There is always something that can be done in the face of adversity.  People of all ages in all types of situations have the ingrained ability to reach out and volunteer.  A lot of people do not extend their help not because they do not desire to but simply because they do not know how.  Many people, college students included, feel as though they cannot make a difference.

Harris Stolzenberg is the prime example of how much we are capable of if only we let ourselves be.  The high school senior launched Mikey’s Run, an organization dedicated to raising funds for the Boston bombing victims.  Specifically, the funds will be donated to prostheses for those injured.

Does this investment require a substantial amount of time?  Yes.  Harris and some fellow future MIT peers have poured their time and efforts into this organization.  But Harris is only a high school senior.  His dream and his desire to help are the key components to his success in helping.

Small contributions are often dismissed as trivial.

They’re not.

Purchasing the $10 tees that are sold for countless benefits and organizations helps.  In fact, every penny does.  Donating an hour to an organization helps.  Spreading word about organizations via the Internet and word of mouth helps.

The point is, any contribution at all that is done in the name of selflessness and to assist the suffering helps.

Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you cannot make a difference, and don’t ever sell yourself short.

SHU campus lost a member of its community this semester.  In turn, people from all around the country rallied together to support Seton Hill and offer condolences for the loss of Kristina Quigley.  Donations, fundraisers, social media pages, shirts and sports tributes popped up nationally, and the flood of support was incredibly touching.

All of us are capable of something, of finding some way, however small it may seem, to extend our aid, our time and our abilities to those in need.

A sympathy, a prayer, a thought, a written word.  These have just as huge an impact as any sum of money.

Use your heart as a guide; not your wallet or the clock.  And remember: There’s a hero in all of us.

May the victims of Boston, Sandy Hook and all others suffering a loss or hardship find peace in their time of need.

 “The game entails a team of two partnering up to eliminate the other teams by squirting them with squirt guns. The winning team gains 40 percent of the profits made from the game,” said Alex Fanfassian who organized the game.

 Any student was allowed to enter the game after paying a fee to participate. Campus buildings were declared off limits following issues with Campus Police.

 “We’re all hoping it will turn into an annual event during the week of wishes. We want to try to give Seton Hill an interesting game while helping a child in need,” said Lauren Swisher, a member of the Make-A-Wish Club.

 “The other students have made this a success by giving me their time and patience through all of this and spreading the word the best they can,” said Fanfassian.

 There are 35 teams signed up for Hunger on the Hill with 70 students participating.

 “I originally came up with the idea of holding an ‘assassin’ type of game. It’s a popular game in other schools including high schools and colleges, so we decided to give it a shot here,” said Swisher.

 “The most important thing is that all of the money raised, besides the 40 percent the winning team gets, goes to the Quigley Fund and the kid that we are sponsoring from Make-A-Wish,” Alex Fanfassian.

 “Makenzie Bilodeau was put in charge of the whole ‘who had who’ part and Jake Corrick helped with the PR part of the game. Along with Alex Fanfassian we all worked extremely hard to put this whole thing together with what time we had,” said Swisher.

 “Witnessing the campus-wide paranoia is hilarious as well. People are always sneaking around and stuff, trying to not get caught. It’s an extremely exciting game and I’m glad I’m involved,” said sophomore Sam Moffa.

 Cat-Friend vs. Dog-Friend 2 – fatawesomefilms

 Steven Spielberg’s ‘Obama’ Movie – whitehouse

 Kate McKinnon Takes Over for Ellen – TheEllenShow

 Worst Trailer Ever? “HOME WITHOUT, MARLEQTA” – Indy Mogul

Cat-Friend vs. Dog-Friend 2- fatawesomefilms

Someone should tell this girl that this can’t be done- gippi singh

Animals Playing on iPads Compilation- CompilarizTVi

Dora the Explorer and the Destiny Medallion (Part 2)- collegehumor

Held on campus in Reeves Theater, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) students put on an unforgettable night of singing, dancing and performing for their fellow students.

Hosting the show titled A Night for the Ages were LECOM students, Anna Jonas and Nate Sherwood. The acts were separated into three time periods starting with today’s hits and travelling back through time to the 1990’s and the 1980’s.

LECOM students can often be seen studying in the library preparing for their careers in the medical field. In spite of their demanding schedules the students were able to let loose and have fun for one night.

Performances were all over the board ranging from beautiful piano pieces from “Jurassic Park” to students acting as their professors titled “A day in the life of LECOM [Seton Hill] faculty”.

The talent wasn’t restricted to LECOM students, as several professors joined in on the fun and performed solo or with their students.

Dr. Eade performed with fellow student Jen Fretwell to “What is this Feeling?” from the musical “Wicked.”

One professor, Dr. Baber, performed a piano piece from memory for students to enjoy. He said beforehand that he couldn’t lose his place in the song, or else he would have to start over at the beginning.

Ironically enough, prop difficulties resulted in the chair breaking underneath him, causing him to fall dramatically to the floor and the loss of his concentration. Still, no one complained when he had to begin the piece from the very beginning.

To remind the audience that these are LECOM students, the show was peppered with science jokes. One student even brought his significant other onto stage and sang a song about how he wanted to go into geriatrics with her.

The LECOM talent show wasn’t just singing and dancing. LECOM student Adam Christensen cracked two whips to the beat of “Whip It”.

When the song was over, he then popped two balloons while a student held them and then whipped a water bottle off the head of the same student.

Between the various acts, the house band, “Just Wingin’ It,” entertained the audience with appropriate songs such as Rebecca Black’s “Friday”. The house band consisted of LECOM students Jake Phillips, Matt Nelson, Douger Opie, Jordan Christensen, Chris Jones and Nick Murtha.

The talent show was in memory of James Horn Jr.  who passed away April 8 2013. LECOM students took donations before and after the show.

]]> http://blogs.setonhill.edu/setonian/2013/04/30/a-night-for-the-ages/feed/ 0 http://blogs.setonhill.edu/setonian/2013/04/30/out-with-the-old-macbook-refresh-event/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=out-with-the-old-macbook-refresh-event http://blogs.setonhill.edu/setonian/2013/04/30/out-with-the-old-macbook-refresh-event/#comments Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:11:05 +0000 abbeyfleckenstein http://blogs.setonhill.edu/setonian/?p=5140 From Monday through Thursday this past week, the walls of Admin 210 were lined with brand new MacBook Pro laptops as a part of the Junior MacBook Refresh Event. Approximately 375 students qualified for a new laptop by having acquired 60 credit hours.

 Eligible students signed up for a registration day prior to the event through the use of Griffin’s Lair and dropped off their old laptops between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Many of the students were very excited to receive their new laptops. “I think it is good because everything on my new laptop seems to be faster since our old ones were bogged down,” said Ed Rosenbusch.

 In addition to receiving new laptops, the students also signed a contract stating that they officially owned the iPads that they were given as freshmen.

 ”I like the idea of the Refresh program because I get a shiny new laptop! It is also nice to know that we finally own our iPads,” said April Falkosky.

 Scott Miller, the Solutions Center Manager for Seton Hill University’s IT Department, stated that this fall’s incoming freshmen would be experiencing a new generation of technology. “This fall, the incoming students will receive a MacBook Air and an iPad Mini in place of the current technology.” The change in devices is hoped to make a more stable technology platform for the students while also being more portable and mobile. Miller also mentioned that the name of the technology program would change from the Griffin Technology Advantage to Mobile Learning at the Hill.

What is the Sequester? It is a cut in government spending. Is that a good thing? Cuts do need to be made in our country, but I think we have to know what is being cut and being spent on in the future to determine if it is helpful or not.

Today, the United States of America is 1.2 trillion in federal budget deficit, which is, according to BusinessDictionary.com, “The financial shortage of the federal government’s budget. It represents more money being spent on than is coming in via taxes and other income.”

Since congress did not agree to raise the United States’ taxes because they are already too high, President Barack Obama came up with an $85 billion plan, or about a 2 percent cut from the budget deficit, that would “help” our country. On March 1, the plan went into effect and the results have shown that the Sequester is hurting American citizens more than helping them.

Cancer clinics are turning away patients, since they cannot afford to take care of everyone. The Meals on Wheels program has been cut down by millions and cannot provide for as many senior citizens who have relied on these meals, and students cannot afford tuition for college or receive the financial aid they were originally receiving.  So, how will the Sequester affect college students?

Through my research, I realized that the Sequester would not only affect them through education, but through much more. The military cuts, health cuts, environmental cuts and the people who are weak and helpless in the United States will affect the students as well. The Army has had their base funding cut down by millions in each state. Vaccines are not available to as many children, due to cuts in medicine. Companies that ensure our water and air is clean will not be financed as much. These are just a few of the consequences that are occurring in America.

Whether people oppose or support the Sequester, hopefully they will be able to gain more information on the topic and develop their own opinion.

People may then ask what can the citizens of America do about this situation: Write to your congressman. Join a club. Protest! Even at the slightest, a person can comment on an article so their words can be heard by others, and then hopefully spread around. Whatever you believe, do something about it. Our future is dependent on what we do now, and something needs to be done.

Participants in the ELITE program consisted of faculty and teaching staff whom were required to train in interactive and assistive technology and assessment development for a year. After the training, the participants revised a course to integrate interactive, performance-based activities and emerging technological resources.

Adrian Sannier, senior vice president for Product at Pearson, gave a keynote presentation to begin the gallery, where he spoke of the importance of classrooms being able to adapt to changing technology.

“The future is requiring us to adapt faster than we expected,” said Sannier. He praised Seton Hill University (SHU) for recognizing the importance of the iPad, for creating a network that supports the technological devices quickly and cheaply and for introducing “a single portal by which you find out what your Seton Hill experience is…you are using it as a basis to build. You are infusing the Seton Hill experience into an online place,” Sannier said.

“We need to teach the kids and connect with the devices and everything is attainable,” Sannier said.

After Sannier’s presentation, a panel made up of faculty and students was held.

“Coming to a place where everybody had the same technology when they walked into the classroom was such a joy and a relief knowing they all had the same type of materials,” said Bonnie Ordonez, an education professor.

“I found my experiences with technology to be overwhelmingly positive,” said sophomore creative writing major Angeline Lavelle. “I think that technology has helped us give feedback to each other…we [classmates] were communicating and giving feedback to each other even beyond the classroom. It has encouraged creativity…we’ve included both video and audio with our writing.”

“Everything is changing,” said Lavelle. “We’re moving forward in technology and we have to be prepared.”

Another advantage to SHU’s technology is that more students are coming to the library “…because it has become a place they can utilize the way they like to” said SHU librarian Dana Krydick.

“Because of mobile technology they can sit at whatever table they want to. All of our tables are filled with students because they all have the technology and they’re not waiting to get on the computers,” Krydick said.

After the panel, the audience was allowed to ask the panel questions. One largely discussed question was on the advantages and disadvantages of a flipped classroom.

“Advantages are very big and disadvantages are very small,” said physician assistant David Majiros. “I saved time and didn’t have to do the lecture twice…A big advantage is that the student can watch it [the lecture] over and over again…they can watch it until they get it.”

Another question was raised on whether or not we can become too dependent on technology. “If you can do it better with a pencil and piece of paper, you should do that,” said Ordonez. “If you don’t have a backup plan [in case technology fails] you will run into trouble along the way. We need to learn how to adapt with it, but we also need to learn how to do without it.”

After the panel discussion, a gallery walk was held where students and faculty presented how they used technology in the classroom.

Cinco de Mayo observes the 1862 victory of Mexico over France. The Battle of Puebla is an important part of Mexican history and pride. The underdog Mexican army, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin, fought against the French persecution and army and reigned victorious.

 Though Mexicans certainly remember it, this day has become more of an American holiday. It’s on the fifth of May that we celebrate Mexican culture and heritage.

 There was a huge push for Cinco de Mayo awareness in the 1960s in Mexican-American communities. Since then, it’s grown into an occasion of national-holiday standards. Come May 5, there will be parties, mariachi music, cultural dancing, parades and various foods to memorialize the nation. To truly experience our nation’s celebration of Mexican culture, visit Houston, Chicago or Los Angeles as large festivals are held.

The United States even went as far as having a resolution issued by the U.S. Congress in 2007. It calls for the President of the United States to issue a statement encouraging citizens to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with related events and festivities.

 As for the Mexicans, they heavily observe Cinco de Mayo in Puebla—the state of their victory against France. Much like Americans reenact Civil War battles like Gettysburg; Mexicans reenact their battle on the streets of Puebla. It’s also known as El Dia de la Batella de Puebla. It’s not considered a national holiday in much of Mexico, but public schools are closed and some businesses recognize it as a full holiday.

Though it’s a huge part of Mexican history, it’s not their biggest holiday. They celebrate their independence day on Sept. 16–though most Americans mistakenly consider Cinco de Mayo as that celebration.

Whether it’s in Mexico, the United States or elsewhere around the globe, Cinco de Mayo is a day to celebrate pride in Mexican heritage, culture and history.

The show follows the tales of legendary Norseman Ragnar Lothbrok, known for his explorations and pillages of foreign lands. It’s all set in early Scandinavia—right at the beginning of the age of the Vikings. It’s not a documentary—it’s an hour of warriors, lovers and conquerors wrapped up in a medieval drama.

Growing up, we typically hear about the Vikings being a ruthless group of people—raping and plundering every village maliciously. While some of it might ring true, “Vikings” shows us another side to their people. They value family, loyalty, resourcefulness and respect, and have faith that their god, Odin, will take them to Valhalla after a job well done in battle. It’s a beautiful, raw representation of an early civilization that is often misunderstood.

Chances are, you won’t recognize a majority of the cast. The one cast member you probably would’ve known is Gabriel Byrne as Earl Haraldson. Don’t get your hopes up though—his character was killed off only a few episodes into the series. This gave the relatively new cast a chance to stand on their own and still gain an impressive audience each Sunday night as it aired. Byrne also happened to play a character that would historically be defeated by Lothbrok.

Speaking of history, there’s a lot of question as to whether it’s historically accurate. The directors and producers have defended it saying that there really isn’t that much recorded on this primitive time. What we know about the Viking era is from oral tradition and from what the early Christians have recorded about their constant conflicts with them.

From the very beginning, you’re drawn into the gritty, intense world with their hauntingly beautiful opening theme. As the show flows, you’ll sense the family dynamics, hear a few cheesy lines, and see the beautiful Irish scenery. There are so many intricate characters—Lothbrok’s monk-turned-slave Athelstan, his shield maiden wife Lagertha, his troubled brother Rollo, his cunning friend Floki, his ambitious son Bjorn, and Haraldson’s mysterious widow Siggy. Lothbrok’s striking blue eyes, scruffy mane and tall, muscled physique offers an appealing view if nothing else.

The series has earned an impressive 8.7 out of 10 rating on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb). It also dominates in its time slot with 18-49-year-olds. Though the season finale was Sunday, you can catch the episodes on the History Channel and Hulu, and of course tune in for Season two starting in March 2014. It may not appeal to everyone, as it is incredibly violent and bloody at times. But it’s not going to sugar coat how their people lived centuries ago. It’s a great historical drama—different than “Game of Thrones” or “The Tudors.” Check it out—you might just become enamored with Lothbrok and the early age of the Vikings.