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Headline News

Flying Bison soars to campus

By Amanda Ayers

News Editor

The Flying Bison has arrived on campus, and it’s here to stay. At 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, the colorful food truck pulled up to the Kenneth Langone Athletics and Recreation Center with Bucky the Bison in the passenger seat. The mobile culinary vehicle will offer fresh and authentic dining items for breakfast, lunch and a late-night period from midnight until 3 a.m. The truck will accept dining and campus dollars.

“Our main concerns included offering different options for students on campus, which will make dining more convenient,” David Freeland, the resident district manager of Parkhurst Dining Services and primary designer of the truck, said. “We’re not going to have all of the options that the Bison has, but the idea is that we will specialize in certain menu items and they will be fresh and tasty. The truck will be a destination station–-you’ll go because you really want what is being offered.”

The truck will be at the Klarc “U” 7:30-9 a.m. Monday through Friday, between Dana Engineering Building and Delta Upsilon Fraternity 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. also on weekdays and at Vedder Circle midnight-3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

“These locations are subject to change if business demands and students suggest a better location,” Valerie Keller-Lee, general manager of retail operations for Dining Services, said.

Students are excited for this new late night dining option.

“Although I’m not really sure how to feel about the food truck, I know that if it’s open from midnight to three in the morning, I will definitely be stopping by for a snack after a night out,” Shaquille Anderson ’15 said.

The Flying Bison lunch menu features Korean BBQ-inspired items like Jumbo Sweet Garlic Chili Wings, Sweet and Sour Pulled Pork Wonton Taco and Mandu Pan Fried Dumplings. The lunch menu will vary approximately every two weeks, rotating from Korean BBQ to gourmet grilled cheese options and Indian-style cuisine. 

“I think this is a good idea,” Maddie Seymour ’15 said. “I’m going there for lunch as soon as possible!”

For all-the-time offerings, the Flying Bison will serve garden salads, sandwiches and soups of the day, assorted soft drinks and treats such as the caramel sandwich cookies, lemon bars and whoopie pies. Breakfast at the food truck will include Starbucks coffee, yogurt, fresh fruit and items like grilled homemade cinnamon buns, fruit crepes and grilled croissants with caramelized pear, arugula, fried egg and havarti cheese.

“I can assure you that unveiling a food truck was not in the job description,” President Bravman said on Wednesday before he officially cut the ribbon in front of the Flying Bison.

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Headline News

Family drives Abagnale’s second chance

By Jason Pepe

Contributing Writer

Frank Abagnale, Jr. spoke to a large audience on April 9 at 7 p.m. at the Weis Center for the Performing Arts about his experiences as a notorious teenage con artist in the 1960s. During his talk, Abagnale painted a slightly different picture than what has been popularly portrayed. While Abagnale displayed a sharp wit and ease of demeanor, he spoke poignantly of how his parents’ divorce drove him to run away from home at 16 and the immense loneliness he felt as a con artist.

Abagnale’s story is well known because of his book  “Catch Me If You Can” and the subsequent film and Broadway musical by the same name.

“All children need their mother and their father … divorce is a very devastating thing for a child to deal with. How could I tell you my life was glamorous?  I cried myself to sleep every night till I was 19 years old,” Abagnale said.
Abagnale also spoke of second chances. He admitted that he is not proud of the crimes he committed, but is grateful for the opportunity to redeem himself through his work with the F.B.I.
“I am very fortunate that I was brought up in a country where everyone gets a second chance. That is why I am with the F.B.I. today, 26 years beyond my legal obligation to do so,” he said.
Originally scheduled to speak on campus in March, Abagnale had to reschedule due to flight difficulties.
“Due to the airlines, it was impossible for me to get here, since they don’t let me keep my uniform anymore,” Abagnale said.
Abagnale traced his life as a con artist, from forging checks in New York City, to posing as a Pan American Airlines pilot, a doctor and then a lawyer, and finally to his eventual capture and imprisonment.  After serving time in French, Swedish and U.S. prisons, Abagnale was released early to work for the F.B.I. Abagnale then began advising banks and businesses on how to detect fraud.
He is particularly proud that one of his three sons is currently a counterintelligence agent for the F.B.I.
Abagnale pointed to his wife, who he met more than 35 years ago in Texas while working undercover for the F.B.I., as the reason he decided to change his life.
“The truth is, God gave me a wife, she gave me three beautiful children, she gave me a family and she changed my life.  She, and she alone,” Abagnale said.
Before concluding his lecture, Abagnale left the audience with several tips on how to protect against identity theft today. He warned against putting too much information on Facebook, advised the use of a security micro-cut shredder when disposing of sensitive documents and advocated for the use of credit cards over debit cards as the safest form of payment.
“Life is not short. Life is long, very long,” Abagnale said.  “When you make a mistake in life, that mistake becomes a burden, and you have to live with that burden for years and years …  I would never want any of you to live with a burden. It is a horrible thing to live with.”
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Samek Art Gallery opens affiliate downtown

By Jen Lassen

Arts and Life Editor

What is it called when contemporary art and entrepreneurship mix? Collaboration.

Our small yet proud Lewisburg experienced such collaboration on March 30 with a private opening of the Downtown Art Gallery, an affiliate of the Samek Art Gallery at the University, and the Bucknell University Entrepreneurs Incubator in the completely renovated DeWitt Building.

This new, three-story structure will revitalize the arts both downtown and at the University, and allow for the start of a new entrepreneurial movement to take place right in the heart of Lewisburg.

The gallery opened to the public on March 31. The first floor of the DeWitt building is home to the art gallery itself, the entrepreneur incubator occupies the second floor and the University’s Small Business Development Center occupies the third floor. Several individuals, connected to both the University and the community at large, played a significant role in the gallery and incubator from start to finish.

One such person is Richard Rinehart, director of the Samek Art Gallery at the University. “When I started with the University in May of 2011, they told me ‘Oh, by the way, you’re going to help with opening up a new art gallery downtown.’ And, of course, I said, ‘Sure! Let’s do it!’” Rinehart said.

Many people are confused, wondering if the Samek Art Gallery is moving downtown. Rinehart assures that this is not the case, but that this new, second gallery will provide more opportunities in terms of programming.

“The downtown gallery relates to the Samek Art Gallery, but the programming is different. We are looking to bring in one contemporary artist per month [to the downtown gallery], and this allows for two opportunities for galleries,” he said.

Since he arrived, Rinehart has worked closely with many on this project, including James Rice, associate provost and dean of graduate studies, and James Hostetler, director of construction and design. Rice brainstormed the idea for a gallery downtown while Rinehart and Hostetler designed it. Hostetler oversaw the actual construction of the gallery/incubator.

At the private ribbon-cutting ceremony, attendees were welcomed by Pete Mackey, vice president for communications and community relations. President John Bravman presented a speech following Mackey’s introduction.

In his speech, Bravman commented on the important purpose of the gallery and incubator in the DeWitt building.

“This has brought art in a new way downtown, and there is the beginning of business upstairs. This is a wonderful example of how a town and university can work together; it is an important rebirth between Lewisburg and Bucknell,” Bravman said.

Mayor Judy Wagner also said “the DeWitt building is a bridge from Bucknell to downtown.”

“[The incubator] will help small businesses get started. About 30-some interns from Bucknell will become a part of this program in addition to the entrepreneurs who apply. Art and entrepreneurship will be flowing through this building,” said Steven Stumbris, an employee in the Small Business Development Center.

Andy Hirsch, director of media communications at the University, said that entrepreneurs can use the space to develop new ideas. They will have 24/7 access to the space when granted.

The 3,000 sq. ft. incubator is complete with a lounge and art pickings straight from the Samek Gallery. It is a place meant to encourage creativity.

“Someone pointed out the connection to me between entrepreneurship and art/creativity, and it was something that I had never thought about before. Now, I can clearly see how the two relate,” Hirsch said.

“This gallery will be a party for the mind, and you’re all invited,” Rinehart said.

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Saying Goodbye

By Siobhan Murray

Writer

Chief and founder of the University’s Department of Public Safety Jason Friedberg will step down from his position at the end of this semester. After leading the Department of Public Safety for six years, Friedberg will leave to work for Visium Global, the company he started that specializes in security and security technology consulting services for higher education.

He will work with the University in a national search to find the next chief of the Department of Public Safety.
“I truly believe that the Public Safety department Bucknell has is unmatched by any private liberal arts campus in the United States,” Friedberg said. “The officers are dedicated and well-trained and the department as a whole is supported well by the administration.”
Before serving at this university, Friedberg was Associate Director and Captain at Franklin & Marshall College for three years. Friedburg has roughly 20 years of experience in security and law enforcement.
“While Bucknell has been an outstanding partner in the growth of safety and security on campus, I felt that I would be able to effect change on the national landscape in higher education in a more meaningful and timely manner through the efforts of Visium Global and therefore made the decision to leave Bucknell,” Friedberg said.
Before, the Public Safety Department was comprised of about seven unarmed officers without basic security technology or reporting-tracking software. Friedman transformed the department into a fully operational, full response law enforcement and security agency.
In addition to looking for Friedberg’s successor, the Department of Public Safety will continue to remain as present as ever on campus. This will involve engaging the campus by working with groups such as Bucknell Student Government (BSG), the Interfraternity Council, faculty and staff to improve town-gown relations. Public Safety also looks to leverage security techonology on campus to create a safer and more secure campus. Public Safety has outlined the security needs for the newly constructed areas of the campus.
The University will work to “maintain the bucolic feel of Bucknell while still providing the security needed to keep the campus safe,” Friedberg said.
“I think [Friedberg] has done a great job of strengthening relationships with both BSG and The Bucknellian, and I am sure his successor will do the same,” BSG President Sara Girmay ’14 said.
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Basketball Headline Men Sports

Men’s basketball falls to Nevada in NIT to end season

Cooper Sutton

Editor-in-Chief

 

Despite a record-tying double-double by Mike Muscala ’13, the men’s basketball team fell in the second round of the NIT to fifth-ranked Nevada, 75-67.

Muscala’s 25 points and 15 rebounds gave him his 16th double-double of the season, tying the program record for most double-doubles in one season. The only other Bison player to score over six points was Cameron Ayers ’14 (21 points).

The Orange and Blue got in a hole early, giving up the first six points. They trailed the entire game—by as much as 12 at the beginning second half and by as little as three with only 36 seconds left in the game.

Nevada’s Olek Czyz paced the scoring for the Wolfpack with 24 points, but Nevada saw a solid team effort in scoring with every player but one putting points on the board.

The Bison could not boast the same statistics, as Bryson Johnson ’13 (1-7 from three point range), Bryan Cohen ’12 and Joe Willman ’13 all scored six points. The only other Bison scorer was Ben Brackney ’14, who put up three points.

The loss to Nevada marks the final game of the season for the men’s basketball team. The Bison will lose Cohen and Enoch Andoh ’12 to graduation this year, but should return four out of their five starters next year.

This season has seen many milestones for the team, which reached 25 wins for only the third time in program history, was invited to the NIT for the first time, and saw three players reach 1,000 career points.

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Basketball Headline Men Sports

Men’s basketball upsets No. 1 Arizona in NIT

Chris McCree

Sports Editor

 

Falling just short of a second consecutive NCAA tournament bid and Patriot League title in a devastating loss to Lehigh last week, the men’s basketball team emphatically responded by recording one of the biggest upsets in school history, knocking off top-seeded Arizona 65-54 during the first round of the NIT on Wednesday night. Leading by just four points with under a minute to play, Bryson Johnson ’13 hit a clutch fade-away three-pointer with 52 seconds left on the clock, erasing any real chance of a Wildcats comeback run and putting the junior at the 1000 career point mark.

All-Patriot League center Mike Muscala ’13 made his presence felt early and often for the Orange and Blue, leading all scorers with 20 points and amassing nine rebounds and four blocked shots throughout the contest. Looming at 6’11”, Muscala proved to be a major matchup challenge for a Wildcats defense that could not find a way to contain the big man.

On the defensive side, the Orange and Blue produced one of their best performances of the year. Tasked with guarding Arizona’s most talented offensive player Kyle Fogg, three-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Bryan Cohen ’12 anchored the defense and limited Fogg to just five points in the contest, nine fewer than his season average.

Appearing in front a of packed crowd at the McKale Center in Tuscon, Ariz., the Orange and Blue got off to a fast start, leading by as much as 13 points and limiting the Wildcats to 16 points in the first 15 minutes of play. Yet, during the final minutes of the half, the Bison offense stalled considerably, allowing the Wildcats to cut into their lead and go into the half down just six.

Arizona carried their momentum into the second half and quickly claimed their first lead of the game behind the hot hands of Solomon Hill and Jesse Perry, who led the Wildcats with 17 and 12 points respectively. Appearing to be slowly losing pace, the Orange and Blue quickly regained the lead with five straight points by Cameron Ayers ’14, which kick-started a 13-4 Bison run over the next eight minutes of play. Ayers finished the contest with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite their strong offensive play, the Bison got into foul trouble early in the half, allowing the Wildcats to get to the line often and climb back to within three with 4:27 left to play. Then, after a controversial blocking call, Muscala fouled out of the game with 2:59 left on the clock, leaving the Bison to finish out the game without their leading scorer and biggest shot-blocking presence.

The Bison pressed on and completely shut down the Wildcats offense for the duration of the contest. Leading by four and in desperate need of a big basket, Johnson stepped up with a huge three-pointer with 52 seconds left to extend the lead to seven and take much of the pressure off the team. From that point on, the Bison added to their lead with foul shots.

With the victory, the Orange and Blue move to 1-0 all-time at the NIT and continue on to the second round, where they will meet fifth-seeded Nevada on Sunday at 3 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

 

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Basketball Headline Men Sports

Heartbreak: Men’s basketball falls to Lehigh in Patriot League Championship

Bryan Cohen ’12 and the Bison fell just short of completeing a last-second comeback, falling to C.J. McCollum and the Lehigh Mountain Hawks in the Patriot League Championship.

Chris McCree

Sports Editor

Despite a 30-point, 14-rebound effort by Mike Muscala ’13, the men’s basketball team could not hold off a surging Lehigh squad in the Patriot League Championship Wednesday night, falling in heartbreaking fashion 82-77.

Entering the game riding a four-game winning streak, the Orange and Blue were met by a Mountain Hawks team who had issued the Bison their first Patriot League loss of the year back on Feb. 16 after C.J. McCollum hit a game-winning three-pointer with one second remaining on the clock.

McCollum proved to be the hero once again for Lehigh in the Championship contest, recording a team-leading 29 points, including two game-clinching free throws with 4.1 seconds remaining.

In front of a sold-out crowd at Sojka Pavilion, the Bison struggled early on in the contest, recording just 15 points through the first 10 minutes of play and allowing the Mountain Hawks to enter the half with a seven-point lead.

After four minutes of back-and-forth play to open the second half, the Bison strung together a series of consecutive scoring possessions over the next three minutes of play. During the stretch, forward Joe Willman ’13 hit a clutch fade away jumper to bring the score to within one, and then Brian Fitzpatrick ’13 hit one of two free throws, tying the score at 50. Willman recorded 10 points and six rebounds during the game and was named to the All-Tournament squad after recording 18 points in each of the first two tournament games.

Behind the stellar offensive play of McCollum and Gabe Knutson, the Mountain Hawks gradually extended their lead for much of the remainder of the game. With just under a minute left on the clock, the Bison trailed 78-71 and looked all but done. Yet over the 30 seconds, Bryson Johnson ’13 netted a pair of three-pointers to bring the Bison within one.

After fouling and repossessing the ball with 26 seconds left, the Orange and Blue could not capitalize on a tough lay-up try by Cameron Ayers ’14 and lost possession. From then on, Lehigh hit four free throws to extend its lead to five and claim the program’s second Patriot League title in three years.

With the loss, the Orange and Blue are eliminated from NCAA contention. By virtue of their regular season championship, the Bison did clinch their first-ever birth in the National Invitation Tournament.

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Headline News

Police activity increases

By Jason Pepe

Contributing Writer

For the most part, the transition of merging the Lewisburg Borough Police Department and the East Buffalo Township Police Department to form the Buffalo Valley Relgional Police Department (BVRPD) has been seamless, but University students have noticed an increased police presence downtown, specifically on Friday and Saturday nights.

Many students have complained about what they believe to be overly aggressive policing downtown.

“There is talk of general tension between police and students. These first few weeks haven’t gone well, which means that the next few weeks will be very strict,” Clinton Kittrell ’14, Vice President of Administration for BSG, said.

One incident that exacerbated tensions between students and the police occurred over the weekend of Feb. 10. An unidentified individual threw a brick through a police vehicle window, and pieces of lumber were reportedly thrown at police officers. It is unclear whether the individual was a University student. 

Paul Yost, chief of the BVRPD, stressed that incidents such as this will be treated as an assault on a police officer and dealt with in the most serious manner. Yost added that patrols will continue to be increased as necessary to provide safety and security to the downtown neighborhood area, and the police presence will be determined by the conduct of students off campus.

“I believe you will find our agency tolerant of off-campus activities, to a point,” Yost said. “However, large off campus-gatherings, underage consumption and general disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. If students call attention to themselves or cannot control their events, the police will become involved.”

Kittrel also stated that BSG is planning to implement an alert system which will allow students to report incidents in which they believe police officers have acted inappropriately.

Student behavior downtown over the next few weeks will likely influence police presence for the remainder of the semester. If students are resistant to the standards set by the BVRPD, they should be prepared to see a continued effort to suppress partying downtown. Students are encouraged to be aware of their rights as well as their expectations for downtown behavior. Inappropriate behavior should be reported.

 

SIDEBAR

The Lewisburg Borough Police Department and the East Buffalo Township Police Department merged to form the Buffalo Valley Regional Police Department (BVRPD) on Feb. 6. The recently consolidated force consists of 15 police officers and combines both departments’ previous jurisdictions. The BVRPD’s new headquarters will be located at 2009 West Market Street, Lewisburg, and the only change in uniform will be a redesigned patch.
The merger will benefit the police from both a fiscal and an operational standpoint. Reductions in administrative and operational costs will result in long-term savings to both the Lewisburg and East Buffalo municipal governments. The combined police force will also allow for better training and specialization of its officers, who will be able to respond more efficiently to specific issues across both communities.
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Kappa Sigma and 23 University Ave. raided by Public Safety

Jenni Whalen

Staff Writer

At around 1 p.m. this afternoon, Public Safety officers set off the fire alarm in Kappa Sigma Fraternity. All fraternity members were instructed to leave the house on the premise that the officers were conducting University searches. The house at 23 University Avenue was also raided in the same fashion.

In addition to Public Safety officers, officers from the Lewisburg Police Department also arrived at the scene with specially trained drug dogs. Kappa Sigma members assume that this raid occurred because officers were searching for illegal substances and drug paraphernalia, although none can be sure because the three-hour search was conducted while the members were cleared out of the house.

“At 1:00 p.m. today, members of the University and local law enforcement searched 23 University Avenue and Kappa Sigma Fraternity based on an ongoing investigation of illicit drug use and seizure of contraband,” dean of students Susan Lantz said in an email sent out to the parents of all residents. “The University is concerned about the health and safety of our students and our community, which is why we decided to investigate further today.”

At this moment in time, no student arrests have been made.

 

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Patriot League introduces merit-aid football scholarships

Amanda Ayers

News Editor

 

After 18 months of deliberation and extensive study, the Patriot League Presidents’ Council decided in a meeting today to permit league members and associate members to offer athletic merit-aid scholarships in football. This policy change will take effect in the Fall 2013 semester.

This decision will apply to founding members (Bucknell University, Colgate University, College of the Holy Cross, Lafayette College, and Lehigh University), associate members (Fordham University and Georgetown University), and other full members (American University, U.S. Military Academy, and U.S. Naval Academy) of the Patriot League.

Each will be permitted to award no more than the equivalent of 15 athletic financial aid awards each year to incoming football student-athletes, including transfer student-athletes. The institutions that choose to accept this decision will be given four years after this point to build up to the full scholarship allowance.

“This approach for awarding athletic merit aid to football student-athletes will allow our member schools flexibility to determine the most effective use of their financial aid resources to attract highly-qualified Division I scholar-athletes in a very competitive academic and athletic marketplace,” Carolyn Schlie Femovich, Patriot League Executive Director, said. “The introduction of this financial aid model for football will strengthen the Patriot League’s ability to compete for outstanding student-athletes while continuing to uphold the high academic standards of the League and its member institutions.”

While athletic and academic merit aid is available to student-athletes in the League’s other 22 sports, the University and Patriot League are currently under a need-based model of financial aid in football. This has been in effect since the founding of the League in 1986. With today’s decision to begin a permissive aid approach, there is now greater autonomy to award financial aid in football in a way that is most effective for each respective institution.

Although many have expressed concern about the effect that such a policy could have on lowering academic standards at the University, President Bravman assured faculty and staff otherwise in an e-mail today.

“As with student-athletes in all Patriot League programs, all scholarship recipients in football will only be admitted if they meet the Patriot League Academic Index, the most stringent admissions standards in Division I athletics,” Bravman said.

While President Bravman only revealed the basic logistics of the recent decision in this e-mail, it appears as though more information and reflection will be shared in the coming days.

“The decision reflects the Presidents’ shared vision and shared commitment to the stability and long-term positioning of the League and to its strength, competitiveness and quality,” Daniel H. Weiss, Chair of the Patriot League Council of Presidents and President of Lafayette College, said.