Campus

Rock-A-Day: Club MC Edition

I meant to post this yesterday, but as you might be able to guess, somebody was a bit busy and ran out of time.  So here it CUB’s Club MC rock, which was advertising Club MC (which was last night, and awesome, as always).  Welcome Back Bash continues through Saturday night.

Rock-A-Day: Alpha Xi’s Welcome Back

As seen on The Rock on August 25th, 2010.  Alpha Xi Delta appears to have taken a nod from Monday’s Welcome Back Rock done by Lambda Chi Alpha.

Rock-A-Day: Welcome Back Edition

MC ALERT: Walgreens Robber Armed & On The Loose

Here’s the info, according to Marietta College:

Marietta City Police are searching for a white man, approximately 30 years of age for an alleged armed robbery of Walgreens at the corner of Third and Greene streets. The suspect was last seen on foot near Vogue-Swift Cleaners, located on Third Street, at about 8:30 this morning (Aug. 12).

The suspect is armed with a gun and/or knife and considered dangerous. Do not approach this man. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a dark green long-sleeved shirt.

If you see anyone matching this description please go to a safe place and call 911.

If or when the suspect is caught, the College will send out an additional notification.

Students were alerted via text, e-mail, and phone around 9 a.m.

UPDATE 10:18 a.m. – Students have reported that the campus has been placed on lock down while police continue the search for this morning’s robbery suspect.

UPDATE 11 a.m. – The Marietta Times and WTAP are confirming that it was the Salvation Army that was robbed, not the Walgreens.

UPDATE 12 p.m. – Marietta College’s lock down has been rescinded.  Marietta City Police have called off the active search for the robbery suspect.

Stay tuned to Writing on the Mall for the latest.

College Announces Position Realignment, New Hires

The e-mail that went out to students, faculty, and staff today was actually kind of funny to me, considering I was just about to contact Dr. Pastoor about the hiring process for the Assistant Director of Student Activities and Greek Life.  But we all got that information today…and more.

In brief, here’s the entire list of changes and hires:

• The Office of Residence Life is now the Office of the Dean of Students
• Bruce Peterson is now the Dean of Students, and is the go-to if Dr. Pastoor (VP of Student Life) is not around
• Ellen Campbell is now the Assistant Dean of Students
• Leslie Yetter was hired as an Assistant Dean of Students
• Amanda Mullen was hired as a Residence Hall Director, and will work with Yetter
• Erica Knuckles was hired as a Residence Hall Director, and will work with Campbell
• Jason Gepperth was hired as a Residence Hall Director, and will work with Campbell
• Jacob Tidwell was hired as Assistant Director of Student Activities and Greek Life
• Linda See is now working on the Marietta College Parent & Family Organization, no longer responsible for housing coordination
• Chief of Police will be named soon

Obviously, the biggest news is that they found the replacement for the Assistant Director of Student Activities and Greek Life position.  Tidwell is an Eastern Carolina University graduate who has been working for the school.  According to his Facebook profile, he is a brother of Beta Theta Pi, and serves as their chapter advisor.  He has a BS in Business Administration and his MBA.  Tidwell replaces Allison Toney, who resigned in June to take a position at the University of South Carolina.

The new Residence hall Director hires were needed after Tara Kurilchick and Ricky Ciccone departed.  Amanda, Erica, and Jason all have the Masters in Higher Education, and in Leslie’s case, previous Residence Hall Director experience.  The e-mail did not list who was going to be in charge of each Residence Hall for the coming year, but we are working to obtain that information.

The Chief of Police remains MC’s only major hole left to fill.  Dr. Pastoor said that all three candidates have been to Marietta for interviews, and that a decision should be made soon.

Keep with Writing on the Mall as we work through all of these new people.  We are working to try to get them all to introduce themselves through here.

DU Field Down For Count This Fall

Students, Faculty, and Staff received an e-mail this morning reminding them that DU Field will be out of commission until Spring Semester.  Crews are working to renovate the field, including work to level the area and remove ruts that have developed over time.

The closure of DU Field means that Flag Football games will have to be moved.  Our guess is that almost all games will be played near Don Drumm Stadium this year, but there is a chance that Parsons Field could also be used.  Parsons Field is being listed as the alternate for those looking to enjoy wide-open flat spaces on campus.  Another alternative would be to use the Kremer Green in front of the Legacy Library.  While smaller, the area is well suited to just laying out or playing cornhole (oops, I mean Corn Toss, lol).

PHOTOS: Tent City Rides Onto Campus

The Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure chose the Southeast Ohio area for it’s annual Summer trek, and Marietta is one of five stops.  Marietta College has become home to over 2,000 bicycle riders from all over the place.  The GOBA caravan arrived on Sunday for set-up, and includes medical staff, shower trucks, bike stores, and four trailers to haul all of the luggage and camping gear for the riders.  While bikers were given the option of paying to stay in McCoy, many chose to stay in tents in any level grassy surface they could find.  Here are photos of the tent city that appeared Monday.

College Begins Search For New Assistant Director of Student Activities And Greek Life

Writing on the Mall has confirmed that Allison Toney will be leaving her position at the end of July.

This means that Marietta College will have its fourth Assistant Director of Student Activities and Greek Life in four years.

Toney revealed her plans in an e-mail to the leaders of all the greek houses and councils on campus. In the letter, which was obtained by Writing on the Mall, she says, “I decided to leave to get back closer to home and it was more personal than professional reasons for leaving.”

When reached for comment, she says, “I really enjoyed working with everyone this past year! You all are some great students and I know you will continue to do good things in the future!”

Toney was hired by Marietta College last summer to replace Tara Kurilchick.  Kurilchick had dual-roles for the college (Residence Life and Student Activities) during the search to fill the Assistant Director position after Lynne Miller left in 2008 for the University of Pittsburgh.  Miller replaced Melissa Liptak in 2006 after Liptak accepted a position with Kent State.

David Travis, the Director of Student Activities and Student Life, says that this is to be expected.  He says that the Assistant Director position is considered and entry-level position.  Because of this, he continues on to say, “It is not uncommon for entry level positions to be held from 1 to 3 years. With this said my goal is to create a working environment that is welcoming for any staff member. This environment needs to allow for a staff member to be challenged and grow professionally.”

Travis will take over the duties of Assistant Director while a search to fill the position begins.  Candidates will be interviewed by a panel of students, faculty, and staff has been formed.  Interviews will begin in July on a rolling basis.

If you were curious to the job requirements, Travis sent along a copy of the job description.

The primary responsibility of this position, as part of the Student Activities & Greek Life department, is to provide leadership to the Greek community by developing and implementing programs and activities that strengthen and enhance Greek Life at Marietta College.  This includes serving as advisor to Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and Greek Council.  The Assistant Director will also provide academic support, counseling and educational programming for all Greek organizations.

Additional responsibilities include partnering with students, student organizations, faculty, and staff in coordinating community service projects.

Duties and responsibilities are organized around two areas:  Management and Programming.

Also of note, a Master’s degree in Higher Education is not being required for the position. Emphasis is also placed on Greek Affiliation.

A Bachelor’s degree is required while a Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education Administration or related field is preferred. Prior Greek Life experience (chapter consultant, graduate assistant with Greek Life responsibilities, etc.) is strongly preferred.  Affiliation with a Greek Letter organization is highly desirable. Must possess well developed communication/interpersonal, organization, planning and programming skills.

Writing on the Mall asked several campus leaders for comment.  Brendan George, president of Interfraternity Council, and Josh Maxwell, president of Student Senate, had the following to say.

Ms. Toney’s vacancy will mark the fourth Greek Adviser that MC seniors have experienced.  This means that something is either very wrong with the Greek population at MC or something needs to be done with the position from an administrative standpoint.  Why is it so difficult to keep someone in the position?  Looking at Andrews, Bruce Peterson is really the only one that I see that has stayed with the overall department of Student Life for an extended period of time.  Vickers is gone, Travis is still relatively new, and Pastoor has yet to impress the collegiate population.  It is, as far as it’s personnel is concerned, a very new department.  Now Allison Toney, a woman that showed such promise early in her career here, is leaving as well.  The phenomenon warrants investigation.

~ Brendan George, President of Interfraternity Council

Allison’s departure marks a growing trend in the Assistant Director of Student Activities and Greek Life position of very low retention.  It’s currently suffering the Harry Potter “Defense Against the Darks” curse, because we can’t seem to keep them past a year.  I wonder if maybe this is an appropriate time figure out why this keeps happening, before we set out to hire a replacement.

One of the biggest criteria I will be looking for in a replacement will be the candidate’s willingness and commitment to a multi-year stay at Marietta.  I feel that if the Student Life wishes to continue helping Greek Life grow and develop, it needs to have a staff member that can bring continuity to the table.

~ Josh Maxwell, President of Student Senate

Travis also had the following to say about Toney

Marietta College is sad to see her leaving us. I believe Allison contributed much to the College, its students and the Office of Student Activities and Greek Life. I believe her passion is supporting students and helping them achieve their goals.

~ David Travis, Director of Student Activities and Greek Life

Common Reading Announced For Fall

I mentioned it on Facebook and Twitter the other day, but figured I would do a full write-up on my day off.

Provost Rita Smith Kipp has announced that “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” has been selected as Marietta College’s Common Reading for 2010.

I believe this is the college’s first official attempt at a common reading (a common reading for all incoming Freshmen had been discussed for last summer, but never came to fruition).

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” is a book about the life of Henrietta Lacks, an African American who died of cancer at the age of 30 in 1951.  Some of her cancerous cells were taken and used for medical experimentation without consent.  The interesting thing is that the cells never died…they continue to live and multiply today.  These so-called HeLa cells have now led to numerous medical developments.  The book discusses all the angles of the case, from the ethics, to the medicines developed, and more.

According to the story on Marietta’s website, all students, faculty, and staff are being encouraged (but not required) to pick up the book.  A group discussion will be held on August 29th at 4 p.m.  No location has been announced.

If you are looking to pick up the book, Amazon has it for $16, or $14 from its affiliates.  Half.com has it for anywhere between $13 and $18.

Many schools implement common readings as a way to keep students active through the summer months, and more specifically, give Freshmen classes a common point to start discussions with.  Typically the author is brought in to speak about the book, but Marietta has not said if this will happen or not.

PROFILE: The Music Man of Marietta

You’re driving down the road with the windows down and the stereo up. You’re sitting in your friend’s basement recalling the crazy stunts you’ve pulled together. You’re not worried about the time and your plans – you’re content to relax and enjoy the life you’ve been given.

This is the life of Nate DiRuzza and the mood emitted through his music. A senior at Marietta College, his music invites listeners to slow down and find where they are in life. He would classify his music as “folk rock” inspired by artists such as Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Brad Paisley and the Eagles. He has recorded his first album and performed at various venues throughout Northeast Ohio and the Mid-Ohio Valley, including the Izzy’s Coffeehouse Series and opening for Blessid Union of Souls.

His story begins at his first-grade Christmas play, where he portrayed Elvis and became obsessed with the performer. He could easily be found singing and dancing on the coffee table impersonating his idol.

As his love for music grew, so did his interest in becoming a musician. DiRuzza taught himself to play guitar his junior year of high school because he couldn’t afford lessons. He wrote his first song about a girl he liked, “Only a Fool,” and then wrote “The Good Ol’ Fashioned Days,” both found on his first album.

As a high school senior, DiRuzza recognized his desire to not only write music, but also perform in front of crowds. With the push of his chorus teacher, he auditioned for the school play and portrayed the Cowardly Lion in their production of “The Wizard of Oz.”

“It was that play that built the confidence I have about myself,” he said.

That confidence was useful later in his first solo performance with his own music.

“I performed “The Good Ol’ Fashion Days” in front of 300-400 people for the first time. Everybody started clapping along and I got the chills,” he said.

Now a senior in college, DiRuzza is doing what he loves. He keeps a notebook with each of the 21 songs he has written, and has found that at different points in his life, he will write songs with similar lyrical vibes.

“I basically write about how I feel. I don’t make anything up, everything that I write about it true. When I get my heart broken, I write about it. When I’m in an extreme state of happiness, I write about it. I also write about experiences that I’ve had,” he said.

He hopes that others will be able to find themselves in his music.

“I want people to be able to identify with it. I want them to feel it, either with the lyrics or the beat of the song,” he said.

DiRuzza is expecting his second album to come out within the next few years. In the future, he would like to perform at the NACA (National Association for College Activities) conference. Here, he would be recruited by colleges and perform at their schools.

The glitz and glamour of a Hollywood musician is not appealing to DiRuzza, who would rather finish his college education and allow those he cares for most to take this journey with him.

“I’m not going to get in a dirty old van and just take off because I’m very family oriented and I don’t want to leave people behind. However, I would love to perform and travel on the weekends, and yet still live close to my family,” he said.

You can listen to some of DiRuzza’s music on his myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/natediruzza. You can also purchase his album from New Creation Studios in Parkersburg, W.Va., or from him personally. As we endure the hustle and bustle and craziness of life, he hopes we can all learn to live the message of his newest song, and “Take Life Slow.”

EDITOR’S NOTE:  This article is by Leyna Chovan, a Media Writing Two student at Marietta College.  If you are interested in writing for Writing on the Mall, send an e-mail to Patrick_H@writingonthemall.net.