THE VOICE OF THE STUDENTS AT DeSALES UNIVERSITY FORTY-NINTH YEAR, ISSUE 10FEBRUARY 25, 2015

A&E“Dancing at Lughnasa:” a gritty and realistic recollection

OnlinEblogs.desales.edu/minstrelLike us on FacebookFollow us @TheMinstrelDSU

pg. 4

Spring season of DSUTV

FEAturEs

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By Will EdwardsSports and Features Editor

spOrtsFeatured Bulldog: Alex Suk

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Associate professor of fine arts Dr. Dennis Varley’s acclaimed “Mass for Saints Patrick and Brigid” graced Connelly Chapel on Feb. 15., sung by the University’s Schola Cantorum and Liturgical Choir.

Debuting in 2008, Varley’s composition has been sung for Masses around Ireland in cities including Galway, Tuam and Headford and employs both English and Gaelic texts and an uilleann pipe, harp, organ and violin ensemble. Varley shaped the texts of the Mass to reflect the “visions of Saint Patrick and Brigid,” drawing passages from Irish prayers and the Breastplate of St. Patrick, according to his official website.

This year, choir director Ben Durham, Campus Ministry and Varley collaborated on getting the Mass parts performed at DeSales. Students from both choirs rehearsed multiple times a week throughout the month leading up to the Mass.

“It was a big project for us to take in the time frame we

“Strategic Plan,” continued on page 2

liturgicAl cOmpOsitiOns by Dr. VArlEy grAcE cOnnElly chApEl

nEw AcADEmic prOgrAms, AthlEtics ExpAnsiOn hEADlinE FiVE-yEAr strAtEgic plAn prOpOsAl

By Adam ZielonkaNews Editor

The DeSales University planning committee has published a draft of the 2015-2020 five-year strategic plan. Among the major points of interest to students are several new proposed academic majors, the introduction and reintroduction of four varsity athletic teams and the expansion of Billera Hall and other athletic facilities.

Peter Rautzhan is the associate vice president of Administration and Planning and the chair of the planning committee. The committee is made up of 24 members of faculty, staff and administration, including

university president Rev. Bernard O’Connor, O.S.F.S.

“The reality of this institution is we remain flexible,” Rautzhan said. “The plan sets the chart for us, but it’s a living document. There are certain things in the plan, as there were in our last strategic plan, that this time have dates attached to them and other things that do not have dates attached to them.”

The document was published online for the DeSales community earlier this month. Rautzhan presented the plan at the faculty meeting on Feb. 18, where faculty and staff were able to voice their feedback and concerns. The first presentation to the Board of Trustees will be made

on March 19, ahead of the board’s first formal vote in May. Everything in the proposed plan is contingent upon the board’s approval.

Because of this, Rautzhan called the March meeting “pretty critical.”

“In March we present to them, and we understand essentially what their position is, and if we have to make adjustments, so that when we’re seeking their approval, [the questions they have] have been addressed,” he said.

The plan calls for several new academic offerings. The Division of Business will

did, because the Mass wasn’t liturgically appropriate for Lent,” Durham said. “Both the Schola Cantorum and the Liturgical Choir gave a lot of extra time, both came to extra rehearsals and worked hard. But they seemed to enjoy it, and I think Dennis was very happy with it.”

Though the process may have been an arduous one, Durham believes that the experience was worth the effort.

“It was a neat opportunity for us to sing some music different from what we normally do and work with somebody who composed it,” Durham said. “It seemed like a lot of people responded positively to it.”

A few hundred students, faculty members and community members crammed into Connelly Chapel for the Mass.

“I really appreciated the ‘newness’ of another type of music for Mass, especially rooted in Gaelic tradition,” sophomore Therese O’Loughlin said. “The choir did an especially beautiful job singing the a capella parts.”

Durham also aimed to expose students to the process of composition, a theme he will be stressing throughout the

semester.“It’s easy to just look at a

sheet of music and not think about where it came from or how it came to be and how we’re translating that,” he said. “So I was trying to get us exposed to different levels of the process.”

In many ways, the Mass incorporated various members of the DeSales community. The text of the offertory hymn, “Anahorish, O Iosa,” was written by associate English professor Dr. Stephen Myers.

“‘Anahorish’ is the name of a place in Ireland, also the title of a poem by Seamus Heaney about that place. Literally, Heaney says, it means ‘place of clear water,’” Myers explains on Varley’s website. “I’ve used it as a metaphor here: Iosa (Jesus) as the source of clear water.”

Members of the choirs also recorded parts of the Mass to be used in the dance department’s Spring Ensemble on March 13-15, for a routine choreographed by the program’s head, Julia Mayo.

For several members of the choir, Varley’s composition allowed for solo opportunities throughout the liturgy. The

verses of the Communion hymn, “Splendid the Treasure,” were sung by sophomore Angeline Lonardi, a member of both choirs.

“My favorite part of the experience was that we were

able to bring two of our choirs together to create a new and unique sound,” Lonardi said. “It was a huge undertaking, but I definitely think that we were able to rise to the occasion.”

wE thE Kings tO rEign spring Fling

“We The Kings,” continued on

page 2

By Will Edwards and Jaci Wendel

Sports and Features Editor, A&E Editor

To add to the ranks of big-name bands and artists who have played at DeSales, including Mayday Parade, Hoodie Allen and Lifehouse, We The Kings will headline April 24’s Spring Fling as announced at DSU Live’s official reveal party on Feb. 19.

Lead singer Travis Clark, guitarist Hunter Thomsen and drummer Danny Duncan formed We The Kings during high school, deriving the name from the middle school they attended, Martha B. King

Middle School. With added members Charles Trippy on bass guitar and Coley O’Toole on keyboard, the Bradenton, Fla. based band has won “Best Pop Punk Artist” at the 2008 Rock on Request Records as well as “Most Innovative Music Video” at the 2012 O Music Awards and has released five albums and 12 singles, including “Heaven Can Wait,” “Check Yes Juliet” and “We’ll Be a Dream,” featuring Demi Lovato.

During the reveal party, DSU Live also unveiled a video message recorded

The Mass for Saints Patrick and Brigid was held on Feb. 15 in Con-nelly Chapel. Photo courtesy of playfulpromises.com

The Minstrel FEBRUARY 25, 2015PAGE 2

nEws Ne

ws

The Minstrel is DeSales University’s only student-run news publication. It is published seven times per semester and is advised by Juilene Osborne-McKnight. The staff meets on scheduled Monday nights at 7:30 p.m. in the McShea Commons. All meetings are open to the university community.

The editors reserve the right to edit all submissions for libel or length. The views expressed in this paper reflect the views of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Minstrel or the university.

Please feel free to contact us at minstrel.desales@gmail.com.

Editor-in-Chief:Kate Bortz

Layout Editor: Mary Colleen Romendio

News & CopyEditor:Adam Zielonka

A&E Editor:Jaci Wendel

Online Editor:Hutton Jackson

Sports & Features Editor:Will Edwards

Editors & Staff Spring 2015

Staff Writers:

Ben Cunningham, Kellie Diet-rich, Erika Dominguez, James

Evans, Mike Gursky, Alexa Manzo, Kimmie Semiday, Jac-

lyn Silvestri, Andre Sumiel

rEusAblE cups lEAD tO sustAinAbilityBy Jaci Wendel

A&E Editor

DrEss FOr succEss prEpArEs stuDEnts FOr thE prOFEssiOnAl wOrlD

By Mary Colleen RomendioLayout Editor

explore majors in hospitality management and healthcare management. Hospitality management may be offered as early as the fall of 2016. The Division of Healthcare and Science may establish a health sciences major designed to prepare students for the graduate program in physical therapy. The Division of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences will seek to expand their communication offerings to include an advertising and public relations major available as early as next fall, as well as a professional writing and editing major.

The plan also wants the full-time day undergraduate population to grow from about 1,600 to 1,700 by fall 2019. As many as two more villas will be built in the Upperclassmen Village to match the expansion of the residential community.

Meanwhile, the improvements students will see first will be at the athletic facilities.

A new track will be built on the plot of land across from the Gambet Center, two new turf fields will be added and a parking lot will be built between the baseball and softball fields, all in time for next fall. Construction will break ground mid-April; this can be started before the strategic plan is complete as it was already approved in the 2010-2015 plan.

The athletics department seeks to expand not just in terms of facilities, but also in varsity offerings. Hoping to recruit new student-athletes, the plan calls for women’s lacrosse and women’s golf teams to be introduced and men’s and women’s tennis teams to be reinstated by the fall of 2016.

Students can view the entire document on MyDSU Portal. Rautzhan still welcomes any feedback students may have and can be reached at Peter.Rautzhan@desales.edu.

With a push from the student club, Earth to DeSales, the DeSales University Center (DUC) is making the switch from paper cups to plastic cups in an effort to become more eco-friendly.

During the 80 minutes of the annual Weight the Waste program, a total of 156 paper cups were thrown away, a nearly 70 percent increase from 92 paper cups in 2014. Approximately 1,000 paper cups and lids are thrown away every day at the DUC, with the weekly total in between 6,000 and 8,000. These paper cups made up the majority of a total amount of 17.5 pounds of paper waste in the 80-minute period.

Jessica Mathiesen, vice president of Earth to DeSales, is “excited that the cups are finally here and in use.”

“The plastic cups were something that Earth to

DeSales contacted Dining Services about sometime last year,” Mathiesen said. “We thought that DeSales should join the ranks of many other universities that use reusable cups in their cafeterias.”

Richard Jacoby, general manager of Dining Services, has been looking for an opportunity to introduce these plastic cups ever since the idea was brought up last year.

“The student group… took the cup idea to Nick DeSalvo, director of Sustainability Initiative at LVAIC, and he urged the college to support the implementation of the cups and allowed us to purchase cups, racks and dollies to help us roll out the program,” Jacoby said.

The results of this experiment will be compiled in approximately one week and will be available for the campus to view. Because the cups were introduced only a week ago, Jacoby said that he hasn’t noticed a difference yet but remains optimistic about

their usage.“We have marketed the

cups on Facebook, Twitter, our web page and through the use of digital and regular signage,” Jacoby said.

Junior Nick Johnson is one of the students that have noticed the signs advertising the new cups, and he will begin using them on a regular basis.

“Functionally, they’re just as good as the paper cups, [and since] they also save resources, it’s a no-brainer to use them,” Johnson said.

Despite these efforts, however, most students haven’t noticed the new reusable cups. During any given meal time, one can still see as large number of paper cups strewn about the tables in the DUC. Freshman Ailish Simonson said that she did not know about the plastic cups.

“I would definitely use them now that I know about them. I’m all for the environment, and I don’t like drinking out of paper cups,” Simonson said.

Freshman Christina

Pappas also said that she had not noticed the plastic cups, but feels the same way.

“I think it is a great idea, and I think more people will use them if they are placed in front by the drinks,” Pappas said.

While in theory students would use these cups and return them to the dish-room once they’ve finished their meal, some cups are still being taken out of the DUC and not returned.

“The cups are being used very sparingly, and I have a rough number of about 40 missing so far,” Jacoby said.

Nevertheless, the new reusable plastic cups are still a big step for the university in terms of becoming more sustainable.

“I think that the reusable cups can help DeSales become more sustainable by reducing the steady flow of paper and plastic waste that comes from the use of the non-reusable cups at every meal,” Mathiesen said.

It’s that time of year — that time when we stress out about finding internships, summer work or the dreadful post-graduation full-time job. But the stress has been alleviated for those who attended Dress for Success on Feb. 17.

The Career Development Center hosted their annual program to prepare students with the know-how, the clothing and the confidence to tackle their upcoming endeavors.

Andrew Ivankovits, a senior career ambassador for the Career Development Center, assisted with the event.

“You’re here to grow and develop and to become the professional you’re supposed to become, regardless of what major you are. You’re going to have a job one day and you’ll have to know how to look the part,” Ivankovits said.

The event began with hot appetizers and a fashion show in which different student volunteers modeled what business professional, business casual and “what not to wear” look like. Banana Republic donated business professional clothing for the fashion show. After the show, Kristin Eicholtz, director of

the Career Development Center, led the crowd in a presentation about career fairs and how to prepare for them.

Senior Lauren Amiano said this was the first time that she attended this event and was glad that she did.

“Kristin’s presentation not only taught me the do’s and don’ts of professional life but also how to stand out and be successful. Elevator pitches and resumes are two things that you do not want to go to the [Lehigh Valley Collegiate Career Expo (LVCCE)] without,” Amiano said.

This fair, the 14th annual LVCCE, welcomes students of all colleges and universities within the Lehigh Valley. With over 100 employers in attendance, students can become overwhelmed when seeing all the different experiences and opportunities that lie before them.

“It’s important to have an event like this because it’s a nice way to get students comfortable with the upcoming Career Fair,” Ivankovits said.

At the end of the evening, everyone in attendance was welcomed to sift through the gently-used clothing that was generously donated by university faculty and staff. Ranging in many sizes and styles, students could

shop for the appropriate clothing necessary for any job interview for free. There were even Banana Republic and Soma gift cards raffled off as extra perks for those who attended.

“I think it’s all about developing our students,” Ivankovits said. “We don’t

FiVE yEAr cOn’t (FrOm pg. 1)

want to send students out there unprepared and not knowing what things are. We are going out there and competing with other students in the area, and we have to represent DeSales well.”

The Minstrel PAGE 3FEBRUARY 25, 2015

Pu

zz puzzlEs

crOsswOrD puzzlE

To find the solution to this Sudoku puzzle, visit our Facebook (DeSales Minstrel).

Also follow us on Twitter,@TheMinstrelDSU, and check

out our website atwww.TheMinstrelDSU.com

puzzles courtesy of bestcrosswords.com, 4puz.com and puzzles.ca

Across1- Great quantity5- Bangkok native9- Loser to DDE12- Hourly rate13- Bluffer’s ploy15- “Born Free” lion16- Tel ___17- Skylit lobbies18- On ___ with19- Not malignant21- Conceal23- Succulent25- Equipment26- IV units29- Bust maker31- Of delicate beauty35- Feedbag bit36- Reprimand38- Trap39- Ancient Athens’s Temple of ___41- Former Russian rulers43- Departs44- Lieu46- Faint48- Fannie ___49- Lack of variety51- Potato52- Fingers53- Final Four org.55- Ollie’s partner57- Semisweet white wine61- With hands on hips65- Bone: Prefix66- Pale purple68- Middle Eastern bread69- Requirement70- Pizazz71- From the U.S.72- Fuel type73- Uh-uh74- Sawbucks

Down1- Large mop2- Spelunking site3- Not “fer”4- Satan5- Conduct business6- Covering for the head7- Leeds’s river8- Of Thee ___9- Iams alternative10- Son of Isaac11- Reddish-brown gem14- Alleviated15- Ear ornament20- They’re fired22- Lukas of “Witness”24- ___ Perot26- Seashore27- Menu28- Spirited horse30- Talons32- Model Campbell33- Step34- Approvals37- Falls40- Hallowed42- Narrow braid45- Dictator47- Mont. neighbor50- Danny’s daughter54- Negatively charged particle56- Try to bite57- Album unit58- On the briny59- Salt Lake City hoopsters60- Patron saint of sailors62- Jester63- Bingo call64- Crew needs67- PC program

The Minstrel FEBRUARY 25, 2015PAGE 4

A&

eArts & EntErtAinmEnt

wE thE Kings, cOnt’D.

By Ben CunninghamStaff Writer

The DeSales University Act 1’s first show of the spring semester opened last week on the Labuda Main Stage. Brian Friel’s “Dancing at Lughnasa” follows the tragic story of the Mundy sisters, five women living in the fictional Northern Irish town of Ballybeg in the 1930s as they struggle to keep up with industrialization and changing times. The family’s primitive wireless radio, nicknamed Marconi for the device’s inventor Guglielmo Marconi, intermittently plays Irish folk music and 1930s popular music throughout the play, causing the sisters to burst into dances of joy, happiness or frustration.

In the Act 1 production the Mundy sisters are played by senior Valerie Berger (Agnes), sophomore Ally Borgstrom (Chris), junior Elizabeth Egan (Maggie), senior Autumn Fink (Rose) and senior Julie Maggio (Kate). The story is narrated from the point of view of Michael Evans (played by freshman Bo Sayre), who is the “love child” of Chris and Gerry

“DAncing At lughnAsA:”simplE, yEt intricAtEly bEAutiFul

Evans (senior Ian Moody), an unreliable traveling salesman who loves to dance. The production is simple in its presentation, without a single set change throughout, but intricate in its execution.

Look out for tickets going on sale in the DeSales University Center soon. For more information on We The Kings, visit their website at wethekingsmusic.com. For more information on El Sistema, visit elsistemausa.org. Photo courtesy of pahomepage.com

Photo by Ben Cunningham

“Dancing at Lugnasa” is set entirely at the home of the Mundy sisters, almost exclusively in their kitchen. In this production the set is a cutaway of the house, allowing for a continuous and seamless performance.

Director Dennis Razze says the most challenging

part of directing “Dancing at Lughnasa” was nailing the dialect.

“I had to find someone to be a dialect coach, the Northern Ireland dialect is very challenging and I’m more familiar with the

southern dialect,” he said. Each of the actors had

to train in the northern dialect to prepare for the performance, and most of the actors have at least some Irish heritage.

The cast began preparing for Lughnasa just four weeks before opening. Borgstrom (Chris)

noted that the music of the play and integration into Irish culture was critical to successful preparation of the show. Moody says of his preparation that the writing made a big difference: “It was quite a

challenge. Some of it is so beautifully lyrical… they’re stunning. It’s so much fun.”

The play is named for the annual festival of Lughnasadh, a pagan Celtic harvest celebration that the sisters want to join in. Razze says the question behind the play is “why do the sisters want

to leave their house and go out to the Lughnasa festival once again and dance like they did when they were younger? What draws people to those primal instincts to want to dance?”

He notes that this theme is as old as ancient Greek theatre, and it is integrated even further through the supporting character of Father Jack (played by senior Patrick Golebiowski). Jack is the father of the sisters who spent the last 25 years as a priest in Africa and brought many of the spiritual traditions of the Ugandan natives back with him after returning, even abandoning much of his Catholic grounding.

Razze says the set is structured to follow this theme, to be “open to the wildness of the environment out there, it’s what’s out there that’s unknown, it’s wild, it’s primitive, it’s maybe a little dangerous.”

“Dancing at Lughnasa” is running on the Labuda Main Stage until March 1. Tickets can be purchased online at desales.edu/act1 or at the Labuda box office.

by Clark, who will be performing at DeSales on his birthday.

“It’s gonna be my birthday, so it’s gonna get weird,” Clark promised students in the video.

DSU Live spokesman John Pinto is very happy with the decision to bring WTK to DeSales in April, even though the decision process was very difficult.

“The decision on We The Kings took lots of time, sweat and tears on behalf of the club,” Pinto said. “Not only did we have to find ways to contact the majority of the student body to decipher what genre was desired this year, but then we had to sift through the hundreds of possibilities for each genre and narrow it down to who we can and cannot afford.”

So far, the reaction to the announcement has been generally positive.

“I’m really excited because I used to listen to them back when I was in high school,” Pinto says.

“I’m pumped. I’m ready.”Many students are

already expressing their enthusiasm for this year’s concert.

“They’re a much better-known group than what I expected and I really like their music! I definitely plan on going,” sophomore Jenn Southerton says.

“When I heard that We The Kings was performing at Spring Fling this year, my inner high school freshman was thrilled. I’m so excited to heard one of my old favorite bands live!” sophomore Angeline Lonardi says.

Students are encouraged to attend Spring Fling not only because the band performing is as great as WTK, but also because the proceeds will be going towards Allentown’s El Sistema, an after-school program that teaches kids to play music.

“They do not have enough instruments or even seats for all the children, and any amount of money

we can raise would help them tremendously,” Pinto says.

Ticket prices will be announced within the next two weeks and will be

available for purchase in the office of Tracy Gallagher, assistant director of student life, at the DUC and online. DSU Live will also be selling multiple ticket packages

that will include items like T-shirts, autographs and meet-and-greet sessions with the band.

The Minstrel PAGE 5FEBRUARY 25, 2015

DsutV rEVAmps FOr spring 2015By Kate BortzEditor-in-Chief

businEss DEpArtmEnt Visits pArAmOunt pEnnsylVAniA businEssEs

On Feb. 18, Dr. Michael Gallagher, assistant professor of business, and Professor Elizabeth Rosa, professor of business, took a group of 34 students to visit the Yuengling Brewing Company, Schaeffer ’s Harley-Davidson, the Renaissance Hotel and a Lehigh Valley Phantoms game.

The day began with a trip to the Yuengling Brewing Company in Pottsville, Pa., the oldest brewery in the United States. Students attended a lecture on the accounting and manufacturing processes that go on at the brewery. They heard from Debbie Altobelli, the tour director at Yuengling and an accountant at the brewery. The students were also given a tour and enjoyed seeing the history that Yuengling Brewing Company had to offer.

The next stop for the trip was to Schaeffer ’s Harley-Davidson, a family-owned retail franchise in Orwigsburg, Pa. At Schaeffer ’s Harley-Davidson, the students were greeted by Denise Schaeffer-Calderon, the marketing

coordinator there. The students were taken on mini-tours of the different business areas including sales, merchandising, parts and service. After the tour, the students had the opportunity to test drive a Harley that the company had used for mechanical testing.

“My favorite part of the trip had to be seeing the Harley-Davidson and Yuengling break-downs of the different departments within the business,” Myriam Joseph, a junior business administration major, said. “It was great to see how everything comes together to make a single product. Plus, we got to test drive a motorcycle and

try some beer samples. This trip overall covered a broad span of information that I was able to directly apply to my classes, and it was mixed with just the right amount of fun. I had a great time.”

Next, the students went to Downtown Allentown to the Renaissance Hotel for an informational talk with Tom Roth, City Center ’s director of Strategic Development, and Jeff Vaughan, director of Communications for the City Center Investment Corporation. This lecture reviewed the Allentown Revitalization N e i g h b o r h o o d Improvement Zone (NIZ). NIZ is a special taxing

This semester, DSUTV is more than just your ordinary campus television station.

With the help of junior TV/film majors Chris Herre and Monica Lickona, the station is in the process of making some big changes. The two took the lead last spring as president and vice president of the club so that graduating seniors could focus on their studies.

“The station is student-

interest run,” Lickona says. “If there’s interest, it keeps going. If it’s not there, then it’s not there.”

Fortunately for them, interest is high, and five new shows will be airing this semester: “We’ll Make It Weird,” a comedy improvisation show; “Grandma Dorris;” “Sweet Molasses;” “Restaurants of the Lehigh Valley,” a food-oriented travel show; and “Campus Cops,” which will remind viewers of the popular TV and movie franchise “21 Jump Street.” To watch

these shows, tune into channel 99 on Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

“This year we have more shows than we’ve ever e x p e r i e n c e d , and we have

a lot of people involved now,” Herre says. “It’s the biggest and busiest semester DSUTV has seen so far.”

In addition to these new shows, the station has also received club status, making DSUTV organize itself by adding positions such as Head of Marketing, Head of Social Media and Head of Production.

“It’s more than Chris and I have had to deal with before, and it’s really a fun challenge,” Lickona says. “Everyone has to do many things at once and a lot of people are involved, but it’s very exciting.

The club has also implemented a new website that will debut after spring break. Here, they hope to engage the student body by connecting all of their social media sites and informing them about who they are as a club. Herre

and Lickona urge students to follow DSUTV on all their media platforms – Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

“One of our goals is to make us have a stronger presence on campus. We want to be well-known around campus, so the website is a huge goal for us,” Herre says.

Herre and Lickona have one group of people to thank for the sudden surge of interest in DSUTV: the freshman class.

“A lot of the freshman are very involved and want to get involved with TV,” Herre says.

Lickona is thrilled about the interest shown by the freshmen members of the club.

“It’s a great thing [to have so much freshman interest] because a lot of us on the committee are juniors,” Lickona says,

district that encourages development and revitalization in downtown Allentown. This will help to transform Allentown into a greater and more aesthetically pleasing city and also help to increase the finances of the city and of the local businesses.

“Although it is difficult to pick a favorite part from such a great trip, I would say that mine was the presentation we received from Jeff Vaughan and Tom Roth from City Center Lehigh Valley about the revitalization projects in downtown Allentown,” sophomore finance and accounting major John Pellosie said. “As a lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, it was really exciting to see all the resources

going toward making Allentown a vibrant, lively urban area. With the presence of several major local companies and new apartments, it sounds like a great place for recent college graduates starting their careers.”

After the lecture, the group enjoyed a Lehigh Valley Phantoms Hockey game against the Binghamton Senators to finish off the night. After a close game that went into overtime, the Senators won by a final score of 4-3.

Overall, the students on the trip had a great time and had the chance to view several different businesses in the area, furthering their knowledge and experience with the business field.

“so most of us are going to need to focus on our senior work next year. It’s really important to develop that interest in the freshman class because passing off the torch is really important.

Though many of the students that contribute to the station are TV/film majors, both Herre and Lickona stress that any student is welcome to attend meetings, assist in daily duties and contribute to the station.

“If you want to be involved in a good time and make cool stuff, just come to a meeting,” Herre suggests.

For more information on becoming part of the DSUTV team, contact Lickona or Herre at ml1040@desales.edu or ch0501@desales.edu.

By Jaclyn SilvestriStaff Writer

FEBRUARY 25, 2015

Fe

At. FEAturEs

Students enjoy the Lehigh Valley Phantoms game. Photo by Gabrielle Parisi

Students visited Schaeffer’s Harley-Davidson on Feb. 18. Photo by Gabrielle Parisi

Photo courtesy of DSUTV’s Facebook page

The Minstrel FEBRUARY 25, 2015PAGE 6

“Bradley Cooper”

--Sarah BridgeJuniorCommunication

On the Street asks...

...What actor/actress would play you in a movie about your life?

--Mikelyn MackavageSenior

Nursing and Pharmaceutical

Marketing

From the Editor’s Desk...

My life is a lot like the Brand New song “Secondary” in the sense that “It’s my last semester. At least until next winter.”

I have to say that I might be one of the lucky ones hoping to continue my education post-graduation, but for

many of us graduating seniors, we still don’t know exactly what we want to do. And that is an absolutely terrifying thought. Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it), you’re not alone in this feeling.

On page 7, staff writer Mike Gursky contemplates this feeling of dealing with the unknown and offers some solid advice for those struggling with the feeling of uncertainty.

On page 8, read staff writer James Evans’ about the men’s and women’s basketball teams and how they are vying for a Freedom Conference title in their future.

Catch you on the flip side,Kate BortzEditor-in-Chief, The Minstrel

“Jennifer Lawrence”

“Channing Tatum”

--Mike FurstSophomoreInternational Business

“Natalie Portman”

--Joe GarlickSenior

Political Science

“Hayden Panettiere”

--Paige NebistinskySeniorDance and Communication

By Alexa ManzoStaff Writer

Fe

At

.

FEAturEs

The Minstrel PAGE 7FEBRUARY 25, 2015

EDitOriAls

OP-

ed

prEpAring FOr liFE AFtEr cOllEgEsEniOrs: DOn’t FEAr thE FuturE

By Mike GurskyStaff Writer

As college students, we are expected to achieve big things in the future. At DeSales, we receive a well-rounded education, which is set in place to prepare us for what many refer to as “the real world.” The courses we take, when completed, translate to a degree. That degree is then supposed to pave the way for success.

Of course, the piece of paper we’re handed upon graduating does not necessarily do that. We have to individually work for whatever it is we intend to attain. Who else is striving to attain these “big things?” Thousands of others. Many new graduates across the country may share the same goals as yours or mine. We’re fighting for the same position, and we must use our experience

lEnt: An AnnuAl timE OF rEnEwAl

By Mary Colleen RomendioLayout Editor

Lent: the time when we give up something that maybe we love a little too much or we try to do something to better ourselves. These 40 days of “deprivation” can prove to be extremely difficult in a culture that prizes pleasure and immediacy. But this is just the tip of the Lenten iceberg. This season of 40 days is our time to journey up to Calvary with Christ—to suffer alongside him. Let us focus not only on ourselves this Lent, but also on our relationships with others and ultimately our relationships with God.

We are called during Lent to limit the bad desires that dominate our daily lives and actively choose to let God be our focus instead. But we are human. We fail. We sin. And this break in our relationship with God affects every aspect of our lives. In recognizing and rectifying our human failings, we make not only ourselves better but the

Church as members of the Body of Christ.

Junior Darryn McCauley sees Lent as a a great spiritual opportunity as a college student.

“Lent is an opportunity for me to remember how important humility and self

sacrifice is to my faith. Lent calls us to be humble like Christ and battle sin just like He did; and struggling helps me grow closer to God,” McCauley said.

While it may be

uncomfortable and awkward, the sacrament of penance is the best way that we can begin the task anew and love the Lord and each other better. On Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis told us why this sacrament is so important, most especially leading up to

Easter.“They are united: love

toward God and love to your neighbor are one, and if you want to practice real, not formal, penance, you have to do it before God and also

with your brother and sister, your neighbor,” Pope Francis said.

While it is necessary that we repent and believe in the Gospel, it is also necessary that we forgive during the season of Lent. Rev. Timothy McIntire, O.S.F.S. responded

on how this season is to our benefit to mend and re-establish our relationships with God.

“Lent is a time to begin anew, to take stock of our lives, see where we may have

made mistakes, seek out forgiveness where needed, reflect on the adjustments that we need to make in our lives and begin to actually make those adjustments,” McIntire said.

This time of Lent is not meant to completely dictate

our choices and actions, but it is the time for us to love God. We can do this most perfectly when we joyfully suffer alongside Christ for love of Him. In his work, “Treatise on the Love of God,” St. Francis de Sales tells us, “Grace has the power not to overpower but to entice our hearts.” This is the mentality that we should adopt to remind us that our difficult choices during Lent are what God can use to bring

goodness into our lives and convert

our hearts. This can be a very lively and spiritual time if we take it upon ourselves to fast from our culture of immediacy and pleasure, and feast on Love instead.

Lent calls us to take up our cross and follow Christ on the journey to Calvary. Photo courtesy of bbc.co.uk.

and communication skills to prove that we are ideal for the spot.

To me, this is a very frightening concept, though I’m frightened by most things. Worms, demonic spirits and growing old and senile are all things that scare me, but nothing terrifies me more than what the future may bring. I know I’m not alone in this fear. Most of us want to be successful in all of our endeavors, yet none of us knows for certain if we will be.

The immediate post-college years are unsettling for anyone who has big dreams and high expectations. There’s a constant worry in our heads that career plans may not unfold as they should. So how can we deal with this trepidation? We certainly can’t allow ourselves to be crippled by distress and rendered unable to make

dreams a reality. In fact, sitting around worrying is the opposite of what we should be doing.

I can only speak from my experience. In my eyes, the key is to first know what you’re most passionate about. Once you’ve discovered your purpose, then you’re well on your way. Immerse yourself as much as possible in the field or area that interests you. If you aim to be a journalist, write and try to find any publication imaginable to publish your work. If business is your fancy, get some internship experience anywhere you think may be beneficial.

To some folks this might go without saying. However, many don’t actually engage in the ventures that truly will pave their way. We often get caught up in the financial aspect and solely work jobs to get a paycheck. If you’re

truly interested in a certain field, that shouldn’t matter. Take any work or experience you can get. Typically, this means starting from the bottom. This idea might not be all that appealing, but it’s a part of life.

The fear of the future will understandably remain in our minds. We can do everything in our power to build a resume, but that isn’t going to stop the mystery of the coming years from overwhelming us. As I mentioned, not a single person knows where exactly they will end up. Nobody knows with certainty if their plans will work out. This uncertainty will never be eliminated, though it can be managed.

What I’ve found to be the most helpful is faith. I’m not referring to a structured religion. I know all of us have different beliefs. Some of us may completely disregard

anything that deals with faith, and that’s fine. But for me personally, a belief in something greater is what stops my post-graduation worries from driving me mad. The “something greater” I speak of is very general, and I can assure you one thing — choosing to believe has greatly relieved my dread. I encourage everyone to pick a higher power of their choosing. This doesn’t have to be the God that Catholicism teaches us about. At the very least, this faith in something greater can give life a little more meaning. Practicing a relationship with your higher power may also help you in your preparation for the real world.

The future is scary to all of us who are soon to graduate, but this fear doesn’t have to vanquish us.

The Minstrel FEBRUARY 25, 2015PAGE 8

FEAturED bullDOg: AlEx suKBy Kellie Dietrich

Staff Writer Athlete: Alex Suk

Year: Senior

Sport: Basketball

Position: Forward

Major: Sport & Exercise Science

Hometown: Bound Brook, N.J.

bullDOg bAsKEtbAll hEADED bAcK tO FrEEDOm cOnFErEncE plAyOFFs

The Minstrel recently sat down with Alex Suk, one of the two graduating seniors on the women’s basketball team. Her season highs this year include having 12 rebounds against Wilkes and shooting 60.5 percent from the free throw line. Though her college basketball career is coming to a close, she remains appreciative of the time that she has been able to spend doing what she loves and is ready to give it her all for the remainder of the season.

Minstrel: What is your background in basketball?

AS: I have played basketball since I was in third grade, and since then it has been the center of my life. I was constantly playing year round and would play on three teams a year. Ever since I was a freshman in high school, my goal was to play college basketball which is why I chose DeSales. I

By James EvansStaff Writer

The Freedom Conference tournaments will commence on Feb. 25 for both the men and women’s basketball teams. Both teams are the number-three seeds in their respective brackets for the Freedom Conference title, and they hope to move on and play Feb. 28 in their

championship games.The men’s team finished

17-8 on the year (9-5 in conference play), and they

have also coached.Minstrel: How is the

season going so far? AS: As a team, we

have had minor set backs from injured players. With that being said, we had to overcome some obstacles, but that’s going to happen to any team in any given season. We have learned and gotten better from each loss, and have come together as a team.

Minstrel: What are your goals for the team and yourself for the remainder of the season?

AS: My goal for the team would be to win the MAC Championship and go to the NCAA Championships. My personal goal is to finish the season hard knowing it will be the last couple of games I play in college basketball.

Minstrel: Are there any major differences between this year’s team and teams in the past?

AS: I would say that this team has a lot of chemistry and is a lot closer then the teams in the past. This team

is very young and has a lot of potential to succeed in the next couple of years.

Minstrel: How have you impacted the team on and off the court?

AS: I lead by example. I would say on the court I impact the team with my defense and my rebounding.

Minstrel: What will you miss most about playing basketball at DeSales since this is your last season? Are there any memories that stand out to you?

AS: I will miss being able to play college basketball — the level of competition and the atmosphere of the game. Some of the memories that stands out most is our trip to Las Vegas my freshman year and playing in the championship game last year.

Minstrel: What are your plans after graduation?

Suk: I plan to take a year off to work and try to get into graduate school for physical therapy.

went 8-3 in their last 11 games to finish out the season. This was due in part to a season-high six-game winning streak from mid-January to early February. Matching up against number-two seed Delaware Valley in the first round, DeSales is going to have to turn to their leading scorer Cody Deal (averaging 16.6 points per game) to get the tough baskets. Senior

Travis Bryan and freshman Aaron Burton should have no trouble holding down

the paint, as the pair have averaged over 14 rebounds per game.

Del Val is struggling heading into the playoffs, going only 5-4 in their past nine games. DeSales will look to take advantage, despite being the underdog on the road. Coming off a heartbreaking buzzer-beater loss against Eastern Feb. 21, 77-75, DeSales will have to refocus heading into their

semifinal game.On the season, the

Bulldogs split their series

against Del Val. Winners of a 63-55 game on Jan. 24, DeSales dominated Del Val in their first meeting, holding them to a mere 32.3 shooting percentage. In the second match-up, DeSales lost on a half-court buzzer-beater by the Aggies’ Chris Moran to be handed a 77-74 loss. The loss, which also broke up DeSales’ six-game winning streak, pushed DeSales down to the number three seed in the Freedom Conference’s playoff.

If they get the win against Del Val, DeSales will play the winner of the game between number-one seed Misericordia and the number four King’s. DeSales looks to have a good shot against either opponent, as they swept the season series against Misericordia and split the season series with the lower-seeded King’s.

The women’s team finished out with a 14-11 record (8-6 in conference play). Getting key contributions from two stellar sophomores in Morgan McCollian (15.8 ppg) and Megan Baird (10.0 ppg), the team was able to solidify the number-three seed going into the playoffs.

With the exception of a few back-to-back wins, the

team has played .500 ball for most of the year, going 5-5 down the final stretch of ten games. In that same time frame, their semifinal opponent, the Eastern Eagles, has gone 10-0 down the stretch, winners of 14 of their last 15.

They will surely face a tough challenge in Eastern, a team that has beaten them twice this season by an average of over 16 points. However, in conference play, it is very difficult to beat the same opponent three times in one year. DeSales will need to shoot well from the floor if they want to have a chance against the Eastern Eagles, something that hampered them in their first two meetings (a combined 32 percent, which is 4 percent lower than their season average).

With a win in their next game, DeSales’ women will punch their ticket to the championship game against either Fairleigh Dickisnon-Florham (the number-one seed in the tournament and ranked fourth nationally) or Del Val (the number-four seed). If they move on, the Bulldogs will have their hands full, as they are a combined 1-3 against these teams.

Photo by Pat Jacoby

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Photo by Pat Jacoby