Spring

Graduation

Deadline

If you are com-

pleting program

requirements this

semester remem-

ber you must ap-

ply online for a

degree. All gradu-

ating students

must apply in or-

der to receive a

diploma; no appli-

cation means no

awarded de-

gree. The deadline

for students to ap-

ply for a May 2015

diploma is Feb.

20. Online degree

applications are

available through

Banner Web for

Students.

Tor Echo Newspaper of the Pioneers

Fitness Center Grand Opening

By Lynnette Lockwood

A new fitness center had its grand opening on January 29th,

2015. There has been a general consensus that the college has

not been meeting the Alfred State College community’s fitness

needs. This has been a goal for President Skip Sullivan and has

been seven years in the making. Using new and used equip-

ment, the athletic department wanted to expand the fitness

center to give all students a new opportunity on campus for

better fitness. When a student or faculty member joins the

fitness center, they have full access at Orvis and in the Pioneer

Center. The Orvis fitness room focuses on strength training

offering: 25 cardio machines, 6 treadmills, 4 pre-core elliptical

machines, 3 cybax arc training, multiple interactive bikes, 2,500

free weights and dumbbells, a hoist rise circuit, and 4 power

racks. There is an auxiliary room where students can complete

cross fit training and core work, and there is available space so

that classes can be taught in the room as well.

Recently there has been an active debate by many clubs

on campus over the use of the fitness center. Many of the clubs

would like to hold classes there but it is not possible unless every club member belongs to

the fitness center. President Sullivan remarked that he is excited for the students to have a

place to exercise and the new fitness center is making the experience more comfortable for

its members. He is ecstatic about the large response from the campus community that the

fitness center has already created. Sullivan wants to provide as much as possible for the stu-

dents and his next goal is to eventually add stability balls in the auxiliary room and recon-

struct the fitness center fees. Take time to visit the new center. It definitely will be worth

your time!

Hula hooping is a new hobby that I started recently that I

thought I would never learn. I always felt embarrassed hooping

in gym class in front of everybody because I could never get the

hang of it. Hooping dates back to 500 BCE when Egyptian chil-

dren made them out of dried grapevines. Great Britain used the

hoops during the 14th century to medically treat dislocated

backs and heart attacks. Native Americans in the 1400’s used

hoops to signify the circle of life. The term “hula hoop” came

from sailors that had been to the Hawaiian Islands and thought

the body motion was similar to their dance style. The most re-

cent trend was the craze of the 1950’s. Childhood friends

Knerr & Melin recreated the hoops and sold over 20,000 per

day @ $1.98 each for the Wham-O Company. Buying a hula

hoop today averages $14.99

each. Learning new skills can be liberating, fun and joyful. College has

made me more confident and I do not really care what people think be-

cause I want to experience everything that college life has to offer. I

owe a big thanks to Ben Berry for reintroducing me to this hobby by

recently offering a workshop about the technique of how to hula hoop.

When anyone has an enthusiastic teacher it makes learning so much

easier. He taught the basics but also how to do tricks while hula danc-

ing, but I mostly prefer to do the basics. Hula hooping can be lots of fun

and it can be a form of exercise.

- Lynnette Lockwood, Editor-in-Chief

Tor Echo

Report, Encourage, Engage

Issue 2, Spring 2015

Editor-in-Chief: Lynnette Lockwood / Associate Editor: Jordyn Riethmiller / Sports Editor: Morgan Franchina

Treasurer / Student Senate Representative: Daniel David

Reporters: Lee Button, Karla Chun, Christy Dodd, Katie Dussing, Grace Franklin, Brianna Freeman, Anthony Grande,

Ashley Kennedy Nichole Meehan, Don Schrader, Breanna Smith, Madison Szpaicher, Angel Torres

© Tor Echo, 2015

Hula Hooping Dancing

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By Lynnette Lockwood

What do you know about the history of hooping? It has a very rich histo-

ry. Egyptian children would make hoops out of vines and roll them down

hills. Native American Indians hoop dance has existed for a while. Classic

hoops were invented in the 1950’s by Wham-o.

What are the benefits of hooping? According to the American Council

on Exercise the physical benefits of hoping are toning the entire body,

better coordination, more flexibility, stronger core, better cardiovascular

muscles, and improves eye coordination and motor skills. Hooping burns

215 calories for a 30 minute session. The mental benefits of hooping in-

clude being a stress reliever, promotes creativity, improved self-

confidence, and joy.

How did you get started in hoop dance? A year and a half ago I was hang-

ing out with my friend Emily and they were bored and she had some

hoops laying around and I wanted to challenge myself. I tried to hoop

around the waist but was unable too. After several hours of trying I was

finally able to do it. After getting home that night I searched on YouTube

hooping videos. I came across Lisa Lolly, she was really my first exposure

to hoop dancing. I knew that I had to learn after that moment. I then

watched tutorials but most of it was self-taught by experimentation.

What made you want to start your own company? I was majoring in paralegal. I wasn’t

That serious about it. It was a huge transition and I loved the benefits it gave me especially a boost in self-confidence.

I wanted to support myself but at the same time sharing hooping. My company is called Fruit Hoops because my last

name is Berry. My main objectives of my company is to offer hoop dance instruction and performance art that can

include different types of circus props such as fire hoops and LED hoops.

How did you learn to make your own hoops? I found a video online about how to make beginner hoops with irriga-

tion tubing. I bought 100 foot tubing, connectors, and pipe cutter. By using a formula I learned in high school the cir-

cumference of a circle is how I know how big to make the hoops. Then I bought colorful tape to decorate it and grip

tape.

Can you tell me about hoop sizes? When you are first starting out as a hoper starting with a hoop that is bigger than

what you would expect preferably at chest level is the best. In the hopping community it is debated that as you pro-

gress you should use smaller and smaller hoops. This is great if you have a smaller frame. But it doesn’t work for eve-

ryone. Bigger hoops are great for slow more controlled movements. Smaller hoops are better for quick transitions,

and off the body manipulation.

What tips would you give to beginner hopers? Practice a little bit everyday if it’s only 5, 10 or even 15 minutes if you

want to get really good. Don’t let videos on the internet discourage you from trying new tricks they can be over-

whelming. Never lose why you love to hoop. Trying to learn how to do advanced tricks too fast can be too much

and if you are hooping without really loving it can leave you feeling unsatisfied.

If interested at 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Small Event Space in SLC I bring extra hoops for anyone who

wants to try. I even want to try to start my own class on campus if I can get enough people interested. Email me at

BenjaminBerry7194@gmail.com

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A Look inside Hooping a Ben Berry Exclusive

Several members of the Alfred State

family were honored for their service

to others at the Alfred Village Hall

during the fifth annual Celebration of

Service Ceremony. Each year, two

honorees, one student and one faculty

or staff member, receives a Spirit of

Service Award. This award recognizes

and celebrates those in the Greater

Alfred community who demonstrate a

strong commitment to serving others.

The award is intended to honor peo-

ple who are actively living out the

principles Martin Luther King Jr. stood

for, including equality, social justice,

community, and service.

Ashley Ebel, a business administration

major from was named this year’s Al-

fred State College Student Spirit of

Service Award winner. She works as a

student advocate for the Center for

Civic Engagement, works at the rock

climbing wall, is a leader in the Out-

door Recreation Club, and is president

of Little Angels of Honduras, a new

organization on campus devoted to

fundraising and awareness regarding

the lack of adequate medical supplies

and care for Honduran infants and

children. In 2013, she was named

Mentee of the Year for the Emerging

Pioneers Leadership Program. She has

worked with a small group through

this leadership program to raise

awareness about youth suicide by

hosting a poetry slam. This event high-

lighted many of the reasons for young

adult suicide and discussed resources

available to depressed and suicidal

youth.

This year’s winner of the Alfred

State Faculty Spirit of Service Award is

Michael Murray, assistant director of

dining at Auxiliary Campus Enterprises

and Services, Inc. (ACES). Murray has

been a member of the Alfred State

Family for decades. He is an active

member of the Alumni Board, is co-

adviser to the Greek Advisory Board,

and is an adviser to one of Alfred

State’s Greek houses, Gamma Theta

Gamma. Murray is an active fundraiser

for the ALS Foundation.

Also recognized were the follow-

ing nominees, who each received a

certificate for their efforts. Andrew

Scott, an architectural technology ma-

jor, has devoted significant time out-

side of his architectural studies to vol-

unteer at the Southern Tier Architec-

tural Resource (STAR) Center. Chad

Martin, a construction management

engineering technology major, is presi-

dent of the Pioneer

Woodsmen’s Club,

takes leadership in man-

aging a large and active

club involved in lumber-

jacking competitions throughout the

region.

Dr. Robert Curry, dean of the

School of Arts and Sciences, who is a

language partner for international stu-

dents, has served on many Alfred

State committees, serves on various

New York State curricular commit-

tees, and always makes time for staff

and students.

Debra Mayes, computer specialist

with technology services, who is highly

engaged in numerous civic engagement

projects

and has

traveled

to Cats-

kills,

North

Dakota,

Long

Island,

and De-

troit to

assist

with

flood

cleanup

and oth-

er disas-

ter relief

efforts.

Barbara Pierce, student activities

secretary, who is an incredible advo-

cate for the Alfred Community Gar-

den and has mentored a group of stu-

dents who are participants of the

Emerging Pioneers Leadership Pro-

gram at Alfred State.

Students, Faculty, and Staff Honored During

Celebration of Service Ceremony

Michael Murray along with

members of Gamma Theta

Gamma.

Ashley Ebel, proudly displays her

Alfred State College Student Spirit

of Service Award.

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If you are free any weekday morning between 7-10 AM and

are interested in co-hosting this fast-paced two-hour radio

program, or if you simply want more information, contact

Logan Merrill by e-mail at merrill@alfredstate.edu. No radio

experience is required.

Merrill Morning Show Looking for a Co-host

The Women In Non-

traditional Studies also

known as WINS Club as-

sisted Santa in December by

raising $193 through bottle

returns and monetary con-

tributions for an area family

in need. The students

shopped for presents and

wrapped them for delivery

to Steuben County Rural

Ministry a week before

Christmas. The students’

efforts were part of an annu-al project undertaken by

members of the WINS Club.

The WINS Club’s two

main goals are to further the

knowledge of women in

male-dominated fields and to

sponsor civic engagement/

fundraising projects both

locally and globally. WINS is

open to all members of the

Alfred State community, re-

gardless of gender.

“I am always surprised

and heartened that WINS

members can take the time

at the end of the semester

to make this project suc-

cessful,” said Joy Carlson the

WINS Club adviser.

WINS Members Raise Funds to Buy Presents for

a Family in Need

Shown here are some of the Women in Non-traditional Studies Club mem-

bers who raised money and purchased presents for an area family. From

left to right are Beth Parker, Allana Havernick, co-president; Stacy Duink,

co-president; Adrienne Drumm, vice president; and Elizabeth Dussault, sec-

retary.

RA of the Month:

Ashley Kennedy

By Ashley Kennedy

I am a Human Services Management major. I

became an RA because I love helping people,

and socializing with everyone I meet. My ad-

vice to someone who wants to be an RA is to

not be shy and put yourself out there. I love

being an RA, and it's one of the best decisions

I have made in college.

These amazing Residential Life Staff members

were nominated for RA / HA of the month

due to their outstanding work:. Jessica Dixon,

Travis Goodspeed, Malik Harrison, Spela

Sluga, Ronny Burgos, Shannon Danzi, Nick Robinson, and Ryan Gogolack.

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Voices Are Calling Out for You!

By Jordyn Riethmiller

Are you a lover of the fine arts? Is musicking a hobby of yours? Do you

often sing in the shower, but long for a stage and microphone to show

the world what you’re made of? If so, check out Alfred State Voices. Re-

hearsals will be held in Cappadonia auditorium every Monday and Fri-

day from 4:00 until 5:30. Don’t miss out! This may be your opportunity

to fulfil your every dream.

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By Lynnette Lockwood

Where are you from? Saudi Arabia

Do you like being at Alfred State? Yes it’s lovely. Tell me

what you like about it. Everything here is really fantastic and

it’s my first time to study in the United States specific college

or University. So it’s a good experience for me. The people

and facilities are really good.

What is the hardest thing about moving here? When you leave

your family you got a bigger responsibility on your own for everything taking care of yourself, helping yourself, finding good people to leave with.

Do you find it difficult to keep your culture of your home country alive while trying to assimilate into Ameri-

can culture? It depends on personality and for me my personality to keep myself open minded. I am open to

any culture. There is a big difference between my culture and American culture. I like to be friendly to every

culture.

Do you practice Islam or any other religion? Yes. I am a Muslim. I practice my religion every day and pray five

times a day.

Do you find keeping up with Islamic hard while here in America? No here there is freedom people can do

whatever they want to.

Do you feel discriminated against in anyway? No. I feel very

accepted and not judged.

What do you think are the biggest misperceptions of Middle

Eastern people to Americans? I find it funny when I meet

people asking me about my accent. I tell them I come from

Saudi Arabia and sometimes they don’t know where that is. I

tell them it’s in the Middle East. American assume that all

Middle Eastern people are the same but we are unique. They

think that we are all bad. We should be open minded and

not think we are all bad people. I like to talk to people about

my country and explain to them what I am like.

Do you think that once people get to know you they don’t

have those misperceptions about you? Yes. Once they get to

know me they become really respectful and we become like

brothers.

Do you plan on staying in the United States as a permanent citizen? I am unsure at this time. I miss my family

and my culture and it’s hard to travel back and forth.

Getting to Know Cultures Spotlight

Mester Alghamdi

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The Alfred State Pioneer Woods-

men’s Club has made great strides

since being formed five years ago, up-

grading to more competitive equip-

ment and becoming a top-ranked col-

legiate timber sports team. Alfred

State marked the opening of the Pio-

neer Woodsmen’s Club Barn with a

ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by

Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sulli-

van, Vice President for Student Affairs

Greg Sammons, club members, and

faculty and staff. According to Alfred

State Police Lt. Scott Bingham, club

adviser, the 850-square-foot building was renovated this summer for

$10,000, and was completed in Sep-

tember. It now serves as the location

for the club’s saw mill, and is being utilized for practicing certain timber sports disciplines. The barn is located

on Route 244. The saw mill was purchased two years ago. The club competes year-round and it’s not feasible

to train outdoors in the winter months or in the rain. “Our clubs and organizations are very important to

Alfred State and this one is as well,” Sullivan said. “It’s one of our fastest-growing clubs thanks to its leader-

ship, and we expect it to continue to grow” Sullivan Said. Chad Martin, club president and a construction

management engineering technology major from Breesport, provided a student perspective on the new Pio-

neer Woodsmen’s Club Barn. “Over the past few years, we’ve had to mill wood outside during rain, during

snow, and to be inside away from all of that is huge,” Martin said. “The Woodsmen’s Club is a family to us.

We’re a small-knit group. Everybody’s got everybody’s back. It’s a little different than a sports team, but we

compete as a sports team. I’m just saying, for everybody else, that this is our home away from home.”

New Pioneer Woodsmen’s Club Barn Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan uses a chainsaw to cut the wooden “ribbon” at a ceremony to celebrate the new Pioneer Woodsmen’s Club Barn.

Words From Tor Echo

By Jordyn Riethmiller

Tor Echo would like to give some special words to a beloved

alumni, Paul Constantine.

Recently, Paul passed away and we are saddened to say goodbye

to one of our favorite former writers. The earth has lost an ex-

quisite person, but the universe has gained a wonderful soul. Rest

peacefully, Paul. You are truly missed.