Page 4
The Behrend Beacon
Caps and gowns bring reality of graduation to life
by Lauren Packer
editor in chief
Students planning to graduate on May
15 took one of the few remaining steps
this week en route to receiving their di-
plomas,
On Monday and Tuesday, the reality
of graduation started to sink in as those
intending to graduate purchased caps and
gowns, announcements, class rings and
received their family tickets.
Steph Covert, PHYS 08, will be just
one of two physics majors to earn a di
ploma this spring.
"Only 39 more days left until gradua
tion," Covert said Tuesday. "It seems
like such a long time. But then again, as
a freshman, four years of college seemed
like a long time. I have no idea where
the time went in those years."
One of the biggest challenges that still
looms for soon-to-be graduates isn't fin
ishing projects or passing finals, said one
senior. Instead, most are worried about
finding extra tickets other than the six
university-allotted family tickets.
Covert, a first-generation college
graduate on her maternal family side,
sees herself in dire need of tickets.
H&SS Director,
a lengthening of a radio program Aquila wrote,
hosted, and produced for National Public Radio
from 1998 until 2000 called "Rock and Roll
America." This program was syndicated all over
the United States, and even parts of Europe, and
Aquila considers it one of his best achievements.
"The NPR series was one of the most interesting
projects I have ever done. Having the opportunity
to interview most of the pioneers from rock 'n' roll's
first decade was a dream come true not just from
the perspective of a kid from south Buffalo who
grew up on the music," he said, "but also from the
perspective of a professional historian trying to ex
plain the cultural significance of the music."
Aquila's music tastes center around rock 'n' roll
but as a historian, he has to listen to all music
equally. When asked, he couldn't really come up
with a "favorite" band or song.
"It sort of depends on my mood I listen to ev-
erything from Buddy Holly to Eric Andersen, from
Springsteen to Steve Earle, from Brenda Lee to
Alison Krauss, with an occasional Bach or rap
thrown in for good measure," Aquila mused. "As a
music fan, I have a few favorites; but as a cultural
historian I explore everything, since all of popular
Free HIV testing available to students
by Atheia Mobley and
Theo Shomsky
contributing writers
Chances are, if you are a Behrend student and
have a bladder, you've seen the Health and Wellness
Center flyers for confidential HIV testing in bath
room stalls around the campus. However; for many
students, the idea of getting tested leaves their minds
as quickly as it enters. What students fail to see is
that getting tested is a matter of life or death.
According to Patty McMahon, director and nurse
practitioner of Behrend's Health and Wellness Cen
ter, early detection is the key to keeping patients
infected with the HIV virus healthy.
"If the virus is there...We can help them watch
their T-cells, so that when medication needs to be
instituted, it can be done so."
McMahon further noted that if the virus is de
tected and treated early, the patient can look at HIV
as more of a chronic type of disease than a life
threatening illness.
Through a grant from the Erie County Depart
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"I personally need at least 10 tickets,"
said Covert. "What I really want to know
is how they came up with the number
six? Even if I had to buy the extra tick
ets, I would."
Victoria Anderson, COMBA 08, be
gan her quest for extra tickets immedi
ately after receiving hers. "Any of you
guys have extra tickets?" she asked to
the other seniors waiting in line to pur-
chase caps and gowns.
Anderson's questions may have drawn
laughter from the crowd, but all seemed
to share her pain and worries about not
getting enough tickets for family.
"I'm getting my family in there,"
Anderson said. "I don't care."
With roughly fewer than four weeks
of classes, the seniors at the Senior Sa
lute Days were bombarded with some
important choices. Donate to the class
gift? Order announcements? What
about a class ring?
Bob Hoover, an announcement repre
sentative from Balfour's, explained why
most students choose to send announce
" Old Grandma's always good for a
check," chuckled Hoover. "But seri
ously, it's about the parents and their
conti
culture tells us something about the times."
Aquila isn't sure about what kinds of classes he
plans on teaching at Behrend yet, but if past expe
rience is any indication, whatever he chooses to
teach should be interesting. During his career,
Aquila has taught History of American Pop Cul
ture classes, a class known as "The American West,"
a Popular Culture, Mass Media, and Society class
and a class known as "America in the 19605." As
to whether or not any of those classes would be
making the trip back east with him, Aquila wasn't
sure.
And for students who wonder what kind of pro
fessor Aquila will be, here, in 31 words, is his de
scription of his teaching style: "Socratic. I like to
mix lectures with lots of discussions. I want stu
dents to come away not just with a knowledge of
facts, but also an understanding of concepts and
issues."
Aquila does have one question for students, fig
uring we were the most qualified to answer it. It's
a very important one, and he would truly like to
know before he starts at Behrend.
"Last, but not least, I have a question for all of
you: Where's the best pizza in town?"
ment of Health, HIV testing on the Behrend cam
pus is completely free. According to McMahon if a
student was to get tested through their family phy
sician, it can cost up to $BO.
The testing procedure, which happens on cam
pus, takes less then 30 minutes and is completely
confidential. The nurse simply asks a few questions
and has the student sign a written consent before
testing.
There are two forms of HIV tests available. A
student can decide whether to take the Orasure (an
oral method of testing), or have blood drawn. The
Orasure may take a little longer for test results (up
to three weeks), whereas the blood test is much
quicker, with results arriving within two weeks.
According to McMahon, testing ends two to three
weeks before finals, so that the center has time to
counsel all patients about their results.
Testing is available throughout the business day
at the Health and Wellness Center with three nurses
certified to conduct the procedure. For more infor
mation contact McMahon at the Behrend Health
and Wellness Center at 898-6217.
EWS
Friday, April 9, 2004
pride. Students haven't been through life
to understand the pride of children. And
besides, you do actually get money back
from these, depending on how rich your
friends and relatives are."
"My parents want a formal way of let
ting my relatives know," said Anderson.
"I think a simple phone call would have
worked, but I guess it's all about the glitz
and glamour."
Tony Cecchini, POLSC/
HIST 10, described the an
nouncements as "unnecessary."
"I'm not willing to take on any
more expenses," said Cecchini.
"I don't think my parents would
care either way anyhow."
The price of some of the ac
cessory items at the salute days
turned Covert away from buy
ing most things.
"I really liked the one ring
they had, but I can't afford to
pay $3OO when Penn State has
already sucked everything out
of me. I if I would have bought
a ring and announcements, in
addition to my cap and gown, I
would have spent close to $5OO
today "
nued
Anderson agreed the rings were a bit
expensive, but she had another reason
for not purchasing one.
"I would really rather purchase a ring
from the graduate school I earn a di
ploma from."
The Jostens representative could not
directly comment on any aspect of class
rings because company procedures pro
Students wait patiently in line to buy caps and gowns
day.
Deford reflects
on life in sports
by Scott Soltis
assistant managing editor
Acclaimed sports writer Frank Deford spoke to
students and community members Thursday night at
the final installment of this year's Speaker Series.
Deford detailed many of his experiences to a
predominately male audience interested in hearing
of his career in sports. The disproportionate
distribution of gender was no surprise to Deford as
he mentioned that "sports mean even more than sex
to most men."
Deford told many stories of his run-ins with
Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, Jerry West, and his
friend Arthur Ashe. Deford was one of the earliest to
know that Ashe had developed AIDS and was
chastised for keeping his word to a friend.
Deford expressed concern over the current state
of sports in America throughout the evening. "The
bad stuff is the easiest to believe, sadly that had
become the leitmotif of our times," explained Deford.
He also spoke about collegiate athletes and
wondered aloud why athletes in sports such as track
signs a
speech
Meek, Streaker,
feels that the chairperson was a good addition to the
program, as well as the fact that the sisters had a year's
experience to go on with the pageant.
"I feel that this year was a lot easier than before,"
said Waters. "We were able to build off of our suc
cesses from last year, and work on some things that
needed worked on."
The sisters' first inclination of success came after
the change wars, which were held a week ago. The
first round of contestants, 20 in all, went head to head
to see who would make the top 10.
Throughout the week, the sisters collected double
of what they had last year, reaching over $3OO.
All money raised through the event goes to the
sorority's philanthropy, the Pine Mountain Settlement
School in Harlan County, Ky.
"This is definitely going to become an annual event
at Behrend," said Waters, "We got a lot of positive
feedback from last year's pageant, as well as a decent
turnout."
Last year's attendance was around 100 people, and
Justin Curry & Angela Szesciorka
news editors
hibit it
One item that was "free" for the stu
dents came from the table with a minia
ture Nittany Lion statue. Here students
were encouraged to donate all or a por
tion of the $lOO deposit paid as a fresh
man to the senior class gift. The gift will
be a life-size statue of the Nittany Lion,
like the one found at University Park.
and field, golf and swimming should receive
scholarships. He questioned why a tennis player
should get a scholarship, but not a piano player. Later
in the evening, he would again use the arts in
comparison with sports. He acclaimed the surge in
popularity of basketball to the fact that "basketball
has sold itself as a visual art."
Deford also showed concern about parents' role in
sports from the elementary to the collegiate level.
He told a story about how when his daughter was
very young she learned how to swim and told him
that he would not have to worry about paying for
college because she would get a scholarship. This
elementary school age girl had heard this from
another of the swimmers whose parents had already
begun the cycle of pressure.
This increased emphasis on the individual has led
Deford to worry about the direction team sports are
going. "I feel the whole concept of team is threatened
today," Deford said. He underscored this by saying
that after a team loses now, the players talk about if
they are going to make the highlight reel on
"Sports Center."
y evening in
continued
Waters was hoping for more this year, which she re
ceived, with the majority of the Commons being
packed.
Once the event was over and done with, Waters was
"relieved, yet happy."
"I think that the AST sisters are awesome. They're
some of the sweetest and nicest girls I've met," said
Streaker. "I met the majority of them tonight, and I
feel like I've known them for a while already."
Meek feels that the pageant was a great success this
year. "I think that with a year under their belt, they
knew were they doing," said Meek.
When asked if they had any advice for the recently
crowned duo, Masilunas and Schermer offered the fol
lowing advice.
"Always remember, don't hate ... participate," said
Masilunas.
"Live it up," said Schermer.
Streaker and Meek's titles will be upheld until next
April, when they will pass them on in the third install
ment of the pageant.
eir upcoming gra
mmons