STORIES

I came to USF not expecting to join the publication. Joining the newspaper management class, I did not know I would be the producer for the next two years, but it was one of the best memories I have had here. I knew something was missing at our university when there were no podcasts when the podcasting space was only growing bigger by the day. So, when I pitched the idea to the Editor-in-Chief at the time, they loved the idea. It started off small with only about 15 minutes o

The Encounter has been one of my favorite parts of my USF experience. I appreciate getting to see my work enjoyed by those around me, learning how to use the dreaded program InDesign and getting to draw Bernie the school mascot as many times as I want. This job has made me more confident in my career path than any other decision at this school. Art has always been a huge part of my life, but it’s a field notorious for being difficult. Through the Encounter, I’ve seen the prev

Ever since he started as a student at the University of St.Francis in 2004, William Linz, now Director of Safety and Security, has been a part of the school community. “I actually went to school here as a student, from 2004 to 2009”, said Linz. “I started in 2004 as a student worker here in a department…Eventually worked my way to full-time and then up to now the Director of Safety and Security here.” Originally a secondary education major, Linz did not plan to permanently g

Many of us are prone to skimming the masses of emails that flood our inbox everyday. Sometimes, hidden gems stay hidden because more often it is easier to delete the spam and move on with our day. An email that we see hit our inbox annually this time of year is the opening of the application to become a Schmitt Scholar. Schmitt Scholars are supported by a grant gifted by the Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation. This foundation supports leadership development programs intended to pr

The University of St. Francis (USF) has numerous places across campus where students can go to dine, including the Cafe and Bernie’s Pub. One of these places, the Bistro, is located on the first floor of Motherhouse. Found at the Bistro is one of the local USF celebrities of campus, Lisa Walters, known as Ms. Lisa to the students and staff. An employee of the university since 2010, Ms. Lisa got her start through her friend and former cafeteria worker Ms. Diane. Since then, s

When you think of the Athletic Department here at the University of St. Francis (USF) you think of Dave Laketa and Cara Currier. At the end of this semester however, that will change. Assistant Director and women’s volleyball coach Cara Currier will be retiring at the conclusion of the spring term. Currier has spent 24 years as the head coach of the women’s volleyball team. Prior to that she experienced coaching at various high schools, youth teams and junior colleges. Curri

Cancer is the leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for an estimated two million lives lost in 2025. With these daunting statistics, finding the cure for cancer has remained an important healthcare issue for decades. While this has not been achieved yet there, is an effective treatment for it that students can major in here at the University of St. Francis (USF): Radiation Therapy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, radiation therapy is a common cancer trea

Brady Jones is a faculty member, honors program director, and mom. She primarily loves to teach Developmental Psychology, which is the study of how people grow and learn throughout their lives. Jones appreciates how students bring new and interesting ideas to the class every year. “Spending my working days thinking about how to live a good life and help others live good lives is a dream,” Jones said. This sentiment is reflected in her work directing the Duns Scotus Honors

If you walk past the University of St. Francis’ (USF) radio station, WCSF, you will most likely find Program Director Victoria Adams hard at work in the production studio. The station is not just a workspace for Adams, it is her life. “I kind of live here. There is always something that I can think of doing (at the station),” Adams said. However, the road to this position has been nothing short of a wild ride. When the previous program director of WCSF decided to transfer fro

The University of St. Francis (USF) Sustainability Committee is geared up for a momentous month. Considering that October is Campus Sustainability Month, the Co-Chair of the Sustainability Committee, Ashley Swanson, is amidst one of the busiest months of the year. “I usually go heavier on events in October and April… so, those are like my two busy times of the year,” Swanson explained. Swanson devised multiple events for the month of October including a Beehive Glow-Up as we

Photo credit: University of St. Francis Dr. Ryan C. Hendrickson, a former Track and Field athlete, has hit the ground running as the...

It’s almost like he was meant to follow a life of service.

With the addition of the university’s first-ever fraternity, Zeta Psi, it feels like we’re entering a whole new chapter.

Sippel is a member of the basketball, volleyball and softball teams here at USF, and she is a remarkable student as well.

Budgets all across the board have gotten tighter since the start of the second semester.

Claressa Padilla has been in food service her entire working life.

Mark is under the age of 21, but that hasn’t stopped him from finding other ways to getting in on the action.

College often becomes the perfect breeding ground for experimentation.

When asked what encouraged Johnson to stay at USF for five years, he said it was because of the relationships he has built.

Don’t call Don Burke Mr. Christmas. He hates it.