The purpose of the presentation was to educate individuals who are unaware of the truth behind certain misconceptions of gender identity, as well as to provide insight to members of the campus community.

Not only were the stories of the presenters shared, but also discussion of the Women’s and Wellness Center, and how it provides a broader mission than to just women. Jayme Trogus, director of the Women’s and Wellness center, explained that the Women’s and Wellness center’s has programs run by Empower Peer Educators about relationships, sexuality, and gender. These programs provide the necessary information that some students may need in order to understand certain misconceptions.

Equality and diversity have always been a part of the foundation of our student body. Education about trans-gendered individuals and gender identity, as well as taking advantage of the resources the University has on the subject, are just a few ways students can begin to create a trans-gendered friendly campus.

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Zhong spoke to an audience of more than 30 Wednesday afternoon about her goal of creating a longer flowering period in the Iris flower. Zhong explained that by doing this, the Iris flower will bloom longer than its current one to four day life span. Zhong’s study is founded upon examining the Iris’ Programmed Cell Death (PCD) senescence. PCD is also known as genetically programmed cellular suicide, which means the cells in the plant die at a very specific point in time. Senescence is simply the process of aging in plants. This is the process that creates the short life span of the flower. Zhong also uses the plant hormone Ethelyne, as well as different Ethelyne sensitive and insensitive plants, to aid in her study.

Zhong’s hopes are that this will lead to novel strategies for engineering the trait of longevity in plants and other eukaryotes. This study could also lead to a new approach to engineering of plant longevity in the future. This will ultimately benefit flower consumers, producers, and will increase the price of the crop. Zhong has been a professor at Millersville University for the last two years, working with students on her study, and using the resources Millersville University has to offer.

The future may hold longer life-spans for flowers and larger pockets for producers, but one thing will remain the same: The high prices of bouquets on Valentine’s Day.

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Last week, “The Reflect and Connect Series” discussed charity, what that means for Haiti, and for those who are serving. 

     Dr. Greg Park of Millersville University’s Communication Department led the discussion, which focused on Maya Angelou’s piece, “The Sweetness of Charity.” Angelou describes her view of charity, and what it means. The poet’s piece was used as the discussion’s foundation.

     Today, charity has become big business. The difference between charity and philanthropy has become blurred.

Charity is doing something without expecting anything in return, while philanthropy is the business of giving money.

However, charity is starting to become more about business and money, more than helping those in need.

     Even in the midst of this tragedy in Haiti, we are still skeptical of charity. We question the motives of others, and ourselves. Is our giving guilt-driven? Or business based? Are we doing it to make ourselves feel better? Or do we believe it will bring us good karma? Or maybe it is mission based, or requirement-based charity. What ever the reason may be for our giving, Angelou gives an inspiring, and humble definition of charity, “Charity is kind envieth not, vaunteth not itself; is not puffed up.”

     Those who were involved in the discussion spoke of compassion and action.

Instead of feeling guilty for not giving in the past, get out of your comfort zone.

Instead of feeling for individuals in need, feel with them.

Get out there, and research organizations that you care about.

Howard Jones, a discussion participant said, “Think about yourself, and how you can benefit someone in need, think about others in the long term. Connect with your professors, connect with the different opportunities this University has to offer, and learn from those around you. Build relationships in your cities, and change someone else’s life by getting out there and helping in anyway you can, big or small.”

     This world is broken and battered, and acts of kindness are rare.

Even in the midst of disaster, acts of kindness and giving should not be criticized, because kindness is charity, according to Maya Angelou’s powerful piece.

     The Reflect & Connect Series is a series of gatherings where community members, both from the Millersville University, as well as the larger community, read short pieces of literature on service, reflect on civic engagement, and connect with the community. This is a year-long series, and features four meetings each semester, the second Wednesday evening of each month from 5-6:30 p.m.

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