Letter from the Editor: The Mid-Semester Blues

It's November!

For those graduating in December, November is full of final touches on thesis work and perhaps a sad nostalgia that it's almost over.  For the rest of us, it is a month filled with catching up on assignments that we've fallen behind on and trying not to fall into what I dub: mid-semester blues.

Mid-semester blues, if you're wondering, is that time where going to classes seems like a burden, and your homework is forming an ever growing pile on your desk (bed, sofa, etc.)  Textbooks are scattered across your room, and for procrastinators, this might be the first time you're opening them.  Midterms, if you haven't had them already, are looming over you like a cartoon rain cloud; and papers are due in all of your classes (on the same date).  But with all the stress of the mid-semester, all you can think about is that we're three weeks away from a blissful week off.  With that thought in mind, late October into November is sluggish and drags on forever.  Hence, the dreaded mid-semester blues.

As a senior, I've had the mid-semester blues every year of my college career.  My advice to you: don't let it get you behind.  You're going to want to skip a class, miss a homework assignment, and maybe actually clean your living space in order to avoid class work.  But remember, many of the assignments that are due from now until the end of the semester count for a large portion of your grade.  So don't slack off now.  It's not the time.

Just remember, in three weeks, you can take a break (maybe not if you're working on a thesis) and relax for a week.  That should be a motivation to do your work, not a hindrance.

Good luck!

Written by Jeshanah McLeod

Back to the Past in Eckley's Miners' Village!

Students and Chaperones at Eckley's Miners' Village

This past Saturday, September 29^th, found Penn State Harrisburg’s Honors students fully engaged and interested during a trip to Eckley’s Miner Village. The trip was an opportunity for Honors Students to learn more about the life and daily struggles of miners in Eckley during the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Students learned about how the mining business began in Eckley and how miners lived on a day to day basis; and we got to tour the village.

Eckley Miners’ Village was a coal mining site found in 1854 that grew with industry and the need for anthracite coal. The village was comprised of mine workers, who were largely Irish, coming to America from Eastern Europe in search of better living. Due to the fact that the entire village and coal site were owned by the coal company, miners had incredibly structured lives and very little freedom.

Houses in Eckley's Miners' Village

Miners lived in very poor conditions and were frequently exposed to danger in the coal mines. A miner usually made no more than $100 monthly, which was very little considering rent, medical expenses, food, and etc.  A typical home for a miner would be two stories and shared by his family as well as a boarder, so that all expenses could be met. There would be a small kitchen with a traditional stove that only ran on coal. Also, there might be at most two wooden beds of which about twelve people slept. Upstairs there would be boarders and a small tub for washing and laundry. Usually, the wives tended to the children, cleaning, and maintaining the expansive garden that surrounded the home.

At the time, the company owned the village, including the only local store. Therefore, many things were overpriced and unaffordable for the typical miner, who frequently ended up with a debt.  Thus, it was common for the families to have their own gardens and grow food like potatoes and cabbage to provide sustenance for the family.

Working in the mine was even more strenuous than living in destitution. In addition to long days and little pay, miners had to use explosives to blast coal from the earth with very little protective gear. Even worse, they were responsible for obtaining their own tools; so if they could not afford protective gear or things like a shovel- that became problematic.

After a day of learning and touring, students were given the opportunity to taste polish food prepared by the tour guide, Jolene Busher, and her mother. The meal consisted of salami slices, pickled eggs, sweet bread, and farmer’s iced tea. Students were appreciative and indulged in the dishes! At the end of the trip, Honors students left with more knowledge on the type of labor that shaped the country and more specifically, the living conditions of miners.

In 1960, the village was taken over by the State and later opened as a National Historic site in 1971. So, stop by and visit! Learn about Ekcleys’ Miner Village. To learn more, visit http://www.eckleyminersvillagemuseum.com/ .

Brianna Alexander

Photo Credits: Stephanie Ponnett 

Dean Brady Visits Penn State Harrisburg

The visit from Dr. Christian Brady to the Penn State Harrisburg Honors Program was an amazing experience for us students. Dr. Christian Brady is the Dean of the Schreyer Honors College at Pennsylvania State University; it was heart warming that such a busy man would take the time to come down and talk to our Honors Program students. He welcomed the union of the Capital College Honors Program and Schreyer Honors, which I am personally very thrilled about.

Jyothi Kakuturu and Dr. Christian Brady

During the student discussion hour, I appreciated how Dr. Brady thoughtfully addressed several issues questioned by the students. Not only that, but he also allowed the students to reflect on the Honors Program, leading to a very open ended, comfortable discussion. I also had an opportunity to talk to him personally about my research interests and Honors thesis. After the discussion, I had the opportunity to attend the dinner with a few other students and had a very different experience. Many of those who attended the dinner were Penn State alumni, generous donors to the Honor’s college, Dr. Ansary (the Associate Dean), and Dr. Kulkarni (chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg), honors program staff from Capital College and the Schreyer College.

The dinner at Mount Hill Tavern was the most inspiring time of the day for me. The owner of the restaurant kicked off the speeches, noting that education is the best investment one can make, and I couldn’t agree more! Dr. Kulkarni, being a former investment banker at Wall Street, further elaborated that investing in present students is a lifelong investment, as we will then invest in the education of future students. Dr. Brady said that this builds a strong foundation for Penn State Main Campus and Penn State Harrisburg’s students to have an enriched educational environment and many research opportunities. He stressed that wherever the students end up after graduation, they should always cherish and thank those have helped us achieve so much.

The whole event inspired me because of how much faith and confidence the alumni donors had in undergraduate students. This compelled me to work harder, and give back to my Penn State family now and in the future. Like Dr. Kulkarni said, “Don’t take away from Penn State’s name; add to Penn State’s name.”  On behalf of all the Penn State faculty, staff and students, I generously thank all our donors for investing in our future.

Written by Jyothi Kakuturu

Photo Credits:  Marques Paige