Month: April 2012

Categories
Opinion

Technology consumes our generation

By Connor Small

Writer

With the rise of new technologies, such as the smartphone, iPad and various social media sites, it sometimes feels as if being connected easily is quickly becoming less of a novelty and more of a necessity. Even right now as I write this, I have my Facebook and Twitter accounts open in the background, and I just got a text from my mom asking how my day was. Lately, it seems reality is viewed through a monitor rather than my own two eyes.

It’s unavoidable; the world has shrunk as a result of increased technological connectivity. I can go on my computer and find just about any piece of information I want from the first page of results provided by Google, and that doesn’t even scratch the surface. Think hard: when was the last time you clicked that little blue number two at the bottom of Google’s search results? And it’s not only that, as Google will auto-search as you type and show you results in real time. In my opinion, this increase in technology has lead to an inflated sense of instant gratification among people of our generation.

I sometimes find myself frustrated when it takes more than 10 seconds for a website to load, and I will spend hours at a time on Facebook. This growing independence on instant connectivity just seems unhealthy to me. If this weren’t enough, I can’t go more than 20 minutes without having some sort of buzz or ping emanating from my phone. It’s a stretch to call mobile devices phones anymore, as one can simultaneously access email, play Temple Run and look up the name of that actor whose name is on the tip of your tongue, all the while listening to music or talking on the phone.

Technology usage has also taken over social interactions. Next time you’re walking through campus, stop, take a look around and count the number of people with their noses pressed to their phones. Texting has become the main form of communication these days; my mom seems to be the only one who actually calls me. A large chunk of my daily interactions occur through Facebook, Twitter or text messaging, and unfortunately, many people have come to base their self worth off of how many notifications they receive on each site. For crying out loud, even some colleges and employers accept a candidate based on a Facebook profile.

In my opinion, technology that was once meant to make our lives easier has bred a generation that has their fingers stuck to their phones, frustrated when their device fails. If I see one more status update resembling “I have so much homework, but I can’t get off Facebook,” I might scream. And God help us if a printer breaks. I think what we all need to do is take a step back, turn our devices off and smell the fresh air for once.

Categories
News

KDR recolonizes on campus, excited for fall recruitment

By Amanda Ayers and Christina Oddo

News Editor and Writer

After spending the last four years absent from the University’s campus, the Iota Chapter of Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity will be re-opening its doors this fall. 
The National Fraternity of Kappa Delta Rho and the Iota Alumni Corporation are excited to bring back a community that eagerly challenges every member and encourages character and honor, as well as the needs of society. There are currently three official members — Dotun Odewale ’13, Mohammad Karam ’13, and Sviatoslav Lesko ’13 — and the fraternity is looking for two more upperclassmen to extend offers of membership to in order move forward into formal recruitment in the fall. This fraternity’s recruitment will be no different from any other Greek organization’s. 
“So far, it’s going really well,” Hensley Akiboh, the KDR Educational Leadership Instructor on campus, said. “[The University] has been really helpful in providing me resources to get in contact with students, like the IFC. It was very helpful with all the things I’m trying to accomplish. Things are looking really bright and I’m confident in the progress we’ve made so far.”
The KDR Board of Directors made the decision on behalf of the KDR Alumni Corporation to force the chapter to vacate its house entering spring semester 2008. There had been concerns for several years regarding lack of compliance with national KDR and University policies and standards as well as Union County sanitation standards. When the temporary suspension of housing privileges did not fix the problems, the chapter was then officially suspended in January 2009 for a minimum of four years.
According to an article from the University’s website dated January 9, 2009, “We had hoped that the temporary suspension of house privileges and direct support and assistance of concerned alumni last spring would reform those behaviors,” [former President Brian C.] Mitchell said. “Unfortunately that effort proved unsuccessful.”
The former KDR house was demolished this past fall to provide a location to the “Academic West” project.  A new “Affinity House” on South Campus will be available for the fraternity’s use. The students chosen to represent the fraternity as Founding Fathers will be living in the newly built house.
“It’s a beautiful house and we’re very excited to have that up there and be moving in next year,” Akiboh said.
KDR currently has a strong alumni support group, including many Board of Trustees members; with this support the national organization has high hopes for the re-colonization. Akiboh has been present on campus this spring with hopes of developing energy and interest for the new KDR. He will be living on campus next semester to ensure the re-colonization process runs smoothly. 
Other currently active Greek organizations are excited for the chapter to return to campus.  The Interfraternity Council will be a main resource to the chapter as it enters a pivotal time in its history.
“[IFC] is excited to welcome KDR’s chapter back on Bucknell’s campus. It will require hard work to reinstate this organization as successfully as possible,” Pat Zailckas ’13, President of [IFC], said. “I look forward to working closely with Hensley and the reinstating members of KDR for the remainder of this semester in order to prepare for the whirlwind that is fall recruitment.”
Kevin Foster, Assistant Director of Resident Life and Fraternity Affairs will also be critical to KDR’s re-colonization efforts as a liaison between the fraternity and the University.
“We have been working with alumni and representative from their National Headquarters since the end of last semester to help with the process,” Foster said.
Foster also noted his office’s enthusiasm for the positive impact KDR will have across campus.
“Anytime a new group comes to a campus it tends to push the current groups in a positive way and spark new energy for students who might not have considered joining a fraternity prior.”
Representatives will be back on campus twice this month to make sure that the founding and potential new members are educated and aware of the organization.  For more information, explore KDR’s national website at kdr.com or the chapter’s website at iota.kdr.com.
Categories
News

Brigade to go barefoot for Managua clinic

By Ali Napoli

Contributing Writer

The Bucknell Brigade is sponsoring University participation in TOMS Shoes’ international event One Day Without Shoes on Tuesday, April 10. In Lewisburg, the goal of the event is to raise awareness and benefit a health clinic the Brigade established in Nueva Vida, Nicaragua. Participants are encouraged to spend all day without shoes.
“We hope that students will go without shoes on, regardless of the weather, in recognition of all the people in this world who have to go every day of their lives without shoes,” said Katie McAvoy ’13, one of the event organizers. 
The Brigade will be selling long-sleeved t-shirts that read “Barefoot for Nica” in the days leading up to the event. The money raised will go directly to the health clinic in Nueva Vida to cover utilities and doctors’ and nurses’ salaries.
“This day allows the Brigade to spread awareness of the extreme poverty that exists in Nicaragua and around the world. Traveling to Nicaragua and seeing the children running barefoot in the streets raised my awareness of the things we commonly take for granted, such as shoes. My hope is that all the participants in the Day Without Shoes will come away with a similar feeling,” Zach Kopelman ’13 said.
TOMS  participates in the “One for One Movement,” so the company matches every pair of TOMS bought for personal usage with another pair for a child in need. TOMS has given pairs of shoes to more than 20 diverse countries ranging from Peru to South Africa.
The Brigade visits Nicaragua twice annually and first sponsored this event on campus three years ago.
Categories
Arts & Life Sleeping Around

Sleeping Around: A Cosmo Life

By Stacey Lace

Columnist

As a person in Cosmopolitan’s target demographic, it’s no surprise to anyone that every month I page through the magazine to check out the latest sex tips and tricks. After reading this month’s issue, I’ve found some things I’d like to share with you, my readers.

1. Katharine McPhee is sexy. I thought she was completely irrelevant, but now I realize she might be back on the rise. In Cosmo’s “How I Unleashed My Sexy Side,” McPhee filled me in on her go-to sex kitten look of jeans and a t-shirt. While I think that’s it’s nice for class, I have to say, I don’t get ogled when I wear that to a party. I’ll stick to my short, low-cut getups for hitting the parties and bars.

2. The Circle of 6 app is what’s up when it comes to dodging a guy. The app sends out a text at a single touch to let your friends know they need to save you from some greasy creeper. It also lets you instantly ask them for a ride or a phone call as well. I know I can’t wait to use it when I get into a sticky situation. Thanks for giving me a ride, girls!

3. Gynos have no boundaries. A gyno actually tried to set a woman up on a date with her son while “huddled over [her] vadge.”  Another ate lunch while doing an internal exam. You’re really going to get that invasive, doc?

4. Guys creep all over my new Facebook timeline. My boyfriend claims he doesn’t use FB. I believe him, but apparently other guys are looking at my “map” to see where I hang out. Good thing I have my Circle of 6 app for when they find me …

5. Costco is a hot date locale. I often frequent Costco with my parents when I’m at home, but I’m not sure it’s the sexiest place to have a date. Maybe some of Cosmo’s other “25 Fun–and Free–Things to Do With Your Guy” could work for me. Also, I don’t know that a trip to Costco has ever ended up being “free.”

6. People like to see what’s going on when they’re having sex. According to Cosmo’s “The Thing He’s Dying to See During Sex,” seeing yourself get it on “taps into [your] craving for sexual power.” The magazine recommends giving your guy a view as well as taking a peek yourself. Even going above the waist, I can only tell you one thing, directly from the mouth of a 20-year-old male student: “Boobs are cool. I want to see them.” Really, someone actually said this to me.

While it’s nice that women’s magazines are providing us with treadmill material, it seems to me that most of it is bullshit meant to make me buy next month’s issue.

Categories
Arts & Life Restaurants Review

Lewisburg’s finest pizzerias reviewed

By Jack Wiles

Staff Writer

You like pizza. I know this not because of the high percentage of people in America who love pizza, but because I just manufactured your opinion. Pizza is your lifeblood, your reason for existence and your passion. Because of this, I will be pitting all three downtown pizza parlors against each other in a battle of taste, flavor and mind. This is the LCDP, the Lewisburg Competition of Downtown Pizza.

In beginning my analysis of these establishments, I will move from east to west down Market Street. First at bat is Pizza Phi. This is a relatively new restaurant that has worked very hard to get its name out, and, I might say, with much success. Generally, their pies tend to be on the thinner, crispier side. The people that work there are extremely nice, however they tend to be slow when dining in due to the high number of deliveries they put out. The best part of Pizza Phi is the sandwiches. There is a good mix of specialty subs that really put them on the map. Like, dude, for real, these babies kick it real hard.

Next up is the illustrious Casa de Pizza. For those of you speaking German out there, this means the House of Pizza. This is where the Earl of Pizza crafts his pies. I would say that this is probably the cheapest option out there, which is a major plus, and a great place to stop in and grab a quick slice. Their style involves a little thicker crust than Pizza Phi, with a sweeter sauce and a bigger restaurant to boot. The best qualities of this place are their quick slices and classic college-pizza feel inside.

Vennari’s is our last stop. I’ve never met Vennari, but I bet he’s a cool dude. Here, the pizza comes in an even thicker crust with probably the best sauce downtown. It always comes out piping hot, just as I like it. The location is equal to Casa de Pizza, which is very close to Sixth Street, a much easier and more walkable location than Pizza Phi. The biggest downfall of Vennari’s is the service. I don’t want to blast anyone here, but the people are normally not nice and your food will take a fortnight to come out.

With all of this being said, one of the most important functions a downtown pizza place can serve is as a pregame spot. To be honest, all three of these places are great, but in determining which of these restaurant is best, the ability to BYOB is a crucial factor. Casa de Pizza may actually be the best restaurant, but sorry dudes, you’ve been eliminated. This leaves Pizza Phi and Vennari’s. When it comes down to it, the location, quality of pizza and most inviting BYOB capability of Vennari’s give it the win. Thanks for letting me drink at your place, Vennari’s; you’ve got my vote.

Categories
Featured Lacrosse Sports Women

Athlete of the Week: Sophie Kleinert ’14

By Chris McCree

Sports Editor

 

Sophie Kleinert

Year: Sophomore

Position: Midfielder

Hometown: Greenwich, Conn.

Major: Political Science

 

Season Statistics:

 

GP-GS: 12-12

Goals: 11

Assists: 2

SOG %: .720

Ground Balls: 10

 

Despite being part of a 14-11 losing effort to Patriot League rival Lafayette, Sophie Kleinert ’14 put together an impressive offensive performance for the Orange and Blue on Saturday, leading the team with three goals and five shots on target. Starting at midfield for the Bison, Kleinert gave the team the early lead with her first goal of the day less than two minutes in. Later in the half, Kleinert came through with another big goal to preserve the team’s lead following a Leopard offensive rally in which the team tallied two goals within 15 seconds. Entering the second half with a one-goal lead, the Orange and Blue maintained the momentum after Kleinert scored her third goal. 

Along with her three goals, Kleinert also recorded a ground ball and draw control, raising her season totals to 10 and 11 respectively. She also showed off her accurate shooting abilities, as all five of her shots were on target.

Although the team has not had much success this season, Kleinert has certainly elevated her game from her rookie year. Just 12 games into this year, Kleinert has already nearly doubled the six goals she scored last year.

Currently, the Bison hold a 3-9 record and have five regular season games remaining on the schedule. Looking to earn their first league victory, Kleinert and the Orange and Blue will travel to Holy Cross this Saturday to take on the Crusaders at 1 p.m.

Categories
Beyond the Bison Sports

Beyond the Bison: “Ain’t never gonna be what it was”

Julian Dorey

Columnist

The first pitch has hit the glove, and the 2012 MLB season is officially underway. 

Every year there are big storylines going into the season. Players have new homes (Albert Pujols), teams have new looks (the Miami Marlins), and legends are replaced (Tony LaRussa). But this year, one story is staying under the radar.

The Philadelphia Phillies—one of the game’s great forces for the last five years—could be on the wrong side of a high incline hill. Even with the game’s best pitching rotation (highlighted by Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels), the Phillies enter this season with much lower expectations. Perhaps some of it has to do with the free-agency splash the Miami Marlins made and the young players entering the Majors for the Nationals (both teams in the NL East with the Phils). But most of it has to do with the one power no man can fight: father time.

The Phillies once “young-gun” core isn’t so young anymore. Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley and Carlos Ruiz are all 33, Ryan Howard is 32 and recovering from one of the most devastating injuries in sports (ruptured Achilles) and Shane Victorino is 31. The staples of the 2008 World Series Championship team and the 2009 runners-up are “up there.”

None of them have the same pop they once had. Many of their stats have declined in the last three seasons. Utley has cartilage damage in both knees which will cost him the beginning portion of his season. Howard’s Achilles injury may never allow him to hit the ball like he once did. Aging is a sad thing in sports, but it’s a reality.

Maybe the Phils have another fight or two left in them. Whenever you have pitching like they do, you always have a shot. But the name of the game is runs, and the Phillies don’t have a lot of forces to help them in that department. This year, they will need to rely on last year’s trade deadline pick-up, Hunter Pence, heavily. Without Howard for the first few months of the season, Pence (a career 20-25 HR hitter) will need to provide a little more power than usual in the cleanup spot. Role players like John Mayberry Jr., Juan Pierre, Laynce Nix and Ty Wigginton will need to put up some inflated numbers as well.

It’s a lot to ask of a team that simply lacks the edge it once had. Frankly, it’s sad that Philadelphia and America may have to say goodbye to a truly exciting team that gave the league a great thrill ride year in and year out.

But this is the reality of sports.

Everything comes to an end.

Categories
Featured Men Sports Tennis

The Dominant Duo

Alex Wagner

Assistant Sports Editor

 

The Bison’s top men’s tennis doubles team of Gregg Cohenca ’12 and Evan Zimmer ’13 is currently ranked No. 51 in the nation by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association. 

The two, who began playing together in the fall of 2011, quickly found that they were able to work together well, helping them climb to a position among the elite doubles teams in the nation.

“We played all the fall tournaments together and have meshed since,” Cohenca said.

A key to their success this year has been their ability to stick to the basics.

“Sticking to our fundamentals and tactics [has] brought us our success thus far. We stay positive for every single point and focus on setting up points to end in our favor. Trying to stay completely relaxed and confident out there has propelled us to beat many teams, such as Penn State,” Zimmer said.

In fact, the Feb. 11 victory over Penn State’s Jason Lee and Russell Bader, who are currently ranked No. 25 in the nation, proved early in the season that Cohenca and Zimmer deserve national recognition.

But the hard work to get to the top began for the two of them long before they started seeing themselves in the national rankings this year. Their career records are a testament to their patient approach. Cohenca is currently ranked fourth for the Bison in terms of all-time doubles victories, with a record of 64-46. Zimmer is not far behind in a tie for 12th with a 48-24 record.

In addition to their constant focus on the fundamentals, the teammates also cite their unity off the court as a strong point of their play.

“Off the court, we are good friends, which helps during those crucial moments in the match,” Zimmer said.

As the season progresses, they hope to continue the short-term thinking that has gotten them to where they are today.

“Our goal on the court this season is to play one point at a time. Once that point is over, win or loss, we move on to the next point,” Cohenca said.

There is little doubt that if Cohenca and Zimmer stick to the principles that they have been employing, they will continue to do great things this season.

 

Categories
Golf Men Sports

Men’s golf battles wind, finishes eighth

By Scott Padula

Staff Writer

In its second tournament in as many weeks, the men’s golf team fought off 30-mile-per-hour winds and frigid temperatures en route to placing eighth out of 44 in the Wildcat Invitational in Malvern, Pa.

On Monday, the first day of action, the Bison battled the elements to shoot a team score of 320 in the first round. Captain Will Bachman ’12 led the Bison with a team-low of 78. Thomas Walter ’14 shot an 80 while Dan Bernard ’13 and Schuyler Stitzer ’14 both shot opening round 81s. Jon Hartman ’13 rounded out the Orange and Blue team with a score of 82 in his spring debut.

The Bison sharpened their game in the second round of the day, shooting a team score of 318. In the afternoon round, Stitzer broke Bachman’s team-low for the tournament by shooting a 76. Through 36 holes, Stitzer led the team with a score of 157. After his impressive 78 in the first round, Bachman followed up with a second-round score of 82. Other notable performances for the Bison came from Hartman and Bernard, who shot 79 and 81 respectively. After the second round of the tournament, the Orange and Blue sat in 11th place.

In the final round of the tournament on Tuesday, the Orange and Blue shot a team score of 307, allowing them to jump three places in the team standings. Hartman carded the best Bison score of the day with a three-over-par 74. Bernard and Stitzer recorded 77s, while Bachman and Walter tallied 79s. Stitzer led the team with four birdies. This final round was the first of the spring where all five Bison registered scores below 80.

“As long as we continue to practice with intensity and work on areas that need improvement, we will be prepared for Patriot Leagues. It is important to remember that golf is a strange sport where what happens one weekend in no way determines what will happen the next. All we can do as players is make the right decisions and continue to improve,” Stitzer said.

The Orange and Blue have a week off before they head to Farmville, Va. where they will compete in the Manor Intercollegiate on April 13 and 14.

Categories
Rowing Sports Women

Rowing places eight boats in top seven

By Lindsay Regruto

Senior Writer

The women’s rowing team had a strong showing at the Occoquan Sprints on Sunday in Fairfax, Va. with all three varsity eight boats placing in the top seven, another varsity eight boat taking fourth in its final and a novice eight boat taking first in its finals. 

“In the grand final, the varsity eight were in lanes one and two racing right next to each other just like every morning,” Christy Holodnik ’12 said. “Every morning the two boats push each other to be faster … and that is exactly what happened during the final.”

Two of the varsity eight boats with coxswains Jacqueline McKeone ’13 and Alexandra Higbee ’12 finished second and third respectively in the second heat of the competition while the third varsity eight boat with coxswain Katherine Anderson ’12 pulled out a first place finish in the third heat. McKeone’s and Anderson’s boats advanced to the final and took third and fourth respectively. The third varsity eight boat (cox: Higbee) advanced to the petite final taking first over Georgetown by almost five seconds to place seventh overall.

The second varsity eight boat took third in its heat and finished fourth in the final of its division. The Bison also had a strong showing in the novice eight with its boat taking first in its heat by seven seconds over Old Dominion. The novice eight boat continued to the final, beating out Delaware for first by about eight seconds.

“[We] had an exciting showing this past weekend,” Ally Cohen ’12 said. “All of our boats held their own against some tough competition.  We are looking forward to races to come and are excited to keep getting faster.”

The Bison will host Drexel and the Princeton Lightweights on Saturday at 8 a.m.