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News

Park51 stirs debate on campus

By Megan Herrera

Assistant News Editor

For Nadir Sharif, a graduate student at the University, the answer to the question of whether or not to build an Islamic community center near ground zero is simple—yes.

“The United States of America is a nation composed almost entirely of immigrants, and what makes it great and unique is its constitutional guarantee to respect all individuals and groups regardless of their racial, religious, or cultural backgrounds,” Sharif said. A Muslim, Sharif is a graduate assistant for the International Student Services.

“It would be a giant leap backwards if the community center was not built because of public opposition. Like several leaders in the U.S. have expressed, as long as no law is violated by the construction of the community center, its construction should be allowed,” he said.

As of May of 2010, the New York City community board approved construction for the Muslim Community Center unanimously. This $100 million project covers the construction of a 13-story community center. The community center will house a “fitness facility, auditorium, restaurant, library, 9/11 memorial, mosque and more,” according to the Flor-ala.

The building will be built on the Park 51 property in Manhattan, located two blocks from the World Trade Center site. This project, originally called Cordoba House, has stirred mixed emotions and feelings from New Yorkers and people nationwide.

Although many were hundreds of miles from the locale of the attacks, University students still feel a personal pull toward the issue.

Elena Latzen ’14, a New Yorker who has experienced the devastation the 9/11 attacks caused said that the issue is difficult to grapple with.

“On one hand, I think having a mosque at or near ground zero sends a message of religious acceptance and tolerance,” she said. “The hate that led to the 9/11 attacks was, in a sense, fostered by a lack of this kind of acceptance in the world,” she said.

On the other hand, Latzen said she can see why the construction of the center has stirred up so much controversy in the media.

“I can also see how this would be a very painful daily reminder to people of the horrible events that took place that day,” she said.

Whether or not this community center should be built is still up for debate, but as of now, the center will be built no matter what others say.

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News

Festivities honor international education

By Christina Oddo

Writer

International Education Week kicked off Monday with International Attire Day. The annual celebration is sponsored by International Student Services (ISS) and the Office of International Education (OIE) and included many opportunities for students to learn more about International Educational exchange.

The art exhibit “Xiaoze Xie: Amplified Moments” was shown in the Samek Art Gallery, and the student success series was held Tuesday in the Vedder Lounge. Civic Engagement Posters: Highlights of International Service were on display on Thursday in Larison Dining Hall.

The OIE and the Office of the Provost held international education fairs Wednesday and Thursday in Larison Hall, providing University students with the opportunity to speak with representatives from the providers of the 140 University-approved programs for off-campus learning.

Megan Wolleben, assistant director of alumni relations and a contributor to Student Communications and Extracurricular Interests and Career Development Center, said that international study is all about perspective and comparison.

“Comparing a new environment to what one is accustomed to, perhaps where one grew up, develops a priceless learning opportunity. Through this comparison, one can learn about one’s likes, dislikes, etc.,” Wolleben said. “Learning in a classroom environment greatly differs from the priceless essence of learning through pure experience.”

The International Education Fair included information about study abroad opportunities, University-sponsored programs and programs sponsored by other prestigious universities.

“Students can go to Northern Ireland, Greece, Turkey, Nicaragua,” Kate Peterson ’14 said. “There are study abroad opportunities for three weeks during the summer.” Peterson said that these shorter trips are more structured than traditional study abroad programs. Trips such as these provide an alternative for students who are unable to participate in semester-long programs or who are just looking for a different experience altogether.

The fair also offered information regarding the International Orientation Assistant Program. The program links University students to an international population right at the start of the fall semester and focuses on mentoring and the idea of creating a comfortable community. This particular program primarily highlights leadership and intercultural communication.

Many University students who study abroad or who are interested in studying abroad apply to be an IOA. Between one-half to three-fourths of the IOA staff are U.S. students, not international students.

International Education Week ends today with a closing reception featuring the annual Burma-Bucknell Bowl Award ceremony at 4 p.m. in Walls Lounge.

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News

Campus community gives back during holiday season

By Olivia Seecof

Writer

The Office of Civic Engagement offers the University two large community service projects during the current holiday season: The Turkey and Trimmings Holiday Baskets and The Giving Tree.

The University has been supporting the greater community with these specific service projects for the past five years and hopes to continue a lasting relationship with the organizations in which they help.

“[During] this time of year it is especially heartwarming to see the generosity of our Bucknell community to others that are less fortunate,” said Lynn Pierson, assistant director for community service.

The Thanksgiving baskets include a gift certificate for a turkey and all of the Thanksgiving favorites like stuffing, potatoes and cranberry sauce. Thanksgiving-themed decorations and linens are also encouraged as additions to each basket.

Last year, the campus community put together and delivered 190 baskets to local families.

Many residence halls participate in the event, and Greek members can receive community service hours for their participation in making the baskets. The baskets were delivered to local families on Nov. 18.

The Giving Tree, located in the library lobby, allows members of the University community to select a “snowflake” and purchase a holiday present for the specified recipient.

“I like that the Bucknell community includes people of all ages—from toddlers to adults to senior citizens, in their community service efforts,”  Steph Thomas ’13 said.

The requests of the snowflakes range from necessities, such as blankets and clothes, to more enjoyable toys and games.

“My snowflake is a seven-year-old boy who wants Transformer toys, and I can’t wait to buy them for him,” Olivia Cohen ’14 said.

This year, 17 agencies are requesting holiday gifts, so there are many snowflakes remaining on the Giving Tree. Some of the agencies represented on the tree are the Danville State Hospital, Children’s Choice and the Salvation Army.

Even though the Thanksgiving Turkey and Trimmings Holiday Baskets project is complete, there is still an opportunity to purchase a holiday gift for those less fortunate.

Greek members can receive philanthropy credit for their participation in the Giving Tree. Gifts are due by Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010 to the Office of Civic Engagement.

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Headline News

University celebrates inauguration

John C. Bravman was inaugurated as the University's seventeenth president on Nov. 14.

By Meghan Finlayson

Staff Writer

John C. Bravman framed his inaugural address, the focal point of last weekend’s celebration, around one question: “Who are we becoming?”

Bravman was inaugurated as the University’s 17th president Nov. 14 in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. He focused on how the past, present and future are all linked and on important aspects of the University in his address.

Who we are becoming “is a question we inherit and answer not only for ourselves, but also to those who shall inherit Bucknell from us,” Bravman said.

After describing the University’s past achievements, he spoke about his desire to continue to uphold the strong values on which the University was built.

“Integrity, civility, fairness, honesty … they’re essential to the survival of our University in the world of education and especially the lives of young people,” Bravman said.

Bravman said he strove for the best at the University academically but also truly cared about students.

“Education requires faith in the future … our students today are that future,” Bravman said.

Bravman also challenged the audience to set their sights high when determining who they are becoming.

“We will achieve the critical practical objectives that will shape the Bucknell of today and tomorrow, just as did those who came before us … I hope we will continue asking, ‘who are we becoming?’ I hope we will aim to answer it in one way, by being together the Bucknellians that we most aspire to become,” he said.

The inauguration ceremony involved members of the University, Lewisburg and broader academic communities. It began with a prelude from the Bucknell Brass Quintet and the ROTC Posting of the Colors. Both were followed by the processional and the national anthem, performed by Anissa Corser ’14. The ceremony continued with the invocation from Reverend Thomasina Yuille and a welcome speech from Kenneth Freeman ’72.

Nancy Weiss Malkiel, Dean of the College at Princeton University, delivered the first greeting.

“[Bravman] cares passionately about teaching, which he regards as an art to be practiced and perfected,” Malkiel said.

Leslie Hume, chair of the Board of Trustees at Stanford University, spoke of Bravman’s time at Stanford University. Hume described Bravman as having “character, leadership, commitment to excellence and devotion to students.”

Judith Wagner, mayor of the borough of Lewisburg and John Rickard, professor of English, also gave greetings.

Charles Kreitler ’12, president of the Bucknell Student Government, gave Bravman one last piece of advice from a student’s point of view.

“Never lose sight of what makes Bucknell such a special place: the Bucknell student body,” Kreitler said. “A president can only be successful if they develop, guide and enlighten the personal traits of the students.”

Shara McCallum delivered an inaugural poem titled “Susquehanna.” The poem was her reflection on the history of the Susquehanna River.

A video presentation themed “We Are Connected” was shown featuring pictures of students and of the University itself.

Freeman gave Bravman the oath of office and Stephen Holmes, trustee and chair of the Presidential Search Committee, gave an introduction to Bravman, welcoming the president and his family.

The ceremony ended with the alma mater, benediction and Striking of the Colors from the ROTC. A Community Welcome Reception in Gerhard Fieldhouse followed the ceremony.

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News

Students react positively to seventeenth president

By Allie Mongan

Writer

John C. Bravman, recently inaugurated as the University’s 17th president, has been warmly welcomed by most on campus.

“I appreciate that he treats students as he would treat any other adult member of the campus community and asks for student opinions,” said Sonali Basak ’12, an undergraduate executive intern who works closely with the Office of the President.

Bravman has already started trying to improve many aspects of campus.

Several years ago the Board of Trustees started working on plans for Academic West, and this fall Bravman was able to drive a front loader at the groundbreaking ceremony.

With the recent events pertaining to campus climate, President Bravman has made changing our campus climate one of his platforms.

Some students have expressed concern about his decision to focus so much attention on this controversial and difficult subject matter. Having a new president come in and decide to start tackling a large issue is surprising to some, but others like that he is not afraid to take initiative.

“He has also been direct about things that need to be changed. You can see that in the way he approached issues of campus climate,” Basak said.

While on campus, Bravman has worked with the Board of Trustees in the planning of new student housing. Plans involve the creation of four new residence halls and a commons building on the “Farm” south of Bertrand Library.

The plans have yet to be approved by the University or the Board, but University representatives are trying to work out a strategy to make the building of the residence halls accompany the building of Academic West.

A special committee on athletics and recreation has also been one of the president’s new initiatives. This committee was put in place to evaluate various dimensions of athletics and recreation on campus and its role in campus life.

The University’s relationship with the Patriot League and the role of merit aid has also been discussed by the committee and in a forum held on Oct. 8.

Students have expressed their approval of the President and his various visions for our campus.

“I think President Bravman has approached his presidency with an appropriate amount of deference and respect for tradition as well as innovation. He has made significant and visible efforts to become acquainted with the student body,” undergraduate executive intern Lindsay Machen ’11 said.

Bravman has met with students in the Bison, at their downtown houses and in his office. Having this open communication with the student body has had a positive impact on many and he seems to “prize the student perspective and seeks out opportunities to hear about Bucknell affairs from the students directly,” Machen said.

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Sports

The exciting first half of the NFL season: parity reigns supreme

By Justin Cohen

Contributing Writer

For the last several years, one or two NFL teams have asserted dominance over the rest of the league by being undefeated or having one loss by the halfway point of the season. This year, a shocking 12 teams have played well enough to earn at least six wins after nine games played.

In many games, teams have won at the end of regulation or in overtime as recently last Sunday. Some teams predicted at the beginning of the season to go nowhere, including the Chiefs, Rams, Seahawks and Raiders, are all in the thick of their respective divisional races for the first time in years. Playoff teams from last year, like the Vikings and Cowboys, have endured turmoil early on and are virtually out of the playoffs already. The “best team in the league” title has changed hands practically every week this season.

In the AFC, the usual stalwarts, like the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, who are currently tied in leading the conference, are reminding everyone they live in the postseason. Not far behind are the Colts, Steelers and Ravens.

Along with the backbone of the conference, the Jets are making headlines almost every week for either their on-field performance or off-the-field antics. Most people figured they would be the talk of the league with all of the high-caliber free agents they signed in the offseason, such as Santonio Holmes, Antonio Cromartie, Jason Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson.  Their star power, along with their outspoken coach Rex Ryan, have them at the top of the conference, but joining them are several teams, like the Chiefs and Raiders, who have usually been seen by other teams as not much of a challenge. Their rebuilding phases are starting to show progress and if they keep up at this rate, they will return to the elite of the NFL.

In the NFC, all of the top teams are defeating each other, so a cluster of strong teams resides at the higher echelon of the conference. But a larger group of teams is right behind them sitting at 6-3, waiting for an opportunity to permanently show they belong at the top.

The NFC South division has impressive depth with the Super Bowl champion Saints, Buccaneers, and conference leading Falcons all making strong pushes for the postseason.

The NFC North brings the upstart Bears and injury-ridden Packers to the mix, and while the Bears are winning with their strong defense, the Packers are showing their depth and resilient will that will keep them in the hunt for the coming weeks.

The NFC West teams have beaten each other so much that the 49ers, who started the season 0-5, are still in contention for their divisional title. Finally, the NFC East, which has sent two teams to the postseason for the last four seasons, has the Giants and Eagles making claims for the top spot this year.

This season has seen players such as Michael Vick, LaDainian Tomlinson and Mike Williams all experience spectacular campaigns in order to earn back the elite status they had lost in the last several years. Teams have put on historic performances and this generation’s spectacular players have met milestones set by those historic players who helped make the NFL what it is today. A season of parity will only bring more of it, which will make the second half of the 2010 season even more exciting than the first.

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Sports

Men’s swimming 3-1 in Patriot League

By Andrew Arnao

Contributing Writer

The men’s swimming and diving team flattened Colgate in a 160-52 victory on Saturday, improving to 5-1 on the year and 3-1 in the Patriot League.

After finishing second in the quad meet against Navy, American and Lafayette the previous week, the Orange and Blue knew they could compete with Colgate this week.

“We came out strong last week with our quad meet … and we wanted to transfer that energy over into this week,” Jonathan Podniesinski ’12 said.

Podniesinski won the 500-yard freestyle by 4.88 seconds with a time of 4:45.96 and the 1,000 freestyle by 8.07 seconds with a time of 9:50.15.

The Bison defeated Colgate in every event except the 200 freestyle relay, in which they missed first by .55 seconds. They started strong by claiming the top two spots in four of the first five events and had at least two finishes in the top three spots for every event. The Bison fared especially well in the 200 free, 200 back and 500 free, where they won the top three spots.

“I think that overall it was our best performance as a team so far this year, with everyone doing their job from top to bottom and not easing up even as our lead increased,” Mike Nicholson ’14 said.

Nicholson, a first-year standout, went on to easy victories in the 400 individual medley (4:03.78 seconds) and the 200 breaststroke (2:07.63 seconds), giving him nine wins so far this season.

Eric Sokolosky’12 and Matthew Segar ’12 also claimed two wins each. Sokolosky sprinted his way to season best times in both the 50 free (21.01 seconds) and the 100 free (46.75 seconds). Segar took first in both the 200 free (1:42.38 seconds) and the 200 fly (1:55.03 seconds).

“It was our goal going in, and one which we attained, to perform well against these individuals and continue our consistent improvement week to week,” Sokolosky said.

“Hopefully we’ll carry the momentum into this weekend at the Rutgers Invitational,” Segar said.

Dave Magaro’13, the only men’s diver for either team, finished with a score of 242.03 for the one-meter diving.

Magaro was named the Patriot League Male Diver of the Week and Nicholson was named Patriot League Male Swimmer of the Week.

The Bison are in second place in the Patriot League with 646 points, behind first place Navy by 401 points. They lead third-place Army by 117 points and fourth place Lehigh by 219 points.

Next week the Bison will compete in the three-day Rutgers Invitational, which will be held Nov. 19-21.

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Sports

Women’s swimming loses to Colgate, falling to 4-2

By Chris McCree

Writer

The women’s swim team suffered a huge loss against Patriot League rival Colgate at Kinney Natatorium this past Saturday. The Bison fell to the Raiders 156-87, which is a dramatic change from the last time the two teams encountered each other. At the last year’s Patriot League Championship, the Bison beat out Colgate for second place.

The Colgate women won every individual event except the 50- and 100-yard freestyle races, both of which Molly Goebel ’11 won. With the loss, the Bison fell to 2-2 in the Patriot League and 4-2 for the year.

Despite the team’s struggles, the Orange and Blue produced several impressive individual performances, including a notable race by freestyler Kelly Pontecorvo ’14. Pontecorvo’s performance during the 1,000 free gave her the fifth fastest time in school history with a time of 10:25.39 seconds. She shaved about two seconds off her previous best time.

Goebel also anchored the 200 freestyle relay, which was comprised of Emily Wright ’14, Kaitlyn Utkewicz ’14 and Elizabeth Porcellio ’13. The four won the relay with a time of 1:37.37, their fastest time of the year. The relay actually only helped to tighten the point margin between the two teams, as Colgate had already clinched the win by the time the race started.

“The team swam well against Colgate,” Goebel said. “They are one of the best teams in the league and they came out very strong.”

The Bison will not encounter Colgate again until the Patriot League Championships in February, and Goebel acknowledged the team has room to improve.

“We did well but know we have our work set out for us in order to accomplish our goals at the end of the season. We are trying to focus on ourselves and what is in our control,” Goebel said. “This was a good test to see where we are and what we still have to do to get to where we want to be in February.”

The team expects to have a good week of practice before it heads off to New Jersey for the Rutgers Invitational. The three-day event will take place from Nov. 19-21 and will feature teams from all over the East Coast.

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Sports

Football loses home finale despite stellar special teams

By Greg Stevenson

Senior Writer

A record-setting performance on special teams by Josh Eden ’12 was not enough for the Bison football team to overcome a powerful rushing attack from the Colgate Raiders on Saturday. The Bison fell 31-7 in their final home game of the 2010 campaign. The defeat dropped the Orange and Blue to 1-9 overall and 1-3 in the Patriot League.

“Josh is a great athlete and can do many things,” head coach Joe Susan said. “Josh has great timing and is relentless in his ability to penetrate and elevate.”

On three separate occasions, Eden responded to touchdown runs by Colgate’s Nate Eachus with a blocked extra point, limiting the Raiders to six points on each scoring possession. Eden now has eight blocked kicks on the season, including five in the last two games.

Eachus carried the ball 160 yards for Colgate (his ninth game over 100 yards this season) on 20 carries and three touchdowns, including the opening score of the contest just six minutes in.

“We knew Eachus would get his yardage,” Susan said. “He is one of the most physical runners we will face. The combination of Eachus and [Colgate quarterback Greg] Sullivan as runners gives Colgate a two-back attack that enables them to balance carries and makes them very difficult to defend.”

A quick three-and-out and punt by the Bison on the first series of the game gave the Raiders possession near midfield. Seven plays later, Eachus eluded Orange and Blue defenders for a 38-yard touchdown, giving the Raiders an early 6-0 advantage. The deficit remained at six as Eden rejected Colgate kicker Evan Colborne’s extra point try, his first block of the day.

It took just two minutes after their first touchdown for Colgate to extend their advantage to 13. Bison quarterback Brandon Wesley ’14 made just one mistake in the contest, but it turned out to be a costly one. Colgate’s Nat Bellamy returned an interception 51 yards for a touchdown, extending the Colgate lead.

Eachus scored twice more in the contest, on a one-yard run right before halftime and again with one minute remaining in the third quarter, which proved to be the knockout blow for the Bison. The deficit reached 31 before the Orange and Blue found the endzone with two minutes left in the fourth quarter to bring the final score to 31-7.

“It was a difficult day offensively as there were times when we drove the ball, then combined sacks or negative yardage plays to put ourselves in unmanageable third down situations,” Susan said. “We were inconsistent in our execution, hence our ineffectiveness in finishing drives.”

The Bison head into their final weekend of the season in need of another victory to close out a tough season. The Orange and Blue will be on the road against their bitter rival, the Holy Cross Crusaders, in their 2010 finale. Last season, the Bison upset the Patriot League Champion Crusaders in the final game of the regular season and hope that this year’s game is just as favorable.

“The final against Holy Cross will be a springboard into our off-season,” Susan said. “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.”

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Sports

Women’s XC places seventh

By Joyce Novacek

Writer

The women’s cross country team placed seventh at the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championships Saturday in University Park, Pa. Sarah Moniz ’11 and Stephanie Fulmer ’12 led the Orange and the Blue, both recording times of 21:41 in the six-kilometer event and finishing 35th and 36th overall, respectively.

Alysha Hooper ’12 finished in 22:29, claiming the 67th spot overall and Alaina Chodoff ’11 and Kelly Grosskurth ’12 finished 77th and 89th, respectively.

“We decided to have a more aggressive strategy and go after it right from the start,” Moniz said. “We would have loved to beat one or two of the teams ranked ahead of us but we had a consistent, solid performance and were happy to place higher than we’ve been in recent years.”

Although they did not reach their ambitious goal, a seventh-place finish is still the team’s best since 2006.

“We ended up placing exactly where we were seeded against some of the best teams in the country including Villanova, the NCAA 2009 champions,” Fulmer said. “We were satisfied with our performance and it was a great finish for the varsity girls.”

The Villanova Wildcats won the meet for the second consecutive season, as they placed four runners in the top six spots.

“Because this was the last race of the season for the seven of us, I think we all had high goals and expectations to finish a little stronger than we did,” Hooper said. “Overall I think that our strong cross-country season will lead into a strong season for indoor and outdoor track.”

This meet marks the last of the season for the top seven runners on the Bison cross country team, but the rest of the team will compete at the ECAC Championships on Nov. 20 in the Bronx, N.Y.

“The ECAC Championship is a great opportunity to really show off the depth of talent on our team,” Moniz said.

“The ECAC championships allow everyone who may have been injured or had a slow start to the season the opportunity to be able to compete against many great colleges from the Northeast,” Fulmer said. “The meet is held on a historical course where decades of great runners have competed.”