6 • FEATURE Personality Apryl Bivens Apryl Bivens did not expect to create much of a stir when she wrote a letter to her friend in which she said she was dis turbed by the SGA's inclusion of psy chics and palm readers in the Sun Fun event this January. The problem was, her friend was the president of the SGA, and the crux of her letter made headlines. Some students responded angrily to Bivens' conservative Christian views and, in the process, Bivens was cast as a narrow-minded firebrand. Anyone who thinks he or she can pick Apryl Bivens out of a crowd by looking for someone with an upturned nose and a self-righteous frown is going to be disappointed. The truth is that Bivens looks and acts a lot like every other student on campus, but with one notable exception—she appears to be much happier than every- one else There seems to be an unwritten rule in the northeastern states that keeps peo- ple from being friendly to strangers. Bivens does not fol- low this rule. Though she belongs with the working commuters, a group of people who are disconnected by definition from the rest of the student body, she is always one of the first people to say hello and flash a smile to the unsuspecting student. The reason she goes about spreading random happiness is the same reason she wrote the letter about the tarot cpTd and palm readers—she is a Christian, and proud of it. When she was asked what her greatest priority in life is, her response was immediate, "Jesus Christ [is my first priority]." Along with smiles, Bivens also spreads the gospel, and never flinches when she is taken to task for it. She is heavily involved in Capital Christian Fellowship, and will probably Ryan Walsh As many students prepare to graduate next week, the nervousness of facing the real world is creeping up on them. That's what graduating was like for Ryan Walsh, a May 2000 graduate of Penn State Capital Campus. "I was worried about having to face the responsibilities of the real world, but I was ready to gradu ate," Walsh said, "I was ready to leave Penn State and move on with my life." Walsh, who graduated with a degree the CAPITAL TIMES By Joshua Dubrock be involved in the leadership there next semester. She is also a DJ (codenamed DJ Shuga) for WPSH her radio show airs on Mondays and Wednesdays starting at 2 p.m., and includes a variety of contem porary Christian music and occasional guest speakers. Off campus, Bivens has been on mis sion trips to Russia and Mexico, as well as school and personal trips to Ireland, the United Kingdom and various other parts of Europe. Like many students at Penn State- Harrisburg, the 22-year-old Bivens is quite a wanderer PSH is her fourth college. She started her college career at Houghton College, a private Christian col lege in upstate New York. After spending two years there, she transferred to HACC for one semester, then moved on to the University of Cincinnati for two trimesters before returning to the mid state to study at PSH. She has been on cam pus since the fall of 2000 and expects to finish up next fall. She will be get- ting her degree in psychology and plans to fulfill her dream of becoming a Christian marriage coun selor (she says the difference between her and a regular marriage counselor is that she "will always encourage the couple to stay together"). Bivens works in the evenings and early mornings as a night watchperson at an undisclosed location. Despite getting very little sleep, she still has time for a social life. She enjoys going out to play pool, "badly," she admits. She is current ly single, but she has a very steady boyfriend and engagement is an option. Aside from playing pool and dating, she enjoys music, reading and drama. By Molly Blouch in finance, is currently a Senior Customer Service Representative at City Financial in Union Deposit. His job responsibilities include loan processing, collections and management. He has been employed at City Financial since June, 2000. When asked how Penn State prepared him for the future, Walsh said, "College definitely helped me deal with people. I have to work with customers all day. I learned how to properly handle people in Profiles Ella Dowell To the business students at Penn State-Harrisburg, Ella Dowell is "the bomb" when it comes to giving advice. To others, she is a fellow classmate. Just who is Ella Dowell? Dowell is not only the staff assistant to the Undergraduate Director, Dr. Schappe, but also a student at PSH. Dowell is a crimi nal justice major and is graduating in May. Born and raised in Middletown, Dowell considers herself to be a "Middletown brat." She grew up on a farm and graduated from Lower Dauphin High School. After high school, she attended HACC, where she received an associate degree in life science and biology. At that point, Dowell decided it was time for a break in her educa- tion. She got married and had two daugh- ters: Amanda, who is now a senior at Mansfield University, and Cathleen, a sopho- more at Millersville University. In the spring of 1998, Dowell decided that she wanted to go back to school and major in criminal jus tice. Why criminal jus- tice? Her husband Chuck, who is Chief of Police in Hummelstown, is also a crimi nal justice major at PSH. "It makes for good dinnertime conversation," Dowell said. If it seems that Dowell is a busy per son now, after talking to her, it seems as though she has always liked to keep her self busy. In between working, attending classes and doing homework, Dowell likes to travel. She loves the outdoors "College also helped me build good time management skills. That's very important in your career and everyday life." all types of different situations." Walsh also stated, "College also helped me build good time management skills. That's very important in your career and everyday life." Walsh has several pieces of advice for everyone who is graduating. He said, "Look for jobs early. Don't lay around all summer, because the job that you may want might not be there when you are finally ready to start your career." Walsh added, "Keep your options open. Don't focus on one specific job. You may find that you really like one aspect of a career that you may never have thought about before." Walsh believes that graduates should broaden their horizons. "Look for jobs in other cities; don't just stick to Harrisburg. There are so many opportunities out there." Walsh's last piece of advice is to find a job that you enjoy. "Make sure that you are happy with the career that you choose. If your job makes you miserable, then everything about your life will be miser able. Find a job that you will enjoy doing, because your career affects all of the other aspects of your life." MONDAY, APRIL 30, 2001 By Amy Kurtz and, if possible, likes to "travel out doors." It's no wonder she was elected to go to Boy Scout camp with her nephew this fall. What else could the blonde-haired, hazel-eyed Dowell do in her spare time? Besides gardening, camping and being a Girl Scout leader for six years, Dowell also enjoys kayaking. Yes, kayaking! And in between pitching tents and building a fire from only two sticks, Dowell still has time to be a part of the Take Our Daughters to Work Committee. Dowell will soon reach a milestone in her married life. On July 24, Dowell will have been married for 25 years. "To the same person!" Dowell says with a chuckle. Dowell met her husband in high school, but notes that they were not "high school sweet hearts" but dated after high school. After she gradu ates, Dowell is con sidering going for a master's degree, but is unsure about what her main focus will be. She said that when she's in school or working, it is dif- ficult to have much of a social life. Friends become distant and new friends at school or on the job need to be made. Her solution to the problem: "Maybe I'll go get my master's so I can make new friends." What does Dowell plan to do with her degree? "I don't know what I want to do when I grow up. Maybe I'll figure it out some time." Good luck, Ella!
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