Citizens Against Ruining the Environment (C.A.R.E.) celebrated its eighth annual Earth Day Fest at Lewis University’s main campus Sunday, April 18 from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. They held a free event that provided educational programs such as ways to explain a carbon footprint, solutions for clean energy, conservation and preservation. The event had live entertainment, speakers, exhibits and wolf and reptile presentations.

A decorative rain barrel was on display during the Earth Day event. It is used to help houseplants thrive with non-chemically treated water. Photo provided by Kristen Horn.

Lewis held a ‘Come clean, go green’ sustainability competition, where students submitted proposals that translated in to real and relevant products made to positively impact the environment.  The winners received awards on Earth Day, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sancta Alberta Chapel.

The first place winner was Mark Melka, who’s proposal entitled “The Elimination of Phantom Power,” with the help of Adam Setmeyer. He won a $1,000 reward for his proposal, which will be put toward the creation and execution of the project.

The 3-D Design Students team, which includes David Bain, Jillian Carlberg, Nicole Fanagan, Samantha Foltz, Amber King, Conner McLennan, James Meador, John Newton, Sean O’Halleran, David Petitti, Amanda Rock, Matthew Stanton and Joseph Yakes, won second place with their proposal, “Rain Barrels for Lewis University.” The team was advised by Leslie Colonna from the department of art and design, and received a $500 award.

Third place was awarded to Nicholas Miller with his proposal, “Going Green,” and received a $250 reward. All entries were blindly judged with the assistance from Dr. Jerry Kavouras, Br. Thomas Dupre, Ken Osmun, Dr. James Rago, Dr. Jennifer Consilio and Donald Castello.

As the weeks wind down, the sun grows warm and the days drag on, one thing some students enrolled at Lewis University are doing is counting the days until graduation. Finals week is approaching and stress is flaring, but the seniors at Lewis are thankful they do not have to register another semester, unless they decide to continue their education, of course.

This May will feature the largest graduating class Lewis has experienced so far- 876 students; 600 undergraduates and 276 graduates. Some students will be relieved to be finished at Lewis, and others will miss it.

Melissa Young, a theater major, attended Lewis for only two years and had only one thing to complain about during her stay as a commuter: the parking. “Since I am a theater major, 98 percent of my classes have been in the theater building, and trying to park there is a headache every day.” She continued to say that most of the surrounding parking lots were always full, which was the only annoying thing about Lewis.

She chose to come to Lewis because of its intimate campus and the opportunities she obtained in the theater program. She was able to experience being on stage and behind-the-scenes through acting, stage-managing, directing, lights, sound, props and costumes. Young has also been able to learn hands on which job works better for her.

“It’s a great feeling being on stage and being able to entertain people for an hour and a half,” she said.

Young prides her efforts as a member of the sorority, Sigma Delta, and suggests all students should join something at Lewis. “Some of my favorite memories of Lewis is Greek week when all of the social Greek organizations compete against each other.”

She also will never forget her performances on stage. Young played the mother in Leaving Iowa, Mrs. Sarti in The Life of Galileo and Mrs. Mayor in Seussical the Musical. “They were some of the best times of my life,” she said, “and I made some of the best friends that are like family.”

Another senior who will remember her experiences at Lewis is Tricia Borga, an English literature and language major.  Borga came to Lewis after three years at Joliet Junior College because of its beautiful campus and location close to home so she could commute. She also received grants and scholarships.

“I really was only interested in coming to Lewis because it just felt right from the start. I liked the small campus atmosphere with the large university feel. I also wanted a Christian or Catholic school, so for me, Lewis was a perfect fit,” she said.

Borga has credited her great experience at Lewis because of the English department and its faculty. She was supported by the faculty and felt she got to her success point because of her professors. Borga is considering graduate school, and the faculty was very helpful with their advice and suggestions.

She has also worked in the admissions office during her stay at Lewis. “I love working in the admissions office because the other workers are awesome; everyone is really understanding and flexible with hours, and the work is enjoyable,” Borga said.

Borga realizes that her time at Lewis is concluding, and even though she had enjoyed her time, she will also be sad to leave.

“Working in the admissions office and growing close with the faculty of the English department has been amazing, and it’s bittersweet to say goodbye,” she said.

One experience Borga will always remember, she mentioned, was the time her boyfriend, an aviation major, took her flying over the campus and her house. “I was terrified at first,” she said, “but it was a gorgeous day, and once we got in the air, it was just unbelievable. I’ve flown in jets, but never in one of the smaller planes, and it was an experience I will never forget. We were so close to the clouds, it felt like I could reach out and touch them.”

Borga continued to explain that she always liked giving the campus tours while she was working in the admissions office. She was able to meet new people and share Lewis with prospective students. She wanted to make the students aware of how much Lewis meant to her, and that it should mean a lot to them, also.

Borga does have a few suggestions for incoming Lewis students. “Don’t sell yourself short,” she said. “You only get these opportunities once, so don’t let doubt hold you back.”

She advises students that if they have certain dreams about their experience with Lewis, to just go for it because they have nothing to lose.

Matthew Starr, a student at Lewis since 2006 majoring in political science, has greatly benefited from his years at Lewis. He was welcomed by the inspiring campus, friendly student body and personable faculty who seemed to always go out of their way to offer assistance when needed. The one factor that Starr was unsatisfied with were certain general education requirements that were unnecessary from his academic point of view, as well as a financial one.

His main reason to attend Lewis was its close location to his home in Plainfield. “I also felt more comfortable at Lewis than at any other university I visited; people seemed friendlier and more outgoing,” he said.

Starr prefers discussion-oriented classes, and the small class sizes were more ideal for him, as well. He mentioned he had never taken a philosophy course before attending Lewis, and he quickly became interested in the study. The discussion-based political science classes he enrolled in were refreshing and worthwhile. Organizations he joined helped keep him active on campus, and he got a chance to meet people outside of his field of study.

“Take advantage of everything there is to offer,” Starr suggested. “Take a class that sounds interesting, just for the fun of it because it might end up being one of your favorites. The four years at Lewis really do go by fast, and there’s no sense in looking back on them and wishing you did just a little bit more.”

Graduation is just around the corner, and for seniors, it is a whole new stage in their lives. The real world will make or break them, but their experiences at Lewis will always be in the back of their minds.

The ending of a semester brings with it anticipation and stress as students prepare for their final exams.

When it comes to studying everyone does not have the same study habits. Various techniques work for different people. However, there are some basic study methods that can be used in order to help better prepare students for their big exam day.

For many students, the closing of a semester means that its time to break out the note cards. Students find that note cards can help them organize the material needed to study, and they also can help students review the material repeatedly until they can memorize it.

“I use note cards to help me study definitions and theories. By reviewing the note cards over and over again I am able to memorize the material I need to know,” junior radio broadcasting major Keaira Pumphrey said.

Even though note cards may work for some students, other students don’t find them to be helpful. “I find note cards to be a waste of time. They confuse me and distract me from applying the material to the real world,” said sophomore Krystal Hinkle.

Students who are not big fans of note cards seem to find using study guides and reviewing class notes as a successful way to get ready for final exams. Lewis students find study guides to be a helpful outline of the material that will be present on the test. They also compliment class notes to review the material they need to know.

“I use my study guide as a guideline. I find all the answers to the study guide in my class notes and highlight all the important information in my notes. Then I review the notes along with the study guide to prepare for my tests,” said junior nursing major Lauren Mendlik.

Besides finding efficient ways to review the test material, students also need to find the proper study environment that works for them. Many Lewis students take advantage of the Super Study hours at the library.

“I study in the library in the study rooms with my friends. We review our notes and find different ways to help us remember some of the more difficult material,” said Pumphrey.

Some students who study in the library working in study groups. Study groups are useful because they allow students to help one another prepare for their tests. Mendlik said, “I use study groups for my classes that I need extra help in. Study groups have helped me better understand the more challenging material and allowed me to find new ways to understand the material from other students.”

While some students find that working with others can be valuable, other students find it to be extremely distracting. Mendlik said, “I don’t study in the library. I study in my room at home all alone. I need it to be quiet with no music, television or other people around.”

No matter what environment students study in or how they study the material, the most important factor is how long students prepare for their final exams.

Some students choose to begin preparation for finals weeks in advance while other students procrastinate and crunch in their study time at the very last minute.

“I study an hour and a half for each class the day before my test,” Hinkle said. Studying at the last minute for an exam for a short period of time works well for students who can handle the pressure.

In order to relax and get ready for the final exam day, students need to make sure they focus.

Pumphrey said, “I make sure I get plenty of sleep and I pay attention in class.” Having enough rest and paying attention always can be beneficial in studying for an exam.

Other  ways  students can focus include time management and being calm and comfortable. When students make sure they use their time wisely and are cool, calm and collected, it is less stressful for them when studying. Hinkle said, “I must be comfortable when studying. I wear comfortable clothes and study in my room. I study on and off so that I don’t get overwhelmed, and I chew gum to calm my nerves.”

Regardless of how students study for their final exams, they should look for techniques that help them to not only focus, but to remain stress- free and motivated throughout their studying process. Finals week can be one of the most stressful times for Lewis students, but if they find studying techniques that work for them, and if they stay focused, they can find finals to be a successful end to a semester.

In collaboration with the Will County Regional Office of Education, Lewis University is offering a free four-week course in Mandarin Chinese during the summer from June 14- July 20 on the University’s main campus.

To apply for the program,  visit www.lewisu.edu/startalk. The application deadline is June 5.  Preference will be given to applicants demonstrating a strong commitment to a continued study of Mandarin Chinese  beyond the summer camp course. For more information, contact Dr. Serafima Gettys, director of the  foreign language center, at (815) 836-5544 or gettysse@lewisu.edu.

The world is full of innovative objects and ancient relics that are waiting to be explored by fresh minds. This may include bargaining in an Arab bazaar, strolling the streets of Rome, taking a picture beneath the Eiffel Tower or visiting a Buddhist Temple in Asia. How about a tour of the Taj Mahal or seeing the spots where Nelson Mandela fought against Apartheid?

At Lewis University these dreams and faraway places can become reality to interested students. Lewis offers an extensive study abroad program. The study abroad office provides students with a variety of international academic opportunities to complement their academic careers. Students can earn credit towards graduation on these trips.

Students can choose to study abroad for a spring or fall semester, perhaps even an entire year. During the fall semester, students can discover locations like Argentina, Australia, England, France, Ireland, Italy and Spain. They can study in world-class cities like Melbourne, London, Dublin, Rome and Madrid. General education, major, minor and elective courses are all offered. Spring has a slightly different roster including designations in South Africa and Mexico.

Travel study trips typically last a few weeks; students are able to gain a few credits from this. Places previously visited include Japan, China, Dubai, India, Brazil and Italy. This past spring break ,select students attended a trip visiting Dubai, UAE, Mumbai and India. Dubai is a trading, finance and leisure hub for the region. Numerous corporations such as Microsoft, McDonald’s, CNN and Oracle have all settled in this booming city. Mumbai is the financial capital of India, and is home to the national stock exchange. The program was part of a travel study from the College of Business.

The College of Arts and  travels to Italy from May 7-21. To view historical cities such as Rome, Florence and Assisi. The program will include visits to churches, museums and historical and cultural sites. Students will experience St. Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum and the Basilica d’ San Francesco in Assisi. Course credit can be earned in theology and history. Dennis Cremin of the history department and Dominic Colonna of the theology department will supervise the trip.

Cremin said, “I expect a really busy trip full of adventure this year. I think the students look forward to visiting the Coliseum and St. Peter’s. I really enjoy having long conversations about the course materials over several days. I think that the students are surprised by how much they learn about the course content and about themselves.”

Lewis students have different ideas of where they would like to study abroad. Junior Viola Antonio-Engo, said, “I would choose to study abroad in the Dominican Republic. I want to study language and work with the Dominican Orphanage Outreach program.”

Sophomore Rebecca Paquette said, “I would like to study abroad in London, England because the experience is once in a lifetime. It will benefit me not only socially, but in my future, as well. Being a history major, there is no better way to grasp the subject than hands on, and seeing for myself the places which historical events took place.”

Studying abroad can be a life changing experience. Pictures are taken, memories  aremade and lifelong friends are met. Most of all, study abroad allows students to learn first hand experiences in the actual environment of the culture.

Those interested in International Study Abroad can contact Director Christopher Swanson in the Leckrone Academic Resource Center. The study abroad office can be reached at (815) 836-5993 or via e-mail at studyabroad@lewisu.edu.