NCAA-Absent

The lacrosse team at Albright is a group of 25 students who practice and play year round, but are not given the same recognition and credit other NCAA athletes recieve. Co-Athletic Director Rick Ferry stated a lacrosse program would not be put in place unless it was "in the best interest of the college." That is a very understandable approach, but with trainers on campus, 20some players taking out equipment, and locker rooms available for every game, what more is needed? The two big investments appear to be field space and coaches.

Photos Courtesy of Lauren Kittle
Music: "Jump" performed by Van Halen, owned by Warner Brothers Entertainment

Living In A Different World? The Lives and Experiences of Gay Albright Students

With the recent victories with gay marriage in various parts of the country, much attention has been brought to the lives of gays and their place in society. Even though things have certainly changed, gay people still struggle with being accepted and welcomed into general society. All of this inspired me to sit with four gay students and tell me about their views on the Albright community's acceptance of homosexuality and how they fit into the Albright social spectrum. Three of the students (Lauryn Crawford [sophomore], and freshmen Jamal Ishmael and Randi Mont) all share intimate opinions while Louis Yurkovic (junior) speaks about his experiences as a gay student and how they inspired him to create the Gay-Straight-Alliance (GSA). I also spoke to three heterosexual students, freshman Dave Smith, sophomore Shannon Branch and junior Jonathan Little about their views on gays and their existence in the Albright community. The culmination of interviews made for an interesting video that shows that despite all of the discrimination that exists in the world, there are places where people can see beyond differences and co-exist with all types of people that who are different than them.

An Emergence of Human Expression: Film+ Fest 2009

Every year, Albright hosts two Student Film Shows, which are organized by the student-run organization, Cinema Club. The turnout for this year’s show was rather disappointing on Friday, April 3rd, although students and community members were given the opportunity to come on two days instead of just one. There were only seven films, but each had its own unique feel and persona. There was also an installation art piece in the lobby, the reason for the “+” in the title. Films shown were those of Chip Schwartz, ‘09, Cinema Club president, and one of my interviewees. Also, Kyle Baughman, ‘10, Cinema Club vice-president, as well as Luis Omar Guzman, ‘09, and John Schlegel, ‘09. I also interviewed Laura Krieger, ’11, who came to the show to support friends and get a new experience. I was also given exclusive usage of two of the films for this video. The festival took place Friday, April 3rd, and Saturday, April 4th, in Klein Lecture Hall.

Seniors And The Unknown Future

As graduation quickly approaches many seniors at Albright College are preparing for their next big step. Many are currently applying for jobs but are finding it difficult with the current economic situation. Senior Mary Burns has at least the next couple of years planned, as she is set to attend graduate school in the fall. Seniors Chrissy Phillips, Greg Wolfenden, and Brandon Ruppert are all actively applying for jobs, but are having a hard time securing one. Senior Amanda Foulds is moving to Reading, Pennsylvania to expand her job market opportunities as her hometown offers little in relation to her major. Seniors Maria Valentine and Thomas Joseph Kennedy have secured jobs in the fashion and political spectrums, respectively. One thing all seniors have in common is we will be facing a future outside of Albright whether we are ready for it or not.

Texting: Trend or Epidemic?

Texting has grown since its beginnings and become one of the most widely used forms of technology by young people today. I interviewed several Albright students and an Albright faculty member to see how this technology impacts student’s behavior in class. I spoke to senior and “veteran texter” Daniel Dougherty, Sophomore, Kaitlin Rohaur and Senior Mike Larkin to gain insight on how much texting students are doing in classes. I also interviewed Professor of political science Dr. Elizabeth Freund to see what faculty members think about this latest trend.

Judy Shepard Comes To Albright

Mindy Cohen, Station Manager of WXAC, Julia Matthews, Professor of Theater, as well as students Freshman Justin Fitzpatrick and Sophomore Rachel McCoun discuss the upcoming visit of National Speaker Judy Shepard. Ms. Shepard is the mother of Matthew Shepard, who was brutally murdered in his hometown of Laramie, Wyoming just over ten years ago for being gay. Ms. Shepard speaks all over the country using the tragedy of her family to inspire tolerance and acceptance. In addition to a speech by Judy Shepard, Albright’s Domino Players will be premiering their latest show, The Laramie Project, which also deals with the Shepard family and the town of Laramie.

Her speech will take place in the Memorial Chapel on Thursday April 30 and 8:00pm and the Domino Players Production of The Laramie Project will premier on May 1 at 8:00pm in the Wachovia Theater.

Artist of the Month

The Albright A.M. (Arts Magazine) has added a new component to their May 2009 edition called Artist of the Month to which they will nominate and vote on prospective students and their contributions to the arts. For February the winner was Elliot Wallace for his piece "Faith Eats the Soul" which he submitted the "Green and Growing" festival for written and directed theather work made primarily by students. Michael Weekly, president of Albright AM, stands in representation of the magazine, and the Albright community as a whole is excited about this new addition to the magazine.

Why Guster?

Are you happy with this years Spring concert? If not did you voice your opinion to the Student Government Association when they put out a survey? Listen to SGA President Kyle Bredbenner and Commuter Student Representative Michael Weekley inform us about all the hard work SGA put into choosing Guster. Fellow senior Lisa Proccacini and Ashley Gaynor also give their perspective and opinions on this years concert. Guster is coming to the Soveriegn Center May 2nd and Albright students can see them for a discount of $10.

Music in video is from Guster.

Watch out boys, Women are Fighting Back!

Every fall and spring semester Albright College offers the RAD (Rape Aggression Defense) classes. Over the past nine years, this self defense class has been taught to over 600 women in the Albright Community . Each class consists of risk awareness, risk reduction, and risk avoidance. Physical moves are also taught during the classes. At the end of the RAD program the women have the opportunity to try out what they learned during an attack simulation. I interviewed Officer Robert Gerken, Director of Public Safety and one of the RAD instructors, Lauren Cooley, the Special Events Coordinator, Megan McGrath, Director of Alumni Relations and Rachel Caminsky, an Albright Senior for their opinions on the RAD program.

For more information about the RAD classes e-mail Officer Gerken at rgerken@alb.edu

Dance the Night Away Old School Style!

How would you like to learn to dance the way just like people did back-in-the-day? Well that is what Dana Wilcomes, Julie Crandle and Andrew Hettinger did in the Victorian Ball Room Dancing Workshop. The Workshop was held on Saturday April 4th in the Life Center. Unfortionally the director and the assistance's did not want to be interviewed so i went to the next best source; students. I hope you enjoy the blast from the past!