Dec. 2011Vol. 6, No. 4

IMPACT

Campus organizations support Project Bundle-Up’s mission

Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose

The warmth from a coat during

the winter season is a gift taken

for granted. When winter winds

sweep across western Pennsylvania,

many residents are left to brave the

cold defenseless. This fall, Waynesburg

University students came together with

fervent passion to assist Project Bundle-

Up in its efforts.

For 25 years, the Salvation Army and

WTAE have worked together to provide

warm outerwear for disadvantaged

children and seniors. Approximately

7,500 individuals are helped each year

through fundraisers completed by many

organizations supporting the Project

Bundle-Up mission.

For three years, the junior Bonner

Scholars have held a cheesesteak

fundraiser, open to students and the

public. According to Sarah Brandstetter,

coordinator of Bonner Scholars, the

students selected this organization

because of their passion to provide coats

to those in need. This year’s cheesesteak

event raised nearly $600.

For Evan Kephart, a junior biblical

and ministry studies major, making

cheesesteaks is a welcomed opportunity

to benefit the local community.

“It’s great to see the money we raise

staying in the area and helping kids stay

warm during the Christmas season,”

Kephart said.

While the Bonners continued a well-

established fundraiser, Student Senate

planned a new one. The Harvest Festival

was created for organizations to join

together for a good cause. Held this fall,

more than 20 organizations set up themed

booths complete with homemade snacks

and activities and combined their profits

to raise $250.

Natalie George, a junior English major

and Student Senate president, is proud of

the student response both in the planning

and execution of the event. George

attributes their hard work to their belief

in the cause.

“Students chose to support Project

Bundle-Up because, as the weather gets

colder, we are each reminded of how

important it is to have a coat,” she said.

“It’s a simple reminder of a local need,

and students saw that need and responded

to it.”

Colleges Against Cancer named outstanding organization

Four years ago, a vision flooded the

heart of the Waynesburg University

campus community. The desire and

ability to combat cancer and ultimately

make a difference in the lives of numerous

individuals around the world was at the

forefront of priorities in the Office of

Student Activities. As a result of the deep-

seated passion, the campus community,

led by Kelley Hardie, assistant director of

Student Activities, has worked tirelessly

to create a campus organization fit to

conquer a mammoth beast.

In 2007, Colleges Against Cancer

(CAC) status was granted to Waynesburg

University by the American Cancer

Society after an application process sought

by Hardie. The status allows Waynesburg

to run a CAC student chapter as a campus

organization devoted to raising money and

awareness for the ACS. With the mission

of education, advocacy, survivorship,

and involvement in the American

Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life,

Waynesburg’s CAC chapter has proven

itself to be one of the largest and most

valuable student organizations on campus.

The hard work and dedication of

university students, faculty and staff has

not gone unnoticed. Recently, at the local

celebration of American Cancer Society

Volunteers, Waynesburg University was

named the Outstanding Organization of

the Year for Greene County.

The award was accepted by Hardie,

appropriately Waynesburg University’s

CAC faculty advisor. Margie Smith,

Senior Income Development

Representative for the American Cancer

Society, deemed Waynesburg University a

“deserving recipient of the award.”

“The support from the student body and

faculty and staff has helped tremendously

in raising awareness of the mission of

the American Cancer Society in Greene

County,” Smith said. “These students are

self-motivated, thoughtful, creative, and

dedicated to the mission of the American

Cancer Society.”

In addition to Waynesburg’s support of

ACS, Smith said the Waynesburg students

involved with CAC give others, including

her, “a sense of comfort that there is hope

for a secure and prosperous future.”

“It is so refreshing to see our youth

give so much of themselves for a cause

that helps so many others, most of whom

they will never know. In a world where

self-absorption and over indulgence is

so prevalent among many young people,

these students exhibit qualities of

selflessness, compassion and generosity.

They are truly inspiring,” Smith said.

Kaitlyn Karan, CAC president, said the

award has fueled the organization’s desire

to continue to make a difference.

“Receiving this award shows that we

are succeeding in our mission and making

a difference not only on campus, but

in Greene County,” she said. “It is the

passion of finding a cure for cancer that

brings us together as an organization,

and to be awarded for our efforts is just a

bonus.”

Activities like Think Pink Week, Dig

for the Cure and Kiss Away Cancer,

among many others, have helped students

understand the importance of CAC’s

presence on campus and beyond. Events

like the University’s annual Mini-Relay

for Life, an event that has consistently

raised more than $10,000 per year, have

helped to contribute to the organization’s

success.

In addition to the University’s

award, Kaitlyn received a Certificate of

Appreciation as well as the Outstanding

Participation Award for her involvement

in Colleges Against Cancer.

Kaitlyn’s selection came as no surprise

to those who know her passion for both

CAC and ACS. Participating in Relay

for Life since she was in the sixth grade,

Kaitlyn’s 11-year involvement with

the organization speaks volumes of her

commitment to its mission.

Kaitlyn joined CAC as a freshman, and

has since served as the Mini-Relay for Life

Co-Chair for two years and the president

of CAC for one year.

“I plan to continue with this

organization long after graduation from

Waynesburg University,” she said.

Working alongside Kaitlyn, Shawn

Wharrey and Jessica Malingowski,

Mini-Relay for Life co-chairs, have also

been instrumental in the success of the

relatively new campus organization.

“These individuals are very impressive

leaders that have been instrumental

in achieving the tremendous level of

success that Waynesburg University has

achieved,” Smith said.

For the past four years, Waynesburg University students, faculty and staff members have joined together in the fight against cancer. Passionate leaders and the desire to make a difference has lifted a relatively new campus organization to new heights.

IMPACT

NEWS & NOTES• Recently entering into a partnership

with Tokyo Christian University in

Japan, Waynesburg University students

will have the opportunity to study

abroad in Japan while paying home

tuition fees. Students participating in

the study abroad program typically

study four classes per semester in

Tokyo Christian University’s several

academic schools and institutes

including humanities, social sciences,

language and cultural studies, among

many others.

• Waynesburg University will hold

its annual Martin Luther King Jr.

celebration Monday, Jan. 16. The

Rev. Leroy Barber will serve as the

convocation

speaker. The

convocation

will take place

Monday at 11

a.m. in Roberts

Chapel. Barber

will speak again

at 7:30 p.m. in

Alumni Hall.

He will also serve as the University’s

chapel speaker Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 11

a.m.

• Dr. Thomas E. Mallouk will speak

Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the

Goodwin Performing Arts Center as

part of the Crosby Lecture Series. A

distinguished scholar in his discipline,

Mallouk is the associate editor of the

Journal of the American Chemical

Society. He

is also the

DuPont

Professor of

Materials,

Chemistry

and Physics

at Pennsylvania State University.

• Husband and wife duo Sebastian and

Melanie Catana will perform Tuesday,

Jan. 24 in the Goodwin Performing

Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Melanie

Vaccari Catana is the Director of Vocal

Activities at Waynesburg University

where she leads the Lamplighter Choirs

and offers private voice instruction.

Both she and her husband have

experienced operatic success by touring

stages all over the world.

• More than 40 students and six faculty

and staff members will offer up a

portion of their winter breaks to serve

various organizations both locally and

abroad. Four mission service trips will

be offered by the University, allowing

students the opportunity to serve

various parts of the world. The projects

include several nonprofits in Greene

County, Pa.; a children’s home in

Patzun, Guatemala; a medical mission

trip to Nassau, Bahamas; and serving

with the Center for Student Missions in

Nashville, Tenn.

Three students sacrifice holidays for benefit of others

Students help Wilkes-Barre rebuildIn the wake of destruction and

devastation, it is the goodwill of others that allows those effected to rise up and regain their lives. At Waynesburg University, students have the opportunity to demonstrate God’s love by dedicating their time to assist those in need.

Over Thanksgiving break, seven students spent five days in the Wilkes-Barre area on a mission trip led by Dave Calvario, dean of students and director of the Center for Service Leadership, and Jason Falvo, assistant football coach, head track and field coach and life skills instructor.

When Tropical Storm Lee struck the Lackawanna Presbytery and Susquehanna River area in September, it ravaged the area. Preceded by flooding in 1972 and 2006, all records were broken when Lee produced a year’s rainfall over the area in one weekend.

Nick Wozniak, a senior communication major, was shocked to see the area in turmoil months later.

“I was in disbelief after seeing some of the houses completely ruined,” Wozniak said. “In one case we saw a house in which the entire basement was gutted out and you could see inside the basement from the street above outside. There were houses that were completely removed from the foundations. It was quite a sad sight to see, something I never thought could happen in Pennsylvania.”

During the storm, the river rose from approximately three feet to 42 feet. According to Calvario, some places still had debris 20 to 40 feet up in the trees. Homes located in Falls, Pa., were washed off their foundations, leaving only empty holes filled with memories.

As the group moved through the area, they were able to work with the families most affected. They assisted with clearing out a basement, hanging insulation and cleaning a park, among other activities. The group partnered with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Agency and the Lackawanna Presbytery, one of 16 presbyteries in the Synod of the Trinity and part of the Presbyterian Church USA.

Wozniak found inspiration from the families and their perseverance. Rather than accept defeat, they continually fight in an effort to return to life the way it was before the storm.

“Watching these families be so motivated to get their lives back in shape was such an inspiration,” Wozniak said. “Some of these families have lost a lot, and instead of saying ‘woe is me’ they worked hard alongside us to get their lives back on track. That is something I really admired.”

Since November of 2002,

Waynesburg faculty, staff and

students have traveled more than

3,000 miles to experience something

far more beautiful than the tangible

gifts given throughout the Christmas

season. Instead of iPads and designer

bags, students will experience permanent

life changes brought to light by little

children and love.

On December 17, Waynesburg

students Marissa Barr, Leeann Danley

and Bethany Taylor will travel to Patzun,

Guatemala, for a not so typical three-

week mission service trip at the Centro

Nutricional y Hogar de Ninos. Two

weeks later, the women will be joined by

17 additional Waynesburg students and

trip leaders Pat Bristor, associate dean of

students, and Heidi Szuminsky, director

of Alumni Relations, for Waynesburg

University’s annual one-week trip.

Ironically, in the same year that

Waynesburg University celebrates the 10

year anniversary of its partnership with

the Guatemalan children’s home, an

anniversary year signified by aluminum

and tin representing the pliability of a

commitment, students are more excited

than ever to surrender to God’s plan.

For Marissa, Leeann and Bethany, the

sacrifice of the holidays without their

families is one they consider blessed to

experience.

This year marks Bethany’s second

trip, and her desire to return rests in

her longing to literally “be the hands

and feet of Jesus.” After last year’s trip

created life-changing relationships,

Bethany knew she would soon return.

“Those bonds weren’t something that

I could just move on from,” she said. “I

can honestly say that saying goodbye

to the kids at the Center was one of the

hardest experiences of my life.”

Upon returning home, Bethany made

plans to be a part of the next Waynesburg

trip, but that plan, according to Bethany,

didn’t seem like enough.

As she began to orchestrate her own

summer 2012 trip, God revealed that He

had other plans. Bethany was approached

by Leeann to be a part of the three-

week trip, and feeling that her prayers

had been answered, Bethany, without

hesitation, responded, “Yes.”

Similarly Leeann knows that this trip,

her third, was one she was called to take.

Like her counterparts, Marissa won’t

be experiencing the service mission

trip for the first time either. Last year’s

trip left Marissa hoping for a chance to

return.

“The kids stole my heart,” she said.

“Because of how much last year’s trip

changed my life, and how much I think I

changed those kids’ lives, I really wanted

the opportunity to do it all again.”

In addition to the familiar

responsibilities at the orphanage, Leeann

is looking forward to celebrating a

different type of Christmas.

“I will

be able to

celebrate

Christmas

in honor

and

celebration

of Christ’s birth, not the commercialized

version that American culture has

created,” she said.

Bethany too knows that what she is

called to do in Patzun will yield a far

greater reward than any package under

the tree. While she expects to miss

her family and the familiar holiday

traditions, Bethany says the children in

Patzun are who she is called to serve this

holiday season.

Senior defensive tackle Darryl Moore Jr.

led a trio of Yellow Jacket standouts who

were named to the D3Football.com All

South Region Team.

Moore was selected as a first-team

honoree following another outstanding

season as the centerpiece of Waynesburg’s

defensive front. The Boardman, Ohio,

native racked up 60 total tackles, 36 of

which were solo stops, nine tackles for

loss and 5.5 sacks. He also broke up a pass,

forced a fumble and recovered a fumble on

his way to his second-straight All South

Region lauding from the website.

Joining Moore on this year’s squad were

senior center Nick Hanley and senior

cornerback Sean Hunt, who both picked

up third-team nods. After overcoming

some early season injuries, the Coraopolis,

Pa., native snagged a team-high five

interceptions, which tied him for second in

the PAC. That handful of picks brought his

career total to 16, which tied the school’s

career interception record.

Hanley

landed on

the all-region

team for the

first time

after being

a two-time,

first-team All-

PAC pick. The Canonsburg native anchored

a rebuilt Jacket offensive line that, despite

featuring four new starters, allowed just

five quarterback sacks all year. That total

was not only the lowest in the PAC, but

also the sixth lowest in all of Division III.

Waynesburg, which finished the year 5-5

after playing in the ECAC South Atlantic

Bowl, was the only team in the PAC to

feature a first-team selection, and the

Jackets’ three picks led the conference.

Trio honored by national football website