Bethany College PRSSA students attended the national PRSSA conference in Orlando, Florida. Over the course of the conference, students networked with PR professionals, learned from notable speakers, and participated in workshops. The students also visited Walt Disney World and toured the facilities of a local television station, where they met Bethany alumni working in media. Back on campus, raccoons have become a common sight as the population grows, though students have mixed views on the animals. Efforts have been made to keep raccoons out of garbage but they remain a presence around campus.

1. 6 Lifestyles The TOWER
Students Attend National PRSSA Conference BC Calendar Sports, Activities and More
By BEN DONOVAN Sunday, October 16, was filled Monday, Oct. 31, 2011 Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011
TOWER staff writter with a number of keynote speak- Halloween Swim Meet: Bethany College vs
Public Relations Student Society ers, most notably Senior Cor- STD Testing (All Day) Hiram College (1 p.m.)
of America (PRSSA) held its an- respondent, Fox News Channel Greek Bonfire (8:30 p.m.) Football Game: Bethany College
nual national conference this year Rick Leventhal and CNN’s anchor vs Grove City College (1:30 p.m.)
from October 14-18 in Orlando, and special correspondent Sole- Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 Men’s soccer PAC Championship
Florida. This year’s theme was Per- dad O’Brien, who hosts CNN’s Men’s soccer PAC Playoffs (TBA) (TBA)
ception is Reality: Inspiring Effec- “In America” documentaries. Lev- Women’s soccer PAC Playoffs Women’s soccer PAC Champion-
tive Communication. Bethany Col- enthal and O’Brien both talked (TBA) ship (TBA)
lege’s PRSSA chapter, and Tower intently about how they cover
Promotions, were fortunate enough many issues that affect millions Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011
to send President Amanda Roda- of Americans each day. Bethany 4th Annual Bethany College De- Catholic Mass (6:30 p.m.)
baugh, Vice President Ben Dono- students were then invited to at- partment of Social Work Sympo- Communications and Media Arts
van, Secretary Carly Pavlecic and tend networking workshops, giving sium (8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.) Dept. Mass Advising Session (6
chapter adviser, M.E. Yancosek them the opportunity to talk with Spa for a Cause (5 p.m.-7 p.m.) p.m.-7 p.m.) Bethany House- First
Gamble. manypublic relations professionals Mountain Side Conference Center Floor
At the conference, students were throughout the public relations in-
able to network, learn and devel- dustry. Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 Monday, Nov.7-9
op professional skills with other Monday, October 17 was another Science Day (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Registration for Second Semester
students from across the country. day filled with numerous keynote Commencement Hall (All Day)
They also heard notable speakers speakers, who were able to address 4th Annual Bethany College De-
and participated in groundbreak- the students about their own expe- partment of Social Work Sympo- Thursday, Nov. 10-12, 2011
ing sessions that will help educate riences, while giving individuals an sium (8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.) “The Increased Difficulty of Con-
and inspire them to learn more opportunity to ask questions. The centration,” By: Vaclav Havel (8
about the public relations industry. day concluded with the “Dreams Do p.m.) (Wailes Theater)
Shortly after landing Friday Come True” awards dinner, held in
evening in Orlando, the students
were able to watch the Disney fire-
the crystal ballroom of the hotel.
After waking early on Tuesday Invasion of the Raccoons
work display “Hallo-Wishes” from to hear the keynote speaker, Presi- BY NICK WIERY friendly behavior and disorienta-
the front porch of Professor Gam- dent of Human Business Works, TOWER staff writer tion” (WV Dept of Wildlife) are
ble’s cousin’s home. On Saturday, Chris Brogan, give his address, Finding a parking spot at night- signs of rabies infection.
October 15, thanks to Professor the students headed over to WFTV time on campus is always a hassle, Efforts to keep the pesky crea-
Gamble’s cousins, the group had Orlando television studio to meet let alone having to scream loudly tures out of the trash have been
the opportunity to visit Walt Dis- with former Bethany graduates, before going within a 10-foot radi- made; roofs now sit on top of the
ney World for the day. After a long Amy Coulter and April Starinsky. us of any garbage containers so as garbage huts and there is a bolt to
day viewing three theme parks and These two alums provided the stu- to scare a raccoon rooting around securely shut the doors. However,
several delightful shows, the group dents with a full tour of the num- in the trash. If the raccoon popu- raccoons still seem to be a part of
of Bethanians returned to the Mar- ber one television facilities in the lation continues to grow, the rac- daily life for Bethany students.
riot Renaissance at Sea World ho- market and an opportunity to view coons will soon have more incom- Opinions on the raccoons around
tel in preparation for the confer- what goes into producing news ing trash raiders then Bethany will campus vary, with some finding
ences Sunday. broadcast. have freshman students. them evil and others thinking they
Nearly every student on campus are cute. According to a fraternity
has come into contact with these member of Delta Tau Delta, senior
furry pests, but the real question Michael Bonaventura, “We have
is: What do you do when you see a two raccoons living under the deck
raccoon on campus? of our house on Greek hill. The
According to T.J. Vanfelt jeffer- raccoons, named Ricky and Rob,
son Security officer, “The best way don’t seem to be doing any harm,
to handle seeing a raccoon in sight but we make sure we lock the doors
is to monitor the population. Keep at night just in case they decide to
your distance if the raccoon ap- come in,” says Bonaventura.
pears disoriented,” or if it appears On the other hand, Bethany stu-
on the drunk path, it should be dent Alexander Tamsula, begs to
avoided at all costs. differ after experiencing a one-on-
Raccoons go where the food is; one clash with a raccoon. You can
however, “unprovoked aggression, find his experience on Youtube with
PRSSA students: Ben Donovan, Amanda Rodabaugh, Carly Pavlecic pose after their
impaired movement, paralysis or the following link http://www.you-
tour of WFTV. (Photo by M.E. Yancosek Gamble) lack of coordination, unusually tube.com/watch?v=n5SmgwD4vx4.