The GwynmercianVolume 62, No. 2 Gwynedd-Mercy College December 2010

Gwynedd-Mercy College Student E l a i n e G o l d b e r g S l a i n

Dan Freed

Finals have arrived, and GMC students might feel that little twinge of anxiety in their stomachs growing into something slightly worse than a large volcano. Although finals week is certainly one of the most stressful times of the year for students, GMC is making sure that students have enough fun to help balance the tension of tests. One of the most popular events on campus around this time of year is the Finals Breakfast, which is held the day before finals begin. This breakfast is unique because it actually takes place in the evening; this year it will be from 8:30-10:30 p.m. on Monday, December 13. But what makes this Finals Breakfast interesting is the fact that the food isn’t served by the school cafeteria staff. “Members of faculty, staff, and administration are your waiters and waitresses for this event,” says Meg Costa, Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services. “Each faculty member is assigned to certain tables and will take your food orders.” According to Costa, food will include breakfast favorites like French toast, bacon, scrambled eggs, and of course, the lifeblood for hard studying college students—coffee. In addition to food, there will be a raffle filled with fun giveaways. Some of the prizes in the past have included iPods, cameras, and gift certificates, among many more, but Costa says that the prizes will remain a secret until they are distributed that night. The residence halls are also busy with plenty of events during this finals week. “We are always doing things in the residence halls as far as programming, from bulletin boards describing study tips to hosting events,” says Jennifer Liberato, Resident Director for Loyola, St. Brigid, and Siena Halls. One event that will be taking place in the residence halls is called “Santa Claus is Coming Tonight.” From 7-9 pm on Monday, December 13, Santa will make a special appearance in the residence halls to hand out treats and inspiring quotes. Santa is hoping to give students that little extra boost before the start of finals.

Finals Week Can Be Fun!

Beth Harrison and Ryan Donnelly

The Gwynedd-Mercy College community is mourning the loss of Elaine Goldberg, a junior and nursing student, who died at the hands of a killer media have dubbed the “Kensington Strangler” on November 3. “I heard the news from Cheryl Horsey, the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services,” said Kathleen Owens, President of Gwynedd-Mercy College. “I was in disbelief, and had immediate concern for her family and fellow students.” Goldberg started taking classes at Gwynedd-Mercy College in 2007 but withdrew from her courses last spring. She returned this semester to resume her studies. Just months after rededicating herself to her nursing studies, Elaine’s deceased body was found in a lot on the 2800 block of Ruth Street in Philadelphia. “She was raped and strangled,” said Goldberg’s brother, Steve, a freshman at GMC. In order to remember Goldberg’s life, the College organized a Mass of Remembrance for students, faculty, and staff on November 8 in the Waldron Board Room. At the mass, Owens welcomed those in attendance and noted the event provided people the “ability to come together” during a difficult time. Patricia Brown O’Hara, Goldberg’s advisor and clinical instructor for three years, provided a farewell speech at the mass, which included fond memories. Goldberg was “very friendly” and “always went out of her way to say ‘hi’ when I saw her on campus,” she recalled. Continued on Page 4

Even though having some fun to help unwind before finals is always beneficial, the next step for students is to prepare for those dreaded finals. Jeanne McGowan of Counseling Services has plenty of good advice for taking tests. Some bits of advice McGowan has for students include getting a good night sleep, arriving at the test on time, and reading directions before diving into the work. She also recommends that students visit the ARC (Academic Resource Center), which is located on the second floor of Lourdes Library, if they are struggling with their classes. Students are encouraged to also visit Counseling Services if they are struggling with anxiety or are having trouble focusing on studying. There are also many websites dedicated to helping students relax and manage their time wisely as they prepare for finals. A simple Google search can produce quite a few of these websites. Good luck to all students on their finals!

You don’t want to be overwhelmed and stressed like this student, right? So make sure you learn how to take care of yourself and your studies!

Featured Stories Inside This Edition of The Gwynmercian:*Most Popular Gifts to Buy This Year*How to Eat Sensibly During the Holiday Season*Denise Gosselin’s Speech about Domestic Violence*Ray Charles, CFC’s Blind Cat*GMC’s New Social Networking Policy*Upcoming Movies Preview*VOG’s 2010 Christmas Concert*GMC Mourns the Loss of Mandeep Rana*Learning How to Deal With Loss on Campus

Featured Boxes Inside This Edition of The Gwynmercian:*Gwynedd-Mercy College Student Media Facebook Group*Corrections to Criminal Justice Program Article from 1st Edition*Gwynedd-Mercy Blog*Upcoming GMC Events

*Gwynedd Gallery*

Page 2 The Gwynmercian Gwynedd-Mercy College December 2010

Top Christmas Gifts for 2010Rebecca Avery

As we ring in a new holiday season, some are begin-ning to worry about what to put under the tree for their family and friends this Christmas. This year you can get all of your holiday shopping done early, and still have enough time to decorate the tree and enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate. This article will guide you in the right direction indicating what is on many people’s wish list for Christmas this year. Apple will once again be a common brand on most Christmas lists. Their most recent and popular device is the iPad, which has already been sold by the millions. The iPad offers its users a whole new technology that is not available anywhere else, and has been extremely successful. The iPad is available for purchase at Apple stores and Best Buy. Apple also recently introduced their latest laptop, the MacBook Air. It is much thinner and lighter in weight than the original MacBook. This computer is a great gift for college students who may need to replace their old, out-of-date laptop. The MacBook Air is also available for purchase at Apple stores and Best Buy. For Wii lovers, “Just Dance 2” has been a great suc-cess. Those who like getting on their feet and dancing the night away to some of their favorite songs will enjoy this game. It allows people to have fun dancing without ever leaving their living room. This game can bring families together this holiday season, and can even create family bonding time you may or may not want to remember after Christmas is over! “Just Dance 2” is available anywhere Wii games are sold. Amazon’s Kindle is still a trendy gift to buy for the holidays. The Kindle is essentially a portable device that allows its users to bring a book with them wherever they go. Readers can search and download their favorite titles, and then read them in any location at any time. The Kindle is especially useful for long trips. It is available for purchase at amazon.com. Many of this past summer’s blockbusters are being released on DVD just in time for the holidays. Incep-tion, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Ellen Page was released on December 7. It is perfect for those who love movies that challenge the mind. Eat, Pray, Love, which stars Julia Roberts, was released on November 23. It is the ideal gift for anyone who loves a tearjerker. The third installment of the Twilight saga, Eclipse, came out on DVD on November 30. It is the gift for any swooning Robert Pattinson or Taylor Lautner fan. All of the DVDs are available wherever DVDs are sold. For avid fans of the popular television series Glee, this holiday season brings extra excitement as Volume 4 of the soundtrack was released on November 30. Vol-ume 4 features hits like “Teenage Dream” by Katy Perry and “The Only Exception” by Paramore, in addition to “Stronger” and “Toxic” by Britney Spears. These songs were featured during episodes of the show by the Glee cast. Volume 4 will be available wherever CDs are sold. If you are a person stressing about a selection of gifts to purchase, don’t worry anymore. You can enjoy new Apple technology, dance the night away, pop in a 2010 released movie, or sing some favorite songs if you make use of these popular gifts this holiday season!

Make sure to put these popular new gifts under your tree this year.

Commentary: How to Eat Sensibly During the Holiday SeasonAnastasia Ness

America’s favorite Christmas icon, “Santa Claus,” is always portrayed with a round belly, eating cookies, and drinking milk. While this is viewed as charming, we rarely feel the same way about ourselves. After all of the Christmas dinners and holiday parties, why do we come home feeling like a scrooge? Must we learn to love our new love handles? Or can we make healthier choices? Let’s see…some gingerbread, a candy cane, four sugar cookies, and extra sugarplums please! Who came up with the idea of associating some of the most sugary foods with the jolliest time of the year? If only carrots and celery sticks were accepted as a Santa Claus favorite, Americans may not be having dilemmas with their health. Some wise advice my mother always told me is: take “everything in moderation.” Sometimes it is absolutely impossible to resist warm baked goods made at this time of year, though. Eating a couple of treats, such as a slice of fresh baked apple pie, isn’t necessarily a bad thing to do, but it purely depends on three secret factors: the time you eat, the amount, and an important question. When you feel like gobbling down a few slices of cinnamon bread, try taking a look at the clock. Eating at night can lead to unwanted weight gain. Since most holiday festivities take place during the night, you must be cautious. During the day we burn off the calories we eat because we are constantly moving, but at nighttime, we don’t burn off calories nearly as much when our bodies are at rest. Therefore, those excess calories are stored, and have initiated the weight gain process. So it is beneficial to stop eating about four hours before you know you’ll be going to sleep.

Sometimes the number of Christmas cookies we have ingested can be forgotten by the end of the night. Bite-sized-any things can be our worst nightmare because it is so easy to loose count when you aren’t feeling guilty about eating such a small portion. Instead, when you are at a party, limit yourself to about five bite sized treats. When you reach that point, opt to suck on a tick tack or chew a piece of gum. That way when you see something scrumptious, you won’t be as tempted because of the minty fresh taste swirling in your mouth. The last element to our holiday secret is the most important one. The question we all need to know the an-swer to is “am I even hungry?” If you constantly answer this question, you’ll be less tempted to go find something to eat. So the next time your answer is “no,” enjoy other holiday traditions, such as a relative or friend playing the piano, instead of scoping out the dessert table. Most importantly, the holiday season should be a joyous and magical occasion. It should be filled with great times with the family, laughs with friends, and love within the household. Don’t let your sweet tooth ruin the fun for you. So the next time you feel like standing next to Santa actually makes him look skinny, take into ac-count the three secret holiday eating factors.

D e n i s e G o s s e l i n , P i o n e e r i n L a w E n f o r c e m e n t , S p e a k s a t G w y n e d d -M e r c y C o l l e g eMark Zakrzewski

Denise Gosselin, who is considered to be a pioneer in law enforcement, presented “Heavy Hands: A Look at Family Violence” to Gwynedd-Mercy College students, faculty, and staff on November 10. The informative event, which was held in the packed Connelly tiered classroom, was organized by Sigma Phi Sigma and the Criminal Justice Club. Gosselin has an extensive background in the crimi-nal justice field, making her credible to talk about family violence. Her background includes serving as the first female campus officer at her community college, serving as an instructor at the Massachusetts Police Academy, and expertise in child abuse investigation. She also has further training in homicide investigation, rape, search and seizure, and stalking. As a result of her tremendous work in the field, Gos-selin has received numerous awards. She was named the Outstanding Young Woman of America in 1979, and the Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Sciences presented her with the Emerging Scholar Award in 2008, among many more awards. In addition to all of her achievements, Gosselin has published books used in the criminal justice field, includ-ing one that Gwynedd-Mercy College criminal justice majors use for Professor Walter Zdunowski’s course called Family Violence. The book is entitled “Heavy Hands: An Introduction to the Crimes of Family Vio-lence,” and primarily deals with topics regarding types of family violence. Types of family violence include emotional, financial, and physical violence. Gosselin spoke particularly about family violence to the GMC community. Family violence, also known as domestic violence, is one of the most dangerous and frequent types of violence seen by police officers. When police officers respond to calls of family violence, they never know the dangerous extent of the violence that could be happening when they arrive on the scene. Domestic violence is usually a result of negative relationships, so it is highly encouraged for those in abusive relationships to leave the other person as soon as possible. “I was impressed by how strongly Dr. Gosselin urged students to extricate themselves from negative re-lationships. ‘Love is everywhere,’ she said, ‘so go find it somewhere else.’ Oh how I wish every student could take that message to heart,” said Christine Eberle, co-advisor

of Sigma Phi Sigma. Another major point that Gosselin stressed during her presentation was the fact that when people think of domestic violence, they immediately think of man versus woman. However, in today’s world, it is common to see more scenarios occurring. There is an increase in violent situations involving woman versus man, woman versus woman, as well as man versus woman. Because society is changing overtime, there will be many more types of violence categorized as domestic violence. It is alarming to think about the dangerous reality and effects of family violence worldwide.

Denise Gosselin speaking about domestic violence to GMC students, faculty, and staff (picture courtesy of the GMC Public Relations Department)Corrections from the 1st issue story “Com-mentary: GMC Offerings for Criminal Justice Program”--criminal justice has been a major here for 8 years; there are typically 7-8 fac-ulty members depending on courses taught per semester; there are 80 current criminal justice majors; the Criminal Justice Club organizes fundraisers to promote the major

Page 3 The Gwynmercian Gwynedd-Mercy College December 2010

Behind the Mascot: Ray CharlesCassie Towler

A cat is typically not something one would see in an office building. This is why after seeing one in Connelly Faculty Center, I wanted to learn more. Despite my severe allergies, I recently made my way to CFC to inquire about this unique feline. Ray Charles, a cat whose namesake is the blind musician, has been a part of the GMC community for six years. He has been coming to campus with his caregiver, Michelle Simms, Director of Instructional Technology, since he was an eight-week-old kitten. Michelle Simms took in Ray Charles after he was found abandoned on a highway by a friend. The cat suffers from a disease called Cerebellar Hypoplasia, which often results in blindness in felines. Due to his condition, he cannot drink on his own and needs to be given water from a dropper. Since Ray Charles requires constant care, he comes to work with Michelle every day. “He has become a little Connolly mascot,” states Simms, “the other faculty members love him.” Ray Charles is also popular with the student body. “I always loved seeing Ray Charles after my nursing lecture; he always brightens my day” says student Gina Pelullo, who frequently notices him in CFC.

Ray Charles enjoys activities such as eating treats, chasing pieces of paper, and sleeping in front of Michelle’s bookcase. This cat demonstrated resilience, and was not slowed down despite his impairment. Simms describes him as a “blind cat that won’t give up.” Maybe students can look to Ray Charles as a source of inspiration while they are attempting to get through finals week. Feel free to stop by and visit this friendly cat the next time you are in Connelly Faculty Center.

Picture of Ray Charles, the CFC cat, courtesy of Cassie Towler.

Movies Abound This Holiday SeasonJustin Nelson

‘Tis the season for movies, as another wave of films is on the horizon. As this year is coming to an end and the year of 2011 is quickly approaching, you might think that all of the “good” movies had already been released. Santa is close to arriving, and some people are already throwing in the towel for the movie season. Yet, Hollywood has other plans. Contrary to popular belief, there are still motion pictures to be released, even after the blockbuster “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1.” There are many movies with popular movie stars that critics are buzzing about, which are scheduled to be released in December and January. The excitement kicks off on December 10 with the latest “Chronicles of Narnia” film. This film, which is the third installment of the series, is called “The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.” It follows Prince Caspian as he travels on the majestic royal vessel known as The Dawn Treader on a journey to the edge of the world. On that same day, two more movies that star mul-tiple A-list actors are set to burst on the scene. The first of the two is “The Fighter,” a true story starring Mark Wahlberg as “Irish” Micky Ward, who rose through the boxing ranks to become an unlikely champion. Christian Bale stars as Ward’s half-brother and trainer. The second film called “The Tourist”, starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, is a remake of the 2005 thriller “Anthony Zimmer.” In this drama/thriller, a whirlwind romance between the two stars quickly evolves into a deadly game of cat and mouse. During the week of December 13-19, there is not the least bit of a drop-off in movie activity. The big line-up of movies for this week consists of “Tron: Legacy,” the 2010 edition of “Yogi Bear,” and the star-studded cast of “How Do You Know.” “Tron: Legacy” is a visual feast for anyone who wants to see a high-tech film. “Yogi Bear” is an animated film starring Justin Timberlake and Dan Akroyd among others. Finally, “How Do You Know” is a star-studded romantic comedy featuring Reese Witherspoon, Owen Wilson, Paul Rudd, and Jack Nicholson. The list doesn’t stop there, though. On December 22, Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller reunite in “Little Fock-ers,” the third installment of the comedic series “Meet the Parents.” On the same day, Jack Black stars in a modern take on the classic tale “Gulliver’s Travels.” The year of 2010 is continuing to deliver box office choices for all audiences. Then, the year of 2011 in films starts with a bang. In January, the films to look forward to are “Sinbad: The Fifth Voyage,” “The Green Hornet,” and “Underworld 4.” More information on these movies will be revealed to the public soon, but the selection of movies for Decem-ber and January should be more than enough to hold over film enthusiasts for a long while.

Make sure to grab some popcorn and enjoy these upcoming movies!

S o c i a l N e t w o r k i n g P o l i c y B r i n g s C o n t r o v e r s yEwa Protasiuk

Gwynedd-Mercy College’s social networking policy, in effect since the start of the fall term, has caused controversy and spurred discussion from students and faculty alike. Reactions have been “mixed,” admitted Cheryl Lynn Horsey, vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Services, whose office issued the policy. How-ever, the policy was formed on a concrete basis. In the past, Gwynedd placed social media protocol under the umbrella that was the computer use policy. However, an increase in student incidents regarding social networking – six judicial cases within the past three years, compared to a grand total of zilch in preced-ing years – led the administration to think that something more was needed. Horsey was not at liberty to discuss the nature of the social networking incidents. People may not know how to use social media responsibly, commented Horsey. “We determined we needed to clarify.” The new social networking policy asserts Gwynedd’s right to control information on its networks, and those who violate the policy face disciplinary action up to the point of expulsion or termination of employment. “You may not publish any harassing, bullying, dis-paraging, defamatory, inflammatory or knowingly false material about Gwynedd-Mercy College, its students, employees, faculty, administrators, volunteers, guests or anyone else,” reads the policy. “We reserve the right, obtaining your permission first, to monitor, access, view, copy, modify, and delete any information transmitted through and/or stored on our computer information systems and networks,” states the policy. This point has raised strong questions about the invasion of privacy, whether Gwynedd would be snoop-ing on members of its community. “Even though I am concerned about the social networking policy, I am conservative with what I put on websites like Facebook. If I did have something negative to say about GMC whatsoever, I would just say it verbal-ly, not in written record,” said Dan Ressler, a freshman accounting student. “I feel like my rights are violated, though, by not having my right to total free speech.” The relatively new policy, created through coopera-tion with the Southeastern Pa. Consortium for Higher Education and attorneys from Dillworth Paxson, LLP of

Want to write for The Gwynmercian, or learn more information about the newspaper? Contact harrison.e@gmc.edu

KEEP THE DATE! (some upcoming S@C events):*Murder Mystery-1/27/11*Valentine’s Dance-2/10/11*Psychic Night-2/11/11*Fashion Show-3/24/11

Philadelphia, was intended to stress the importance of using communication in a way that is in agreement with the values for which Gwynedd stands, and to tell “people to exercise good judgment and common sense,” said Horsey. Some members of the Gwynedd community, howev-er, have been less than thrilled on some points. “I know there were people who were concerned when they first found out about it, both in term’s of the policy’s possible implications and how they were presented,” said Janis Chakars, Coordinator of the Communication Program at GMC. “By its nature, that is going to happen and folks are paying attention to it since it affects them.” Most recently, divisions in perspective were high-lighted when the Faculty Council sent a letter to the Executive Council of Gwynedd, expressing concern over the manner in which the policy was handled, according to Michael Clinton, chair of the Faculty Council. Although there is “some concern over content…the faculty is more concerned about the social networking policy’s announcement and how that took place,” said Clinton. Clinton first heard of the policy through a fellow faculty member, who read about the policy in the Student Update, where it was first published in October. No one made it a point to specifically notify faculty and staff about the policy, although faculty, staff, and students are all included under the policy, said Clinton. In addition, many members of the teaching staff felt that the faculty had been slighted due its lack of involve-ment in the formation of the policy. Horsey, as the administrator from whose office the policy was issued, was subsequently invited to a meet-ing of the Faculty Council where all faculty members would be gathered. The assembly expressed its views and concerns to Horsey, who “did a good job answering questions...clarifying certain language,” said Clinton. For example, Horsey explained that there was a faculty member on the Student Services Committee who had worked on the policy. However, this faculty member never reported back to the Faculty Council, said Clinton. However, many were left unsatisfied, noted Clinton, especially concerning the fact that nobody explicitly notified the faculty as a whole about the policy. “I’m not responsible for communicating to faculty and staff,” commented Horsey separately. “My goal was continued on Page 5

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Vo i c e s o f G w y n e d d C o n c e r t -‘ T i s t h e S e a s o n t o S i n g I n d e e d

Ewa Protasiuk

The Voices of Gwynedd, Gwynedd-Mercy College’s celebrated choral group, ushered in the Christmas season with its annual Carol Nights concert series in early December on the 1, 3, and 4. This year, VOG presented a program titled “’Tis the Season to Sing!” featuring “a lot of jazzy Christmas music,” according to VOG director Carol Evans, who is also a professor of music at Gwynedd, including “songs that you would hear on the radio.” Before the concert started, VOG members lined up outside Julia Ball Auditorium. A beat and a final smooth-ing of their deep red robes indicated they were ready to take the stage. The concert began as the Voices of Gwynedd entered the auditorium singing “African Noel,” and processed to their places onstage. The program included a balanced selection of upbeat songs, meaningful, slow pieces, creative arrangements of traditional carols, and unexpected rhythms and sounds courtesy of accompanists on hand bells, drums and simi-lar percussion, bass guitar, double bass, and of course, the piano. “Glory Hallelujah,” a gospel-influenced number, had heads bobbing in time to the music at the preview concert. “The Hands of Winter” sent a shiver through the audience. The choral group surprised the audience with a bit of choreography, not to mention jazz hands, in “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” And “Circle of Mercy,” a piece, written by a Sister of Mercy, that VOG holds near and dear to its heart, roused loud and lengthy applause as the concluding piece of the concert. This year’s concert had to overcome a few issues to come together. Pressed for time due to holding their Kimmel Center concert as a priority this year, VOG opted for a less challenging program than in previous years, according to Kendra Zadrejko, president of VOG. “I really think it challenged the choir to get together sooner,” said Evans. In addition, the group’s size unexpectedly became an

Picture of the Voices of Gwynedd’s 2010 Carol Nights Concert “‘Tis the Season to Sing!” from the preview concert in Julia Ball Auditorium on Wednesday, December 1. (Picture courtesy of Ewa Protasiuk)

Join the Facebook Group “Gwynedd-Mercy College Student Media” to stay connected regularly with the latest news from the Gwynedd Blog and The Gwynmercian Staff!

Elaine Goldberg story continued from Page 1

In her work at Grand View Hospital, Goldberg “was very kind and compassionate to her patients,” said O’Hara. She was “always willing to help her patients by going the extra step,” meaning that she was a “great listener” and she was “able to get her patients to open up to her.” While Goldberg’s “enthusiasm was contagious,” she also appreciated the meaning of a second chance. “She struggled with many personal problems, but was so open and honest about them if they interfered with her academic responsibilities,” said O’Hara. She was the kind of person who was “quick to admit her mistakes, apologizing and asking for forgiveness.” Many people from the Gwynedd-Mercy College community attended Goldberg’s viewing, which took place on November 9 at the Fletcher-Nasevich Funeral Home. “You could tell that she enjoyed life a lot with friends and family,” commented Owens. “There were many pictures displayed from school dances, proms, and hanging out with her friends on the beach.” Owens also reflected that after seeing Goldberg’s joy for life, her sudden passing indicated “a life cut way too short” since she was displaying great positivity and so much potential for many great opportunities. At Goldberg’s funeral, which occurred on November 10 at St. Martin of Tours Church, family members and friends paid tribute to her life. Goldberg’s younger sister, Careen, a senior at Little Flower High School, gave the eulogy. Her speech made it evident that Goldberg has a “loving and caring family,” said Owens. In order for the Gwynedd-Mercy College community to heal from this tragic loss, Owens made sure that the college provided opportunities for help from counseling services. “Recovering from a significant emotional loss is hard enough without the added pain of a tragedy such as in the manner that Elaine Goldberg’s life was taken,” said Jeanne McGowan, Director of Counseling Services. Many people from Gwynedd-Mercy College have asked what they can do for the Goldberg family. Owens encourages everyone to “pray together as a college community for Elaine and her family.” The Goldberg family is doing everything they can to heal from their sudden heartbreaking loss. “It has yet to hit me, and it has already been a month, that some monster literally choked the life out of her with his bare hands. I can’t accept it. Elaine did not deserve this. Elaine was supposed to grow up and be a nurse and impact more lives than she already has,” said her sister. In her family, Goldberg is remembered not only for kindness and good times, but as a caregiver. “She was a happy go-lucky person who enjoyed making people laugh. She would never allow a dull moment. She was practically my mom, and was just basically perfect. Although she may have had some problems, she was a great sister to me,” said her brother. “Elaine was one of a kind and truly an outstanding individual. She had the greatest sense of humor, a heart made of gold, and the shameless attitude where she was perfectly fine with just being herself…she was not only my big sister, but she was my mother. She took on the role of mom at a very young age for me and my brother,” said her sister. Goldberg’s family is also doing everything possible to make sure justice is served. According to Philadelphia police, her murder has been linked by DNA in connection with the same person who committed another strangulation murder in Kensington. A third murder, which happened recently on December 3, is also believed to be in connection with the Kensington strangler. The Goldberg family and the Citizens Crime Commission have set up a fund, which accepts donations for a reward that will hopefully help to catch her murderer. “I truly believed Elaine would have made a great nurse,” emphasized O’Hara. “Her openness, honesty, ability to care wholeheartedly, never give up spirit, introspectiveness, and un-judging nature are traits that you cannot teach a nursing student, yet ones I wish were inherent in all. I will miss her very much.” Goldberg will be missed, but will never be forgotten by the Gwynedd-Mercy College community. Our prayers continue to be with the Goldberg family during this difficult time.

*Picture of Elaine Goldberg from Page 1 courtesy of the Facebook Group “In Memory of Elaine Goldberg” by request of the Goldberg family.

issue. At 110 members, “it’s the largest choir we’ve had. We’re bursting at the seams up on stage,” says Evans. “We don’t even have enough choir robes…we had to get creative.” “We’ve been working very hard,” commented Zadrejko, a junior nursing student, noting the long hours of practice and preparation the group dedicated to these performances. “Everyone’s really put one hundred per-cent into the concert.” It certainly paid off. “Great. Just great,” was how concertgoer Mary McGrath described the event, her eyes shining. Members of VOG were also proud of their accom-plishments. “I always like each concert better than the one before,” commented Amy Kolb, a junior student and treasurer of VOG. This year’s was “one of my favorite concerts,” said Evans. Evans was especially proud of the concert for the meaning behind the singing. It “puts people in the mood,” she said, but it also asks some “challenging ques-tions.” Zadrejko referred to this during the concert, citing the words of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)”: “So this is Christmas. And what have you done?” VOG takes this message to heart this Christmas season by participating in a Secret Santa program, help-ing out children in the poorest areas of Philadelphia. In addition, the preview concert for Carol Nights was held to a full audience of members of local retirement com-munities, who come to the event every year. This is part of the “Mercy tradition, paying it for-ward,” said Evans, and the concert highlighted this ideal, bringing the Gwynedd-Mercy community one step closer to Christmas.

Page 5 The Gwynmercian Gwynedd-Mercy College December 2010

Picture of Mandeep Rana (above) courtesy of the Public Relations Department here at Gwynedd-Mercy College

GMC Mourns the Loss of Mandeep RanaRebecca Avery

A 25-year-old business major died after an auto ac-cident last month. He was the second student to die in 11 days, making for a mournful November on campus. Mandeep Rana, 25, was driving on Route 309 on November 12 when he crashed into a utility pole. He was flown to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and died from his injuries two days later. A 31-year-old passenger, who was also in the car, was treated at Lans-dale Hospital and later released. Faculty and students expressed sadness over the loss of one of Gwynedd’s own. “Mandeep will be remem-bered as a good student who always participated in class. He wanted to learn as much as he could about the subjects he was studying and was able to connect with both traditional and nontraditional age students. Mandeep was always able to laugh at himself when he made a mistake and had an excellent rapport with the faculty. He was always gracious and respectful. Faculty described Mandeep as an all-around nice person. Our prayers and thoughts go out to Mandeep’s family and friends,” said Ralph Hoffman, Interim Dean for the School of Business. President Kathleen Owens wrote in an email sent to

the campus community: “Please hold Mandeep and his family in your prayers at this very difficult time.” Even students who did not personally know Rana were upset by the news. “While we don’t all know every single student on a personal level, we still share that Gwynedd bond,” said sophomore Colleen Finley. A memorial mass was offered for Rana on Friday, November 19 at the college chapel, and his funeral was held on November 20 at the Simcox-McIlvaine Funeral

Home. In a final gesture of generosity, the Rana family saw to it that Mandeep’s organs were donated to the Gift of Life program, so that others might not have to suffer the tragedy of loss that they experienced. The Gwynedd-Mercy College community continues to pray for Mandeep’s family and friends during this dif-ficult time.

Learning How to Deal With Loss on CampusBeth Harrison

With the recent deaths of two beloved Gwynedd-Mercy College students, there is a part of us that realizes when tragic events happen just how important family members and friends are to us. We don’t take their love and kindness for granted anymore once we understand how precious life is. For those of us who have lost a loved one, we sometimes find it difficult and challenging to understand why this person was taken away from earth. There is no easy answer to this question, but we need to find ways to grieve that best comforts us with the knowledge that each loved one is resting peacefully in an afterlife. “Grief is the natural response to loss of a loved one, and each grief journey is individual to the person and the situation,” says Jeanne McGowan, Director of Counseling Services, “Therefore it is important not to judge others for how they grieve.” There are many ways to help yourself during the grief process. “Be kind to yourself. Expect and accept some reduction in your energy level and work produc-tion,” says McGowan. It is also beneficial to be patient with the time it takes to heal because “there is no shortcut through grief,” adds McGowan. It is also good to “talk to someone who will listen or with whom you can share your emotions,” suggests McGowan. This person may be a pastor, friend, relative, or counselor. Lastly, the GMC counselor suggests that individuals “participate in familial and personal rituals” such as “visiting the grave site” or “lighting a candle.” McGowan also discussed the end result in the pro-cess of healing. “At the end of the process is the ability to reclaim a sense of purpose and ability to continue living, loving, and laughing. It is having memories without feel-

ing regret. It is allowing oneself to feel sadness some-times and being able to talk about it regardless of what others may think. Recovery is feeling happiness, excite-ment, and peace once again yet knowing that our loved one is not forgotten.” During the holiday season this year, take the time to express how much certain people mean to you in their lives. The number of presents under the Christmas tree does not matter; it is the thought people put towards how much they care for you. The fact that certain people even think to give you a present is a gift in itself because it shows that they appreciate you in their lives. There are many simple ways to show how much certain people mean to you. For example, try writing a short note or a long letter expressing how much you value another person’s friendship, love, or kindness. Also, do activities the other person likes to put a smile on his or her face, such as watching a movie both of you like or going to the person’s favorite restaurant for a meal. A simple affectionate hug can mean so much to your family and friends as well. The most important way you can show loved ones how much you care for them is through verbal commu-nication. A simple three letter word phrase “I love you” or the phrase “Thanks for always being there for me” express your appreciation for loved ones. Knowing that you are loved and appreciated should be valued so much more than whatever gifts you receive during the holiday season. It should not matter whether you got everything you wanted, like the iPad or Macbook Air; what really matters is the people who have always loved and appreciated you in their lives. Spending time with those loved ones is worth more than any material gift you could possible give or receive this year. Many of us would probably do anything to be able to spend time again with a loved one we lost. So please remember to be compassionate and cherish your loved ones this holiday season, and take into consid-eration those who have lost loved ones during this time of celebration and togetherness.

Picture on right (from “Learning How to Deal With Loss on Campus” article): Beth Harrison (junior) and her sister Christine (Gwynedd-Mercy College 09’ Grad) spending quality time together at the Philadelphia half-marathon on November 21, 2010 after Christine ran in it. (Picture courtesy of Beth Harrison)

Social Networking Policy Story continued from Page 3to make students aware of the policy…I can’t really ad-dress that.” Faculty and staff should have been notified by the Office of Academic Affairs, or by Human Re-sources, said Horsey. Thus, the Faculty Council sent a letter to the Execu-tive Council to further voice their complaints, as well as “a more general concern about effective communication on campus,” said Clinton. “Traditionally, faculty and administration are equal parts of running the college,” but it has not been so in practice, Clinton noted. This issue is “part of the continu-ing discussion over concerns with the administration over communication,” said Clinton. Others have voiced similar questions about the way the policy was communicated. It was announced on Page 22 of 24 in the Student Update and while the policy had been developed in August, it was not publicized until October. “The timing and manner of it was a little odd,” said Chakars. “I put it on the last pages so everyone could see it,” maintained Horsey. “For me, that was the appropriate thing to do.” Horsey also cited her communication of the policy to the Student Government Association (SGA) as “appropriate means” to publicize the policy to students. As for the timing, although the policy was adopted in August by the Board of Trustees, the Board had to work with Student Services to ready the policy for publication, which took time, says Horsey. SGA, on the other hand, found issue with the con-tent of the policy, bringing up the question of privacy. “People have taken it to mean that someone wants to interfere with what they’re writing on social networking sites,” said Horsey. SGA was first introduced to the policy change when its executive officers met with Horsey, as they do periodically, in October. At first, many members, as well as other students, felt that through the policy, GMC was simply “assuming the authority to enforce and punish students for putting any compromising information on their network,” said Erik Wielechowski, president of SGA. Students were concerned that the policy meant that, for example, the college would be going through their email for no reason, commented Horsey. However, after some clarification, Horsey “left the meeting feeling there was support…I got some feedback; people thought it was a good idea.” “It has been emphasized that Gwynedd-Mercy Col-lege will not be conducting any form of online surveil-lance or investigation into any student’s social network-ing page and that this is certainly not what the policy is meant to infer,” stated Wiechelowski. “I think that the general assumption now is that the policy is a negative thing, when in fact it is quite the opposite,” continued Wiechelowski. “It merely serves to protect the college and its students in case some kind of incident may occur… I think that as the policy is better understood by those it affects, more students will be ac-cepting of it.” Gwynedd-Mercy’s social networking policy has provoked a plethora of questions, many of which still remain unanswered. “We were trying to be transparent,”

Social Media Networking Policy continued from col-umn on the imemdiate left

says Horsey, “but it backfired.”

*If you would like to learn even more informa-tion about the social networking policy, you can visit:http://www.gmc.edu/students/documents/Hand-book10-11web_003.pdf*Information is found on Page 75 in this PDF file from the website listed above.

Page 6 The Gwynmercian Gwynedd-Mercy College December 2010

Gwynedd Gallery (Continued on Pages 7,8)

Members of the Student Government Association, other students, and volunteers pose for a picture at the SGA event “Attack of the Jacks.” Many people from GMC and the community came to the Pavilion to create their own pumpkins around Halloween. (Picture courtesy of Bill James from Student Activities)

GMC basketball player and Griffin Madness Dunk Champ, Jon Hogga, shows his dunking talent at Griffin Madness. (Picture courtesy of Lauren Halupke, Web Developer of GMC)

The 2010 Gwynedd-Mercy Dance Team poses for a picture before performing at Griffin Madness. (Picture courtesy of Lauren Halupke, Web Developer of GMC)

Erik Wielechowski, this year’s Wingbowl Champion at Griffin Madness, poses with two workers from PJ Wheilhan’s Pub. This pub pro-vided the wings at the event. (Picture courtesy of Lauren Halupke, GMC Web Developer)

Want to have your pictures from anything happening at GMC to appear in the Gwynedd Gallery section in upcoming issues of The Gwynmercian? Contact harrison.e@gmc.edu for more information.Check out the Gwynedd Blog at http://gwyneddmercynews.blogspot.com

Page 7 The Gwynmercian Gwynedd-Mercy College December 2010

Gwynedd Gallery

Gwynedd-Mercy College Students who were cheering for the Women’s Field Hockey Team during their CSAC playoffs take time to show their school spirit in this picture. (Picture courtesy of Lauren Halupke, Web Developer for GMC)

Picture Above: Gwynedd-Mercy College Cross Country runners--senior John Watts (left) and freshmen brothers Joseph Kubiak (middle) and Brett Kubiak (right)--show their excite-ment as they realize they have placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at the CSAC Championships held at Gwynedd-Mercy College. (Picture courtesy of Lauren Halupke, Web Developer of GMC)

Picture Bottom Right: Friends from LYLS10 Sarah Tefft (left), Beth Harrison (middle), and Katie Kane (right) pose for a picture at the S@C Halloween Dance. (Picture courtesy of Beth Harrison)

Picture Left: Students (from left to right) Abigail Crisp, Michelle Ashmore, Desiree Rose, Alysia Torres, Jim King, Julie Calvanese, and Andrew Ball pose for a photo inside Alexandria Hall before acting their scenes in the Haunted Walk, an event sponsored by S@C along the pathway of the woods by Alexandria Hall. (Picture courtesy of Beth Harrison)

Page 8 The Gwynmercian Gwynedd-Mercy College December 2010

The Gwynmercian Staff Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437Volume 62, No. 2 December 2010

Editor-in-Chief.............................................Beth HarrisonEditorial Staff..............................................Ryan Donnelly, Dan Freed, and Justin Nelson Writers........................................................Rebecca Avery, Anastasia Ness, Ewa Protasiuk, Cassie Towler, and Mark Zakrzewski

Volume 62, No. 2 was written and developed by students of the Basic Journalism class and other GMC students interested in journalism during the Fall 2010 semester. We hope you enjoyed reading this edition, and continue reading many more editions! If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail thegwynmercian@yahoo.com or Beth Harrison at harrison.e@gmc.edu

Gwynedd Gallery

GMC students and faculty who attended the Council for Exceptional Children Conference (CEC) on November 11 at Penn State University. Pictured from left to right: Dr. Schadler (Coordinator of Undergraduate Special Education), student Steven Rufe, Gina Scala (Region 6 Coordinator for CEC and Department Chair of Special Education at East Stroudsburg University), and students Brett Bishop, Kristin Panacio, Lindsay Prodorutti, Blake Kilvington, and Eileen O’Hagan. (Picture courtesy of Lauren Halupke, GMC Web Developer)

The Gwynmercian staff would like to wish the Gwynedd-Mercy College students, faculty, and staff as well as the community a wonderful and safe holiday season! Take time to relax and spend quality time with family and friends.