Meet the 2018-2019 Editors!

We are back and ready to get started working on the latest editions of the Cal Times for yet another new school year! Read below to learn more about who is responsible for each section of our paper.

If you are interested in writing for the Cal Times feel free to reach out to any of the people below or attend our weekly meetings. Our meetings are on Mondays at noon in Natali 180, located right behind Chick-fil-A. We hope you enjoy getting to know a little bit about our editorial staff.

Danny Beeck

Editor in Chief

Danny Beeck is currently a senior at California University of Pennsylvania, studying Communication with a concentration in Radio/TV. Along with being the Editor in Chief for the Cal Times, he is an announcer/anchor for CUTV, as well as a certified DJ with WCAL. He has aspirations of one day working as a sports reporter for his favorite football team, the New York Giants.

What is one highlight from your summer?

I worked a lot for my Dad this summer, but right before coming back to school, my family took a vacation to the Pocono Mountains. We fished, kayaked, sat around a campfire and relaxed. Not having anything to do was my favorite part about it.

You have to sing karaoke, what song would you sing?

Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

What is your most used/favorite social media platform?

I use Twitter and Instagram about the same amount, so this one is a toss up for me!

What is your favorite tradition/holiday?

The combination of celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas is my favorite tradition. We always eat Chinese food on Christmas Eve, and that tradition will certainly stick with me forever.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An anchor on an ESPN show.

James Rudolph

News Editor

Hello all! My name is James Rudolph and I am your Opinions Editor for this semester. I am an English major, with a concentration in journalism, entering my junior year. I was originally studying Neruopsychology at Temple University, before moving to Tampa Bay, Florida. There, I helped opened and tennis shop with my father, before moving back to Pennsylvania the following year. I began my career at Cal U in 2015.

What is one highlight from your summer?

I went on a road trip with a friend to Memphis for a week.

You have to sing karaoke, what song would you sing?

Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen

What is your most used/favorite social media platform?

Facebook

What is your favorite tradition/holiday?

Halloween

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Marine Biologist

Jessica Crosson

Entertainment Editor

This is Jessica’s third, and final, year serving as Entertainment Editor for the Cal Times and she is very excited and sad to begin her final semester at Cal U. She is a senior Communication Studies major with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Acting from Annville, Pa. Outside of the Cal Times, she serves as the President for the Student Activities Board, as the Vice President for Women in Sports and Events (WISE), on the SAI Board of Directors, a Welcome Weekend Leader and a Peer Mentor. A little fun fact about her is that she has experience broadcasting on ESPN+ from her time working with Penn FC, a professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pa.

What is one highlight from your summer?

I’m torn between a couple of awesome trips this summer! I was able to spend a week in Miami with my family which was dope, visited my BFF in Cleveland, and I also won a VIP experience trip to the Borussia Dortmund vs. Benfica soccer match in Pittsburgh where I got to sit in a VIP suite with a bunch of guys from their marketing agency so I was in heaven!

You have to sing karaoke, what song would you sing?

Same Girl by R. Kelly & Usher

What is your most used/favorite social media platform?

Instagram and Twitter are my top two for sure!!

What is your favorite tradition/holiday?

Christmas, hands down, because everyone is so much happier during the season and you can watch great movies and give gifts and it is really just a perfect holiday.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A race-car driver!

Colin Kirkwood

Sports Editor

Colin Kirkwood or “Tree” as his friends call him, is a senior at California University of Pennsylvania majoring in Communications. This is Colin’s first year on the Cal Times editorial staff after writing numerous pieces for the paper throughout the past year. In his major he has two concentrations in Public Relations and Radio/TV, and also a minor in Event Planning & Management. In addition to serving as the sports editor for the Cal Times, Colin is an announcer for CUTV, DJ/Announcer for WCAL, and a Peer Mentor. He hopes to find a job in the world of professional hockey after completing a Master’s program in Marketing.

What is one highlight from your summer?

My biggest highlight of the summer was completing an internship with Penn FC who are in the United Soccer League, in Harrisburg, PA.

You have to sing karaoke, what song would you sing?

The song that I would choose would be We Found Love by Rihanna! (It’s a jam!!)

What is your most used/favorite social media platform?

Without a doubt, I would choose Twitter. I’m constantly checking different pages and retweeting different sports clips.

What is your favorite tradition/holiday?

Christmas is my favorite holiday, as I am an avid Christmas music listener.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I actually wanted to work in zoology when I was little, since I was very curious with sorts of animal TV shows as a kid.

Angel Funk

Opinions Editor

Angel Hart Funk is a junior at the California University of Pennsylvania pursuing a degree in communication studies with a concentration in public relations while minoring in journalism and leadership studies. This year will be Funk’s first year on the CalTimes editorial staff and is excited to work with students to express their opinions. You can find Angel working on campus as a student ambassador, with her sorority Alpha Sigma Tau, or eating pizza.

What is one highlight from your summer?

Working with incoming students as one of their New Student Orientation Leaders! It’s been awesome seeing all of the new students on campus and being able to connect with them has been the best

You have to sing karaoke, what song would you sing?

Africa by Toto- the ultimate party song.

What is your most used/favorite social media platform?

I love Twitter, Instagram is a close second.

What is your favorite tradition/holiday?

Halloween!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a writer or President of the United States!

Taylor Barta

Graphic Designer

What’s going on? Taylor Barta here. I’m the Graphic Designer at the Cal Times. Creativity is one of my specialties and success and happiness is my goal. I’m a senior this year at Cal U and very active on campus. Along with working for the Cal Times, I’m a member of the Delta Chi fraternity, Vulcanize acapella, our college radio station, WCAL, Parks and Recreation Society and the Screen Printing club. I’m in the choir and I also have an extreme love for being active. Please, if you see me around campus just say hello. Meeting new people is always fun. I’m always a gentleman but a kid at heart. Bangarang!

What is one highlight from your summer?

I completed a graphic design internship with the Washington Wild Things baseball team. I designed all of the newspaper advertisements as well as their headshot profiles for the season.

You have to sing karaoke, what song would you sing?

Flaws by Bastille

What is your most used/favorite social media platform?

Snapchat. I like keeping in touch with my friends. Otherwise, facebook mostly for the memes and sport accounts.

What is your favorite tradition/holiday?

My favorite tradition is going to Cape May NJ during the summers with my family. Favorite holiday is Christmas because I honestly think people are nicer during Christmas time.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be and still want to be a professional surfer.

Jeff Helsel

Cal Times Adviser

Jeff Helsel is director of multimedia journalism for the Student Association, Inc. and serves as adviser to the Cal Times and CUTV Newscenter.   A graduate of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., Mr. Helsel received an M.S. in Multimedia Techology at California University of Pennsylvania and an M.A. in Journalism at Bond University, Australia on a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship.   Mr. Helsel is a resident of California, Pa. and is an active member of the local Rotary Club.  He loves the outdoors and can often be seen hiking with his golden retriever, George, on the many surrounding trails of the Laurel Highlands.

What is one highlight from your summer?

Hiked part of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia and Tennessee

You have to sing karaoke, what song would you sing?

Sweeeeeeeeet Caroline…

What is your most used/favorite social media platform?

Facebook

What is your favorite tradition/holiday?

Christmas

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A college media adviser