” “things will get better,” “keep moving forward,”. . . the list goes on.

Ayesha Smith, a senior human development and family studies (HDFS) major at Brandywine reflected on the importance of suicide awareness.

“I think it’s great that we’re having suicide awareness here at school because let’s be honest, school is hard and it adds a lot of pressure to students. Some people just don’t know how to handle the stress that they may feel from their parents to succeed, from their job and from the pressure we put on ourselves to stay in school and actually be something after we graduate,” she said.

On the last day of events, students gathered in the Lion’s Den to watch a film on suicide awareness. They also got a chance to listen to their peers and an outside guest speak on their experience and knowledge on the subject.

At the end of the day, the group relocated outside and released several butterflies representing peace, freedom and hope.

Launa Andrews, a senior at Brandywine was one among the group during the butterfly release.

“I love the idea of releasing butterflies. To me it’s like a sigh of relief for people struggling and it’s a symbolic way of taking all the built up stress we may feel and simply letting it go and moving on…it felt good even for someone who isn’t struggling as deeply,” she said.

Students left the event with more than just the number to a hotline, and as suicide prevention week came to a close, the hearts of students remained open to those in need.

Common Read 2016 : Between the World and Me

Posted By under Campus News, Uncategorized

By: Margot Gargus Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, mbg5317@psu.edu

Brandywine’s common read book this year is “Between the World and Me,”
By Ta-Nehisi Coates.

The book addresses black struggles in today’s society. The author tries to enlighten readers about the current situation of divisiveness in the world.

Between the World and Me is Ta-Nehisi Coates’s attempts to address these questions in a letter to his young son—sharing his story and his history The story covers events in Ta-Nehisi’s life from university to fighting in war. The book jacket review by Michiko Kakutani of The New York Times commends Coates,

“Mr. Coates’s expressionistic book is a sequel … to “The Beautiful Struggle,” the evocative 2008 memoir of growing up in Baltimore, the son of a Vietnam vet and former Black Panther.”

In this day in age there are race issues. Black lives matter vs. all lives matter are topics in the daily news. This read addresses the issues in an honest, open way, paving the way for dialogue.

The story of Ta-Nehisi’s everyday life has been spread around campus; pick up a copy of this year’s common read and share!

PSU and DCCC Agreement

Posted By under Campus News

Brandon Stewart, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, bis5306@psu.edu

Earlier this summer Penn State Brandywine and Delaware County Community College (DCCC) signed an agreement that would allow graduates of the community college to transfer directly over to PSU Brandywine.  The agreement doesn’t just stop at Brandywine, it actually extends to all 13 Penn State campuses. DCCC students who graduate with an associate in arts or science and have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 will be eligible. Penn State’s application fees will also be waived.

DCCC students who apply with their associate’s degree can consider bachelor of science degrees in: biology, business, and psychology (BA and BS). Many students of the community college are ecstatic to have another university as a transfer option. Khalil Jenkins, a communication major at DCCC said.

“Penn State has always been on my radar as a school I would consider, but seeing how difficult it is at the University Park campus I figure this is the perfect opportunity to start small once again and work my way up, or even finish with a Penn State degree from Brandywine.

Taken from an article written by PSU Brandywine’s University Relations Department Personnel,

Penn State Brandywine’s Chancellor Kristin Woolever and DCCC President Jerry Parker expressed their excitement,

“We’re very pleased to build on the long and collaborative relationship we have with the community college,” said Penn State Brandywine Chancellor Kristin Woolever. “This mutually beneficial agreement furthers our mission to provide accessible and affordable higher education opportunities for students in our region and continues our commitment to be invested in our community.”

“This forward-thinking agreement provides an excellent opportunity for our graduates to pursue a four-year degree at a wonderful university,” Delaware County Community College President Jerry Parker said. “Many of our students prefer to stay local, and this agreement enables them to further their education at Penn State’s nearby Brandywine campus.”

Students are already taking advantage of the agreement and can also benefit from the first PSU Brandywine residence hall scheduled to open in Fall ’17 if they want to take full advantage of the college experience.

Go Global for Spring ’17

Posted By under Campus News

This Spring, Travel to the French Riviera or Havana, Cuba

Brandywine Global Programs offers courses with an academic study and travel experience abroad during the Spring and Fall breaks in the University’s academic calendar.

Students prepare to travel abroad by enrolling in one of the many courses geared for the experience. Prior to travel, students complete pre-travel coursework and work with an instructor using distance distant education formats through Angel/Canvas and email. During the immersion experience the students work on the projects and travel the country as outlined in the syllabus. Post-travel coursework is then completed upon return to campus.

This Spring, students will have the opportunity to travel to the French Riviera from March 3-11 and Havana, Cuba from March 4-11.

Courses offered for Spring travel to Cuba include:

CIVCM 211 (GS;US;IL) Foundations in Civic and Community

Engagement, Dr. Lynn Hartle, 3 credits

INART 001 (GA), The arts,
Dr. Paul Greene, 3 credits

Courses offered for Spring travel to the French Riviera include:

AM ST 105 (GH) American Popular Culture and Folklife,
Patricia Hillen, 3 credits

HD FS 229/PSYCH 212 (GS) Infant and Child Development,
Dr. Laura Evans, 3 credits

HD FS 429/PSYCH 410 Advanced Child Development,
Dr. Laura Evans, 3 credits

INART 001/ARTH 100 (GA) (IL) The Arts,
Juliet Gundy, 3 credits

KINES 081 (GHA) Wellness Theory,
Barbara Rostick, 1.5 & 3 credits

LING 001(GS) (IL) (US) /LING 100 (GS) The Study of Language,
Dr. Evan Bradley, 3 credits

LING 102 (GH) Introduction to Historical Linguistics,
Dr. Evan Bradley, 3 credits

MGMT 445 (US) Managing a Diverse Workforce,
Dr. Veronica Godshalk, 3 credits

MGMT 499 (IL) Foreign Studies,
Dr. Veronica Godshalk, 3 credits

Explore the opportunities at http://brandywine.psu.edu/global-programs.

New beginnings at Brandywine

Posted By under Campus News

By: Deja Footes, Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, dmf5475@psu.edu

Originally from Central Illinois, Dr. Josh Phillips is a new communication Arts and Sciences (CAS) professor at Brandywine.

This is Phillips’ ninth year teaching. He has been teaching since he was 23 years old. He began teaching as a master’s student at Central Michigan University (CMU) and before beginning his career at Brandywine, he taught at Southern Illinois University (SIU) where he earned his Ph.D. in speech communication.

After teaching at CMU and SIU, with student populations of 20,000, Phillips realized that it was time to find a smaller institution that he could call
home.

“Brandywine has a really good community atmosphere,” Phillips said.  “People get to know each other on a first name basis and build a special relationship.”

Phillips explained it is important to have a one-on-one connection between students and faculty and it’s harder to find that on a larger campus.  Phillips explained why he was interested in pursuing and teaching communication studies.

“It takes more of a hybrid approach and it’s very interdisciplinary,” Phillips said.  “I was really interested in the issues of poverty and homelessness.”

Phillips wanted to study different perspectives of those issues and that is when he realized CAS was the best teaching choice for him. Other
aspects of CAS that he explores include intercultural communication or how people from different cultures interact with each other.

“It’s really the sharing of symbols and the interpersonal one-on-one level that you have to be aware of and think about when choosing a CAS class,” Phillips said.

Phillips became connected with teaching after receiving positive feedback years later from students who graduated.

“Former students who called me really stuck with me because it was nice to see them getting jobs, becoming successful and remembering things
I have taught them in the past,” Phillips said.

From that moment, Phillips started to dig deeper in the aspect of teaching because he realized his hard work was appreciated.

Brandywine softball defeats Rosemont

Posted By under About, Advertising, Alumni, Campus News, Entertainment, Networking, Sports, Uncategorized

By Brian Bosco, Lion’s Eye staff writer, bwb5310@psu.edu

 

The Penn State Brandywine softball team traveled to Rosemont College on Thursday, April 21, and came away with two blowout nonconference wins.

 

After a 9-0 shutout win by the Lady Lions in the first game of the double-header, they set out to do the same in the nightcap.  Game two started off with a bang as Brandywine plated five runs on three hits that included a three-run RBI triple by Katy Steffen.  The other two runs were knocked in with a pair of singles by Julie Foeldes and Steph Harvey.

 

Foeldes led seven players with at least two hits by going 3-4 at the plate.  Harvey was not far behind Foeldes’ performance as she tallied five hits and three RBI’s over both games.

 

“We were able to put Rosemont in a hole early,” Head Coach, Mark Castansa said.

 

The early lead was all the senior pitcher, Olivia Encarnacion, needed.  Encarnacion blanked the Ravens over the first 4 ⅓ innings before an error allowed Rosemont to score an unearned run.  She finished the game with six strikeouts, only allowed five hits, and earned her sixth win of the season.

 

“I was just trying to get the ball over the plate as much as possible,” Encarnacion explained when asked how she kept Rosemont on edge.

 

A four-run fourth inning sealed the deal for the Lady Lions.  The inning was led by last year’s All-Americans, Katie Steffen and Katie DeStefano.  Steffen added an RBI double to score Foeldes, and Katie DeStefano recorded a big run scoring single.  This ran the score up to 12-0 in Brandywine’s favor.

 

Heading into the top of the fifth inning Brandywine knew it had to hold Rosemont in order to keep the 10 run rule in effect.  In college, the 10 run rule takes effect when one team is beating the other team by 10 runs or more through five innings.

 

Knowing they had to keep Rosemont from scoring two runs, Brandywine looked a little tense at the start of the inning.  The inning started with a leadoff single, followed by a throwing error that allowed one run to score.  This left Brandywine with a one run cushion and a runner on third.  Next batter hits a rocket down to Grace DeRosa at third base.  She slung it home to the catcher, Steph Harvey, as who embraced a forceful collision while tagging the runner out at the plate.

 

“It kept the game at 10 runs,” Harvey said.  “I wasn’t trying to hurt her, I was just trying to do my job and get the out.”

 

Harvey got the out, while also making the play of the game.  The next two batters hit lazy fly balls, and that ended the game with a final score of 12-1.

 

Brandywine is now 14-14 (7-1 in conference) and heads to Widener on Friday afternoon. Their big challenge comes this weekend with conference doubleheaders against Penn State New Kensington, and Penn State Fayette.

 

Speed Networking

Posted By under Advertising, Alumni, Campus News, Entertainment, Networking , , , , , , , , , ,

By: Ciera Britton, Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, clb434@psu.edu

Penn State alums at the Speed Networking with Alumni event offered students the unique opportunity to practice before the real interview.

The event was an opportunity for the students to network with the alumni and practice their ‘‘elevator speeches.’’ The Speed Networking with Alumni saw a total of 14 alumni and 27 students attend. The feedback received from both the alumni and students was encouraging and very positive.

The collaboration of the Student Government Association (S.G.A), Blue and White Society (B.W.S), Career Services and Alumni Relations made the event a success. The event was open to all students; for two internship prep classes (CNED 280 and BA 420), participation was mandatory. For the first half of the Speed Networking with Alumni, the students rotated from one alumni station to another after every four minutes.

“I attended the event because it was an excellent opportunity to network and meet knowledgeable and experienced PSU alumni,” senior Jodi Mitchell said.

Jim Callagher, who is employed by Hotel and Restaurant Management, shares his reasons why he is always there to help the students of Penn State.

“PSU is what it is all about,” Callagher said. “It is important to share our business experience with future students in the business world. It can help them with better interviewing skills.”

Penn State alum Michael Cappelletti works at Warfel Construction Company.  He was honored to attend.

“Penn State has the best students,” Cappelletti said. “They are always present for events and great at networking. I am here to help the students learn to reach out, to communicate and to network.”

After lunch, Penn State Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations Virginia Harrison explained how she could not miss the event.

“I am the adviser to the Blue and White Society and in the campus alumni relations office,” Harrison said. “I came to see and help alumni and students network and interact.”

Numerous connections were made for potential opportunities, and students are better equipped and more confident as they prepare for upcoming job opportunities.

Don’t stop now

Posted By under Advertising, Alumni, Campus News, Commencement, Entertainment, Graduation, Networking, Op/Ed , , , , , , , ,

By: Sharifa Small, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, sns161@psu.edu

As Penn State Brandywine 2016 commencement draws near, students are wrapping up research projects, internships, independent study classes and exams in preparation for what lies ahead.

The commencement ceremony is set to be held on Saturday, May 7, at 10 a.m., in the Commons Building/Athletic Center. Additionally, the commencement speaker will be Jennifer Morgan, President of SAP North America.

While many students are counting down the weeks until graduation day, which tends to be the busiest, others are reminiscing about their first day on campus.

Will Gruehn, a senior Corporate Communications major, is set to graduate this spring. He remembers his first day as a freshman.

“It was fairly uneventful,” Gruehn said. “I remember thinking that the campus was a lot smaller than I initially envisioned it.  I also remember being very shocked by the general size of most classes, but as the days passed by, the class sizes were a thing of the past.”

Within the weeks leading up to graduation day, there are always activities on campus to either ease one’s mind of final exam stress or help a student look for a job. Such activities include mock interviews, speed networking with alumni, career day prep (Resumania), career day and internship poster and capstone presentations. There are also fun events like Tunes Thursday, Movie Night, Senior Send-off, Spring Fling and much more.

Commencement is a joyous occasion. With that being said, seniors are urged to RSVP with attendance and ticket requests by April 20 for the commencement ceremony as well as pick up their cap and gowns, as it is very much needed for the service. Seniors are still required to RSVP even if they do not plan to attend the commencement ceremony, to ensure an appropriate count of attendees.

“I have a lot of mixed feelings about graduation, Gruehn said. “I honestly cannot wait to be finally finished with research papers, presentations and exams; however, I am also a bit sad about the prospect of leaving my friends behind.”

Congratulations to those seniors graduating. A new chapter will begin soon. It starts with being called a Penn State alum.

Brandywine Softball: 2016 Preview

Posted By under About, Campus News, Entertainment, Sports

Brian Bosco, Lions Eye Editor, bwb5310@psu.edu

The Penn State Brandywine softball team is returning to defend its championship title in the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).

In just their second season as a varsity program, head coach Mark Caserta led Brandywine to a 23-12 record and its first PSUAC championship.  The Brandywine Lady Lions won all 18 of their games against league competition, while outscoring opponents 220-51 during those contests.  The women are eager to show the league they can do it again.

This season there will be six returning players, two of whom were named All-Americans as freshman.  The All-American duo of Katie DeStefano and Katy Steffen helped lead the team to the championship last season, and they look to forward to everyone gunning for them as Caserta said.

DeStefano was also PSUAC Pitcher and Newcomer of the Year for 2015, with seven starts against league competition, and posted a perfect 7-0 record with a 1.02 earned run average and 54 strikeouts in 41.0 innings.  On the offensive side of the All-American duo is Steffen.  The first baseman registered a team best eight home runs, 51 RBI, and had a batting average of .377 with 24 extra-base hits.  The two have been working hard to be even better this year, and will help elevate their overall team play.

Entering the 2016 season, the Lady Lions are down seven players from 2015.  Last year’s starting shortstop and centerfielder, players named USCAA All-Americans, did not return to the team this year because of personal issues.  This has created some question marks in the lineup.

However, the Lady Lions welcomed seven new players, including two pitchers who are dedicated to help out DeStefano.  Having multiple pitchers with different strengths is another asset this team has lacked in years past.  Each of the seven players brought in are hoping to make a positive impact on the starting lineup.

“One of the strengths of this year’s team is going to be how versatile each player is,” Caserta said.  “There will be lots of options for me as each position will be interchangeable.”

Key matchups for the Lady Lions include conference games against Hazelton and Schuylkill.  Penn State Hazleton won the championship in 2014 and gave Brandywine a run for its money in the playoffs last season.  Penn State Schuylkill will also be a matchup that will be tough as they qualified for the national United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) tournament last season.
Caserta had some interesting insight as to how a softball season can go.

“Every year could be different, one year a team could be bad, but the next they could have a pitcher that could turn the whole team around,” Caserta said.

All-in-all, the 2016 Brandywine softball team will be a force to be reckoned with.  Having a great core of upperclassman leadership, along with adding dedicated freshman, will help this team have the depth they need to go all the way.  These women are seeking a championship from pitch number one.