Brown and White Vol. 123 no. 23

              Vol. 123 No. 23
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
‘All the Lehigh News First’
THE BROWN AND WHITE
Lehigh University’s Student Newspaper Founded in 1894
SPORTS
Learn about
new LU athletes
Page 11
ONLINE POLL
Can your testing environment affect final grades?
Students study abroad during break
Page 5
LIFESTYLE
By ANDREW O’BRIEN
It is the students and faculty who are the best part about Lehigh, according to new professors, Alex Nikol­sko-Rzhevskyy, Nicholas Strandwitz and Laura Brook Sawyer, in a series of interviews conducted to better ac­quaint the Lehigh community with new faculty members.
“I’m really impressed with undergraduate students at Lehigh,” Nikolsko-Rzhevskyy said. Sawyer said the sup­port and friendliness of her colleagues and the dedication of her students was her favorite part of Lehigh.
Nikolsko-Rzhevskyy is a professor of economics in the College of Business and Economics, while Sawyer is an assistant professor of instructional design and technology teacher education in the College of Education. Strandwitz is a professor of materials science and engineering in the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Strandwitz said he was attracted to Lehigh’s strong ma­terials science and engineering department in particular. Sawyer commented on her research interests.
“My research aims are interdisciplinary and center on promoting the developmental outcomes of children ages birth through five who are at risk for later school failure, including children with disabilities and English Language Learners,” Sawyer said.
Nikolsko-Rzhevskyy said his research interests are exchange rate forecasting and monetary policy analysis. He said he also came to Lehigh because he wanted to get closer to other top-notch East Coast universities so he could more easily attend conferences.
Strandwitz said: “I am currently interested in basic and applied science that targets problems in energy con­version.” He cited discovering new methods to turn solar energy into fuel and electricity as an example of this type of research.
Sawyer responded to questions about why she came to Lehigh by saying that many of her colleagues are produc­ing research that is congruent with her interests and her husband being an assistant coach for the football team.
These new professors aren’t only about teaching and research. Nikolsko-Rzhevskyy said that he has been very busy with academic work this semester, but when he does have free time, he enjoys painting, flying airplanes and playing checkers. He is a former Ukraine and U.S.S.R. checkers champion and was born in Odessa, Ukraine.
Sawyer likes to read, run and spend time with her hus­band and their two children. She was born in Abington, Pa., and then moved with her family several times before they finally settled in Charleston, S.C., at the start of her middle school years.
Strandwitz said his hobbies include surfing, playing volleyball, doing yoga, playing the ukulele and playing the guitar. He is originally from outside of Erie, Pa.
By ZARA RUSTOMJI
The Adopt-a-Family celebration was held at Donegan Elementary School Wednesday evening.
“Adopt-a-Family is an absolutely amazing event. It started out so small but has now become so immense,” said Sonia Vazquez, the principal of Donegan Elementary School. “I love that it involves so many differ­ent groups, from Lehigh organiza­tions, to athletes, to small businesses, to Donegan faculty members and students.
“The community is highly in­volved as well,” she said. “Adopt-a-Family just brings everyone together. It has even expanded to include more schools.”
The Adopt-a-Family program gives underprivileged families a spon­sor. Each sponsor buys presents for the families based on the wish lists they have created.
The event was held in the Donegan auditorium and gymnasium from 4-8 p.m. Each sponsor set up a table with presents for its assigned family. Sponsors included Bethlehem community members, small busi­nesses, Lehigh athletes and sorority and fraternity members.
“It’s such an amazing way to give back to the community, especially during the holiday season,” said Rachael Schiffris, ’15, a member of Gamma Phi Beta, which was one of the sponsors for the event. “I loved being here. I am so glad I got to be a part of those kids’ happiness. It was so special.”
The families were first introduced to their sponsors, and then they opened their presents together. Free food was provided at the event, and the families also got a chance to take pictures with Santa Claus.
“I loved today. It was so nice spending time with Lehigh students and my family,” said Amalia Delga­do, one of the children participating in the event. “I got everything I asked for. I am so excited I got an iPod shuffle and also a cookbook because I love to cook.”
Students who participated thought the experience was rewarding.
“I think it is good for kids our age to get involved with the com­munity because we always forget how privileged we are,” said Kayla Mabon, ’15, a member of Gamma Phi Beta. “Seeing these families be so appreciative really helps put things in perspective.”
Photos courtesty of Alpha Gamma Delta and Pi Beta Phi sororities
TOP: Rebecca Holko,’15, gives a gift bag to a Bethlehem child. BOTTOM: Alpha Gamma Delta and Pi Beta Phi work at Adopt-a-Family. Lehigh groups sponsored families at the event Dec. 5 at Doneghan Middle School.
New professors reflect on their first semesters
Lehigh groups aid local families at annual event
Go to thebrownandwhite.com for
updates during Winter Break.
The Brown and White will resume print publication Jan. 22. Ben Hulac, ’13, will be the new editor in chief.