Category: News

By Olivia Seecof

Writer

Professors, families, students and community members were all in attendance at the September 11th Tenth Anniversary Remembrance Ceremony, with an overflow of attendees sitting in the aisles and standing behind the seats.

The September 11th Planning Committee, originated by Dean of Students Amy Badal, began work on this week’s commemorative events last spring. The events included many community service opportunities and a commemorative ceremony.

Student speakers gave accounts of what the attacks and aftermath meant to them. “Ten years later, it is still as important as ever to always remember those we lost on that day and to continue to work together to make the world a better place,” Isabelle Catalano ’12 said in her speech.

Many of the students on the committee were interns at the non-profit VOICES of September 11 headquarters.  VOICES of September 11th, provides information and support services, as well as annual commemorative events for the families, rescue workers and survivors of the Sept. 11 attacks. The organization, founded by Mary Fetchet, mother of a University alum who perished in the attacks, promotes public policy reform on prevention, preparedness and response to terrorism by building bridges among communities that have been affected by terrorism all over the world.

Students sold t-shirts, handed out pins and signed a personalized flag.

“After working at VOICES of September 11th this summer with Megan Lenihan, I was happy to get involved with the planning committee,” said Alison Dyott ’14, one of the committee members.

The week of community service events gave campus members the opportunity to serve others while remembering and reflecting on the September 11 attacks.

“Doing service for 9/11 helps to honor those that were lost and those who rose to serve in response to the attacks,” said Lynn Pierson, assistant director for community service.

Service opportunities included volunteering at the Red Cross, painting and scraping the fence at the Lewisburg Cemetery and blanket-making for local children in need.

“In the wake of the flooding this area experienced, we were able to send some volunteers to the Red Cross to assist with different efforts that would help those affected. In addition, the blankets will greatly benefit area children and families that may have lost their belongings due to flooding,” Pierson said.

The Bucknell University Conservatives Club placed flags lining the field outside of the uphill Elaine Langone Center.  It is their tradition to place 2,996 flags every year. University students crafted a large American flag to be hung in the Elaine Langone Center Hearth Space. Students could sign their name or write a memory on this flag to demonstrate the tie each one of us has to the September 11 events.

While the event was originally supposed to take place on the science quad, weather forced it into Trout Auditorium. The Rooke Chapel Choir opened the ceremony and committee member Megan Lenihan ’13 and Rabbi Serena Fujita gave opening remarks. President John Bravman gave remarks full of inspiration, understanding and comfort.

“As a New Yorker, I never felt more like a New Yorker than I did that day,” Bravman said.

Phil Kim ’12 presented a replica of a plaque that will be placed in the Memorial Garden located east of Rooke Chapel.

“It was really nice to see the campus community come out to support each other,” Kaitlyn Utkewicz ’14 said.

Biographies of four University alumni who died in the attacks were read by current students. These alumni were Bonnie Shihadeh Smithwick ’68, Keith Coleman ’90, Mark McGinley ’97 and Brad Fetchet ’99.

Beyond Unison concluded the ceremony with a performance of Jimmy Eat World’s “Hear You Me.”

“Overall, I thought the ceremony was beautiful. Way more people showed up than expected which really shows how much Bucknell students care,” Dyott said.

By Elizabeth Bacharach

Contributing Writer

The University’s Small Houses, located behind Vedder Hall along St. George and 6th Streets, opened their doors to the campus community on Saturday Sept. 3, exposing interested students to the individual interest-based houses and their respective themes.

Sean Fortney ’12 said that the Small Houses program is “unique to any other housing option at Bucknell” for three reasons: availability, student initiative and community building.

At the Block Party, each house had a special activity or enticing refreshment for those visiting. These activities included sustainable bracelet making at Taylor House, the sustainable cooperative house; bingo at Galloway House; canvas creations at the Seventh Street House; and voter registration at Edwards House, a venue for political discourse and investigation. At Carey House, students put their handprints and construction paper hearts on posters to send to child soldiers. In addition to theatrics, lemonade was handed out at Cap and Dagger in the Hulley House, a house with a performance-based theme.

Just this year, Cap and Dagger relocated to Hulley House. According to Ethan Van Buskirk ’13, the purpose of the Cap and Dagger house is to “spread art through the campus.”

Some houses are solely for community living. Others are fully open to the community, such as the Seventh Street House for the Study of the Black Diaspora. “Everyone is welcome. There are programs throughout the year, and it is a great study place! Feel free to stop by,” said Doneeca Thurston, the Resident Adviser in Seventh Street House.

The houses can be customized based on the interests of those living there. If the group continues to live in the Small House community, they become eligible for upgrades such as new flat screen televisions, kitchen supplies, refurnishing of the living room and repainting of the exterior or interior of the house.

Becoming a part of the Small House community differs from house to house. Some houses serve as alumni housing for Residential College members, like Carey House for the Social Justice Residential College students, but others are based solely on interest. For example, at Galloway House, also known as Fran’s House, in honor of the late director of the Office of LGBT Awareness Fran McDaniel, the only requirement is interest.

The night concluded with a variety of musical and theatrical performances at 23 University Avenue, or “Das Musik Haus.” Galloway House hosted a drag queen to further advertise their community. Additionally, a DJ and a band provided music.

As music played and entertainment was displayed, students played games such as Frisbee and corn hole. When asked whether the afternoon was a success, Fortney responded, “Absolutely.” He further proved his point by saying that over 150 people attended the Block Party.

Each Small House encourages students and faculty alike to stop by and visit.

By Carleen Boyer

Contributing Writer

Last Friday, Lewisburg’s Campus Theatre reopened its doors after a $2.5 million renovation. 

Renovations on the theater, which has been a part of downtown Lewisburg since the 1940s, began last year. “It’s pretty special to have this nostalgic theater in walking distance,” said Ellen Flacker-Darer, Executive Director of the Campus Theatre.

The 70-year-old building, originally owned by a non-profit organization, was bought by the University last year and modifications began seven months ago. Some of the changes in the theater include new seating and a concession stand that offers traditional movie favorites in addition to healthier choices from local businesses.

The theater is unique in more ways than one, and the renovations highlight some of the traditional aspects of the building. Thanks to John Hartmann ’79 and a group of other community members, the original atmosphere of the theater was maintained throughout the restoration.

“It was amazing to see all the team players from the theatre to Bucknell associates; from contractors to the John Hartmann’s wonderfully skilled group take this task on and really have fun with it,” Campus Theatre Board of Directors Chair Mark O’Brien.

The theater’s schedule is packed. “I’ve heard people who have graduated from Bucknell tell me that they never even knew the Campus Theatre was there,” Flacker-Darer said. She hopes that the theater will appeal not only to locals but also to students as well.

In addition to showing well-known movies for the student price of six dollars, the Campus Theatre has also teamed up with the film professors at the University. Now, on Tuesday nights, the University film series will offer screenings for only two dollars.

“I think one of the nicest things about the Campus Theater is that Lewisburg is such a college town, and the idea of the town and University being brought together at this historic place is great,” Jeff Finnegan ’14 said.

By Meghan Finlayson

Writer

The first annual Day of Service for first-year students was held last Saturday, August 27. Students were invited to different sites around Lewisburg to learn about the community service opportunities in the area.

The Dreamcatcher Farm, Sunbury YMCA, Milton YMCA, Essex Place, Meadowview, Donald Heiter Community Center and Elijah’s Bowl all hosted students.

Jenna Weaver ’15 said, “It’s really neat to see all the different ways you can get involved in this Lewisburg community. There are so many people that want to reach out to those in need and it was really apparent that Bucknell students can help make a big difference.”

About 40 faculty and staff members volunteered.

“We thought this would help newcomers … see some of the opportunities to be involved in non-profit areas and local enterprises, and recognize the value of civic engagement while working with a group of peers to make a difference,” said Lynn Pierson, assistant director for community service.

Many first years agreed. “Participating in the first year day of service was a great way to meet members of my class and do some good for the local community around Lewisburg. I would definitely recommend it to incoming freshmen for next year,” said Daniel Ambrose ’15.

The idea for the Day of Service came from recommendations from the Faculty Advisory Committee on Teaching (FACT), which hopes to inspire first-years to be more active in the Lewisburg community.

“We want to emphasize opportunities to be engaged in meaningful activities throughout their educational experience in and out of the Bucknell classrooms,” Pierson said.

Jeffery Campbell, event technology specialist, was assigned to go to the Sunbury YMCA with a group of students to paint a day care room.

“Not only is the Day of Service good for town relations, it exposes the students to situations and environments that they may not have ever been exposed to. In that sense, I think it provides a valuable learning experience and maybe will show the value of community service,” Campbell said.

Lynn Breyfogle, associate professor of mathematics worked with students to clean, decorate and prepare the Donald Heiter Community Center for after-school care.

Susquehanna University students also attended the event. “With all the students there, there was a festive and wonderful feeling of everybody volunteering and helping out the center,” Breyfogle said.

The day also gave faculty and students a chance to meet and connect. “It was nice as a faculty member to meet students I might not have otherwise met,” Breyfogle said. “The students worked very hard, and they were interested and engaged in what they were doing.”

“In all, I think [the students] enjoyed their day and thought that the Day of Service was a valuable and important asset to the community,” Campbell said.

The Office of Civic Engagement hopes this will be a tradition that continues in the future.

By Christina Oddo

Writer

Arts. Everywhere, a three-day festival of the arts, featured free events open to campus and the public. The festival began last Friday, August 26, with the official opening of the Campus Theatre.

The events that followed were just as important. Visual artist Nancy Cleaver created a mandala chalk exhibit outside Smith Hall with the help of festival participants. The creation signified ideas of peace, joy and community.

The Weis Center for the Performing Arts housed a handful of spectacular events throughout the weekend. Saturday morning, jazz artist Phil Haynes partnered with associate professor of dance Kelly Knox to produce a twist on jazz dance, percussion and improvisation.

By night, the Weis Center was hopping with Hector Rosado y Su Orchestra, accompanied by salsa dance lessons taught by the University’s Latino Dance Corner (LDC). University students and faculty, and Lewisburg residents joined together to learn four simple but classic salsa steps.

“It’s really nice to be able to pass on a small piece of information and to watch people have so much fun,” said Luciana Salles ’14, president of LDC. For those interested in learning more about salsa rhythms and dance, look out for auditions for LDC coming soon.”

The Elaine Langone Center was honored to have Luke Chohany ’10 perform a preview of the classical guitar pieces he performed in Bucknell Hall later on Saturday.

Students were more than willing to aid the University and contribute their artistic ways to the festival.

“I am so happy to see the liberal arts so accessible and promoted by the University and its students, and I am honored that I got to perform in two of the many events,” said Matt Dranzik ’13,  “Arts.Everywhere was a huge success and the spirit of creativity will continue throughout the year and into the future.”

This weekend-long collaboration of arts, theatre, dance and music is an indication that the University’s stated commitment to the arts is coming to fruition.