Friends for Life
A college education is more than just learning how to think. You also learn how to live by being part of a community of people from different backgrounds and seeing what they value and believe, what they’ve experienced, and what they think about the world. Here, you’ll make the kinds of friendships that will enrich the rest of your life, making you a more complete person capable of living and succeeding in a complicated world.
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FRIENDS FOR LIFE
Marissa Hernandez Lebanon, Pa. Major: Psychology
“Alison is very insightful. From being her friend, I’ve learned to look at things in a new way and not to jump to conclusions too fast.”
Alison Reed Elizabethtown, Pa. Major: English, Secondary Education
“ Other cultures have always deeply interested me, so sharing in Marissa’s culture and hearing her stories is something I really enjoy.”
Sharing What Matters Raised in different cultures in different parts of central Pennsylvania, Marissa and Alison both came to LVC with a strong desire to give back to society through education and community service. Alison hopes to teach middle school and Marissa wants to work with younger students. The two friends help each other prepare for lives as educators by expanding one another’s worlds. “We introduce each other to new things,” says Alison, “such as new foods and different activities. Intellectually, we both have a lot to offer, as we have
very different majors.” For fun, the friends enjoy doing service projects together, watching Glee, and sharing the things they love. “My musical interests have definitely been broadened,” says Marissa. Marissa and Alison are members of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), LVC’s service fraternity. Last year, APO members recorded over 2,000 hours of campus and community service—and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the LVC chapter.
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ACADEMIC AND CO-CURRICULAR RESOURCES
The LVC community extends a warm welcome to students from many backgrounds and provides the support they need to thrive. Academic and Cultural Resources At LVC’s Hurst Diversity Library, students can access books, videos, journals, magazines, and newspapers focused on diversity of many kinds.
“ When I talk to prospective multicultural students or parents, I don’t ever think to myself, “Why should an African American student come to LVC?” I simply think, “Why should any student come to LVC?” It’s a safe, welcoming environment with high-quality academic programs.” — Gary GrieveCarlson, Professor of English
A number of LVC-sponsored resources support the College’s multicultural students. Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) A resource for multicultural life at LVC, OMA promotes advocacy and awareness and offers a full range of services and programming, including one-on-one counseling and academic advising, cultural events, diversity training workshops, and conferences related to multiculturalism. Multicultural Mentor Program Upon arriving at LVC, every new multicultural student is paired with a mentor—an older student who can answer questions, suggest resources, or just be a friend as college begins. Multicultural Mentors are carefully selected and trained to provide guidance, advice, and support. Friendship House One of LVC’s three special-interest residence halls, Friendship House is open to students involved in any of LVC’s cultural or social justice organizations. The house is also a space for events or gatherings that promote diversity or social justice. Writing Center With a philosophy of “people helping people,” the Center is available to any LVC student who wants to further develop the tools, techniques, and confidence to become a successful communicator and writer. It’s free, of course, and highly encouraged for students of any ability level. Peer Tutoring Available at no cost to students who want to improve their academic performance in any class, Peer Tutors help with homework review, exam preparation, study techniques, and time management skills.
average class size: 2
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FRIENDS FOR LIFE
Antonio Coach Philadelphia, Pa. Major: Digital Communications
“There are clubs and organizations for anyone and everyone, and if the thing you’re passionate about is not here on campus, LVC will help you start a new club.”
Robert Miller Bowmansville, Pa. Major: Psychology
“ Knowing students from different backgrounds has allowed me to see that not everybody thinks the way they do in my hometown.”
Joining Forces Paired as roommates freshman year, Antonio and Robert came from different worlds but soon discovered that they shared two passions—video games and community service. Robert is actively involved in social justice at LVC, Antonio is treasurer of Habitat for Humanity and a Multicultural Mentor, and both are members of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. Of his friendship with Antonio, Robert says, “He showed me how to be more extroverted and more relaxed.” Antonio says Robert has helped him “see things from a different perspective.” Antonio was one of three students on the Bias Response Team, a campus resource that provides an outlet for discussing and responding to instances of harassment or discrimination. At LVC, such instances are few and far between. 3
FRIENDS FOR LIFE
Natalie Geiger Harrisburg, Pa. Major: English, Secondary Education Minor: Music
“Knowing My Dung, my other friends, and my professors has shown me that there are so many different ideas and so many interesting ways to view the world.”
My Dung Tran Harrisburg, Pa. Major: Accounting
“ Diversity is important on campus because it impacts our lives and future in the real world. The benefit of diversity is becoming more open-minded about others.”
Workout Buddies My Dung is a commuting student who was born in Vietnam. Natalie lives on campus and grew up in Harrisburg, Pa. The two of them were selected to be peer mentors, met at training, and knew right away that they were meant to be friends. Now they often meet up for lunch and a midday Zumba session at the gym. According to Natalie, “Being friends has been beneficial to us both. We encourage each other’s passions and activities and learn about each other’s cultures.” My Dung agrees. 4
“Because of Natalie, I decided to live on campus for my junior year so that I can get more involved and become more independent.” The two are going to be roommates next year. My Dung is a member of LVC’s Diversity Action Committee (DAC), a group of students, faculty, and staff that provides diversity education while working to promote the further diversification of the LVC community.
ORGANIZATIONS AND EVENTS
LVC students have many opportunities to celebrate and share their culture or identity— through student-run clubs and organizations, events, and campus-wide celebrations. Culture and Social Justice Clubs and Organizations • Asian Society in Action (ASIA) • F-Word (women’s advocacy group)
• Hunger Awareness Leaders of Tomorrow (HALT)
• Freedom Rings (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and allies student group)
• Multicultural Mentors • The Pallas Society (social justice honor society)
• Hillel (Jewish student organization)
• United Hispanic Alliance • Women’s Services and Gender Resource Center (WSGRC)
Heritage Celebrations LVC offers yearly explorations of culture and heritage. Hispanic Heritage Month Previous years’ celebrations featured a Chilean banquet to raise money for earthquake relief, a film series, and an exhibition of artwork by local students from the Migrant Education Program. Native American Heritage Month Previous years’ celebrations included a week of foods of the Hopi, Pueblo, Pemmican, Apache, and Navajo tribes, and a lecture on the life and culture of the Lenape people, the earliest inhabitants of the local region.
MLK Day/Black History Month One of the highlights of the LVC calendar, MLK Day is a campus-wide day of service capped by a guest speaker and music. LGBTQ Awareness LVC offers resources and events—including workshops, films, and lectures—to promote awareness of and support for the College’s LGBTQ community. Women’s History Month LVC’s annual celebration of women and women’s issues features a film series, a poetry slam, a program on sexual health, and a performance of The Vagina Monologues.
Trips and Events LVC sponsors many events related to culture or social justice. Here are some recent examples. • Black History Month Church Service and Dinner • CultureFest • East Coast Asian American Student Union Leadership Conference • Fiesta Latina • Freedom Week • Imani-Edutainers Dance Company • Intercampus Social Justice Retreat • LVC Social Justice Institute • McCaskey Gospel Choir • Multicultural dinners • Multicultural Fellowship outings: bowling, LaserTag, movie nights • Multicultural Professionals Career Panel • Poetry slams • Sustained Dialogue Series • Trip to Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture • Trip to National Blacks in Wax Museum • The Vagina Monologues performance/ fundraiser 5
SOCIAL JUSTICE IN THE VALLEY
It might surprise you to learn that a small college in the Pennsylvania countryside is a leader in promoting social justice. Through a few signature initiatives and organizations, LVC is advancing awareness and equality on an individual and community level. Social Justice Institute During last year’s Social Justice Institute, participants traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit the National Congress of the American Indian, mayor’s office, and D.C. Central Kitchen, as well as the Holocaust Museum.
Each January, the Office of Multicultural Affairs sponsors a three-day leadership institute that allows students to explore questions and issues related to social justice. After completing a series of workshops, students travel to an urban center to visit social service agencies and practice what they’ve learned in a real-world setting. Participants hone their understanding of oppression and inequality, strengthen leadership and critical thinking skills, and develop action plans for applying what they have learned to the benefit of their local community.
Pallas Society
“ LVC empowers you to be your own person. You’re not just Hispanic or just black here. You’re an individual, and everything that you bring to the table is recognized and embraced.” —Lisa Adamu
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LVC’s honor society for promoting social justice, Pallas is made up of students, faculty, and staff who have participated in the College’s Social Justice Institute, as well as alumni who have been instrumental in promoting social justice. Pallas is serving as a pilot program for the National Association of Multicultural Education as it works to establish the first-ever national honor society for social justice in higher education.
Sustained Dialogue One of LVC’s many efforts to promote social justice, this studentcentered program brings people from a variety of backgrounds together to discuss deep-rooted political, religious, cultural, social, racial, or socioeconomic issues.
FRIENDS FOR LIFE
Venus Ricks Director of Multicultural Affairs
“Ashley helps me check my assumptions about people, places, ideals, and beliefs. Students are much more wise and informative than we give them credit for.”
Ashley Conzelmann Lebanon, Pa. Major: Psychology
“ Venus has taught me to stand up for what I believe, to speak for those who haven’t yet found their voices, and to take action toward a better world.”
Justice for All Administrator and student and two people with very different opinions of Jersey Shore, Venus and Ashley share a passion for social justice—and a love of ’N Sync. As director of multicultural affairs, Venus leads LVC’s efforts to promote diversity and inclusion. Ashley played a key role in several of these initiatives—from the Pallas Society to the Social Justice Institute to the yearly production of The Vagina Monologues. Ashley was co-president of the Lebanon Valley Educational Partnership, an award-winning program that pairs LVC student mentors with academically promising students from the Lebanon School District and provides financial support for these students to attend LVC. 7
FRIENDS FOR LIFE
Ronny Acosta Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Criminal Justice, Pre-Law
“LVC has become more diverse. This gives students a taste of ‘the real world,’ helping them become respectful and tolerant of other cultures and views.”
Ivette Guzman-Zavala Caguas, Puerto Rico Professor of Spanish
“ Having more diversity in my class has always made it a better place to learn. Discussions get more interesting with different points of view.”
Small World From different corners of Latin America, Ronny and Professor Guzman bring a shared love of Hispanic culture to the Valley. Friends since Ronny was a student in her Spanish class his freshman year, the two spend time together seeking out good Caribbean food, talking about art, and telling jokes in Spanish. But they also collaborate on finding ways to celebrate and share Hispanic culture with the LVC community by creating events for the student organization United Hispanic Alliance or planning LVC’s campus-wide Hispanic Heritage 8
Celebration. Ronny credits Professor Guzman for helping him to understand the virtues of acceptance and diplomacy. Professor Guzman admires Ronny’s leadership and his willingness to grow, and she says that he inspires her in her ongoing quest to become a better teacher. Ronny is the founder of United Hispanic Alliance, a student organization that promotes Hispanic culture on campus by sponsoring fun activities such as fiestas, cookouts, trips, cultural workshops, and large-scale celebrations.
SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND FINANCIAL AID
Offering academic scholarships, fellowships, and need-based financial aid, the College supports the diversity of its community by making sure every student can afford an LVC education. Presidential Scholarships Program So that the brightest and most accomplished scholars can afford LVC, the College offers automatic scholarships to students in the top 30 percent of their high school class—up to half tuition for those in the top ten percent. These Presidential Scholarships are renewable for four years for students who maintain good grades.
Multicultural Fellowship Program To recognize and reward hard work, service, and scholarly achievement, LVC grants Multicultural Fellowships ranging from $2,000 to $12,000 a year to qualified multicultural students. The fellowship amount is based on a student’s financial need, academic record, extracurricular achievements, and potential to contribute to the LVC community. In addition to receiving financial support, Multicultural Fellows prepare for success in life after college by participating in special leadership training, civic engagement, service learning, professional networking, and career preparation workshops. While no special application is required, students being considered for the Multicultural Fellowship will be invited to campus for a fellowship interview.
Need-Based Aid In addition to whatever scholarship or fellowship support you may receive, you may apply for further assistance based on your family’s financial situation. You may be eligible for even more financial assistance in the form of LVC and federal grants and loans, outside scholarships, and a campus job. The bottom line: we will do everything we can to make this education affordable for you and your family.
98
percent of LVC students receive some form of financial assistance.
Help from Many Sources Multicultural Fellowship recipients in the top 30 percent of their high school class will also receive a Presidential Scholarship. Those who still need financial assistance can apply for additional needbased support.
LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE FACTS
RESIDENCE LIFE
27 residence halls of various styles; housing guaranteed all four undergraduate years. AFTER LVC
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Lebanon Valley College™ is a private, coeducational college founded in 1866 and dedicated to the liberal arts.
34 undergraduate majors plus self-designed majors and a range of minors, concentrations, and pre-professional options; graduate degree programs in physical therapy, business administration, music education, and science education.
CAMPUS/LOCATION
57 buildings on more than 340 acres in Annville, Pennsylvania, a town of 5,000 near the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside. GETTING AROUND
Annville is a short drive from the resources of nearby towns and cities. • Lebanon Valley Mall: 10 minutes • Harrisburg: 30 minutes • Lancaster: 45 minutes • Train station (with easy access to Philadelphia and New York city): 30 minutes
STUDY ABROAD
Programs in 11 countries, including Argentina, Australia, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, and Spain. OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS
Study/internship semesters in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. CAREER SERVICES
A full range of guidance and support, including Career Connections, an online network of hundreds of LVC alumni. INTERNSHIPS FACULTY
102 full-time faculty members, 89 percent of whom hold Ph.D.s or terminal degrees in their field; student-faculty ratio of 13:1 and average class size of 20. STUDENTS
1,630 full-time undergraduates. The ratio of women to men is 55:45. FRESHMAN CLASS PROFILE
468 students, primarily from Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic region. 77 percent were in the top 30 percent of their high school class, and the average SAT score is 1088.
APPLYING
Rolling admission. We encourage completed applications by March 1 for fall admission and December 1 for spring admission. FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Approximately 98 percent of students receive some form of financial assistance. LVC scholarships are guaranteed to all students in the top 30 percent of their high school class; additionally, generous need-based financial aid is available. Total financial aid awarded in the form of LVC grants and academic scholarships for 2011-2012 was $24,052,581. The average grant and scholarship package totaled $14,455.
Available in every major—in Annville, Hershey, Harrisburg, and beyond.
COSTS 2012-2013 For full-time students:
STUDENT LIFE
Resident Tuition, fees, room, and board: $43,650
More than 90 student organizations focused on the arts, sports, media, service, culture, politics, preprofessional interests, faith, and greek life. ATHLETICS
A member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), and Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC), LVC offers 24 sports.
At Lebanon Valley College, admission decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion/creed, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status, or any trait protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and/or College policy. The College does not discriminate on any of the foregoing bases in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, or its scholarship and loan programs.
Commuter Tuition and fees:
$34,370
CONTACT LVC
101 North College Avenue Annville, Pennsylvania 17003-1400 1-866-582-4236 admission@lvc.edu
www.lvc.edu
NCSDO L12103 8.12
PROFILE
In an average year, approximately 76 percent of graduates responding to our annual survey are employed, and approximately 30 percent are in graduate or professional school, within six months of graduation.