Category: Campus News

From Blocking Shots to Saving Lives

Posted By under Campus News, Entertainment, Sports ,

By: Symantha Marrero, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, sjm5946@psu.edu

It’s almost every kid’s dream to become a college athlete or a police officer. One woman in particular has a shot to fulfill both of those dreams.

Melanie Kempf, a 20-­year-­old student at Penn State Brandywine, is your average girl. She loves to listen to music, spend time with friends and family and to be active. There’s a catch—she’s a 6-­foot center who’s on the path to becoming a state trooper.

A college athlete typically plays for the duration of their time at school, which four years. Kempf’s time on the basketball court, as well as in the classroom, has been cut two years short because of her upcoming task.

The process to become a Pennsylvania State Trooper is rigorous and exhausting. Not only do physical demands need to be met, but also written exams and polygraphs are expected to be passed as well. Once these expectations are completed, the final stage is the academy, where cadets partake in hardcore physical training, in addition to police training for six months.

The physical training includes an intense amount of running, pull­-ups, push-­ups, lifting and even swimming. The police training, which will likely be Kempf’s favorite part of the time spent at the academy, includes how and when to use a firearm, how to drive a police vehicle properly, how to “cuff” people, as well as self­defense.

Perhaps the best part of the entire process is graduating from the academy and starting the first “assignment,” wherever that may be. Finishing this semester at Brandywine brings Kempf that much closer to her goal.

Kempf reminisced about leaving the game of basketball behind.

“Since I was able to walk, I always had a basketball with me,” Kempf said. “Now, it’s like I’m losing a piece of me that had always been there.”

Kempf starts for the Lady Lions and averages just under 18 minutes a game. She’s a huge factor in the team’s success. Basketball isn’t her only talent, however. She also played on the women’s volleyball and soccer teams at Brandywine.

“Mel has the biggest heart I know,” former teammate Colleen Kennedy said. “She gives her all at anything she sets her mind to. I think she’s going to make the perfect police officer.”

Ride-alongs are what sealed the deal for Kempf. After researching and being inspired by family members in the force, Kempf began going on ride-alongs and quickly learned just what it takes to be a police officer.

“Going on these ride-alongs have assured me this is what I’m supposed to do,” Kempf said contently.

From gruesome scenes of suicides to speeding over 85 MPH to chase down a wanted man, Kempf wants it all.

“This is what I’m supposed to do, protect and serve my community, family, friends, everyone,” Kempf said. “I see myself being a police officer within the next two years, ideally a PA state trooper. As long as I’m a police officer, I’ll be happy!”

Until then, she’ll settle with making baskets on the hardwood.

Don’t Be Lethargic, Get Involved

Posted By under Campus News, Entertainment , , ,

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

Penn State Brandywine’s Office of Student Affair hosted its annual Student Involvement Fair on Tuesday, January 19, 2016, in the gymnasium to start the fall semester.

This event was an opportunity to showcase the organizations on campus. It was also an opportunity to meet and talk with members of the student organizations and for students to learn about the many opportunities to get involved.

All clubs, organizations, committees, teams and groups were invited to attend. This year, organizers said was a great turnout with over more than 30 student organizations represented.

The person in charge, making each involvement fair possible, is Stephanie Jones, the Associate Director of Student Affairs.

“My goal with the Involvement Fair was to give students the opportunity to learn ways to get involved in student organizations here at Brandywine,” Jones said. “My hope is that students will find something here that they can connect to that will enhance their college experience.”

One organization’s adviser believes there was something for everyone.

“I enjoy seeing all the diverse student groups on campus,” Virginia Harrison, Assistant Director of Development and the Blue and White Society adviser, said. “This is my first year as the adviser to the Blue & White Society, so when I attended the Summer Involvement Fair I was trying to get the word out about the club.  This semester, I was thrilled to see students coming up to our table to learn more about our group because they had heard about the Blue & White Society. I was also glad to have our president and vice president there with me!”

The Student Involvement Fair is a great place for students to join an organization or create their own that interests them because being a part of something on or off campus gives students a feeling of satisfaction. For more information about the Student Involvement Fair or ways to get involved, drop by the Office of Student Affairs located in the Commons building.

Online Registration Taking A New Path

Posted By under Campus News

By: Paul Alberici, Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, paa5102@psu.edu (updated by the Lion’s Eye Web Staff)

The online registration service for Penn State students is getting a brand new upgrade that will be known as “Lions Path.” This new system will be replacing, “eLion,” the long-standing registration system.

This new system is actually called “PeopleSoft” and its project name is “Lions Path.” This new system will operate somewhat differently from e-Lion. It makes registering for classes feel almost like online shopping because registering students use something like a “shopping cart,” and at check out students have their class choices.

Lions Path will also eliminate a lot of the paper aspects for students. The processes of “change of major” and entrance into certain programs will now take place in this new system. Payment status, semester classification, and unsatisfactory academic status will be changing with the implementation of the new system. This system is not just for Brandywine, it is University-wide, meaning that there will be some changes in class times and scheduling.

“Most of the changes should be more user-friendly to the student, but there are other advantages to using a vendor-provided system,” Registrar Joanna McGowan said. “The vendor will provide system upgrades and the campuses within the University will operate together . . . allowing more integration.”

“All campuses will now have common course times,” McGowan said. “So Brandywine’s course scheduling times will be a little different.”

This new system will be fully implemented for the Fall 2016 registration, so that when students are registering for Fall 2016 this Spring, they will be using the new system. However, registration for Summer 2016 will still be with the old e-Lion system.

As with all change, those acclimated to the old system will be learning this new way along with all the new students. This puts them both on the same level of expertise–absolutely zero. However, the new students have an advantage this time because they will be learning along with everyone else.

“I am told that there will be support for all students,” McGowan said. “Current students will need the most support because they will be using two systems; incoming students will just learn on the new system the same way current students learned eLion.”

This new system will update an outdated system.

“Our current computer system is home-grown and over 30 years old,” McGowan said. “It was no longer able to keep up with student, staff/faculty, and technology needs, and it is no longer practical to constantly manually implement work arounds and updates.”

It remains to be seen how effective this new registration system will be, however it looks like it will be bringing some much needed updates to registration.

Brandywine campus abounds with new construction

Posted By under Campus News ,

As Penn State Brandywine began a new fall semester, students were greeted with new construction throughout the campus.

The construction can be seen all throughout the campus, most noticeably in front of the Commons building, where right now most of the patio is a dirt patch, but will, soon enough, be a water fountain.

Other locations of construction around campus are in the walkways where the school is adding more lamp posts. Another addition to the campus is right around Vairo Library and the tennis courts. Probably not many students noticed the few stones that made up a small short cut from the walkway that passes the tennis courts and connects to the walkway that passes the library. Those few stones are now newly built steps.

Many students and faculty are excited to see what the campus has in store for the new plans. Other students are excited but also feel inconvenienced by the schools construction.

“I think the construction outside of Commons is an inconvenience because it cuts off several pathways that lead to the entrance, but overall I think the construction will do the campus good,” one senior student who wishes to remain anonymous said.

Did you notice the upgraded lounge area in Viaro Library basement? Some of the furniture has been changed along with the outdated computers, which have been replaced with new Mac computers. Talks of adding a glass wall and entrance to the lounge have also been discussed.

Another reoccurring rumor around campus is when campus residence halls will be built. Well, rumor no more! The campus just received final township approval to construct the new student housing and student union projects. The school has plans to construct the residence halls right behind Vairo Library where the woods are currently located. The residence hall will be an L-shaped building able to house 250 students with a new dining hall.

“I am really excited that they will be adding dorms to the campus, it’s just a shame that I will be graduated by the time they are built, and I will not get to enjoy all of the new additions,” senior Anna Toshtzar said.

Some students would like to see other additions made to the campus in future years.

“I wish the school would build a better place for students to hang out,” senior Justin Gomez said. “I know that Commons is a place for students to hang out, but I wish that there was a place that had more chairs to relax in and more games for students to play such as a pool or foosball.”

Only the future will tell what advancements will be made on campus in the years to come. Penn State Brandywine is constantly updating in order to stay modern and competitive in the educational arena.

Lions Eye Staff Writer
 Tom O’Donnell, two5047@psu.edu
updated by Lion’s Eye Web Staff

Welcome Newcomers

Posted By under Campus News

Out with the old, in with the new.

Welcoming the freshman class of 2019, Brandywine was all about making them feel at home. Tons of festivities took place around campus, from reptile excursions to game shows. There was even a live reggae band sharing some of their traditional food and music with us.

The first year of college can be overwhelming to freshman because of the new curriculum they are about to experience. Brandywine put together a special week just for the freshman so they could feel at home.

On their first day of college, the freshman were excited for the delicious island food at the welcome back BBQ, where they caught a break from their classes. A long line of hungry students waited for the curry chicken and white rice, beef patties and jerk chicken. Many danced around to the reggae band, putting their own culture twist on the famous song, Earned It from the movie 50 Shades of Grey.

Looking around one could see everybody was in a good mood, catching up with friends, and some even making new ones. Even though it was uncomfortably hot outside, everyone was distracted by the fun they were having.

On Tuesday, August 25, the Think Fast game show took place in Commons. This was another campus activity that received a lot of freshman participation.

“I thought the game show we had here on campus was very entertaining and I learned a lot about different actors, music and even the world,” freshman accounting major Sabria Williams said.

There was a $200 cash prize for the winner at the end of the game.

“No I didn’t participate because of the prize, but knowing what the prize was made me more engaged in the game,” Williams said.

There were other students who looked like they still enjoyed the game even though they didn’t win the prize either.

By Friday afternoon, it was a beautiful day but campus was really quiet. Brandywine had a lot to offer for our incoming freshmen during welcome week.

Now that the fun is over, it’s time to get focused and worry about maintaining those “A” grades. Good luck!

 

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer

Deja Footes, dmf5475@psu.edu

Getting Involved on Campus

Posted By under Campus News ,

On Wednesday, September 2, Penn State Brandywine hosted its annual Student Involvement Fair on Common Paths to kick-start the new semester.

This event is a student favorite, as it showcases the organizations the campus has to offer and gives students the opportunity to start their own clubs. This year, organizers say the fair was a massive success with more than 40 organizations represented to make students aware of the vast variety of clubs available to them.

Behind the scenes helping the event come together is Stephanie Jones, the Associate Director of Student Affairs at Brandywine. This is Jones’ third Involvement Fair, and she worked to make it a fun experience for those who attended.

“This semester we tried something a little different and reached out to a few local agencies to see if they were interested in participating,” Jones said. “This gave students the opportunity to also get involved with the local community. This year we had the Delaware County SPCA, Tyler Arboretum, Coatsville Kids to College, Rocky Run Volunteer Fire Company, City Team and the Delaware County Public Transportation Management Authority.”

Over the years, it is additions like these that make students excited about the fair and want to get involved. According to Jones, this semester’s Involvement Fair was the most popular one to date, especially when it came to students starting their own clubs.

“We had some new groups express interest in becoming an active student organization including yoga club, app club, veteran’s club, black student league, self defense club and the Latino club,” said Jones.

Established groups on campus benefit from the Involvement Fair as much as newcomers. With more than a hundred new sign ups and the opportunity to raise awareness for great causes, the fair truly makes a difference, according to Liz Gramlich, the President of Brandywine Benefitting THON.

“It completely rebuilds our team for the year,” Gramlich said. “Without it we would not have nearly as many people involved. This year we were also able to do an awareness activity, which really got the word out.”

Whether you’re joining an existing organization or creating your own, the Involvement Fair is a great place to start. Being apart of something on campus provides students with a sense of community that helps make your time here all the more memorable. For more information on how you can get involved, stop by Student Affairs in Commons.

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer
Brooke Byrne, bzb5183@psu.edu

KINES class gives student a path to self awareness

Posted By under Campus News, Op/Ed, Uncategorized

Author: Kahri Jones, kjj5053@psu.edu

At Brandywine, KINES 47 introduces students to the ancient holistic practice of Yoga. Though popularly recognized, many students are surprised to find out the many benefits of Yoga.

“I first became aware of it after finding out from watching the NBA and hearing about coach Phil Jackson, the Zen Master,” said senior Redion Xhoxhi.

This is the very same coach that has consistently led legendary players such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to championships. Coach Jackson recognized the bountiful benefits that could enhance his players’ talent, and well-being, by applying a yogic coaching style.

It is true. Yoga is beneficial for health and can maintain, and improve, overall well being through physical and mental fitness.
Yoga is a practice focusing on two components, each providing positive physiological effects. Combined, the asana and pranayama practical techniques can promote radiant health by releasing physical and mental tension.

The practice of Yoga can be a great way to help individuals regulate the ways in which one deals with stress. Stressors appear in the form of external events outside of self and may have an internal impact on cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, nervous system, and immune system activities.
With the increase of library and study time for students entering finals week, students may encounter such stressful events. You will thank yourself by responding to these events with a natural holistic remedy provided by Yoga.

A yogic approach perceives these events with a full awareness and practice meditation, a natural relaxation remedy. It is a stress response that provides a calmness and balance of mind, which can be correlated to lower heart rate and blood pressure. Other additive benefits include anxiety, depression, and insomnia relief.
Asanas are all different postures and stretches that will help alleviate body aches and help facilitate pranayama. Pranayama, breathing exercises, helps focus and regulate life force that resides in all living beings. These breathing exercises help guide meditation.

Together, it will leave the body feeling revitalized and mind feeling completely calm and refreshed.
More practice helps develop a stronger awareness of your body and creates a higher value of your spirit and physical being. This value promotes strong mental health and a fit body free of fatigue and aches. It is the perfect counter to other stress coping methods such as substance dependency.

More About KINES 47 (1.5 credits)
Instructor Emily Dozer guides students in the direction to learn the benefits of Hatha Yoga.
Students meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for a half semester of bending and breathing with their mats in the athletic gym.
They are challenged to cancel out the noise of our automated daily routine, and focus on inner self.

Students discover vast geometry in nature

Posted By under Campus News, Uncategorized , , , , ,
Penn State assistant math professor and NSF researcher, Jan Reimann
Penn State assistant math professor and NSF researcher, Jan Reimann

Written by Kahri Jones

Early Wednesday evening, students entered room 113 for the second installment of Brandywine’s 2015 Speaker Series. Students were not the only ones to occupy all seats; faculty and members of the community were also in attendance.

Jan Reimann, assistant professor of mathematics at Penn State, kicked off the lecture in continuation of the four part series of free events open to the public, and immediately admitted how amazed and delighted at the interest shown reflected by the audience turn out.
He thanked the audience for attending a math lecture on their spare time. Reimann found it remarkable because math is often intimidating and gets a bad rap. He promised he would not ask the audience to solve equations.

“There won’t be any formulas,” Reimann joked. “Everyone can enjoy math, just like everyone can enjoy music or art.”

Instead of asking to solve equations and find derivatives for functions, Reimann peaked the room’s interest by acknowledging the many patterns that appear in nature and architecture.
He explained that patterns are all throughout nature and that you just have to know how to see them. He assured the audience that through curiosity and scientific endeavor, we can learn how observe patterns around us.

Mathematicians seek to understand the world. Through harmony and chaos, the fundamental patterns of geometry, lines and circles are a global regularity. It was important for Reimann to establish a foundation for the audience understanding of how mathematicians have observed the world around us and how perceptions have developed.

Reimann took the audience on a journey through a 3,000-year-old math struggle to gain a better understanding of how we see the world today. After each definitive period of how the world perceived geometry in nature, he gave light to mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot’s discovery of fractal geometry. He noted that Mandelbrot’s findings have even benefited current computer animated graphics.

The assistant professor is a distinguished researcher in the field of science and mathematics. His research is funded by the National Science Foundation, and has brought him to many places throughout the world, including New Zealand, Chicago, California and Penn State.

When Jan Reimann is not in the Penn State classrooms as assistant professor, he is more than likely researching questions on fractal geometry or information theory and the foundations of mathematics and science. His latest research is observing a type of symmetry, self-similarity, found in particular networks such as airline traffic patterns.

The Progression of Brandywine THON

Posted By under Campus News

Liz Gramlich, Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, eag5283@psu.edu

In fall of 2012 I decided to join THON at a club rush because I thought it would be a great way to meet new people and help children with cancer at the same time. Looking back I had no idea how much this organization would progress over the next three years. During fall 2012 it was a common view that the Brandywine THON organization was in the process of reconstructing itself. That year Brandywine Benefitting THON raised $12,296.12 for the kids. New Picture (6)
During fall 2013 Brandywine set out with a goal to raise more than the previous year’s total. The organization grew in membership and more fundraisers were created. By the end of that year, Brandywine was able to raise $26,251.83. This was over two times more than the previous year’s total. That year Brandywine also became number 10 of the Top 10 Commonwealth Colleges in fundraising. Seeing how much they could make a difference put a fire under Brandywine THON for the year to come.
This year when Brandywine started their fundraising season, they had more people than ever before. In their first meeting the organization had over 100 students attend. During Brandywine THON’s first canister solicitation (canning) weekend they totaled $12,136.68. This amount was only $159.05 away from their total in 2013. In addition to this, they were able to reach out to previous Brandywine Alumni for support. They held multiple fundraisers throughout the year such as: car washes, Halloween costume contests, and their annual chance auction—whichhad a great turn out. Thanks to our dedicated members, faculty, staff, alumni and donors, Brandywine THON was able to raise $40,952.11. This total was the most that Brandywine had ever raised since its founding in 2001. The total of $40,952.11 also placed Brandywine as seven in the Top Ten Commonwealth. This year THON members were truly dedicated and Brandywine Proud.
Brandywine THON gave it all that they had for the kids and made every penny that they raised count. I am truly proud of everything that they have accomplished this year. Every record by THON in previous years had been broken within the year through their hard work and dedication. Brandywine THON proved that a small group of people can make a huge impact.

The Journey Through THON Weekend

Posted By under Campus News

Liz Gramlich, Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, eag5283@psu.edu
Paul Alberici and Michael Mensah were revealed as the Brandywine Benefitting THON Dancers for THON Weekend 2015 at Brandywine THON’s annual chance auction. This means that Alberici and Mensah would dance/stand for 46 hours straight during THON Weekend to celebrate those who have defeated cancer, support those who are battling, and to honor the children who have lost the battle. Money raised goes to the Four Diamonds Foundation, which helps support families with children affected by cancer and research that is spread throughout the nation. The biggest influence for Alberici to keep dancing was the families of the Four Diamonds Foundation. Alberici stated, “When you see how happy and grateful the families are and what THON has done for them, it really makes you feel like you are making a difference by just being there for them.”
After weeks of preparation Alberici and Mensah were ready to stand on February 20 beginning at 6:00 pm. During this weekend they were able to be kids again. They colored, had water gun fights, danced, played games, and dressed up in fun clothing. While dancing for 46 hours, Alberici and Mensah had Brandywine students in the stands cheering them on. These students goal was to encourage them to keep dancing throughout the hours to keep them from not giving in to their aching body or lack of sleep. Mensah states, “My biggest influence to keep dancing during THON weekend was definitely my Brandywine organization. I know I’m dancing for the children, but whenever I saw my organization in the stands, they gave me the energy that I needed to keep going throughout the weekend. I always saw them dancing, smiling, and just having a good time!”
Throughout the weekend Alberici and Mensah stayed strong and persevered throughout the 46 hours, all for the kids. During the weekend dancers have their ups and downs. Mensah states, “the biggest struggle for me was keeping focus mentally. There was a period of time where I knew I was there physically, but mentally I was not 100% there. I would forget stuff immediately after it happened. I wound up finding myself in places and not remembering how I got there. I’d be playing with some of the other dancers, or some of the kids, and find it hard to really enjoy the moment because I was so mentally drained. What brought me back was when I read my dancer mail and got a visit from some of my organization members on the floor!” Alberici states, “I had two times where mentally I felt like I was losing it; both times were on Sunday. At one point right before I spoke to my parents, I felt like I was slipping between a dream and reality. But after I got some support and some motivational messages from the Brandywine crew, I caught my second wind. Then later during family hour, which was at hour 44 of the 46, I was listening to the stories and felt like I was falling asleep standing up. If it wasn’t for one my organization members as well as our Four Diamonds family kids squirting me in the face, I don’t know if I would’ve stayed awake. “

Brandywine THON Dancers Michael Mensah (Left) and Paul Alberici (Right) with Brandywine's THON organization in the background
Brandywine THON Dancers Michael Mensah (Left) and Paul Alberici (Right) with Brandywine’s THON organization in the background

Alberici and Mensah also experienced memorable moments that have changed their lives from dancing the 46 hours of THON. Mensah states “My favorite moment from THON would have to be when I received the “Beads of Courage” from our THON child, Trevor. Each different color of beads represented something that he went through while he was in the hospital battling Burkitts Lymphoma. It really touched my heart when I received those beads and the accompanying letter that he wrote me! It really inspired me to keep going! I will never forget that moment! All of the King family inspired me to keep going.” Alberici stated, “Just seeing how happy the families and kids were, I knew what we were doing was making a difference. To have an incredible campus organization, a great partner, the support of the families and two Dance Relations representatives that helped us with everything, it made the whole experience that much more memorable and made it turn out to be the best weekend of my life.”
Students who dance in THON do something completely selfless for others. They stand for those 46 hours for life and for those who cannot. Dancing in THON can affect these students physically and mentally. These students fight through this all for the kids. Alberici and Mensah joined the ranks of many others who represented Penn State Brandywine and completed the task of standing/dancing for 46 hours to support the children, families and raise money for the cause.