by Ashleigh Smith

Attention incoming freshmen:

Welcome to college, which as I am sure you are tired of hearing, are “the best four years of your life.” While it may be hard to believe that parents can know what they are talking about, they are right. As you walk around campus, through Decker, the new gym, or down by Alumni Hall, you’ll find that the students here at McDaniel can recall the best moments of their first year on the Hill, and their seasoned advice on how to make a freshman year (and many after) really count.

The two best things that ever happened to me in college I put off until my sophomore year, and if I could go back and have the choice, I would not have wasted my freshman year. The first best thing that can happen?you meet new friends, who will last for a lifetime; the second best?getting involved, in schoolwork (which can be fun, if you know which teachers to avoid) and in the McDaniel community. Join a club, try out for a show or a team, take a class just because you want to. Make your freshman year the start to an amazing college experience.

But don’t take it from me: just ask any of them.

Junior Kim Clemens says the best part of her freshman year was when she “joined a lot of different organizations on campus.”

“Even though I didn’t know many of the people in the clubs nor had a great interest in some of them, it gave me a chance to experience new things and make new friends,” adds Clemens.

McDaniel has over 100 organizations and clubs, according to the student handbook, and that number grows every year. We recently added the Frisbee club to our ranks, which has grown so popular that members now can live together in their own house.

Junior Kristen McGeeney notes that not only is getting involved a good way to get to know fellow students, it also provides experiences and opportunities you might not otherwise have available.

Students often help foster community service opportunities such as fundraisers or charity drives. Every year numerous clubs and organizations collaborate with the local community to put on the Relay for Life, to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Last year’s event raised over $34,500, which will go towards finding a cure.

Many student organizations also sponsor college events, parties or dances, such as the annual Black Student Union fashion show or the Greek Games. About 14 percent of our campus claims membership in one of the seven Greek organizations on campus.

Sophomore Allie Southwick, Junior Kate Goeddel, and Junior Casey Crough all place joining a sorority as one of the best things they did freshman year, though freshman are not allowed to participate in rounds until second semester.

“Best thing I could have done,” says Goeddel. “I met tons of new people and made great friends.”

Crough says, “Everyone seems so open and independent, and you really feel like you can be yourself and that people will respect that.”

Many students also pursue the arts in their spare time. Junior Fernando Gomes says that his best move freshman year was to join both College Choir and the Gospel Choir. “I thought I would give both a try,” says Gomes. “Since then, I haven’t regretted the decision, and I always enjoy singing with both awesome groups.”

The theatre department is always looking for recruits, whether they participate on stage or behind the scenes. “The best thing I did freshman year was get involved with the theatre department,” comments Senior Patrick Stinson, a biology major. “It’s a really welcoming program for new students, even if you don’t plan to major or anything.”

Crough was also active in the Hill’s presentation of Urinetown and A Christmas Carol.

For Senior Dan White, becoming active in Green Terror Sports was a memorable part of his freshman year. “Running cross country and track was a lot of fun,” says White, “and my best friends from McDaniel to this day are from the team. Plus I think that exercising is a great way to let of some of the stresses of college.”

The college also sponsors intramural sports every spring open to all students, and even if you choose not to play a sport (varsity or otherwise), games are a great place to hang out with friends and have a picnic.

An exchange student from China, Sophomore Fenghao Wang, says the best part of the first year was “the fact that I’ve survived it, got to know a lot of new friends and tried to understand a new culture.”

While upperclassmen are fond of their freshmen memories, some have their regrets, too. McGeeney says, “The worst thing I did was probably going home too often. I was the only one in my group of high school friends that really left the area for college, so I felt like I was missing out. I was really ultimately missing out on making new friends and trying new things.”

Getting to know fellow students is an important ingredient to enjoying your time here. “The worst part of the freshman experience was the sense of isolation at the beginning,” says Senior Adam Pritchard. “I was surrounded by people who, in retrospect, were just as alone as I was.”

As you get to know the class registration procedure, the importance of class choices becomes all to clear. Stinson notes that he regrets not focusing enough on his major. “I was pretty sure that I wanted to major in biology, but I didn’t take chemistry and I took one semester without any science at all,” he says. “There’s nothing wrong with this, but in my particular case it’s constrained some of my choices later on.”

Many students also wish they had been better with their schoolwork. “Late-nighters can become very tiresome after a while,” notes Gomes.

Senior Alicia Ciatto says, “The worst thing I did was take on a 21 credit course load and got a job. It was way too overwhelming. College is enough of an adjustment without having to plan every moment of every day.”

So, the best way to make your freshman year great? don’t take on too much, leave room for plenty of socializing and for studying, but don’t be afraid to try new things.

Oh, and Junior Wyatt Baseley’s advice: “Laziness. Don’t let it get the best of you.”

By Kim Williams
Staff Reporter

There is no denying that Westminster is a small town. However, the location of McDaniel College in no way means that student life is boring. There is there always something happening on campus — from a movie night with friends to a comedian in the pub or any number of other activities.

This little town has a surprising number of venues for good music, cool art, eye-opening coffee and back deck or patio dining and drinks. Some personal (and free press staff) favorites within walking distance include:
Eye-opening coffee: The Pour House, Starry Night Bakery, Starbucks,
Cool art and cultural events: The Carroll Arts Center
Patio dining and drinks: Rafael’s, O’Lordans Irish Pub, Maggie’s
New place: A Little Bit of Tuscany
Old Place: Johanssons
Odd place: Ernie’s
A place not so near but close enough: Full Moon

And anyone craving a visit to a city is in luck. As the college website points out in the Westminster and Region section, Baltimore is a mere 30 miles east of the campus while Washington D.C. is also easily accessible at 56 miles south of McDaniel.

Visits to the nearby cities are not just a possibility, but journeys many students take often.

“I went with a friend and had a blast,” said Sophomore Cindy Sordo, a fan of Washington D.C. “I really enjoyed the city and found it very beautiful and interesting. There is so much diversity and various things to do. I don’t think I could ever get bored there.”
Senior Christy Thomas also sings the praises of our nation’s capital, saying, “I visit D.C. often to go to various museums, do photoshoots, conduct research, and attend the occasional opera.”

Baltimore also attracts McDaniel students on the weekends. “I went to Baltimore to see an Orioles game against the Red Sox on their Friday student night. Cheap tickets, good game,” said Sophomore Skyler Fultz.

Baltimore also hosts a variety of other sights that offer fun things to do:
The Inner Harbor (try a Duck Tour)
Howl at the Moon
The Power Plant
And The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum

Garrett Eagan
Sports Editor

A college football game is synonymous with many sights and sounds. But along with the tradition of football on the Hill, in which only some may participate, there is another tradition in which all students and faculty may participate.

Tailgating on the Hill is a very unique aspect of the football season. Carpe Diem Stadium is not a typical stadium atmosphere that one would traditionally expect. However, as many students explain, that doesn’t take away from the Saturday afternoon atmosphere at the game.
“Considering we have never done anything to have more stadium seats, tailgating is the best alternative?It makes McDaniel unique,” said sophomore John Maddrey. His view is echoed amongst his fellow incoming sophomores. “The difference is that people on the Hill move around. You have friends in different places so you go hit them up,” said sophomore Andrew Rauch. Even though McDaniel doesn’t have a complete stadium setting, this caters to students and families who wish to set up tents and barbeques. But what ingredients go into making a McDaniel tailgate complete?

“Obviously a cooler and cups for the beverages,” said Jamie De Atley. Also a sophomore at McDaniel, De Atley added the need for bratwursts, or some other type of meat. Cooking is celebrated throughout those who tailgate, cooking anything from brats and hamburgers, to steak and corn. Tailgating isn’t complete without a large meal according to Maddrey. Team colors are also a must as stressed by those participating. Rauch points to having a truck. Without one, “it’s not really tailgating,” he said. Those who do park their vehicles near the field have to wake up early to get a spot.

“I had to wake up at like 8 a.m.,” said senior James Isaminger. Even though this may seem like a pain, it illustrates how the tight-knit setting at Green Terror games is valued by tailgaters. Students scream and cheer for their team until the final second has elapsed, no matter the outcome. And students are not the only ones who enjoy tailgating either.

The crowd is littered with alumni, parents, and even the overlooked members of the McDaniel community. As Rauch explained, “You may run into one of your professors who are having a good time [drinking] just like you.” Join the tailgate and mark your calendars for September 13th, as the Terror battle Moravian, a Centennial Conference rival at home!

By Juliann Guiffre
News Co-Editor

Dr. Karen Violanti sat at her computer browsing job sites. She had just graduated from SUNY at Buffalo and received her PhD in Counselor Education, which she knew would open up more opportunities for her.

“I saw this position at McDaniel online, and something really hit me,” she said. “I thought ‘this could be the one’.”

Violanti applied to be the Assistant Dean for First Year Students and visited the school in July. She was comforted by the friendly people, and knew she had made the right choice.
“I knew this was where I was meant to be. I loved the welcoming feeling of a small community and everyone here has been tremendously supportive,” she said.

Violanti is replacing Dr. Sarah Stokely, who is now the Associate Dean of Student Academic Life. Before coming to McDaniel, Violanti had worked with the First Year Enrichment Program (FYE) at the Rochester Institute of Technology for eight years.

She was part of the original staff that implemented the program in 2000, and has been fortunate to watch it “grow from the ground up,” she said.

The FYE program at Rochester is similar to the First Year Seminar here at McDaniel, expect it is a strictly transition-based class, focusing on time management, stress management, and integrating into the school socially as well as academically.

The program also used “FYE coaching” to give their students further individual attention.

“The first year is a balance between chaos and peace, and it’s so relative and so individual to each person,” said Violanti, who really liked the fact that McDaniel’s first year team is a collaboration of so many aspects of college life?”student affairs, academics?all the pieces work together.”

Before Rochester, Violnati was a high school guidance counselor at a private school in Buffalo and a public school in Chautauqua County. She has lived in New York all her life, and has known of her affinity for counseling since middle school.

“My middle school counselor had a real influence on me, I always felt very comfortable in that role. I think it’s something you’re born with,” said Violanti.

She grew up in a small suburb of Buffalo called Checktowaga, and attended Maryvale High School. Despite her first influences coming from a middle school guidance counselor, Violanti quickly realized her passion would lie in higher education, particularly within the transitional aspects.

“I liked working with the seniors and helping them prepare to go to college, but I really loved the college setting,” she said.
“Working on a college campus is so great, there’s no other environment like it. You meet new people every day and there are so many opportunities to be creative.”

During her first year, Violanti wants to focus on getting to know the community and students, to try to understand what their needs are and really integrate herself into the school.

“I’m looking forward to working with the peer mentor program, to support them in the classroom and work some of my strengths and skills into the training,” she said.

Violanti was at her old job until July 31st, when she packed up her whole life and moved from upstate New York to eastern Maryland. She started work at McDaniel the very next Monday.

“Things happened pretty fast,” she said “But from what I’ve seen, this is going to be a wonderful experience.”

Roxanne Fleischer
News Co-Editor

Over summer break, McDaniel College made rearrangements to the faculty. Deans Henry Reiff and Sarah Stokely were both directly affected by what Stokely has called, “something of a chain reaction.”

The chain reaction started when Dr. Hughes, the former dean of Graduate and Professional Studies at McDaniel accepted the position of provost at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. Her leaving left an opening which was fulfilled by Dean Reiff who was formerly the Office of Academic Affairs.

Consequently, Reiff’s vacancy in the Office of Academic Affairs created an opening for Dean Stokely, whose new position is Associate Dean of Student Academic Life. Stokely’s previous position was the Assistant Dean for First Year Students. Her new position allows her to work with sophomores, juniors, and seniors rather than only freshman.

Both Reiff and Stokley have plans for their new positions and are keeping a positive outlook. Reiff says he is looking forward to some newer programs, such as the Center for the Study of Aging and our TESOL program, as well as proposals for programs in Online Teaching and Learning, and Global Executive Leadership. “Perhaps my most important
goal,” says Reiff, “is to be an effective supporter and advocate for staff, faculty,
and students in Graduate and Professional Studies.”

Stokely says her position will also involve supporting several campus offices in addition to students. One campus office that she will be working with is the new Center for Community Outreach and service (CCOS), which will be located in Hill Hall. Stokely will serve as Coordinator of Service-Learning, and provide support for faculty who may want to incorporate service-learning into classes.

Of course, all of the switching of positions has created an opening at Stokely’s former position as Dean of First Year Students. The replacement is Karen Violanti, who has recently been an instructor at Rochester Institute of Technology where she worked with first year students.