...Just barely Crossing the Finsh Line...

I am a Media Law final exam away from being a Class of 2010 Susquehanna University graduate.

No sweat.

For You

Today, the Black Student Union had its first meeting since its infant revival. The fellowship took place at the Sigma Gamma Rho house this afternoon.

It is hard for students of color to be members of an institution where its needs are not catered to. Questioning things such as how the Student Activities Committee chooses it calendar events and how those events fail to cater to the ENTIRE SU student body, to the lack of a cultural variety in the music that is played on WQSU, to the lack of means of cultural expression for minority men and women on campus; these are the issues that students are forced to deal with daily. It may also be part of the reason why BSU died. Students continue to feel unheard. It is hard to even jump-start programs for minority students when there is such a weak support system. In all my career at SU, which is coming to an end in a few weeks, students of color continue to survive because of the realization that "all we have is us." We are our own support system.

I encourage the Black Student Union to continue headstrong. I encourage Sigma Gamma Rho and Phi Beta Sigma, as the only historically black organization in SU's history, to continue headstrong. I encourage the Theresa Palmer Society to continue headstrong. I encourage the Gospel Choir to continue headstrong; the Center for Diversity and Social Justice, the Hispanic Organization for Latino Awareness (HOLA), the Asian Cultural Association. These are the only means of expression, support, and community that minority students have at Susquehanna.

Clearly, this entry shows ways in which Susquehanna falls short, as all institutions of higher learning do. Susquehanna University has always been and will always be my home; my SU. As great as an institution SU is, its need for progress is inevitable. Especially in the realm of supporting its minority students, including black, Latino, gay, lesbian, transgendered students, and all other minority representations on campus.

Greetings!!

Monday finds me again.

The Eagles beat the Colts last night!

I apologize that I do not have much to write about. Last week and this week finds me with class, work, studying, and post graduate business.

I really do hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Halloween Weekend at SU

Greetings!!

This weekend proved to be one of the most fun I've ever experienced at SU. I celebrated my 23rd Birthday on Thursday!! I received sooo much love from everyone at SU, my friends, Facebook, and my family of course!! I smiled all day. It was wonderful. I went out for drinks that evening, where it seemed that everyone in the bar wanted to buy me drinks. I merrily accepted them :) Surprisingly, I woke up on time to make it to my classes Friday morning.

I merrily accepted too many drinks on Thursday because Friday night, I was too exhausted to do much of anything. I had been bobbing for a good nights rest all week, so I turned my phone off and went to bed early...the best decision I've made in days.

Friday was my sorors 21st birthday and Sunday was my friends 21st birthday. We CELEBRATED!!!

After Rho Theta participated in the annual SU "Halloween on the Ave", we hit up the costume parties on campus and had blast.

It was a weekend of birthday celebrations, fun, laughter, and friends. I couldn't ask for anything better.

Have a great week!

~Morg

Graduate School...Ugh

Greetings!!

I hope you all are well :) I am coming down for what I found to be a wonderful weekend.

Prior to that was Fall Break; much needed indeed. I was given the opportunity to visit Howard University and American University in Washington DC two weeks ago. It was an amazing experience! I am pursing my PhD in Communication and Media Studies and both school have potential programs that I could enroll in. I met the right people and made my self shine. I just hope they appreciated my twinkle. More on, the DC metro area is a wonderful city. It is diverse, professional, clean, and new (to me). I hope that I can make it my home soon.

Homecoming weekend at SU is always nice because I have the chance to catch up with friends who have already graduated. Reunions are always nice.

Applying to graduate school is dreadful. Online applications, transcript requests, GREs, letters of recommendation, research statements, personal statements, application fees....the list goes on. But it also makes me realize that some things are a process. I am learning patience through this application experience and to take things one day at a time.

`Morg

Greetings!

I do not have much time to blog today. I am extremely overwhelmed with exams and graduate school business.

I had a great week...had an even lovelier weekend, despite a great lack of sleep. It was my first time downing a 5-hour energy drink...and boy do they give you energy. They can't possibly be good for your health...

Cheers to week 6.

I look forward to Fall Break.

`Morg

Women of A New Tribe Exhibit

Greetings!!

I had the PLEASURE of participating in the Women of A New Tribe photo shoot this weekend. Jerry Taliaferro is the main man behind the scenes. The exhibit is about featuring the beauty of women of color. Beauty that is clear to the eye and beauty that must be searched for on a deeper level.

I went to the shoot nervous and anxious. Jerry made me feel as if I had known him for years. He made conversation and it made me so comfortable to where I wasn't nervous at all. It was a pleasant experience; to be able to see what I can do and to witness a man doing what he loves for a living and doing it well. He met me where I was and made things work for me.

The theme of the exhibition is focused on how you want to be remembered. A successful photo is said the be one where someone who knows you looks at it, having no words or caption, and says, "Yes, this is definitely a representation of (Morgan)."

(Above is one of the hundreds of photos from the exhibit).

The exhibit premiers in January in the SU Art Gallery. I will have graduated at that point, but I hope my circumstance allows me to come back and see what photo was chosen that best represents me.

Cheers to another productive week!

~Morg

Wow, Week 4 is Here

Greetings!

I must say that I had a lovely weekend. My sorors and I took a trip to Bucknell University to meet with our fellow Greeks. We had a fantastic time...if only I could have that same social experience at SU...

On another note, today marks the start of week four of classes. It amazes me how time passes me by. I've promised myself that I would try my best to soak everything in and hold onto the good memories and the lessons Ive learned from my not so pleasant experiences. Hopefully I won't become too wrapped in my work that I forget to do what I promised.

Speaking of work, tomorrow will begin the first of many planned mock interviews with the Career Services center at SU. It is such a valuable resource that we have as students at SU, and I've heard dozens of times in my life, "take advantage of any and every resource that is made available to you in life". That I will do. I hope that I can learn a lot about myself and the system so that when it comes time for me to interview, I know how to position myself in the best way possible. Cheers to that!

~Morg

Gospel Choir!!

This weekend, I had the privilege, at SU at least, to be a part of the new gospel choir. Dr. Wise, from Denison University in Ohio, came to help us in planting the seed. We talked about our musical experience and how we should go about running the choir. There was even a member of the faculty who came to sing with us. That is always encouraging to students to have faculty member want to be a part of a student-run organization.

I hope it lasts...more later.

Back to studying.

~Morg

Welcome Back!!

Greetings All!

This marks the second weeks of classes for me. I am a second-semester senior and am nervous and excited about finishing in December!

I had a great summer. I went home to Philadelphia and enjoyed the time spent with my family and friends. I suppose I did what any 22 year-old would do for the summer: cookouts, block parties, family outings, clubbing, bar-hopping. Don't get me wrong. I also prepared myself for what was and is now here: my last semester!

What are my plans for the semester? Preparation for graduate school in Fall 2011. That means I'll be taking my GRE next month. I'll also be visiting potential schools to get a closer idea of the programs for which I'd like to apply. Going to the career center to clean up my resume and doing mock interviews is crucial as well.

It seems like so much, in addition to looking for jobs and maintaining my grades and school work, but I will take it one day at a time.

Id like to welcome the class of 2014!! Happy SU ;)

~Morg

Final Exams

Greetings!!

I will begin with a complaint; I do not understand why final examinations have to be within the same week. Who came up with this rule? Not only do institutions of higher education immensely stress students by scheduling multiple examinations at the same time, but the professors within them give us extra work as if we have nothing else to do and then feel some type of way when students do not perform to the highest of their potential.

It is very frustrating.

Life must go on; and so I study away. And write away. And anxiously await the day that I am finished. I have a cumulative environmental science exam, a cumulative ancient philosophy exam, and a 4-year cumulative PR portfolio for my PR Management class. Sound simple? Not. At. All.

It is still a bitter-sweet moment because I realize that I am one semester away from saying goodbye to SU. I had a conversation with my sorority sister and we listed all of the invaluable opportunities and privileges that we have as SU students. The list is immeasurable.

Back to studying...

~Morgan

Greek Week

Greetings!!

The Greek Community on campus has been preparing for Susquehanna University's annual Greek Week for the past few weeks; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Kappa Delta, Sigma Kappa, Alpha Delta Pi, and Zeta Tau Alpha are among the sororities. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Tau Kappa Epsilon, Phi Mu Delta, Phi Mu Alpha, and Theta Chi are among the frats.

Each day of Greek Week will feature a different activity. Events include: The Mr. and Mrs. S.U. Pageant, Airband, a Banner Contest(this years theme is 90's cartoon),and the Greek Olympics, among other events and competitions.

Each fraternity and sorority is in charge of setting up one of the daily activities, along with Greek Week chairs and Susquehanna Greek Advisor Andrea Hoppenjans.

Points will be awarded to the fraternities and sororities in proportion to how they place in each competition. Five points will be deducted for organizations that do not participate.

Bragging rights are the point of Greek Week to the organizations. Competition is fierce and every organization puts hours and weeks of hard work into competing.

Airband, in my opinion, is the most looked forward to event. Members from each organization perform a routine, to music, and adds a theme to the performance. Last Year, Sigma Gamma Rho scored second place in Airband. Because our mascot is the French Toy Poodle, out theme was Pretty Poodle School.

We look forward to bringing it one this year. Best of luck to the rest!

~Morgan

Homestretch

Greetings!

This week, students planned their course schedules for the Fall 2010 semester. As a first-semester senior, this is the last time I will plan my course schedule as an undergraduate student at Susquehanna University.

How does this feel? Eh, I have no feeling about it. I am anxious and scared and excited to move on to the next phase of my life; hopefully graduate and doctorate school. I recall someone mentioning that this past Spring Break would be my last. This saddens me. What undergraduate student does not enjoy the Spring Break experience? From what I hear, graduate school spring breaks consist of reading and catching up on work.

What courses did I waitlist for my schedule next Fall? I have a total of 15 credits to complete on my degree audit. As a Communication/PR major, I have one core course to complete; Media Law. Since I was a freshman, I've heard nothing but stories of fright about Media Law. The head of the Communications Department at SU-Dr. Larry Augustine-will head the class. I am a bit skeptical, but I will prepare this summer for the class.

Other than Media Law(4 credits), I scheduled three other courses for my roster. I am in a good position because I can take classes that I am actually interested in since I have completed all of my degree requirements. I enrolled in The Philosophy of Love and Desire, White Privilege, and A Study Of Jazz, for a total of 16 credits. I am extremely excited to take these courses. Don't they just sound interesting and fun?

In the meantime, my current schedule keeps me overwhelmed and lacking ample rest. I am definitely looking forward to the short, but much needed, Easter break next Thursday.

Happy Weekend!

~Morgan

The Final Seven...

Greetings!

Let me say: Free Rita's on March 20th; the first day of Spring!

We have just returned from a too-short Spring Break and are braced to endure the final seven weeks of the Spring semester. This is a time when students are twice as overwhelmed. Some are seniors who are anxious and nervous about what lays ahead. Others are juniors who are nervous and awaiting a hopeful acceptance to the summer internship they've spent countless hours applying for. First-year students are trying to pick up the slack they left behind because they partied the entire fall semester and their g.p.a.'s are nonexistent. There are finals to prepare for and intense module and research projects to complete. The weather is getting warmer; freshman,sophomore,junior, and senioritis results. Organizations throughout the campus will being hustling to plan its last events before the semester ends.

What is the treat in between all of this? St. Patrick's Day festivities this week, perhaps.

In the meantime, I need to get started on reading Republic from Plato's Works for my Ancient Philosophy class.

~Morgan

Midterm Exams

Greetings!

And so this week was the beginning of midterm exams. One of the two worst times on the life of a college student (finals exams being the other).

I had four exams and two other endeavors to take care of. My schedule went as follows:

Monday: Environmental Science exam; Tuesday: Module II for PR Management; Wednesday: Comm Research exam, Computer Apps. in Corp. Comm presentation and web page; Thursday PR Management exam; Friday Ancient Philosophy exam.

*Exhale*

I wonder why it seems like everyone around me has one or two exams and are able to leave for Spring Break earlier in the week and I ALWAYS wind up having to remain for the entire week...must be a conspiracy or something.

I am happy tomorrow is Friday and am looking forward to going home to Philly! I have no exciting plans for break other than sleeping until noon.

Until then, I must prepare my essays for last midterm tomorrow afternoon.

~Morgan

Greekdom

Greetings!

I am honored to say that I am a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. I crossed on February 21, 2008 and will be celebrating two years in the bond this Sunday! My chapter is Rho Theta and will be celebrating 3 years as the first historically African-American sorority at Susquehanna on Monday the 22nd. What beautiful and HonoRhoble accomplishments! We haven't yet decided how we will celebrate our anniversaries, but I am looking forward to it.

Last Saturday, Rho Theta traveled to Bucknell University in support of the Xi Kappa chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. They held a Valentine's Day event for all the women on their campus. We had a lovely time.

We are also holding a collection drive/fundraiser for our national program Operation Big Book Bag. Operation Big Book Bag serves to
1. Afford children with quick and easy access to reference materials and other studying aids and tools that will help them in their educational endeavors;
2. Provide the children with the means of completing their homework assignments in order that they may remain current and up -to -date on course projects and requirements and
3. Assist shelters, centers, schools and hospitals in their efforts to meet some of the educational needs of the children and young adults housed at their facilities.

We are holding the drive on Friday February 20th at 7:30 p.m. in the Garrett Sports Complex. This is also the last home basketball game for the mens team, so those who come out will be supporting both events.

~Morgan

It's Just Snow, not the End; Or is It?

Happy Friday!

A Nor'easter is expected to hit the northeast section of the nations this weekend. It is set to begin tonight and continue into Saturday evening. NBC10 says to expect a heavy, wet snow that will stick to streets and trees; strong sustained winds between 30-40 m.p.h., gusts up to 55 m.p.h.; blizzard to near-blizzard conditions across the area; visibilities at less than 3/4 of a mile; coastal flooding with 9-10 foot waves.

While this is all major and I am concerned with the safety of everyone on the roads, young children, and the elderly, folks are speaking as if this were the last day of the earth. It may very well be. No one is certain. I actually find it humorous though. If people aren't running to the grocery store, they are on their way to the nearest Wine and Spirits. Eating and being merry are the plans for this Superbowl weekend. Be safe folks.

Tau Kappa Epsilon(TKE) held their campus-wide command event today, in which they asked, at least, for all of us who are a member of a greek organization on campus to wear red in support of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women day. I was blinded by the color red today! It's a good feeling to know that fellow greeks are in support of the positive activities you want to engage in on campus. Heart disease is the number one killer of women according to the AMA. Awareness is key and we showed our awareness with the rest of the nation by wearing red.

What will I be doing this weekend? I have an environmental science exam to study for on Monday. Women's and Men's basketballs games will be on tonight and tomorrow afternoon. So far, that's it.

Be safe in the snow, enjoy the Superbowl, and have a great weekend.

~Morgan

New York...and Some

Hello all!

I hope everyone is in good spirits as the weekend approaches; except for those who are forced to endure the snow storm ahead. I read an article on the nbc10 news website that pondered why the nations snow storms have mostly occurred on the weekends. It's a good question. I would enjoy being snowed in on a weekday; no class, no work, no errands, no business. Mother Nature? Work with me here.

Last Sunday, I took a trip to New York with the Presidential Fellows here on campus. While I am not a Fellow, I have great relationships with senior administration and was asked to come along. Our first stop was to the MoMA-Museum on Modern Art-in Manhattan. To be honest, I was not impressed. I am more interested in beautiful, abstract art as well as authentic, cultural art. MoMA did not serve my needs. There was, however, an exhibit of four yogurt caps and an empty, white shoebox by Gabriel Orozco. I haven't a clue how I feel about this being "art," but I did ask the opinion of the guard who stood watch of these exhibits and he told me it was silly. This was the highlight of the trip.

We then went to a Lebanese restaurant called Ilili. I loved it. This was my first experience eating Lebanese cuisine and it was a great experience. I recommend it.

After lunch, we traveled to the Benard B. Jacobs Theater to see God of Carnage, with Christine Lahti, Annie Potts, Jimmy Smits, and Ken Stott. I probably was the only in the theater not laughing. It didn't particularly thrill me. So be it.

All in all, the company was great and being back in the atmosphere of the fast-paced city was refreshing so I had a good time.

~Morgan

Debut

My name is Morgan Lawrence. I am from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and a first-semester senior at Susquehanna University. Susquehanna is located in central Pennsylvania and is a small, liberal arts university of about 2100 students. My major is communications with emphasis on public relations.

Coming to SU was a bit of a challenge, to say the least. I must now admit, it is one of the best decisions that I've made in my life. If any of you are from Philadelphia of from any major city, the phrase "culture shock" may produce a shiver if you've ever been anywhere else other than that of a city environment. One of the many lesson SU has taught me is resilience and and this simple equation: Ease is not equal to growth. One cannot grow while remaining in a place of comfort. Here I am four years later and appreciating every moment!

This is the second week of classes and I am already tenaciously grinding. I thought the first two weeks were supposed to be light, right? I had a quiz the first week of class! Oh the life of a diligent SU student!

I work a few jobs at SU as well. I am an assistant in the Office of the VP on campus; I work at a Web Writer in the Office of Communications; I am a part of the tech crew for IT as well. I ask myself why I work these jobs to end up a broke college student? I'm sure a lot of you can relate. It's all worth it. Hard work breeds character!

I'm happy it's Friday. I haven't any major plans for the weekend. Actually, I am going on a trip the New York on Sunday to visit some museums and see a play and have lunch and dinner. That should be interesting. I'll just have to keep warm.

Happy weekend all.