https://www.lolaoffenback.comRSS Feed for Lola Offenback | Journalist | Editor | StorytellerenTue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/509918/images/c45f1bc4-437f-44fe-8235-798b98778d1b.jpgColonial brewmakers outside of the 1748 Second Single Brethren's House in Bethlehem, PA. The building is part of the Moravian transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site.Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/509918/images/c45f1bc4-437f-44fe-8235-798b98778d1b.jpghttps://media.journoportfolio.com/users/509918/images/ac86ca91-5f47-4cb6-9ba6-77841bd08e02.jpegThe SteelStacks complex in Bethlehem, PA.Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/509918/images/ac86ca91-5f47-4cb6-9ba6-77841bd08e02.jpeghttps://media.journoportfolio.com/users/509918/images/5fd31adc-1259-4c0b-a647-c9ba11e08cf3.jpgCrowds gathered at the 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour in Bethlehem, PA.Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://media.journoportfolio.com/users/509918/images/5fd31adc-1259-4c0b-a647-c9ba11e08cf3.jpghttps://comenian.org/14881/community/senior-reflection-lola-offenback/Walking onto Moravian’s campus for my first tour as a senior in high school, I had a feeling that this was the place I was meant to be for the next four years. I never knew the person I would become by the end. I was so excited to start college, joining every club I could in an attempt to make friends and find my passions. The Comenian was the first place on campus that felt like home on campus. I found a community of encouraging writers and a sense of purpose in the work I was producing. This c...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/14881/community/senior-reflection-lola-offenback/https://comenian.org/13943/news/moravian-university-announces-layoffs-amid-4-9-million-budget-deficit/Moravian University has implemented a series of layoffs and budget reductions to address a multi-million dollar deficit. University President Bryon Grigsby announced the decision to faculty and staff in an email on Oct. 17.  According to Grigsby, the university’s projected operating deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year had reached $4.9 million, a shortfall driven mostly by overspending in the previous budget cycle and rising operational costs. The reductions, which he described as “painful but ne...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13943/news/moravian-university-announces-layoffs-amid-4-9-million-budget-deficit/https://comenian.org/13945/news/the-riley-centers-annual-report-shows-above-average-student-engagement/The Laurie Riley ‘82 Center for Career Success recently published its 2024-25 annual report, highlighting the changes and reach that the center has had on campus.  Most prominently, the Center was renamed and has fully transitioned to the Career Success Team cohort model, restructuring its support for students during their Moravian experience. Upperclassmen will recall the Center for Career and Civic Engagement’s previous career strategist model, where students had a single strategist with whom...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13945/news/the-riley-centers-annual-report-shows-above-average-student-engagement/https://comenian.org/14572/news/moravian-removes-liberal-arts-from-its-mission-statement-amid-institutional-shifts/Moravian University announced its revised mission statement on Dec. 3, removing the term “liberal arts.” Administrators say it aligns with the changing identity, but has also sparked a conversation about the future of the humanities on campus.  The updated statement now reads: “Moravian University’s education prepares each individual for reflective lives, fulfilling careers, and transformative leadership in a world of change.” Previously, the statement defined the institution as offering a “libe...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/14572/news/moravian-removes-liberal-arts-from-its-mission-statement-amid-institutional-shifts/https://comenian.org/13744/news/pa-uprising-tourism-a-benefit-for-moravian-world-heritage-site/Pennsylvania’s tourism industry generated nearly $83.9 billion in economic impact in 2024, welcomed 201.6 million visitors, and supported more than 514,000 jobs, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. As the Commonwealth experiences record-breaking growth, the City of Bethlehem, newly inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is positioned to benefit from heritage tourism.  Moravian University is at the forefront of this history, with the campus being in...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13744/news/pa-uprising-tourism-a-benefit-for-moravian-world-heritage-site/https://comenian.org/13731/news/boodlebox-pilot-offering-a-secure-ai-space-for-students/Moravian University is piloting a new artificial intelligence program called BoodleBox in President Bryon Grigsby’s English course, Black Death & Other Pandemics (ENGL 395), as part of an effort to provide students with equitable, structured access to AI tools while studying the cultural and historical effects of pandemics.  The platform, designed specifically for educational use, enables faculty members to monitor how students are engaging with generative AI in their coursework and helps ensure...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13731/news/boodlebox-pilot-offering-a-secure-ai-space-for-students/https://comenian.org/13810/community/sorcery-scriptss-fantastic-fantasy-offerings-arrive-on-main-street/For students looking to wander off the beaten textbook path, Sorcery & Scripts, the newest addition to the Historic Downtown Bethlehem shopping scene, is a great treasure, especially for those like me who love to read “romantasy” books. The downtown setting offers strong foot-traffic potential; college students, tourists, and residents all wander the Broad and Main Street area. Its proximity to Moravian makes it the perfect stop, whether you’re grabbing your next great read or winding down after...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13810/community/sorcery-scriptss-fantastic-fantasy-offerings-arrive-on-main-street/https://comenian.org/13596/community/paradise-for-your-tastebuds-paradise-kafe-opens-near-campus/Paradise Kafe truly is a little slice of paradise in Bethlehem, and for my taste buds. Tucked away on New St., the shop offers a cozy atmosphere with the kindest owners and is a great place to study.  The business soft-launched on Sept. 16 and held its grand opening on Oct. 1.  My first time there, I couldn’t decide between the French hazelnut latte and the strawberry matcha. One of the owners helped me select the matcha, but then realized they had run out of their supply. He kindly asked if I w...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13596/community/paradise-for-your-tastebuds-paradise-kafe-opens-near-campus/https://comenian.org/13678/showcase/editors-letter-senior-fever/Welcome back to another edition of The Comenian! Now that the fall leaves are finally settling in and the brand new HUB is open, the campus is starting to feel more alive again! Students are settling into their class routines and finding a steady routine.  Now in my senior year, I find it so interesting watching the younger students find their own paths on campus, and I have also been enjoying trying new things during my final year! And, I’ve finally been able to people-watch in the HUB once aga...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13678/showcase/editors-letter-senior-fever/https://comenian.org/13408/community/president-rokkes-lasting-legacy-at-moravian/An unlikely candidate for Moravian College president, Dr. Ervin J. Rokke left a lasting impression on the campus students, faculty, staff, and programs that persists to this day. A retired four-star general in the U.S. Air Force and dean of faculty at the Air Force Academy, he defied expectations by becoming Moravian’s 15th president, filling the position from 1997 to 2006.  He was a somewhat controversial choice for a college founded by pacifist Moravians, but he embodies the qualities of Mora...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13408/community/president-rokkes-lasting-legacy-at-moravian/https://comenian.org/13120/arts-entertainment/i-barely-know-her-is-too-relatable/Sombr has easily become my favorite artist, topping my Spotify monthly streaming minutes and taking a place in my heart over the past couple of years. His new album, “I Barely Know Her,” released in August, is no exception.  I previously wrote about seeing sombr live at the Filmore in Philadelphia in the summer of 2024, and not to exaggerate, but that experience completely changed my life. I started listening to sombr when he had 3,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and he blew up overnight; now,...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13120/arts-entertainment/i-barely-know-her-is-too-relatable/https://comenian.org/13150/community/mu-and-bethlehem-celebrate-unesco-designation/Bethlehem continued to celebrate its new UNESCO World Heritage designation with a free community block party on Sept. 6 along Main and Church Streets.  The event began with an opening ceremony where officials, including Mayor William Reynolds, all gave thanks to the members involved in the years-long process of applying for and getting the designation officially inscribed.  After speeches, members of the Freedom High School marching band led spectators out front of Central Moravian Church, where...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13150/community/mu-and-bethlehem-celebrate-unesco-designation/https://comenian.org/13172/community/my-climate-manifesto-overwhelmingly-inconvenient/Environmentalism is hard. It’s tiring having to be responsible for saving the planet every single day. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Use reusable period products. Use beeswax wraps instead of plastic Ziplock bags. Consume less. Cook at home. The list goes on and on.  Why am I expected to implement all of these thought-consuming behaviors into my life when about 50% of all single-use plastic is produced by 20 companies? One hundred companies are responsible for 71% of all global emissions.  How is that...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13172/community/my-climate-manifesto-overwhelmingly-inconvenient/https://comenian.org/13009/news/bernie-sanders-rails-against-trumpism-and-the-oligarchy-at-bethlehem-rally/In front of a crowd of approximately 5,000 Lehigh Valley residents, including Moravian students, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders brought his Fighting Oligarchy tour to Stabler Arena, in Bethlehem, PA, delivering a call-to-action against corporate greed, political corruption, and oligarchy. The crowd cheered and stomped their feet as Sanders spoke about economic justice, healthcare, and workers’ rights, and rallied to fight against “Trumpism” and oligarchy.  Sanders was joined by Susan Wild, forme...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13009/news/bernie-sanders-rails-against-trumpism-and-the-oligarchy-at-bethlehem-rally/https://comenian.org/13029/news/kelce-brothers-garage-beer-grabs-gen-z-interest/Just a week before the start of classes, hundreds of Jason and Travis Kelce’s fans packed into The Colonial Theater in Phoenixville, PA, with eyes glued to the stage. This was no preseason Eagles game, but rather the newest short film of the light beer company, Garage Beer: “Brewmite II,” starring Jason Kelce. Jason Kelce, former NFL Eagles center, and Travis Kelce, current tight end for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and now fiancé of Taylor Swift, took ownership of Garage Beer in July 2024....Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/13029/news/kelce-brothers-garage-beer-grabs-gen-z-interest/https://comenian.org/12794/news/bapl-event-examines-the-china-we-dont-know/On Friday, April 4, the Bethlehem Area Public Library hosted “Beyond the Great Wall: The China You Don’t Know,” an event focused on taking a humanitarian lens to challenge stereotypes and rethink assumptions about China.  The discussion was moderated by Huijing Wen, associate professor of education at Moravian. Joining her were guest speakers Heng Du, an assistant professor of Chinese at Wellesley College, and Daigengna Duoer, assistant professor of religion at Boston University. Three Moravian...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12794/news/bapl-event-examines-the-china-we-dont-know/https://comenian.org/12833/news/conservative-students-feel-silenced-on-campus/At Moravian University, some right-leaning students and staff say they feel the need to censor themselves in the classroom, fearing social backlash and academic repercussions for voicing their opinions.  Many students felt uncomfortable expressing views on a campus that many see as overwhelmingly left-leaning.  Louis Spann ‘26, a student trustee, said he’s grown cautious about voicing opinions, especially when it comes to topics such as DEI. “[I feel] a considerable amount [of discomfort], even...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12833/news/conservative-students-feel-silenced-on-campus/https://comenian.org/12791/news/mayor-reynolds-on-the-influence-of-his-mu-education/Bethlehem Mayor J. William Reynolds ‘03 graduated from then-Moravian College more than 20 years ago, and he is the first to acknowledge that his education has continued to inform his work as mayor.  Reynolds was the youngest Bethlehem City Council member, and is now nearing the end of his first mayoral term. He announced his campaign for reelection on Feb. 20.  “I always say Moravian helped me understand what it’s like to see issues through other people’s eyes,” Reynolds said. “Sometimes the spo...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12791/news/mayor-reynolds-on-the-influence-of-his-mu-education/https://comenian.org/12725/news/hard-hat-hub-tour/On Friday, March 28, The Comenian staff was led on a tour of the HUB under construction by Amber Donoto, associate director of planning and project management, and Liam Dooley, assistant superintendent of Warfel Construction.  The first, third, and fourth floors will all have lounge spaces. The second and third floors will have multiple terraces.  Ground Floor The first/ground floor will be the health suite with therapy offices and the health center. There is a side entrance for students hoping...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12725/news/hard-hat-hub-tour/https://comenian.org/12836/news/dr-kin-cheung-breaks-down-the-publishing-process/This year, Dr. Kin Cheung, associate professor of East and South Asian religions and chair of the Departments of Global Religions and Philosophy at Moravian University,  edited two recently published works: Buddhism and Healing in the Modern World and Teaching Asia During a Resurgence in Anti-Asian Racism.  Cheung co-edited Buddhism and Healing in the Modern World with C. Pierce Salguero, a transdisciplinary scholar of health humanities, and Susannah Deane, a “Research & Development Bid Writer o...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12836/news/dr-kin-cheung-breaks-down-the-publishing-process/https://comenian.org/12631/community/the-women-of-moravian/In honor of Women’s History Month, it’s important to remember the amazing women who make Moravian what it is today. From 1742 to 2025, let’s acknowledge these fantastic pioneers of education.  Henrietta Benigna Justine Zinzendorf von Watteville (1725 – 1789), better known by students as Benigna Zinzendorf, immigrated to America in 1741 from Germany with her family. At 16, Benigna founded Moravian College (now University) and Moravian Academy. Benigna had a dream of educating women.  In 1742, she...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12631/community/the-women-of-moravian/https://comenian.org/12600/news/women-at-center-of-founders-week/This year, Moravian will be hosting its second annual Founders Week, concluding with the Founder’s Forum event on March 29. Held during Women’s History Month, the week connects all generations of Moravian women and celebrates the institution’s female-founded roots.  Throughout the week, the Development & Alumni Engagement Office will be running a social media campaign to engage the entire Lehigh Valley community.  On Friday, March 28, First Lady Lea Grigsby will host a morning tea for Golden Gre...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12600/news/women-at-center-of-founders-week/https://comenian.org/12477/news/whats-the-hub-ub-of-campuss-construction-zone/With the foundation laid, the structure of the HUB has slowly been rising before the campuses’ eyes each day. Even when progress appears to be slow, it is evident that crews are hard at work as the sounds of construction echo across campus.  The building is set to fully open to students after Fall Break on Oct. 7, 2025. Before this, there are two milestones that the construction must reach, said Mark Reed, vice president of finance and administration.  The first milestone is called “Substantiall...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12477/news/whats-the-hub-ub-of-campuss-construction-zone/https://comenian.org/12505/news/mus-red-flag-campaign-raised-awareness-of-abusive-relationships/During the month of February, Moravian’s Counseling and Psychology Services (CAPS) department ran its first Red Flag Campaign, made to raise awareness of the “red flags” that warn of possible abusive behaviors in relationships.  Spearheaded by Rosemarie Williams, director of operations & outreach, the CAPS office held tabling events in PPHAC on Feb. 20 and 26 with Peers & Wellness (PAWS) students to facilitate discussions and distribute informational materials.  At the table, students wrote sign...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12505/news/mus-red-flag-campaign-raised-awareness-of-abusive-relationships/https://comenian.org/12289/news/moravians-campus-learns-to-implement-ai/As is true for every institution of higher education, the Moravian campus community finds itself grappling with artificial intelligence (AI): how to use it in a way that is both helpful and ethical. The university understands that faculty have differing views on AI use and suggests that professors can use outlines of four different options for language to include in their syllabi regarding AI policies.  These policy options are:  Option 1: (AI usage as a violation of the academic code of conduct...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12289/news/moravians-campus-learns-to-implement-ai/https://comenian.org/12519/arts-entertainment/the-gabby-petito-case-acts-as-reminder-to-young-girls/I remember being on the edge of my seat every time I turned on the news in 2021, waiting to hear if there were any updates on the Gabby Petito case.  As a young girl wanting to explore the world, fall in love, and experience all that life has to offer, I felt somehow personally invested in Gabby’s story. I felt myself in this case, thought back to my experiences as a young teen experiencing a toxic relationship that, if I had been older, most definitely would have escalated to a violent relation...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12519/arts-entertainment/the-gabby-petito-case-acts-as-reminder-to-young-girls/https://comenian.org/12305/news/journalist-v-spehar-visits-lehigh-university/On Feb. 6, new media journalist and podcaster V Spehar visited the Lehigh Valley and spoke at Lehigh University’s third and final Compelling Perspectives talk of the academic year. Spehar runs TikTok and Instagram accounts under the handle @underthedesknews.  This is the second iteration of the Compelling Perspectives program, which aims to provide a space for respectful dialogue on key societal issues. This year, the program’s theme is, “The Role of Media in Contemporary Society.”  The discussi...Tue, 16 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0100https://comenian.org/12305/news/journalist-v-spehar-visits-lehigh-university/