THEVol. XLI NumberVILLAGER 7 Stevenson University Stevenson, Maryland February 23, 2015 Stevenson community mourns the deaths of three students Spencer Tarason, a Shannon Henretty Emmanuel Paul, senior at Stevenson Univer- graduated from Stevenson known as EP, played three sity and a paralegal major, University as a nursing ma- seasons as a member of Ste- passed away Nov. 27, 2014; jor in May 2014. After grad- venson’s NCAA Division III he was 21. Spencer played uation, Shannon began her football team, appearing in four years of varsity soccer dream job in August in the 21 games. This past season, at Centennial High School Intensive Care Unit at Sinai Paul rushed for a touch- before joining the NCAA Hospital. She passed away down, an 11-yard score on Division III soccer team at on Dec. 26, 2014, after a bat- Homecoming during the Stevenson in his freshman tle with pneumonia; she was Mustangs’ 8-3 season that year. John Plevyak, Steven- 23. After transferring from was capped by a Bowl win. son’s head men’s soccer Virginia Tech, she joined the EP was a senior criminal jus- coach, remembers Spencer cross country team, and then tice major, with plans to go “as a respectful young man.” Hillary Michaud, law pro- became good friends with Jill Benko, another runner and into law enforcement. He passed away on Jan. 22, 2015, fessor and paralegal program coordinator, said Spencer fellow nursing major. Benko described Shannon’s charac- from complications after a short bout with illness; he was was a “wonderful student who was always willing to help ter as “radiating positivity and someone who made every- 23. At his death, he was surrounded by members of his his classmates.” She added that he was very patient, in- one feel special.” Shannon participated in Mission: I’m family in North Carolina. Edward Hottle, head coach of telligent, engaged, and kind. “Spencer was an invaluable Home and also served as chair of Stevenson’s Relay for the football team at Stevenson, described EP as a “reliable part of the paralegal discipline at Stevenson and will be Life Committee. Benko has co-founded a Relay for Life teammate with a solid work ethic. His sense of humor greatly missed,” Michaud said. team, Shine like Shannon. seemed to strike everyone.” by Ricky Karnes,Villager staff writer January Term classes resume for the first time in over a decade by Emily Rosenthal with the Sisters of Villager staff writer the Holy Family at St. Mary’s Acade- my, the Sisters asked if Stevenson could In Stevenson University’s first January Term of classes provide any com- since 2003, over 100 students participated in the winter puters to create a session in one of 12 accelerated learning opportunities, ac- computer lab for the cording to the Office of the Registrar. elementary school Classes ranged in type from science independent stud- students there. ies, to an archival field experience, to traditional classes, to “In collabora- service learning and trips to New Orleans and India. tion with Informa- Emma Ragon, a sophomore business communication tion Technology, we major, enrolled in the “Community as Your Classroom” were able to secure offering, which offered students a background of service computers that we learning and provided some opportunities to apply that could then take knowledge. down to New Or- Ragon participated in a project to collect a directory leans,” said Las- of community partners while another group worked to kauskas. solve and implement a plan for a food waste problem at Stevenson do- Facebook.com Photo from Stevenson. nated approximate- St. Mary’s Academy students present a thank you banner to Stevenson during “Everyone in my class at the end thought they could ly 70 computers that really make a difference,” said Ragon. January Term. Students travelled to New Orleans to build computer labs and had been replaced mobile computer lab carts, and install the 70 donated computers. Another group of students put service learning into across campus, ac- high gear and spent the first two weeks of classes at Ste- cording to Laskaus- school’s laptops and built two mobile computer lab carts venson taking either an Information Systems (IS) Manage- kas. ment Special Topics course or a Leadership and Service for the students to use. They also painted the front office Art Fifer, assistant professor of information systems, of the school and renovated a science lab with a science Learning course before traveling to New Orleans, Louisi- said that getting the courses approved, collecting the com- ana, for a week. mural and the school’s crest. puters, and pulling the project together was a “miracu- Laskauskas recalled that his students were not all from Romas Laskauskas, assistant professor of business, lous” event. was one of the founders of the annual alternative spring the School of Business. The group also included students “My favorite part was being able to work with a part- from the School of Education and the School of Humani- break trip to New Orleans to help rebuild after the devas- ner, the Sisters, whom we have known for six years and tating 2005 Hurricane Katrina and taught the Leadership ties and Social Sciences, which created a well-rounded en- really make a difference for them,” said Fifer. vironment where students could learn. and Service Learning class. The 30 students who participated in the trip and ser- Because the Stevenson groups had previously worked “I think that next year’s January Term will be even vice project built two computer labs, repaired some of the better,” said Laskauskas. News, Reviews, Features, Sports, In this page 2 page 4 page 7 page 11 Issue: NEWS 2 The Villager |February 23, 2015 Gospel choir members raise voices on campus and off in praise by Zuryna Smith sharing personal stories with one another,” Villager staff writer said Oden. Community outreach through song and ministry is another aspect of the choir. Throughout the semester, the group vis- The Black Student Union was estab- its various churches in the Baltimore area lished on the campus of Villa Julie College to sing. They have also performed for the by four African-American students who American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake wanted to create unity among minorities. & Potomac Blood Services. Today, the Black Student Union, com- Additionally, they have received vari- monly nicknamed BSU, is one of the larg- ous personal invitations to attend other est on-campus organizations. The BSU is college campuses in the Delaware and separated into three groups, the General Maryland area to spread the word of God BSU, BSU Allure Models, and the BSU through music. Gospel Choir. Students at Stevenson University who The BSU Gospel Choir consists of are interested in a chance to showcase their powerful vocalists who use their talents talent should be aware that the choir will to spread the word of Jesus Christ. While host auditions for their second annual Ste- the name of the organization is the Black venson’s Best on February 23, 2015. Ste- Student Union Gospel Choir, Charmaine venson’s Best is a gospel singing contest, Oden, director of the group, said, “The Photo courtesy of Charmaine Oden similar to the hit television show on BET. choir is not just for African-American vo- This contest will allow students who are Members of the BSU Gospel Choir sing on stage in Stevenson’s Inscape calists, but for anyone who loves the Lord not involved with the Gospel Choir to min- Theatre. The group holds auditions regularly for anyone who can sing in and is willing to sing for Him.” ister to others on campus through song. praise of God. Oden describes the dynamic of the Oden said, “The SU community can choir as vocalists from different walks of support the BSU Gospel Choir by coming events are attended by family members Stevenson community attend their events life who have experienced hardships, trials out to our events.” and relatives of the choir members. Oden and support them as they share their love and pain. The majority of the organization’s said that the choir would love to see the of God. “Every year we grow closer together, Psychology club hosts local competition as part of national “Brain Bee” by Megan Donahue ternational Championship. some students will develop a strong inter- Villager staff writer Students prepare for the competition est in neuroscience, said psychology club by studying books that are freely down- president Maria Hooe. Students gain a loadable from the internet and responding sense of appreciation of the brain that may to sample questions on the International lead them to study and pursue psychology The psychology club hosted a local Brain Bee website. and neuroscience, which in return will al- Brain Bee competition in the St. Paul Com- The International Brain Bee was low them to pursue rewarding careers panies Pavilion on the Greenspring campus founded in 1998 at the University of and make notable contributions in various on February 22 from noon to 4 p.m. Maryland by Dr. Norbert Myslinski, and fields of discovery. High school students from Chesapeake the competition has been transformed into The environment throughout the Science Point Public Charter School, Gle- a world-wide neuroscience competition for event was relaxing, engaging, and slightly nelg Country School, Richard Montgom- students in 30 countries on six continents. competitive. Following the conclusion of ery High School, Poolesville High School, The Brain Bee is a program of the the last question, awards were distributed Urbana High School, and several home- addictions and brain research, according to non-profit foundation Mankind for Inter- and light refreshments and snacks were schooled students were in attendance.