Mountie Monday: A Little Bit of Everything

Hey, Mounties! For this week's Mountie Monday, I thought I would feature a freshman since most of the MM posts are upperclassmen. Zach Rosetti is probably one of the most involved freshmen I've ever met. He's always running around campus to get to his next class, attend a meeting, or join another organization.

So far, Zach is really pleased with his experience at Mansfield! After personally getting to know his professors, the administration, fellow Greeks, and other Mounties, he's happy to say that he chose to join the Mountie Nation and wouldn't trade it for the world.

If you're a freshman, then you might know that the transition from high school to college can be a little shaky... but by getting involved and jumping out of your comfort zone, your transition will be a lot smoother. Also, he now has a lot of upperclassmen to look up to and use as resources, like Student Trustee, Zane Swanger and his big brother in SAE, Dan Cwieka.

When Zach first came to college, he did need to take a step back and take another look at reality. Even though it's great to get involved and have fun in college, he's learned the importance of studying and remaining focused. With the utilization of the Learning Center and Career Center, he's proud to admit that he's excelling in his classes and does around 18 hours of studying each week.

Keep up the great work, Zach! I'm excited to see what you do with the rest of your years at M.U.

Name: Zach Rossetti
Year: Freshman
Major: Liberal Studies... thinking about Music Education
Hometown: Carbondale, Pennsylvania

Organizations: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Secretary of the Ping Pong Club, Treasurer of the Nerf Club, Mansfield University Mountie Ambassador

What made you choose Mansfield?

Zach: My high school band director was a Mansfield Graduate who encouraged me to visit the campus since I was aspiring to be a Music Ed. major. I visited campuses like Arcadia, and Penn State and thought they were a little larger than what I was looking for. I visited MU and fell in love with the place.

Favorite professor or class and why?

Zach: My favorite professor would have to be Dr. Monkelien. Dr. Monkelien, or as many of us like to call her mom, always goes out of her way if she sees a student struggling, I know this happened on more than one occasion for me while working with her on Les Miserables. She also makes sure to make every student feel at home and always lets us know that we belong at Mansfield University.

Favorite event at Mansfield and why?

Zach: My favorite event at Mansfield, would have to be Humans Vs. Zombies, (which happens to start April 11th this semester.)

Favorite memory from Mansfield: 

Zach: My favorite memory from Mansfield... again, another tough question. My favorite memory from Mansfield would have to be a tie between the applause during curtain call during the final performance of Les Miserables, and getting initiated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon. This group of guys always catch me off guard by living up to our creed and proving day by day that they actually are "True Gentlemen".

How do you balance all of your extracurricular activities AND classes?

Zach: Not going to lie, last semester my studies struggled and I was overwhelmed with all of the extracurricular activities I took on. This semester I cut a few of those activities out of my schedule and am using that time to write papers and study for exams in order to skip those all nighters.

Five Universities to Study Abroad at via M.U.

TGIF, Mounties! If you couldn't tell, there's kind of a theme going on this week with the whole traveling to other countries and what not posts. I like to think of myself as a travel junkie and take every (affordable) opportunity I can get. The only affordable opportunity that I never took advantage of was studying abroad via M.U. It's probably one of the only decisions in my life that I regret but if I had the chance to change my decision, here's a few of the universities I would consider going to:

 (Borrowed from imc-math.org)

American University in Bulgaria 

 (Borrowed from Wikipedia)

Åbo Akademi University (Finland)

 (Borrowed from ciee.org)

University of Hyderabad (India)

 (Borrowed from John Carroll University)

Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy)

(Borrowed from Chelis Education)

University of Ulster (UK)

Thanks to Dr. Oyallon for the information! Check out more of the universities available HERE.

What's Happening Wednesday: Mounties Celebrate St. Patty's Day in Ireland

This week's What's Happening Wednesday is something I'm kind of jealous over. When I say "kind of"... I actually mean very! The History Club at M.U., non-history majors, faculty, and alumni took a trip to Ireland over spring break. They traveled around the country to Dublin, Cork, Blarney, Cashel, Glendalough, and Ring of Kerry.Thanks to Heather Frattone for providing the pictures below and giving us the inside scoop on their trip!

First stop... Dublin! When I asked Heather about her most memorable moments were from her trip, St. Patrick's Cathedral was the first to come up. According to St. Patrick's website, it's located in the heart of Dublin and has been a part of Ireland's history for over 800 years! 

(Photo credit: Rachel Gulbin)

While in Cork, the group made sure to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in one of the most memorable ways possible. What better way to celebrate St. Patty's Day than in Ireland?!

Blarney's main attraction was the Blarney Castle which is around 600 years old! Even if you're not a history major, you have to admit... that's got to be amazing to see in person. The group got to tour the castle and climb 13 stories and kiss the Blarney Stone. Apparently, if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you'll never again be lost for words.

Last, but certainly not least... they visited Rock of Cashel which is one of the most popular attractions in Ireland. Even with a few small parts of construction, the castle was still breathtaking to see in person.

The History Club travels to a different country every spring break and the price isn't as steep as you'd think. With the student discount, a tour guide that travels with you throughout the entire trip, and being able to travel with some of your faculty and fellow students, these trips aren't something you want to miss.

Mountie Monday: A Life-Changing Experience

Welcome back, Mounties! I hope you all had the best spring break yet! Now that we're all (hopefully) rested and ready to continue with the rest of the semester, let's jump back into our daily routines!

For this week's Mountie Monday, someone suggested that I feature a student who's currently studying abroad. If there's one thing I regret from my years here at M.U.... it's not embracing the opportunity to study abroad.

Megan Gronwaldt, junior, knew she wanted to study abroad since she was in high school and was going to find a way to do so... no matter what. She's always had this need inside her to see the world, experience different cultures, and meet as many people as possible. The experience of studying abroad is giving her the opportunity to do that while also continuing her education.

Picking which country to study in was pretty easy for Megan! She already knew that M.U. had a relationship with Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland and it just so happened that Scotland was on her list of countries to travel to. Also, she wanted to make sure she chose an English speaking country, since it would be her first time out of the U.S.

The process for Megan involved a lot of waiting, phone calls, emails, and paperwork... but was totally worth it. She chose to study in Scotland for a whole year, and while she's extremely happy with her decision, she admits that she probably didn't think it through as much as she should have. Megan didn't realize how long nine months away from home would really be, especially when she couldn't join her family for the holidays like the rest of us probably did.

Even though nine months away from home is a long time, it continues to push her boundaries while learning a lot about herself as a person. This whole experience has showed her what she can do in life, especially with this new confidence she's gained from studying abroad. Studying abroad has taught Megan to trust her decisions and actions more than she ever has in the past. If there's one piece of advice Megan can give you from her years at M.U., it's to grab onto the opportunity that M.U. gives its students, and study abroad. It might not be perfect, or it might be amazing... but it will be life changing.


Name: Megan Gronwaldt
Year: Junior
Major: Music Business Major
Hometown: Audubon, PA
Organizations: Alpha Sigma Alpha

What made you choose Mansfield?

Megan: At first it was just the fact that the university had an amazing music program but once I took a tour of campus it was also because of the atmosphere.


Favorite professor or class and why?

Megan: My favorite class at Mansfield so far has been both Music History (I & II) with Dr. Rebecca Dodson-Webster. I honestly enjoy learning about the history of music and Dr. Dodson-Webster has a way of making that information even more interesting. Plus, she's funny and there is never a dull moment during a lecture.

Favorite event at Mansfield and why?

Megan: It's got to be Greek Week. Even though I've only participated in one so far, it was by far the best event. It's a whole week of competitions and Greek bonding and the energy is palpable. Relay for Life is a close second. There's just something about staying up all night in a gym with tons of people raising money for a truly amazing cause.

Favorite memory from Mansfield and/or Scotland:

Megan: My favorite memory from Mansfield was receiving my official bid from Alpha Sigma Alpha. I felt like I really belonged somewhere at that moment.

My favourite memory from Scotland was spending Christmas with a friend I had made from university here. She lives up in the Highlands, in Inverness. The fact that I had, within 3 months, made such an amazing friend as to have me for Christmas was so special to me. I got to experience a real Scottish Christmas with Christmas pudding, paper crowns and all!

So far, what's the most valuable thing you've learned by studying abroad? 

Megan: ​The most valuable thing I've learned during my time here has been to believe and trust in myself. This may seem silly or cliché but it's the honest truth. Here, I'm on my own, no family to fall back on, no sorority sisters to go running to when I need help. It's just me and when it's just you, you really do have to be sure of who you are. I've learned that if you trust in what you do, then, in the end, everything is ​going to be just fine.

Friday Five: Five Ways to Spend Your Spring Break

Hey, Mounties! Sorry for the delayed Friday Five post. My spring break started with some travelling and then a crazy busy weekend at home!

I think I speak for everyone when I say we could really use a break from papers, exams, and group projects. Unless you're lucky enough to escape to some gorgeous beach or even travel across seas to Ireland, like the History Club, then you might be wondering what to do with your newly found downtime.

Indulge in a good book!

To the people that know me personally, you're probably not surprised that the first "to do" on this list involves reading. Trust me, though... everyone enjoys read. The people that say they don't probably haven't found their "type" of book yet!

Need a recommendation?

I've read so many raving reviews of Gone Girl and finally decided to see what all the hype was about. I'm actually not even done reading it yet... but it's thrilling! It's so fast-paced and keeps you guessing throughout each page.

Gone Girl is also becoming a movie and is set to be released in theaters on October 3, 2014. I don't know about you, but it's almost a rule for me to read a book before its movie releases.

I don't want to spoil anything that happens, so if you want to read a little more about Gone Girl before you buy it, I suggest you check it out on Goodread's.

Speaking of movies...

Sure, there's a movie theater 15 minutes away from Mansfield... but I feel like students never have any time or money to catch a movie with classes going on. Spring break is the perfect time to take a trip to your local movie theater and sit back, relax, and just enjoy.

Need a recommendation?

On Friday, March 21, Divergent will finally be released in theaters. Divergent is actually one of my favorite book trilogies that's set in a futuristic, dystopian society. Even though I haven't seen the movie yet, the trailers and reviews are giving me the impression that it'll be worth watching.

Binge on some Netflix.

As much as I want to watch some Netflix during the school year, I don't let myself. Once I start watching a show on Netflix, I typically can't stop. I binge on Netflix. Which is why spring break is the perfect time for it!

Need a recommendation?

One of my first Netflix binges was with the show Orange is the New Black. OITNB is exclusively on Netflix and was created by Jenji Kohan, creator of Weeds (another recommendation).

This. Show. Is. Addicting. I think I once watched five episodes in one day! I have to warn you though, it might be a little awkward watching this show around the parentals, especially if they're uncomfortable with nudity, strong language, and sexual situations.

Check out the trailer HERE.

Do something nice!

This could be as simple as heading to your local animal shelter to help walk some dogs! Animal shelters are always looking for volunteers to help out.

Not into the whole furry friend deal?

I found this website called volunteermatch.org where you can search for volunteer opportunities close to you! There's also the option to choose which type of volunteer opportunities you'd be most interested in. There's Advocacy & Human Rights, Crisis Support, Environment, and Seniors, just to name a few.

Create a LinkedIn account.

Whether you're a freshman or a senior in college, I highly recommend creating a LinkedIn account. So many employers are currently using LinkedIn to find candidates for positions.

The earlier you start your account, the easier it'll be to add work experience and any unique details that might set you apart from other candidates!

Tip: Keep this profile as professional as possible! Avoid choosing a profile picture that might show you in an unprofessional way.

Les Misérables: A Review

I wasn't sure if I should write a review of Mansfield University's Production of Les Misérables or not because unfortunately, they're done performing it now! So, with that said, I hope everyone got to see it! If you didn't, my review might cause you to regret your decision. That was my warning.

When I was headed to see Les Mis on Friday night, I had somewhat high expectations. M.U. is extremely well-known for its music program and the talented students in it so I knew it would be worth seeing. Even though I had somewhat high expectations, I've seen a few Broadway musicals and the Les Mis movie in the past so I had a feeling they wouldn't be able to come close to that. Even though I'm kind of a prideful person, here I am admitting: I. Was. Wrong.

I was completely blown away by the performances given by these students that I'm proud to call my fellow Mounties. If you're anything like me, you tend to forget about the amazingly-gifted musicians in the pit. Even though the music is amazing, it's hard to remember because they're hidden! Typically, I do forget about this group of people. However, since I knew someone in the pit, I made sure to pay special attention to them. I'm pleased to say that they were my favorite part of the show. The music was breathtaking and gave me chills. I don't know how else to explain it except tell you that I would be willing to sit in the auditorium for hours, close my eyes, and let the music absorb me.

My second favorite part of the show was watching a bunch of students that I know and recognize from campus showing off their amazing voices! My neighbor, fellow Greeks, and co-workers shocked me with their talents. I almost felt like I was watching a movie and wanted to tell my friends, "I KNOW THEM!", but all of my friends knew them too... so that would've been awkward. I'm sure you get the point though! I'm so, so proud of not only everyone that I knew in Les Mis but also the students that I dont!

Let's talk about all of the feels that were felt during Les Mis. Yeah, the voices were incredible... but so was the acting! I'm not the type to cry in public... but I was definitely shedding a few tears by the end. If you saw Les Mis and said you didn't cry, even just tear up a little bit, I don't believe you. Simple as that. The leads in the M.U. Production of Les Mis were a better pick than the ones in the movie, in my opinion. Feel free to disagree, but I doubt you will. If you didn't see it, then you just have to take my (and others) word for it.

If you take anything away from this review, I hope it's to take advantage of these musicals that are performed on campus! They're free. They're incredible... and now that I'm a senior and ready to graduate, I'm extremely sad that I didn't take advantage of more in the past. Don't be surprised if you see me coming back to visit good ol' M.U. next year just so I can experience this again.

Mountie Monday: 24601

Hey, Mounties! Only a few more days and then we're on spring break! Stay strong during midterms!

On Friday, I saw Mansfield University's Production of Les Misérables. I was blown away by the entire performance, to say the least, but you can read more about my thoughts about that on Wednesday. Today, for Mountie Monday, I'll be featuring the lead of Les Misérables, Benjamin Eisenhour. Benjamin played Jean Valjean and brought me and many others to tears. 

Benjamin was raised in a very music oriented family and was constantly surrounded by it, growing up. When Benjamin was falling behind in school, he used music as his outlet and that's where his love for it was really discovered.

After joining the choir, Benjamin found out that he had a knack for singing and it naturally progressed from there. His first ever singing lesson was actually here, at M.U., given by Dr. Kim!

Name: Benjamin Eisenhour

Year: Junior

Major: Music with an emphasis in Technology

Hometown: York, PA


What made you choose Mansfield?

Ben: I chose Mansfield University because it is probably one of the best music schools in the entire state.

Favorite professor or class and why?

Ben: My favorite professor here is Dr. Monkelien. She has been basically like a mother to me by guiding me through these past couple years.

Favorite event at Mansfield and why?

Ben: The Chef's Fare* that goes on every year. I love tasting all the different gourmet foods Manser has to offer!

Favorite memory from Mansfield:

Ben: My favorite memory has to be when it really clicked, in one of my lessons with Dr. Kim, what I needed to do to sing the proper way.

If you had to choose, what was your favorite part about being involved with Les Misérables?

Ben: My favorite part about being in Les Misérables was having people come up to me after performances and explaining how I had touched them in some way with my singing/acting.

*The Chef's Fare is an event where different schools within the state compete to see who can cook the best meal.