The Madelon Powers Gallery of East Stroudsburg University will host the Student Art Association Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition March 21 to April 14.

Entries will include a wide-range of artistic media including paintings, graphic design, drawing, photography, sculpture, mixed media and 3D prints.  All current students are eligible to submit works for possible inclusion in the exhibit.

Jody Singer, founder of Origins Gallery in Stroudsburg, Pa., will be this year’s juror.  The exhibition is being organized by the Student Art Association, a student organization that provides cultural opportunities for the campus and community.

Prizes will be awarded for the top three entries and for the best three-dimensional piece in the exhibit.

A reception for the artists and award ceremony will be held Thursday, March 24 from 4-6 p.m. in the gallery.  Both the exhibit and reception are open to the public at no cost.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays.

For more information about the exhibition or reception, contact the Fine and Performing Arts Events line at 570-422-3483 or email esuarts@esu.edu.

During her freshman and sophomore years of college, Brittany Winfield was diving into biology textbooks and studying linguistics at the University of Vermont. With two years of college under her belt, Winfield made the bold move to transfer to East Stroudsburg University (ESU) in the fall of 2014. Winfield never thought that transferring universities meant changing her major, disc jockeying for an acclaimed radio station and being nominated for a national broadcasting award. Surprisingly, that’s exactly what she did.

“Transferring schools was not easy but it did help reveal to me what I am meant to do,” said Winfield.

Winfield knew that she would be living independently during her time at ESU. Before even stepping foot on campus, she began applying to positions in the East Stroudsburg area. Within a couple of weeks, she heard back from the Office of University Relations.

After acing her interview, Winfield was offered a part-time student position in university relations. She was responsible for answering phones and gathering information for ESU’s public relations specialists. It was so satisfying that she began to notice her passion for biology fading.

“I spoke to our director about careers in this field,” she said. “She suggested I look into ESU’s communication studies department.”

Immediately after speaking to communication studies faculty, Winfield switched her major. Finally feeling fulfilled, she decided that she wanted to get involved in everything that the communications field had to offer.

“I was walking past the McGarry Communications Center and heard music one day,” she said. “I was immediately interested.”

That music turned out to be 90.3 WESS FM, the university’s college radio station. Winfield spoke with their training director and started the process to become a disc jockey.

“The experience with WESS was amazing,” said Winfield.

Though Winfield’s time at WESS was brief, she made sure her presence was known. It was only a short time into her disc jockeying career that an even bigger opportunity presented itself.
“I was asked to be WESS’s promotions director,” she said. “It was insane because I was there for such a short amount of time.”

As promotional director, Winfield is responsible for creating and managing events that help enhance WESS’s overall image.

“Every time you see a WESS event, I am the one managing every logistical step behind it,” said Winfield. “A good event helps stabilize finances for the station.”

Satisfied with her major, extra-curricular activities and part-time job, it would seem that Winfield was having a meaningful college experience.

“I was feeling so happy about myself,” she said. “Transferring schools was incredibly hard, but I finally felt like everything was falling into place.”

Winfield was doing homework in her apartment when she came across an email from WESS’s adviser, Robert McKenzie, Ph.D., chair and professor of communication studies. The email chain described a national contest sponsored by the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS).

“As soon as I heard of the contest, I went online to see if I was eligible for any of the awards,” said Winfield.

The Intercollegiate Broadcasting System is a not-for-profit organization that serves national college radio, television and webcasting stations. Each year it holds an international contest that recognizes outstanding stations and the individuals who represent them. Winfield applied for the best promotional event and best live music broadcast award. The process wasn’t easy. A letter of intent, media files and promotion information had to be sent to the IBS for consideration.

“A couple weeks ago I logged onto their website and saw that I was a finalist,” she said. “I graduate in the spring so this would be a great way to give back to WESS.”

Winfield was not the only one looking to give back to the radio station. Brian Silva, a senior at ESU majoring in digital media technologies, is nominated for the Most Innovative Programming award. Silva has been a member at 90.3 WESS since 2012 and currently works as a programs director. Brian on Broadway, Silva’s radio show, airs weekly and broadcasts popular New York Broadway cast recordings.

“There are not many radio shows like mine,” Silva said. “Its uniqueness truly shines through and I’m so happy.”

IBS’s national awards ceremony will be held on March 6-March 7 in New York City. The event will feature conferences before the awards presentations on March 7. Winners receive national recognition in the college broadcasting community as well as a trophy.

Drew Johnson, a senior majoring in communication studies and president of ESU’s Student Senate, joined Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Chancellor Frank T. Brogan and other System leaders today and urged members of both the House and Senate appropriations committees to support increased funding for the state-owned universities as they consider the proposed 2016-17 Commonwealth budget.

The State System has requested a 2016-17 state appropriation of $521.2 million, which would represent an approximately $87.8 million increase over the level recommended in this year’s still-unfinished budget.

The System is facing at least $41 million in mandatory cost increases next year, and also is seeking an additional nearly $47 million from the state to invest in student support services and new academic programs, such as those in the high-demand STEM and healthcare fields; online learning; and other initiatives important to strengthening Pennsylvania’s economy.

“New investment from the state is necessary to meet rising costs over which we have no control, especially pensions and healthcare; to make strategic investments to meet the Commonwealth’s needs; and, most important, to be able to continue to offer the high-quality, high-value education our students, their future employers and the Commonwealth expect and deserve,” Mr. Brogan said.

The State System has not received an increase in state funding since 2007-08, and has seen its appropriation cut three times by a combined more than $90 million during that time. It is receiving essentially the same amount of funding from the state this year as it did in 1997-98, even though it is educating 13,000 more students today.

The 14 State System universities have eliminated more than $300 million from their operating budgets over the last decade, reducing overall staffing levels by some 900 employees. Still, some costs continue to rise, creating significant pressure on all of the campuses.

The chancellor appeared before both committees along with Dr. Michael A. Driscoll, president of Indiana University of Pennsylvania; ESU student Drew Johnson; and Lois Johnson, State System associate vice chancellor for administration and finance.

Board of Governors Chairman Guido M. Pichini, who also attended the budget hearings, said in support of the State System’s appropriations request: “Investing in the State System and in our students is one of the best investments the Commonwealth can make. Nearly 90 percent of our students are Pennsylvania residents; the vast majority will stay here after graduation—to live, to work and to raise their families. They truly represent Pennsylvania’s future.”

Going without a funding increase from the state since before the beginning of the recession has required the State System universities to make significant budget cuts virtually every year, Mr. Pichini said. In addition to reductions in staffing and student services, the universities also have had to delay tens of millions of dollars in maintenance projects, leaving some campus buildings badly in need of repairs.

“Every one of our universities has had to make extremely difficult decisions to balance their budgets,” Mr. Pichini said. “At least beginning to restore funding to the State System is essential.”

In addition to responding to questions related to next year’s appropriations request, Mr. Brogan also told the committee that the State System is beginning to look at ways it can better organize itself for the future.

“We are working with the Board of Governors to begin an effort to identify options for operational and organization modernization across the System,” he said. “As part of this process, we are looking at what other states and systems are doing to maximize their efficiency and effectiveness.”

East Stroudsburg University’s political science club took the lead in ensuring the campus community is registered to vote. The students from the political science club and the College Republicans sponsored a voting registration drive from February 22-26 and will be assisting the Office of Residence Life with their voter registration drive on March 16 in Laurel Hall.

“What is happening now in government will affect the life of every student so having the opportunity to register now will allow them to vote for what they want their future to hold,” Allison Simon, a senior majoring in political science who is also president of the political science club and is from Garrison, N.Y., said. “This is a great time for them to develop their own political views on issues and have their voices be heard.”

The political science club is a new ESU student organization whose dual purpose is to promote civic engagement and political literacy and to provide experiential learning and educational opportunities to members.

“Joining the club is a great way for students to discuss political, economic and social issues,” Kimberly S. Adams, Ph.D., professor of political science and adviser to the club said. “Our intention is to inspire students’ understanding of their influence and responsibility in creating a unified democracy.

The efforts of the political science club led to approximately 90 students registered from Pennsylvania and 70 students registered from New Jersey.

For more information on the political science contact Kimberly S. Adams at 570-422-3924, or ksadams@esu.edu.

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) at East Stroudsburg University will be hosting a series of events from March 21- March 24, during Islamic Awareness Week.

“We want to celebrate Islamic culture and remove any misconceptions or stereotypes surrounding our community,” Binetou Fall, a senior majoring in business management who is also president of  MSA, said. “This is a great opportunity for others to learn about another culture — it’s something that I hope impacts many people.”

Events for the week include learning about modern issues facing Muslims in America and a discussion on the Islam religion. The events are free of charge. For more information contact Binetou Fall at 347-933-8726, or bfall@live.esu.edu.

Muslims in America, March 21,

Stroud Hall 113, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Aalih Hussein’15 will speak to the audience about the fundamentals of Islam and discuss modern issues facing Muslims in America today.

Fast-A-Thon, March 22

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan? Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam. During the fast, Muslims believe that their needs are limited and that they can improve their understanding of how those who are less privileged than them feel. Fast with us from sunrise to sunset. But first come to a meeting titled “I Eat Halal” from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. in Stroud Hall 203. The meeting will educate those in attendance about Halal food. Then, during sundown, food will be provided from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the University Center Gathering Lounge. Join us and get the experience of how Muslims all around the world feel during the holy month of Ramadan.

Hijab Day, March 23

University Center

Let’s all have the opportunity to try on the hijab. Free scarfs will be provided for participants. Come and join ISO in University Center foyer from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Share your experience in Senate Chambers from 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The Purpose of Life- with Iman Rizwan Butt, March 24

Abeloff Center for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Have you ever wondered about the purpose of life? Learn about the purpose of life in Islam from Rizwan Butt, an imam or worship leader.

When Heather Artinian was six-years-old, a documentary was created about her life. “Sound and Fury” depicts a deaf family’s struggle with the decision to get a cochlear implant for their daughter. Artinian did receive a cochlear implant when she was 9-years-old. Now, she is a student at Harvard Law School. East Stroudsburg University is proud to welcome her to campus on Wednesday, March 16 to celebrate Deaf awareness month.

Artinian is coming to ESU to share stories of growing up deaf and her life after the documentary. The talk will be held in the Hoeffner Science and Technology Center, room 117 from 5:30- 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by ESU’s Sign Language Club and the chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSHLA,) the talk will be live captioned and interpreted via sign language.

“Her story is inspiring,” Susan Dillmuth-Miller, Au.D., audiologist and assistant professor of speech-language pathology, said. “It’s important for others to see how with hard work and persistence, a young woman with the odds stacked against her is accomplishing her goals.”

This event is open to the public and it is free of charge. For more information contact Dr. Dillmuth-Miller at sdmiller@esu.edu or 570-422-3684.

East Stroudsburg University will be hosting the fourth annual Patricia Graham, Step Show, where sororities and fraternities compete against each other for a first place cash prize of $500, on Saturday March 19 at 7 p.m. at the Smith McFarland Theatre in the Fine Arts Building.

Each group will be performing a stepping routine— marching in a rhythmic and staled beat in unison. The event will showcase the talent and history of stepping in the African American Culture.

The step show began in 2012 and was named after Patricia Graham, Ph.D., professor emeritus of intercultural and interdisciplinary studies, to honor her for her invaluable work in influencing African American students on campus.

“The step show provides a sense of unity for the university and the community and increases cultural knowledge for all those who come out and support the students,” Cornelia Sewell, director of multicultural affairs, said. “It also honors everything that Dr. Graham has done and continues to do for the university.”

The show will also feature ESU’s Xplosion step team in addition to from Millersville University and teams representing middle and high school from the region.

This event is open to the public. Admissions for the event is $10. Tickets will be sold at the door.

For more information contact Cornelia Sewell at 570-422-3896, or csewell@esu.edu.

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Provost Joanne Z. Bruno, J.D., is pleased to announce that the university’s undergraduate Biological Chemistry programs have received provisional accreditation from the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).

“This is great news for our students, particularly for those who are interested in moving on to advanced degrees with research options, students who want to pursue a teaching degree and others who are interested in pursuing careers in public health, healthcare and advanced medical degrees,” said Bruno.

Dr. Peter Hawkes, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences added, “This accreditation is a significant step among many to strengthen STEM (science technology, engineering and math) programs on our campus.”

According to Michelle Jones-Wilson, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry and coordinator of the biochemistry and chemical biotechnology programs, “This accreditation means that our curriculum meets national standards. ESU is one of only two institutions within the State System to earn this accreditation and now joins Villanova and Penn State with an accredited biochemistry program.”

ESU graduates an average of 15 students per year with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry and boasts a 94% placement rate in industry, graduate school, or professional school. The ASBMB accreditation is not only meaningful to the institution’s curriculum; it also opens the door for eligible ESU students to pursue individual accreditation in biochemistry from the ASBMB.

The program has more than 50% women and 27% minority enrollment, which Dr. Jones-Wilson said is three times the national average. Department faculty members have a wide breadth of experience in specialties including immunology and microbiology. “I’m a pharmaceutical chemist,” said Jones-Wilson, “and our faculty also includes a protein chemist and a lipid chemist, so we clearly cover the three major categories of the biochemistry program.”

In its bestowal of accreditation, the ASBMB acknowledged ESU’s strengths in teamwork, commitment to serving underrepresented groups, and faculty expertise.

Teamwork, one of the cornerstones of the program, is especially evident in the laboratory setting. “Students are required to write reports as a team.” Dr. Jones-Wilson explained. “They learn how to come together on one document and take turns being writer, editor, and fact-checker. Some may contribute more than others, but they have to learn how to manage that in a professional manner. It’s all about setting goals and objectives, and communicating clearly.”

ESU undergraduate Amber Bell expects to graduate in May with a dual degree in biochemistry and chemical biotechnology. Bell entered the biochemistry program with her eye on medical school. “I love the chemical side of what the body does and why,” she said. “Once I became involved in biochemistry and saw the many different opportunities within reach, I was even more certain in my choice of major and how I could relate that to my career interests.” Bell, a past recipient of the Lehigh Valley American Chemical Society’s Organic Chemistry Award Scholarship, will take a year between graduation and entering medical school to work as a medical scribe or a lab technician, in either a hospital setting or in industry.

For more information about ESU’s biochemistry program, contact Dr. Jones-Wilson at (570) 422-3703 or by email at mjwilson@esu.edu.

Yvonne Troiani Sweeney’78 always had passion for the well-being of her patients. She dedicated her life to her nursing career that spanned 30 years after earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania (ESU) and a graduate degree in nursing from Villanova. Her colleagues and patients became her second family. Nursing led her to leadership roles at what is now the Lehigh Valley Health Network, Franklin Square Hospital in Maryland, Albert Einstein Medical Center and the Geisinger Health System. Wherever her occupation led her, she became an inspiration to others for the incredible level of care she delivered every day.

Five years ago, all of that changed for Sweeney and her family who live in Mountaintop, Pa. Diagnosed with a form of early onset dementia called posterior cortical atrophy, she set aside her career and focused her energy on the daily challenges she faced, alongside her loving husband, Chris, and her two sons, Christopher III and Michael.

Support came in many ways from Sweeney’s family. Her sister, Linda Niedbala ’83, with the help of her husband, Sam Niedbala ’82, started the Yvonne Troiani Sweeney Lecture Series for Nursing Enrichment at ESU, which kicked off in March 2014. The Niedbalas wanted this initiative to be a lasting tribute to Sweeney’s devotion to others while making a significant contribution to the education of healthcare professionals and the community-at-large about the cognitive impairment associated with dementia and other diseases of a similar nature.

This year, the lecture series will continue on Thursday, April 7 with a keynote address by Ann M. Kolanowski, Ph.D., RN, FGSA, FAAN, titled “Promoting Behavioral and Cognitive Health in People Living with Dementia.” Dr. Kolanowski is an Elouise Ross Eberly professor in the college of nursing at Pennsylvania State University; center director of the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing at Pennsylvania State University; professor of psychiatry, college of medicine; and adjunct professor, associated faculty, school of nursing at the University of Pennsylvania.

She received her undergraduate degree in nursing at what is now Misericordia University and later earned her master of science in adult health and aging from Pennsylvania State University. Kolanowski subsequently received her Ph.D. from New York University in nursing research and theory development. Her post-doctoral training was completed at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan.

Dr. Kolanowski’s many honors include the Doris Schwartz Nursing Research Award from the Nursing Interest Group and Gerontological Society of America in 2012. She is currently working on three research projects regarding dementia and the nursing faculty shortage.

Dr. Kolanowski’s lecture will take place in room 336 of ESU’s Innovation Center, 562 Independence Road in East Stroudsburg, Pa., at 6 p.m. The event is open to the general public at no cost.

“This endowed lecture series is a tremendous gift to the university and to our medical community,” said  ESU President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.

For more information about the lecture series, please contact Laura Waters, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of nursing, at (570) 422-3569. Those interested in making a gift to the Yvonne Troiani Sweeney Endowed Lecture Series for Nursing Enrichment may call ESU’s Office of University Advancement at (570) 422-7000.

Growing up deaf, Vincenzo Bono’s biggest challenges included making relationships and learning on his own. As years passed, he began advocating for himself and others within the deaf community. Looking to educate others, Bono, an East Stroudsburg University sophomore from Kunkletown, Pa., who’s majoring in rehabilitation and human services, will participate in an event titled Hearing Loss: The Lived Experience. Joining Bono in this program will be Thomas Stocker, a freshman history major from Bohemia, N.Y, Byron Crone, a graduate student from East Stroudsburg, Pa., studying history, and Susan Dillmuth-Miller, Au.D., assistant professor of speech-language pathology and audiologist. This event will be held on Thursday, March 24 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Stroud Hall 117.

The three students will share their stories on living with hearing loss. Those in attendance will also learn communication techniques and hear simulations of hearing loss.

“I want to tell others about the difficulties I faced growing up deaf and work to create a better understanding of the deaf community,” Bono said.

Sponsored by the Speech-Language Pathology Department, and ESU’s Sign Language Club, the event is open to the public and it is free of charge. It will be live captioned for the deaf and hard of hearing. For more information contact Dr. Dillmuth-Miller at 570-422-3684, or sdmiller@esu.edu.

On March 24 at 4 p.m. in Lower Dansbury, East Stroudsburg University will welcome prize-winning poet D. Nurkse.

Nurkse is the author of 10 collections of poetry. He is the recipient of a Literature Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Guggenheim fellowship in poetry, two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, two New York Foundation for the Arts fellowships, the Whiting Writers Award and prizes from the Poetry Foundation and the Tanne Foundation. His work has been translated into French, Russian, Italian, Estonian and other languages.

“The reading is an opportunity to hear a contemporary writer’s work and question him about his process and influences,” Jan Selving, assistant professor of English, said.

Nurkse has also written on human rights and was elected to the board of Amnesty International –USA for a 2007-2010 term. He has taught poetry at Rikers Island Correctional Facility, as well as at MFA programs at Rutgers, Brooklyn College and Stonecoast. He currently teaches at Sarah Lawrence College.

This event is open to the public and it is free of charge. For more information contact Jan Selving at 570-422-3071 or jselving@esu.edu.

The office of residence life and housing at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania invites community members to an “Egg Hunt” on Saturday, March 26 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The event, sponsored by ESU’s Residence Hall Association (RHA), is open to all elementary-aged children in the community at no cost.

Please plan to meet in the Linden Residence Hall, located at the center of campus, near the Mattioli Recreation Center and Koehler Fieldhouse, at 12 p.m. An adult is required to accompany children to campus and must remain present throughout the course of the event. Student volunteers from across campus will offer face painting and help kids with arts and crafts. Children will get the chance to participate in coloring activities and take pictures with the Easter bunny.

RHA is an elected council of men and women from each residence hall on campus. The organization works toward enhancing residence life for students. For more information contact RHA at rha@esu.edu or Derek Hess, resident director, at 570-422-3729.

At 22 years old, Chris Sandy’s life changed forever. Attending a party with a few friends one night, he decided to have a few drinks. When it was time to leave, Sandy put his keys in the ignition and proceeded to travel at a speed of 77 mph in a 35 mph zone on a country road outside of Atlanta, Ga. Moments later, his car crashed into an oncoming vehicle, killing an elderly couple. Sandy spent 8 ½ years in a Georgia state prison after being charged with vehicular homicide and driving under the influence. Now on probation until 2031, Sandy travels around the U.S. and shares his story with students, small groups, and businesses. On March 30 at 7 p.m., Sandy will tell his story in the Abeloff Center of the Performing Arts at East Stroudsburg University.

“It’s so important for students to realize the kind of impact one bad decision can make,” Mary Rennick, a junior majoring in psychology from New Philadelphia, Pa., said. “This presentation can save lives.”

Sandy wants to spend the rest of his life preventing others from making the decisions he made. He constantly speaks at middle schools, high schools, universities, businesses, town hall meetings, conferences and churches around the country. He has worked with Family Connections, Safe and Drug Free Schools, Safe and Healthy Schools, and GEAR UP.

This event is open to the public and it is free of charge. It is sponsored by Alpha Sigma Tau, a Panhellenic sorority on campus, the Health Education & AToD Prevention Office, and Counseling and Psychological Services office. For more information contact Wando Holt, interim Greek Life coordinator at 570-422-3775 or wholt@esu.edu.

East Stroudsburg University invites the general public to “Run the Globe,” a 5K race that will kick off ESU’s first Global Week, which will be held from April 2-8. The race begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 2 at Eiler-Martin Stadium. The participation fee is $25 for community members, $20 for ESU faculty and staff, and $15 for students.

“This could be someone’s first step into a healthy lifestyle,” Melissa Huzar, a graduate student studying exercise science, said. “We love involving the community in university events — I guarantee it will be a good time.”

The first 100 people to finish the race will receive a “Run the Globe” t-shirt. Check-in begins at the stadium at 7:30 a.m. To register for the 5k visit www.esu.edu/5kentry. For more information contact Jill Harper, director of the Mattioli Recreation Center, at 570-422-2977 or jharper@esu.edu.

To celebrate the many different cultures that make up the East Stroudsburg University community, the international student organization (ISO) is kicking off Global Week with its annual spring festival on April 2 at the University Center from 4-8 p.m.

“The festival brings together the ESU community by celebrating the diverse culture that we have on campus,” Binetou Fall, a senior majoring in business management and president of ISO, said. “It is a great learning experience and just a really good time.”

The festival features Senegalese drummers from West Africa, the McElligott School of Irish Dance, the Victory Combat Academy, poetry and henna body painting. The event will be catered by several vendors from the local community, including Cedars Mediterranean Grill, East Gourmet Buffet, Thai Orchid, Parche, Tandoor Palace, Marco Antonio’s and Royal Caribbean.

For more information, contact Binetou Fall at 347-933-8726, or bfall@live.esu.edu.

Riot or Protest? That’s what members of East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania’s Debate Society will explore on Wednesday, April 6 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Student Senate Chambers in the University Center at ESU as they examine community reactions to police brutality. This event will begin with a structured, competitive debate between members of ESU’s Douglass Debate Society, a project of the Frederick Douglass Institute at ESU and the Frederick Douglass Institute Collaborative, a statewide organization.

According Storm Heter, Ph.D., head coach of the debate team and ESU associate professor of philosophy and religious studies, the debaters will consider the following proposition: The civic unrest that followed recent instances of police brutality should be considered protests rather than rioting. One team (affirmative) will argue for the proposition. The other team (opposition) will argue against the proposition. Debaters will be allowed constructive speeches, rebuttal speeches and cross examination periods.

“We’ll be tying our debate to the death of Michael Brown that occurred in August 2014,” Heter said. “According to media accounts, Brown was a black teenager shot to death by a while police officer, Darren Wilson. Our students will argue whether or not the social unrest that followed, now simply known as ‘Ferguson,’ was an appropriate community response to police brutality and questioning whether or not community members were exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.”

Sponsored by ESU’s department of philosophy and religious studies, the event is open to the general public at no cost. Following the debate, students will join Dr. Heter in conducting a discussion on police brutality and community response.

“We hope campus and community members will come out and become part of a national conversation,” said Heter. “The process is very interesting and inclusive of its audience.”

For more information about the debate, contact Heter at sheter@esu.edu or at (570) 422-3168.

In a follow-up report released this week by The Education Trust, Rising Tide II: Do Black Students Benefit as Grad Rates Increase?, East Stroudsburg University (ESU) ranked third nationally and first in Pennsylvania among 232 institutions that have improved overall graduation rates during the past decade utilizing an average three-year graduation rate cohort size of at least 30 first-time, full-time black students and 30 first-time, full-time white students in 2003 and 2013. ESU was among the top 52 institutions, along with others such as The Ohio State University and Texas Tech, that stand out in the report for raising graduation rates among black students and narrowing gaps.

“At ESU we continue to do all we can to ensure our campus remains diverse,” said ESU President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D. “We welcomed a record 39 percent of minority students to ESU last fall and as our strategic plan indicates, we intend to continue to serve all students that choose our University with equal and outstanding educational opportunities.”  Welsh added that the number of African American freshmen in the 2015 entering class increased by 40.7% and Hispanic freshmen enrollment is up 14.4% over the previous year.

Findings indicate that completion rates for black students increased at almost 70 percent of the 232 public, four-year institutions that improved overall graduation rates during the 10-year span. According to the study, ESU’s 10-year overall graduation rate from 2003 to 2013 increased by 7.7 percent (2013 graduation rate percentage was 57.3). ESU, however, was among those schools who reported that the change in black student graduation rates for the same time period increased by 21 percent (42.3 n 2013) as opposed to a 7.5 percent for white students (59.2 in 2013).

“ESU’s admissions team is works tirelessly to understand the interests of high school students, especially with the help of guidance counselors and educators throughout the Northeast,” added Jeff Jones, director of admissions. “We want to be sure that the educational experience of all students is met but we also know that it’s important to provide them with appropriate cultural and life experiences that will prepare them for the career path they follow after graduation.”

While the news was good for ESU, the study found that more than half of the institutions (53 percent) examined had larger graduation rate gains for white students, widening the gaps between groups. The report also noted that nearly one-third of colleges and universities that improved overall student success saw graduates rates for black students that were flat or declining. The Education Trust’s report (attached) also named 27 institutions that have a declining graduation rate for black students and significantly widening gaps.

This is the second of two research papers looking at the graduation rates of traditionally underserved minority students. The first report — Rising Tide: Do College Grad Rate Gains Benefit All Students? — was released in December 2015 and examined the graduation rates of Latino, Native, African American, and white students. In that earlier report, ESU was ranked sixth among the 255 institutions in exhibiting exceptional improvements in graduation rates and diminished gaps for underrepresented minority students (URMs).

“Institutional leaders can’t be satisfied with overall gains — or even just with any increase for black students,” said José Luis Santos, Ph.D., vice president of higher education policy and practice at Ed Trust. “Leaders must strive for accelerated gains among black students so they can catch up to their peers. Thankfully, there are institutions across the country that are showing the way forward.”

The Education Trust is a nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes high academic achievement for all students at all levels, pre-kindergarten through college. Its goal is to close the gaps in opportunity and achievement that consign far too many young people — especially those from low-income families or who are black, Latino or American Indian — to lives on the margins of the American mainstream. (https://edtrust.org/what-we-do/higher-ed/).  For more information about this report, please contact Nicolle Grayson, director of communications for The Education Trust, (202) 293-1217 (extension 354) or ngrayson@edtrust.org.

On Saturday, April 2, 90.3 WESS, East Stroudsburg University’s (ESU) college radio station will be hosting their fourth annual Spring Jam at the McGarry Communications Center.

Ending her college career as promotions director of WESS on a high note, Brittany Winfield, a senior majoring in communication studies from Newton, N.J., finds herself with mixed feelings about what will happen when it is all over. As this semester quickly comes to a close, she has her hands full finalizing the details for WESS’s big event of the semester, “Spring Jam.”

“Being able to plan Spring Jam is one of my favorite parts of my job,” she said. “I get to meet some pretty amazing artists with so many musical backgrounds.”

The wide range of artists being broadcasted will include Jonathan Emile, an artist from Montreal who recently recorded with renowned rapper Kendrick Lamar, The Set Up, a group of students from Stroudsburg High School who rock the alternative hits, and Nas Brady, an ESU freshman majoring in sociology from Sharon Hill, Pa.

“Spring Jam is a day where all of the WESS disk jockeys get to practice the art of interviewing,” Winfield said. “It’s important in any job field to learn how to be comfortable in front of a large crowd, and as a director at WESS, I like to push our DJs out of their comfort zone to teach them about all aspects of broadcasting.”

Live performances and interviews will be broadcasted over the airwaves, starting at 10 a.m. and lasting until midnight. Tune your radio to 90.3 or stream the event at TuneIn.com.

For more information, please contact Brittany Winfield at bwinfield@live.esu.edu.

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is among the top 40 colleges and universities nationwide being recognized by Phi Theta Kappa as an inaugural member of the Excellence in Community College Transfer Honor Roll, which identifies the top four-year colleges and universities for creating dynamic pathways to support community college transfer. Other institutions joining ESU in this honor include: Ohio State University, Iowa State University, University of Arizona and University of Kansas. Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest, largest and most prestigious honor society recognizing students pursuing two-year degrees, comprised of more than 3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine nations.

“This is great news for our institution and confirms what we already know – that East Stroudsburg University is committed to developing collaborative partnerships with community colleges in order develop program–to-program and dual admission agreements that students want and need,” said President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D. “We take great pride in our transfer programs and know that they work for our students. I applaud our admissions team and those who work to initiate transfer articulation agreements for the great work they do to ensure that a student’s transition to ESU is efficient and convenient. We are also extremely fortunate to have partnered with some excellent community colleges that are equally inspired to make students successful.”

Applications were judged based engagement, collaboration, impact and achievements related to the transfer of community college students as well as partnerships, support, admissions outreach, scholarships/financial aid, student engagement opportunities and institutional priorities.

The 40 colleges and universities are being honored by Phi Theta Kappa for their exemplary programs, initiatives, and benefits for community college transfers. The institutions will be acknowledged with the “Transfer Honor Roll” designation on Phi Theta Kappa’s online transfer support platform, CollegeFish.org and special recognition at Phi Theta Kappa’s 2016 annual convention in National Harbor, Md., April 7-9. Phi Theta Kappa will also be releasing a study regarding transfer success based on the information provided in Honor Roll applications.

“We have partnered with eight community colleges to implement reverse transfer agreements that allow former community college students to transfer ESU coursework to complete their associates degree requirements and receive their degree,” David Bousquet, vice president of enrollment management at ESU, said. At East Stroudsburg University, more than 73% of the 901 transfer students transferred from a community college. ESU’s 67 articulation agreements with 13 community college partners in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey reflect the university’s longstanding and growing commitment to serving transfer students.

Director of Scholarship Operations Christin Grissom said the new recognition program reflects the growing importance of transfer in helping the U.S. achieve its college completion goals and will promote further study and sharing of best practices.

“Increasingly, students of all ages and achievement levels are choosing the community college, not only as their first step, but also their first choice, in the pursuit of a quality, affordable bachelor’s degree,” Grissom said. “With this designation, we hope to connect community college students with institutions who value their unique transfer experience and prioritize their success.”

Grissom added that colleges and universities that provide high-quality transfer programs benefit from the rich perspective and diversity community college students bring to the student body. “These students are scholars, leaders, global citizens, often with higher grade point averages than students who started at the university,” she said.

According to Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, 92% of Phi Theta Kappa members complete an associates degree or transfer.

“With a 92% student success rate, Phi Theta Kappa members have a proven track record of success. Our members transfer at a much higher rate (72%) than the traditional community college student (29%),” Tincher-Ladner said. “In order to ensure their continued success, the Transfer Honor Roll Program identifies colleges and universities that understand the unique needs of community college transfer students and applauds the dynamic pathways these colleges have created to continue fostering student success at the four-year college.”

For more information about ESU’s transfer programs, contact the office of admissions at (570) 422-3542 or visit esu.edu/admissions. To view the list of Phi Theta Kappa honorees for Excellence in Community College Transfer Honor Roll, visit www.ptk.org.

There are five million more women than men living in the United States. Yet, women make up less than half of the civilian workforce. For every dollar that a man earns, a woman gets 78 cents. Gender inequality is a prominent issue that many young female professionals are faced with. On Wednesday, March 30, East Stroudsburg University’s (ESU) Women’s Center and Women’s Studies Program will host a panel discussion “Warrior Women: Empowering Ourselves to Speak Up!” The event will tackle important issues such as gender pay gaps, women’s reproductive issues and economic justice.

The free event will feature panelists Kimberly S. Adams, Ph.D., professor of political science, Jennifer A. Serowick, assistant to the provost, Andrea McClanahan, Ph.D., professor of communication studies, Brittany Kuchenbrod, a senior majoring in exercise science from Kutztown, Pa., Bridget Marley, a senior majoring in public health from Havertown, Pa., and Selina Winchester, associate director of external affairs for Planned Parenthood.

“Warrior Women: Empowering Ourselves to Speak Up” will be held at 4 p.m. in Stroud Hall room 113. For more information, please contact Sharon Brown, coordinator of the women’s center, at 570-422-3957.