Mountie Monday: In Whom We Trust

(Borrowed from GOMOUNTIES.COM)

Zane Swanger, Mansfield University's Student Trustee, found out about the position through his fraternity brother, Mark Phifer (past Student Trustee). After applying for the position, he was interviewed by a panel set up specifically by Mansfield University and also a panel set up by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. The next step was to have his proposal of being student trustee approved by the PA State Governor, Tom Corbett. After being appointed as Mansfield University's Student Trustee by the governor, Zane was given the oath of office to serve as a representative to a state-appointed position. Zane will hold the position of Student Trustee until his graduation when a different student will replace him.

Currently, Zane is reaching out to as many students and organizations possible while attending regular Student Government Association meetings. He finds pride in being "the voice of the student body" and continues to work hard to serve his fellow student body of the university he came to love and cherish.

Zane's most recent example of being "the voice of the student body" is his attempt to cut the payment of student activity fees to the executive board members of Student Government Association. Quoting page 3 of The Flashlight, Volume 102, Issue 3 "Why does a student need to collect money from other students?" "In my fraternity, we say to always be your brothers keeper, we do not seek anything in return for the care or work we give. Should the executive board of SGA be our brothers keeper as well?" Recently, Zane talked to students around campus and found out that there are a large number of students that don't agree with SGA executive members being paid by student activity fees.

Name: Zane Swanger

Year: Junior

Major(s) and Minor(s): Dual Major (Political Science / Criminal Justice Administration)

Hometown: Lewistown, PA

Organizations: Student Trustee to the Mansfield University Council of Trustees; President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pennsylvania Beta Phi Chapter.

What made you choose Mansfield?

Zane: I wanted to go to school in my home state (PA), and wanted to experience a different surrounding. The small school was a huge factor, I am a name and not just a number. The small classes and also the ability to know my professors and advisers on a personal level makes it feel like I am at home.

Favorite professor or class and why?

Zane: Favorite professor and adviser would be Dr. Bosworth. He has provided me with powerful tools that I will be able to use throughout my life and future career. Dr. Bosworth has kicked my butt into gear at times that I may have been slacking, and that definitely helped me take my college work more seriously.

Favorite event at Mansfield and why?

Zane: Foam-alicious Foam Party that was sponsored by SAE and funded by Student Activity Fees. This event was a blast because I assisted in setting it up, and everyone seemed to have a great time and is looking for it to happen again in the near future! It was also my favorite because my fraternity was the organization that presented the idea and made it all happen with assistance from SGA for funding the event using Student Activity Fees.

Favorite memory from Mansfield:

Zane: My favorite memory from Mansfield would be the experience I had during my first semester. The transition into graduating from high school and coming to college. I was a resident of the well known BroCrest (Cedarcrest) and the bonding that occurred on that floor was by far the greatest experience I have had at this University. I also learned the most important and inexpensive item to bring to campus.. a door stop. Having my door open was the fastest way to meet new people and to become social. (Use this for what you may haha).

​What has been the best part of being student trustee, so far?

Zane: The best part of being the student trustee is that I serve as the eyes and ears of the entire student body. This comes with great responsibility, but at the same time I enjoy doing my part to serve the student body efficiently through any political and policy means that are relevant to my position. I am very approachable and enjoy hearing concerns from students so that I can bring awareness of their concerns to the council I serve on. I like to think of myself as a powerful resource for students, although my position is not very well known. I am working vigorously through social networks and one-on-one communications to increase the awareness of my position and show students just how much of an asset I can be to their concerns being heard and acted on.

Friday Five: Five Ways to Keep Off the Freshman Fifteen

(Borrowed from Buzzocracy)

Happy Friday, Mounties! Since Melissa's Mountie Monday was really popular, I figured I would ask her to help me out with this week's Friday Five post. 

No matter what college you attend, the Freshman 15 is definitely a possibility. You're living on your own, choosing what to eat and what not to eat and your parents are no where in sight. If we wanted to, we could literally eat ice cream for every single meal without our parents knowing. That kind of freedom comes with some responsibility if you don't want to gain the freshman 15, though. Here's some tips that Melissa and I came up with to help keep off the freshman 15.

1. Take one plate at a time and eat in moderation: 

When you're in Upper Manser, there's an endless supply of food for you. Chances are, you're grabbing more than one plate of food because you can. There's also those days where Manser has all of your favorite foods... all at once! I swear... I think they plan that. Anyway, it's totally okay to grab some of your favorite foods as long as you don't overdo it. You need to treat yourself once in a while!

2. Ditch the Mountie and walk to class:

On days like today, when it's wet and cold, I know how tempting it is to take the Mountie to class. Class seems so far away, especially if you live in Spruce, but taking that 10-15 minute walk to class really helps! With the hills and steps that you probably need to take in order to get to class, you shouldn't have much trouble keeping off those freshman 15.

3. Don't skip breakfast:

You've probably heard before that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" and whether it is or not, it still has some awesome benefits. Eating breakfast gives your body the fuel it needs to continue on with the day. According to fitsugar.com, eating breakfast helps your metabolism start up for the day and keeps you from being extremely hungry to the point of making bad choices for lunch and dinner.

4. Play an intramural sport or attend a group fitness class:

I, personally, think nothing is more boring than being on the elliptical for an hour. If you enjoy it, then that's awesome but if you feel the same as I do, you should try out an intramural sport or group fitness class. There are so many options on campus for staying fit so why not have fun with it? Check out Kelchner Fitness Center's Facebook Page for more details.

5. Eat small snacks in between meals:

Melissa suggests eating small snacks in between classes like some baby carrots and hummus or a banana. These small snacks will keep you from overindulging during lunch and dinner and will keep your metabolism moving!

Do you have some tips to contribute to this topic? Leave a comment down below and share it!

What's Happening Wednesday: Check Out the Two New Guys at MU

Hey, Mounties! For those of you that haven't heard, there's a new place on campus to grab some grub! For the students that haven't tried Einstein's yet, I thought I would go test it out and let you know what I think. According to Einstein's website, they're "the nation's largest operator of bagel bakeries and the leader in the quick casual segment of the restaurant industry, Einstein Noah Restaurant Group is moving with the cultural shift toward food that is fast, but never tastes that way. Think fresh-baked goods, made-to-order sandwiches, crisp salads and gourmet coffee." Sounds good to me!

My roommate came with me to Einstein's so I could share an opinion on more than one menu item. She ordered the Tasty Turkey which had a ton of semi-thickly sliced turkey, fresh tomatoes, spinach, cucumbers, and a whipped onion and chive cream cheese. She claims that it was a perfect mix of "zesty, salty goodness and fresh veggies". I also tried a bit and agree! I was going to order the Tasty Turkey at first but was afraid I wouldn't like the onion and chive cream cheese... but it was surprisingly really good!

If you know me, you know that I love buffalo chicken anything. So it probably doesn't surprise anyone when I say that I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Bagel Thin. The sandwich comes with grilled chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, buffalo sauce, and reduced fat cream cheese. The grilled chicken tasted really fresh and the buffalo sauce gave it the kick that I always crave. I wasn't sure if I would like cream cheese with buffalo chicken, but it cooled the sandwich down a little while adding some extra flavor. If you like buffalo chicken anything like I do, then I definitely suggest giving this one a try.

Overall, Einstein's was a success! The only thing I would have to complain about is how you can't use a meal from your meal plan to eat there. I don't understand the technicalities of why Einstein's doesn't accept meals, but it can definitely turn into a struggle when you start to run out of flex.

Mountie Monday: Melissa Wiles Kicks Mounties into Shape

(Image borrowed from GOMOUNTIES.COM)

Hey, Mounties! Hope you had a relaxing, warm weekend! 

This week, I thought I would feature someone who is a very close friend of mine and is super inspirational! Melissa Wiles, fellow Mountie, teaches classes at Kelchner Fitness Center on campus and does an amazing job. I've been to every type of class she teaches, other than Insanity, so I speak from experience when I tell you that it's totally worth your time.

Melissa consistently keeps a high GPA, stays involved on campus, works multiple jobs, and teaches classes at KFC. If that doesn't scream busy, then I don't know what does. Even with all of the responsibilities Melissa has, she constantly has a smile on her face and that really helps when you're trying to get through those last few minutes of Kardio Kick.

Thanks for making MU proud, Melissa!

Name: Melissa Wiles

Major(s) and Minor(s): Dietetics, Sports Nutrition, Applying for Nursing and a Minor in Psychology

Hometown: Mansfield, PA Organizations: Alpha Sigma Alpha (Positions held: Ritual Chairman, Panhellenic-Delegate, Vice President Of Membership Education)

What made you choose Mansfield?
Melissa: I chose Mansfield because I am an extremely family-oriented person and Mansfield was close to home. Mansfield also has an excellent dietetics program with professors that expect excellence and are there to help your education. Lastly, my parents are employed by Mansfield University so I get free tuition.

Favorite professor or class and why?

Melissa: My favorite professor would be Dr. Wright. Even though she is an extremely challenging professor she is incredible and has a firm knowledge base. She is probably my most strict professor but also one of the most caring and helpful workers this university has. She is always challenging her students to go above and beyond.

Favorite event at Mansfield and why?

Melissa: My favorite event would be Homecoming. It is such a fun-filled weekend and really brings out the school spirit in students. The prep rally is full of excitement and Mountie pride, the football game is packed, and we're loaded with candy from the Homecoming parade.

Favorite memory from Mansfield:

Melissa: My favorite memory from Mansfield is when I taught my first Kardio Kick class, two years ago. Before I started teaching classes I had always wanted to try and be like Chalene Johnson, who is the creator of workouts including Turbo Kick, PiYo, Turbo Fire, and Hip-Hop Hustle. Doing her videos inspired me to one day be as uplifting, motivational, and strong as her. Amy Delozier, my awesome boss at Kelchner Fitness Center pushed and pushed me until I finally told her to put me in the schedule to start teaching classes. I was terrified prior to the class. The last thing that I wanted to do was mess up because I thought that meant I would have failed. My first class went incredibly, though, and the natural energy that I possess took over my body. I have learned through my years of group fitness that it is okay to mess up or forget a move. People don't come to the classes looking for a perfect instructor who doesn't make mistakes. Instead, they are looking for a fun workout, a high energy environment, and a motivating and uplifting instructor who is eager to help. There is nothing more rewarding to me than coming out of a group fitness class and knowing that everyone in the room had a safe and effective workout.

Tips for staying fit during college: ​

Melissa: My number one tip for staying fit in college is finding a friend or a workout buddy. Even on days in which you lack energy a workout buddy can be that extra push that you need to get motivated to go to the gym. I would also recommend trying the group fitness classes that Kelchner Fitness Center provides for FREE! Classes range from relaxing yoga, booty shaking Zumba, and to the extreme of Insanity. The instructors make the moves doable yet challenging for all exercise levels. I think many people lose interest in staying fit because they continue to do boring exercises that don't deliver optimal results. Exercising can be extremely fun and rewarding at the same time. It's about getting into a routine. All it takes is about 20-30 days for something to become a habit and it only takes about 20 minutes for the "feel-good" endorphin's to start rushing throughout your body.

If you think you know someone (even if it's yourself!) that would be a good fit for Mountie Monday, please send an email to themountieguide@gmail.com with the (1.) student's name, (2.) contact information, and (3.) reasons why they should be featured on Mountie Monday. 

Friday Five: The Five Most Unique Organizations at MU

Hey Mounties! I thought it would be cool to feature some of the most unique clubs here at Mansfield University. One of the things I love most at MU is how you can be creative and start your own club. You get the chance to be the leader of something where at another school, you might not have that chance. Here's five different clubs and organizations that aren't your typical extracurricular activity. If they sound interesting to you, make sure to check them out!

Hula Hoop Club: The Hula Hoop Club is still pretty new to Mansfield. They started in Fall 2013 and are still growing. During their meetings, they dance and learn how to use their hoops in different ways. Rose Boone, Hula Hoop Club founder, helps the members improve on how they work with their hoops and also shows them some cool new tricks that might work well for them, individually. Hooping isn't just a fun activity, but can be used for exercise and ways to express your creativity through dance.

This semester, the Hula Hoop Club is planning some fun activities like flash mobs, a springtime celebration, and a hoop sale. "Hooping has changed my life and my perspective on it so radically that I can't help but want to share it with everyone!", said Boone.

Meetings: Sundays at 7 p.m. in KFC (Group Fitness Room)

Nerf Club: The Mansfield University Nerf Club is a student-run organization that is known for putting on events such as Humans Vs. Zombies and The Hunger Games. Humans Vs. Zombies is a glorified game of tag played for a week and a half using NERF Blasters, Socks, and Marshmallows.

Apart from Humans Vs. Zombies, the Nerf Club puts on events such as The Hunger Games. The Hunger Games lasts all day and pits students against each other in order to recreate the novels and films.

If you would like to join the Nerf Club or would like any further information, feel free to contact any of the following officers through your student email: President, Dylan Krall; Vice President, Dan D'Amato; Secretary, Seth Lomas; Treasurer, Zach Rossetti.

Meetings: Saturdays at 8 p.m. outside of Jazzmans in Alumni Hall

Horn Club: The Mansfield University Horn Club is a small club on campus that supports the students of the MU Horn Ensembles and strives to promote "knowledge about the Horn and its literature." (International Horn Society)

During their meetings, they use the time to talk about upcoming events, fundraising, and opportunities for their ensemble (competitions, recitals, etc.) They also use that time to rehearse for upcoming gigs and volunteer opportunities.

Make sure to LIKE their Facebook page!

Meetings: Tuesdays at 12 p.m. in Butler Music Center

Garden Club: The MU Gardening Club is starting its second semester here at Mansfield University. Their mission is to promote and facilitate a more natural lifestyle for students and the community through research, sustainable practice, projects and community building.

They are always looking for opportunities for students within the community. Their current project this semester involves developing on land granted to the club into a student-community garden and recreation focal point. Their other current project consists of researching and building small scale aquaponics systems.

Every Thursday (Activity Day), members dedicate some of their free time throughout the day to help progress the club. They will also have their club organizational meetings once or twice a month on Thursdays as well.

The Garden Club already has their first step in the door and they're looking for others to help them take the second. Help them build a stronger community and attain a more natural lifestyle through something as fundamental as growing food.

Any questions, comments, concerns, praise, interest, opportunities, may be directed to Garden Club President, Troy Swank, at swanktd07@mounties.mansfield.edu. Check out their Facebook GROUP for more information!

Meetings: First meeting will be on Thursday, February 13, at 4 p.m. in Alumni 307

Mansfield University Fire Ferret's Quidditch: The Mansfield University Fire Ferrets, founded in fall 2013, are Mansfield's internationally-competing quidditch team. Quidditch is a full-contact, co-ed collision sport played by over 1,000 teams across the world, in countries that include Australia, Argentina, France, Belgium, the United States, and the United Kingdom. All matches, tournaments, and games (including the annual Quidditch World Cup) are overseen by the International Quidditch Association (IQA). 

Quidditch teams are typically composed of 21 players. Though only seven players can be on the pitch at a time, due to the physical nature of quidditch, the remaining 14 players 'sub in' to give tired or injured players a break. 

There are four primary positions on the pitch: seeker, keeper, chaser, or beater. To an uneducated spectator, the chaos of a quidditch match can be overwhelming. Six chasers (three per team, each wearing a white headband) pass a partially-deflated volleyball to each other and attempt to get past the opposing team's keeper (wearing a green headband). The chasers must also get past the other team's two beaters (in black), who compete with the opposing team's beaters for majority control of the three parially-deflated dodgeballs (bludgers). The game ends when one of the two seekers (in gold headbands) snatch the snitch from the shorts of the snitch runner. 

The snitch is one of the multiple 'non-player' positions on the Fire Ferrets. Snitches need to be fast, able to run long distances without getting tired, and be decent grapplers, as snitching requires a lot of physical contact with the seekers. 

The Fire Ferrets host practices 12 hours a week. During the week, practices are held inside KFC. Weekend practices are also held in KFC, but will change location in Spring. On Mondays, conditioning practice is held from 7-7:30 pm. On Tuesdays, chaser practice is from 7:00 to 8:15. Wednesdays are beater practice from 7-8:15. Friday nights are seeker practice (6-7pm) and team practice (7:00-8:15). Saturdays at 1 feature another beater practice, and Sunday at 1 a chaser practice. Saturday and Sunday Team practices are held from 2-4pm. The Fire Ferrets also run regularly in groups ranging from 1-6 members. 

Lastly, make sure to LIKE their Facebook page!

Potential players for the fire ferrets should contact the team at MUFireFerrets@gmail.com

What's Happening Wednesday: MU Community Service Club Operates Snowflakes

(Thanks to Benjamin Rosenberger for the pictures!)

SNOW DAY! You know what that means, right? You get to sleep in, wear your pajamas all day, and watch Netflix until you realize it's already time for dinner. That was probably the case for most of us today... but not the Community Service Club. 

One of the community service opportunities that CSC offers is called Operation Snowflake. Operation Snowflake helps out members in the community that might not be able to shovel their snow for various reasons. This morning, while a lot of us were warm in bed, CSC ventured to some of the houses on their list and lent a helping hand.

CSC has around 20 addresses on their list and was prepared to shovel all of them. While some of the addresses had already been shoveled by the time they arrived, they made up for it by offering help anyone outside that was already shoveling.

These Mounties have a serious amount of motivation to help others. Sleeping in is something that college students take advantage of every chance they get. When asked about the motivation to wake up and shovel this morning, Kelsy Woodman, CSC secretary, said, "my motivation is to help others and it's great spending time with friends and making new ones within the club." After shoveling for a few hours, the members of CSC were treated to lunch and hot chocolate at President Hendrick's house.

If waking up early isn't your thing, CSC has a ton of opportunities to volunteer and make a difference. Make sure you LIKE their Facebook page to get updates and the minutes from their meetings and if you're interested in attending their meetings, they're on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in Alumni 307.

Mountie Monday: Mountie Chills in China

Hey, Mounties! I can't believe it's already the third week of the semester! Time really flies when you're keeping busy with school work and activities. 

This week I chose my neighbor for Mountie Monday. I remember him telling me that he had an internship in CHINA... yes, CHINA! That must have been such an amazing experience and figured you all might want to hear about it as well!

It seems like communications runs in Tyler's family because his uncle owns a media company (HK Magazine)! Tyler's uncle took him on as an intern in 2013. Tyler filmed and edited videos for different apps and for their YouTube account. Lastly, Tyler got to help plan and host a huge event for HK Magazine's 1,000th issue.

Name: Tyler Savarese

Year: Senior

Major: Mass Communication w/ concentration in Broadcasting

Hometown: Milford, PA

Organizations: MUTV (Co-Editor)

What made you choose Mansfield?

Tyler: I was a pole vaulter in high school and was recruited for Mansfield's track & field team. I finally decided to commit to Mansfield when I found out about the renovations to Allen Hall (Art, Communication, and Theatre building) though.

Favorite professor or class and why?

Tyler: Dr. Lee Wright and Contemporary American Humor because there is nothing more interesting than learning about the strategy of humor while being able to laugh at the same time.

Favorite event at Mansfield and why?

Tyler: Battle of the Chefs because its the best time to use your meal plan and finally pig out in upper. 

Favorite memory from Mansfield?

Tyler:  Coming into Mansfield I was second guessing my decision and trying to transfer until I met the guys I lived with in Maple 2B. This group of rowdy and reckless athletes created so many funny stories and memories which made me stay for the next 3 years.

Tips for interning overseas:

Tyler: The number one tip I would say for interning overseas is to try everything and stick with the local norms. We as obvious Americans stand out but can enjoy ourselves more by adapting to the local cultural norms.