Gamer's Club Celebrates New Donations and Members

Frostburg’s Gamers Club received a donation today from one of their members studying abroad on Tuesday Nov. 27. Renee Phillips, a student at Frostburg State University was able to send a donation of board games to the club. “A really great addition to our club.” Said president Aaron Blough. This is a very big success for the Gamers Club, as the only addition to the club came from the SGA last semester. There is also an increase in members since the semester began. 16 members joined the club, leading to a total of 76 members in the club. “If anyone is interested in joining, we have meeting in Dunkle 103 on tuesdays at 6:30 pm.” Says Vice President Nick Mills. With more games added to the club, as well as new members, the dice are on the gamers side. 

Link To Frostburg Gamers Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/118617751552549/

Students and the President’s Task Force on Leadership Team Up to Promote Model Leadership

By Emily Rosser,
ENGL 336.001

Gather several of Frostburg State University’s most passionate faculty.  Give them several months to brainstorm, draft, and edit a strategy to train students to be the leaders of tomorrow.  Now, add a roomful of dedicated and experienced students who have already honed their leadership skills in the classroom, on the playing field, and in several extracurricular arenas.  Watch as synergistic sparks fly.

Such was the recipe for an electric atmosphere in the Lane Center’s Conference Room 111 on the afternoon of December 29th, where the President's Task Force on Leadership revealed the latest version of an FSU leadership competency model to the student body for the first time.  Dr. Jeff McCellan, an Assistant Professor in the Management Department, acted as moderator.  He wasted no time in getting started, beginning the meeting with the initiative, “What we want to do today is get student input for the leadership model we’ve developed.”  Indeed, a copy of the model was ready and waiting in front of each attendee--a crowd that ranged from presidents of Greek groups, to captains of sports teams, to students pursuing leadership minors.  Many were there at the invitation of the Assistant Vice President of the Office of Student and Community Involvement, William Mandicott, who sat and offered input alongside his constituents.  

This opportunity for feedback on the model, McCellan explained, was one of the final steps in its painstaking development.  After the creation of the Task Force, its members met and brainstormed a list of 50 to 60 competencies--or ideal qualities embodied by a successful leader--that they then refined through a campus-wide survey.  With the help of Dr. Ronald E. Riggio, a highly experienced and award-laden leadership professor and consultant based at Claremont McKenna College, the group condensed these results into a model that they hope will help faculty and staff inspire students to be effective leaders both in and out of the classroom (see graphic below).  This is the last round of student input that will be taken into consideration before the model is finalized and integrated into FSU policy.

Besides providing FSU students with the best possible preparation for their professional careers, McCellan says that the model will help address a problem on campus: the scattered way that leadership skills are taught.  “You all know how it is.  A good leader at Frostburg feels like they’re getting pulled 600 different ways.”  He encouraged the ambitious student leaders in attendance to focus their efforts on “one organization where you can make a huge difference, versus multiple organizations where you can make a moderate difference.”  He also mentioned how the many management classes offered at Frostburg all teach a different approach, which is incredibly confusing for students: “The need to unify those leadership studies is an overarching theme.”  

For the second half of the meeting--true to this very theme--students were in charge.  Breaking into small groups, they were asked to name which part of the model they considered most important, plus to suggest any parts that might be missing.  Brittany Burton, a Psychology major from Cumberland, Md., said “developing a sense of purpose” was the most vital competency on the model.  “You have to have a strong sense of purpose yourself before you try to lead others,” she reasoned, drawing on her experience working as a student coordinator for the Late At Lane program.

Meanwhile, John “Jake” Watson, a junior from Thurmont, Md., put value in group dynamics, especially “communicating intentionally.”  “Communication is vital,” he said.  “There are no more one-man jobs anymore.  A good example is the new communications building.  There’s not one welder working on the building at once: there are 20.  Any job you do requires good communication.”  As a Business Administration and Management major seeking a leadership minor, Watson will doubtlessly encounter this model again in his future classes.

As discussion faded, Dr. McCellan brought the meeting to a close and voiced that he hoped the suggestions generated would provide a student perspective in FSU’s leadership competency model.  The next biggest challenges, once the model is finalized, will be getting more student leaders involved, then reflecting on the usefulness and effectiveness of the model.  If the enthusiasm the student participants exhibited for collaboration, discussion, and eventual action is any indication, this model, as well as the future of leadership education at FSU, is in capable hands.



Model Leaders:  The latest iteration of FSU's leadership competency model, the set of exemplary characteristics that will drive future leadership education.




Peru Bound

By Dylan Scherpf

 

Last night in room 108 of the Lane Center, a short presentation was given on the upcoming study abroad trip to Peru. This information cession, the last of the semester, was presented by the dean of the College of Business, Dr. Ahmad Tootoonchi, as well as Dr. Jeffery McClellan and Dr. Lilly Ye. A modest group of about ten students were in attendance.

            Dr. TooToonchi, the man heading the program, took some time to explain why these trips are important. “We, as human beings, are what we know,” he said, “nothing beats education.” Having traveled to Germany, France, India, China, Scotland, Mexico, Canada, and Peru already, TooToonchi knows just how valuable the experience can be. While an education here in Frostburg is good, it doesn’t compare to what you can gain from international studies, he explained. These days, it is easier than ever to do this. “The advances in technology are turning the whole world into a small village,” Tootoonchi said.

            The trip to Peru will take place next summer from July 24^th to August 3^rd. While the trip is focused on business, the students who participate will be treated to a number of experiences. First arriving in Lima, the students will take an easy first day as they adjust to the altitude, which is about 12 thousand feet above sea level. From there they will take a short flight to Cuzco where they will attend a leadership conference and then have some free time to shop in the city. Along the trip they will also be given the opportunity to see such Incan ruins as Corincancha (the temple of the sun), the sacred valleys of Pisac and Ollanta y Tambo, and Machu Pichu. Students will also do service work in small villages to give back in one way or another.

            At $4271.00 per student, the trip may seem costly at first, but Tootoonchi is doing everything he can to bring down the cost for each student. While he attempts to get donors for the program, students can also receive scholarships and financial aid. One scholarship, the Harold R. Rowe International Student Scholarship was awarded to 12 of the 18 students who went to China this past summer. Each of them was awarded one thousand dollars. To the other six students, Tootoonchi was able to give $400 thanks to donors. Fund raising events are also an option for these students. Even though this program is headed by the business department, Tootoonchi stressed the fact that “it is not limited to business students.” Aid will be given to non-business students as well.

            This study abroad trip comes after what was considered to be a very successful trip to China. Students who attended the China trip visited famous places such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, and the Great Wall, as well as a number of prospering Chinese businesses. Because of how well this trip went, another trip to China is also set for the coming summer. With big hopes for the College of Business Global Experiences Learning Program, Tootoonchi aims for even more options in the future, mentioning Brazil, Africa, and Europe.

Study Abroad: “Impact China” or “Peru"

By: Travis C. Jones

Studying abroad is an educational opportunity that many student dream about. Many Universities have Study Abroad programs and recently Frostburg State University has been putting more effort into improving its own International Study/Study Abroad programs.

Frostburg State University’s College of Business has set up two programs for study abroad experience that are being offered during the summer semester of 2013. On November 29, 2012, there was an information session to explain, in depth, each trip and the opportunities that they each provide. The coordinators of the Study Abroad: Peru trip, College of Business Dean, Ahmad Tootoonchi and Dr. Jeffery L. McClellan, and the coordinators of the Study Abroad: Impact China trip Dr. Lilly Ye and Dr. Yan Bao explained the itineraries for each trip.

Both Study Abroad experiences had many highlights.

Study Abroad: Impact China is a trip based on career opportunities and networking. Students who embark on the trip will get to experience tours and private lectures at the Beijing stock exchange, the United States Embassy, the General Motors Factory, and many other amazing businesses and sights. The trip is not based entirely on networking however; students will be brought to see the Great Wall of China, the Terracotta Soldiers, and many other tourist attractions. “Experiencing Chinese culture will help you to realize just how amazing the diversity and differences are between cultures.” Dr. Ye went on to explain that the connections and networks that students are being offered during this trip are unlike any networks that they would be able to make under any other circumstances.

Study Abroad: Peru is a trip based on leadership studies and the differences between leaders of different cultures. Students will get to attend an international leadership conference in Cuzco, visit the city of Lima, and volunteer to help the needy in small mountain villages. While in Peru, students will have the pleasure of visiting amazing sights, both the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are on the itinerary for the trip. The way that Dr. McClellan describes the trip, which he himself went on last summer, is as “an absolutely breathtaking experience that would help to prepare a student for any career they could possibly pursue in their future.”

Taking advantage of either opportunity will greatly benefit students. “I promise you that taking either trip will be an eye opening experience” said Dr. Tootoonchi.

For those students who are interested in taking advantage of either opportunity, you can access either trip at http://www.frostburg.edu/colleges/cob/.

Area Residents Gobble Up Gifts of Warm Hearts and Warm Meals

    On a crisp November morning, the people inside The Braddock House in Frostburg, Maryland anxiously anticipated doing something that sums up the holiday season. People always say that those weeks surrounding Thanksgiving and Christmas are when it is most important to give the gift of giving. Frostburg State University was able to do just that on the days of November 19 and 20.

    Groups and individuals were given an opportunity to donate various food items to families in need who live in this region. A checklist was provided to people who wished to donate that listed what food items were needed for the Thanksgiving baskets. Those donating simply provided the non-perishable items, such as canned vegetables, and the turkeys were already provided for each basket.

    Many students took time of their schedules to volunteer with the event, knowing that it was for such a good cause. Keith Davidson, a junior at FSU, said of his experience, “It was very rewarding to deliver food to families in need, and I’m glad I got to share in the experience and help make a family’s holiday special.” Davidson enjoys helping out his fellow people, which he has demonstrated by being involved in AmeriCorps for a few years now.

    Indeed, the donations did make families’ holidays special. 81 families, to be exact, benefited from the baskets. This totaled up to approximately 284 people who were able to enjoy delicious Thanksgiving meals thanks to the event. 41 people and organizations got involved in the process, which means that the families were able to receive their baskets in record time. Anyone who donated goods was able to do so on Monday, and the baskets were actually delivered on Monday and Tuesday.

    FSU junior Nicole Wilson was also among the list of people who helped to deliver the baskets. Wilson was very glad that she chose to partake in the event, and stated “It was a really unique experience. It is one thing to donate the food for the baskets, but the look on people’s faces when they receive them, and how thankful they are for it is truly heartwarming and lets you know you made a difference to them.”  Wilson enjoyed delivering the baskets and felt that seeing the effects firsthand made the experience more worthwhile and meaningful. She stated “It means more donating the food when you see where it goes.” It is always reassuring to be able to see that the receivers of good deeds do appreciate the efforts, and that they are actually receiving every bit of the work and donations that people have put forth.

   Patrick O’Brien, the associate director of the Office of Volunteerism and National Service, was also very involved in the process of getting the baskets ready and delivering them. O’Brien’s favorite part of the event is seeing the good that comes from the selfless giving, both inside the university and out. O’Brien commented on this point by saying “It never ceases to amaze me how much the university comes together for programs like this, and how willing we are to give to those in need.” It is the good feelings of teamwork and general love for mankind that pull the university together during events like these. Thankfully, this event is a tradition at the university, so it will be continued for many years to come. 

Back in the Black

By Keith Raynor

The shoppers hit the stores even earlier than before.  Area stores were swamped for this year’s Black Friday.  The after Thanksgiving sales and deals were found throughout the Allegany County area.  Stores such as Wal- Mart opened its doors early on Thanksgiving Day.  Although there was talk of workers striking on the busiest shopping day of the year, Wal-Mart’s Black Friday event went off without a hitch.  Hungry bargain hunters lined up in the chilly weather and set their sights on this year’s sales event.

            Heather Preston, an Oldtown resident, braved the crowds to start her shopping.  When asked if she has a strategy for her shopping she said, “You have got to have a plan.”   “It is a little crazy to get up at 2 A.M. to go shopping,” said Preston.  The swarms of people that run through the stores to find their special gift often lack some etiquette.  “You turn into a different person on Black Friday,” Preston added.  The 26-year-old has shopped the event for many years.  She has traveled throughout the tri-state area to find the best deals.  Her shopping experience usually ends around 5 P.M. Friday afternoon.

            Online shopping for deals have also become popular with the masses.  Wendi Schillingburg makes use of the internet to complete her shopping.  Schillingburg said, “Why go out in that mess when you can do it from home.”  Avoiding crowded parking lots, mobs of people and long lines at the register are a few reasons why more people are logging on to shop during Black Friday.  “It’s definitely more convenient,” Schillingburg said.  As the shopping season goes into full swing, there are still many deals to have.  Cyber Monday also has a variety of deals and cheap prices geared towards the online shoppers.

            In a tough economy, retailers are hoping to bounce out of the red and into the black.  The extended shopping hours of many chain stores are another way that retailers are hoping to make the most out of a sub-par year.   

              

                 

                

November Event Coverage

November Event Coverage

            On Saturday November 17, 2012 Frostburg State University treated the students to another entertaining Late @ Lane Night. The theme for this extravaganza was based on, “A Night at the Boardwalk.” Frostburg staff really knows how to stick to the script; they had this boardwalk and carnival theme touch down pack. They had an amateur night going on in the Amah where FSU students could go and showcase their musical talents. In that spacious room they performed a lot of country music just like you would hear if you was walking down a live boardwalk deck. As soon as you walk in the Lane Center there was dart throwing and bean bag toss contest like a legit carnival. They also provided the same exact junk food as a real boardwalk experience. They had corndogs, pretzels, slushies, and chocolate covered bananas. On this particular night Frostburg gave you the option to close your eyes and let your imagination run wild. While watching the students play like big kids it seemed only appropriate to get their input on this event.

            The first interviewee was Whitney Davis who came there with her group of friends. When Whitney was asked about what makes this event special she replied, “We were sitting in the house extremely bored with nothing to do so we decided to shoot over here for some fresh air. I think that this is a great experience for a person that never been to a place like Atlantic City.” She thinks that this is a neat way that Frostburg brought the fun of the boardwalk to them. The second interviewee was Tonnisha Rogers who was a bartender for the event. When she was asked about the overall success of the event she replied, “I think that we had a successful turn out, and the staff and I really worked our butts off with this creation. She said that it was really a task to think of creative ways to put that type of large theme in a small building setting. The third interviewee was a guy named Thomas Gibson. Thomas was asked did he enjoy himself and he stated, “I still say the best Late @ Lane theme was the first one with the casino arrangement.” He then went on to say, “I had a lot of fun tonight because it is usually so boring on campus and this gives students a recreational activity. He believes that when boredom strikes that is when people tend to get themselves in trouble because they didn’t have anything to entertain or keep them occupied. There have been three Late @ Lane Night themes so far, and all three events have received good feedback from the campus. Some people believe that these shindigs are nothing but parties in disguise, and that FSU wants to change it up to eliminate the negative factors that come with parties sometimes.

The NAACP at FSU Pays Tribute to the Harlem Renaissance

The Cotton Club during the Harlem Renaissance

    On Tuesday, November 13, 2012, Frostburg State University's National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held a graceful event called, the Cotton Club: A Tribute to The Harlem Renaissance. This event took place in the Armah, located in FSU's Lane University Center and began promptly at 7 p.m. The doors opened at 6:50 p.m. When the guests arrived at the door, they had to get their name checked off along with getting their hands marked with a green "X." As you walked through the hosts of this event handed you an itinerary and you were seated at a table. In attendance were Frostburg State University students and members of the Greek fraternities including Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Phi Alpha, Iota Phi Theta, and Phi Beta Sigma, all dressed to impress! As you can see everyone came to have a good time and enjoy their evening!
    When you walked into the Armah, the lights were blue and dim. There were blue and yellow balloons on the floor, with nine tables spread across the room, a stage for performances and jazz playing in the background, the mood was set. In the back of the room were two tables; one for drinks and one for food. I asked junior Psychology and Sociology major, Aryn Brown 20, why she attended this event and she answered saying, "I wanted to get a feel of what the Harlem Renaissance was like and I wanted to enjoy a lovely evening with my friends." Brown came with an expectation to see what life was like during the Harlem Renaissance and she did. At 7:15 p.m., everyone in attendance was served dinner until 7:30 p.m.
    At 7:30 p.m., first up were theatrical readings from Loan Miller performing, Democracy by Langston Hughes, Crystal Nwahbuko performing, Negro Woman by Lewis Alexander, Jason Baccus performing, If We Must Die by Claude McKay, and Lauren Rich performing, Trees by Angelina W. Gremke. A vocal performance followed these theatrical readings by Kristen Miller, singing, Undecided by Ella Fitzgerald. Dana Harrison and Elisha Daniels performed a dance to Miss Celie's Blues from the film The Color Purple. Finally, Dana Harrison concluded this event with a tap dance performance to Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington's, It Don't Mean A Thing.
    Senior Psychology major and member of Iota Phi Theta, Dwayne Winslow 21 said, "I thought it was nice, the food was good, the entertainment was great, but I thought it could have been a little more inclusive," referring to the event. Winslow felt as if this event was segregated like it was in the '60s. When asked how he felt when the event was over, senior IT major and member of Iota Phi Theta, Indiana Addison 21 simply said, "It makes you feel like you are back in the day," and continued, "African Americans need to unite more." Hearing the music and poetry from the Harlem Renaissance era was definitely eye-opening to those in attendance.
    The NAACP at FSU brought the Harlem Renaissance to their students and provided them with a lovely, entertaining, and informative evening!



For more information about the NAACP and the Cotton Club, visit:

• http://www.facebook.com/groups/2201971459/
• http://www.1920s-fashion-and-music.com/Harlem-Renaissance-Cotton-Club.html

OXFam Banquet: What will you do about world hunger?

By: Kelly Taylor

On Monday November 12, the OXfam organization held its annual banquet. This banquet is held once a year to show the students of Frostburg State University that hunger is a serious thing, and it is happening not only all over the world, but in this very town.

The banquet consisted of three "ranks" of income. People that came to attend this banquet walked into the ARMAH and chose a card at random. On that card it either said the person was High Income, Middle-Income, or Low Income and then it told that persons story. Each story that was on the cards represented a person in real life, and their real story. After a person received their cards, depending on their income is where they sat. The people that had a high income got to sit at a nice table that had linen cloths, an elegant dinner place setting and napkins; middle income got to sit at a plain black table in chairs; and low income had to sit on the floor. As the banquet began people started to show slide shows of people starving all over the world and then speaking about the people in the slide shows stories. "As you can see, over 75% of the world is living in hunger," said Emily Hall a member of OXfam international here at Frostburg State University. It was sad reading hearing about all of these people who live in poverty. 

After the slide shows were done with, and the speakers had spoken, it was time to eat.  The high income people were served a three corse meal that consisted of: Salad, Chicken, and Dessert. While the high income people were enjoying their three corse meal, the middle income people were only given rice and beans, and the low income people were only given rice. This was a way of showing what different income levels eat on a daily basis around the world. As everyone continued to eat, the middle income group came and sat on the floor with the low income group and shared their rice and beans. "This has never happened before at an OXfam banquet, ever!" said Hall. It was a new phenomena for the OXfam family. After the middle income group had come and sat on the floor and shared their food with the low income people, the high income people came over and handed everyone some bread and butter. After their entrees were served they then split up half of their plate and gave it to the people on the floor. It was very moving because it represented what people could do if they actually thought about the world that everyone lives in, and gave to the poor. Once everyone was done eating and sharing, people shared their own personal stories about know people in poverty, or having been in poverty themselves. It was a very emotional ending. 

Everyone at the OXfam banquet took it upon themselves to sign up to help with the local food drive here in Frostburg, Md. It is amazing to see what kind of an impact an event on campus can have on individuals.  So the question is, what will you do about hunger?

November Event Coverage: It's Election Day!!!

By Tanisha Hamilton Eng 336.002

      On November 6, 2012 at 7:00 p.m, Frostburg State University students gathered in the Lane Center's Armah to watch the presidential election on CNN via projection. The event was hosted by the fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha and student organization N.A.A.C.P. Students began arriving in the Armah at 7 p.m. sharp,  upon their arrival, they were greeted at the door by members of Alpha Phi Alpha and they asked everyone who attended the viewing to fill out a imitation ballot. Refreshments were served while people sat next to friends and engaged in conversation about the election. The room was filled with energy once the ballots were being counted and the news reporters revealed who won which state. The majority of people in the Armah were supporters of President Barack Obama and when things weren't looking too good in Obama's favor, students began to "boo" and walk out of the room.

     Towards the middle of the Presidential election one of the members of Alpha Phi Alpha came on stage and announced the results of the imitation ballots. The audience voted for Barack Obama to gain a second term as president and they voted yes in support of all of the questions asked on the ballot. Although the silence was broken and filled with joy during the fake election results, everyone was quickly reminded that the results were not valid and the hostility quickly returned when Governor Romney had retaken the lead in the election. More students began to leave the room as they were not pleased from what they were seeing, some people actually began to shout out "Shut up!" as the small number of Romney fans started to cheer. Mass Comm. Major, Sade' Brown stated, "I've never been so scared in my life, I feel like if Romney wins our lives are over! Period!" Many students felt the same way as Brown and you could see the anguish on their faces as President Obama began to fall behind in the election.
     Students began to leave once it seemed as though Romney would become our next President and the Armah had appeared to be almost empty. Accounting major and member of Phi Beta Sigma, Kelvin Lyons, stated that "Even though it seems like Obama may lose the election, I believe that he will catch up soon enough because Governor Romney needs Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida... and he's already losing Ohio, so in my opinion there's no need for the Obama supporters to worry. Besides, this is a phenomenal event where students can come together and discuss political issues so no matter what the outcome may be, at least we all came out to show our support and we can say that we learned a thing or two from this event."  Not everyone was as optimistic as Lyons, many students began packing their belongings to avoid seeing unwanted results but someone shouted "Obama won!!!".
      Everyone quickly looked at the projector to see that Obama had obtained 273 electoral votes, Re-electing him as President of the United States for a second term. Biology major, Rudy Yung-Hoi said, "I'm glad Obama won because I was worried about my education and how I would be able to fund it because Mitt Romney was not in favor of student loans and other forms of financial aid." Students were filled with joy and eager to see that President Obama would gain a second term as President. The good news began trending on multiple social networks and local news networks such as Fox, NBC, and CBS. This event was indeed a phenomenal one and the students should continue to have special events like this for many years to come in order for each generation to become more involved with politics and social issues.
 

The Strange Beast that is Marriage

                When I asked Dr. Skott Brill if he’d be voting this year, he only laughed and said, “Actually, I’m going to be voting in about 15 minutes.” Brill, a philosophy professor here at Frostburg State, contends that he’ll be voting ‘yes’ for question six: legalizing marriage for the LGBT community.  “I believe it’s an equality issue, fundamentally,” he explained, “Marriage is a strange beast made of both governmental and religious components. Allowing gays and lesbians to wed is an explicit recognition of equality in the face of the massive discrimination they’ve previously experienced. Legally, we have no good reason to tell committed homosexual couples they cannot enjoy the benefits of their heterosexual counterparts. In addition, the symbolic significance of marriage sends the message that we allow heterosexual couples are somehow above homosexual couples. It’s a message of disrespect.” Dr. Brill acknowledges the difference between civil unions and institutional marriage. He asserts that religious factions should be able to employ doctrine in the situation, but religion has no place in government. Though economics are an important aspect of marriage, he contends that the main reason a state should legalize gay marriage is the benefit of companionship. Equal marriage rights would increase the likelihood of people being cared for by others in their times of needs, maximized by “folks marrying, committing to something hard to get out of.” Dr. Brill believes that respectively, America is far behind in the legalization of gay marriage. He expects legalization in this election in at least the states of Maryland and Maine; however, he argues for national legalization relatively soon. “I believe it’s a generational issue. Older generations die off; excuse my being blunt, but they’ll die off and those are the people who don’t support it. This upcoming generation of young people, I think, is more accepting.”          

                Students seem to hold the same views as Dr. Brill- not as in depth or assertive, but the younger generation’s mindset does support his argument. Most students our age either don’t care for the new law, or they passionately advocate for the idea of freedom and equality. Many students on campus planned to either vote for the law or not vote on it at all. Many argue that they wouldn’t appreciate being told who to marry, as Cathy Close states, “I’d want to marry who I want; I don’t care what makes you happy. You should [marry who you want] too.” Students identified that there’s “no difference between our love [heterosexual couples] and theirs [homosexual].” In religious circumstances, some students don’t differentiate between marriage and civil union. When faced with the religious refusal of marriage, she explained, “They shouldn’t discriminate. God loves everyone.”

                Despite the abundance of tolerance on campus, there are some who defend the religious stance on marriage. “I’m not voting, but I’d vote ‘no’, due to my religious beliefs,” Vince Morton told me on the issue of question six.  In contrast to the passionate avocation or apathetic indifference felt all over Frostburg, there exist many opposing views. Once the difference between marriage and civil union was explained, he clarified his stance on homosexuality, “I came to college and saw it was a lifestyle choice. I matured from hating for beliefs. Religiously, I’m against the lifestyle but when looking at society, not so much.” In civil unions, Vince largely supports the separation of church and state.

Mr. Chocolate Visits Frostburg State

In a room full of students, faculty, and locals, Dr. Peggy Biser
collected tickets from attendees for the drawing to win the
10-lb. bar of chocolate.

With the presentation title “Death by Chocolate, Food of the Gods” and a flyer that advertised a 10-lb. bar of chocolate as the door-prize, it is no wonder students, faculty, and locals alike braved the cold weather to gather together in the Compton Science Center on Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Enthusiastically introduced by Dr. Don Weser, professor emeritus of chemistry at Frostburg State University was chocolate connoisseur Dr. Howard Peters. Weser provided the audience with an overview of Peterses impressive educational and professional career. Peters obtained a doctorate in organic chemistry from Stanford University, along with a J.D. from Santa Clara University. As a chemist, he dealt mainly with high-explosives and holds quite a few patents in the field. Working as a patent lawyer, he deals mainly with chemical patents.

Dr. Howard Peterses love for chocolate began in his childhood. He grew up just 80 miles from Hershey, Pennsylvania where chocolate was a staple. With such a deep-rooted connection to chocolate, it is no surprise that today he and his wife, Sally Peters, tour the country in affiliation with the American Chemical Society informing the public of the history of and chemistry behind chocolate. The presentation began with the history of chocolate in ancient cultures and then continued with modern history and the chemistry and biochemistry behind taste and production. Peters gives no time for his audience to be anything less than entertained. He constantly cracked jokes and kept his audience focused and interested. His blunt delivery not only added to the comedy of his jokes but allowed them to come as a shock—you just never knew when another one was coming.  

The technical information was interesting but judging by audience reactions, they were most interested in the samples of different chocolates along with the trivia that was shared throughout the presentation. To complement the topics discussed that pertained to the production of chocolate, edible samples of chocolate in a variety of different forms were passed around. These forms included milk, semi-sweet, bittersweet, and white chocolate chips, along with whole cacao beans, fermented cacao beans, and cacao nibs. The trivia that was most crowd-pleasing pertained to the movie “E.T,” Snickers, and how chocolate is responsible for the microwave. The product placement of Reese’s Pieces was originally offered to Mars candy for the M&M. Mars candy pulled out of the deal at the last minute because at the time Stephen Spielberg was unknown to the masses and the company did not believe it was worth their while. Consequently, the offer was extended to Reese’s and ironically the sales of Reese’s Pieces quadrupled after the release of the movie. As a fun fact, the Snickers candy was named after the family horse. The microwave was discovered by Percy Spencer by way of a chocolate bar that was in his pocket. The experiment he was working on involved the use of magnetrons. While working, the chocolate bar in his pocket melted. He came to the conclusion that magnetrons could be used to cook food.

Dr. Weser indicated that he had been trying to get Peters to come to Frostburg State University and speak to the students for some time now. Peters definitely did not disappoint. Senior chemistry major Elizabeth Nelson said, “I thought it was pretty interesting…It was better than expected. I actually thought it was going to be really boring.” Peggy Biser shared her thoughts after the presentation saying, “I think the turnout was very good, perhaps one of the biggest turnouts we’ve ever had. I thought the made a real effort to address a lot of people from a variety of backgrounds which is hard to do.”

Dr. Howard Peters says that, “The best tasting chocolate is shared chocolate,” and he exemplifies this by sharing his love for chocolate with his wife. He stated that his purpose for visiting was to make the members of the audience view chocolate in a different light. Peters undoubtedly accomplished this task and did so through his willingness to share and eagerness to inform.

 

Thoughts on Question 4

Today is election day. This year on the ballot there are 7 questions that we have to vote for or against. One of the questions, which is associated with college students, is Question 4. According to the specimen ballot, Question 4 "allows certain individuals who attended and graduated from Maryland high schools to pay in-state tuition and, in certain instances, in-county tuition at community colleges." This act, also known as the Dream Act, mostly affects undocumented or illegal residents of Maryland.
Lauren Jones, a senior here at Frostburg State says that "As long as they pay their tuition themselves then I don't care, but if they go to school and then just leave without paying their tuition off then I'll care. If they do that then our taxes are gonna be raised and I don't want that." Jones has not voted yet and is conflicted on whether she is for or against Question 4.
Sophmore Christina Williams has already voted and she has voted in favor of Question 4. Williams voted in favor of Question 4 because shes thinks that "they've been through enough in life where they should be allowed to pay in-state tuition 'cause it's expensive."
Genesis Olivas, a senior at Frostburg says that she voted against Question 4. Olivas believes that "if you're not paying taxes and your parents aren't paying taxes either, then that means you're undocumented which is illegal. So paying out of state tuition compensates for them not paying taxes.

Stop the Violence- Celebration of the Life of Kourtney McCoy

Stop the violence, an appeal to the student body. November 7, 2012 marked the one year anniversary of the death of Kourtney McCoy. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) hosted a forum, promoting the end of violence on and off campus and in celebration of the life of Kourtney McCoy.

Monday night, in the Atkinson Room, located in Lane University Center. The room was filled with faculty, guest speakers but mainly students. Once all the seats were occupied, students lined the walls while others sat on the floor. The first speaker was Dr. Bernard Wynder, Assistant Vice President of SES. He spoke directly to the students about the personal responsibility each student has in preventing violence. Dr. Wynder discussed how the act of simply being a bystander can escalate the situation. He then spoke in depth about the daily personal decisions an individual has to make in order to succeed. He said “I chose to change, I was not always the individual you see before you…I stopped drinking at 21…I do yoga now." He then spoke about embracing diversity “we can choose not to be in conflict, we are creators not victims…welcome diversity, respect it.”  Dr. Wynder subsequently discussed emotional intelligence, the idea that emotions can cause people to act before they think. He concluded by saying “a person is defined by the choices they make, minute to minute."

Another guest speaker was suppose to attend but was unable to make it due to a family emergency. Instead, Jasmine Bullock, Vice President of NAACP read his notes. He planned to speak on the unforseen consequences of violence.

The next speaker was State Attorney Michael Twigg.  He pleaded with the crowd on behalf of the family of Kourtney McCoy. He asked that anyone who has any information pertaining to the case to step forward. He explained the difficulty he has had obtaining information and dealing with witnesses. Detective Nicholas Costello was also in attendance and available to talk.

Next a video collage of Kourtney McCoy and her friends showcasing her “goofy” personality was played. The crowd watched in silence. A student by the name of Quinton Brown, felt moved to address the crowd. His message was on the importance  of doing the right thing and being where you are supposed to be. The event was concluded by a musical selection, “Smile by Kirk Franklin” from members of the gospel choir, Sharon Duncan, Destiny Banks, Robert Brown and Jasmine Bullock.   

 

               

 

 

 

Question 6: What's it all about?

Today is the start of the of the eagerly awaited action of the presidential election, voting. Here at Frostburg, many students and staff, although clouded with work from their respective classes and jobs, had much to say about the status of the election, and the right to vote. Many of the students here have already voted, or were on their way to cast their vote. One particular issue of the election that had many people talking was Question 6, which pertains to marriage being extended to same sex couples.

Leanna Atkins, a senior here at Frostburg, was hesitant at first about revealing her thoughts about Question 6, since it was a sensitive topic for her. "I'm against it, because I believe in the old fashioned idea of marriage, between a man and a woman". Leanna said quietly. She also revealed that she has already voted, and that she is a republican.

Theresa Mastridonato, an enthusiastic librarian, here at Frostburg, differed from Leanna greatly. When asked about Question 6, she replied: "I am going to vote for it, because I believe in legalizing gay marriage". Unlike Leanna, Theresa is not affiliated with a political party. She also hasn't voted yet. "I'm going to as soon as I leave work!"

The most interesting individual out of the three was Huiping Zhang, a transfer student from China.  Although she could not vote, she still had much to say about question 6 and the election.  "I'm doing research on a lesbian writer now," Huiping said, in response to question 6.  "Gay marriage is illegal in many states, but I think it's okay."  Huiping is also not on either the democratic or the republican side, but relates more towards the democratic views on foreign policy.  "In terms of foreign policy, I lean towards democratic. The republican have a tougher foreign policy, especially towards China."

Question 7: "How do you feel?"

Deandre Cooper
age:20
major:Business
vote:yes
"People is going to spend money anyway, why not invest the earnings into funding for schools". He believes that gambling is legal for a reason in some aspects, and in this case it's for a good cause.
He also said that he watches alot of the promo's and commercials on this topic.

Joshua Better
age:21
major:Law and Society
vote:yes
"Why should people have to leave their state to go gamble when you can keep your money with the home team". He also believes that they should lower the gambling age to eighteen because if you're old enough to vote you should be eligible to gamble.

Deonte Cannon
age:20
major: Criminal Justice
vote:yes
"They should expand gambling because the government would probably take less taxes from me because of the gambling substitute". He believes that it's equally beneficial to everyone because if you win you will be a wealthy person, and if you lose at least you know your money is being spent wisely. If he loses he still can convince himself that he did a good deed.