The Spark

Author Ralph Young writes that “the history of America is a history of dissent.”

From the protest of the British Parliament’s taxation policies that led to the American Revolution to the fight for women’s right-to-vote to the Civil Rights Movement, anti-war demonstrations and protests and the Black Lives Matter uprisings, dissent has fueled change in the U.S.

Young’s newly published book is called American Patriots -- A Short History of Dissent. Ralph Young joins us today on The Spark.  Ralph Young is a Professor of Instruction of History at Temple University and author or editor of several other books focusing on history.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between 1980 and 2020, the average price of tuition, fees and room and board for an undergraduate degree at colleges and universities in the U.S. increased 169%, according to a recent report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce. Since the COVID pandemic, college costs have actually held steady, but the average 2020 price tag of $28,775 has kept some would-be-students from getting a degree – even though most students or their families don’t pay the full amount since they get financial aid.

The institutions are well aware that the cost to attend is high.

Millersville University in Lancaster County is trying something new that will reduce costs for students in several ways, by adopting a "flat tuition price" rather than charging students on a per credit model.

On The Spark Tuesday, Millersville University President Dr. Daniel Wubah explained,"The model that we've adopted that's actually on its own has a fee, a flat rate that in the past it basically says universities should be asking students to pay on a semester basis between 12 and 18 credits. So a student in the PASSHE (Pennsylvania System of Higher Education) system currently would typically pay $7,716 per year taken between 12 to 18 credits each semester, meaning they can take up to 26, 30 to 36 credits per year. That is what PASSHE and the Board of Governors have approved under the per credit tuition model. What the universities  then did was and they actually started requiring students to pay based on the number of credits. So if a student, for example was taking 15 credits, it means they will pay an additional three credits beyond the $7,716 that the floor that PASSHE has allowed us to do. So students in most cases had to pay extra for credits beyond 12 credits each semester. And that is how additional revenues were generated. Now, (the) move is back to the 7,716 for students to take between 12 and 18 credits. So for something that is today for credits that student paid this academic year, next year, they can take up to six extra credits without paying any additional funds."

Wubah said the university has been reducing expenditures by reducing staff-to-student ratio and examining any staff opening that comes up.

Dr. Wubah said the university hopes to know within two years whether the changes adopted have been a success in maintaining revenue and increasing students enrollment.

.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from this last week of shows! 

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hugo de la Lune emerges as a captivating musical collaboration, featuring the dynamic duo of Nate Burns and Ephraim Getahun. Their distinctive sound, born from Nate's jazz and blues-infused rhythmic guitar combined with Ephraim's haunting afro-soul vocals, creates a musical experience that is truly one-of-a-kind. Together, they have crafted a sonic landscape that resonates with authenticity and creativity.

Beyond their musical endeavors, Ephraim Getahun wears multiple hats. During the day, he dedicates himself to the healthcare profession as a nurse, with a focus on aging populations. His commitment extends further as he takes on the role of a director at a nonprofit organization in San Francisco. This nonprofit is dedicated to serving LGBTQ-plus older adults, providing essential support in the realms of housing, healthcare, and resources.

Ephraim's dual role as a healthcare professional and a director underscores the diverse talents and passions that individuals bring to their pursuits. The fusion of his musical artistry with a career centered around supporting marginalized communities showcases the depth of his dedication to both artistic expression and social impact. As Hugo de la Lune continues to carve its musical path, Ephraim's multifaceted contributions serve as a testament to the richness that arises when talent, compassion, and creativity intersect.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a prominent organization dedicated to public service, celebrates its founding on January 13, 1913, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Established by 22 college-educated women, the sorority has since grown to encompass over 350,000 members and boasts an extensive network with over 1,000 chapters worldwide.

The influence of Delta Sigma Theta extends far beyond U.S. borders, with chapters spanning diverse locations, including the Bahamas, Qatar, Bermuda, Canada, England, Germany, Jamaica, Japan, West and South Africa, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This widespread presence highlights the organization's commitment to fostering sisterhood and promoting its mission globally.

Among its esteemed members are renowned figures such as Cicely Tyson, Natalie Cole, and Roberta Flack, adding a touch of celebrity influence to the sorority's legacy. These individuals, along with countless others, have contributed to Delta Sigma Theta's reputation for excellence and dedication to social service.

In a special event, the President of the York Alumni chapter, Teresea Drakeford, the President of the York Alumni Chapter presence in Harrisburg underscores the ongoing commitment of Delta Sigma Theta to its principles and the enduring impact it continues to make in communities worldwide. As the sorority marks another year of existence, it stands as a testament to the power of unity, education, and public service in shaping a better future.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Americans want to learn more about their family histories. Genealogy research has become one of the most popular hobbies across the country.

Websites like Ancestry.com have become the "go to" resource for tracing family trees.

In 2008, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission contracted with Ancestry to digitize the state’s historic records. It’s free to access for Pennsylvanians, but not for out-of-staters. It’s become an issue for some and has actually gone to court.

Spotlight PA investigative reporter Angela Couloumbus reported on this story and joined us on The Spark Thursday, where she provided background on the controversy,"In 2008, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission signed a contract with Ancestry.com to digitize certain of its physical documents. So you had things like birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, veteran burial cards, slave records. I mean, there was a whole host of documents that it wanted to digitize and have in that form, because that is how people are researching. They're going online and that's instead of coming physically to the state archives building. So the contract was signed, and over the years there were addendums to it, adding more and more documents into the digital form. Then fast forward to last September and well, actually, now in September of 2022, there was a right to know request by a professional genealogist based in New York City asking for copies of those digital records. And thus the fight begins."

Couloumbus was asked if Ancestry.com claimed ownership of the records,"Yes. That is the fundamental question. Go back to the Right-to-Know request in September of 2022 by the professional genealogist. PHMC denied the request on various grounds, but fundamentally it says it does not have those records. And the genealogist appealed. It went to the Office of Open Records, the Office of Open Records sided in the genealogist favor. There's a lot of legal arguments, but fundamentally it said that Ancestry should be able to provide these documents. There are many. It's a huge amount of data."

The genealogist countered that the records belong to the state.

Couloumbus described where the case is now,"It was appealed to Commonwealth Court. Commonwealth Court took a look at it. And in the interim, Ancestry got involved and said, hey, we weren't really aware of this appeal at the Office of Open Records. And as a result, we didn't really have an opportunity to weigh in. And so we're weighing in now with these arguments. And Commonwealth Court saw that and kicked it back down to the Office of Open Records and said, okay, take another look at this case. Take Ancestry.com or legal arguments into consideration and come up with a new decision. And that's where we're at now. The Office of Open Records has a deadline sometime this month to rule on the case, but pretty much everybody involved in this case has said, whatever they decide, there's going to be an appeal back up to Commonwealth court, and they're prepared to take it all the way up to the state Supreme Court."

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States has had an all-volunteer military since American combat operations ended in Vietnam in 1973. Today, only 6% of Americans serve or have served in the military.

The Army, Navy and Air Force are not meeting their recruitment goals by tens of thousands. In fact, the U.S. Department of Defense reports recruiting is the worst it’s been in 50 years.

In addition, the Pennsylvania National Guard missed its recruiting goal in 2023 by 25% and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard was off by 45%.

Why aren’t more American men and women joining up? What can be done to recruit more people into the military? Does it put the nation’s security at risk?

Mission Readiness is an organization of retired generals and admirals that are concerned about the high percentage of young people that are ineligible for military service.

Thursday on The Spark, Steve Doster, Pennsylvania State Director of Mission Readiness, talked about one of the reasons it is so hard to recruit,"We're looking at that 17 to 24 age cohort. That is the recruit age population. And the latest data shows that 77% are not eligible for military service. And there's three underlying conditions there. It's obesity or other health related issue. It's a criminal record which often manifests itself in a drug offense, or they don't score highly enough on the military entrance exam to warrant placement in one of the branches of service."

The military branches are competing with other employers at a time when the unemployment rate is low and employers are finding it difficult to hire enough employees.

Doster addessed the labor situation,"When you look at the military, the military does not make millionaires. We do not pay our men and women in uniform enough. So when they're looking at a workforce, they're they're gauging salary, they're gauging family life, they're gauging, safety and personal security. And I think all of those things factor in. We heard from lawmakers when we released our report in the Capitol a few weeks ago that not only do we have to address the underlying readiness concerns of youth, but we also have to do a better job of promoting military service as a patriotic duty."

Doster indicated improved schools would help recruitment,"Without the investment in education, the other thing suffers. The military recruitment suffers. And what we have is a motivated group of generals and admirals that see that connection. These generals and admirals, they could sit on corporate boards and make a lot more money than they do volunteering with me. But they see if we don't invest in the human capital on the front end, we are going to have serious challenges and national security concerns on the back end."

Is national security at risk because fewer people are serving,"We still have the best military force in the world. I think we have some challenges to overcome. But my members don't come at it that this is a risk that we need to stay up at night. But it's something that we have to solve. And the role of a general or an admiral is to look to the future. And that's what my members do."

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renowned digital marketing professional Gibran Jones, boasting over two decades of expertise, is making waves in the industry. Jones is not only a seasoned marketer but also a versatile figure, donning roles as a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and marketing consultant. His multifaceted career is anchored by a robust foundation, including an IT degree that adds a unique perspective to his strategic approach.

One of Jones' noteworthy achievements is his certification by Meta (formerly Facebook) as a lead trainer, digital marketing associate, and a media planning professional. This recognition showcases his mastery of social media platforms and underscores his ability to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.

In his role as a lead trainer, Jones imparts valuable insights gained from years of experience, shaping the next generation of digital marketers. His corporate training sessions are not only informative but also transformative, leaving a lasting impact on participants. As a consultant, Jones leverages his diverse skill set to tailor marketing strategies that align with the unique needs of each client.

Jones' story is a testament to the integration of technical acumen and creative prowess in the realm of digital marketing. His certifications, coupled with his extensive experience, position him as a trailblazer, contributing significantly to the evolution of the industry. Gibran Jones continues to be a sought-after figure, inspiring professionals and businesses alike with his wealth of knowledge and dynamic approach to marketing.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Gettysburg National Military Park is full of monuments. Gettysburg itself is home to numerous museums that interpret and display artifacts from the seminal 1863 Civil War battle.

So, when the new Beyond the Battle Museum opened last April, some asked does Gettysburg need another museum? How will this one be different?  The Beyond the Battle Museum was unique in Gettysburg and has had great success in the short time it’s been open.

Now the museum has been recognized nationally with USA Today’s 10 Best Readers travel award for “Best New Museum” in the United States.

With us on The Spark Wednesday, Andrew Dalton, Executive Director of the Adams County Historical Society talked about what makes the museum different,"The story of the battle, of course, is told in museums in Gettysburg, the story of the soldiers and the generals and the troop movements and the strategy behind everything. What's sort of missing is the story of how this community lived through all of it, and not just the battle, but Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and if you fast forward, Dwight Eisenhower lived here, had a farm here. There's a wonderful National Historic site dedicated to that, but still, kind of the single story of this place had never been told from the beginning of time to now. And so our museum takes visitors through Native American history, early colonial history of the area, going into the Civil War, of course, talking about the Battle of Gettysburg from the perspective of the civilians. Then moving into the modern era, the 20th century, and how the community changed and became Gettysburg, became a tourist Mecca for visitors all around the world."

Dalton said part of the reason the museum was created was the Adams County Historical Society had accumulated so many historic documents and artifacts,"We have amassed a collection of rare documents, artifacts, photographs that numbers in the millions. And most of this collection was actually stored in crates at a warehouse offsite. We had no access to it, really, in some cases, no idea what we had, but it was an absolute treasure trove of Gettysburg related material. So, it was only right for us as an organization to seek out a new home for this collection."

Dalton indicated history is being discovered all the time, including a find just last week,"It's a book, and it's just an agricultural history of Pennsylvania from printed in, like, the early 1860s. And it was something that we were debating. Do we even need to keep books like this? And so we're going through and kind of weeding out our library and deciding what materials we keep. And I open up the book to the very back, and there's a handwritten inscription in pencil written by a wounded Union soldier who's lying in this house -- just about I can pretty much see where this farm was out the window of our building on the first day of the battle. This guy's wounded. He crawls to this house, and he pulls this book off the shelf, and he writes a note to the owner of the house telling his story, and then just shoves the book back on the shelf. And I guess the family kept it and donated it to us, but it was just sitting amidst our library of hundreds, if not thousands of books here, with this handwritten note from the soldier written during the battle. I know that's not nationally significant, but it's the type of thing that really makes you excited when you open it for the first time."

Dalton said it was an honor to be nominated for the USA Today award but there was some stiff competition too,"I know there was an art museum, a large art museum in Buffalo, New York that I think they came in second in the contest and the one that we always joked about -- there's a new punk rock museum in Las Vegas, and we were running neck and neck with them for most of the competition. And so I'll have to go see that when I'm out there. There's a very intense following for punk rock, too. So, I'm proud that the history buffs out there put us over the top."

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All Star Code is a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering young men of color with the skills, networks, and mindsets they need to succeed in technology and entrepreneurship. Founded in 2013 by Christina Lewis, All Star Code addresses the underrepresentation of Black and Latino men in the tech industry by providing a unique and immersive summer program.

The program's core curriculum includes coding education, industry exposure, and mentorship opportunities, equipping participants with the technical and soft skills essential for success in the rapidly evolving technology landscape. All Star Code believes in the transformative power of coding education and aims to create a more inclusive tech sector by fostering diverse talent.

Throughout the program, students engage in hands-on coding projects, workshops, and networking events with industry professionals. By connecting participants with successful mentors and exposing them to real-world tech experiences, All Star Code aims to bridge the diversity gap in the tech industry and empower the next generation of leaders. Through its innovative approach, All Star Code strives to break down barriers and create a more equitable and diverse future in technology.

Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.