Students/faculty have fun together during activities
If you walked past the fitness center and saw a group of students gathered, it was the Luzerne County Community College Student Life and Athletics first Ping Pong Tournament on April 11.
The event brought together students, faculty, and staff to face each other in a friendly ping pong competition. Tyler Russell, LCCC director of Student Life and Athletics, said the event was an idea after several students and staff brought it to his attention.*
"The idea came after the Math club held their first Corn Hole Tournament," said Russell. "Students wanted a Ping Pong Tournament and faculty and staff said if there was a tournament, they would participate. This shows our students wanted this event and they made it happen."
The tournament brought out the competitiveness in each other which allowed for some acceptable trash talk and bantering amongst one another.
"There is always trash talk involved as expected and everybody will say they're the best," said Russell. "This is just a lighthearted way to give them something to brag about and bring in spectators who can join in the fun."
Events like the tournament are important for students in a smaller school setting as they bring a sense of community.
"At a four-year college with residence halls, there is an innate community that is built because they have a shared living space like in any community," Russell said. "But at LCCC, getting small pockets of community is as big as an overall campus identity. Studies show that if a student has even a small group that connects them to a school, they're more likely to complete, do well and find value in their college experience."
Champion William Preston received an Amazon gift card. Second-place winner Victor Eckrote and third-place winner Eli Martinez both received free lunch tickets and of course, bragging rights.
Will the tournament continue in the future? Russell said it depends on the interest of the students.
"Much like we do in Student Life, it depends on student interests and if they want to do it," he said. "It's a good use of time and resources."
Celebrating Pi Day
When you think of Pi Day, what's the first thing that pops into your head? Apple pie? Cherry pie? Or Pumpkin pie? But you wouldn't think of the mathematical term, Pi. On March 14, the Luzerne County Community College Math Club held its first Pi Day Cornhole tournament in the James T. Atherson Gymnasium to benefit the math department.
Pi Day began on March 14, 1988, and is celebrated in many ways. Every March 14, mathematicians from all over the world come together to celebrate the circumference over the diameter of a circle or 3.141592653589...also known as, Pi Day.
The first ever cornhole tournament was successful and exceeded the club's expectations, said Math Club Vice President Sage Buddock.
"The event brought students, faculty, and staff members together with one goal in mind, to win and to raise money," she said. "We raised $834 thanks to everyone who came out to play. With the money, it is going to be used to help us go on a trip along with the Business Club to The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia."
The winners of the student bracket were Jack Long and Jeff Terpak. The winners for the faculty/staff bracket were Lisa Reilly and Maria DeLucca.