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December 2010Vol. 5, No. 4
IMPACT
Students achieve third consecutive 100 percent pass rate
Inspiring Students to Pursue Lives of Purpose
“We have high
expectations of our
students, and they rise
to the challenge.”
The words of Dr. Terri Small, professor
of nursing at Waynesburg University, are
300 percent true as indicated by the third
consecutive year of a 100 percent pass
rate on the National Council Licensure
Examination for Registered Nurses.
This year, 39 Waynesburg University
nursing graduates collaboratively
achieved the feat, establishing the only
baccalaureate program in the state of
Pennsylvania to do so.
“The 100 percent pass rate is an
indicator of program quality and reflects
the continued efforts of the faculty to
produce graduates with a comprehensive
knowledge base and strong critical
thinking skills,” said Dr. Nancy Mosser,
chair of the Department of Nursing
and professor of nursing at Waynesburg
University.
The NCLEX is administered following
graduation from a baccalaureate,
diploma or associate degree program.
An individual must pass the exam in
order to become licensed to practice
as a registered nurse. In the state of
Pennsylvania, 7,100 individuals tested
from 84 programs with an average pass
rate of 86.59 percent. In addition to
testing above the state and national pass
rate averages, Waynesburg University
students maintained the 100 percent
pass rate even after the National Council
of State Boards of Nursing altered the
NCLEX-RN test plan in April 2010 and
increased the test’s difficulty level.
Patricia Darocy, a senior nursing
student, began the nursing program in
May 2009 as a second-degree student after
hearing of the program’s reputation.
“Not only is the nursing program at the
cutting edge of educational requirements,
but the department leads in making
improvements based on changes it
foresees in the profession,” Darocy said.
“The professors see the potential in each
one of us. They are great mentors, always
striving for excellence, and instilling in
us the same values.”
Graduate Counseling Program offers student purpose and peaceTom Schlosser has found contentment in knowing that he is on the journey that God has made for him. As the pieces of his life fall into place, he has relinquished control to God and continues to take steps of faith.
Little boys enjoy playing “Cops
& Robbers” throughout free-
spirited, childhood days. Tom
Schlosser was no exception as he always
dreamed of becoming a police officer.
Today, however, instead of offering the
right to remain silent to offenders, he
empowers individuals to speak. Feeling
an unwavering push to help others
and realizing that God is the author
of his story, Schlosser enrolled in the
Master of Arts in Counseling Program at
Waynesburg University. His decision has
proven to be one that has brought clarity
to his life’s purpose and peace to his heart.
“I always knew that helping others was
a part of my plan, but I began to question
what that actually meant,” he said.
While the responsibilities of police
officers are admirable and important,
Schlosser said he felt a career in
counseling best fit his desire to help
individuals find the peace that existed in
their lives
After receiving his undergraduate
degree from Waynesburg University,
Schlosser became a youth worker for
adjudicated teens at a local nonprofit
organization whose mission is to help
those in need “understand what is right
and choose what is best, living life to the
fullest.”
He spent his time divided between
various roles including a big brother,
a support system and a disciplinarian,
among others. In doing so, he felt an
irresistible pull to rehabilitate those who
overflowed with hurt, sadness, pain and
brokenness.
“It was through these experiences that
I realized just how much I lived in my
own little world complete with blinders,”
he said. “It was almost daily that I
witnessed a type of destruction I had
never encountered before then.”
Feeling called to advance in this
field, Schlosser was discouraged by the
realization that a master’s degree would
be inevitable.
“I just wasn’t in the mindset to go back
to school,” he said. “It was at that point
that I had a shift in thinking about what
my purpose was, and I really felt God was
working in my life.”
He gave in, listened to God’s plan and
enrolled in Waynesburg University’s
Counseling Program in the fall of 2009.
He plans to complete his degree in the
spring of 2011.
“Through the program, I am gaining
the knowledge and skills to help others
find out who they are so that they can
paint their own picture for their life,” he
said.
Students in the Counseling Program
are placed in cohorts, allowing students
to experience the program with the same
classmates throughout the duration of the
program. For Schlosser, this has made all
the difference.
“You embark on this journey as a class,
and I think that adds a different level of
learning and growth than if we were to
randomly have life-changing experiences
with individuals you’ve known for just a
few weeks,” he said.
The facilitators within the program,
according to Schlosser, have been an
integral part of both his academic and
personal development.
“My facilitators have definitely pushed
and challenged me to become better,
while at the same time encouraging me
and supporting me as they reveal my
strengths and the areas I need to develop
or improve,” he said. “The facilitators
have a variety of backgrounds and for that
reason, the knowledge and experience we
gain in the classroom is unmatched.”
Using techniques learned in class,
Schlosser is currently completing a
600-hour internship with Gateway
Rehabilitation Center in McMurray, Pa.
“I am extremely blessed to have the
opportunity to be able to learn from those
who work there,” he said. “They too were
called to this field, and it shows through
their passion. You don’t necessarily pick
this field; it picks you.”
IMPACT
NEWS & NOTES• Thirty-eight students and four
faculty and staff members spent their
Thanksgiving break serving others.
The University offered three service
mission trips covering a variety of
academic and professional interests that
give students the opportunity to serve
both the Greene County community
and beyond. The projects included
a nutritional orphanage in Patzun,
Guatemala; World Servants in Philippi,
W.Va.; and Habitat for Humanity in
Greene County, Pa.
• Waynesburg University recently
hosted Bayney R. Karran, ambassador
of Guyana and former ambassador
to Venezuela. Ambassador Karran
presented two lectures to Waynesburg
University students. The lectures
were titled “Climate Change in the
Caribbean: The Threat and Guyana’s
Response” and “The Hemispheric
Integration Process: A Perspective
from Guyana.” Karran was appointed
ambassador of Guyana to the United
States in December 2003, and also
serves as Guyana’s permanent
representative to the Organization
of American States (OAS). Karran
replaced Dr. Odeen Ishmael who visited
Waynesburg University in 1999, as
a result of Waynesburg University’s
international student exchange
program.
• The Office of University Relations at
Waynesburg University was recently
selected to receive four awards in the
annual MarCom Awards Competition.
The competition is an international
creative competition that recognizes
exceptional achievement by marketing
and communication professionals.
Waynesburg University’s submissions
were among 5,000 others entered by
individual communicators, media
conglomerates and Fortune 500
companies. Waynesburg received a
Platinum Award, two Gold Awards and
an Honorable Mention.
• Waynesburg University has partnered
with Ten Thousand Villages for its
seventh year to offer a unique shopping
experience to the community during
the holiday season. The store will be
open Monday through Saturday through
Dec. 20. The store will encompass 100
artisan groups representing more than
30 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin
America. Ten Thousand Villages is part
of a worldwide movement determined
to practice fair trade. Artisans will
receive a fair trade profit for their
product while Ten Thousand Villages
donates the overhead cost of the sale
to Waynesburg University to benefit
the Waynesburg University Mission
Trip Scholarship Fund. In the past six
years, the store has generated $4,500 for
Waynesburg University’s Mission Trip
Scholarship Fund. The fund provides
assistance to students who travel
domestically or internationally to serve
others.
Waynesburg benefits through Marine Corps Marathon
Students initiate projects to benefit less fortunate
“The Christian Mission is a volunteer army.” From these words came the foundation of the endeavor known
today as The Salvation Army. Although the story of the ministry’s
creation is intricate, the concept is rather simple.
In 1852, a man by the name of William Booth decided to abandon the
traditional pulpit and take his message to the streets of London. It was there that
he shared the Gospel with the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute.
His far from traditional path caused disagreement from church leaders, while also
gaining followers in the form of more than 1,000 volunteers and 42 evangelists.
He converted thieves, prostitutes, gamblers, and drunks with his words of hope
and salvation. As a result, his converts became soldiers of Christ known as
Salvationists serving under the name of “The Christian Mission.”
From 1881 to 1885, more than 250,000 people were converted under the
ministry. The Salvation Army spread to the United States in 1879, and the
movement rapidly expanded to Canada, Australia, France, Switzerland, India,
South Africa and Iceland. The Salvation Army is active in virtually every corner
of the world today.
Like the founder of The Salvation Army, Waynesburg University students,
faculty and staff, are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others while
turning people to Christ. Students annually initiate a number of food, school
supply and clothing collection drives to benefit those less fortunate.
This year, in support of The Salvation Army Greene County Service Center’s
Project Bundle-Up, students have raised more than $1,200 to provide outerwear
for infants and children under 18 years of age and senior citizens age 62 and older.
The ministry offers Greene County residents the opportunity to request coats,
hats, gloves and boots through an application process. Sister Audrey Quinn,
director of the Salvation Army Greene County Service Center said this year,
“Waynesburg University came to the rescue.”
“With untiring energy, the staff and
students held a furniture sale at the
University, helped at our flea market and
sponsored a cheesesteak sale. These efforts
benefit a great number of children and
seniors in the County. Without Waynesburg
University we would be unable to reach all
these people.”
In addition to supporting The Salvation
Army, the Waynesburg University community
collected nearly 340 shoeboxes in support
of Operation Christmas Child, once again
sharing the Gospel of Christ around the world.
Runners step up to the finish
line. Posed in a stance ready to
begin, they lean slightly forward
and can hear their heart beating in
anticipation. Finally, the gun explodes
and marks the start of the Marine
Corps Marathon in Arlington, Va. Over
40,000 runners begin to run the long and
demanding 26 mile course.
Stationed throughout the course are
medical professionals ready for any
health-related emergency. Among
them are 13 athletic training students
from Waynesburg University. Michele
Kabay, assistant professor and director
of athletic training, established a
relationship with the U.S. Marine Corps
previously and wanted students to
recognize the importance of service in
the field. The opportunity allowed them
to work closely with physicians, nurses,
paramedics and Navy personnel while
gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Stationed at the Foxtrot medical
station during the marathon, sophomore
athletic training major Becca Crouch
was exposed to illnesses and injuries
she had only learned about. According
to Crouch, what impacted her most
was not the medical aspect of the trip.
Crouch learned the value of being a
servant leader.
“Looking back on this day,
I learned not only medical
stuff, but I also learned what
it meant to be a servant,” said
Crouch. “I saw firsthand what
a servant of God looked like
and how being a servant saves
and changes lives.”
While Crouch attended
the marathon as part of a
course requirement, the other
medical professionals chose
to volunteer their time at the
marathon. Without the medical servants,
the marathon runners’ safety would be
at stake. Spending the day with these
medical professionals brought Crouch
to fruition regarding the service of those
around her.
“Although they come from different
backgrounds and different lifestyles,
they all do the same thing,” Crouch
said. “Each one of them on a daily basis,
and especially this weekend, help those
particular individuals that need help.
They reach out their own hands and grab
onto an individual that needs help.”
Seeing the dedication of the medical
volunteers impacted Crouch’s outlook
on her career as a medical professional in
this world.
“It is one thing to be a medical
professional, and the whole time you
are helping others you are just thinking
about yourself and how it makes you
look good,” Crouch said. “It is another to
be an excellent medical professional and
help out others around you, not caring
how it will make you look.”
Exposure to the dedication of serving
others shaped in Crouch what she hopes
to accomplish with a career in athletic
training. Working side-by-side with
medical professionals who dedicate their
time to serving others influenced her
to uphold the same values in her future
practice. As a result of her experience,
she would like to serve as a role model
in the future to instill the importance of
service in students just as the medical
professionals at the Marine Corps
Marathon did that day.
Waynesburg athletes achieve accolades Both of the Waynesburg soccer programs,
along with the Yellow Jacket football
team, saw a slew of its top players earn
All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC)
accolades in the month of November.
The Jacket men of the gridiron led the
group with 11 all-conference selections,
including five first-team picks. Junior
cornerback Sean Hunt, junior defensive
tackle Darryl Moore, Jr. and sophomore
safety Bryan Gary picked up first-team
honors on the defensive side of the ball.
Gary was honored as a first-team linebacker.
Waynesburg’s offense was represented on
the first team by junior center Nick Hanley
and sophomore tight end Adam Moses.
Senior offensive tackle Melvin
Warrick and sophomore kicker Jon Storck
were lauded as second-team selections,
while senior quarterback Brad Dawson,
sophomore defensive lineman Matt Krause,
junior safety Ryan Williams and senior kick
returner Troy Garove were named honorable
mention picks.
After going 10-6-3 this fall, its best record
in at least nine years, the Waynesburg
women’s soccer team was rewarded with
four All-PAC selections, the most for the
program since 2004. Included in the quartet
were the team’s first first-team picks since
2007, junior forward Courtney Ebersole
and junior goalkeeper Katrina Kelly. Senior
midfielder Danielle Danhires and freshman
defender Victoria Shepherd were given the
nod as honorable mention honorees.
On the men’s side, junior midfielders
Erick Burke and David Floyd were
selected as second-team and honorable
mention picks,
respectively.