Raeanne Beckner
As seen in:
Daily Athenaeum,
PolitiFact
Penn State Law ‘26 | WVU Alum
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Articles by Raeanne Beckner
OPINION | Why students should care about Homecoming
Homecoming is not just for alumni. A common misconception is that the week of events is only for those coming back to visit, which is simply not true. There are numerous events that are available to students and faculty alike. From free giveaways to games and advice, there is something for everyone that currently attends school at WVU or finds themselves on campus this week.
PolitiFact - Carroll Foy partially right about investigations of past Virginia governors
Democrat Jennifer Carroll Foy said a key reason she’s running for governor is to rid Virginia's government of corruption. "Two out of our last three governors in Virginia were investigated by the FBI," she said during a March 16 debate. "One went to jail and one is running for office again in this election." A fact check of Carroll Foy’s statement finds she’s right on the FBI probes, but wrong in saying one of the governors was locked up.
PolitiFact - No, reports to the CDC’s vaccine early warning system are not ‘vaccine deaths’
Stand up for the facts! Misinformation isn't going away just because it's a new year. Support trusted, factual information with a tax deductible contribution to PolitiFact. More Info I would like to contribute People are administered COVID-19 vaccine on Feb. 11, 2021, at a vaccination center, at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Mass.
PolitiFact - Yes, Evers’ budget increases Wisconsin taxes by more than $1 billion
In the middle of the pandemic, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers presented his spending blueprint for 2021-22. The plan generated about the same enthusiasm from Republicans that his various actions aimed at stemming the coronavirus outbreak have. Which is to say, very little. If any. At least one lawmaker called Evers’ budget "terrible proposals," citing increased spending and expanding "welfare." "These are some of the terrible proposals Governor Evers is pushing for in his budget," state Rep.
PolitiFact - No, trafficked children, dead bodies were not removed from ship that blocked the Suez Canal
Stand up for the facts! Misinformation isn't going away just because it's a new year. Support trusted, factual information with a tax deductible contribution to PolitiFact. More Info I would like to contribute By Samantha Putterman April 5, 2021 No, trafficked children, dead bodies were not removed from ship that blocked the Suez Canal The giant Ever Given container ship that clogged up the Suez Canal for six days isn’t out of the news just yet.
PolitiFact - Fact-checking Rep. Alex Mooney of W.Va. on requirements in H.R. 1
The Democratic-backed elections and voting bill known as H.R. 1, or the For the People Act, has inspired sometimes fierce opposition from Republicans. One of them is Rep. Alex Mooney, R-W.Va. The bill, which passed the House on a mostly party-line vote and awaits action in the Senate, includes proposals on voter registration, absentee voting, in-person voting, campaign finance and ethics related to federal elections.
Sunnyside gains new restaurant despite COVID-19
The exterior of Quick Bites, located at 2001 University Ave. Photo submitted by Joshua Henry Some might say it is crazy to open a new restaurant during a pandemic, but Quick Bites owner Joshua Henry knew his restaurant would provide a much-needed change to Sunnyside. The food business is something Henry has “grown into.” After many jobs in the food industry, Henry became the food supervisor at Summit Café, where he realized students in the area needed more dining options.
Fans encouraged to sing ‘Country Roads’ following Facebook-streamed basketball game
Mountaineer mascot Timmy Eads sings "Take Me Home, Country Roads" following WVU's win over No. 22 Texas Tech on Jan. 11. Photo by Seth Seebaugh Although country roads did not lead many students home from their spring break travels, WVU still wants to engage its students in as many Mountaineer experiences as possible.
WVU majors pay falls short when compared
The U.S. Department of Education recently released the top earning majors for multiple universities nationwide. In comparison to other Big 12 schools, WVU student's median earnings following graduation tend to fall short, even when comparing WVU’s highest earning majors. Some of WVU’s highest earning majors included computer science, chemical engineering, electrical, electronics and communications engineering, mechanical engineering and industrial engineering.
Glover gets the musket: Lewisburg native to be 2020-21 Mountaineer
For West Virginia native Colson Glover, the WVU Mountaineer has been a source of inspiration since childhood. “Growing up, ever since I can remember, I attended WVU sports and games, and you know I just truly idolized the Mountaineer since I was little,” Glover, a sophomore neuroscience student, said.
Meet Colson Glover, your new Mountaineer
Colson Glover, a sophomore neuroscience student from Lewisburg, was announced as the Mountaineer mascot for the 2020-21 school year on Saturday. Glover spoke with the Daily Athenaeum about his experiences leading up to and during the announcement. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity. What was your reaction when you were named a finalist?
Empty Bowls helps combat food insecurity with annual luncheon Saturday
A student paints a bowl to support the charity Empty Bowls on Feb. 3 in Honors Hall. Photo by Duncan Slade Empty Bowls in Monongalia County has been providing funds to agencies that help combat food insecurity since 2007. “Some of the agencies that we support are really completely dependent on funds from Empty Bowls,” said Mike Miller, co-volunteer coordinator. President E. Gordon Gee talks to students at the bowl painting event in support of the charity Empty Bowls on Feb. 3 in Honors Hall.
'Rent' star talks about life, the show before taking to WVU stage
Cody Jenkins will performing at the WVU Creative Arts Center on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. as part of the national tour of the musical “Rent.” The Daily Athenaeum interviewed Jenkins and talked to him about his life and the show. Cody Jenkins did not always have dreams of being center stage and performing for audiences all over the world.
Doors destroyed at Maple House, home of WVU LGBTQ+ Center
Someone destroyed the doors at the back of the Maple House, which holds the WVU LGBTQ+ Center, over the weekend, said Center Director Cris Mayo. The doors are now covered with plywood. “When program specialist Brad Grimes came in [on Monday], he found the backdoor had been kicked in and basically destroyed, and so there was glass all over the dining room floor,” Mayo said. Police have captured an image of the suspect, Mayo said.
WVU set to host Drag Queen Storytime despite cancellation of similar event
Robin Hearts-Love and Dimitria Blackwell Submitted Photo Despite threats of violence toward a similar event just a few months ago, WVU’s LGBTQ+ Center is set to hold a Drag Queen Storytime event Thursday. Cris Mayo, LGBTQ+ Center director, said the Center was not terribly concerned when planning the event. “Prominent people in our community who instigated violence have backtracked,” Mayo said. “They have not apologized.
Doors destroyed at Maple House, home of WVU LGBTQ+ Center
An inside view of the French doors at the Maple House that were damaged. Staff Photo An outside view of the French doors at the Maple House that were damaged. by Gabriella Brown Someone destroyed the doors at the back of the Maple House, which holds the WVU LGBTQ+ Center, over the weekend, said Center Director Cris Mayo. The doors are now covered with plywood.
An under-the-sea and behind-the-scenes look into ‘The SpongeBob Musical’
When Nickelodeon’s “The SpongeBob Musical” was advertised as one of the upcoming performances at WVU’s Creative Arts Center, students jumped at the chance to get tickets to see their childhood hero perform in real life. But just how did WVU secure the 2018 Best Musical winner of the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards? “It is a bit of a complicated process,” said Kristie Stewart-Gale, marketing and advertising manager for WVU Arts and Entertainment.
The DA’s Most Most Influential: Pat McGinley and Suzanne Weise
Pat McGinley and Suzanne Weise are two WVU law professors who go above and beyond to make sure every person they meet has a voice that is heard. Weise said she has always known she wanted to go into a profession where she was able to help others. “It’s such a rewarding profession when we can actually help people accomplish their goals,” she said. “It makes you feel good to help other people.” Both Weise and McGinley, who are married, have seen the law from many angles.
Why switching your major might not be as big of a deal as you think
For WVU junior Melissa Stone, finding the right path in college was difficult. “Everyone just assumed that I was going to go into business,” Stone said. Once Stone transferred from Potomac State to WVU after studying business for two years, she decided she could not stick with the major anymore. Stone is one of 33% students in the United States pursuing a bachelor’s degree who end up changing their major, according to the Federal Education Department.
From Brazil to WVU: The making of a semi-professional choir
Two years ago, Letícia Grützmann started a choir mostly made up of friends, having no idea it would later evolve into a semi-professional choir. Grützmann came to WVU from Brazil to study choral conducting. She is currently a graduate assistant teaching women’s choir at WVU and created her choir in order to receive her Doctor of Musical Arts degree.
New Grubhub option allows WVU students to bypass long lunch lines
Tired of waiting in line during the after-class lunch rush? In addition to the numerous changes WVU Dining Services has made to eating on campus this year, it has also implemented a new way to access food at campus locations through a popular app — Grubhub. Tiffany Towers, communications manager for WVU Dining Services, said the main reason for the added option is to increase satisfaction on campus.
Quizzing the quiz bowl team: What it’s like to be a new club on campus
Although quiz bowl is new to WVU, for freshman forensic and investigative sciences student, Jonah Nieschwitz, it has felt like a piece of his old high school is on campus. “I was in a club called Academic Challenge, and it was a very similar setup, trivia questions based on general knowledge of history, literature, science, etc.,” said Nieschwitz.
WVU domestic violence reports surpass other Big 12 schools’
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and compared to other Big 12 schools with similar, or even larger, enrollment numbers, WVU has among the highest reported domestic violence offenses. In 2016, there were 29 total reported domestic violence offenses, in 2017 there were 32 offenses and in 2018, there were 25 offenses, according to the 2016-2018 annual WVU Clery Report. Comparatively, Iowa State University’s 2018 annual Clery Report had four offenses in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
WVU updates policies on when students can withdraw from classes
WVU’s Provost Academic Policy Committee has changed the dates of when students can withdraw from classes and the University. Now, the final opportunity students can withdraw from classes or from the University is during the 13th week of the semester.
What to do if you’re stuck on campus for fall break
It’s fall break. You live far away. Your parents are not coming to get you. You’re stuck on campus. The break is a time too short to travel far, but still long enough to be boring if you let it. So why let it? Instead of sitting in your dorm room wondering what all of your friends are doing at home, think of what you can do on campus. Here are a few suggestions to get you started: Evening yoga at the Botanical Gardens.
Will Trump see the 2020 ballot, or an early end to his presidency?
President Trump and his pending impeachment is a popular discussion topic between students both in and out of the classroom. “I think that this entire presidency, not that any presidency is completely sane, but this entire presidency has had so many consistent grievances brought up that most of them must be true,” said Carlee Milik, a sophomore psychology student from Morgantown. This is not the first time Trump has seen the word impeachment during his run in the White House.
SAE faces lawsuit after member suffers brain injuries
The father of a WVU student who suffered brain injuries after falling down the WVU Sigma Alpha Epsilon house in November is suing the fraternity and others. David Rusko arrived at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, in late December.
'Speak My Language' poetry night builds a sense of community
Breana Britt said being a minority student on campus wasn’t always the easiest. “It makes it a little bit easier when you have people who support you,” Britt, president of the Black Student Union and a senior animal and nutritional sciences student from Waldorf, Maryland, said. Seeing a need for a sense of community, Britt said the Black Student Union brought in poet Crystal Good as well as West Virginia band Black Garlic on Monday for a “Speak My Language” poetry night.
Honors Hall’s unofficial therapy dog passes away at age 14
Kibbey Kibler, a Shih Tzu that was raised in WVU resident halls has passed away at age 14. Kibbey was living in Honors Hall with her owners, Jeremiah Kibler, the residence hall coordinator for Honors Hall, and Keisha Kibler, professor at the Honors College. She had to be put down after suffering multiple seizures and a possible stroke. Kibbey, with the help of Honors Hall, was in the midst of planning her 15th birthday party, set to take place in September.
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