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.