PROFILE: Failed Floridian Fencer Finds Finale
Ready. Fence!
Chris Law advanced a step on the raised strip in front of a crowd of more than 300 at the Ocala, Fla., Fencing Tournament. His Russian opponent charged. Law, who was only two points away from winning, retreated a few steps and attempted to block the moves. The Russian lunged forward and body checked Law. Law stumbled, twisted and slipped. His leg was broken and his Olympic bound fencing career was over.
Law is now a senior about to graduate from Marietta College. Before his final fencing match began the fall of his senior year of high school, he planned to go to Penn State on a full ride scholarship and join the fencing team. If Penn State had not worked out, he had been accepted to Harvard under the same conditions. The same was true with Yale, Oregon, Oregon State, and Syracuse. In a few seconds, all of that was gone.
“I blacked out immediately after it happened,†says Law. “The next thing I remember, I was going to the hospital and knew I had a bad injury.â€
The injury was pretty serious indeed. The doctor determined Law’s right leg had a broken tibia and femur, a dislocated and shattered patella, several torn muscles, a torn LCL, and a strained ACL.
Within a few days, every scholarship offer had been revoked except for Law’s academic scholarship to Marietta College. This was Law’s backup to his backup. As it turned out, it became one of the best things to ever happen to Chris Law.
“I enjoyed MC more than I thought I would. Classes I could have had anywhere. The friends, though, I wouldn’t trade for Penn State’s fencing program or Harvard or anything like that for the friends I made at Marietta.â€
Law embraced the situation and he become very involved at Marietta College. He joined a fraternity and became an editor for the Marcolian, the student newspaper. He is about to graduate with a degree in Advertising and Public Relations, a double minor in journalism and organizational communication, and a certificate in international leadership.
Adam Bruhenne, Law’s best friend and former roommate, is impressed by how much the entire situation has humbled Law. “I don’t think I could have taken this as well as Chris Law. He’s become an avid volunteer for the Boys’ and Girls’ Club and wants to join the Navy after he graduates.â€
The military is one option Law is considering. If he can’t find a job in the private sector, he’d like to serve his country.
“My dream job is to be the director of social media for Budweiser, but it will take a while to get there. If I can get in a few years with the government, I think it will not only help my career, but I will be able to give back for everything my country has given me.â€
EDITOR’S NOTE:  This article is by Dave Hood, 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.
Posted by Dave_H Date: Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tags: Chris Law, College, Dave Hood, Fencing, Florida, Harvard, Marietta, Ocala, Ohio, Olympics, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Syracuse, Writing on the Mall, Yale
Marietta College Needs To Dance For Charity
This has probably been one of the hardest things I’ve had to write for this site. Â Not due to the subject matter, but due to the fact that I wanted to word this so that it may drive those who read it to action. Â So please, if you don’t read another article this week, read this one.
Philanthropy is a major part of Marietta College’s beliefs. Â We do Make a Difference Day, Community Service Day, Relay for Life, Up ’til Dawn, and many other individual organization related projects. Â Without Marietta College, this city would find itself with many opportunities for service, but very few people to actually work them.
However, maybe we do too much for national efforts? Â I mean, don’t get me wrong here…I enjoy Up ’til Dawn and Relay for Life…they are great causes. Â However, I feel that now is the time to come together and create something new…something never seen before at Marietta College. Â Something that would create a large-scale philanthropy event for the Spring semester, where we currently only have Community Service Day. Â Something that has been established elsewhere and has proven immensely popular. Â That event is the Dance Marathon.
THON, as it’s better known at Penn State, has been around since the early 70′s, and has since raised over $60 million dollars for the fight against pediatric cancer at a local hospital. Â Money is raised all throughout the Fall and Winter by each of the participating groups. Â Then in mid February, they hold a two day long dance party, celebrating the money they’ve raised and the children that they have helped over the years.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THON 2010′S PROMOTIONAL VIDEO
I’m not suggesting that we try to create an event that massive at Marietta College. Â Not by a longshot. Â Penn State is probably 30 to 40 times larger than us. Â But if we were to take the idea of the dance marathon and have it contribute a local cause, it could be highly successful. Â Have one Dance Marathon Fundraiser for each sport throughout the year, organize one or two cannings (walking around the town with cans asking for donations) a year, have side events to raise money, get organizations both on and off campus to participate, and get companies to support the cause and underwrite costs. Â Then have a 12 hour dance marathon that started at, say, 2 PM on a Saturday afternoon and went until 2 AM at the Gathering Place (or Fenton Court if demand required). Â Have a great DJ play music the entire time, make it fun, interactive, share stories from the charity we choose to support, and have a good time.
It would take a lot of support to get rolling, but if the campus could pull together for this one event and work in harmony, I think we could all do a lot of good for the community.
What do you think? Â Let us know in the Comments section.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Monday, October 26, 2009
Categories: Campus, Rant and Rave
Tags: 2010, College, Community Service Day, Dance Marathon, Make a Difference Day, Marietta, Ohio, Penn State, Relay for Life, THON, Up 'Til Dawn, Writing on the Mall
Higher Participation Through Class Gift?
Now, I will be honest and say that I write this without knowing what the typical participation is for the Senior Challenge, but here is a great idea.
Onward State, a blog about Penn State (Much bigger school, I know…but their blog is very similar to Writing on the Mall), published an article talking about the three things their class may give back to the school.
Wouldn’t it be great for the Senior Class to pick something to physically give back to the school? Â Or maybe set up a scholarship fund for future classes? Â I think that if the goal is higher participation in the drive, then something tangible will bring those numbers up. Â It would give members of that graduating class something to come back to, or be something to be remembered by.
What are your thoughts? Â Seniors – would you be more likely to donate if you saw what your donation was going to?
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tags: Blog, Class Gift, College, Marietta, Ohio, Onward State, Penn State, Seniors, Writing on the Mall
Rowing Invitational Saturday
Not much else to report past this PR from the College. Â Go to the Muskingum River tomorrow if you’d like to watch Crew teams from around the country compete. Â Here are the full details.
The Marietta College men’s and women’s rowing programs will combine to host the 15th annual Marietta Invitational Saturday (April 4) on the Muskingum River. Eleven crews will descend on the Lindamood-Van Voorhis Boathouse for the Pioneers’ lone home regatta of the season, making it the largest event in the history of the Invitational. [Directions to Boathouse]
Joining Marietta will be Charleston (W.Va.), Cincinnati, D’Youville (N.Y.), Grand Valley State (Mich.), Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wis.), North Carolina, North Park (Ill.), Northwestern (Ill.), Penn State (Pa.) and West Virginia.
There will be 11 events contested on Saturday. Women’s crews will compete in the Varsity 4+, Freshman 4+, Varsity 8+, Junior Varsity 8+ and Freshman 8+. Men’s crews will battle in the Varsity 2-, Varsity 4+, Freshman 4+, Varsity 8+, Junior Varsity 8+ and Freshman 8+.
Women’s Varsity 4+ time trials will kick off the racing at 8 a.m. Preliminary rounds will continue through the morning. The Finals are scheduled to begin at noon. Action will conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m. [Complete Schedule (.pdf)] [Heat Sheets (.pdf)]
Race programs will be available at the Boathouse, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Results will be posted throughout the day.
Posted by Patrick_H Date: Friday, April 3, 2009
Tags: Charleston, Cincinnati, Crew, D'Youville, Grand Valley State, Illinois, Junior Varsity, Marietta, Marietta College, Michigan, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Muskingum River, New York, North Carolina, North Park, Northwestern, Ohio, Penn State, Pennsylvania, Pioneers, PR, Race, Saturday, Varsity, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Writing on the Mall
