The Spectator: Vol. 115, No. 13

This month, we celebrate Christmas as a day to give gifts to loved ones, to be with family, and to be thankful. Children all over the world are told tales and believe in Santa Claus. But how did this holiday come to be and who was the original Santa Claus? 

It’s the week after Thanksgiving, but I’m writing this in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, and that calls for reflection. 

There’s no arguing that finals week is the most stressful week of the semester: one can have anywhere from one to three finals back to back in a given day, students live in the library and everyone is extremely tired from the semester. 

Dr. Scott Crowell, professor from the health and physical education department, starts each semester in his drug and alcohol discussion classes in a unique way. 

We like to focus on people who have achieved the pinnacle of success in our culture. If they’ve published something fantastic, discovered a new planet, or concocted a cure to a debilitating disease they are quickly handed Nobel, Pulitzer and Copley awards. 

Being a student-athlete isn’t always easy and it isn’t always fun. There are days where the last thing I want to do is wake up and go to practice. 

In such a short time after the appalling Charlie Hebdo and Porte de Vincennes attacks, France, along with multiple other countries, were subjected to horrific violence nearly three weeks ago. This was while Beirut suffered the loss of 47 people during an ISIS suicide bombing, and at least 18 were killed during the suicide mission of a Shi’ite fighter, ending with a total of 41 wounded at a Baghdad funeral. 

On Nov. 21, both the Edinboro men and women’s swim teams lost to Bloomsburg in a meet at the natatorium inside McComb Fieldhouse. 

The Music Department will be holding their annual “Holiday Christmas Music” concert on Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. in the Louis C. Cole Auditorium. 

Cue the theme music, put on the boxing gloves and start the workout montages. Rocky has returned...only he’s not coming back to the ring as he did before. 

Jennifer Lawrence returns as the rebellion’s “Mockingjay” in the final film in the popular and successful “Hunger Games” franchise.  

Laugh/Riot Performing Arts Company will present “The Twin Manaechmi,” directed by Rob Connick and assistant directed by Shaun Taylor.

The Edinboro ROTC came to the Edinboro University Student Government Association (EUSGA) with a request for congress to approve their funds to hold a SCUBA class. The class was held last year and was only offered to members of ROTC. 

Edinboro University President Julie E. Wollman recently announced the newest scholarship and grant opportunities available to students for this upcoming spring semester; including a brand new university- funded “Sibling Grant.” 

Every day, students do the same basic routine, get out of bed, get ready and go to class. Every day, those students sit in class, learning in what they feel is a safe environment. They have seen cases like the Columbine shootings, Virginia Tech and Sandy Hook Elementary School. But they think it will never happen here. 

The account names may differ, but their purpose often remains the same. Whether it’s crushes, confessions or loves, these primarily anonymous Twitter accounts go about publishing student-submitted sexual pursuits, often naming names. 

When looking at the psychology department on campus and its relationship with technology, Dr. Ronald Craig’s name comes to mind with his skillful use of technology to enhance the learning process differently and effectively in each of his classes. 

The years spent in higher education allow people the chance to discover what they want out of life. However, people do not normally go to college with the intention of being upset by course material.