Category: Features

Outdoor Warning Sirens: Obsolete Technology or Valuable Safety Devices?

By Andrew Danielson

Tornado siren.

For those of us in the Midwest, outdoor warning sirens, commonly called “tornado sirens” are a sound that is almost familiar, frequently triggering during periods of severe weather.

But with the advent of modern technology, such as severe weather alerts sent to one’s cellphone or broadcast on television, a debate has erupted in the public sphere.

Are tornado sirens effective tools that can save lives, or are they relics of a bygone and technologically illiterate past?

Following the deadly floods in the US last year, particularly in Texas, that debate has only intensified.

Screenshot of warning sirens test results from May 6, 2026 (Allen County website)

History of a Siren

Don Sell (WB9TYJ) is a licensed amateur radio operator and a recently retired professional meteorologist that provided aviation weather reports to air traffic control at Fort Wayne International Airport. He outlined some of the background history to outdoor sirens.

According to Sell, warning sirens got their start in World War II.

At the time, the sirens were intended to warn residents of incoming air raids. With cellular technology not even invented and television just starting to enter the family home, these blaring trumpets of alarm were new technology for the era.

Following the Second World War, the sirens changed purpose from warning of incoming raid sirens to warning of impending nuclear attack. It was the Cold War, and fears of a nuclear conflagration erupting between the United States and the Soviet Union provided a perfect use for the sirens.

Sell said that tornado sirens first came to be used as severe weather alarms following the 1974 tornado outbreak.

That outbreak of severe, damaging weather was no joke.

On April 3-4 of 1974, the central and eastern portions of the United States, as well as parts of Canada, experienced one of the most severe tornado outbreaks in history according to an article on the webpage of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The federal agency stated that the outbreak of tornadoes was so deadly that over 6,000 people were injured, with 335 “direct fatalities” and financial losses extending into the billions.

The Limitations of a Tornado Siren

But how effective a tornado siren may be in America today is up for debate.

Jim Elliott (KE9IWX) is another meteorologist that worked with Sell at the Fort Wayne International Airport providing aviation weather reports. He shares Sell’s hobby of amateur radio and provided some of the pros and cons of outdoor warning systems.

Elliott said that the sirens are intended primarily to warn people who are outdoors, such as folks enjoying an outdoor sporting or music event or perhaps walking across the PFW campus between classes. For these folks, a tornado siren would be perfect since everyone is outdoors and should be capable of hearing the siren’s warning wail.

But what about people in their homes?

Elliott said that sirens have limitations when it comes to warning people who are indoors.

“Today’s homes are well insulated,” Elliott said. “Sometimes, if I’m in my house, I cannot hear those sirens.”

The Financial Cost of a Tornado Siren

There is another angle to the impact of outdoor warning sirens, and that’s the financial cost of maintaining or repairing the current outdoor tornado siren system.

Last year, Channel 21 published an article about the Allen County warning siren system, interviewing Bernie Beier.

Beier is the county emergency management and disaster preparedness director, and a military veteran with combat experience having served with the U.S. Marine Corps.

Beier estimated that Allen County would need anywhere from $700,000 to possibly $1.2 million to totally update the current warning system, according to Channel 21’s article.

Finances are a common theme in the on-going national discussion about outdoor warning sirens.

Officials in Texas, following the deadly July, 2025 flash flooding that killed over 100 people, have been mulling over the prospects of installing outdoor sirens as a last line of defense to warn communities of rising flood waters.

NBC published an article discussing the possible effectiveness of outdoor warning sirens that were used in one Texas community, Comfort, which was downstream from the harder hit areas of Texas.

Comfort had recently installed a two-siren warning system, according to the NBC report. Comfort experienced no fatalities during the flash flooding – a stark contrast to the experience of communities lying upstream in Kerr County which did not have outdoor warning sirens.

NBC did clarify in the article that outdoor warning sirens are meant for folks outdoors, not asleep in their homes. Many of the fatalities that occurred in Kerr County were people who were indoors.

 However, the lack of victims in Comfort versus those in Kerr County suggests that possibly, outdoor warning sirens may have been a contributing factory in saving peoples’ lives.

How Outdoor Warning Sirens Function

Yet another aspect of tornado sirens is the technology used versus modern cellular systems. Today’s smartphones have access to emergency alerts, and public TV and radio stations will also broadcast severe weather warnings.

“Everybody has a cell phone,” Elliott said.

That proliferation of technology should mean that the majority of a community’s population will receive automatic alerts sent directly to their personal device, negating the need for tornado sirens.

But what if cell coverage is spotty or knocked out?

“Those alerts may not get through,” according to NBC. “Particularly in rural areas with bad service or in the night when phones are off.”  

Even modern technology isn’t fool proof. There’s debate on whether or not cellular and internet service are truly reliable.

“You’re dealing with cell towers, you’re dealing with cellular networks, you’re dealing with the internet,” Sell said. “How reliable is that when a tornado comes ripping through here and tears everything up?”

Warning Siren Upkeep

Efforts are being made by volunteers and warning siren officials to keep track of how Allen County’s warning sirens are doing.

Jim Moehring (KB9WWM) has been a licensed amateur radio operator since 2000, upgrading to the top-level amateur radio license “Amateur Extra class,” in November of 2001.

Moehring said that he was intrigued by emergency communications particularly after the 9/11 terror attacks that struck the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon.

Since that time, Moehring has become heavily involved with emergency communications provided by ham radio operators, particularly through a program called ARES – the Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

According to the American Radio Relay League, ARES “…consists of licensed amateurs who have voluntarily registered their qualifications and equipment … for communications duty in the public service when disaster strikes.”

Moehring has served on a variety of local and state-level positions with ARES. He currently serves as the emergency coordinator of Allen County, as well as the district three coordinator, which includes 11 counties throughout northeast Indiana.

One of the services that the ARES team in Allen County provides is to help with the monthly tornado siren tests.

Moehring explained that the radio amateurs in the ARES team collaborate with officials in Allen County in charge of the sirens, to test the performance and ability of the outdoor warning system.

Held the first Wednesday of every month at noon (except for times of inclement weather when the public may confuse a test with an actual weather emergency), Moehring said that the monthly tests are a good way for radio amateurs to test their equipment and to give back to the community.

“It’s part of our community service to do that,” Moehring said.

He explained that he has 10-12 operators who fan out across the county and listen to their assigned siren. Once the sirens have finished their activation, operators use their portable amateur radio sets to communicate to Moehring in an organized, on-the-air gathering called a “net.”

Operators report on the status of their assigned siren, including listing how long the siren was activated, whether or not the siren rotated (not all sirens are designed to rotate), and whether the siren had good volume output.

Moehring said that the warning sirens in Allen County are turned on and off remotely by officials via a series of tones sent over radio waves. 

He explained that one of the benefits of ham radio operators participating in the test is that officials can easily get a status report of many sirens in a short period of time.

“It makes the job of making sure the sirens are working much easier,” he said, “Because it takes us about 10 minutes to get all the reports in.”

Moehring said that sirens who don’t have a volunteer listening for the siren require officials to either send out a staff person to that site or call someone living near the siren. That can take up a lot of valuable time, so the service the hams provide is welcomed by officials.

Moehring shared a similar viewpoint when it comes to the effective of sirens to warn people indoors.

“They’re not effective for anything indoors unless you happen to be right underneath one or very close to one,” he said.

Are Sirens the Answer?

It’s difficult to draw a conclusion as to the effectiveness of the sirens. The expense of the system makes it prohibitive for counties and small communities to invest in the necessary resources required to maintain and update these systems.

On the other hand, it appears that alternative means of warning are not as bulletproof as could be wished. A damaged cellular system or failure of internet service providers could potentially knock out two of the most modern means officials have of warning citizens of impending weather dangers.

Perhaps the best way of viewing warning sirens is that they are an older technology that serves a useful purpose – to act as a backup and final means to warn residents of impending danger.

If residents have access to any other forms of technology, they should have those devices ready to go and be monitoring for severe weather as it approaches their community.

“The best way is through your local media – the radio, the TV stations,” Elliott said. “Also, the NOAA weather radio is a great source [of severe weather information] as well.”

For Sell, the reliability of modern technology and alerts all depends on cellular and internet systems remaining active and functional.

Whatever communities decide to do in regard to warning sirens, there will hopefully always be volunteers like Moehring who will support their communities with their radio sets and their volunteer service.

For more information on NOAA weather radio, please visit the following web link. https://www.weather.gov/nwr/

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The Lifetime Cost of Renewables: Investing Now to Save Later

By Cincade Drudge

From rising fuel prices to worsening climate change, the global energy debate increasingly centers on one key question: Are renewable energy sources truly worth the cost? While wind turbines, solar farms, and battery storage systems often require large upfront investments, experts argue that the long-term economics of renewable energy tell a very different story.

Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power are frequently criticized for their installation costs. However, evaluating energy systems based only on initial construction expenses ignores the broader financial picture. The lifetime cost of energy, which includes installation, operation, maintenance, fuel, and eventual decommissioning, provides a far more accurate measure of economic value.

When viewed through this lens, renewable energy has become one of the most cost-effective forms of electricity generation in the world. Unlike fossil fuels, which rely on finite and often volatile fuel markets, renewable energy sources depend on naturally replenishing resources such as sunlight and wind. Because these resources are free, renewable systems avoid many of the long-term costs associated with coal, oil, and natural gas.

One of the most important tools used to compare energy costs is the levelized cost of energy, or LCOE. LCOE measures the total cost of building and operating an energy source over its lifetime, divided by the amount of electricity it produces. Over the past decade, renewable energy technologies have seen dramatic reductions in LCOE due to technological improvements, increased efficiency, and large-scale production. Solar and wind energy now provide some of the cheapest electricity in much of the world.

Wind energy demonstrates how high upfront costs can translate into long-term savings. Onshore wind farms typically cost between $1.3 and $2.2 million per megawatt to install, while offshore projects can cost significantly more due to difficult ocean construction and maintenance conditions. Despite these high startup costs, wind turbines have relatively low operating expenses once operational. Maintenance, insurance, land rental, and repairs generally average only one to two cents per kilowatt-hour produced.

Wind turbines are designed to operate for roughly 20 to 25 years, and many continue functioning even longer with upgrades and maintenance. Because turbines require no fuel, electricity generation costs remain relatively stable over time. Most wind farms recover their initial capital investments within the first decade or two and continue generating comparatively inexpensive usable electricity afterward. As turbine technology continues improving, efficiency gains and lower maintenance demands are expected to further strengthen wind energy’s long-term economic viability.

Solar energy has experienced an even more dramatic decline in costs. Since 2010, the price of solar power has fallen by more than 80 percent, largely due to cheaper photovoltaic panels and advances in manufacturing efficiency. Utility-scale solar farms now cost around $1 million per megawatt to construct, while residential systems average between $15,000 and $25,000 before incentives.

Once installed, solar systems are relatively inexpensive to maintain. Since sunlight is free, operating costs are minimal, averaging only around $10 to $15 per megawatt-hour. Most solar panels last between 25 and 35 years, gradually losing small amounts of efficiency each year rather than suddenly failing. Even after their estimated lifespan, many panels continue producing usable electricity at reduced output levels.

The falling LCOE of solar energy has made it one of the cheapest electricity sources available today. Federal tax credits (current status uncertain), state incentives, and net metering programs have further improved the financial outlook for residential and commercial solar adoption. For many homeowners and businesses, solar panels represent not only an environmental decision but also a long-term economic investment capable of producing decades of reduced energy costs.

Beyond direct financial savings, renewable energy also avoids many of the hidden costs associated with fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and natural gas production contribute heavily to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and public health problems.

These damages often impose economic burdens on governments and communities through healthcare expenses, environmental cleanup, and disaster recovery costs. Because these external costs are rarely reflected in the market price of fossil fuels, traditional energy sources can appear cheaper than they truly are. When these factors are included, renewable energy becomes even more economically advantageous.

Despite the promising economics of renewables, challenges and costs remain. Wind and solar generation are intermittent, meaning electricity production depends on weather conditions and time of day. To ensure reliable power delivery, renewable systems often require battery storage, backup generation, or modernized electrical grids capable of distributing energy more efficiently. These infrastructure improvements involve significant investment and remain a major barrier in many regions.

Geography and local policy can also complicate renewable energy expansion. Some areas lack the environmental conditions necessary for efficient renewable production, while others face political resistance or restrictive zoning laws. Policies such as solar setback regulations can limit where renewable projects may be built, slowing the transition toward cleaner energy systems.

Still, the broader trajectory of renewable energy suggests continued growth. Technological improvements in battery storage, grid efficiency, and manufacturing are steadily reducing costs while improving reliability. As economies of scale continue expanding, many analysts expect renewable energy to become even more financially competitive in the coming decades.

Individuals also play a role in shaping the future of renewable energy. Supporting community solar projects, advocating for clean energy policies, and investing in residential renewable systems when financially possible can help accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels. Public awareness and political engagement will likely play a major role in determining how quickly renewable infrastructure expands.

Ultimately, the debate over renewable energy is no longer simply about environmental responsibility. Increasingly, it is about long-term economic sustainability. While renewable systems often require significant upfront investment, their low operating costs, stable energy production, and reduced environmental impacts make them one of the strongest long-term energy investments available today. The question is no longer whether renewable energy is affordable over its lifetime, but whether societies are willing to invest in the future now rather than pay far greater costs later.

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When the Climate Changes the Cost of Living: How Rising Temperatures Are Driving Up Food Prices

By Cincade Drudge

Climate change is often discussed in terms of melting ice caps, rising sea levels, and extreme weather. But for many Americans, especially here in Indiana, one of the most immediate and tangible effects shows up in a much more familiar place: the grocery store. As global temperatures rise and weather patterns grow more unpredictable, the cost of producing food is increasing, and those costs are steadily being passed on to consumers.

At its core, climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, largely driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. While these shifts may seem gradual, their effects on agriculture are anything but subtle. Farming depends heavily on stable weather conditions, and even small disruptions in temperature or rainfall can significantly impact crop yields. As these disruptions become more frequent, the stability of the food supply is increasingly at risk.

One of the clearest ways climate change affects food prices is through extreme weather. Droughts, floods, and heatwaves can damage crops or wipe out entire harvests. A drought, for example, can severely reduce corn production, while excessive rainfall can delay planting or flood fields before crops have a chance to grow. When supply drops but demand remains steady, prices rise. This basic economic principle is now playing out more frequently due to climate-related disruptions.

Indiana Corn Corp Sourced From MyHomeIndiana.com

However, the issue extends beyond just crop loss. Farmers are also facing rising production costs as they attempt to adapt to changing conditions. More frequent droughts mean greater reliance on irrigation systems, while unpredictable weather increases the need for fertilizers, pest control, and crop insurance. Each of these adjustments adds to the overall cost of farming. These expenses do not stay on the farm; they move through the supply chain and ultimately show up in the prices consumers pay for food.

Transportation and distribution systems are also vulnerable. Flooded roads, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted supply chains can delay the movement of goods, increasing costs for producers and retailers alike. Because the modern food system is highly interconnected, disruptions in one region can ripple across the country. A drought in a major agricultural region, whether in the United States or abroad, can influence global prices, which in turn affect local grocery bills in Indiana.

In a state like Indiana, these challenges carry particular weight. Agriculture is a central part of the state’s economy, generating over $31 billion in annual sales. Crops such as corn and soybeans dominate production, but they are also especially sensitive to weather conditions. Warmer temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns have already made growing seasons less predictable. A hot, dry summer can significantly reduce yields, while excessive spring rain can delay planting and shorten the overall growing period.

Research suggests that these trends could worsen in the coming decades. Some studies indicate that corn yields could be cut in half under higher global temperature scenarios expected within this century. Even under more moderate warming levels, such as those targeted by international agreements, yields could still decline by nearly 20 percent. For Indiana farmers, this represents not just an environmental challenge, but an economic one with direct consequences for income stability and long-term planning.

Livestock producers are also feeling the effects. Higher temperatures place stress on animals, reducing productivity and increasing the need for cooling systems and additional feed. These changes drive up the cost of producing meat and dairy products, which again translates to higher prices for consumers.

While rising food prices affect everyone, they do not affect everyone equally. Low-income households are particularly vulnerable because they spend a larger share of their income on food. Even modest price increases can place significant strain on household budgets. Rural communities face a unique double impact, as many residents are both consumers and participants in the agricultural economy. Farmers themselves face increased financial risk, balancing the possibility of higher prices with the reality of more unpredictable and costly production conditions.

Despite these challenges, there are pathways forward. One important approach is the development of climate-resilient agriculture. This includes planting drought-resistant crops, improving soil health, and using more efficient irrigation systems. These strategies can help stabilize production even as environmental conditions change.

Strengthening local food systems is another potential solution. By relying more on locally produced food, communities can reduce their exposure to global supply chain disruptions. Policy also plays a crucial role. Government support for agricultural research, infrastructure improvements, and financial assistance for farmers adapting to climate change can help mitigate some of the economic pressures.

We, as consumers, too, have a role to play. Reducing food waste and supporting sustainable farming practices can contribute to a more resilient system. While individual actions alone will not solve the problem, they are part of a broader effort to create stability in the face of uncertainty.

Ultimately, however, the most effective way to address rising food prices linked to climate change is to confront climate change itself. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing the pace of global warming are essential to preventing further disruptions to the food system. Without broader action, the trends already being observed are likely to intensify.

For Hoosiers, climate change is no longer a distant or abstract issue. It is becoming an economic reality that affects everyday life. As grocery bills continue to rise, the connection between environmental change and personal cost is becoming harder to ignore. What was once seen primarily as an environmental concern is increasingly understood as a direct challenge to economic stability and food security, both in Indiana and beyond.

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Jacob Kaufman and ‘Heart of Iris’ Debut Concept Album at PFW

By Elijah Noggle, SCO Cultural Critic

Kaufman and his band will bring the album to life in a full live performance on Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in Neff Hall Room 101.

Recently, I sat down to speak with Jacob Kaufman, a performance and songwriting major at PFW and a talented, passionate musician with some unique influences. Kaufman and his band, Heart of Iris, have been hard at work on their ambitious debut album, which was recently released on streaming platforms. The band will perform the album live in its entirety Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m. in Neff Hall Room 101.

This self-titled concept album is a passion project for Kaufman. When asked about his musical influences, he said that while he does pull from aspects of art rock and progressive rock, the vast majority of his inspiration actually comes from films and novels – particularly horror. He cited the works of the great Stephen King and H.P Lovecraft, to be more specific. He’s a massive fan of cosmic horror, which heavily informs the album’s themes.

Cosmic horror, Kaufman explained, is “the fear of the unknown or the unknowable, or in other words, it’s the thinking man’s horror.” The music is a very diverse and unique blend of all of these influences. “It utilizes elements of art rock, but I wanted to go for an entirely unique sound in itself,”  Kaufman said.

Kaufman also discussed his philosophy on strong songwriting. He spoke about how what can really elevate a song’s quality is when the music matches up with the lyrics. He compared his approach to an acoustic performance, which I thought was really interesting.

“If you go to an acoustic show, you’re there to listen to the storytelling – the acoustic guitar is just there to help move the story forward but it’s just a chord progression,” Kaufman said. That was essentially how he approached this album creatively. “When I wrote this album, the goal was to make the music that you hear just as important as the lyrics that you listen to and then also they ebb and flow and work in tandem with each other,” he said.

Because it is a concept album, this dynamic between the lyrics and the instrumentation really complements the story, and helps to more effectively communicate the story and what the characters are experiencing.

Kaufman and I also spoke about his extensive musical background prior to his journey here at PFW and making this album. To Jacob, experience is everything – a sentiment I think a lot of us, regardless of the field we are in, can relate to. With more than 1,000 performances in his career, he explained how that helped him develop as an artist and as a performer.

“Taking those opportunities, taking the risk, and getting the experience is what turns you into a great musician,” Kaufman said. “It makes future endeavors easier and better.”

From a marketing perspective, Kaufman emphasized his goal of accessibility. “Prog rock in general can get a little crazy and technical, and I wanted to write something that was both musically interesting, and at the same time digestible for the masses,” he said. “I would like to see more interesting music on the radio – I think a lot of us would.”

I really liked this sentiment because Jacob’s music balances complexity with catchy, melodic songwriting in a way that is very accessible. And I too would really love to see a wider variety of music on the radio, or in other words, a prioritization of music that was made for the love of the craft rather than popularity.

Kaufman is a highly skilled musician, and learning about his creative process was a very enjoyable experience. This was a really fascinating interview to do. It offered an in-depth look at his artistic vision, and audiences can experience it firsthand when Heart of Iris performs April 9.

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Climate Policy in a Divided Nation: Why States Take Different Paths

By Cincade Drudge

Climate change policy in the United States is anything but consistent. Our policies can be described as fragmented and contradictory, with no real uniform policies linking all the states. This lack of connection is not an accident. It reflects a deeper reality for the United States: while the federal government sets broad environmental standards (or chooses not to set standards), much of the authority over energy, infrastructure, and regulation lies with the states. The result is a country where climate policy is shaped as much by geography and economics as it is by politics.

At the center of this divide is the all too familiar distinction of “red” and “blue” states. These labels, while imperfect and reductive, point to broader governing ideas that influence how states approach climate change. Some states prioritize rapid emissions reductions and regulatory action, while others focus on economic stability, energy independence, and market–driven solutions. Neither approach exists in a vacuum, and both are shaped by the practical realities each state faces.

“Red, Blue, and Purple” States by Control of State Legislatures. Sourced from CenterForPolitics.org

Of course, as the labels of red and blue would suggest, one of the most significant drivers of these policy differences is political ideology. Over the past several decades, national party platforms have increasingly influenced state-level policy decisions. Democratic leadership has generally supported emissions targets, renewable energy mandates, and participation in climate agreements. Republican leadership has often emphasized skepticism toward regulation, opposition to carbon taxes, and support for domestic energy production.

Public opinion tends to mirror this divide. Surveys consistently show that concern about climate change and support for government intervention vary widely across regions. In some areas, climate change is framed primarily as an environmental and public health issue. In others, it is discussed more as an economic or regulatory question. These differences in framing shape not only policy outcomes, but also the political feasibility of certain solutions.

Needless to say, state economics also plays a decisive role. States that rely heavily on fossil fuel production face a different set of incentives than those with more diversified economies. In energy-producing states like Texas and West Virginia, policies that restrict oil, natural gas, or coal can carry immediate consequences for jobs and tax revenue, which will affect local communities in these areas. By contrast, states with less dependence on these industries may find it easier to adopt aggressive emissions targets or transition toward renewable energy.

State Government Fossil Fuel Revenue. Sourced from Resources for the Future

Even within this divide, the picture is more nuanced than it first appears. Texas, often categorized as a red state, leads the nation in wind energy production. This growth has been driven less by climate-focused mandates and more by favorable geography, existing infrastructure, and market incentives. It serves as a reminder that positive climate outcomes, like expanding renewable energy, can emerge from very different motivations than expected.

Demographic factors further shape how climate policy is experienced and debated. States with large urban populations often face visible environmental challenges such as air pollution, heat islands, and flooding. These conditions can make climate action feel immediate and tangible. In more rural states, concerns may focus on energy costs, agricultural impacts, and land use. It should be noted, though, that some policies, like those perceived to increase fuel or electricity prices, can face almost universally strong resistance, regardless of their environmental intent.

At the core of these differences is a divide over the role of government in addressing climate change. Some states favor regulatory approaches, such as mandating emissions reductions, setting renewable energy standards, and adopting legally binding climate goals. While others emphasize limited intervention, focusing on voluntary action, innovation, and market-driven solutions.

These contrasting philosophies are reflected in areas like transportation policy, where some states are phasing out gasoline–powered vehicles while others resist mandates but still support electric vehicle production for economic reasons. These approaches often extend into the legal system, where states challenge federal climate policies as either too aggressive or too weak, contributing to ongoing uncertainty and shifting policy direction.

However, at the end of the day, we will all feel the effects of climate action or the lack thereof. Some may experience higher upfront costs associated with transitioning to cleaner energy systems, alongside long-term environmental and public health benefits. Others may benefit from lower regulatory burdens and stronger ties to traditional energy industries, while facing a slower shift toward renewable energy and more potential for future climate ramifications.

At the same time, the impacts of climate change itself do not follow political boundaries. Extreme weather, shifting growing seasons, flooding, and heat waves affect communities across the country, regardless of how their states approach policy. This shared vulnerability exists alongside deeply different strategies for addressing it.

Climate change will ultimately affect all communities, regardless of how policy is divided today. While state-by-state approaches may seem workable in the short term, the long–term consequences of inaction will extend across the entire country. The United States may not yet be politically aligned for a unified national response, with a government largely against climate action, but the need for broader dialogue is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Climate policy is not a simple binary choice; it reflects a complex balance of economic priorities, political beliefs, and regional realities. As pressures from climate impacts grow, the push for a more coordinated and forward-looking approach will only become more urgent.

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Climate Change Tipping Points: When Gradual Warming Becomes Irreversible

Climate change is often discussed as a steady rise in global temperatures, tenths of a degree here, incremental carbon emissions there. But the more urgent concern among scientists is not just gradual warming. It is the risk of crossing crucial tipping points: critical thresholds in Earth’s climate system where small increases in temperature can trigger abrupt, self-reinforcing, and potentially irreversible change. 

A tipping point occurs when a climate system shifts from a stable existence into rapid transformation. Once crossed, feedback loops amplify the damage, making it difficult—or in some cases impossible—to reverse, even if temperatures later stabilize. 

These tipping elements exist across the planet: in ice sheets, forests, permafrost, coral reefs, and ocean circulation systems. Scientists warn that several of them are already under stress as global temperatures rise more than 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. Crossing 1.5°C to 2°C could push multiple systems beyond their limits. 

One of the clearest and most immediate examples is coral reef collapse. 

Healthy Coral Reef (Left) versus Bleached Coral Reef (Right).
Left photo by Gary Bell / Oceanwideimages.com. Right photo by Greenpeace / Roger Grace.

Coral reefs are extraordinarily sensitive to temperature. A sustained increase of just 1–2°C can trigger coral bleaching, a process in which corals expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that provide them with food and color. Without these algae, corals lose both their vibrant appearance and their primary energy source. 

The world has already experienced multiple global bleaching events, including severe episodes in 1998, 2010, and 2016–2017. In 2016 alone, approximately 29% of coral in the northern section of the Great Barrier Reef died in a single year due to extreme marine heat. 

Bleaching becomes a tipping point when it happens too frequently. If reefs do not have time to recover between heat events, they shift from vibrant, biodiverse ecosystems into algae-dominated rubble. Once that shift occurs, erosion accelerates, fish populations decline, and water quality worsens. Even if ocean temperatures later stabilize, the ecological structure needed for recovery may be gone. 

This matters far beyond marine biology. Coral reefs support roughly a quarter of all ocean species and provide food security, tourism revenue, and coastal protection for more than 500 million people worldwide. Their collapse would represent not just an ecological tipping point, but a social and economic one. 

Coral reefs are not alone in facing dangerous thresholds. 

The Amazon Rainforest presents another looming tipping element. Often called the “lungs of the Earth,” the Amazon plays a crucial role in carbon storage and rainfall regulation. But deforestation, drought, and climate change are pushing it toward a savanna-like state. 

Roughly 17% of the forest has already been lost. Scientists estimate that crossing a 20–25% deforestation threshold could trigger widespread dieback, as the rainforest would no longer generate enough moisture to sustain itself. Such a shift would release vast amounts of stored carbon, intensify regional drought, and disrupt global climate systems. 

Communities living in the Amazon are already experiencing longer dry seasons and more frequent wildfires. The tipping point is not theoretical—it is unfolding in real time. 

The Atlantic Ocean contains yet another tipping element: the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). This vast system of currents acts like a global conveyor belt, moving warm water northward and cold water southward. It plays a critical role in regulating the climate, particularly in Europe. 

Visual representation of the AMOC (Illustration by Eric S. Taylor, © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Freshwater from melting Greenland ice disrupts the salinity balance that drives this circulation. Evidence suggests the AMOC has weakened by roughly 15% over the past half-century. Continued slowdown could dramatically alter weather patterns, disrupt food systems, and intensify regional climate extremes. 

Each of these tipping points is different. But they share a common feature: once these negative feedback loops take hold, change accelerates. 

Yet these systems are not beyond influence. The difference between 1.5°C and 2°C of warming may determine whether coral reefs survive in reduced form or largely vanish. It may shape whether ice sheet melt accelerates gradually or crosses into a runaway decline. 

Reducing global greenhouse gas emissions remains the most critical action. Limiting warming slows feedback loops before they spin out of control. This, of course, faces limitations as our government has recently limited its ability to regulate emissions.  

Local and regional measures matter as well. Marine Protected Areas can strengthen coral resilience by reducing overfishing and pollution. Coral restoration efforts—nurseries, selective breeding for heat tolerance, assisted gene flow—are being tested. Improving water quality reduces stress on reef systems. Early warning systems allow faster response to marine heatwaves. 

The concept of tipping points can feel overwhelming. The language of it all: irreversible, collapse, runaway, all suggest inevitability. 

But tipping points are thresholds, not set-in-stone prophecies. 

The climate system responds to actions, not despair. Slowing warming slows negative climate feedback. Stabilizing temperatures stabilizes systems. Action taken before thresholds are crossed carries far greater impact than action delayed. 

The lesson of climate tipping points is not that collapse is certain. It is that timing matters. The window for avoiding the most destabilizing shifts is narrower than it once was, but it remains open for now.  

Whether these systems cross their thresholds depends on decisions made in the present, not centuries from now. 

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PFW Graduate Students Lead Wildlife Conservation Efforts in Indiana

By Andrew Danielson / Photos by Lauren Lee and Justin Moore

A species of ground squirrels. A unique camera trap with motion-activated cameras. And the states of California and Rhode Island.

As it turns out, all those items have a lot in common, particularly when it comes to the wildlife biology laboratory of Dr. Scott Bergeson, associate professor of animal biology at Purdue University Fort Wayne in the department of biological sciences.

For over a year, two of Bergeson’s graduate students, Justin Moore, originally from Rhode Island, and Lauren Lee, who hails from California, have been working on separate but complementary research projects focusing on wildlife conservation and management.

Lee, who received her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, is working on a project to survey and identify the variety of small mammal species that exist throughout Indiana.

“The goal is to survey the entire state for small mammals,” Lee said.  

Lee’s mentor, Bergeson, explained that the last time a survey of small mammals in Indiana was completed was around 2007. That means that wildlife conservation officials such as those at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources have no fresh statistics on the health and population figures for small mammals.

Mammals are good indicators of the health of a particular ecosystem. If there is a diverse population of mammals in the area, that ecosystem is probably healthy.

“All of these small mammals and all of the other things help maintain the health of these natural spaces,” Bergeson said. “Even our agriculture would suffer if we didn’t have the natural spaces that help filter the pollutants that would otherwise get into our crops. Everything is connected.”  

Smile – You’re on Camera

Lauren Lee and one of her technicians, CJ Klopfenstein, inspect one of the cameras used in the project
Graduate student Lauren Lee

Lee’s project, which is funded by a $150k grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, is ambitious to say the least. If she were to use traditional trapping methods to conduct her survey, as was done in the 1960s, her project would take many years to complete.

But Lee and Bergeson have a solution: camera technology and upside-down buckets.

Lee explained that she installs “camera traps” on publicly-owned property, at least 100 meters away from any trail or road.

Each camera trap consists of a temporary “wall” made of a plastic material that leads to overturned buckets. An upside-down bucket with entrance holes cut into the bottom houses the actual camera.

The traps don’t use any bait, relying instead on animals’ natural curiosity or scent. When an animal approaches the trap, the “wall” barrier naturally guides them to the hole in the bucket. Once the animal walks into the bucket, their photo is snapped.

The cameras are infrared-equipped and motion activated, so there’s no bright flashes when the camera snaps photos. The lenses used on the camera are designed to provide close-up, magnified views of the animals, providing easier identification of the small furry visitors.

Long-tailed weasel
Southern flying squirrel
Juvenile Virginia Opossum

Lee explained that she currently has 102 camera trap sites, spread across the entire state. To collect the photos taken from her cameras, she has to drive to each site, swap out SD cards in the cameras, and perform maintenance on the site as needed.

From those sites, Lee has collected 1.5 million photos, with hundreds of thousands of photo sequences.

To help collect and process all of that information, Lee is being assisted by two undergraduate technicians and an artificial intelligence software. The AI automatically sorts through the sequences of photos and provides Lee with some basic species identification. She then checks what the artificial intelligence has done, making sure that the identifications are accurate.

“So, the whole idea is that we have this huge database of photos from everywhere and then for the next 100 years we can start mining that data to figure out other sorts of things,” Bergeson said.

A Squirrel’s View on Indiana

Yet another of Bergeson’s graduate students, Justin Moore, is also undertaking an ambitious wildlife conservation project with the assistance of two undergraduate technicians.

Moore, who received his undergraduate degree in wildlife conservation from the University of Rhode Island, is working to help stabilize a population of ground squirrels here in Indiana, called the Franklin’s ground squirrel.

Moore explained that ground squirrels are similar to tree squirrels, but they’re actually separate species with different diets, preferred habitat, and behavior.

According to Moore, Franklin’s used to have a fairly wide range in Indiana. However, due to the loss of prairies across the state, the ground squirrel’s preferred habitat, that population has shrunk to just one natural population in the region.

Franklin’s ground squirrel leaves its burrow in a hay bale

“They are state endangered in Indiana, and they’re declining across most of the Midwest,” Moore said.

Moore’e project, which is also fully funded by a roughly $200k grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, is to help stabilize the Franklin’s population by re-locating healthy specimens from other states to Indiana. His project is a pilot study, so the techniques he is using will help in future re-location projects of either Franklin’s or other small animals that are endangered.

How to Move a Squirrel: Carefully!

Moore explained that, together with his mentor Bergeson, they identified a strong, healthy population of Franklin’s in South Dakota. Moore and Bergeson quickly formed an agreement between wildlife conservation officials in South Dakota and Indiana, enabling them to bring Franklin’s from South Dakota back here to Indiana.

But moving squirrels is no easy task.

“There’s a lot that goes into the trapping to make sure that the squirrels and we [the researchers] are safe,” Moore said.

Handling of a baby Franklin’s ground squirrel
Justin Moore holds a Franklin’s ground squirrel

The capture sites for the squirrels in South Dakota are designed to minimize stress and discomfort to the animals, including routine checks on the traps and special coverings to provide shade to captured animals in the traps.

Researchers receive rabies vaccines before interacting with the animals, and all captured animals are initially handled through special handling cones that keep the squirrels calm and unable to bite the researchers.

Once the animals have been captured, they undergo a thorough process of medical checkups, including treatments for any diseases spread by ticks or lice. A veterinarian check-up and a full 21-day quarantine period are also rigorously followed to ensure that diseased animals are not brought into Indiana.

Once Moore brings the squirrels to Indiana, he releases them into what are called “soft release” enclosures, allowing the newly translocated squirrels to get used to their new habitat before being fully released into their Indiana home.

Moore is assisted by technician CJ Klopfenstein as they collar a Franklin’s ground squirrel

To keep tabs on the squirrel population and its well-being, Moore uses small radio transmitters attached to the Franklin’s that allow him to track their movements using a small receiver and antenna.

The new Franklin’s ground squirrels being brought to Indiana are being released in Newton County on property owned by The Nature Conservancy, a non-profit group that advocates for wildlife conservation.

PFW Biology Students Having National Impact with Research

Both of these research projects are forging new ground in the world of wildlife conservation.

Dr. Bergeson said that Lee’s project has already resulted in a research protocol that is now being shared among various states engaged in wildlife research. That protocol, coupled together with her unique use of artificial intelligence, will provide other researchers with tools and techniques needed in today’s field of wildlife conservation.

Moore’s project is also making inroads into the field of wildlife conservation.

As he talked about his project, Moore said that the project will hopefully result in Franklin’s populations stabilizing. That means the population will, one day, grow strong enough to be removed from the state endangered classification.

And these projects are already paying dividends for their researchers, as Moore, Lee, and their technicians, all gain conservation experience from their projects.  

“I feel like any new experience with any kind of wildlife is really, really cool,” Lee said.

Moore agrees with that view.

“I couldn’t imagine doing anything else,” he summarized.

It’s a win-win situation for Lee, Moore, and their two undergraduate research technicians who assist them with their projects. They all gain valuable research experience and the opportunities to do future projects or write and publish their findings in research journals.

For the undergraduate technicians, the field research training they are gaining will help them strengthen their potential future applications to graduate school.

But perhaps the greatest benefit these projects are providing is the effect they have on wildlife conservation.

Bergeson said that projects like Lee’s camera traps and Moore’s squirrel translocations are having valuable impacts on Indiana’s conservation efforts.

“Our lab has actual impacts on that, which is super cool,” Bergeson said.  

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We (College Students) Are Not Climate Villains — But Our Choices Still Matter

College students are often quick to point out—correctly—that they are not the primary drivers of climate change. Corporations, governments, and fossil fuel industries bear the greatest responsibility for rising emissions.

But that reality does not mean student behavior is irrelevant. On college campuses, everyday choices made by thousands of students add up, shaping both a university’s carbon footprint and the culture around climate action.

Universities contribute to climate change through several types of emissions, often grouped into three categories or scopes.

There are Scope 1 emissions, which come from on-site fuel use, such as heating systems or university vehicle fleets. Along with these are Scope 2 emissions, which include purchased electricity that powers classrooms, dorms, and labs.

The largest category for many campuses, however, is Scope 3 emissions, indirect sources like commuting, air travel, food purchasing, waste, construction materials, and the goods students consume.

It is in this third category where student behavior matters most. Scope 3 emissions are shaped by daily habits: how students get to campus, what they eat, and what they buy.

While students often have lower per-person emissions than older adults due to smaller living spaces and fewer long-distance trips, those advantages can disappear quickly through heavy car use, fast fashion purchases, takeout packaging, and dorm-related waste.

Just as importantly, the habits and norms students develop during college often carry into adulthood. Choices that feel minor now can shape long-term patterns of consumption, transportation, and environmental responsibility, increasing the likelihood of higher-impact behaviors later in life.

At Purdue University Fort Wayne, this issue is especially visible. PFW is widely considered a commuter-heavy campus, with university leaders estimating that roughly three–quarters of students commute instead of living on or near campus.

Transportation alone becomes a major climate factor under those conditions. Using EPA averages: A student commuting 10 miles one-way, 4 days/week, over two semesters produces = 1 metric ton of CO₂ per year. When multiplied across thousands of commuters, even modest individual changes begin to matter.

Consumption patterns compound the problem. Overconsumption among younger generations has become normalized, fueled by social media trends, influencer marketing, and constant product cycling.

Trend-driven purchases, whether they be clothing or collectibles like Funko Pops (an especially wasteful product), may feel harmless, but they carry real environmental costs.

Electronics tell a similar story. Many students upgrade phones, tablets, and gadgets frequently, often without properly recycling old devices. Surveys show that a majority of Gen Z and Millennial consumers do not fully understand what electronic waste is, and many throw devices directly into the trash. This creates one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world and embeds additional emissions into mining, manufacturing, and shipping replacement devices.

What makes this issue particularly frustrating is that students are not indifferent to climate change. Surveys consistently show that a majority of young people are deeply worried about the climate crisis, with many reporting anxiety that affects their daily lives.

Yet awareness does not always translate into action. Research has identified a persistent attitude–behavior gap: students may understand the environmental harm of fast fashion or excessive consumption, but continue to indulge in these habits because they are cheap, convenient, and socially reinforced.

This gap is not simply a failure of personal responsibility. It reflects structural pressures—limited transit options, affordability constraints, and digital ecosystems designed to encourage constant consumption.

As long as trend culture and algorithm-driven marketing dominate student spaces, climate concern alone will struggle to turn into consistent behavior change. However, institutional support—especially around transportation and food systems—can help shift habits in areas where students have the greatest opportunity to make lower-impact choices.

There are, of course, simple ways in which students can adjust their lives to reduce impact. Carpooling, combining errands, adjusting class schedules, or using transit where available can reduce emissions. Small energy habits, such as turning off lights, lowering the heat or air conditioning when away, and using energy-saving device settings, also add up. Choosing plant-forward meals occasionally, reducing food waste, and reusing textbooks or dorm goods can lower emissions without demanding major lifestyle overhauls.

Beyond individual choices, students hold real influence over institutional action. Universities often respond to student pressure, whether through climate action plans, renewable energy targets, or improved transit and recycling infrastructure.

On many campuses, including this one, students are already working, formally and informally, to push sustainability efforts forward, demonstrating that change is possible and that individual involvement contributes to a broader, ongoing movement rather than starting from scratch.

Student organizations, campus committees, and student government all offer avenues to push for transparency and accountability. Civic engagement, such as voting and participating in local community and governmental planning extend that influence beyond campus borders.

Students are not the villains of the climate story. But neither are they powerless bystanders. The reality lies somewhere in between. Our daily choices shape campus emissions, signal our climate stance values, and influence whether our climate concern becomes real action. At commuter-heavy schools like PFW, those choices matter even more. Climate progress does not begin and end with students—but it does pass through them.

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Star*Quest Observatory Helps Northeast Indiana Reach for the Stars

By Andrew Danielson

Just to the east of New Haven, Indiana, resides a window to the cosmos: the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society’s Star*Quest Observatory.

Located at 1730 South Webster Road, the Star*Quest Observatory houses telescopes and advanced technology that allow the user to gaze into the heavens with an unblinking eye.

“We are very pleased with the operation,” Gene Stringer said.

Stringer, a long-time member of the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society, led the society’s campaign to build the new Star*Quest Observatory, a modern facility packed with incredible technology.

Photo Credit: Russell Ainslie (Reproduction: Facebook)

The design process of the observatory includes an interesting anecdote tying the facility to local educational institution: Students from PFW’s (then IPFW) School of Structural Engineering assisted in creating a design for the new observatory.

Additionally, professors from both IPFW and Ball State University joined FWAS members and other committee volunteers to choose a final observatory design from architectural firms.

The final design for Star*Quest is what Stringer calls a “delta wing” design.

The building includes two main sections. The front section has swept-back “wings,” with room for up to four telescopes. A control room with additional technology and items makes up the other portion of the observatory.

To facilitate easy sky viewing down to the horizon, the delta-wing sections of the observatory split apart. The roof rolls backward in two different sections via tracks, allowing an uninterrupted view of the heavens for much of the sky.

In addition to the new 16” telescope, Star*Quest also hosts a large computer with 7 terabytes of data storage, computer monitors, and other equipment, as well as the society’s original 12.5” telescope.

The new computer technology, made possible by an approximately $15,000 grant from the Foellinger Foundation, allows the FWAS to host a variety of visitors, including school groups, and offer a diverse array of educational programming.

One of those items of high-tech gear Stringer mentioned was what he called a “spectroscope,” a device that enables scientific research with the telescope by splitting incoming starlight into its composite “spectra.”

“A spectroscope is one of the prime instruments that every observatory wants to have in order to do scientific work,“ Stringer explained. “Most of what we have learned about the sky has been through the use of the spectroscope in order to understand what it is we’ve been looking at.”

According to the Center for Astrophysics, analyzing the spectrum of light and the various colors of that spectra can provide great insight into celestial objects.

“The specific colors and relative amounts of each color reveal information about temperature, what atoms are present, and the speed of the astronomical object being observed, which reveals the distances to far-off galaxies,” the center states.

Star*Quest Observatory and Its Predecessors

Star*Quest has its roots with the origins of the society and their original observatories.

Stringer said that the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society (abbreviated FWAS) began in the mid-1950s. In 1959, the society was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization with 60 original members.

Shortly after the founding of the society, two members of the organization, Glenn Harnishfeger and Maurice Crow, led efforts to build a 12.5” Newtonian-style telescope and observatory for use by the society.

The new members document for the society records that the original observatory and telescope were completed in 1963.

Stringer said that the location of that first observatory is now the site of a grocery store, located off of Lima Road.

The FWAS’ website mentions that the society moved their observatory and telescope in the 1970s to a new location in Fox Island County Park which had been a Christmas tree farm in its prior life.

At that point in time, any trees on the former Christmas tree farm were only a few feet tall, and the society enjoyed great viewing conditions with low levels of light pollution and good views to the horizon.

However, over a 30-year period, the trees on the site grew up, gradually blocking the views of the observatory. This meant that celestial objects that the society wanted to view with their telescope, such as some select planets, were blocked by the growing trees.

In the mid 2000s, the FWAS undertook a project to find a new location for their observatory and telescopes.

“We started the project to build the observatory in 2006,” recounted Stringer, who served as the project manager for the Star*Quest Observatory project.

That project was complicated, as it included finding a new observatory site, fundraising and building a new observatory with modern technological equipment, and getting the word out about the new site to the public.

The FWAS found a new location for their future observatory in Jefferson Township Park. The park provides several desirable characteristics for astronomical observing, including fairly dark skies and clear views down to the horizon of celestial objects.

But a new location was only one of the challenges facing the society. A new observatory required funding.

Stringer said that the FWAS raised approximately $250,000 to build the new, modern observatory, which was completed and opened to the public in 2017.

Named the “Star*Quest” observatory, the facility sports up-to-date technology.

The new members’ document mentions the society’s new 16” Meade RCX400 telescope, which now is the primary telescope for the FWAS. The telescope is equipped with a GPS receiver as well as a 100,000+ object computer database of celestial objects.

Star*Quest Observatory Offers Educational Opportunities

But the new observatory and its technological muscle are available for more than just researchers or FWAS members.

The newsletter of the FWAS, The Eyepice, mentions that on every clear Saturday night, from April till November, the public is invited and welcome to come for star gazing at Star*Quest. Those public viewing hours start one hour after sundown and continue for two hours.

Stringer said that, if any person from the public wants advice on how to use their own personal telescopes, they can bring their equipment to the public-viewing times. Members of the FWAW will provide assistance and instruction in using the scope, all free of charge.

In addition to hosting the Saturday viewing times, the society has partnered with a variety of area organizations for astronomy-focused activities, including Canal Days, Fox Island Sol Fest, the Homeschool Fair, and other events.

The FWAS also enjoys hosting visitors for astronomical events, such as total solar eclipses.  

Stringer said that, during the April 2024 solar eclipse, the Star*Quest Observatory hosted an estimated 800-1000 visitors.

How to Get Involved

Anyone interested in attending events hosted by the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society has a variety of offerings from which to choose.

The society’s general meeting is typically held the third Tuesday evening of every month on the campus of PFW in the Walb Student Union. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. and generally run till 9 p.m.

Annual memberships in the FWAS for individuals, including their family, are $40. Student memberships are $25 a year. Membership in the society comes with an automatic membership in the Astronomical League, as well as access to the FWAS’ online forum and members-only events. The society’s newsletter, The Eyepiece, listing current and future events can be downloaded from their website.

Although Stringer has spent over 60 years in the world of astronomy, he continues to enjoy sharing the cosmic views seen through a telescope with anyone interested in the heavens.

“Truly, what you see through the eyepiece of a telescope cannot be shown in any other venue,” he said. “You have to look through the scope live to see that sparkling star.”  

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PFW Esports – A Team Sport for the Digital Age

By Andrew Danielson

For Jordan Cunningham, computer games aren’t just a means of relaxation. They are an intensive sport requiring concentration, teamwork, and careful organization.

“It’s so accessible for anyone,” Cunningham said. “You just need a computer.”

A graduate of the Indiana Institute of Technology with a degree in psychology, Cunningham is starting his second year as coach of the PFW Esports team.

But he brings a lot of experience to the table when it comes to gaming and coaching.

Prior to PFW, Cunningham has been both a competitive player of games such as “League of Legends,” as well as an Esports coach, serving as the coach for Indiana Tech’s Esports team.

There’s a lot that goes into running an Esports team, and that digital world is continuing to grow in popularity among universities across the globe, with Esports programs and arenas being installed at the Purdue West Lafayette campus, Purdue Northwest, and PFW.

Esports Originates at Home

Cunningham explained that Esports originated with enthusiastic League of Legends players when they held a tournament for the game in one of the player’s basements. From there, a formal, global tournament was held in 2011, and the world of Esports gaming was born.

Cunningham said that around the year 2016, Esports teams were beginning to pop up at various universities, with smaller colleges and STEM schools generally being the ones most interested in starting Esports teams.

“They started getting this idea of smaller schools can do something that bigger schools aren’t able to do,” Cunningham said.

He explained that bigger schools with high-level division athletics probably aren’t going to offer Esports. For smaller universities, Esports are a way they can offer students a team experience without the expenses entailed with more traditional team sports.

“The maintenance is so low,” Cunningham said.

Cunningham said that the Esports team at PFW is self-sufficient. Once the basic computer hardware and peripherals like computer mice, headphones, keyboards and software have been purchased, there largely is no maintenance to be done.

Esports – A Team Experience

Cunningham said that when he came to PFW as the Esports coach, one of his first tasks was to write a policy handbook for the team.

That manual is largely based off of the manuals in use by the traditional sports teams at PFW.

“I’m going to run this like an athletics team,” Cunningham said.

Esports team members have the same grade requirements as the other sports teams at PFW. If student grades begin falling, they are restricted from participating in tournaments and games.

The Esports team mentality and camaraderie are reinforced in a variety of ways beyond grade requirements, including personal hygiene standards and practice sessions called “scrimmages” held once or twice a week. Scrimmages are simulated tournaments where Cunningham and his team play against other college teams in fake-tournament style competition, with each team trying out new tactics that they might use in the future.

Players on the team have the opportunity to travel to tournaments and stay the weekend. Such opportunities give the players the chance to both build team spirit with their fellow Dons and experience what it’s like to travel as a team to a competition.

Esports – Organized and Regimented

Cunningham explained that each player on the team has one game in which they specialize, such as Rocket League or Super Smash Bros. That speciality is the game at which the player is the most proficient and comfortable at playing. When that team member is playing their special game, they are competing in leagues and levels of comparably ranked players across the country.

If a player wants to play a different game in addition to their primary specialty, Cunningham will sometimes allow that player to be part of a lower-ranked team. That way, the player can maintain their skills in their primary game but also have the chance to play something else.

Cunningham said that each game, called a “title,” has its own days when competitions are held. For example, the Rocket League team will play on one particular day, while the Super Smash Bros team may play on a different day.

When it comes to what titles the PFW Esports team plays, there are several criteria that must be met.

“I’m interested in what the students are interested in,” he said.

If students are interested in playing a particular title, Cunningham will investigate and see if that title is worth the time and effort needed for a dedicated team for that game.

But the biggest factor deciding what titles are played by PFW’s Esports teams is whether the game is currently offered in tournament competitions. If there are no tournaments being held for that game, then there’s no point in adding a team for that game.

Esports Coaching Provides Big Picture

Cunningham laughed when he was asked what he does as an Esports coach.

“That’s my favorite question,” he said with a chuckle.

Cunningham explained that his role is to both coordinate the entire Esports program as well as provide coaching for the players. That means he is tasked with keeping the equipment ready to go, purchasing new computers and peripherals as needed, and scheduling games and practice sessions.

For the coaching side of his job, Cunningham said he’s really providing both a macro and a micro level of instruction to his players.

Cunningham said that he gives his players advice and tips on the bigger picture of the game they are playing. That advice helps the players to adjust their strategy to balance the opposing team’s tactics.

“I always just tell them [the players] to treat it like a math equation,” Cunningham said. “What happens on one side of the equation needs to happen on the other.”

 Cunningham said that he also focuses on the mental game for his players, helping them to compartmentalize their emotions and engage with the game and their teammates in a healthy, constructive manner. That approach of channeling emotions and learning from one’s mistakes helps the player to become both a better player as well as a better person.

Esports Benefits the PFW Community

For Cunningham, the Esports team provides several benefits to PFW.

For some students, the chance to play Esports at the collegiate level while working toward a degree is a dream opportunity. With a beautiful arena on the second floor of Walsh containing 21 Alienware gaming computers, that dream can easily be made a reality.

Yet another advantage to having an Esports arena is that any student on PFW’s campus may use the gaming computers for free.

According to the Esports webpage on the PFW website, the Esports arena is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is available for faculty, students, and staff.

But beyond the recruitment and gaming opportunities offered by the Esports arena, Cunningham said that the Esports team gives students an outlet to be part of a team atmosphere – an experience they may never have had.

“They get that team experience,” he reflected.

And that team experience, of bonding with one’s comrades and working towards a goal, has paid dividends for the players and the university.

Cunningham said that the Esports team has great retention, with students staying on the team and most students remaining at PFW for their education instead of transferring to other schools.

“My students are awesome,” Cunningham said with a smile. “We’ve had so little academic issues.”

In summarizing what he hopes to accomplish with Esports, Cunningham was candid about his long-term goals.

“We’re all here to help them get through college, have a good experience,” he said. “It’s seeing those life skills and professional skills that you helped them develop at such a pivotal age.”

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