By Joslyn DelSignore / The Jambar
Times are constantly changing, but news gives people the opportunity to look back and see how things once were. The Jambar has been the journalistic voice of Youngstown State University students since 1931, documenting the history of the campus for 95 years.
The Jambar published its 30th edition of volume 61 on Feb. 5, 1980.
The front page featured news of a fire in the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house on campus. The Jambar reported that the fire resulted from overheated grease on a hot plate, and units from the Youngstown Fire Department responded to an alarm around 7 p.m. at the residence.
The fire started on the second floor and 12 units from the fire department spent four hours extinguishing the fire. All 10 occupants in the house escaped without injury.
Former Jambar Entertainment Editor Tim Fitzpatrick wrote a story discussing students reflecting on draft stances. In 1980, there was a possibility of military conflicts with Russia, which posed the idea that a draft in the U.S. could occur.
The Jambar interviewed Dr. Thomas Shipka, former professor of philosophy and religious studies. Shipka encouraged students to use the period of time to think about their stances on serving in the military while they still had time to do so.
Shipka, a 2001 YSU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, now retired, is professor emeritus and has been honored with the Dr. Thomas and Albert J. Shipka Speakers Series, which brings scholars to campus to speak on various topics.
A story written by former Jambar Copy Editor LuWayne Tompkins closely reflects the experiences of snowstorms this year. Following the effects of a bad snow storm, the story discussed how parking decks were first priority in snow removal. It was reported that a new four-wheel drive vehicle was purchased to help clear the decks, but it had not been used yet that year.
In sports, the YSU men’s basketball team lost their nine-game winning streak to Western Illinois University. The Jambar reported that the lead changed 10 times in the second half, but the Penguins lost in overtime with a final score of 77-73.
The YSU gymnastics team was also featured in the sports section, raising their record to 3-2. They defeated Pennsylvania Western University-Edinboro 108.5 to 59.20. The team, formerly coached by Pam Catheline, turned in their best performance of the season and placed in the top three for four events.
The stories in the 30th edition of The Jambar provided a record of campus life 46 years ago, and now gives readers an opportunity to see how much YSU has changed since that time.
Editor’s note: The Feb. 5, 1980 edition of The Jambar was accessed through William F. Maag, Jr. Library Jambar Newspaper Archives.