On Thursday night I attended the Women's Symposium honor all women leaders at Penn State. It was a fun night with a great program, and the all-woman singing group Savoir Faire showcased a small fraction of the great amount of female talent at Penn State. There were just as many men in attendance as well (which I thought was really cool). One of the most important men in attendance was Russ Rose, the Penn State Women's Volleyball coach. He led his team to their 4th national championship this year and spoke about the 10 keys to success at the symposium. Though this does not completely align with my political blog, I see this as a current event relating to our campus, a way to honor all women leaders, and a great source of encouragement as we reach the halfway point of our semester.
Russ took the mic and began to speak in a confident and relate-able manner, and I began to feel like I was being transported to the Women's Volleyball team's locker room. He clearly outlined ten keys to success, gave some comment on each point, and left his audience feeling uplifted, motivated and happy.
Here are Russ Rose's 10 keys to success:
1. Dare to Dream.
- No dream is ever out of your reach. He said jokingly, that out of his 36 years coaching, the girls on his volleyball team have had higher SAT scores than him for about the last 35 years, but he still got to where he is because of hard work and a dream to follow.
2. Confidence is contagious.
- He continued by saying that insecurities are contagious as well and that you must project yourself the way you want your peers to see you and behave.
3. Set a lot of goals.
- In order to reach your dream in life you must set a lot of short term and long term goals along the way to stay on track to success.
4. Work the hardest you can.
- He explained that at the end of your life you wont be remembered for how well you did for yourself, but how many people you helped. You'll be remembered for how hard you worked for others.
5. Don't be afraid of failure.
- He said he doesn't think about the 5 times they have won the national championship. He doesn't focus on whether they failed or not, but instead focuses on always getting better and performing stronger than they did the previous year.
6. Don't procrastinate, and don't blame others
- This is the one that hit home for me the most, and that I need the most work on:) I find myself always procrastinating and doing work at the last minute, and as Coach Rose said, this can be an impediment to success. Blaming others is just excusing yourself for not working as hard as you can.
7. Have a game-plan each day.
- This is another one of his points that deals with time management. He says it's important to have a plan for each day so you know what you need to do and so that you can get as much done as you possibly can.
8. Read, listen and learn.
- Greater knowledge comes from both reading and listening and both are important for becoming a well-rounded person.
9. Surround yourself with quality people.
- Here he gave an example of a trip he took to a coaching conference in which he was stuck in the Denver airport for seven hours and was forced to stay in a bad hotel. When he got to the conference he was happy when people asked him how his trip was. He jokingly told them fine, and explained his journey. He said that you want to be the person that people are happy to see enter a room, instead of being the person who creates groans of agony on their arrival.
10. Be positive and enthusiastic.
-He closed his speech by addressing his audience saying that they are seeking a positive and enthusiastic change for Penn State. He said that he was proud of all the woman leaders and all the leaders at Penn State who could effectively bring positive change to the school.
The program ended with an inspiring speech by the Panhellenic Council President, Paige Rothaus. Each speaker gave motivating speeches on hard work and success, and I think Russ Rose is a great example of the success you can reach with hard work. Whether its advice from a locker room or at a symposium, these are great keys to success, which can be helpful as we get deeper into the semester.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Revolution in Egypt: Onions, King, and Soccer fans
Though the Revolution in Egypt has been going on for weeks and probably seems like old news to all of you I would like to devote my blog this week to their extremely organized, militant, and creative efforts which have successfully ousted their leader, Hosni Mubarak, and sparked a pro-democracy revolution in bordering countries with oppressive regimes. I am FASCINATED by their movement, and it has sparked my interest for the three reasons I listed in my title namely: onions, King, and soccer fans.
We've all gotten facebook invites to events like parties, community events, and recently for many of us..State Patty's day. The Egyptians utilized this medium in a different way; they created a group and invited people to join a revolution. A government overthrow was organized from a facebook group. As Wael Ghonim said in the New York Times, "I have never seen a revolution that was preannounced before". Over 100,000 citizens signed up for the event. However this was not a spur of the moment revolution, but a plan that had been developing for the past two years.
The core of the protest movement in Egypt came from a group of college students who were young, smart, and well-off. Many of their parents were supporters of Mubarak, and the protesters knew that if they didn't succeed they would be tortured and killed by the government. So they had an incentive to succeed and a passion for change in their government. These tech-savvy college students knew that good organization would be key their movement and collaborated over facebook with the protesters in Tunisia. Their counterparts had recently experienced success in revolting against their government and provided the Egyptians with tips on how to organize and survive protests and police violence. They told the to bring "lemons, onions and vinegar to sniff for relief from tear gas, and soda or milk to pour into their eyes" (New York Times). Some people created makeshift bulletproof vests out of cardboard or plastic bottles to protect from the riot police. All of these tips were transferred between the protesters through a facebook group, and the sharing of information proved invaluable to their success in Egypt.
Police violence and riot control created problems for the protesters. They created a cycle of protesters and as the injured recovered the recovered went back out into the streets. As the violence against the protesters increased two groups came to their aid, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the soccer fans. The Muslim Brotherhood was a secret, illegal organization that operated with a very disciplined hierarchy and were able to organize the protesters into disciplined groups to fend off the riot police and Mubarak supporters. The soccer fans of the two Egyptian teams, who were normally bitter rivals, also joined the effort to protect the protesters because they were used to confronting the police at the stadiums.
I have a deep admiration for the civilized protesting methods used in Egypt modeled after Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Last semester I studied Martin Luther King's non-violent resistance extensively and Egypt and Tunisia are a great example of the force and power behind unified non-violence. The New York Times cited a group of men who "stood silent as rocks rained down on them. An older man told a younger one to put down his stick". This college age group of facebookers and bloggers can be seen as the Gandhis and Kings of our time.
I am fascinated by the revolution in Egypt because I think it is a cool story. It is a story of rich educated college kids who saw a problem with their government and designed a facebook group to fix it. It is a story of over 100,000 dissatisfied citizens responding to a facebook invite to protest in Tahrir Square. It is a story of collaboration and sharing of information and inside knowledge and tips between two countries with similar goals. Finally, it is a story of unified non-violent resistance, in which a country illegal groups and rival soccer teams included came together and fought for a common cause and succeed. Egypt's movement has proven to be a catalyzing source of inspiration for other oppressed countries in the Middle East such as Bahrain, and should be a source of inspiration for all of us as an example of the power of a unified people.
We've all gotten facebook invites to events like parties, community events, and recently for many of us..State Patty's day. The Egyptians utilized this medium in a different way; they created a group and invited people to join a revolution. A government overthrow was organized from a facebook group. As Wael Ghonim said in the New York Times, "I have never seen a revolution that was preannounced before". Over 100,000 citizens signed up for the event. However this was not a spur of the moment revolution, but a plan that had been developing for the past two years.
The core of the protest movement in Egypt came from a group of college students who were young, smart, and well-off. Many of their parents were supporters of Mubarak, and the protesters knew that if they didn't succeed they would be tortured and killed by the government. So they had an incentive to succeed and a passion for change in their government. These tech-savvy college students knew that good organization would be key their movement and collaborated over facebook with the protesters in Tunisia. Their counterparts had recently experienced success in revolting against their government and provided the Egyptians with tips on how to organize and survive protests and police violence. They told the to bring "lemons, onions and vinegar to sniff for relief from tear gas, and soda or milk to pour into their eyes" (New York Times). Some people created makeshift bulletproof vests out of cardboard or plastic bottles to protect from the riot police. All of these tips were transferred between the protesters through a facebook group, and the sharing of information proved invaluable to their success in Egypt.
Police violence and riot control created problems for the protesters. They created a cycle of protesters and as the injured recovered the recovered went back out into the streets. As the violence against the protesters increased two groups came to their aid, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the soccer fans. The Muslim Brotherhood was a secret, illegal organization that operated with a very disciplined hierarchy and were able to organize the protesters into disciplined groups to fend off the riot police and Mubarak supporters. The soccer fans of the two Egyptian teams, who were normally bitter rivals, also joined the effort to protect the protesters because they were used to confronting the police at the stadiums.
I have a deep admiration for the civilized protesting methods used in Egypt modeled after Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. Last semester I studied Martin Luther King's non-violent resistance extensively and Egypt and Tunisia are a great example of the force and power behind unified non-violence. The New York Times cited a group of men who "stood silent as rocks rained down on them. An older man told a younger one to put down his stick". This college age group of facebookers and bloggers can be seen as the Gandhis and Kings of our time.
I am fascinated by the revolution in Egypt because I think it is a cool story. It is a story of rich educated college kids who saw a problem with their government and designed a facebook group to fix it. It is a story of over 100,000 dissatisfied citizens responding to a facebook invite to protest in Tahrir Square. It is a story of collaboration and sharing of information and inside knowledge and tips between two countries with similar goals. Finally, it is a story of unified non-violent resistance, in which a country illegal groups and rival soccer teams included came together and fought for a common cause and succeed. Egypt's movement has proven to be a catalyzing source of inspiration for other oppressed countries in the Middle East such as Bahrain, and should be a source of inspiration for all of us as an example of the power of a unified people.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Tution and State Representatives: Seeing the $ as Students
In 2009-10, the Huffington Post ranked Penn State as having the most expensive in-state tuition of any of the universities in the Big Ten Conference (www.huffingtonpost.com). Tuition costs continue to rise each year, and as they climb from affordable to outrageous, promising students lose their opportunity to earn a degree from a reputable school like Penn State. Tuition costs are a major concern for every student attending a major university, and even more so for their parents. Unfortunately as tuition costs rise, scholarships and financial aid are in higher demand, much harder to find, and often do not cover the high costs of attending college. As students each of us play a different role in financing our education, but we all feel the effects of the rising price tag on our degree. However, we all have power to influence our state legislators for larger appropriations for higher education. Many of us have the power to vote, and we all have the right to free speech. So why aren't we taking action on the problem of tuition?
The answer is we are. However, the students bringing this problem to the legislators are a small minority of our university's population, and most of the demonstration is concentrated to a one-day event called "Rally in the Rotunda". At this event students from all of Penn State's campuses and students from other state-funded universities rally at the Capitol building in Harrisburg and demand higher state appropriations for higher education before their state representatives vote on the annual budget. This is a dramatic annual showing of unity and concern for tuition costs, however, in order to influence real change students must make their interests and voting power known more than once a year.
Now we are experiencing the perfect opportunity to build this relationship. This year we elected a new Governor along with 29 new state representatives. The University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) is using this opportunity to connect with our legislators in a new way. They are hosting a dinner, not to discuss tuition, but to introduce the new legislators to the students of Penn State.
For any of you who are not familiar with UPUA it is the student government at Main campus. This year I serve as Clerk, so I watched first-hand as the legislation to host this dinner was debated and passed. To many, it may seem counter-productive to spend money on a dinner for legislators and not discuss tuition, but after hearing all sides of the debate, I think it is a great idea. First, tuition cannot be discussed or the dinner would be considered a lobbying effort, which it is expressly not. Secondly and more importantly, it allows the legislators to see the achievements and endeavors of Penn State students in a friendly and stress free environment. This dinner is the first step in establishing an open relationship with our legislators, and through continued interaction, they will being to attach our faces with the dollar signs they see when voting on the budget.
We cannot reach our goal of higher state appropriations for our university education and lower tuition costs by uniting and speaking out once a year. The saying goes: "the squeaky wheel gets the oil", and our complaints about high tuition must be heard and heard often before our legislators allocate more money to students. This dinner is the first step in establishing an open relationship and constant conversation between the students and our legislators. College students make up a HUGE part of the voting block in Pennsylvania, we have so much power, but many of us are too busy to care.
We all care though, as we or our parents sign that tuition check and tighten the belt of the family's budget. We all make sacrifices for our education, and sacrificing some of your time to vote, contact your representative, or even attend a dinner like the one being sponsored could save us all money later. The voice of the college student on tuition must be loud, constant, and even annoying until our representatives understand our priorities and our resolve. This dinner is a great way to begin this conversation by seeing the students as students, and hopefully they will remember our interests when voting.
I would like to open this question up to you. What are your thoughts about the problem of college tuition? And what are some actions students could take to combat these problems? I'd love to hear any of your comments or questions.
The answer is we are. However, the students bringing this problem to the legislators are a small minority of our university's population, and most of the demonstration is concentrated to a one-day event called "Rally in the Rotunda". At this event students from all of Penn State's campuses and students from other state-funded universities rally at the Capitol building in Harrisburg and demand higher state appropriations for higher education before their state representatives vote on the annual budget. This is a dramatic annual showing of unity and concern for tuition costs, however, in order to influence real change students must make their interests and voting power known more than once a year.
Now we are experiencing the perfect opportunity to build this relationship. This year we elected a new Governor along with 29 new state representatives. The University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) is using this opportunity to connect with our legislators in a new way. They are hosting a dinner, not to discuss tuition, but to introduce the new legislators to the students of Penn State.
For any of you who are not familiar with UPUA it is the student government at Main campus. This year I serve as Clerk, so I watched first-hand as the legislation to host this dinner was debated and passed. To many, it may seem counter-productive to spend money on a dinner for legislators and not discuss tuition, but after hearing all sides of the debate, I think it is a great idea. First, tuition cannot be discussed or the dinner would be considered a lobbying effort, which it is expressly not. Secondly and more importantly, it allows the legislators to see the achievements and endeavors of Penn State students in a friendly and stress free environment. This dinner is the first step in establishing an open relationship with our legislators, and through continued interaction, they will being to attach our faces with the dollar signs they see when voting on the budget.
We cannot reach our goal of higher state appropriations for our university education and lower tuition costs by uniting and speaking out once a year. The saying goes: "the squeaky wheel gets the oil", and our complaints about high tuition must be heard and heard often before our legislators allocate more money to students. This dinner is the first step in establishing an open relationship and constant conversation between the students and our legislators. College students make up a HUGE part of the voting block in Pennsylvania, we have so much power, but many of us are too busy to care.
We all care though, as we or our parents sign that tuition check and tighten the belt of the family's budget. We all make sacrifices for our education, and sacrificing some of your time to vote, contact your representative, or even attend a dinner like the one being sponsored could save us all money later. The voice of the college student on tuition must be loud, constant, and even annoying until our representatives understand our priorities and our resolve. This dinner is a great way to begin this conversation by seeing the students as students, and hopefully they will remember our interests when voting.
I would like to open this question up to you. What are your thoughts about the problem of college tuition? And what are some actions students could take to combat these problems? I'd love to hear any of your comments or questions.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Obama at Penn State!!
The 44th President of the United States visited our campus today! President Obama visited our campus, toured our research labs, and spoke to our students about winning the future through innovation. Whether you agree with his policies or not, in the words of Joe Biden this is a "big f*ing deal". Our president selected our university as one of the few universities in the country to tour and use as an example for innovative research. I was lucky enough to volunteer for Obama and attend his speech, and I would like to tell you more about my experience:
I am a member of the College of Democrats, and we were offered the opportunity to volunteer to help out at Obama's speech. I readily accepted the chance to hear the President speak in person, and attended the necessary meetings leading up to his arrival day. I was assigned to overflow, and besides the 8:15 A.M. arrival time the job was pretty easy, because not many people knew the speech could be viewed on TVs set up in the South Gym of Rec Hall.
Time drew closer to Obama's arrival and excitement grew amongst the volunteers. We were guaranteed seats in Rec Hall and we were anxiously awaiting the phone call to be called into Rec Hall.
The phone call came around 11 AM, but it was nothing we expected. The head organizer notified us that the audience was larger than expected in Rec Hall, and they gave away our seats. We would have to watch the speech from the South Gym. We were now the overflow.
And we were crushed.
Fifteen minutes passed as I and the other volunteers tried to understand why they would sell us short and give away our seats after we sacrificed so much time for them. Just as some disappointed students were getting ready to head back to their shifts at work, we received another call. We were getting in, and we were getting in the VIP section!
Relieved and rejuvenated, we excitedly made our way through security and on the the floor of Rec Hall. It was amazing. The stands were packed and you could feel the excitement coursing through the audience. They were passing the time with the wave and "We are" cheer as they waited for Obama's late arrival.
Finally, around 12:15, Obama stepped onto the stage. The audience went crazy and applause filled Rec Hall. Obama made an address similar to his State of the Union address, but this time he solely focused on innovation. Obama cited Penn State as an example of innovative research and described plans for an Eco-hub campus being built in the Philadelphia Navy Yard in order to bring together the best minds and scientists to innovate for the future. Obama continued with his theme of "winning the future" by describing a competitive market for funding of research and ideas. He said, "if you show us the best ideas...we'll show you the money". The crowd was especially responsive to his references to Penn State University and Joe Paterno. I found it amazing that he was using no notes or a teleprompter, and he was very attentive to the audiences reactions.
Obama ended his speech with a challenge to Penn State students, and college students everywhere. He said, "We need you to act, we need you to act with a sense of urgency. To study and work and create as if the fate of the country depends on you, because it does". He left with a confidence that we had the means and energy necessary to "win the future" and brought the crowd to an uproarious applause. Though I was not lucky enough to meet Obama, I felt extraordinarily lucky to be able to hear him speak in person. My morning was full, and at times dramatic, but I left Obama's speech on a high note with a desire to work hard and help lead our country to a bright future.
I am a member of the College of Democrats, and we were offered the opportunity to volunteer to help out at Obama's speech. I readily accepted the chance to hear the President speak in person, and attended the necessary meetings leading up to his arrival day. I was assigned to overflow, and besides the 8:15 A.M. arrival time the job was pretty easy, because not many people knew the speech could be viewed on TVs set up in the South Gym of Rec Hall.
Time drew closer to Obama's arrival and excitement grew amongst the volunteers. We were guaranteed seats in Rec Hall and we were anxiously awaiting the phone call to be called into Rec Hall.
The phone call came around 11 AM, but it was nothing we expected. The head organizer notified us that the audience was larger than expected in Rec Hall, and they gave away our seats. We would have to watch the speech from the South Gym. We were now the overflow.
And we were crushed.
Fifteen minutes passed as I and the other volunteers tried to understand why they would sell us short and give away our seats after we sacrificed so much time for them. Just as some disappointed students were getting ready to head back to their shifts at work, we received another call. We were getting in, and we were getting in the VIP section!
Relieved and rejuvenated, we excitedly made our way through security and on the the floor of Rec Hall. It was amazing. The stands were packed and you could feel the excitement coursing through the audience. They were passing the time with the wave and "We are" cheer as they waited for Obama's late arrival.
Finally, around 12:15, Obama stepped onto the stage. The audience went crazy and applause filled Rec Hall. Obama made an address similar to his State of the Union address, but this time he solely focused on innovation. Obama cited Penn State as an example of innovative research and described plans for an Eco-hub campus being built in the Philadelphia Navy Yard in order to bring together the best minds and scientists to innovate for the future. Obama continued with his theme of "winning the future" by describing a competitive market for funding of research and ideas. He said, "if you show us the best ideas...we'll show you the money". The crowd was especially responsive to his references to Penn State University and Joe Paterno. I found it amazing that he was using no notes or a teleprompter, and he was very attentive to the audiences reactions.
Obama ended his speech with a challenge to Penn State students, and college students everywhere. He said, "We need you to act, we need you to act with a sense of urgency. To study and work and create as if the fate of the country depends on you, because it does". He left with a confidence that we had the means and energy necessary to "win the future" and brought the crowd to an uproarious applause. Though I was not lucky enough to meet Obama, I felt extraordinarily lucky to be able to hear him speak in person. My morning was full, and at times dramatic, but I left Obama's speech on a high note with a desire to work hard and help lead our country to a bright future.
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