There to help celebrate the special occasion was the Millersville University Choir and a few members of the University Chorale, who was honored with singing the national anthem preceding the ceremony.

Among the 85 choir members in attendance, Millersville student, Aj Walker was a veteran to this experience, having sung the national anthem at Phillies games several times before as a part of the Philadelphia Boys choir and in 2004 with the MU choir.

When the MU Men’s choir performed in 2004 in which Walker conducted, they became the first choir to sing the anthem at Citizen’s Bank Park.

This year, it took several months for this to happen for the choir when Walker submitted a CD five months ago, and was later contacted back informing him that the choir was accepted to be a part of singing the anthem before the game.

He was given a list of dates from which they could choose from and picked April 8, which was also Walker’s birthday.

To prepare for the event, the choir sold tickets to the game for friends and family, advertised around the community, and for the big day they practiced outside to get the feel for the atmosphere they’d be performing in.

But nothing could prepare them for the actual experience.

“The most exciting part this time was the hype of the event and while we were singing the anthem during the line ‘rockets red glare,’ fireworks went off and that was just really cool, especially to see the look on everyone in the choirs face when it happened,” said Walker

It was sophomore, Kevin Dea’s first attendance as a performer for the choir at a Phillies game.

Dea, being a “Philly Phanatic” himself was really hyped for the event.

“It was really exciting singing in front of such a large crowd, and just the fact that I was standing on the field because I am a huge Phillies fan.”

The large crowd filled about 40,000 seats for last Wednesday’s game against the Braves.
The Philadelphia Phillies didn’t let their fans down and scored eight runs in the seventh inning, four scoring on bases-loaded walks, according to mlb.com.

With a victory and their new rings on their finger, they continued to look like champions.
The choir, their friends and family, who had a reserved section in the stadium to watch the game, was there to witness it and be a part of history.

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The Going Green Campaign was implemented to help cultivate a more energy efficient campus.

The University has already started taking steps in the “green” direction.  Through the course of the campaign, suggestions have been made by students on what the University can do to make the campus “greener.”

The campaign has been a success, and Millersville is looking forward to obtaining sustainability.

In the dining halls, Millersville has placed suggestion boxes available for students‘ input on ideas to help achieve a green campus. “

“We had 100 suggestions to University Dining to go green. We have already put more than a dozen of the suggestions into place.

Everyone is pretty excited about it,” said Gerry Shehan, associate director of student dining.

Some of the changes taking place in the dining halls include discontinuing the use of disposable products like Styrofoam cups which were used for various things such as the waffle batter at the waffle making station. Instead, small plastic cups are now being used.

Seniors Thomas Sturtevant and Maria Brown both won bikes for suggestions on how to reduce the use of Styrofoam. Photo courtesy Janet Kacskos.

More energy efficient lighting is also going to be installed, and reusable bags are going to be used for merchant and take-out services.

A student on campus has begun a compositing committee which will also contribute to the going green process.

Students also have the chance to get more than the satisfaction of a green campus.

In the student suggestion box, the best one will be picked for a grand prize of a BMX bike. Organic cotton t-shirts are also being given to students to help keep them enthused about the campaign.

On March 24, Millersville dining and the Wellness committee will be hosting a “Weigh Your Waste Day.”

This is a proactive way of advocating the project on campus.

By “weighing your waste,” students will be able to see first-hand the amount of waste that is accumulated on a daily basis.

“We waste hundreds of pounds of food on a daily basis. We just wanted students to be more aware,” says Shehan.

The “green” campaign was supposed to last through February, but because of all of the success the University has seen thus far, it has kept running to achieve even more campaign goals.

Between the efforts of the students, University dining and the campus, going green at Millersville has come a long way and has the potential to keep growing.

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A few of the key speakers of the conference included David Sanger, Chief White House correspondent for The New York Times, Congressman Joe Pitts (R-Pa.), and Lawrence Mishel, President of the Economic Policy Institute.

Congressman Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) addresses issues of sustaining an American middle class at a conference presented by Millersville's Civic and Community Engagement and Research Project. Photo by Christian Shuts.

The conference was previewed in an economic forum held Feb. 23, where professors Dr. Mike Gumpper, Dr. Kenneth Smith, and Dr.. Eric Blazer shared their expert opinions on the economic state of the country, as well as how it would change the lives of students at Millersville.

The conference gave valuable points and information to its attendants about our current economic condition, and how we are being affected, including student loans, which is always important at an educational institution.

An insight into where we are headed was also discussed. Social Security and retirement savings reform, and strategic job growth were also topics of interest.

On the first day of the conference, the University welcomed David Sanger, the best selling author of the recently published book, The Inheritance.

The book discusses the issues we face as a nation in relation to our economy and having a new president in office, Barack Obama.

Sanger is best known for his work at the New York Times. He has had extensive work covering political affairs including foreign policy, the presidency, and globalization.

The first day of the conference also included sessions about “Social Security & Retirement Savings Reform,” “Emerging Economic Powers in Today’s World” and “Credit (Student Loans) & Mortgage Policy.”

Monique Morrissey of the Economic Policy Institute discussed retirement, and also explained how economic circumstances can influence people in their retirement decisions.

Student loans were also of great interest in the conference, considering there are many concerned students wondering what will happen with their student loans.

This was covered by Dawn Korman, and John Montgomery, both of Susquehanna Bank and Dr.Mike Gumpper, a professor of economics at Millersville University.

It is now becoming increasingly more difficult to obtain student loans.

The Federal Family Education Loan Program has also been experiencing turbulence due to a crumbling economy.

Saturday’s portion of the conference was compromised of sessions that were about job growth, the stimulus package and bailout, healthcare coverage and Medicare reform, and the middle class of the 21st century.

Robert Walker, a Millersville Alumni and former U.S. Congressman and Chairman, Wexler-Walker Public Policy Associates spoke about strategic job growth in our current economy.

Walker has an extensive background in dealing with political affairs; he represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1997.

He expressed his knowledge and experience of economic policies and active in developing various strategies for the economic threats our nation currently faces.

Lawrence Mishel, president of the Economic Policy Institute spoke about “Reconfirming or Redefining ‘Middle Class’ for the 21st Century.”

Overall, Mishel is working to “advance the interest of American workers.”

The middle class is known as the general population and Mishel emphasizes the importance of workers forming resolutions to ultimately create success and room for advancement for jobs in the U.S.

The conference gave students and faculty the opportunity to hear from the knowledgeable speakers on their insights of important issues in our economy today.

The future of the economy may be unknown but the events allowed concerned students to hear from and interact with professionals in the economic field.

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The award is based on several factors, such as percentage of student involvement, incentives for service, scope and innovation of service projects and the extent to which the school offers service-learning classes.

This year, a total of 635 schools were recognized across the nation. President George W. Bush started the program in 2006 and since then Millersville has been recognized on the Honor Roll list each year.

Many different student organizations on campus participate in community service and also compete for the Millersville University Charity King and Queen during homecoming where students have raised thousands of dollars each year for various local and national charities.  Helping out in the community has become an important aspect to numerous clubs on campus.

The dedication of students has had a positive impact not only on the charities they help but to themselves as well.  A recent study done by the Corporation for National and Community Service Volunteering in America revealed that in 2006, 2.8 million college students gave more than 297 million hours of volunteer service.

These studies have reinforced the significance and impact that students have in volunteering. The Corporation for National and Community Service Volunteering has been working in alliance with federal agencies, higher education, student associations and non-profit organizations to promote volunteer work around the nation on college campuses. This includes giving more campus incentives.

Stephen Goldsmith, vice chair of the Board of Directors of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees the Honor Roll says, “We salute Millersville University for making community service a campus priority and thank the millions of college students who are helping to renew America through service to others.”

The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll was presented in Washington, D.C. earlier this month at the annual conference of the American Council on Education.

Many students have been coming together in an effort to make volunteer work a bigger part of their campus community. “I offer heartfelt congratulations to those institutions named to the 2008 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.”

“College and university students across the country are making a difference in the lives of others every day, as are the institutions that encourage their students to serve others,” said American Council on Education President Molly Corbett Broad.

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“I’ve been looking forward to this because it’s time for new strong ideas in the White House that will help our economy and a fresh start for America,” said junior Sarah Felter.

The seats in the Student Memorial Center MPR were filled by students and faculty members who came together to watch the historical event.

Students and staff join in the Student Memorial Center's Multi-Purpose Room to watch the historical Inauguration. Photo by Christian Shuts.

As the new president finished his inaugural speech, he received many cheers, clapping and a standing ovation by those watching.

NBC News reported that the crowd at the National Mall was close to 1.8 million.

This would exceed Lyndon Johnson’s record in 1965 with a turnout of 1.2 million, according to the Washington Post.

As Obama took oath, many large cities across the nation held celebrations watching the presidential inauguration on a large screen.

Celebrations around the world included Obama’s father’s hometown in Kenya where many came together to watch the inauguration.

Sworn in by Chief Justice, John G. Roberts Jr., Obama placed his left hand upon the bible, held by First Lady, Michelle Obama that belonged to 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.

This was the first time Lincoln’s Bible has been used in a presidential inauguration, which marks an important and special moment in which the United States has it’s first African-American president.

“I think the fact that Lincoln’s Bible was used in the ceremony is a very remarkable symbol,” said junior Amy Blevins. “It shows just how far our country has come and that anything is possible.”

After Vice-President, Joseph Biden, and President Obama took their oath in office, the new president addressed the nation with his inaugural speech making many bold statements about various challenges and changes that he will face in the next four years including the economic crisis.

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the remaking of America,” Obama said. “The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act – not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth.”

On the topic of terrorism, Obama gave this message to those who threaten our homeland; “We say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken. You cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.”

The transition of presidents from George W. Bush to Barack Obama was operationally smooth and seemingly respectful.

A team of movers arrived at the White House Tuesday to move the Obama’s into their new home after former president and first lady George W. and Laura Bush departed.

Just seconds after Obama ended his inaugural speech with “And God bless the United States of America,” the White House’s official website was changed by the click of a button with a new layout displaying the headline “Change Has Come to America.”

President Obama’s day ended with ten official inaugural balls planned by the inaugural committee.

One of them included a first-ever Neighborhood Ball in which anyone was able to attend for free or at a low cost.

At the Neighborhood Ball, Obama thanked the American people “for what you do to make America better.”

He explained that the Neighborhood Ball was important and it “best captured the tone of the campaign.”

Jan. 20, 2009 is now a day in history which will be remembered by millions, and written in our future history textbooks.

Obama’s words were absorbed by millions around the world including many proud citizens.

“The thing that stuck out the most to me about the inauguration was how little separation there is of church and state,” senior Meredith Anderson said. “Overall, I was impressed by President Obama’s speech and I hope it serves as a good indication of the next four years.

“His willingness to admit the struggles that lie ahead while still reassuring the American public, and the world, that we can do it together helped remind me why he is our 44th President.”

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The grant, which will be awarded to the University by the end of February, was presented to the school by the Department of Homeland Security.

All improvements and updates to their security system will include proper training for MUPD.

One of the improvements being funded by the grant is the detective system, which is a software designed to manage, process and analyze multi-media evidence.

The purpose “allows us to improve digital video images, etc. that previously would have been unusable,” says MU Chief of Police Wayne W. Silcox.

In addition to that, other new installments have been called such as the new speakers for sirens around campus,

The University has been concentrating on putting in what is called a reverse 911 system.
This system would be installed in all classrooms as a way to send out alerts.

It is a way to signal students and faculty about important messages, and can be heard both in the building as well as outside.

The alerts can be used for several different reasons including extreme weather, safety procedures or crime related information.

Messages to other phones can be heard and received even if they are not picked up.

This is part of the digital campus system, which is in relation to some of the security technology already being utilized on campus.

Currently, there are emergency call boxes placed among many locations around campus, including McComsey, Creek Dr, and Prince St, parking lots.

MUPD is also looking into putting more of these throughout the campus.

If in danger, or an emergency situation, an individual can press the button on the call box, in which case the Telecommunications center is dispatched immediately, and reaches the MUPD who arrive at that location.

Another feature added last year is the eCampus system, called MU Alert by the University.

The alert system allows the University to inform students and faculty who have enrolled in the service to be notified about emergencies and weather relating to class delays or cancellations.

Students must sign up each year to stay in the system since it is updated yearly, purging those who may not need it any more such as alumni or retired employees. Students can also find signs hung in different building around campus, including the SMC, about security alerts such as evacuations and lockdowns.

These are used to provide students with information they need to stay safe on campus.
“There are three different kinds of lockdowns: preventative, emergency and shelter. We will be having drills later in the semester, one in an academic building, residence building, and administrative building,” says Chief Wilcox.

As security continues to strengthen, instructions and training on all safety procedures will be implemented for the police department as well as students to ensure that the University remains a safe community.

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