Students at Roosevelt University raise over $10K for a cause

Students from Roosevelt University organized a Relay for Life campaign through the American Cancer Society which brought in over $10,000 for cancer research.

Relay for Life of Roosevelt University took place in Roosevelt’s recently opened sports center, the Lillian and Larry Goodman Center. Roosevelt students, faculty, and guests joined in on the 12 hour event which began at 5:00PM on April 12. Participants organized teams which have been collecting donations for over a month. For more information about the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life click here. View photos from the event below:

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Roosevelt Lakers season ends in ‘sweet 16′

Roosevelt advances to second round of NAIA Championship Tournament

The Lady Lakers tipped off against the Falcons in the first round of NAIA Women’s DII Basketball Championship Tournament on March 6. After the heated first round game and lots of bumping elbows, Roosevelt University took home the win, defeating Friends University 57-52.

Lakers junior guard No. 15, Casey Davis led the game in scoring tossing 19 points on the board.

The Lakers racked up a total 19 combined offensive/defensive fowls which Head Coach Robyn Scherr-Wells attributes to first game jitters.

“This was a big stage and I really felt like this would be the toughest game to win, was our first one. Being that we’ve never been here. Our schedule has been packed the last two days. Just the atmosphere, its all a new thing. So, I knew the first half could be a little tough. I just felt like if we could withstand that – I was pretty happy going into the half with a two point lead,” Scherr-Wells said.

The team fowled a total of 19 combined offensive/defensive. This game was an ice breaker for the Lakers, Scherr-Wells explained.

“We got some decent shots, But I thought we had a chance to break it open. We built a 10 point lead, we could have gone up 12. They called an offensive fowl on Becky when she made a layup – I thought that was not a great call. I thought that was a little tough. And then we came down the other end, kinda picked up a cheap fowl.

And that kind of changed the momentum and let them back in. But just like we’ve done all season, we’ve been in those situations. I felt very confident in our team that they would handle it down the stretch. We just went through stretches of not being able to score very well. I think getting the first game jitters, hopefully, will get that out of the way and we’ll play a little better in the next game on Friday,” Scherr-Wells said.

Freshman guard No. 12, Becky Williford, says she’s ready for round two.

“We feel confident as a team. We’re matching against Bethel and we played them earlier in the season and lost to them. So we just want to redeem ourselves in that game,” Williford said.

The Roosevelt Lakers will tip off against Bethel college (IN) on Friday, March 8 at 3:30P.M.

View the full game stats here.

Remember to follow the up-to-date coverage on the Roosevelt Lakers on Twitter and Facebook.

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Purdue Calumet falls to Grand View in round one

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The Purdue University Calumet Peregrines fell to the Grand View University Vikings last night 58-44, in the first round of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) DII Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament.

In an upset loss of  No. 19 Grand View over No. 13 Purdue Calumet, the Peregrines finished their season 21-10. High scorers were on both sides, but Grand View Senior Morgan Hamner really impressed, accounting for almost 50% of GVU’s points, she finished with 25 points on the board. In an article published by the Times of Northwest Indiana, Sioux City Journal reporter Jerry Giese wrote that “Hamner may have the best range of any of the posts playing in the NAIA Division II Women’s National Tournament.”

The Roosevelt Laker’s attend NAIA ‘Banquet of Champions’

Last night hundreds of fans, players, and coaches attended the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Banquet of Champions at the Sioux City Convention Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Banquet was the official kick off to the NAIA Women’s Basketball Division II games. Attendees were invited to an evening of fun, before the 32 qualifying NAIA teams face off against one another later this week for the national championship title.

The Roosevelt University Laker’s dressed to impress and seemed relaxed before the championship games. The Lady Laker’s strong bond shined at the event. They sat as a team, toasted glasses, and partook in the Banquet festivities – posing for pictures with silly props at a banquet photo booth. Head coach Robyn Scherr-Wells, assistant coach Marty Scherr, assistant coach La Toshia Burrell, team trainer Laujwinae Preacely along with Roosevelt athletic director Mike Cassidy, all dined together with the team sponsors.

The event was Emceed by local KCAU channel 9 news anchor, Jenna Rehnstrom. President of Morningside College, John Reynders, welcomed the teams to the city and the tournament.

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“To each and every one of the student athletes that are here this evening, their coaches and the fans that have followed them. As an old basketball coach, I certainly understand what it takes to get to the national tournament. My congratulations to each of you,” Reynders said.

Reynders offered a few words of inspiration to all of the competing teams.

“You ladies are outstanding ambassadors to your institutions and all of us here have enormous respect for your ability… Enjoy this moment. These things don’t happen very often in life and I guarantee you for the rest of your life and ours, we’ll remember this. Competing in a national championship is special. Enjoy every moment and on behalf of us, I wish you the very best of luck,” Reynder said.

Dinner was served with tables set with carnival themed napkins and plate holders along with boxes of animal crackers. The gourmet meal included Gran Queso Chicken, parsley buttered potatoes, served with green beans almondine and assorted artisan rolls. A true dinner for champions of course would not be complete without desert, candy and raspberry cheesecake.

After dinner the banquet proceeded with the NAIA Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. Two coaches, Curt Fredrickson and George Wilson, were given the highest individual honors of the NAIA and are of 13 people who will be inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame this year.

Fredrickson was inducted for his role as a women’s basketball coach for the NAIA Northern State University Wolves. His career includes over 700 combined NAIA and NCAA wins over 30 years, 4 championship placements including a NAIA Division II national title, and two NAIA coach of the year awards.

Wilson was inducted for his role as a women’s basketball coach for the NAIA College of Ozarks, his collegiate coaching career totals over 400 wins in 15 years, a Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) 10 time coach of the year, 14 MCAC tournament titles, and led the College of Ozarks to four NAIA national runner-up games.

The banquet concluded with many displays of congratulations to the competing teams. The Roosevelt University Laker’s headed back to their hotel to rest up for their first NAIA national tournament game against Friends University (Nebraska) on Wed. March 6. Stay tuned for more up to date coverage on your Roosevelt University Laker’s as they compete in the NAIA national championship games.

Remember to follow the up to date coverage on Twitter @RlakersCoverage, Like the page on Facebook or join the group.

Roosevelt Lakers win CCAC — to compete at nationals in March.

The Roosevelt University Women’s basketball team defeated Cardinal Stritch University, 69-64, in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship on Feb. 23. The Roosevelt Lakers ranked no. 10 in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, will be heading to the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa to compete in the national championship on March 6. View the Full Game Stats Here

Roosevelt Lakers move to CCAC quarterfinals

 

Students relieve stress before finals through Residence Life programs

The Wabash Community Council (WCC) in partnership with Residence Life and Delta Gamma Pi sorority held an ugly sweater party last Thursday on the floor 14 of the Wabash Building.

Wabash Building floor 27 resident assistant (RA) and adviser to the Wabash Community Council (WCC) Janessa Rivas said the program was meant to lighten the mood before finals week.

The program included decorating cookies, making holiday cards, and indulging in sweets in an effort to help relieve students’ stress before exam week, Rivas said. Programs like this aim to get students to socialize, which creates community and a better academic environment, Rivas explained.

“It’s Thursday night and people are going out. So I’m really happy that people did the arts and crafts which makes you less stressed – it makes you feel like a kid again,” Rivas said.

Social Chair for Delta Gamma Pi Greek sorority, Bailey Swinney, collaborated with Rivas and WCC on the program.

Wabash Resident's attending RA program

Resident’s attending RA program

Programs such as this lets students know about on campus Greek life, Swinney said. The program got students away from studying which keeps students from overdoing it before finals, including herself, Swinney said.

“I made two Christmas cards for my younger brothers who live far away. I kind of indulged for 20-minutes and then got back to helping everybody else…

“Particularly for this event it was just a social event… come out and talk to some of the different students, the newer students in the Wabash Building. And let them know that were here and to help program any events that we can,” Swinney said.

About 40 to 50 residents and students attended the event. The WCC plans to continue organizing events and hopes to promote change within the community through programs, Rivas said. The WCC plans to invite more residents to voice their opinions next semester, Rivas said.

The Office of Residence Life (ORL) at Roosevelt University coordinates housing students in three residence halls including the Wabash building, Fornelli Hall, and the University Center. Roosevelt’s ORL employs 17 student RA’s at Wabash such as Rivas who organize programs.

“We just kind of come together to discuss anything [affecting the Wabash Building Residence Hall],” Rivas said…

“As far as next semester we’re really looking to change [the community] around and really get more voice and opinions from the residents and try to recruit more people. Just so we can make… a better building for everyone… And this program was definitely a big boost ending off the first semester of Community Council.”

"Study Bucks" give incentive to study in community lounges

“Study Bucks” give incentive to study in community lounges

The Wabash building has been full of ORL programs that aim to benefit students academically, Rivas said.

“Our RA’s especially through community council… [are] teaming up with one another. Having programs to be able to study and relax… We’re bringing in tutors and just having really academically driven programs here in the last week and a half.”

Along with the ugly sweater party, RA’s have held various resident programs this past week including a pilates workout, jeopardy and pizza, and study sessions, according to Rivas.

“Seeing that people came and smiled and chilled out a little kind of gave me the like… this meant something,” Swinney said.

Wabash Building graduate hall coordinator Jewell Washington focuses said that ORL programming creates the Wabash Building distinction between a dorm and a residence hall. A dorm is where you sleep and a residence hall is where you live, Washington said.

“The main goal [of programming] would be creating a community of inclusiveness… A place where you’re learning but you’re also living,” Washington said.

The ORL approaches programming in different ways, Washington said. Global programs effect the community as a whole. Passive program are indirect programs such as distributing information. Active programs require residents to be physically present, such as the Yule Ball, a program held last Saturday that invited residents to dance, Washington said.

Programs are designed to create an academic and social balance in the community, Washington said. Currently, a global program offers “study bucks” to students who are seen by RA’s studying in hall lounges during nightly RA rounds. At the end of the semester, the resident with the most “study bucks” will be rewarded with a $100 gift certificate to the book store, Washington said.

“Apart of being a good student who studies is realizing not to get yourself burnt-out and to study in good increments of time,” Washington said.

“A way to help students [from getting burnt out] is… to create programs that are specifically formed so that you can take a break from academics,” Washington said.

Social programs such as the ugly sweater party brings students away from learning and helps to create the balance of living in the community,Washington said.

Roosevelt student to compete in Miss Teen Illinois

Jasmin Del Rio, Modeling Shot 4

Roosevelt University freshman, Flor “Jasmin” Del Rio, will be competing in the Miss Teen Illinois pageant from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.

She has always wanted to participate in a pageant but was never able to overcome her fear of stage-fright. Del Rio says she’s ready to overcome that fear and believes the Miss Teen Illinois pageant will be a great start whether – she wins or not.

“Its not about winning. Its not about all of that stuff. Its about what your doing,” Del Rio said.

Del Rio will compete for the title, Miss Teen Illinois, and if she wins she will move on to compete in the Miss Teen USA competition. Each state has a Miss Teen competition which will propel one winner to represent her state at the Miss Teen USA competition.

Flor "Jasmine" DelRio

Flor “Jasmin” DelRio

Miss Teen USA began in 1983. It is apart of the Miss Universe organization which commits itself to raising the awareness of HIV/AIDS, breast, and ovarian cancers. The organization aims to impact women today by supporting causes such as the Latino Commission on AIDS, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Gilda’s Club. Miss Teen USA winners earn their title by personifying,

“The combination of beauty and intelligence that defines the 21st Century.,” according to the Miss Universe website.

Del Rio is excited to participate, she said. She feels she “has what it takes” to win and represent young women in Illinois.

“I think that to be someone who will present to a large amount of people, you have to be confident, you have to be ambitious, and that’s something that I believe I have,” Del Rio said.

“You got to show that no matter how you look, what you are, or what you see – you should be happy with who you are because everyone has their difference but difference is beauty,” Del Rio said.

Del Rio believes that a Miss Teen USA has to have a mission. Her mission is to keep pursuing her goals – no matter what gets in her way, Del Rio said.

Photos by Giacomo A. Luca.

“It can never hurt to have more on-campus news” — Torch writer explains.

Staff writer for the Torch newspaper at Roosevelt University, Nick Davison, said the Torch could be covering more on-campus news than it is now.

Davison began his journalism career as sports editor for the Courier at the College of DuPage (COD) in Glen Ellyn, Ill. He later advanced to news editor and for one year served as the Courier’s editor-in-chief. The Courier and the Torch operate differently, according to Davison.

“It’s different but at the same time it’s very similar,” Davison said.

The Courier published once weekly as does the Torch. His experience has been different partly because of his transition from an editor-in-chief to staff writer, Davison said.

“I find myself doing some of the stories that I’d be assigning someone else to do… When I was an editor-in-chief at my old paper – a lot of times I missed going out and doing reporting. Talking to people and writing the stories…

“It keeps you humble. Anyone who becomes an editor-in-chief is bound to get pretty cocky – I mean, you have the final say over a publication that gets read by the whole the whole college community.” Davison said.

Torch staff writer’s are required to write three stories per week. Working as a writer for the Torch is helping Davison tone his writing skills, he said.

“When you are writing stories as a reporter and your getting edited – and you’re kind of going through this whole cycle. It’s a learning process… the editing process goes through so many people that they find your mistakes… It helps you just learn and realize different levels that you’re at and that you still have a lot to learn,” Davison said.

The Courier covered mostly news on COD’s campus, Davison said.

“Whatever it was it still had an impact on COD and we had to make that relevant. I came from a school that we covered strictly COD news. Such as – we were the only people covering COD sports, we were the only people covering the events that went on at campus.”

The Torch covers Roosevelt campus news, but extends more coverage to the city of Chicago and national events, Davison said. A student newspaper can’t compete with the mainstream press on city and national issues – but a student newspaper can compete with those presses with on-campus coverage, Davison said.

“If your a college student and you want to read about the national elections or any sort of hot topic issue that is going on right now. You’re not going to pick up your student newspaper – you’re going to read the Chicago Tribune’s take on it or the Washington Post. So, why not provide them with news that they can’t really get anywhere else.

“We’re student journalists. We’re still learning – we’re bound to make mistakes. We’re on a different standard. I think that because it’s on a different standard why not just focus on news that has more originality to it. Like what’s going on, on campus. Because its not like anyone else is going to be covering that. So, it gives it a more unique quality.”

The Torch could engage its student audience more, by focusing on more campus news coverage, Davison stated.

“There’s always room for improvement – on any level. It’s a solid paper now. I’m just saying there’s always room for improvement,” Davison said.