The Albrightian – December 2017

By OWEN SANDOR, The Albrightian

Photo courtesy of WHYY

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., spoke at the Santander Performing Arts Center on Sunday as a part of his recent “Protecting Working Families” tour. He came to Reading to garner opposition for congressional Republicans’ efforts to pass a bill that would change the tax code in the United States. Sanders’ speech in Reading came after trips to Louisville, Kentucky and Akron, Ohio.

The building was filled nearly to capacity, with people piling into the back to stand and watch the speech with no empty seats available.

Republicans in the Senate passed a bill on Friday. The bill’s supporters say that it will stimulate the economy and promote job growth by repealing the individual mandate tax on the Affordable Care Act and providing tax breaks for large corporations. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., is among the bill’s strongest supporters.

Opponents of the bill, including Sanders, argue that it will serve as nothing more than a means to make the 2wealthy even wealthier while hurting the working class. If passed, 87 million Americans would see increases in the amount they pay in taxes, and more than thirty million would lose their healthcare coverage.

In addition to the content of the bill, Sanders was unhappy about the way the Senate’s version of the bill was passed. The Republican majority in the Senate carried the bill to a narrow 51-49 victory. The vote was held early Saturday morning, and senators were only given about an hour to read the nearly-500-page bill.

Both of Pennsylvania’s senators came up during the speech. Bob Casey, D-Pa., received praise from Sanders and applause from the audience when his efforts to fight the bill were mentioned. Toomey was jeered for his support of the bill.

Sanders was accompanied by a group of activists and elected officials who spoke before he took the stage.

Former Ohio state senator Nina Turner, D-Ohio, spoke immediately before Sanders. Speaking with unmatched passion and energy, Turner pointed out her criticisms of the tax bill. She called it a “disaster” for the middle class. From beginning to end of her speech, Turner repeated the phrase “trickle-down is a trick,” and that the bill will favor the richest Americans, not working families.

The message of income inequality remained the central theme when Sanders took over. The United States has the highest level of income inequality in the world. The top three richest Americans own more wealth than the bottom fifty percent of the country, a point that Sanders expressed frustration over. He called the greed of some of America’s richest people a “sickness” that has had negative repercussions on the middle class.

The new bill would only widen the gap between the rich and the poor, according to Sanders. The tax breaks that it would give to corporations would distribute wealth to the top one tenth of one percent of Americans, he said.

Sanders hit on other issues that were highlights of his 2016 presidential campaign before ending his speech. His message of inclusivity, particularly when it comes to immigration, remains just as ingrained in his speeches now as it did when he sought the presidency.

He was critical of President Trump’s conservative approach to immigration policy since his election, specifically placing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program in danger. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced in September that Congress would either revise or eliminate the program.

Prior to Sanders’ speech, Rainy Leonor Lake, a recipient of legal status through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), spoke of the anxiety she has felt since DACA was threatened. She explained that the United States is her home and she fears being deported. Lake made the point that she is a college student and a member of the workforce and has earned her place in American society. “I’m here to say that I’m here to stay,” she said.

Sanders spoke briefly about the reasons people had for voting for Trump. “The vast majority of his voters are not racist, or homophobic, or xenophobic, or Islamophobic,” he said. Instead, Sanders said, they were lied to by Trump.

Before concluding his speech, Sanders hammered the American pharmaceutical industry. He called it “an outrage” that the United States charges more for prescription medications than any other first-world country.

Time and time again, the nation’s longest-serving congressional Independent made it a point to reflect on the hypocrisy Trump has displayed as president. “I wish I could be more nuanced with my words, but President Trump has been a liar,” he said.

Sanders pointed to a comment Trump made as a candidate in 2016 regarding cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. At the time, Trump said that anyone receiving those benefits would not lose them. Immediately after Trump took office in January, questions emerged about potential cuts.

Sanders also pointed to a quote by candidate Trump where he said that he would not be afraid to stand up to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan if he threatened to make similar cuts and said that Trump has not lived up that promise, and has allowed congress to propose harmful legislation.

As a candidate, Trump promised “insurance for everyone” and said that an individual’s income would not affect his/her ability to obtain healthcare. Trump supported a health care bill in July that would have thrown 32 million people off healthcare coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Sanders seized the opportunity to promote his long-held belief that the United States should move to a single-payer health care system that guarantees coverage for all Americans. This drew the biggest applause of the rally.

Sanders vowed that he, along with other members of congress who oppose the bill, would continue to speak out against it “until the fight is over.”

By TAYLOR GRAYSON, The Albrightian

On Nov. 28, Albright College hosted an experience event called “The Rwandan Genocide: A Survivor’s Story.” Eugenie Mukeshimana was the guest speaker for the occasion, and she told the story of how she survived to a packed Klein Lecture Hall.

She told us about the first genocide in Rwanda that her parents survived, but never talked about. After that genocide, her country was severely divided into two ethnicities, the Tutsi and the Hutu.

The Rwandan Genocide of 1994 is widely known as the genocide against the Tutsi, carried out by members of the Hutu government.

The genocide lasted approximately 100 days and resulted in the death of nearly one million people.

Mukeshimana was pregnant during the time of the genocide and had to go to extreme lengths to protect herself and her family.

She slept underneath the bed of a stranger who lived in a house with Hutu soldiers.

She had to be around the people who wanted to kill her every day, sneaking around to avoid being seen.

She lost her whole family, including her husband and ultimately ended up giving birth in an old outhouse shed, later being transported to the house of another Hutu soldier.

She pretended to know information about how the government could win the war to survive and was forced to cook for the soldier who was designated to take her life.

After endless days of going out and waging war, he never came back to the house.

Mukeshimana explained the hierarchy of Rwanda to listeners. There was no real order in the country. The reason the genocide began was because the Hutu president was killed by a Tutsi.

Following that, Hutu extremists declared war on anyone who had the word Tutsi on their identifications.

The genocide of Rwanda in 1994 was a tragedy, due to crooked hierarchy and lack of order after the death of the president.

Mukeshimana experienced a different form of tragedy when she discovered that her father was killed by one of his former students, one of her neighborhood friends.

Afterwards, a spectator asked if any of the Hutu soldiers felt guilty after the war ended and they came across those who they hurt.

“They did not feel guilty. They embodied transcendence to adjust to the new ways of their world. If Hutus controlled the water supply and a Tutsi needed a drink, the Tutsi would have to politely greet the Hutu and ask for a drink no matter what they felt in their heart for them.

Those who were affected negatively by the war didn’t have the choice to react in a hurt way, because they all had to function in society to survive. That is how Hutus were able to avoid guilt,” said the speaker.

Many Rwandans didn’t meet the same fortunate fate as Mukeshimana and her daughter.

After the person who held them hostage was killed, and the war was over, they were able to come America and make a better life.

This event was important because we got to hear from a survivor who felt the tragedy firsthand.

This story captured the audience as soon as Mukeshimana began telling it.

It is crucial to hear these stories and learn more about the history of the world, because we can learn from everything, even situations that did not directly affect us.

PRESS RELEASE, Albright College

A new scholarship at Albright College will provide support for students interested in studying abroad in Japan.

The Marian Frances Wolbers Study Abroad Scholarship, named in honor of the Albright instructor, will provide support to students with financial need, with preference given to students studying in Japan or other East Asian countries.

The first individual scholarship of $2,500 will be awarded in the near future.

The scholarship, endowed with more than $62,000, was established by Michael Walker of Perth, Australia, in celebration of his lifelong friendship with Wolbers and their shared devotion to Japan. The two friends met in the 1970s while studying Japanese language at Keio University in Tokyo.

After their studies were complete, Wolbers and Walker went their separate ways, with Walker remaining in Japan for decades to work for the Australian government and in the private sector.

Wolbers, an author, eventually landed at Albright to teach English, writing, and Japanese culture courses.

Decades later, the two friends reconnected, and on a visit to America, Walker toured Albright’s campus and met with students.

It was then that he decided to help future Albright students have the kind of life-changing study abroad experience that he and Wolbers both enjoyed in Japan.

“When I visited Albright last year I was impressed by the campus and the students I met, a couple of whom had been to Japan under their own steam,” said Walker. “And I admire the Japan course that Marian teaches. I thought – unprompted – that a scholarship might have a good effect.

“I hope students who benefit from the scholarship will learn to appreciate that the modern world is more than North America and Europe (and Australia),” he added.

Interest in Japan and Japanese culture has increased over the years at Albright, said Wolbers.

Albright is home to an Asian Studies minor, and students have traveled to Japan and across the continent on study abroad trips.

“Michael and I are both totally dedicated to encouraging more students to go to Japan and experience East Asia,” said Wolbers.

“If living in Japan can change a person as much as it did for us, and for so many other students and people we’ve known, who’s to say that scholarships like this can’t change the whole world?

By being courageous role models for others, more and more Albrightians will, ideally, find their feet in a place that will force them to put aside their assumptions and presumptions, widen their worldview, and simply be.”

According to Wolbers, “study abroad is a life-changer.”

By TRISTAN ELLIS, The Albrightian

One of the NFL’s biggest surprises this season is the success of the currently 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles.

Despite the big free agency acquisition of Alshon Jeffery and a good draft class headlined by first round pick Derek Barnett, not many people predicted the Eagles to have a playoff-worthy team.

This is due to the strong seasons last year by bitter NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.

Even less believed that they would be tied with the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Minnesota Vikings for the best record in the NFL through 12 games.

The Eagles offense is led by second-year quarterback, Carson Wentz, who to this point is having an MVP caliber season currently with 29 passing touchdowns compared to only six interceptions.

The Eagles other key offensive pieces include a strong receiving core, consisting of star receiver Alshon Jeffrey, emerging receiver Nelson Agholor, reliable tight end Zach Ertz, and veteran receiver Torrey Smith. Agholor specifically looks to have finally adjusted to the speed of the NFL as he is currently having a breakout year.

The Eagles run game features elite tailback Jay Ajayi, who was acquired via a midseason trade from the Miami Dolphins for a fourth round pick.

The other premiere member of the run game is bruising tailback LeGarrette Blount.

The one-two punch of Ajayi and Blount give the Eagles a formidable two headed monster at running back, and partnered with the stellar passing game give Philadelphia one of the best offenses in the NFL.

On the other side of the ball is the daunting Philly defense, who claims one of the most dominant defensive lines in all of football.

Fletcher Cox, Tim Jernigan, Derek Barnett, and Chris Long prove to be more than a challenge for the best offensive lines in the sport.

The ball-hawking secondary, led by Ronald Darby, who was acquired from the Buffalo Bills for Jordan Matthews, and third round pick, help keep the big pass plays to a minimum.

The 2017 Philadelphia Eagles are an extremely talented and well-rounded team that could be closing in on the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy if Doug Pederson and his coaching staff continue to perform well, and the players continue their high-level of play.

The Eagles take on the 9-3 Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 10 to try and rebound from last week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

By TRISTAN ELLIS, The Albrightian

Being a Miami Dolphins fan in the 21st century is not most exciting thing in the world.

Our fondest memories were a 11-5 record in 2008, and a 10-6 record in 2016, both ending with wildcard playoff loses.

You’d think that after a 10-6 record last season, the Fins would attempt to snowball this success and finally knock the rival New England Patriots off their AFC East thrown, right?

Well, this is Miami, and in Miami, we don’t build off success; we underachieve, and have the football gods stomp all over our faces.

Flashback to training camp: Ryan Tannehill’s knee practically explodes, you lose your starting rookie linebacker to an ACL tear, your starting nickelback also goes down with an ACL tear, and your best offensive guard tears a bicep and will be out for half the season.

Not only that, but you are forced to sign Jay Cutler to be your signal caller because you are desperate for a quarterback… Jay. Cutler. Is. Your. Quarterback.

All this and your head coach trades your Elite running back to the Philadelphia Eagles for basically a bag of potato chips because of  “misunderstandings” with the coaching staff.

Speaking of the coaching staff, the offensive play-calling is about as effective as a dead fish.

Don’t believe me? Go watch the game against the Ravens again.

All of this turmoil and the Dolphins are currently 5-7 after 12 games, O’Neilland are destined to go 7-9 for the 40 thousandth time.

They say don’t dwell in the past, well, it’s hard not to when you are a Miami Dolphins fan.

I miss Don Shula, Dan Marino, the 1972 perfect season, the Super Bowl wins, when we weren’t getting whipped by the Patriots every year, you see my point.

Can this team please win a Super Bowl in the next century? We haven’t won one since the 1973 season.

Well, at least we aren’t the Browns. I’ll see you Sunday, Miami… Fins Up.

By JACOB POLLICOVE, The Albrightian

Photo courtesy of Kaela O’Neill

A new student organization has come into being this year at Albright College.

We now have our very own chapter of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

The IHSA is open to all students, regardless of whether they have any past experiences with horses.

IHSA is open to students who wish to learn how to groom horses, how to care for them, and those who wish to be part of the horse shows that the group will participate in.

Albright’s IHSA will begin competing against other colleges beginning in Spring 2018.

Kaela O’Neill ‘20, the group’s president, is incredibly excited to be bringing this opportunity to campus.

When asked what the goal of the IHSA was O’Neill said, “Our club provides a fun, safe environment for students to learn around beautiful animals.”

The IHSA is coached by Larissa Fischer of Stony Run Fields. In addition to weekly horse riding lessons, the group holds weekly campus educational meetings.

The IHSA at Albright College is providing an exciting new opportunity, and the members are incredibly excited about the possibilities for the group.

One member, Lizaura Baez Trinidad ‘20, said, “IHSA is about bonding with horses, having fun, and meeting new people.”

That is exactly what the group wants to do–connect people via a fun, competitive, and enjoyable experience.

PRESIDENT FETROW, Featured Columnist

Dear Fellow Albrightians,
Welcome to December! I well remember this time of year when I was an Albright student—sweating over the final papers, stressing over projects and exams.

I particularly remember my junior year, when I decided (for what reason, I cannot remember) to take biochemistry, physical chemistry, and physics all in the same semester.

The pressure was relentless—I spent many hours studying in the library, in my dorm room, and in Science Hall.

I made it through, but I sure was exhausted by the time I went home for winter break.

The end of the fall semester is a stressful time on all college campuses. Luckily, at Albright, you have many resources to support your success.

The Gingrich Library offers therapy dogs, coffee and cookies at various times to help you de-stress—remember to check the Library’s main page (library.albright.edu) for upcoming opportunities.

Keep an eye out for me, too! You’ll find me walking through the Student Center and the Library occasionally passing out candy. If there’s another study location that you think I should visit, don’t hesitate to let me know. I’ll stop by and say hi.

And, finally, remember to get enough sleep. I well remember a few all-nighters when I was an Albright student.

All-nighters were never a good idea. Indeed, scientific evidence demonstrates clearly that one of the functions of sleep is to consolidate learning, and lack of sleep reduces retention.

It is best to schedule time for studying AND time for sleeping—sleep will actually help you perform better on that tough exam that you are worried about.

Good luck on exams and have a great winter break! We’ll see you either in Interim or in the spring semester!

(Interim is a great and fun time to be on campus—Interim is a distinctive feature of Albright’s academic calendar that allows you to pursue a single course in depth, make progress on your degree, and/or explore a topic you just find interesting. I always enjoyed Interim and I encourage you to sign up for an Interim course. For more details on registering, contact the office of the Registrar.)

Jacquelyn S. Fetrow, Ph.D. ’82
President and Professor of Chemistry

P.S. Congratulations to the women’s and men’s basketball teams. At the time of this writing, both teams are 2-0 in MAC conference play.

Also, congratulations to Nina Mazzarelli, who this past week surpassed 1,000 career points at Albright!

by JACOB POLLICOVE, The Albrightian

Fetrow, the President of Albright College, announced to the Albright community a restructuring of the college’s leadership and administrative organization.

This restructuring of the administration resulted in the departures of Gina Crance, the now former vice president of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, as well as Deborah McCreery, the now former Vice President for Advancement.

On Dec. 1, 2017, President Fetrow gave an interview to The Albrightian in which she discussed the changes.

These changes were made with the evolution of Albright College and higher education as a whole as the focus.

Sam Wesner, who had been the Associate Dean of Students and the director of the Gable Health Center, has taken on a new, larger role at Albright.
She is now the Vice President of Student and Campus Life, and the college’s Chief Health Officer, a newly created position, which reflects changing needs at Albright. For now, Dean Wesner will oversee the duties of the Dean of Students, as well as the duties of the Title IX Coordinator.

This restructuring reflects the fact that the 21st century college has needs that have evolved from the needs of the past.

In an age where health is a major topic of discussion across the country, particularly on college campuses, there needs to be a greater health professional role on a college campus.

This need is filled by the newly created Chief Health Officer role, which has now been filled by Dean Wesner.

Change is unavoidable in life, and when it occurs, we must pray that those who have enacted the change will prove to be right in their thinking.

These changes were made with the best interests of Albright College in mind, and they were not taken lightly.

We are working to be the best Albright that we can be, and in the words of President Fetrow, “It will take a long time to get there, but we are starting now.”

by JORDAN A. WINKLER, The Albrightian

So, what is college anyway?

This (usually) four-year experience where we test our limits, explore our intellectual stimulations, and experiment our way into oblivion?

What is our purpose here?

The past few weeks have proved our purpose, and here’s how.

With the welcoming of a new college president, we were provided with a sense of immortality. The Albright we have known and loved is now “forging boldly into the 21st century,” and we have felt capable of accomplishing anything.

One month later, we as students have come to find out just how far from the truth that is.

With the implementation of our president’s administrative restructuring, we have come to find out that there is very little we are capable of doing, when the primary goals of the students are not goals shared by the college.

As students, we are essentially workers in a factory of higher education which, if we make it out alive, provides us with opportunities society says we won’t have if we didn’t go to college.

In essence, we are damned if we do, and damned if we don’t.

The Board of Trustees of this company, Albright College, have entrusted our CEO with the protection of our dear alma mater and its administration. In turn, we get inconsistent leadership, emotional instability, and mounds of debt which some of us may never pay off.

Our purpose, to obtain a diploma, indicates in our 21st century society an achievement of social advancement. This advancement gives us greater meaning in the eyes of the world as we continue our individual and collective voyages through life.

The knowledge we gain is to symbolize an instrument we may use to propel us into an unpredictable workforce, where success is not guaranteed.

So, what is college, anyway? It’s a place to learn, both intellectually and socially, and obtain skills to prepare us for a world of uncertainty.

Beyond that, a college is that which its guiding members make of it. Students, we are simply along for the ride.

However, this is only one reality. College is what you make of it. Yes, the ultimate goal is to obtain a diploma.

However, the knowledge you gain from a four-year college or university is only partially acquired in the classroom. The choices we make, the skills we learn, and yes, the mistakes we make, are all part of the college experience.

Albright College, founded in 1856 in Who-Knows-Where, PA, has grown throughout the years to be the dynamic, thriving environment it is today. And it wouldn’t be that way without YOU – the students.

Since its founding, Albright has outgrown itself twice, before finding its way to Reading, PA, where we sit today.

Through the years, we’ve had students, staff, faculty, and administration come and go. We’ve had presidents worth naming buildings after, and others who have been long forgotten. Once again, we’ve witnessed a change in leadership – and this one is a game changer.

In 2017, Albright is required to compete against hundreds of other private and public colleges and universities – let alone our peer schools in the region.

How do we do that?

We tailor academic programs to fit the needs of the 21st century, and a 21st century job market.

Indeed, Albright is in line with our peer institutions when it comes to providing skills that assist in finding jobs after college.

Inconsistency and emotional instability are factors which will reoccur all throughout life.

One may argue that students should only be so fortunate to experience such dissatisfactions before entering “the real world”, and having to do it on their own.

At Albright College, a community exists which is designed to support students at all levels.

Change in leadership is only natural in a sustainable model of higher education.

The Albright of today is not the Albright of the past, and will not be the Albright of the future. Its ultimate path, and its true guiding members, are its students.

By BABOUCARR MANNEH, The Albrightian

Photo courtesy of Nicole Forktus

When students first enter into college, many of them struggle to form relationships with their peers. It is their first time away from home, on their own. Many of them are shy and their lack of communication could affect their future.

Many college campuses have Greek organizations that offer leadership positions and opportunities to help students improve their leadership skills and shape them for the future.

They also provide the brotherhood or sisterhood feeling for college students when they need someone to rely on. Greek life is not simply a bunch of frat boys and sorority sisters that get drunk every weekend.

At Albright, students have to complete at least one semester in order to join a fraternity or sorority. This rule was set so the college could see if students are able to handle the workload of college as well as being apart of a Greek organization. In order to join, students have to earn a minimum 2.5 grade point average.

On campus, there are three sororities: Sigma Kappa, Alpha Delta Pi, and Phi Mu, and four fraternities, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Alpha Sigma Phi, Pi Kappa Phi and Alpha Phi Omega, with the latter being a co-ed fraternity.

Recruitment is huge for the organizations in the springtime, since they are able recruit the freshmen by this time.

Events are held by each organization in order for potential Greek life members to meet current Greek life members and learn about what each organization stands for.

Throughout the school year, each organization will hold recruitment events of all sorts. Some of these include meet-and-greets, athletic events, retreats, and dinners.

Senior Christopher Casares recently held the recruitment chair for Sigma Alpha Epsilon and organized many events, from meet-and-greets with pizza, to athletic events like kickball and dodge-ball, to formal dinners with potential members.

While all organizations going through recruitment want to gain as many members as possible in order to meet their quota, they want to let the potentials know that they see them as friends rather than just another added member.

“The best thing to do is build a friendship with these guys and not treat them as number, but treat them as a friend before anything,” stated Casares.

Entering Greek life presents people with many opportunities on and off campus, as well as helping students develop soft skills for the world after college. Many college students see the stereotypical view of Greek life in the media and see a bunch of college students who get drunk every weekend, haze new members, try to hook up with other people, and try to look cool on campus.

While Greek life does have their entertaining social times, they also do various activities to benefit others. They do many things like philanthropy events, community service, new member education, scholarship plans and fundraising events to name just a few. Joining a fraternity or sorority can help of their comfort zone.

Senior Ashlee Brandt joined Phi Mu her freshman year at Albright, and she was able to become more of an outgoing character throughout her time in Phi Mu.

Many Greek life members experience the same as they tend to become more interactive with others once they overcome being interactive with their Greek life members.

“I found my voice and it definitely helped me be who I am,” said Brandt.

The Greek life scene does not always attract people, and many current Greek life members were not very attracted to the scene at first either.

Many were turned off by the scene because of the fear of possible hazing, which is prohibited on Albright’s campus, the money needed for dues, and the feeling that Greek life is not for them.

On the other hand, some people decide to join with absolutely no idea about what they are getting themselves into. No matter which side a person is on, what they should know is that Greek life is not for everyone, and they should make sure that they are entirely ready before they get involved.

Many people feel isolated on campus when it comes to college. The way members of an organization approach somebody that feels isolated can mean so much to them and make them think about getting involved so they can do the same with those who may be in that same position as them.

Sophomore Jackie Mantell is one of the most recent members of Phi Mu. After her initial thoughts of transferring schools, she decided to go through with recruitment and joined Phi Mu. Since she has joined, she has been presented with the lovely sisterhood of Phi Mu.

“When I was going through a hard time, I went into the campus center and they’ve helped me a lot,” said Mantell.

The brotherhood or sisterhood feel of an organization is what can make or break someone’s college career and these organizations can help someone in need of motivation and people who can be there to lift their head up when needed.

Improving yourself as a person, picking up leadership skills, creating life long relationships: These are just a few reasons why people decide to join Greek life.

While it is a nice addition to one’s résumé, it can be much more than what the media displays and what one has heard from someone else.

By STEVEN GOSCH, The Albrightian

With the end of the fall semester quickly approaching, many students across campus have begun to prepare for the dreaded Finals Week–a week of tests, sleep deprivation, and stress.

Students decide to become nocturnal as they stay up into long hours of the night cramming for exams.

Regular, healthy habits are sent to the back-burner, as the main priority of many students becomes studying in any way, shape, or form, all times of the day.

Finals week is one of the most stressful weeks of the year for students.

Fortunately for many, it happens twice a year, once per semester. During these times, many students are confused as to the best ways to study or take care of themselves.

With the fear of failing a prominent thought in the minds of many, studying is a must do.

Thankfully, there are ways to study without losing days of sleep and drinking nothing but coffee and energy shots.

For instance, a great idea is to go to the gym.

Exercising gets blood flowing throughout the body, and allows for more oxygen to access the brain.

This clears out the mind and allows for better cognitive function, especially towards memorization.

One myth about finals week concerns studying and sleep, and the fact that the two can do without each other. This is entirely false.

Pulling an all-nighter lets you study longer, but it does not let your brain rest.

Not only are you risking falling asleep during the exam, but your memory functions are offset. Take a nap, get some rest, and study when you wake up.

A testing time for many, no pun intended, finals week brings many challenges, particularly with how to relax.

Coloring is a great option, as it uses a different part of your brain than looking at words does.

Another option is visiting the therapy dogs at the library, which releases good feeling endorphins. Staying hydrated and eating properly are also necessary to pass your exams, as the body needs fuel to perform to the best of its abilities.

Finals week is a time for students to put their knowledge to the test and to excel in their classes. It is also a time for students to learn their study habits, preferred places of study, and even what to study.

Talk to your professor, do something fun before going into the exam, and practice healthy habits if you must pull an all-nighter.

It is only a stressful time if you make it one.

What are you most looking forward to during Winter Break?

By TAYLOR GRAYSON, The Albrightian

Albright College is an institution of liberal arts, whose slogan is “a different way of thinking.” As one of America’s Top 25 Schools for Artistic Students, the college offers students a variety of creative majors to choose from. One of the most popular areas of study in that field is theater. Theater majors are given the opportunity to be more than just actors. Students can choose to focus on directing, lighting design, scenic design, costume design and even playwriting. All theater majors are under the guidance of esteemed professors and artists, who have created award-winning pieces and helped shape the theater department into what it is today.

Each school year, The Domino Players present four main-stage productions, and about three smaller productions. These smaller productions include student written plays for the short play festival, 24-hour theater, and a student’s selection of a well-known play. The Domino Players are regarded as Albright College’s resident theater company. Most theater majors aim to become Domino Players. You can become a Domino Player by participating in enough productions, whether on stage or off-stage, but most theater majors enjoy the thrill of being on stage.

Matt Fotis is a beloved theater professor at Albright College. In his Creative Process class, he works alongside two other professors to teach students how to cultivate their art. His section of the class highlights the importance of playwriting.

“As an artist, I think it is essential to bring a collaborative nature to the theater. Every person has their own aesthetic and ideas, but when we come into the theater, we need to collaboratively work toward our goal. Obviously, the director is setting the tone and is the leader, but even he or she needs to be open to collaboration because theater simply does not exist without the creative work and talent of other people,” said Fotis.

Sophomore Giovanni Warren has always loved theater, but isn’t the biggest fan of it at Albright College. Warren has expressed that Albright just doesn’t put on the type of shows that she is interested in auditioning for. Although she doesn’t want to perform, she has always helped The Domino Players backstage. This November, she stage managed for “Candide”, directed by Jeffrey Lentz. This was her first time stage managing for a main-stage production at Albright College. She describes the time as a learning experience. According to Warren, “I didn’t like stage managing for Candide, but I looked at the downfalls through a creative lens. As long as you bring creativity, you can make the best of any situation.” Theater is known as a haven for artistic growth in the eyes of many. Creativity is what helps students decompress when they are feeling overwhelmed with work and classes. Liberal arts aren’t looked down on the same way they used to be. According to a study done by USA Today in 2013, the rate of employment for recent grads with degrees in drama and theater, is more than double that of recent grads with degrees in information systems. Being creative no longer equates you to being inadequate. Theater is a gateway to the creative world, and students at Albright College populate that world heavily.