February 27, 2006 The Lion’s Eye Eve On Campus Considering Delco Professor Wins Prestigious Award By SHARON ACHILLES saal 92@psu.edu The head of the Shrine Institute for Teaching Excellence at University Park called Delco to give news that one of their own professors had won a most prestigious award. : Except, this professor wasn’t at Delco, she was sitting only doors away in the Shrine Institute at University Park. It's astounding their paths didn't cross in the hall- way. Upon her return, Dr. Laura Guertin, Assistant Professor of Earth Sciences received the news that she has been named the 2006 recipient of the George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award, named for the seventh president of the University (1882-1907), is presented each year to four faculty members spanning Penn State who have devoted substantial effort to undergraduate teaching. "It means a lot," she said, "I was very surprised. There are so many outstanding teachers at Penn State Delco and to win it across all campuses is really special." Those who received the award will attend a luncheon at University Park with Graham Spanier on March 20. Guertin, along with three other recipients, will accept a plaque and cash award. She hopes she'll be able to get to know the presi- dent and do more than take a picture and smile. "I think it would be interesting to hear what he feels about teaching, his philosophy of what we should be doing in the classroom for technology or group work," said Guertin. ; Guertin has taught at Delco for five years. Some of her classes included Environments of Africa, Dinosaur Extinction and other Natural Controversies, and Geology. "The thing I find ironic is [that] I was told I had to cancel classes for a day to receive the award," said Guertin. She added that she certainly wants to be respect- ful and accept the award, but she's torn because she enjoys being in the classroom and interacting with the students. Dr. George Franz, Head of Academic Affairs, nominated Guertin for this award. Other awards and recognitions that she's acquired throughout her Penn State tenure include: -Commonwealth College Award for Excellence in Teaching (2005) -Penn State Delaware County Women's Commission - Woman of the Year (2004) -Who's Who Among American Teachers, which she has won twice. Credit By MICHELLE ROCHE mcr5013@psu.edu 11$100," said freshman Sean Reilly. Get Ready for Baseball Season By JAMES FIDA Special to The Lions Eye kdjfida@yahoo.com As winter turns to spring, thoughts turn to baseball. Soon, the grass will be green and everyone from little league to the major leagues will be thinking one thing: Play Ball. : Baseball is back and despite the February cold, Penn State fans can't help feeling anticipation for the coming season. Head coach, Jeff Vickers has turned this organi- zation into a winner in the last five years. This team has a closeness that sets them apart from other teams. They truly care about each other and are like an extended fam- ily to Coach Vickers. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for them," he says. After finishing 1-17 his first year as coach, Vickers reached a pinnacle with his 2004 campaign where he saw his team achieve a perfect 12-0 and he earned the PSU- AC Coach of the Year award. Not to be outdone, last year's record of 10-3 produced an Eastern Conference Championship. : With most of his players returning this year, Vickers expects the same success in 2006. Karl "Yaz" Jastrzebski is a junior pitcher. He has been the anchor of the Penn State rotation for the past three seasons and will finish his career with the most wins and strikeouts in PSU Delco history. He also pitched the deciding game in the 2004 CCAC East Championship Game. Jon Brady has probably meant more to the program than any other single player. Besides batting third and being a top pitcher, Brady Money and college students have never created a perfect bal- ance. Now, credit card abuse is contributing to the increase of debt among teenagers, creating more of a hassle when it comes to maintaining a proper budget. Recently, Wright State University in Ohio promoted credit cards to its students in an effort to "promote school pride and spirit" around the college. Are credit cards more of a ben- efit or disadvantage to college students? According to Nellie Mae (undergraduate loan center), 83 percent of undergraduate students have at least one credit card. This is a 24 percent increase since 1998. Advertising from credit card companies has steadily increased in the past decade and now they are targeting teenagers as poten- tial customers. At least once in a college fair or orientation, students come across a credit card table offering them enticing large-numbered credit limits along with free pens and t- shirts. What are the expenditures that prompt college students to use their credit cards? "I mainly use my credit card for gas, car parts, or purchases over Page 3 a Card? "I first got it mainly to start building my credit in order to buy a new car in the future and even a house when I graduate from col- lege." he said. Ryan Smith, another freshman, also uses his card for gas. "I got a credit card to simply build credit," he said. For those unfamiliar with the difference between student credit cards and student debit cards, a student credit card is a card from Discover, American Express, VISA or MasterCard which con- tains a limited amount credit. It can range from $500-1000. It requires a parent to co-sign while a debit card is a prepaid MasterCard or VISA that does not require a parent to co-sign if the user is 18 years of age. Credit card companies view col- lege students as valuable cus- tomers since they still have their parents to fall back on financially. They also know that a college- educated person is furthering their chances in a decent-paying career, so they will always incur money that can be spent. So what can you do to avoid get- ting into serious debt? "A strict spending limit will help people who just got their first credit card realize that they are not handing over dollar bills to that cashier, but an IOU so they can enjoy the product now and pay later," said Reilly. speed. and basketball. Maybe it's time to start thinking beyond Baseball has always been considered the thinking man's game. With no time clock to set a pace, it is often con- has recruited many of the starting players, including transfer standouts Chris Meccariello and Jimmy Porecca from Widener. Frank Flaim (the captain), Chris Napoli, Jim Watkinson and Devin Zuczek are all returning mem- bers from the 2004 undefeated team. Catcher Tom Daly and pitcher Tom Ostein are also key additions to the team this spring. : The loss of three starters from last year's team will test the team's depth. This will give an opportunity for play- ers Mike Zachorchemney, Steve Burday and Matt Smith to play an increased role in the upcoming season. Every success builds a bridge for each player as they move through their careers. Success can only come from a winning attitude, and a winning attitude is nourished from a strong fan base. Unfortunately, baseball has suf- fered in popularity to other, faster sports such as football sidered to be slow. Nothing could be further from the truth. As each Penn State player knows, every game could be won or lost on the first or last pitch. A wise man said, "It ain't over 'til it's over." Sure it sounds ridiculous when you write it down, but in the context of baseball it means every game could turn around with one swing of the bat. There isn't any clock to beat, just team versus team. That's the beauty of base- ball. In an age where people feel contempt for a big-contract big-leaguer, the time is ripe to catch a glimpse of the tal- ented young men who play the game solely because they love it. The season kicks off with a 4 p.m. game on March 15 against Williamson Trade School.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers