Students working their way through college are learning the details and intricacies of their respective majors in the hopes of success in the future.

Many times, however, they really aren’t able to put what they have learned to the test until it is time to do an internship or until they graduate and land that first “real job.” However, one determined group of students at Brandywine is getting a leg-up on putting that classroom knowledge to the test.

Dan and Nicole Angle lost everything in a tornado in Moore, OK last May, including their 9-year-old daughter, Sydney. Karrie Bowen, an instructor in the communication department and a friend of Nicole, did her best to help from afar when the tragedy hit last summer, but she says it never felt like what she was doing was enough. So when given the chance to make a difference, Bowen applied to the Laboratory for Civic Engagement in the hopes that her Comm 471 Public Relations class becomes the Rosenberg Class for the Spring 2014 semester.

David Rosenberg, a Penn State alum, is dedicated to the idea of civic engagement and community service.  His focus with the Laboratory for Civic Engagement is all about wanting to make a difference, not just locally, but around the world. Rosenberg donates $500 of his own money to one class each semester.  That money enables the class to make a difference. After applying for the donation, Bowen’s class was chosen to be one of the two Rosenberg classes this semester.

The class has chosen to organize a fundraiser to benefit Shelter Oklahoma Schools in honor of Sydney Angle.

“This is an amazing opportunity for them as a whole,” Bowen said of her students. “Not only are they getting both practical work experience in putting together this kind of event, but they are also getting a feel as to how important academic research is when you go into the ‘real world.’”

Bowen was very confident in Brandywine’s willingness to organize and host an event like this on the campus from the very beginning. She describes the campus as being “unbelievably accepting and supportive” of these types of events, while adding that Brandywine’s campus culture is a “give back to the community” type culture.

Junior Myeisha Matos, one of the students in the course, is genuinely optimistic that this event can bring forth the motivation needed to add shelter schools in Oklahoma. Matos envisions that the effort from such a distance will stand out and will ultimately become a difference-maker.

“Hopefully it will show the seriousness of the situation,” Matos said. “You don’t just organize a group of students from miles away and have them care so much about other people and especially the children if things shouldn’t be changed.”

Bowen has been a part of several fundraising events here on campus, but admits that doing an event this big can be somewhat stressful. However, she is very confident in her students.

“Each of them has spent the last three-to-four years working their way diligently through the Corporate Communications program, so I know that they can get the job done,” Bowen added.

The lack of first-hand experience isn’t really her concern but instead, Bowen believes it is the time remaining to organize and plan the event that presents the greatest challenge. But in the field of public relations, one must work quickly.

“In our field in PR, everything is fast, fast, fast anyways,” Bowen said.  “You’ve got to learn to move quickly because that’s how our job is.”

To have the opportunity to be a part of the Rosenberg course is something Bowen feels is an honor, not just as an individual, but her students as well, because she feels the course offers valuable life experience. Ultimately, Bowen wants her students to keep in mind of the importance of educating the public about safe shelters in schools, and most of all, Sydney.

“I just think that at the end of the day, this is in her honor, and if she is our motivation, we can do anything,” said Bowen.

The fundraiser is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 4, 2014 at noon on the Brandywine campus. With various fundraising ideas still being discussed among the Comm 471 students, the group is excited to bring their ideas together to form a memorable event that Brandywine, Oklahoma and the Angle family will remember for a long time.

If you are interested in further information about the event or interested in helping out, please contact Marissa Malin: mkm5317@psu.edu.

Amanda Congialdi

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, amc6079@psu.edu

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THON does it again and shows the world what a dedicated group of people can do when they work together for one cause.

Since the 1970’s, Penn State has held one of the largest dance marathons of the year, with 700+ “dancers” taking a stand against pediatric cancer. This year, Penn State Brandywine THON was represented by two of their extremely dedicated members:  Liz Gramlich and Jason Severin.

Gramlich, a sophomore at Brandywine, is the organization’s Family Relations Chair and helps  the organization connect with a Four Diamonds family.  Last year Gramlich made it her goal to represent Brandywine for 46 hours of dancing. She canned every day of every canning weekend for Brandywine, made multiple trips up to State College to attend meetings and helped at every event that THON had this year.

Severin, also a sophomore at Brandywine and who has plans of attending State College next year, was one of the dedicated members of Brandywine’s group who helped make this year’s fundraising campaign the more successful one to date.  Jason’s dedication to THON included multiple days where he stayed in the same location from sunrise to sunset, collecting money for the Four Diamonds fund.

Thanks to their hard work, both Severin and Gramlich earned the privilege of dancing at THON 2014.  For the entire weekend, they danced, played a variety of different games like giant Jenga, which was one of Jason’s favorite parts, and engaged in heated water gun fights with the kids and their families. They laughed, they cried and the helped the kids and their families forget about the issues they face daily.

Overall,  both of the dancers loved just being there with the kids.

“The kids and everything they have to go through was the main reason I stood,” Gramlich said. “If they can go through dealing with cancer then I can deal with standing for 46 hours.”

Jason also shared his main reason for getting through the weekend.

“The primary thing was seeing the kids and how happy it was making them,” Severin said.

Both agreed their favorite part of the weekend was family hour.  Family hour takes place in the final hours of THON weekend and is a time when Four Diamonds families get a chance to tell their stories of how they have dealt with a child having cancer. It’s capped off by a slideshow of kids who have since passed away because of cancer.   It offers the biggest form of inspiration and motivation to finish the weekend strong.

“You hear all the families’ stories and learn what they go through,” Gramlich said.  “It reinforces why you are there and standing 46 hours.”

Finally at 4 p.m. Sunday night, the dancers finally get to sit down. And that is when the top 10 fundraisers in each category (fraternities, club sports teams, special interest groups, commonwealth campuses and other categories) are revealed. That was also when Brandywine and their dancers were astounded. Brandywine THON was ranked in the top 10 for commonwealth campuses which has not happened in more than a decade.

“I absolutely flipped,”  Severin said. “It just proves we can do anything. Possibly be at the top one day?”

Finally the moment everyone waited for arrived — the moment when the total amount of money raised for that fundraising year is revealed. The grand total of THON 2014 was a massive $13,343,517.33, breaking last year’s $12.3 million raised.

“It’s amazing we broke our record again,” Gramlich said. “So many people can come together like a family for kids with cancer and raise such large amounts of money.” With that THON 2014 comes to a close, but that also means planning for next year is already in the works.

Paul Alberici

Lions Eye Staff Writer, paa5102@psu.edu

Some of Brandywine’s THON members extended their support for childhood cancer right before THON weekend on Tuesday, February 18by participating in the welcome home celebration for Brayden Chandler, a 3-year-old terminally ill boy from Springfield, PA.

Brayden was diagnosed with bilateral Wilms Tumor in early 2013. After battling for a little more than a year, doctors advised Brayden’s parents that the cancer has relapsed and “there is no further course of treatment to pursue.”

Brayden was coming home from his weeklong trip to Disney World, sponsored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Once arriving at the Philadelphia Airport, Brayden and his family hopped into a limo and enjoyed the escort home of more than 50 police cars and fire trucks.

All sirens were blaring, but not for any type of emergency. Brayden apparently loves loud noises, so the sirens of the police vehicles were nothing short of a sweet ending to a Disney vacation.

The limo and police escorts arrived home to more than 200 community members eager to cheer on and celebrate his return from his trip, and to encourage him to keep fighting his courageous battle.

The entire community stood outside his home and all down his block for almost two hours, eagerly waiting is arrival.

When Brayden’s father first stepped out of the limo with Brayden in him arms, the 3-year-old was understandable very overwhelmed. Soon after, a smile appeared as he realized all the love and support he has behind him.

“It was very overwhelming to see the entire community coming together to love and support our son,” Jackie Chandler, Brayden’s mother, said.  “Over the last 2 weeks we have been on an emotional roller coaster and it was nice to see everyone send their unconditional love and support during a time when we need it the most.”

After the crowd slowly dispersed, the Chandler family allowed people to come into their home to offer words of care. The Brandywine THON representatives introduced themselves to the family, ensuring them that THON and the entire Brandywine community are there for them for support.

Our famous ‘Hello Brandywine!’ neon shirts, and different THON gear was also given to them as gifts.

“It’s heartwarming that so many people can come together for one child,” Ryan Stone, from Brandywine’s THON , said.

Brandywine THON would like to encourage all members of the Brandywine community to ‘Like’ the Brayden’s Buddies Facebook page, (www.facebook.com/braydenchandlerbuddies) where they can see pictures, make donations, attend fundraisers and stay up to date on Brayden’s

Rosemarie Owoc

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, rvo5048@psu.edu

THON is a very special event for many of people, especially for former Brandywine students Rich Lion and Jess O’Lock.

Lion, who is a member of the special interest THON group called FOTO, served as the outreach officer and dancer for their organization.  After the pep rally on the second day of THON, with all of his close friends watching from the stands, Lion got down on one knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Jess O’Lock.

Lion, a Kinesiology senior, was at Penn State Brandywine from Fall 2010 until Spring 2012.  He proposed to O’Lock, a journalism senior, who was also at Brandywine at the same time.  They have been dating for about 8 years.  They first met at the local St. Kevin’s dance in 8^th grade.  While both are officers in their organization, THON met something very special to both of them.

“It’s about time, it’s been about eight years,” Corey Bates, Lion’s roommate and also a former Brandywine student, said.  ” It wouldn’t have been a better place than THON because they both love it.”

At first, only a few select few were told it was going to happen, but soon everyone knew except O’Lock.

“He told me ahead of time and he wanted to keep it a surprise to everyone,” Nick Jeffkin, Lion’s roommate and former Brandywine student , said.  “This (THON) is something very important to the both of them.  I think it couldn’t not have been a better setting.  I can’t tell you how excited all of us(Lion’s roommates) are for them.”

“We joked about it when we found out he was dancing, and he said he might.  He just hinted at us that he was going to do it,” Sean Klause, another of Lion’s roommates and former Brandywine student, said.

It seemed from O’Lock’s roommates that she did not know it was going to happen.

“I don’t think she knew it was going to happen this weekend,” Marina Asslania said.  “They are awesome and I am just excited to see what’s in store for both of them.”

During the weekend a total of three couples became engaged, making THON a truly special event.

To view exclusive video of the engagement:  tinyurl.com/psulionseye

Eric Warner

Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, ehw5023@psu.edu

Cheers about the record breaking $13 million THON raised!  And cheers to three lucky couples who got engaged the same weekend at the end.  One lucky couples — Brandywine’s former couple, Jess O’Lock and Rich Lion.

“It was more like a set up and ‘okay we go out now’ kind of thing,” the bride-to-be said about the beginning of their relationship.  “He was calling me weeks before trying to talk to me though and I really wasn’t paying him any mind.”

That persistent calling sure paid off for Lion.   Starting off in two different schools, Jess and Rich met at a Saint Kevin’s dance in eighth grade, just a few short months before they started dating.  They officially started dating at another Saint Kevin’s dance, April 6, 2006 to be exact, thanks to her best friend Molly.

Not expecting him to propose so soon, Jess had the surprise of her life.  Rich had it all figured out when he found out he was a dancer and THON. Thankfully for Rich, after a bit of trouble, Jess was finally able to get onto the floor to see him.  She had a pass for six hours of floor access, which expired at midnight.   Nerves and exhaustion held Rich back until the final half hour.

Finally around 11:30, it was do or die time for Rich Lion.  After taking a trip to the ladies room with her friend Megan, which was all part of the plan, Jess met Rich back on the floor to where she thought she found him acting delirious.

“He started saying all this cute stuff and I was like yeah yeah you’re delirious,” O’Lock reminisced.

At that time, Rich started searching through his fanny pack where Jess couldn’t help but find a box hiding.  In such disbelief, Jess watched Rich get down on his knee and ask her the question she has been waiting 8 years for.

“I lost it! The whole time my eyes could only see him.  I couldn’t even hear the yeah chant going on,”  O’Lock said.

Cheers filled the Bryce Jordan Center as Rich and Jess took the first step in spending the rest of their lives together.  Eight years and one puppy later, he finally put a ring on it.

Amanda Lynn Rasley

Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, alr5394@psu.edu

Students have to fill 3 credits of Physical Activity in order to graduate, and the possibility exists weight training or yoga might not sound enticing. However, PSU Brandywine has an alternative Kinesiology class.

Kines 076 is the introduction to Tàijíquán. Tàijíquán is a type of martial arts that focuses on following a form of movements. This art has been proven through medical research to improve balance, psychological health and other general health deficiencies. But most important, it’s fun! Students meet new people, make new friends and unwind from the many stresses of college life.

Since the fall semester of 2011, the class has been taught by Professor Niiler.  In one class, Professor Niiler may focus on the movements in the form, whereas in another, he may focus on the self-defense side of Tàijíquán.  One class might need a slower pace to perfect the first few movements where another class might blow through the whole form. Professor Niiler has a very hands on teaching method and takes the time to go around the room and help each student individually.

Niiler has studied Chinese martial arts for more than 30 years and has been teaching it for 26 years. He is proficient in many other martial arts forms.

“I started learning Southern Shaolin Kungfu from my first Sifu, Anh Nguyen, while I was in high school,” Niiler said. “And then began concurrently studying Taekwondo.  After earning 2^nd degree black belt levels in both styles, I began studying Tian Shan Pai, a Northern Shaolin derivative, in college where I also began to teach Chinese martial arts.”

Niiler has since continued to hone his talent and accomplished feats of helping form the Kungfu Arts Club at the Boston University, competing in US Wushu Kungfu Federation tournaments and placing 3^rd place in the 1998 Pan American Traditional Wushu-Kungfu Championships in Toronto.

What he hold students will take away from his class is an easy answer.

“I would like them to gain an appreciation for the art of Taijiquan, understand how its practice can improve health and learn a bit about its usage in self-defense,” Niiler said.

Aidan Keenan

Lion’s Eye staff writer, apk5152@psu.edu