Spring 2014: Squirrel Squire Volume 5, Issue 2

16 Pages·2014·8.3 MB·English

OFFICIAL PRESS OF THE WESTFIELD STATE UNIVERSITY HONORS PROGRAM
T S S
HE QUIRREL QUIRE
VOLUME 5, ISSUE 2 SPRING 2014
EXPLORING NIAGARA FALLS: NRHC CONFERENCE 2014
LYNDON SEITZ
ecotourism. portive and genuinely inter-
On Saturday and Sunday, the ested in what you have to
Honors students delivered share, so there is no need to
poster and paper presenta- be nervous!” Chelsea Baker
tions, in which they talked agrees, “Presenting a project is
about their research to faculty both empowering and exciting
and students. Westfield State and I had a great time doing
had one of the largest groups it!” The crowds are always
of students attending, and welcoming and ask excellent
they felt great about present- questions of the participants.
Honors students at the NRHC Conference in Niagara Falls, NY. ing their work, as Jen Daltorio The conference is especially
In April, eighteen WSU crossed the border to visit the explains, “going to the confer- welcoming to first timers, as
Honors Program students Canadian Falls. ence reaffirmed for me that Kelly Steele attests, “As a first
along with Director Glen Several students chose the my interest in advertising his- time conference goer, I went
Brewster and Assistant Direc- creative City as Text work- tory and its social impact IS into this expecting to not want
tor Vanessa Diana traveled to shop “Exploring Niagara Falls important, and it's something to go to many other students’
Niagara Falls, NY, by train to State Park through Art,” in- others are invested in as well.” presentations, but after read-
present their work at the cluding Andrew “Woody” Jessica Coons similarly re- ing the titles and descriptions
Northeast Regional Honors Woodger, who reports, “I had counts, “I knew I cared about the hardest part was picking
Council (NRHC) conference every opportunity to immerse my work, but it wasn't until which ones to go to. There
among their peers from all myself in the creative and in- another student asked for my were so many incredible
around the region. tellectual discussions of the research that I realized that minds present, and I was hon-
On Friday, before presenta- conference, broadening my other people care about it too, ored to be a part of it.”
tions began, the students got knowledge and, more im- and that it's something I Next year’s conference in
to explore the cities of Niaga- portantly, my thinking on should be proud of.” Gettysburg, PA, promises to
ra Falls - - NY and Ontario - - many issues.” (See creative Lauren Joyce encourages be just as enlightening and
through the City as Text pro- works p. 13.) future students to attend: exciting.
gram. The Falls in the off- Students heard talks by the “The NRHC conference was a
season are beautiful to some director of the Niagara Falls great place to practice pre- Lyndon is a senior English major
and haunting to others. Be- Community Development, senting my Senior Honors from Webster, MA.
sides the majestic falls them- who discussed neighborhood Project. Everyone is very sup-
selves, groups also visited the housing and economic devel-
Niagara Power Project Vista, opment strategies for the City
Devil’s Hole in the Niagara of Niagara Falls and by the
Gorge, the Niagara Falls Culi- founding member of Niagara
nary Institute, Old Fort Niag- Heritage Partnership, a group
ara, the last stop before Cana- of concerned citizens who
da on the Underground Rail- advocate the preservation and
road in Lewiston, NY, and the restoration of the region’s
viewing structures surround- natural environment and en-
ing the Falls. Some also courage development through
View of Niagara Falls from the New York side. More photos on pp. 11-12.
Page 2 The squirrel squire
HONORS STUDENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
WESTFIELD STATE RAISES OVER $39,000 IN ITS FIRST RELAY FOR LIFE
BETH TEAGUE
In April, Westfield State future Relay For Life events to
University raised $39,467.44 meet, and the Relay For Life
at its first ever Relay For Life club expects to make the
at the Woodward Center, event even better year after
where participants walked the year. Keep an eye out for our
indoor track overnight to raise registration kickoff event this
money to support the Ameri- October to join us in the fight
can Cancer Society. Relay For participants registered for against cancer.
Life has become an interna- Relay For Life of Westfield If you are interested in learn-
tional effort to end cancer. State University, and we ing more about Relay For Life
Hundreds of communities, raised nearly double our goal. and the mission of the Ameri-
colleges, and military bases Treasurer and Honors stu- can Cancer Society, visit re-
host Relay For Life events dent Olivia Dumas is excited layforlife.org. Donations for
each year, raising almost $5 for next year’s event: “We the Relay For Life of West-
billion dollars to date for can- beat our goal by such a large field State University are still
cer research, education, advo- margin, and numbers are only being collected online until
cacy, and patient services. going to go up from here. This August. To make a donation,
Westfield State has made a Co-founders of the Relay For Life was an amazing start.” visit relayforlife.org/wsuma.
club, Honors students Brenna Closi-
significant contribution to this Relay For Life is a life-
us and Beth Teague.
effort. changing event that draws
WSU students, faculty, to cancer during our Luminar- communities together under Beth is a junior English and Psy-
alumni, community members, ia Ceremony, and made a one common goal: to put an chology dual major from Tyngs-
family members, and friends commitment to continue to end to cancer. Westfield State borough, MA.
registered teams to raise mon- fight back against cancer. has certainly set a high bar for
ey and participate in Relay For When fellow Honors student
Life. For fourteen hours, par- Brenna Closius and I began
ticipants did their best to stay efforts to start a Relay For Life
awake, never sleeping because on campus, we were given a
cancer never sleeps. Hourly fundraising goal of $20,000
raffles, games, numerous per- and 200 participants for our
formances, and constant music first year. Co-president Closi-
helped keep us going. us says, “We knew we could
Throughout the night, we fundraise more than that, and
celebrated our survivors, re- our numbers show that we
membered those we have lost were right!” A total of 375 Relay For Life participants prepare to walk through the night.
SHAC OFFICERS for Fall 2014-Spring 2015 STUDENT HONORS ADVISORY COUNCIL
Co-Presidents: Ally Davis and Connor Jackson The Student Honors Advisory Council (SHAC) acts as a liaison
between Honors students and administration. SHAC allows
Vice President: Lauren Nastari
Honors students to be heard in an open and constructive way.
Secretary: Jenny Mitchell In addition to addressing student concerns, the council plans
fun events throughout the year.
Treasurer: Randi Lemenager

Historian: Fiona Mwariama Have ideas for programming or want to find out more about
SHAC?
Publicist: Mikayla Fucillo
Contact Ally Davis at [email protected]
Commuter Representative: Irina Znakharchuk or Connor Jackson at [email protected].
Volume 5, issue 2 Page 3
HONORS STUDENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE
STUDENT HONORS ADVISORY COUNCIL (SHAC) SUPPORTS THE TROOPS AND
HONORS EMILEE DAWN GAGNON WITH HULA HOOPS
SHAC collected five boxes of care package donations and organized a card signing to be mailed to a member of WSU’s Class of
2014 who was unable to walk in this year’s Commencement because he is currently deployed at Guantanamo Bay.
SHAC organized a Hula
Hoop Building Workshop
and Spring Weekend Hula
Hoopathon to support the
Emilee Dawn Gagnon
Memorial Scholarship
Fund in memory of Com-
monwealth Honors Schol-
ar Emilee Gagnon, Class of
2013.
Page 4 The squirrel squire
HONORS STUDENTS OUT AND ABOUT
NORTHEASTERN WRITING CENTER ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
CHELSEA ORIFICE
Reading and Writing Center participatory planning ap-
peer tutors and Honors stu- proach to teaching tutoring,
dents Emily Ellis, Paul Fal- the students put together
cone, Lisa Leary, Beth great proposals for a Veteran’s
Teague, and Chelsea Orifice Lounge on campus to pay
traveled along with Professor homage to our many WSU
Beverly Army-Williams and Veterans, especially Veteran
Professor Catherine Savini to commuters, and an Interna-
Bryant University for this tional Student Mentoring Pro-
year’s Northeastern Writing gram to encourage friendships
Center Association Confer- and support campus diversity.
ence, or NEWCA. After the conference, the
While there, the tutors met students went out to dinner as
Michele Cox, author of an a group of Peer Tutors and as
Professor Beverly Army-Williams, Professor Catherine Savini, Paul Falcone,
English Language Learner friends. The conference left
Chelsea Orifice, Beth Teague, Lisa-Marie Leary, Emily Ellis.
tutoring article they had read the group eager to tutor and
in class. This excitement car- black speakers and writers of engagement projects that they ready to use what they learned
ried over with the keynote English. After the invigorating worked on during their train- professionally. All were excit-
speaker, Dr. Varshawn keynote speech, the tutors ing for the Reading and Writ- ed to continue learning be-
Young, who reflected on attended various panels and ing Center in the Fall 2013 cause NEWCA was only a
NEWCA’s theme of “How workshops ranging from top- semester, explaining that the small taste of what the writing
Writing Centers are Sites of ics about writing centers in class went through plenty of center world has to offer.
Change” and elaborated on his high schools to drawing as a failures in the process of get-
article, which the tutors had means of communication. ting our projects off the Chelsea is a sophomore English
also read in class, concerning The students presented civic ground. However, with the major from Enfield, CT.
The Squire Squad
Student Editors and Con-
tributors: Karolina Bak
(Layout Editor), Lyndon
Seitz, Beth Teague, Chelsea
Orifice, Becky Glennie, Aria-
na Roche, Jen Shakshober,
and Anthony Rascati. Special
thanks to Casey Anne Dupelle
for her photo contributions.
Staff Editors: Glen Brew-
ster, Vanessa Diana, and
Gretchen Konrad.
Visit the Honors Center in
Students in Professor Sue Dutch's Honors seminar on Heroism visited the 9/11 Tribute Cen-
Mod Hall 103.
ter in NYC and met a survivor of 9/11 who was in the second tower when it was hit and told
Call [phone].
the class her story and about the acts of heroism she witnessed that day. The class also had
Email the Honors Program at
dinner with CNN's Hero of the Year known as the "Angel of Queens," a bus driver who has
[email protected].
been feeding the homeless for eight years using his own money, preparing and serving the
Like us on Facebook!
meals every night. He received the Medal of Honor for his work from President Obama.
Volume 5, issue 2 Page 5
20TH ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS STATEWIDE
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH CONFERENCE
Over 100 WSU students from a
wide range of majors presented
their work at the conference on the
campus of UMass-Amherst.
Among the participants were stu-
dents in Professor Sue Dutch’s
Honors Altruism, Resilience, and
Heroism seminar (top left), who
presented their research on Malala
Yousafzi, girls’ education activist,
and students in Professor Carsten
Braun’s Honors Climate Change
seminar (below center and right)
who presented their analysis of a
campus survey on climate change.
Page 6 The squirrel squire
CELEBRATING HONORS ATHLETES
Many Honors students main- Jennifer Holley
tain their impressive GPAs pictured below (Movement
while competing in varsity, Science 2015) Varsity Cross
club, and intramural athletics. Country (Captain) and indoor
Congratulations to our Schol- and outdoor Track
ar-Athletes who competed in
2013-2014.

Nick Atcheson
(Criminal Justice 2014) Rugby
Club Team David Clark
pictured above (Biology/
Sara Batchelder Theatre 2015) Intramural
(Psychology/Communication Basketball, Rugby Club Lori Merlo
2015) Competitive Dance pictured above (Athletic
Team (Junior Captain) Stephanie Cobb Training 2017) Varsity Cross
(Elementary Education 2016) Country and Track
Intramural Soccer and Volley-
ball Caitlin Ryan
Connor Jackson (Movement Science / Sports
Steven Connolly (Psychology 2016) Intramural Medicine 2014) Cross Coun-
pictured below (Business Quidditch try, Winter Track, Spring
Management/Finance 2015) Track (Captain)
Varsity Cross Country, Varsi- Shawn Luce
ty Track and Field (Captain) pictured below (Chemistry Ashley Spindel
2016) Cross Country, Track pictured below (Elementary
Caitlyn Brennan Education/Liberal Studies
pictured above (English/ 2015) Varsity Field Hockey
Secondary Education 2017) and Varsity Lacrosse
Varsity Track and Field

Holly Brouillette
pictured below
(Communications 2017) Var-
sity Field Hockey, Club
Women's Ice Hockey Jessica Coons
(Special Education/Liberal
Studies 2015) Intramural
indoor and outdoor Volleyball Amanda Magri
(Athletic Training 2016) Var- Anne Stack
Carolyn Cote sity Soccer (Elementary/Special Educa-
(Business Management 2015) tion 2017) Varsity Soccer
Varsity Volleyball Emily Malone
(Elementary Education 2015) Alexa Whitney (History/
Cameron Fairbanks Varsity Soccer Secondary Education 2017)
(Regional Planning/ Varsity Field Hockey
Environmental Science Dec. Ashley McLaughlin
Paige Circosta 2013) Varsity Cross Country (Elementary Education/
(Nursing 2017) Varsity Soft- (Captain), Intramural Basket- Liberal Studies 2017) Varsity
ball ball, Softball, and Soccer Soccer
Volume 5, issue 2 Page 7
IN THE HONORS CENTER
From Chinese dinners and pizza
parties to poetry readings with
poet-in-residence Kate Rushin,
meetings with SHAC to meet-
ings with President Preston,
discussions about international
affairs with visiting international
scholar Gali Tealakh, to discus-
sion about international travel
led by Honors students, the
Honors Center is buzzing.
Page 8 The squirrel squire

HONORS STUDENTS GO GLOBAL

STUDY ABROAD: CHINA
BECKY GLENNIE
am asked the most: “Why did there are communication life is a mix of chances; I know
you choose China?” I could list breakdowns with the language that if I hadn’t taken a risk this
many reasons, the adventure, barrier, and occasionally it can semester, I still would have
the programs offered by Unit- be a little weird to be the had a great time at Westfield.
ed International College “foreigner.” As it is I’ve gotten Yet coming here is something
(we just call it UIC), the to meet many incredible peo- that I will remember for the
chance to try something new, ple from all over the globe. rest of my life. I have memo-
but while all of these factored I’ve tried things I didn’t know ries and experiences that have
into my decision, the reality is existed before this trip. I can been so unique and exciting
not every choice made in life speak a bit of Chinese and use that I would highly recom-
has a definite reason. Yet here chopsticks. I can use the mend that everyone consider
I am at the end of a semester school printer, and I’ve fig- travelling somewhere, any-
Becky at a temple in Guangzhou.
at UIC located on the edge of ured out Chinese washing where, even without a logical
In Chinese I can now tell you Zhuhai, a big coastal city, near machines. I can’t say for cer- reason.
my name, what day it is, how Hong Kong. tain what motivated me to
I am feeling, and a couple of Going halfway across the trek across the planet. I can’t
other key answers to life’s globe comes with pros and promise your experience will Becky is a sophomore Environmen-
daily questions. The one an- cons. I miss my family, both be as fantastic as mine if you tal Science and Regional Plan-
swer that eludes me comes my actual family and my decide to partake in a similar ning dual major from Groton,
paired with the question that I Westfield family. Sometimes adventure. With that in mind, MA.
STUDY ABROAD: CYPRUS
ARIANA ROCHE
During the spring 2014 se- and I may not fully see the I learned so much in my clas-
mester I have been studying changes until I am back in ses and just as much out of
abroad in Nicosia, Cyprus, Massachusetts, but I have them, all while getting a great
and traveling with Global Se- learned so much about adapt- tan in February! What could
mesters to Greece, Italy, and ing to new languages, curren- be better? If you are even con-
Spain. Cyprus is a small island cies, transportation systems, sidered studying abroad, my
located south of Turkey and and being on my own for four advice to you is to do it. It
southeast of Greece. This has months without anyone I may be scary, but take the
been the most eye-opening knew. I couldn’t be happier risk. I promise you will not
and fun semester I have expe- with my choice to study regret it.
rienced. Being immersed in abroad, and Cyprus was the
the Cypriot culture is a truly Ariana near Kyrenia Castle in Kyre- perfect choice for me. Be- Ariana is a junior Psychology
nia, Cyprus.
different experience. Cyprus tween the beaches, food, major from Medford, MA.
ranges from beautiful moun- This divide creates a very di- friendly people, and beautiful
tains to the most gorgeous verse population as well. sights, Cyprus could not have Have you always wanted to
beaches I have ever seen. A I have had the opportunity to been a better fit. I even got to study abroad or in another
country in the crossroads of travel to Rome, Florence, cliff jump into the Mediterra- state? The International Pro-
different continents, Cyprus is Pisa, Venice, Barcelona, Ath- nean! I have made so many grams Office can answer
very diverse. The roots of the ens, and all around Cyprus, as amazing friends from all over your questions about Study
country are Greek; however, well as Egypt, Crete, and Ire- the United States and other Abroad and National Ex-
there is much more to it than land independently. There are countries who I would not change Programs.
that! After a hostile takeover not enough words to describe have met otherwise, and I
For more information, visit
in 1974 by Turkey, almost how traveling changes you. I wouldn’t trade it for the
their office in Parenzo lobby.
40% of the island is occupied. am a junior Psychology major, world.
Volume 5, issue 2 Page 9
UPPER-LEVEL HONORS SEMINAR
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
JENNIFER SHAKSHOBER AND ANTHONY RASCATI
Students in Professor Hillary blueberry compote, braised
Sackett’s interdisciplinary rabbit in a red wine cherry
Honors seminar, Indigenous reduction, Cherokee bean
Knowledge, Environmental bread, and gorditas served
Management and Sustainabil- with a dollop of pumpkin
ity, travelled with Professor pudding. Students also attend-
Sackett to Washington D.C., ed a small panel discussion at
in April to attend a symposi- the Embassy of the Tribal Na-
um at the National Museum of tions which allowed students
the American Indian entitled to interact personally with
“Patterns of Health and Well- the staff of the embassy and
being: An Intercultural Sym- discuss modern issues for Na-
posium,” a fitting complement Students in Professor Hillary Sackett’s seminar visit the National Museum of tive Americans with experts
the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
to the Honors seminar, which in the field.
focused on analyzing contem- States and Indigenous people programs, promoting cultural Dr. Sackett's Indigenous
porary issues facing Native around the world. The stu- sovereignty, and forging links Environmental Management
Americans in the United dents gained further insights between environmental health students are grateful for such a
into the issues we’d been and ecofeminism. culturally-enriching experi-
studying. Students were given a per- ence, bonding over new foods
Symposium presenters - - a sonalized tour of the museum and novel perspectives on
legion of Haudenosaunee- - and participated in a unique “Indigeneity.”
Mohawk, Cherokee, Navajo, food experience at the Mi-
and Inupiaq representatives - tsitam Café, the restaurant Jen is a senior English and Eco-
explored connections be- inside the museum specializ- nomics dual major from West
tween native tradition and ing in native cuisines. Students Townsend, MA.
health, liberating tribes from sampled numerous indigenous Anthony is a junior Criminal
Students enjoy native cuisine at the their dependence on unwhole- specialties, such as grilled Justice and Economics dual major
Mitsitam Café inside the museum. some, federal distribution bison loin with a corn and from Barkhamsted, CT.
ALUMNI NEWS SUNY Cortland. in Student Affairs at Merrimack College.

Kate Anderstrom (’12) is pursuing a Mas- Meaghen Chalmers (’14) is pursuing a Crystal Lanucha (’13) is the night-time
ter’s Degree in Women's Studies at Southern Masters of Art in Teaching at Smith College. circulation supervisor at the Chicopee (MA)
Connecticut State University. Library.
Amy Elcock (’14) is pursuing a Masters in
Brad Avery (’14) is working at the Coo- Education at Westfield State University. Michael Mailloux (’14) is pursuing a Mas-
lidge Corner Theater in Brookline (MA). ter of Arts in Mathematics and working as a
Carl Favata (’14) is pursuing a Masters in
Teaching Assistant at Bowling Green State
Mike Brill (’12) completed a fellowship at Biological Sciences and working as a Gradu-
University.
the Center for Arabic Study Abroad program ate Assistant at Eastern Illinois University.
at the Qasid Arabic Institute in Amman, Jor- Jessica McKinnon (’14) is attending Mas-
Cori Glennie (’12) is teaching mathematics
dan, and is pursuing an M.A. in Arab Studies sachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health
at Revere (MA) High School and pursuing a
at Georgetown University. Sciences for a Master of Physician Assistant
Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at Tufts
Studies.
Megan Brochu (’13) is attending Massa- University.

chusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Molly Miller (’14) is joining the Street
Lindsay Katkowski (’14) is volunteering
Sciences for a Master of Physician Assistant Team of WKLB Greater Boston Media.
for AmeriCorps at Camphill Village in Co-
Studies.
pake, NY. Nate Pranaitis (’14) is pursuing a J.D. at
Amanda Carron (’14) is pursuing a Masters University of Connecticut School of Law.
Steve Kligerman (’14) is pursuing a Mas-
in Outdoor and Environmental Education at
ters in Higher Education with a concentration SEND US YOUR NEWS!
Page 10 The squirrel squire
HONORS STUDENTS WHO SHINE
Smiling Honors students,
pictured with President
Elizabeth Preston, are
among the forty-eight
Honors students who
were recognized as ei-
ther Commonwealth or
University Honors Scholars at this year’s Academic
Excellence Awards Ceremony. Many of these stu-
dents also received Departmental Academic Excel-
lence Awards.