The Alvernian

Winter Wonderland or Winter Wasteland?

Kyle Rudart Contributing Editor

This year has already been setting records only a month into the new year. But these facts are quite chilling as the winter season has been relentless. On January 25, 2026, a record setting snow storm punished the Midwest and East Coast. Nearly half the country endured intense cold and dangerous winter weather conditions.

In Reading, 9.4 inches of snowfall fell that day, breaking the previous record set in 1905. The 2026 storm was the first real dangerous snow storm Pennsylvania has seen in a decade, with the last huge blizzard occurring in 2016. The snow and sleet, alongside dangerously cold temperatures, made the weather event particularly dangerous.

Before the snow storm happened, Reading mayor Eddie Morán declared a

snow emergency in the city. “Effective immediately,” he said, “I am declaring a snow emergency for the city of Reading. We are prepared for this.” Morán allowed the parking garages to be of free public use in the city to allow public works to clear the roads and make sure they were easy to clear.

2026 may be a grim harbinger of weather disasters to come. The United States is now starting to see the effects of the drastic conditions global warming has in store for the planet that have been confined to the global south in previous years.

Climate skeptics dismiss such concerns. Some will say ‘if global warming exists, then why is it getting colder?’

“This kind of ignorant statement ranks up there with ‘how can we use solar power when the sun sets,’ or ‘how can we rely on

wind power if the wind doesn’t always blow,’” Dr. Ryan Lange, full professor of communication, said. “Batteries exist, and so does global warming.”

Per the scientific discussion of our climate, global warming leads to more extreme weather and conditions, which leads to both extreme heat and extreme cold. The intensity of this winter is due to the polar vortex slipping to engulf most of North America, according to Lucy Sheriff of the BBC.

The arctic vortex is a collection of winds that form above the North Pole during winter, and when the vortex is stable, that cold air stays in that area. This year, that changed. The normal polar vortex became less of a ring and more of a strand heading down south. What makes the polar vortex move? Unusual levels of warmth in the Arctic

caused by climate change.

“But sure, ‘global warming’ only means hot summers,” Dr. Lange said. “Climate deniers are mendacious and should be disregarded as purveyors of bad faith arguments.”

So now with all that context, how have the students and faculty reacted to this snowstorm? A lot of students actually found solace in this unforeseen snow storm, students like Michael Peffer saw it as an opportunity to do good.

“I couldn’t wait to go sledding,” he said. “But I also bought some snow shovels with my friend, and we did some snow shoveling. We made over a hundred bucks while helping out the community.” But while some seized an opportunity to enjoy the snow, some did not even have a chance to.

Danica Leister is a commuter student who needs to be able to transport herself from her home to school in a timely manner.

“The street I live on has not been re-plowed since Sunday when the initial storm happened,” Leister said, which was five days after the snow stopped.

The season continues but will the temperatures climb, or will they stay at this level for the foreseeable future?

With Phil having seen his shadow, we have six more long weeks of winter left to go.

Snow Storm

February/March 2026

Winter Storm Disrupts Student Events at Alvernia University

Danica Leister

Contributing Editor

The winter storm that brought snow and ice to Reading on January 25 forced Student Activities to make last-minute decisions about events at Alvernia University. Some events needed to be adjusted, cancelled, or postponed. However, even with winter weather conditions, Alvernia University continues to try to offer something for students to do, though safety always comes first.

“We wanted to make sure we were still offering something for students, especially residential students who live on campus,” Felicia Nelson, Associate Director of Student Activities, said.

Even though sleet was still falling, Student Activities was still able to hold its NFL Playoff Pizza Palooza. This event had to be adjusted because of the weather, but with the help of a local pizza company and Alvernia’s

catering company, Pack Hospitality, it was able to run. Due to the forecast, Student Activities took preventative measures to ensure the event could still run. Alvernia University’s on campus catering company Pack Hospitality was contacted to be a back up in cases the selected pizza

companies cancelled. On the morning of January 25, Elijah Carr, a Student Activities Graduate assistant, called all the local pizza companies to see if they were open and could deliver. This was because the original pizza options including Mama’s, Maria’s, and Mimmo’s cancelled.

“Even Austin’s was closed, and Austin’s never closes,” Dr. Lange, full professor of communication and area resident, said.

However, Carr was able to call one local pizza company that could deliver. Chef David’s Pizza was open and able to deliver. Student Activities was able to give students more than one pizza option because they had Pack Hospitality step in and provide pizza as well.

“We decided to work with Pack Hospitality because they were already on campus, so that was one less person who needed to be driving in the snow.” Nelson said.

45 students attended Pizza Palooza, but attendance might have been affected by the weather. “I do believe the weather affected attendance because I know many people who thought it was cancelled,” Brooklynn Geoff, an occupational therapy first-year undergraduate at Alvernia University, said. Geoff said she had to decide whether she wanted to go out in the storm to get to the event. Pizza Palooza was not the only event at Alvernia University that was affected. How to Start an Organization, initially scheduled for January 26, was cancelled.

In lieu of a formal event, students can stop by the Campus Commons office in, room 204 to learn more about how to start a student organization. Campus events need to be flexible and emphasize student safety. Winter storms like this one will continue to occur, and Student Activities always plan ahead.

“Any time there’s inclement weather, we try to think about what the back up plan is so we can still offer the event,” Nelson said.

Alvernia University Battles the Snowstorm

Michael Peffer Contributing Editor

On January 25, 2026, a massive snowstorm dumped over a foot and a half of snow on almost the entire East side of the U.S. and some brave Alvernia University students jumped at this rare opportunity to go outside and enjoy it.

The most popular activity among the brave students was sledding into the upperclassmen parking lot beside Francis Hall. These students gathered anything from cardboard boxes to plastic lids and crafted makeshift sleds to hurtle themselves down this steep, snowy slope.

“I asked Edwards Landscaping to build us a ramp and they just kept making it bigger!” sophomore Makenzie Lane said. Edwards Landscaping had constructed a large compact ramp towards the bottom of the hill and only the bravest students were willing to give it a go.

This ramp became a risky attraction on the slope as more and more students gathered to try it out for themselves or watch their friends wipe out. Very few students were able to stay on their sleds after this jump,

and it became a competition to see who could do so. Students were also competing for height of their jumps, most speed, and how they could hit the jump.

Those who found the most success was borrowing some sleds from a few students who had some actual sleds and those who are familiar with the saucer sleds know just how unpredictable they can be.

One student, Michael Peffer, saw this snowstorm as an opportunity to do more

than just sled and enjoy the snow. He teamed up with his friend Caleb DeFrank and started a snow-removal service. Caleb bought a couple of shovels from Facebook Marketplace, made some flyers, and Michael posted them to marketplace and went door-to-door selling their service.

After receiving over 20 inquiries on Facebook Marketplace, Michael and Caleb were kept busy through the weekend shoveling

sidewalks, driveways, and plowed-in cars, saving several families from the backbreaking work.

“I’m so thankful I reached out to you!” Emili, one of their happy customers, said.

People were very pleased with their service and offered them everything from hot cocoa and chocolate to a bag full of beers as tips for their service.

Students and pro-staff who live on campus seemed like they also would have benefitted from this service and many of their cars were snowed in and especially hard to get out when the ice set

the next day. The University had prepared by gathering shovels to be signed out and returned for students to use to shovel out their cars, but not everyone was keen on this idea.

“I would pay top dollar to have my car shoveled out,” Avery Bailey, First Year Area Coordinator, said.

While most students either went home for the weekend or stayed in, the brave few who dared to venture out into the cold made some memories that will always stick with them as part of their experience at Alvernia University.

Philly SPortS

February/March 2026

Eagles’ Super Bowl Hangover?

Nick Ricciardi Contributing Writer

The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl in 2024 from pure dominance but fell in the wild-card round of the playoffs this year. Very little has changed within the team, so fans are wondering where it all went wrong after a disappointing 2026 season.

The Eagles’ season started 4-0 with big wins over good teams like the Chiefs and the Rams, but these wins were purely from the power and ability of their talented players rather than through coaching or good team play. So, what went wrong with the defending champs?

Many blame the offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo. His lack of creative play calling and getting his star players involved was a big reason for underperforming on offense week in and week out for the Eagles. Kevin Patullo was consistently calling the same plays all game.

In week 4 against the

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Eagles quarterback Jlaen Hurts didnt complete a pass in the second half. They still won the game as they had a lead at halftime. However, that is a lot to blame on offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo and his playcalling.

Jalen Hurts has had a new offensive coordinator every single year he’s been in the league, even dating back to his college years. Hurts’ underperformance this year cannot be entirely Patullo’s doing.

There is an echo of the current problems in the state of the Eagles in 2023. Brian Johnson had been appointed as offensive coordinator. Like Kevin Patullo, Brian Johnson was hired from within the organization. Also, like Kevin Patullo, Brian Johnson did not work out and was fired from the role of offensive coordinator.

Fans believe both Brian Johnson and Kevin Patullo didn’t know how to coach the Eagles’ run-first offense. Kevin Patullo, this season, did

not use his offensive weapons properly. For example, 2,000 rusher Saquon Barkley or All-Pro wide receiver AJ Brown did not get their share of touches they should be getting for the amount they get paid. Saquon Barkley had the best single season ever for a running back last year, but then this season didn’t have any offensive production.

Now, a lot of that is coaching, but there are more factors that went into the Eagles having no production in their rushing attack. The Eagles had injuries all season to their offensive line. All-Pro, 2-time Super Bowl champion and future Hall of Famer, right tackle Lane Johnson was dealing with injuries. The Eagles lost games to the Los Angeles Chargers and The Chicago Bears.

Other injuries that occurred were center Cam Jurgens, who has been dealing with injuries all season, and left guard Landon Dickerson, who was dealing with multiple injuries

throughout the season as well.

Now these injuries matter because last season the Eagles’ rushing attack was built through the strength of the dominant offensive line. In 2024, Saquon Barkley would reach 5 yards before he would get touched, and in 2025, he would get touched right away.

Players of the Eagles didn’t always give 100 percent this season, which was an ongoing theme. For example, week 6 against the New York Giants on primetime, the Eagles got blown out by not a great football team, but it didn’t even look like the Eagles were trying.

The Eagles have one of the best personnel setups in the NFL. However, the Super Bowl window may be closing quietly.

All eyes are now on the 2026 season for the Philadelphia Eagles and the fans of Philly.

Eagles Have Hard Landing, But Hope to Fly High Again

Anthony Parsons Contibuting Editor

With the 2025 NFL season coming to an end, fans question if the Philadelphia Eagles will ever return to their Super Bowl winning form.

Expectations for the team this season were as high as ever, with very little change to the starting lineups coming out of the offseason, and the Eagles offense keeping all their star players. Despite having all the tools they needed to succeed, Eagles fans were met with a disappointing end to the Eagles’ season.

“We weren’t a winning team this season,” Kimberly Brockmeyer, an Eagles fan, said.

The Philadelphia Eagles ended the regular season with an 11-6 record and qualified for the playoffs in the Wildcard round. While a record like that can be solid in the NFL, throughout the season, fans and analysts were noticing glaring holes in the offense, particularly about the play calling and environment.

“If you don’t have an identity by week 14, then your coaching is flawed,” Tony Cutillo said on

A2DRadio.

The Eagles faced off against the 12-5 San Francisco 49er’s in the Wildcard round of the playoffs. The 49ers had a dangerous run game all season that the Eagles needed to address. While the Eagles defense did a good job denying their run game, the offense still struggled in the passing game.

49ers quarterback Brock Purdy threw for 262 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for only 168 yards and one touchdown to tight end Dallas Goedert in the second quarter.

The Eagles ended the first half with a 13-10 lead but were unable to capitalize as they were only able to kick two field goals for points,

allowing the 49er’s to catch up with two touchdowns, ending the game 23-19. The loss ended the Eagles’ playoff run.

There has also been speculation about if the team are getting along off the field at all. When JankyRondo asked AJ Brown on a Twitch. tv stream if everything was good, Brown said, “No. Where have you been? Family’s good. Everything else? No. ‘How you been?’ Struggling brother.”

“If you have me on fantasy [football leagues],” Brown said, “Get rid of me.”

During the 49er’s playoff game, AJ Brown was also seen in a sideline blowup towards Head Coach Nick Sirianni in the first half and had to be separated by security.

Issues within the team included a clear dip in performance of the Eagles’ run plays compared to last year’s.

Star running back Saquon Barkley had 71 yards per game, ending the season with 1,140 rushing yards total. This total is a significant dip compared to his 2024 season of 125 yards per game with 2,005 rushing yards total.

Tank Bigsby is the Eagles secondary running back, who also saw a dip in performance since coming to the Eagles in the beginning of the season.

During the 2024 season with the Jaguars, Bigsby was able to obtain 47.9 yards per game with 766 total yards. 2025 saw Bigsby underperform with 21.5 yards per game and 344 total yards.

The performance drops are alongside the Eagles promoting Kevin Patullo to Offensive Coordinator. Fans and analysts have blamed Patullo for the decline in the offensive line.

“Kevin Patullo has made 0 progression as a play caller this whole season,” said MatagoBirds on X.

With expectations of changes in the offseason, the Eagles have already made

changes to staff, with rumors of more changes to come.

On January 13, the Eagles announced on social media that they will no longer be working with Kevin Patullo at offensive coordinator. The public response to the release of the now former offensive coordinator was filled with joy and celebration.

“2 months too late but thank god,” said JaxTheDark on X.

On January 29, the Eagles announced the signing of Sean Mannion, who played nine seasons in the NFL as quarterback for multiple teams. Mannion also worked with the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 season as a quarterback coach and worked on passing with the team.

“I think he is a high risk, high reward change,” Devin Dvorak, NFL fan, said. “However, younger coaches seem to have a good grasp on modern football.”

Rumors of more change in the Eagles spread throughout social media as speculation of defensive coordinator, Vic Fangio, may look to retire.

February/March 2026

the alvernian Animal Man by Grant Morrison: Redefining the Comic Book Medium Cole’S ComiCS Corner

Managing Editor/Layout

Grace Wanner

Section Editors

Cole Windsor

Brianna Corbett

Amelia Fortunato

Kyle Rudart

Danica Leister

Anthony Parsons

Shawn Williams

Jacob Wells

Michael Peffer

Braden Livingston

Contributing Writers

Kiley Delfin

Lindsay Kerchner

Kenneth Miller

Hector Malave

Nicholas Ricciardi

Albert Vargas

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Ryan Lange

The Alvernian is the official student newspaper of Alvernia University.

Articles submitted for consideration into The Alvernian should be written in some semblance of AP style. Letters to the editor, requests for advertisements, and general comments and questions may be submitted to ryan.lange@alvernia.edu.

The editors reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity, accuracy, and length.

The views expressed in The Alvernian are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the student body, faculty, staff, administration, or sponsors.

Cole Windsor Contributing Editor

Everyone has heard of comic book characters like Superman, Batman, SpiderMan, or Wonder Woman. However, many characters are unknown to the general public, and even to many fans. For years, Animal Man was one of these characters.

First appearing in Strange Adventures #180 in 1965, Animal Man, also known as Buddy Baker, became a recurring background character, with very little notoriety. Starting in 1988, now legendary writer Grant Morrison(they/them) began one of the most iconic comic book runs of all time. Morrison utilized the niche and odd character of Animal Man to advocate for animal rights issues, the superhero genre, and even the medium of comics as a whole.

utilizing more complex story ideas. The fifth issue follows a Wile E. Coyote-like character. This character continues to die and be revived, like a cartoon character in an ongoing tv show. This cycle of death and rebirth tortures the character, being unable to permanently die.

The issues to follow delve deeper, discussing the unrealistic balance a superhero has between their superhero life and their external life with their family. The book discusses how Animal Man’s fight for animal rights has created some powerful enemies that put his family at risk, eventually suffering the consequences. Distraught, he attempts to go back in time to reverse the tragedy that occurred by traveling through time. Rather than using time travel as a cheap ploy to get out of real consequences, Morrison takes psychedelic, which has a major effect on Animal Man. Animal Man is unable to reverse his mistakes, but he is able to stop a world ending catastrophy by breaking out

of a movement known as the “British Invasion,” in which many British comic creators found success in the American comic book industry. This invasion followed DC Comics’ universe-resetting event, Crisis on Infinite Earths.” This event reset the DC Comics timeline to make it more accessible to new readers. This also happened to create a unique opportunity for new writers to re-imagine some of these lesser-known characters. Grant Morrison’s Animal Man quickly became a fan favorite and continues to hold a place in the greatest comics of all time.

Morrison’s Animal Man begins with a four-issue story because it was originally just a miniseries. These four issues follow Buddy Baker as he rediscovers his superpowers. Once Morrison

of the comic panel. he. As he traverses this world, he stumbles upon a door to the real world.

Stepping through this door, Animal Man meets his writer, Grant Morrison themself. Morrison goes on to explain that they write all of his actions, and Animal Man has no autonomy over their own actions. This back-andforth explores the concept of free will and of an allpowerful “writer” controlling everyone.

Morrison is known for being an extremely unique and psychedelic writer, and it is on full display here. They utilize the amazing artists, Chas Truog and Doug Hazlewood, with covers by Brian Bolland, to break traditional comic formatting literally. Morrison bends the actual comic panels and gives the characters a peek behind the curtain. This allows them to deeply reflect on themselves, creating a unique recursive reflection for the character and the reader experiencing it.

trendS

February/March 2026

2025: A Year of Expansion and Definition

Kiley Delfin

Contributing Writer

The younger generation. They’re the group we look to for what is trending and “what’s in.” This group ranges from teenagers aged 14 to adults in their late 20s.

Years and decades are defined by the popular trends that occurred during those time periods. Think of 2016, for instance. Starbucks unicorn frappuccinos, fullglam makeup, skinny jeans, Pokémon Go, chokers, Stranger Things, Yeezys, Snapchat dog filters, and more trends are what defined 2016. These popular items and moments are what make that year nostalgic. So what makes 2025 nostalgic?

#1: Artificial Intelligence

While artificial intelligence has been around for a few years, its popularity surged in 2025, and it has since become a key part of the business world and online life.

Companies have started conducting online interviews using AI software that asks the candidate questions itself. TikTok trends have been built around AI and its impressive photo-editing skills. People are using AI for anything and everything these days.

Some say AI systems will only get smarter, changing how our society will work in the near future. Others are skeptical.

“When an LLM can tell me how many ‘r’s are in strawberry reliably, I’ll be impressed,” Dr. Ryan Lange, full professor of communication, said. “Please stop using them to cheat on your homework.”

#2: TikTok Trends

Every year, TikTok trends and popular items gaining traction on the platform define the year. The “word on beat” game was a significant trend towards the end of 2025, along with the Whitney Houston “I will always love you” drum beat challenge.

Zara Larsson’s 2015 hit “Lush Life” made a comeback through TikTok, with its dance break going viral across social media.

Stress toys have made a significant comeback through TikTok exposure, especially for teen and college girls. NeeDohs, slime, and glitter dumpling toys took girls by storm.

If you’re wondering what a glitter dumpling is, it is a stress toy shaped like a dumpling being sold at Five

Below. If you find a rare glitter dumpling, the bragging rights are endless!

“I love me a stress toy. TikTok helps me find different brands and types of stress toys. Not getting a glitter dumpling was upsetting. I can’t even find a regular dumpling in the stores,” said first-year student Annabella Lancellotti.

#3: Music Trends

Music has seen a plethora of new, rising artists in recent years. This is due to the growth of social media, especially TikTok. Many independent and young artists are gaining popularity on the platform and can share their music easily with the world.

One of the most popular new artists this year, Olivia Dean, rose to fame after her hit song “Man I Need” became a viral TikTok sound. From there, her album “The Art

of Loving” gained immense recognition, leading her to sell out her upcoming tour immediately.

“I heard her song playing in a cafe, and then I heard it again on TikTok. TikTok definitely helped me learn more of her songs and become a huge fan of her,” said first-year student Grace Weissenberger. Other artists that trended this year included Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Benson Boone, and many more.

#4: Celebrity Moments

Taylor Swift took over the celebrity world this year with the drop of her new album “The Life of a Showgirl” in October. Travis Kelce and Taylor also made headlines for weeks after announcing their engagement on Instagram, which garnered over 37 million likes.

Who can forget the iconic Coldplay concert-screen moment that took social media by storm? The CEO of Astronomer was found to have been having an affair with Kriston Cabot, the head of his HR department.

Sydney Sweeney received backlash this year for her jeans ad with American Eagle, which critics state has comparisons to Nazi propaganda and is overly sexualized.

Sean “Diddy” Combs took over headlines with his public court case and the release of a Netflix documentary about it.

Hollywood sweethearts Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban shocked the media when they announced their divorce after nineteen years of marriage.

A new pope was elected in the Catholic Church. Villanova alumni Robert Francis Prevost was recently named

Pope Leo in May 2025.

Some other public figures’ popular moments included Katy Perry going to space, Benson Boone flipping on stage, and comedian Nikki Glaser gaining national recognition for her hosting performance at the Golden Globe Awards.

#5 Popular TV Shows and Movies

One of the most anticipated films of the year, “Wicked: For Good,” broke records at the box office, but surprisingly failed to receive any Oscar nominations for the 2026 award ceremony.

“K- Pop Demon Hunters” rose to number one on the Netflix movie platform for the first 17 weeks of release, becoming the most popular fictional band to date. The hit single “Golden” from the animated film was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts for 8 consecutive weeks.

“The Summer I Turned Pretty” was all the buzz this past summer, with their season finale ending in September. Before the final episode’s release, book author Jenn Han and the cast announced a movie that is currently in the works.

“Heated Rivalry” took over screens this year, giving closeted athletes representation. Every generation needs a good hospital show with a hot doctor to obsess over; the newly released show “The Pitt” has fans swooning across the nation.

#6: Other 2025 Trends

The phenomenon of “67” has become a key comedic joke to the younger generation due to the surge of brain rot. It’s hard to explain why it’s funny, but it is one of those things that has become a significant part of culture.

“I don’t really understand it, and what the meaning is behind it. I do somewhat find it funny because I feel it rolls off the tongue well,” said firstyear student Alexis Olivera.

The Minecraft movie, starring Jack Black, had little kids across the country giggling in their homes when the phrase “Chicken Jockey” soared in popularity.

Benson Boone collaborated with “Crumbl” this past year to create a moonbeam ice cream cookie based on his hit single “Mystical Magical.” Society is eager to see what trends and moments will define 2026!

CamPuS newS

February/March 2026

Updates on the Student Center

Brianna Corbett

Contributing Editor

Last semester, Aramark made some changes to the student center to encourage more students to eat at Alvernia.

Aramark has changed how to-go boxes work at the Student Center. The new boxes are meant to be reused. The to-go boxes are to be recycled by returning them to the recycling bin after students have completed their meals. Once the boxes are back and put into a recycling bin, students can

get a new box. If they do not return the to-go box, they will need to pay $5. They can get a new box with cash, cards, or bonus dollars, or receive a green chip that lets them get one without paying $5.

“Now the most important thing is switching to environmentally friendly to-go boxes, which is a positive step forward,”

Aracelis Amador Rivera said.

Other changes include the new ramen and hot dog machine. The ramen machine has been very popular with students since they can make their own ramen to go along with their dinner. On top of

the ramen machine is a QR code that guides students on how to use it to make their ramen. At the hot dog machine, the workers make hot dogs, then put them in the machine to keep them warm.

“The new hot dog machine is convenient; I feel it lets the workers work on other food,” Christopher Hocker said. Students can also look up what will be on offer at the Student Center throughout the day’s meal service. The new link is https:// alvernia.mydininghub.com/ en/location/dining-hall, rather than the pre-Aramark website.

With the new information, students can learn what is happening at the Student Center. All these updates will help students better understand what Aramark is doing to encourage more students to check out the Student Center.

There is a way to leave feedback about Aramark: The tablet right next to True Balance, but it is standing by a poll. That is where students can go just for feedback, but they can also voice their opinions on what they want at the Student Center.

Is There Not Enough Student Activities?

Jacob Wells Contributing Editor

While there are many activities scheduled by Student Activities, some students don’t feel there’s much to do at Alvernia.

Students have a variety of opinions about this seeming paradox. Some say many offerings don’t seem engaging, but a few events are always very well attended. How can we ‘right-size’ campus events to have more winners than duds?

Danica Leister, Events Chairperson for the Campus Activities Board, thinks incentives are a reliable way to get students in the door.

“People really like big prize events this includes the classic bingo and casino nights,” Leister said.

“CAB has one event we do each semester that’s really big. The fall semester has CAB carnival games and prizes along with free food like cotton candy and snow cones.”

Other students are unaware of how student events are posted. Fortunately, interested students can always go to the Student Activities office, located in the Campus Commons building, to learn

more.

Outside the office are postings for things to do on campus, including our own football or basketball games. Some activities even happen outside of campus like free movies, field trips to games, and day-long bus trips to big cities like New York. What can students do if they want things more to their taste to be offered through Student Activities? Get involved!

“To improve what we have now we need student involvement and feedback,” Leister said. “The more people come to events, the

more likely the school is to increase the budget for the future which means more prizes or more upscale events.”

“Feedback is also a huge thing,” she said. “If you want to do something, tell us.”

“CAB has a questionnaire before our voting meeting, the meeting where students can tell us their ideas and everyone can vote on it at the voting meeting. However, there are exceptions. Alvernia is a small private university, which means we will never have the budget of large universities or state schools. This limits what we can and

can’t do.”

Many events are still quite doable for CAB and the university as a whole, but sometimes organizers have to get creative to make things work. Students can also pick up the events calendar, published at the start of every semester and made available for free.

“A lot of people overlook our calendars, but our calendars have every single event going on in this semester right in front of you, so you’ll never have to wonder what’s going on,” Shawn Williams, a senior communication major, said.

Williams does note that commuters sometimes aren’t brought into the conversation

as well as they could be.

“Something we can improve on would have to be communication with commuters,” he said.

“Something that people may not know about would have to be our email chain. We send out email reminders of the weekly schedule of activities going on. I think a good idea would be for commuter students to get on that email thread so they are notified of events going if they can’t make it to campus.”

Although the school is classified as a small private university, the thing that matters most is for students to take control of their college experience.

CamPuS newS

February/March 2026

Things Only Alvernia Students Understand

Lindsay Kerchner

Contributing Writer

Every campus has its quirks, but Alvernia University has a set of shared experiences that instantly connect students the moment they mention them. These are the everyday moments that are deeply understood by anyone who has spent enough time on campus, but will never be featured on the campus tour.

Mega Prize Bingo stands out as one of the most anticipated student events of the year. The promise of big prizes brings large crowds and high energy, making it one of the few events that consistently fills a room with students from all class years. Winning is exciting, but even students who do not leave with a prize walk away with stories and memories.

One of the most recognizable staples of campus life is the Baja Queso Bowl from Freshens. It is a frequent choice for students who need a quick meal

between classes and, for many, a regular part of their routine. Whether students genuinely enjoy it or simply tolerate it because it is convenient, the Baja Queso Bowl has reached an almost iconic status. It is the kind of food students talk about casually, complain about jokingly, and continue to order anyway.

School spirit at Alvernia comes with its own twist, largely thanks to the wolf mascot “Bernie.” While meant to energize crowds and represent pride, many students describe the mascot as more unsettling than inspiring. Its intense stare and exaggerated features

have turned it into an inside joke rather than a traditional symbol of comfort.

Despite this reputation, the mascot continues to appear at games and events, proving that even the most awkward parts of campus life eventually become normal.

“He looks like he’s had too much Starbucks,” Dr. Ryan Lange, full professor of communication, said. “I think he needs to swap to green tea to calm down.”

Transportation is another shared experience, particularly for students commuting to and from College Towne. Shuttles running late are so common

that many students plan their schedules assuming delays. Waiting at shuttle stops has become a bonding activity, with students exchanging stories about missed classes and unpredictable arrival times. It is an inconvenience that almost feels built into the Alvernia experience.

“I was almost 20 minutes late to my class in College Towne because of how long the shuttle took to leave.”

Hannah Tyler, a junior nursing student, said.

Power outages and water breaks are moments that bring campus to a standstill. When they happen, classes are disrupted, dorm life becomes inconvenient, and students quickly turn to social media for updates. While stressful in the moment, these interruptions often turn into shared memories, with students joking about having to adapt on short notice or waiting for everything to return to normal.

“During the recent water break on campus in

November, my friends and I gathered all our stuff and headed over to my house since I live close to school,” Kaley Cromer, a junior nursing student, said. “We played games and watched movies on our day off school.”

Alvernia’s Franciscan identity is visible in everyday life, particularly through the presence of nuns on campus. Seeing nuns walking to class or attending events is something students eventually become used to, but it remains a unique part of the Alvernia experience. For many, it serves as a constant reminder of the university’s roots and values. Individually, these moments may seem minor. Together, they define what it means to be an Alvernia student. They are the shared jokes, frustrations, and traditions that turn a campus into a community, understood best by those who live it every day.

The Winter Season for Spring Athletes

Shawn Williams

Contributing Editor

As winter athletes are in season, spring athletes start to prepare, but both winter and spring athletes must battle for limited space. Two sports programs that particularly suffer from limited training space are golf and baseball.

For the golf program, they struggle with getting time in the weight room as a team. The golf team has three scheduled weight room sessions per week but they only get about 45 minutes to an hour for everyone to finish their workouts before another team kicks them out.

Matthew Overholt, a first-year men’s golf athlete, often feels rushed during his workout. “You know, it’s quite tough to get a full workout completed without another team rushing us out,” Overholt said. “You would think that other teams would respect us and let us take our time and train. This was not what I expected coming into my first year.”

Another problem the golf team faces is their lack of time on the golf simulator at the PLEX. With snow outside, the golf program relies on the golf simulator to practice

until courses are available again. For the unfamiliar, the golf simulator is a piece of technology where a player hits into a screen, and the computer system tracks the shot and provides data on how it would turn out in real life.

While this technology is very helpful to the golf program, it must be shared with everyone on campus. To reserve the simulator, all you do is go online and book it for a specific time frame. Since it’s available to everybody,

athletes from other sports teams and other students use it for entertainment and reserve it for extended periods. Sometimes, golfers cannot access the simulator for weeks at a time because of this problem.

“It sucks that we don’t get some sort of priority on the simulator, as it is our sport that we’re practicing,” Jacob DeWitt, a first-year men’s golf athlete, said. “There have been numerous occasions this winter where I have been practicing to get myself ready

for my season, and someone on campus kicks me off because they want to use it.”

The golf simulator has also been damaged for two years. The computer monitor connected to the simulator’s screen has been cracked and broken, and it has yet to be repaired. The damage should be paid for through technology use fees, but whose responsibility it is to order repairs is not clear.

Like the golf program, the baseball team also struggles for space and time in its pre-

season. Because they can’t practice outside, the baseball team holds practices in the PLEX, which can be cramped when other students are present. While they do have scheduled practices each day to prepare for their season, they cannot reserve the entire PLEX for themselves.

Senior RJ Emrich has been dealing with these problems ever since his first year.

“There definitely are some struggles practicing in the PLEX as compared to on the field,” he said.

“Practicing our plays, bunt rotations, pick-offs, etc., is all affected by practicing indoors. You don’t really get the true feel of the plays. Hitting inside is also sometimes a struggle with the lighting and the background the ball is coming out of. It is not a clean, pretty backdrop we have when we hit outside.” These programs clearly do not enjoy their practice time at the PLEX, given all the problems that come with it. But while the snow is still on the ground, these student athletes do what they have to do to prepare themselves the best they can for their seasons.

February/March 2026

CamPuS newS

Spring Into Action

Kenneth Miller

Contributing Writer

The spring semester is here, and classes are in full swing. What can you do to make sure you have a successful term? Whether you are a first-time student, a full or part-time student, a transfer student, a returning adult learner, or about to graduate, there are steps you can take to do well and do good this semester. Here are some action steps to find balance, be resilient, stay encouraged, and be successful this semester.

One of the first steps that you can take is to read the syllabus for each class. Once is not enough! Go through it regularly to keep on top of upcoming deadlines. Careful attention to the course schedule will ensure that you know the major deadlines for all exams, projects, homework, and papers. It allows you to get a head start on upcoming assignments and organize your time. This way, you do not wait until the last minute, which can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Logan Goldenberg, a thirdyear student here at Alvernia, recommends recording due dates from the syllabus to keep things organized. “I like to keep track of my assignments and tests on an app or program,” he said. “The one I use is called Notion. I also take breaks when needed. When it is cold, I may sit inside, and other times I take walks outside.”

A second step that you can take is to build up your support network. Introduce yourself to your professors early. It is important to engage your professors and build a rapport with them. Go to their office hours, ask for extra help, and email them with any questions you may have. Do not wait until it is a crisis or halfway through the semester to reach out. Stay in constant contact and stay engaged.

You should also introduce yourself to other students in the class. Exchanging numbers can come in handy if someone misses a class or is confused about something. Try to do this in every class that you take. You can form a study group, review notes from class, and prepare for tests. “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success,” said

Henry Ford.

Another step that can be valuable in creating a successful semester is building routines. Know when and where your classes are. Be available to attend your classes and study. Remember to take a break. Take time to refuel and ensure you make time to eat and hydrate. Prioritize sleep and make sure you get enough rest each day so that you can be productive and manage stress. Sleep is important for cognitive functioning, academic performance, critical thinking skills, and cognitive functioning.

Former Alvernia student, Stephanie Cooper, class of 2015 is a clinical therapist at Human Services Inc in Thorndale, Pennsylvania.

“Self-care is about maintaining your physical and mental health so you can function and not burn out. Self-care is important because it keeps you healthy, balanced, and able to cope with life. We cannot pour from an empty cup,” she said. Marcus Ridley is a secondyear student here at Alvernia and has learned where and how he studies best. “I like to study in my room and on the second floor of the library,” he said. “When I am learning something difficult, I like to read ahead in the textbook or the professor’s slide show to see if any later concepts connect to the current ones. I personally prefer to do homework later in the night when it is quiet and going to events during the day.”

A critical step that you can take to increase academic success is prioritizing selfcare. Taking care of your

physical and mental health is key to your overall well-being. Make sure to block out time each day to do something for yourself. It can be anything from exercise, taking a walk, mindfulness activities, meditation, connecting with friends or family, or enjoying a hobby. It is important to find joy in something each day so that you can keep pushing forward. Celebrate the small wins, keep in mind tomorrow is a new day, and that you can do hard things.

One of the most important steps that you can take towards academic success this semester is finding and utilizing campus resources. Find and utilize Alvernia’s academic success center, navigation offices, peer tutoring program, writing support, accessibility services, academic advising and coaching, career development, and library services. All these offices are located on campus and easily accessible. These services are designed to help students succeed, improve academically, and prepare for graduation and beyond. Support is personalized and individualized for each student. These services are available to you 24/7 and are meant to help you achieve your goals. Director of Accessibility Services, Dr. Andrea Swift, reminds us that everyone’s success is a team effort. Alvernia offers free counseling to students and is a great way to deal with stress and anxiety. Several students access the counseling each year and find it beneficial.

“Knowing what resources are available and how to

access them is a strength of successful people,” Dr. Swift said. “There is not one who reaches the top alone. Everyone needs a support system and encouragement. Whether it is editing a doctoral thesis or extended time on a test, knowing, and using resources will lead to academic success.”

Remember, this is another

semester and a chance to learn and grow. Stay organized, make connections, build up your support, practice self-care, and know where your campus resources are and utilize them. If you keep these things in mind, you increase your chances of academic success.

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February/March 2026

“Heated Rivalry” Burns Up the Ice

Amelia Fortunato

Contributing Editor

The television series “Heated Rivalry” has enkindled a flame in the hearts of many over this winter.

Released on November 28, 2025, the show took the world by storm. According to HBO, the series averages nine million viewers per episode in the United States, The Hollywood Reporter reported. Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 97% on the Tomatometer, based on critics’ reviews.

“Heated Rivalry,” which is based on the book series by author Rachel Reid, follows two NHL players, Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), as they engage in a secret relationship for more than a decade.

The show received a lot of attention for its steamy scenes, but ultimately, it’s the compelling love story that keeps people coming back for more.

So what makes “Heated Rivalry” so successful? It’s a myriad of things, from the actors to the lovable characters to the authentic representation of being a closeted athlete.

“I think the show is popular because it’s something different than many people have seen,”

Kiley Delfin, a first year student, said. “An LGBTQ show growing so popular is uncommon. I think people also love the show because of the actors that play the main characters.”

“Heated Rivalry” is one of the first shows about queer athletes to go mainstream. Representation matters, which is why so many people are drawn to stories like this.

Hudson Williams has come forward about receiving direct messages on social media from closeted athletes.

“This show is important because of representation,” Delfin said. “Men, especially athletes, are told to hide their emotions and be a certain

way. This show has the power to give confidence to be true to who they are.” Delfin said.

Another reason “Heated Rivalry” is so successful is because it already had an established fan base from readers of the “Game Changers” series, written by Rachel Reid.

“Game Changers” follows a different character in each book, and “Heated Rivalry” is

only the second book in the series.

However, “Heated Rivalry” the television show adapted the first book in episode 3 of season 1, known as “Hunter.”

The first book follows Scott Hunter, the captain of the New York Admirals, as he falls in love with Kip Grady, the man who works at the smoothie shop he frequents.

A Penniless America

Grace Wanner Managing Editor

What are the impacts of a penniless America?

The first penny was minted in 1793 and was originally a pure copper coin. When the penny was first created and put into circulation, the cost of production was roughly equal to its value. Since 1793, the penny has undergone many changes. Pennies are much smaller than they once were and are now made of mostly zinc.

While the value of the penny has remained the same, the cost of production has nearly tripled despite shrinking the penny and changing its material composition.

Currently, a penny’s production price is roughly 3.7 cents per coin. This leaves the U.S. treasury losing about 2.7 cents on the penny.

In February 2025, President Trump announced that the U.S. Mint was to stop the production of the penny. Like most important government pronouncements in this era, the news was delivered to the American people via a TruthSocial post.

“For far too long, the United States has minted pennies which literally

cost us more than 2 cents,”

President Trump wrote. “This is so wasteful! I have instructed my Secretary of the U.S. Treasury to stop producing new pennies. Let’s rip the waste out of our great nation’s budget, even if it’s a penny at a time.”

Now, almost a year later, the Treasury Department has pledged to stop minting the penny. You may have already seen signs in your area about the penny discontinuation. Stores are at liberty to decide how they are going to handle the penny problem.

Some things to look out for in your future shopping endeavors may be price changes and rounding. Some establishments, such as McDonald’s, have recently posted signage in their to-go windows and inside their stores about the rounding. According to their signage, their policy is as follows: If a customer’s total ends in one cent or two cents, round down to zero cents. Totals ending in three, four, six, and seven cents get rounded to five, and if a customer’s total ends in eight or nine cents, round up to 10. The discontinuation will most likely affect big corporations with a large

amount of cash-paying clientele first. Smaller businesses, while they may remain unaffected for now, are looking into the future apprehensively about the change.

J.D. Turner from Holistic Skate Shop in West Reading, while prepared, sounded unenthused by the ordeal.

“It hasn’t affected us yet,” Turner said. “I have a huge stockpile of pennies, but when I run out, I’m sure it will. We’re taking it day by day. We’re a small shop, we’ve been open for 13 years, but we’re still on the lower level. I’m sure it’ll make cash sales a nightmare though.”

Dorothy Knowles from

Another thing that draws people to “Heated Rivalry” is the focus on hockey. While most people aren’t watching the show because of the hockey games, plenty of hockey fans have tuned in.

“I was drawn to the show because of the love story tied in with hockey,” Delfin said.

Lots of famous hockey podcasts have covered the show, including “Empty Netters.” “[It’s] truly, truly remarkable the way this has just taken the Internet by storm,” Dan Powers said. Powers cohosts “Empty Netters” with his brother Chris Powers.

Overall, “Heated Rivalry” is a breath of fresh air in a time when people are often dissatisfied with the television shows they’re watching. Additionally, the love for “Heated Rivalry” shows entertainment companies that people want more queer love stories.

“Heated Rivalry” is available on streaming on HBO Max.

Celtic Myth and Moonlight in West Reading is also not immediately impacted. “We’re not really affected by it yet, but I’m sure we will be in the future. It’ll affect everyone,” Knowles said. While cash payments will get trickier, the average person has been using cash less as time goes on. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2022, 41% of people reported they rarely use cash. As such, a lot of people don’t have strong opinions about the disappearing cent.

Candice Templeton, a Harrisburg resident, did not appear overly concerned about the topic. “I’ve known that it costs more to make than it was worth for a while, and personally, I don’t really use cash. I think it’ll be a mess at first, but it’ll sort itself out,” Templeton said. The picture of a penniless future is still incomplete, but it is starting to take effect. The good news is that the penny will retain its value and still be accepted as a legal tender. So, hang on to your pennies, for all you know, they could be worth something one day. Well, more than a cent anyway.