Changes in leadership
Megan McGee, Hazleton’s new SGA president, has appointed her vice president for the Spring semester. Casey Petty, a junior, will fill this position as vice president because McGee was promoted after the resignation of her predecessor. Petty will take over the duties of working closely with club presidents and organizations on campus, as is the traditional role of the VP.

Retreat was a success
Binders have been lent to each Senator for the semester and they will be expected to bring them to each SGA meeting. These binders will promote organization and an understanding of the processes and happenings at each meeting.

Change in constitution passed
The constitution of the Hazleton SGA has changed. Senators are now required to attend one CCSG gathering as opposed to the two that were previously required. The funds that are saved in this new measure will be put to other uses in serving that student body.

SYE
The Academic Affairs Committee in SGA will begin a series of events and seminars this Wednesday at noon in the Butler Seminar room. This first event will cover the introduction of the Second Year Experience which is open to all students looking to develop the foundation of the first year experience as they transition to becoming a sophomore, junior or senior here or at University Park. Topics will be range from learning about stress to dealing with academic challenges and reading your degree audit.

Where are you from?
I am from Brooklyn, NY

Why did you choose your major?
I received my inspiration from the movie “Iron Man”

Why come to PSU Hazleton?
I came to Penn State Hazleton because no other campus wanted me, but also because the proximity to home was suitable.

What do you like to do outside of school work?
I love to weight lift, drum and sleep.

What’s it been like being an RA?
I find being an RA exciting. You were chosen and trusted by the PSU staff to be in authority of people who are only one year younger (some older) than you.

Favorite song?
“He has His Hands on You” – Marvin Sapp

Favorite TV Show?
Anytime the Patriots play.

Play any sports?
I really enjoy the game of football, I played it back in HS.

Who is your team right now in the NFL playoffs right now?
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS!

Something no one may know about you?
I’m a Seventh-Day Adventist.

Have a favorite teacher or advisor? Thankful for that A or for that easy schedule?  Well now is the time to show some love by nominating them for an award. Had a teacher that gave you a hard time all semester? Ended up with class 5 p.m. on Fridays? Stick it to them by not nominating them for anything.

There are four awards in total, with the process of nominating someone being as simple as filling out a form, and winners will be announced at this year's Academic Awards Ceremony.

The Butler Technology & Teaching Award recognizes innovative use of technology in the classroom. The Penn State Hazleton Council Outstanding Teaching Award recognizes overall teaching excellence. The George T. Bobby Advising Award recognizes excellence in academic advising. The Outstanding Teaching Award for Part-Time Faculty and Staff recognizes part-time staff members who have made the most of their time.

Nominations are due by Feb. 1 in the Admin. Building, Rm. 109, The Library, Graham Lobby or Student Affairs, Butler Building, Room 105. Let your voices be heard, do your part in ensuring your favorites win.

Past award winners:

George T. Bobby Advising Award
2012- Dr. Anne Hester
2011- No award recipient
2010- Mr. Ken Dudeck
2009- Mrs. Amie Yenser
2008- Mr. Chuck Dewald

Butler Technology & Teaching Award
2012- Dr. Beatriz Glick
2011- Dr. Margaret Gordon Froelich
2010- Dr. Peter Froelich
2009- Thomas Smialek
2008- Dr. Sherry Robinson

Outstanding Teaching Award for part-Time Faculty and Staff
2012- Dr. Kathryn Maxwell
2011- Mr. David Smith
2010- The Honorable Correale Stevens
2009- Mr. Jerry Pierotti
2008- Ms. Christine Ashton

Penn State Hazleton Council Outstanding Teaching Award
2012- Dr. Wes Grebski
2011- Ms. Patricia Ferry
2010- Dr. Anne Hester
2009- Mr. Frank Novak
2008- Dr. Carl Frankel

The two men's basketball games played Friday night and Saturday afternoon were both exciting in their own right. One, although it resulted in a tough Joss, was a thriller that came down to the final seconds and the other was a game that would thrill any fan of the home team: a blowout.

In the final moments of their game against Penn State Beaver, Hazleton appeared to have things wrapped up but a final bucket with barely any time left on the clock put the score at 80-79 and sealed the fate of the home team. This was a win the then 5-6 squad needed to turn their season around by getting to .500, but they were playing against a Beaver team that was I 0-3 overall, and although Hazleton came close to spoiling things, they couldn't pull through in the end.

Hazleton was outplayed on almost all fronts, getting out-rebounded 41-37, and allowing the defensive  pressure to get to them allowing Beaver to scrounge up 12 steals to go along with 4 blocks and only shooting 47% from the field while allowing their opponents to shoot 53% in comparison.

There were some bright spots for Hazleton as starters Alex Akabogu, Dan Fogarty and Ashkan Naderi were all able to reach double digits in scoring with Fogarty leading the pack with 20 points and Dwayne Vines provided a spark off the bench in his 28 minutes of play scoring 13 points to go with his 13 rebounds.

Akabogu in particular had an all­around solid game putting up 16-9-4 to go along with four steals but his efforts, along with the great play of his teammates, weren't  enough to get the team over the hump. Beaver was led by Robert Agurs who hurt his team with his nine turnovers but made up for it by putting up I 9- I 2-6 while Patrick Horton had all four of his team's  blocks and he got it done on the offensive end too, scoring  I 6 points.

Hazleton didn't play a bad game by any stretch of the imagination, it just may have been a stretch to think they could have beaten a team that Penn State Beaver that has been playing so well all season long. They put up a fight and went down swinging, but there's no doubt they would have wanted the W to have something to show for those efforts.

After such a heartbreaking loss, Hazleton could have -gone into the game against New Kensington with broken spirits to match, not to mention a little drained after playing the night before. Instead they came out looking for blood and looking to make a statement and that's exactly what they did at the expense of the other team.

Led by Vines who again had the hot hand going 12-16 and grabbing 14 boards while he was at it, Hazleton leaped out to a 47-29 lead in the first and didn't look back as they cruised to an 80-59 victory. Fogarty and Colby Major did their part scoring 14 and 15 points respectively and Ricky Gil set up his teammates well dishing out eight dimes while the entire New Kensington team had only seven.

Hazleton found a team that was having a worse season as New Kensington came into the game 0-9, and they took advantage by beating up on them and once again pulling into a game under .500.

Jordan Buchanic who had a double-double  with 16 points and 10 rebounds and teammate Daryl Harrington who went 20-7-2 for the afternoon did all they could to keep the score respectable but the deficit became too much and New Kensington went down with barely a whimper.

Ideally Hazleton would have liked to have won both games, but splitting them is much better than the third option. Hazleton can use the momentum from this big win to finish out the season strong, or they can allow the .500 mark to forever remain elusive.

Students at Penn State Hazleton can finally say they have experienced the Original Butt Sketch. Just a single member from the OBS group dedicated his day to creating quick and precise back profile sketches for students.

Nearly 26 years ago, Krandel Lee Newton quit his job as an engineer to follow his dreams as an artist. Newton recalls his very first "butt sketch" which was initially supposed to be a painting of men in a parade. Before Newton got a chance to paint his sketch, a man commended him for his work.The praise inspired him to sketch another, and another.

Today, Newton works with eight other artists in Dallas Texas. They have worked with many celebrities and they even plan to bring their talents and skills to the stage of America’s Got Talent. Based on the popularity of just one artist from OBS, students agree that the team of artist should take their skills to the big stage. Fresh­man Destinie Vindel especially appreciated how quickly Newton completed the sketches.

“Normally, if l see a line for something like this I wouldn't wait because I'm rushing to class, but this time I decided to stick around because I saw how quickly he was sketching. I only waited in line for about five minutes, and when it was my tum my piece only took about one minute," Vindel said.

Although Newton is not exactly sure when he and his team will be auditioning for America's Got Talent, he advises everyone to keep an eye open for the Original Butt Sketch.