Golden Knights Help Clean Up Highway

By College of St. Rose
GOLDEN KNIGHTS HELP CLEAN LOCAL HIGHWAY
FOR EIGHTH STRAIGHT YEAR
ALBANY – Thirty-five student-athletes representing The College of Saint Rose cross country and track & field teams recently spent a Saturday afternoon cleaning up a local highway within the city of Albany. It marked the eighth straight year that the Golden Knights help rid a 1.7 mile section of Washington Avenue between Fuller and Lincoln Avenues of debris.

The event represents just one of numerous community service projects that Saint Rose student-athletes complete every year. It furthermore puts forth another example of how Saint Rose student-athletes embody a major prong of the College's mission statement to engage with the school's urban environment and thus help foster a sense of motivated and caring citizenship.

It also coincides with the NCAA Division II Life in the Balance platform that stresses growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletics competition and development of positive societal attitudes in service to the community.

American International College

By Sarah Colgreen
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The U.S. Marshals may soon have a new member, a student from American International College. One of only 30 chosen nationwide, Sarah Calgreen has begun her training under the Centralized Student Career Experience Program (CSCEP), a cooperative education program that prepares undergraduate students for Deputy U.S. Marshal (DUSM) positions.

For Calgreen, a Stratford, Conn., resident, getting into the program was a dream come true. "I always knew I wanted to go into law enforcement, so when Professor (Jill McCarthy) Payne told me about the US Marshal program I researched it, and decided it was something for me," she said.

It is a 16-week (640 hour) work-study program for college students pursuing degrees in criminal justice, political science, psychology, public administration, sociology, or social sciences with a concentration in one of the majors listed. CSCEP allows students to apply classroom experience to the real world, and offers work experience in the public sector. Students who successfully complete the program may be noncompetitively converted to a DUSM position.

"It started with an internship last fall and then I applied for the cooperative education program, but it took more than a year until I was accepted," she said. "I began looking at other options including grad school, and then I got the phone call telling me I had been accepted into the program."

Thomas Fitzgerald, chair of the Criminal Justice department at AIC, said Calgreen exemplifies the characteristics shared by so many AIC students: seriousness of purpose and the willingness to fully engage the college experience. "She is a case study of a person that has attained personal fulfillment and is well positioned for professional achievement and civic engagement as a member of the criminal justice community. Her acceptance into the Deputy U.S. Marshal Student Trainee program is indicative of her personal qualities and the nurturing capabilities of American International College," Fitzgerald said.

"I spoke with Ms. Donaval Mitchell from the Recruitment Office of the Marshal Service and she informed me that Sarah was one of 30 selected from across the country," Fitzgerald said. "This was possible because the Service received an 'Emergency Exception' from the federal hiring freeze and that the CSCEP program is now 'on hold' as they await future funding for the Service," according to Fitzgerald.

Calgreen is not the first AIC student to become a U.S. Marshal. John Gibbons, a 1978 AIC graduate was sworn in as the first African American U.S. Marshal for Massachusetts in 2010. "I get to interact with Marshal Gibbons in the office. He has been great. It's just a nice feeling to work with someone who came from AIC," Calgreen said.

This semester Calgreen has been focusing on fugitive investigation, prisoner operations, etc. "When I graduate in May, I'll be available to go into the first class in August. I have to pass monthly fit tests, and complete certain training. As long as I meet all of the requirements I go into the program," she said.

The U.S. Marshals are very regimented and strict, according to Calgreen, something she likes. "They're a team they work together and have each others back. Having grown up playing sports, I know the concept of teamwork."

Calgreen is no stranger to hard work. Along with her 40 hours a week with the U.S. Marshals, Calgreen still goes to school full time and is very active on campus as a Peer Mentor, Orientation Leader, and a Criminal Justice Honors Society Member.

A consistent Dean's List student, Calgreen has been a member of the Women's Softball team since her freshman year, and was a Northeast-10 First-Team all-Conference selection.

"Coach is being great making accommodations for me because of my schedule including one - on - one practice. Academically, professors have gone above and beyond working with me in order to make sure I don't fall behind," Calgreen said

What has been her favorite part of the program so far? "I really like the fugitive task force element and the investigative side," she said.

The toughest part was waiting for a year to be accepted into the program.

Some of the challenges she has faced include learning the art of handcuffing. "Because I've never had any experience I'm very awkward using them. I took cuffs home with me and practiced on all of my roommates. I'm not used to not being good at something so I have to practice so I can be the best I can be," she said.

"I would like to be in the New England area working in one of the federal courthouses. But I'm only 22, so if they send me to California, I'm ok with that, too," she said.

Alternative Spring Break

By Brittney Sawyer’s
Spring Break is the highlight of spring semester for college students. Year after year, students brainstorm to make exciting plans better than the previous year. Often, many students find themselves doing the same thing, whether it’s time spent on the beach, at home or with friends…repetition becomes a habit. Traditionally, I found myself in this same repetitive pattern, but this year I had a change of plans.



When I heard about the opportunity to travel to Florida with the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program, I refused to let the trip pass me by. I was tired of doing the same thing for spring break and I realized this would be an amazing experience.



Our six-day trip took us to Ocala, Florida. On a Sunday morning, I traveled to Florida with five others…filled with positive attitudes ready to make a difference. We knew that this trip was going to be a life-changing experience; this fact alone was worth our time and money.



We stayed at a local RV camp in wooden cabins. Each cabin slept three, so we were fortunate enough to have our own beds. The scenery was beautiful, with a pond and a waterfall out front. We met every morning at the local Habitat for Humanity center for morning devotions and a home-cooked breakfast. The locals welcomed us all with gracious arms. After eating breakfast, we would go to the work site.



On our first day, we got right to work. The house we were working on was (already) built, so our jobs consisted of painting, cutting floor board, building cabinets and installing them. We had a construction worker on site with us at all times, teaching us basic skills. We learned how to work different tools, such as a drill and a cutting board.



Before we arrived to the house no cabinets were built, the floor board was not down, the doors were not painted and the kitchen was empty. When we left, every kitchen cabinet was built and installed, the floor board was cut, painted and inserted, the doors were freshly painted and much more.



One of the highlights was the opportunity to meet and work with the owner of the house.

Though this house was our main project, we also worked and visited other locations. At one location, we did landscaping. We planted flowers, cut grass, weed-wacked and laid fresh bark.



Though the main purpose of our trip was to make a difference, we had our share of memorable moments. Our work hours were 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. with an hour for lunch. This left our evenings free. Every night, we ventured out. We went to dinner, downtown Disney and the mall. We also visited Daytona Beach one day.



I did not know all of the people on the trip that well prior to our adventure, but after this experience, I can honestly say I have gained new associates. I recommend that everyone in college do something similar to this, not only for the experience but for the opportunity as well.

We left Ocala knowing that we had made a difference in the lives of others. This was a different spring break for all of us but it was without a doubt a memorable one.



WINGATE STUDENTS HELP OTHERS FOR SPRING BREAK

Wingate, N.C.----Instead of going wild on a beach for spring break, 39 Wingate University students and staff went on four different alternative spring break trips last month.

The students went on four trips. One group went to Ocala, Fla. to work with Habitat for Humanity. Another group went to Eustis, Fla. to also work with Habitat for Humanity. One group worked with North Carolina Coastal Federation in Wilmington, N.C. and another group worked with the Second Harvest Food Bank in Savannah, Ga. This is the fourth year that these trips have been organized by Wingate University.

The trips give students an opportunity to counter the traditional view of spring breaks with parties and beach trips, Lauren Marin, community service initiative director, says. “Especially for students at Wingate, because we hold service so high,” Marin says. “We have a many students who are driven for doing something more to give back.”

Wingate University was awarded the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the fourth year in a row last year. In 2011, students logged more than 15,000 hours of community service.

Brion McMichael, a 19-year-old sophomore studying business management, went to Ocala Fla. to work with Habitat for Humanity. This was his second year attending alternative spring break.

McMichael serves as the student coordinator for the trips. He plans them, calls the sites and gets funding lined up. “It was a different opportunity for me," McMichael says. “I thought this was a great experience to help a family in need and still have a great time.”

This year, he built a kitchen from scratch for the first time. “You’re doing service, but also you’re trying to have fun as well,” McMichael says. “You have a purpose for going on a spring break trip versus going to the beach and doing nothing...you have different opportunities as far as volunteer work.”

McMichael plans on participating next year, as do other students. “It’s becoming more popular,” McMichael said. “This was a great turnout, many people said they want to come back next year.”

The plans are in different locations every year. McMichael said they try to stay within a nine-hour drive. Fundraisers are held to offset the cost to students.

Habitat for Humanity

By Virginia State University
Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity dedicated a new Habitat home built in partnership with Virginia State University students, Lowe’s volunteers and a local family.
Lowe’s, a national partner with Habitat for Humanity since 2004, provided a $30,000 grant to Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity to build the house. The house was built as part of Habitat for Humanity's effort to create simple, decent affordable housing built in partnership with homeowners, volunteers and sponsors.
“Virginia State University was honored to have been selected as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association school chosen to assist Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity in building a home in partnership with a local family,” said Dr. Keith T. Miller, president of Virginia State University. “We take pride in the fact that our VSU athletes understand the importance of giving back to the community.”
This is the third time Habitat for Humanity, Lowe’s and the CIAA teamed up for a build. Past builds with CIAA schools include: Johnson C. Smith University in 2008; Shaw University and St. Augustine’s College in 2009.
“The CIAA and its partnering member institutions were proud to be a part of this experience with Lowe’s and Tri-Cities Habitat,” said Leon Kerry, commissioner of the CIAA. “It’s truly a wonderful feeling to support a neighbor family in building their new home. Our student volunteers represented the spirit of the CIAA by extending a helping hand to those in need in our communities.”
About Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity
Tri-Cities Habitat for Humanity builds houses for those who otherwise might never have a home of their own. Homeownership is the dream of 73 percent of all renters, and increases a family’s satisfaction with their living situation by 85 percent. It’s also a great way to help the economy, as children of homeowners are 50 percent less likely to be idle or on welfare at age 20.
We build safe, decent, affordable houses for families through the labor of volunteers and partner families and through generous financial gifts from individuals, foundations, churches, businesses and corporations. Each house costs approximately $60,000 and requires nearly 3,500 volunteer hours.
We do not give these houses away. We sell these houses to partner families at cost – with no profit – through a 30-year, interest-free mortgage. The mortgage payments received are then recycled into building additional houses. Therefore, every gift given truly keeps on giving.

About CIAA

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) was founded in 1912 and is based in Hampton, Virginia. The CIAA is America’s oldest historically black college and university conference and is made up of 13 college and universities situated along the Eastern Seaboard. For more information about the CIAA Basketball Tournament, visit www.ciaatournament.org. For more information about the conference, visit www.theciaa.com.

Cancer Awareness Day

By College of St. Rose
ALBANY – The College of Saint Rose intercollegiate athletics department will host “Cancer Awareness Day” in conjunction with three home contests throughout the afternoon of Sunday, March 25, at the Christian Plumeri Sports Complex. The Golden Knights baseball and softball squads both have 12:00 pm doubleheaders scheduled against Assumption and Merrimack respectively, while the men’s lacrosse team has a 4:30 pm game versus Merrimack.

Softball team members will wear pink jerseys and shoelaces in support of breast cancer awareness, while members of the baseball squad will wear blue shoelaces and their pants up in order to help raise awareness of prostate cancer. Furthermore, the bases on the softball and baseball diamonds will be painted pink and blue respectively in honor of the day.

At the lacrosse field, Saint Rose team members will wear lime green in support of the HEADstrong Foundation and each player will furthermore wear a color of their choice to support a form of cancer that has impacted his life.
Donation stations will be located at each field and color coordinated balloons will line the complex as well.
The event represents just one of numerous community service projects that Saint Rose student-athletes complete every year. It furthermore puts forth another example of how Saint Rose student-athletes embody a major prong of the College’s mission statement to engage with the school’s urban environment and thus help foster a sense of motivated and caring citizenship.

It also coincides with the NCAA Division II Life in the Balance platform that stresses growth opportunities through academic achievement, learning in high-level athletics competition and development of positive societal attitudes in service to community.