We’re Huskies, it’s what we do

Well… didn’t the fall semester just fly by.

After all the unexpected twists and turns, this girl is still going strong. One more semester left and looking back, I can’t say I have many regrets if any! Being involved with friends and clubs while staying active is the key to success in my book! (Not forgetting about the hours of writing papers and studying ;)) Our favorite!

But truly, I’ve learned that work DOES pay off! Be that student who puts in the extra hour to tidy up her paper. Be that student who goes out of their way to assist a member in their club with a project. Be THAT student who goes above and beyond. Sort of like Buzz Lightyear… or is that to infinity and beyond? Actually, do that too!

Oh, the Places You Go says Dr. Seuss. Make the effort, put in the work, and you’ll see the results in the end.

Starting out merely as a member of NCASC (National Communication Association Student Club), I’ve worked my way up to PRESIDENT! Taking on various leadership roles such as treasurer and public relations chair, I was an active exec member throughout my college years. It wasn’t all pretty though.

You see, at first, I tried so hard to follow this shiny, marbly, off-white path to guide me to my success. But in reality, this path is dusty, rugged, and dirt brown.

But that’s okay. Every path is different and leads to different things!

In my freshman year, I started out as a health science major. I loved science and formulas but my sophomore year, I learned this wasn’t the path for me. It was during the Covid-19 pandemic when I took a class called Interpersonal Communications and I absolutely loved it. Through the Zoom screen, my professor opened my eyes to other majors offered. She started telling me more about communication studies, and I was sold.

Regardless of what others thought or expected of me, I loved this new major path. Why? It was for myself.

Later on, I picked up a marketing minor as I was interested in aspects of business. I wanted to be as successful and marketable as possible after college. Even though I never really enjoyed crunching numbers, I pushed myself to learn more every day.

Happiness comes from within. And THAT is what I ultimately learned this year.

Overall, college has brought friends into my life that will truly last a lifetime. I’ve learned as much from them as I have in my courses. Life is a process, and it’s to be taken one step at a time.

And with one semester left, I can confidently say that when I walk across the graduation stage, I’ll continue to go onward and upward. We’re Huskies, it’s what we do.

— Kathryn Henriksen, a senior communication studies major at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg with an emphasis on organizational communication, is interning with the Office of Marketing and Communications this fall. She is a native of Pottstown who loves Andy Grammer, Nutella, and all 10 seasons of Friends.

#BloomOnward #HuskyLife

Wait, you’ve never seen a waterfall?

This past summer I worked at a camp where I met a college student from Illinois. Somehow through conversation I found out she had never seen a waterfall. That’s when I decided we’re going to Ricketts Glen.

Ricketts Glen State Park is a not-so-hidden gem in our own backyard. It’s located about 45 minutes north of Bloomsburg and is full of fun (and free!) activities.

I’ve probably hiked all or most of the 7.2-mile Falls Trail System at least 25 times in my life, and my family visits Lake Jean at least once a year to go kayaking. Hiking at Ricketts Glen is my favorite thing to do. If I’m planning on walking slowly, I make sure to bring my camera along to take some beautiful nature shots.

Ricketts Glen is mostly known for its 26 miles of hiking trails, especially the Falls Trail System — home to 22 waterfalls on a 7.2-mile loop. There are multiple places to begin and end, and you don’t have to hike the whole thing if you don’t want to.

The waterfalls on the Falls Trail range in size from 11-feet-tall, to the monstrous 94-foot Ganoga waterfall. I love seeing the look on people’s faces when I take them hiking for the first time.

The whole time they ask, “Is that the big waterfall?”

I always reply, “You’ll know when we get to it.”

Photos never quite do it justice, either.

Autumn is one of the best times of year to visit Ricketts Glen, because it boasts some beautiful foliage when the leaves start to turn. According to some reports, this year could be one of the best seasons for it!

This year, I found most colorful leaves at Ricketts Glen were on the trails and near the Western Boat Launch of Lake Jean. During the summer though, Lake Jean is definitely the place to be.

There are multiple cabins and campsites, and a beach for those who can’t make it to the ocean over summer vacation. The beach has sand, water and a lifeguard. The only difference between Lake Jean and the Jersey Shore is a boardwalk!

From Memorial Day until Labor Day there is a concession stand and rental station where you can rent boats, kayaks, paddle-boats and canoes. The cabins and campsites are open most of the year, and the lake is open year-round to those with their own boats to go boating or fishing.

Like I said, the park is open year-round. However, hike at your own risk!

The Falls Trail System is the most difficult trail in the park and can lead to serious injury if you’re not careful. Another thing to note is no cell phone service in the park. If you get injured, calling 911 should still work, however it will take responders quite a bit of time to reach your location since there is a lack of access roads for vehicles and ATVs.

— Dallas Kriebel, senior mass communications major #AGreatPlaceToBeYou

5 things you need to do on campus in October

Fall is slowly fading away from us. The clocks will be turning back soon and then it will move into the dark winter months. But since we have a couple more days left of October, you should make sure you accomplish these 5 things that BU has to offer.

Number 1, take a picture of the quad with all its fall colors. 

We all know that those quad pics are hard to come by and when you finally get the right light and color for the picture you are bound to get a bunch of likes on it. So before the leaves start falling and the color in the sky becomes dreary make sure you get your quad pic.

Number 2, We all know pumpkin anything is where its at. 

So make sure you splurge on your flex with all the pumpkin that Starbucks has to offer, because we all get a little cranky when we find out there is no more pumpkin spice lattes or pumpkin scones left. So get your pumpkin on!

Number 3, Life as we know it is going to fade away soon so make sure you get your fair share of catches on the quad in before time runs out. 

Throw a frisbee, toss a football, for all I care play catch with an apple, but make sure you have some fun on the quad before it is all buried in snow.

Number 4, If you have not sat on upper campus to watch the sun go down, you have not lived. 

It is the most amazing sight that you can ever witness. Our campus overlooks such beautiful landscape, that when the sky turns that pink, orange, and purple it is a breath taking sight, not to mention an awesome picture.

Lastly number 5, you can’t skip out of the tradition of carving a pumpkin! 

So drive to a local pumpkin patch or even buy one at Weis, Giant, or Walmart. Just get a pumpkin, carve it put it outside your dorm door, apartment door, or outside on your porch. I know I like to drive up to upper campus and see all the pumpkins sitting outside people doors. Its what brings fall together.

Fall in Bloomsburg is a special time, it has the most events, most class work, and most beautiful sights. So make sure you take advantage of what Bloom has to offer in the fall, because we will be missing it soon.

— Samantha Gross, mass communications major #HuskyLife