The Capital Times, November 28, 2005
"akistani earthquake shakes students at PS
By Rabyia Ahmed
Staff Reporter
rzalo9@psu.edu
The earthquake Saturday, Oct.
8, at 8:50 a.m. (5:50 a.m. EST) in
South Asia killed nearly 100,000
people and injured over 90,000.
Measuring at a magnitude 7.6
on the moment magnitude scale
by the United States Geological
Survey, it caused a widespread
destruction in northern Pakistan,
as well as damage in Afghanistan
and northern India. The worst
hit areas were Pakistan
administered Kashmir, and the
western and southern parts of
the Kashmir valley in the Indian
administered Kashmir. Damages
were well over 5 billion in US
dollars to which the UN made an
appeal to raise 272 million in US
dollars to help the victims.
Kashmir lies in the area where
the Eurasian and Indian Tectonic
Plates are colliding. Out of this
collision, the Himalayas began
uplifting 50 million years ago,
and continue to rise by about
5 mm/year, causing the recent
earthquake as a result.
South Asian students were
in shock and afraid for their
countries. Talat Shah, freshman
Political Science major at Penn
State York, said, "I had mixed
feelings of sadness when I first
heard about it, but then I was in
shock because it was too close to
home." Raba Rizvi, a sophomore
XGI grows in size and influence at PSH
By Matthew Mahoney
Bum on the Couch
mlmso39@psu.edu
People see them everyday.
From down the hall or across
Stack's Market, all the way past
the library, people see those
three red letters everyday. Chi
Gamma lota, more affectionately
known to most as the XGIs, has
been sporting the red letters of
their fraternity for over 35 years
now. The three red letters of XGI
have become synonymous with
campus involvement, leadership,
and Penn State Harrisburg pride.
The history of XGI begins in the
late 1960 s when the fraternity
flourished and grew. At one
point there were over 100 active
members in XGI, but in more recent
times this campus' brotherhood
of veterans was on the verge of
extinction. "In December of 2003
I attended my first XGI meeting,"
The Nittany Lion donates a pint during the XGI Fall Blod Drive. XGI
received 100 pins of blood in one day for the central PA blood bank.
said Christopher Kramm, former
president of XGI and currently
an active full fraternity member.
"At that time there were only two
people in the club; a president
and a secretary." By the time the
spring semester began in 2004,
the XGI club would be see its
numbers dramatically increase.
Now in the fall of 2005, XGI has
just finished another successful
Fall Blood Drive. Every semester
the XGIs host a blood drive; the
blood collected from these events
goes to the Central Pennsylvania
Blood Bank, meaning every
donation stays right here in
Central Pennsylvania. This
semester, XGI managed to collect
100 pints of blood with a total of
140 people screened as potential
donors.
Biology major at Penn State
Harrisburg, had similar reactions.
"I was really shocked to hear
about it and immediately felt
really worried for my family in
Pakistan," she said. "Thankfully
none of my family or friends were
injured in any way," said Rizvi.
Saba Khan, junior Health
Administration major at Penn
State Harrisburg, like Shah and
Rizvi, was sad at the tragedy but
also looked at it from a positive
angle. Khan said that she was
very sad after hearing about the
earthquake especially because
it was during the Muslim holy
month of Ramadan. "But," she
said, "at least they all went to
heaven because of the fact that
they died during Ramadan."
Shafaq Ahmed, sophomore
Pre-med major at Penn State
York, said, "Not many people
knew about it even though it
was such a big disaster!" Khan
agreed with her. "It should have
been mentioned more in the
United States media so that
more people would know about
it so they could provide help and
donate," she said. Rizvi, Khan
and Ahmed have donated money
and clothes to help the victims of
the earthquake.
Some parts of the Pakistani
province of Punjab and the city of
Karachi also experienced a minor
aftershock of magnitude 4.6. The
shocks were so minor that some
people failed to respond to them.
The blood drive itself was
an event that had many XGIs
worried as to whether or not they
would be able to break last year's
fall count of 97 pints. In what
seemed like a last minute flurry
of activity; students poured out of
the wood work to get screened
and donate blood. Through the
hard work of XGIs spreading the
word about the blood drive, and
the generosity of the PSH student
body, this event was a success
that every participant should be
proud to have been a part of.
Another event that was spear
headed by select members of
XGI was hosting a cake cutting
ceremony in honor of the Marine
Corps birthday on Nov. 10. With
the event being led by Augustine
Bravo, a former Sergeant in the
US Marine Corps and an active
full fraternity member in XGI,
a simple yet very ceremonial
birthday celebration was held
in W-132. When Bravo sent
out the invitation to the student
body, he wasn't expecting as big
a response as he received. "I
wasn't expecting any more than
a handful of Marines I knew on
campus to say that they would
be attending," said Bravo, "I even
received emails from students
that weren't Marines expressing
their gratitude and wishing that
they did have time to attend."
One person that replied was
Mr. Robert Weiss. As is tradition
in the Marine Corps; the oldest
and youngest Marine present
are recognized by being offered
the first piece of cake. Weiss, an
honored guest at the ceremony,
was the oldest Marine present,
being born on Nov. 17, 1930.
Another attendee was one
"I didn't even feel it. My family
and I were sleeping when it
happened. Our neighbors told us
the next morning that there was
an earthquake the night before
and that there was a massive
crowd of people standing out
in the streets afraid that the
earthquake was now hitting our
area," said Emad Sagheer, a
resident of Karachi, Pakistan.
An estimated 3.3 million were
left homeless in Pakistan and
the UN said that they are in
need of shelter. With winter
snow beginning to fall, more
than 4 million people are directly
affected. Many of them are at risk
of dying from the cold and the
spread of disease.
Since most students were in
school as the earthquake struck,
many were buried under the
collapsed school buildinp. Many
people were also trapped in their
homes and because it was the
month of Ramadan, most people
were taking a nap after their pre
dawn meal and did not have
enough time to escape from their
homes. Only 250 bodies have
been recovered in the Pakistan
administered Kashmir area
according to the authorities from
Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.
Khan believed the Pakistani
government could have handled
it better. It did, however, bring
India and Pakistan closer, she
said.
So what is there to learn from
of PSH's very own faculty
members, Dr. Bob Munzenrider.
Munzenrider served in the
Marine Corps for four years and
left active duty in 1963. During
his time he served afloat on a
Navy ship with his unit while
the Cuban Missile Crisis was
going on. Munzenrider said, "the
feeling of once a Marine always
a Marine sets in overtime. It feels
rewarding and nice to be in touch
with the heritage." Student Sam
Knopp of XGI also added, "It was
great to have support from the
school to be able to do this."
Support is the primary mission
of XGI; supporting veterans in
their transition from military life to
civilian life and helping veterans
conform to the rigors of school.
Current XGI president and Army
veteran James Hall said, "As
more and more veterans return
home from conflicts around the
world there is more of a need for
them to connect with XGI; not
only to help themselves, but to in
turn, help others."
These are not the only public
appearances that members of
XGI have made this semester.
The Veteran's Day Ceremony is
an annual event that has been
coordinated and presented by XG I
since the club's inception. This
year's event began by PSH's very
own Dr. Felicia Brown-Haywood
singing the National Anthem.
Guest speaker Commander
Tom Richardt, an active duty
commissioned officer in the US
Navy, gave a speech highlighting
the history of Veteran's Day,
which derives its origins from
WWI and the armistice ending
the war. Richardt also spoke to
all the veterans present about the
services offered by the US Army
Carlisle barracks in transitioning
and job placement.
As this semester winds down to
a close, know that the red letters
of XGI will not be fading from view
any time soon. XGI looks forward
to seeing you in the Spring and
hopes that you will be ready to
donate another pint of blood. XGI
looks forward to seeing you at
events being held by other clubs,
like dodge ball tournaments and
bathtub races. Members of XGI
have spread out and joined other
clubs on campus, bringing with
them their sense of drive and
initiative to be actively involved
here at PSH. Next time you see
the red letters in the hall or at a
school event, know that XGI is
here to stay and their notoriety
and reputation on campus will
continue to grow for well over
another 35 years.
International News
this earthquake? "It makes me
appreciate all that I have," replied
Shah, "It also makes me want
to go out and do something to
help in any way I can." Rizvi said
that it's a chance for people all
over the world to work together
in helping each other overcome
Pakistani residents grieve over the damages to their cit in the aftermath of the earth
quake.
Marines Sam Knopp (left) and James Elligson (right) stand at parade rest during the Veterans Day Ceremo
ny. Knopp and Elligson attended the ceremony which is held annualy on Veterans Day outside of the library.
PSH teams up with NYU students for
a day of service in New York City
NYC cont'd from 1
Also at this time, volunteers were
serving food to needy residents
at the St. Joseph's soup kitchen
where they prepped and served
the food, then washed all of
the dishes. Once again, all
appreciated their services and
the volunteers enjoyed meeting
such a diverse group of people.
The remaining projects included
caring communities, best
buddies, creative workshops for
kids, and Peter's place. There
were about 80 volunteers total
that participated in the "Day
of Service Project," ranging
from Key Clubbers to Kiwanis
members.
Krishna Mandavia, Circle K
member, said, "It was a good
experience. We designed Thank
you cards for Thanksgiving and
it was great for the kids because
they got to show off their creativity.
The kids have great potential
we just have to allow them to
express themselves. They are on
the devastation of yet another
natural disaster. Khan sees it as
a chance for all Muslims to unite
and help each other.
Food, medicine supplies,
tents, and blankets have been
identified by relief workers as
the most essential items needed.
the right track because they are
confident in themselves. Also,
NYU Circle K members were cool
and helped us get around the big
city. If I lived in NYC, I would do
this every Saturday!"
After the service projects
concluded, PSH volunteers
ventured off to experience more
of the city. NYU Circle K members
offered to provide tours to PSH
students, but many ventured off
on their own to experience more
of the city. While some students
enjoyed the hustle and bustle of
Times Square, others enjoyed
a quiet dinner at an Italian
Restaurant and reunited with
family and friends.
Wilcox had nothing but positive
things to say about the whole day.
"Thank you so much for helping
make this Saturday so successful.
You all were wonderful volunteers
and leaders.
At the end of the day, NYU
Circle K provided supper to
thank the volunteers for their
service and dedication. After a
Several colleges and universities
nationwide including Penn State
University and many of its branch
campuses have sent donations
to aid the victims.
Donations are still needed.
Donateathttp://www.netpakistani
com/te/?m=v&a=lols3ls4. .
Photos courtousy of google com
Photos by Kathryn Herr/Capital Times
final "thank you" and "goodbye,"
PSH students departed for home
at 8 p.m.
Tony Stewart, PSH student,
enjoyed the New York experience
altogether. "I really had a great
time and especially am grateful
for NYU for providing food at the
end. The service projects were
great and it definitely is better
than going into work."
Students represented their
PSH community in a positive
way and each truly got a unique
experience. PSH Circle K is
especially grateful for the support
from the NYU Circle K members
and faculty, Kiwanis International,
SGA, Melinda Logan, Nancy
Leister, Nichole Duffy, Donna
Howard, and everyone else who
made this day a memorable one.
Steve O'Holla, Circle K President,
wants to thank Circle K members
for their continuous support and
dedication to the campus as well
as the community, which could
be in your backyard or 200 miles
away.