Author: Liz Hardaway

Seniors to run the Final Lap

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

It’s the final countdown.

With nals approaching, graduating seniors and underclassmen can look forward to the Final Lap on May 9.

After commencement rehearsals, seniors will be running at 8:30 p.m. under inflatable arches decorated with lights down the path around Slocum Hall all the way to Chappelear Drama Center. Then, seniors will turn around, go down the JAYWalk, and end the walk at the Gordon Field House, where underclassmen can join for music and food.

“It definitely isn’t just a senior class event; we want the whole campus to benefit from [the Final Lap],” said senior Lee LeBoef, president of Senior Class Council.

Getting inspiration from the Night Nation Run, a running music festival, the Senior Class Council has been planning this event since October.

“Our senior class council is hoping that this will turn into a tradition that will last for many years to come,” said senior Daud Baz, treasurer of Senior Class Council. There will also be food trucks, such as Dan’s Deli, and a beer truck, provided by Delmar Distilleries, stationed in the Science Center parking lot.

The Stolen Fire, comprising Ohio Wesleyan professors, will perform at 8:45 p.m. in the Gordon Field House. At 9:45 p.m., DJ BitFlip and Firecat 451 will be performing an EDM show until 11:45 pm.

“My biggest goal was to have something unifying for the entire senior class as a final celebration,” LeBoeuf said.

 

 

Opinion: Political exhaustion

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

I’m tired of hearing about politics.

Since early 2015, when liberals “felt the Bern” and someone from the Internet figured out Ted Cruz looked like the Zodiac Killer, I subscribed to a few political magazines, receiving updates daily about the proceedings in Washington.

During the election, I eagerly opened these emails, excited to see what would happen next. The emails gave updates on Clinton and Trump’s proposed policies, briefings on the debates and other pertinent political news.

I wanted to be informed. Even after Trump was announced president, I wanted to keep up with what was happening in the White House. I watched as Trump announced his cabinet, and SNL hilariously parodied Steve Bannon with the Grimm Reaper and an ominous theme song.

I listened as the Muslim ban took effect, and the Supreme Court blocked the executive order. Even on Tuesday, there was an update from The Hill about Trump signing an executive order that “aims to overhaul the H1-B visa program used by tech companies to bring high-skilled workers to the U.S.”

So much is happening in the political realm and it’s exhausting.

And yes, this exhaustion probably stems from the fact that I am a Democrat. Yes, I’m one of those special snowflakes who did not get what they want, and sure, this is probably my temper tantrum.

But even on the brink of a possible World War III, the messy foreign relations (who knows what’s going on with Russia) and don’t even get me started on our problems here at home, I’m tired of hearing about it.

All day, I hear people from every background and ideology talking about how they either love or hate what is happening in Washington. Even when posting a Snapchat story about ducks in a pond (literal ducks), I get a message from an avid Republican. Despite not talking to him in more than a year, he tells me that Trump’s strong immigration tactics will stop “letting the scum of the earth walk straight through from South America to the Land of Opportunity.” Though I am disgusted and angry, right now I am just too tired to fight.

I’m making like an ostrich and sticking my head in the sand. Hopefully one day I can become a humble potato farmer in Switzerland, and all I ask is for you to please not nuke my beloved potatoes with your politics.

Petition about the House of Black Culture’s future presented to faculty

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Right before the faculty meeting started on April 17, an unexpected guest voiced his thoughts on the future of the House of Black Culture (HBC).

Senior Jemil Ahmed shared his petition, which included 124 signatures from students, stating his and other students’ concerns for the fate of the cultural hub and the rich history of HBC.

“We ask for guarantee that the house be renovated and the house and land will be preserved for [HBC],” the petition stated. Students wanted assurance of this request by Wednesday, April 19.

President Rock Jones acknowledged the petition in an email sent Tuesday evening to multiple students who signed the petition.

Jones recognized the disrepair the building fell into, and has appointed an advisory group to explore all options for the community.

The advisory group includes three alumni, three faculty, three administrators and six students.

“[The] committee has heard how important this is to students,” said Nancy Comorau, associate professor of English and a member of the advisory group.

Jones wrote that it would be inappropriate to make any decision about HBC prior to receiving the advisory group’s input.

“The Advisory Group is undertaking its work in a thoughtful, comprehensive manner,” Jones said in the email. “No one is being ‘evicted’ from the dwelling.”

The petition stated that if renovations were not guaranteed for HBC by Wednesday, the group will meet with other advocacy groups to further its request.

Once the meeting officially commenced, faculty voted to approve three new majors. Faculty approved the film studies program and an environment and sustainability program, which will include a major and minor. A resolution also passed allowing students to receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in microbiology and geology.

Tom Wolber, associate professor of modern foreign languages, also gave a statement expressing his concerns for the lack of funding for pedagogical conference grants since the 2015-16 academic year, citing this as a reason for the dramatic decline of applications for this academic year. “Given OWU’s nature as a teaching institution, it is critical to encourage faculty to participate in pedagogical workshops and conferences and make the necessary resources available,” Wolber said in his statement.

Wolber said he was troubled by the discontinuation of the Performing Arts Series because of financial restrictions found in the year-end report conducted by Ohio Wesleyan’s Committee on Teaching, Learning, and Cross-Cultural Programming (TLCCP).

A committee is still working on getting the academic calendar for 2018-19 because of some contention that arose during the meeting.

Memorial resolutions were also approved for Jed Burtt, a zoology professor, and Kim Lance, a chemistry professor. Their memorials were written by Professor Ramon Carreno and Professor Dan Vogt respectively.

On April 20, the HBC Advisory Group will hold a live, online chat to discuss the house’s future and role in the community.

“Beauty and the Beast” invites you to “Be [Their] Guest”

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

It’s a tale as old as time…revived.

Bill Candon’s brought-to-life Beauty and the Beast stars grown-up Hermione Granger, Emma Watson, as Belle, and CGI’d Dan Stevens as the ferocious, gentle giant, the Beast.

Catering to viewers’ nostal- gia for the early-90’s ick, the lm takes all the best parts of the original Disney cartoon and fills all the plot holes that gnawed at the back of every child’s brain 26 years ago. The lm follows the basic storyline, music and all, but finally reveals what happened to Belle’s mother. It also cleaned up the messy timeline of when the damning spell was cast and when Belle stumbled into the castle.

The movie even raised controversy for Disney’s rst openly-gay character, LaFou, played by the hilarious Josh Gad. Some theaters chose to ban or edit the film.

The film takes the general essence of the characters depicted in the cartoon-version, and totally revamps them with intricate CGI animation. LumiĂ©re, played by Ewan McGregor, and Cogsworth, played by Ian McKellen (i.e. Gandalf as a clock), get a makeover in delicate gold designs that combine their character’s strong personalities and the object each is slowly morphing into.

One can’t help but feel welcome when the entire kitchen of lively objects sings “Be My Guest” through the screen. Even Watson looks impressed at the various cutleries doing the can- can as napkins gracefully glide through the air.

Since its opening day last Friday, the lm has grossed over $350 million making its debut weekend one of the most successful opening weekends ever.

Warning: Virtual reality induces nausea

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

So, this spring break I experienced a whole new world.

No, I’m not talking about some lifechanging, spiritual journey to the beaches of Miami. Rather, Google sent me its new “Virtual Reality” headset for free as compensation for sending my phone three months later than than they had promised.

Before this, I’d heard bits and pieces of virtual reality before I had actually experienced it.

I saw hilarious videos of people tiptoeing across their living room floor or screaming because they were watching themselves 500 feet in the air on a tight-rope.

Yet, I was never intrigued enough to put forth the effort to actually become part of this alternative reality. Honestly, had the Google gods not sent me this headset, it’s likely I would never have experienced such a new level of video gaming.

But why not give it a shot, right?

The headset came neatly packaged with a tiny remote control. Just to get it working I needed to connect everything via Bluetooth. Once I strapped in my phone to the headset, I put it on my head and got ready to see a whole new world.

All I could see was my screen. There were some artificial forest graphics resembling a menu with options about where to go.

As I turned my head, the forest grew as a river appeared and birds chirped in the background. I used the remote to choose the “King Kong experience” — a five minute YouTube video promoting the new movie. I thought I would just watch a trailer in super high-definition.

Instead, the headset put me in a helicopter. The windows revealed the lush, green rainforest; the pilot was calm and collected.

In the back of my ear, a blood-curdling roar loomed closer. The pilot started to shake the helicopter, trees falling to large footsteps. The frame tilted drastically downward, and as I looked to my left I stared into the green, bright eyes of a gargantuan, angry gorilla.

The pilot fainted; I didn’t know how to fly! My heartbeat quickened, stomach churning, my face turning green as King Kong started shaking the helicopter up and down. His eyebrows furrowed, then he lunged his arm back, getting ready to pitch the helicopter directly into the volcano.

As my head bobbed up and down, contemplating my chances of survival, I realized I could escape.

Right before I plunged to my death, I threw the headset onto my lap, trying to control my breathing as I realized I was just in my living room, and no gorilla was out to get me. I did feel like throwing up, though.

Overall, the experience was very intense, and if you get the chance, you should definitely try it out.

Just remember to read the warning label, take off the headset if you get dizzy and that, contrary to the real world, you can escape virtual reality with just a push of the button.

Escape artist whips audience members into shape

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Would you trust a man you just met to whip a piece of celery in half? Would you trust him if that stalk of celery were hanging outside of your mouth?

Brian Rudo, an escape artist with Adrenaline Comedy, did just that on Jan. 26 in Milligan Hub.

Picking various students from the crowd, Rudo led students in various tasks like helping him into two straitjackets, stepping on his face and into shards of glass, and holding celery in their mouths so he could whip the vegetable in half.

“It was definitely frightening to watch. I was sitting right by him when he was swinging [the whip], and I swear he was going to hit us with it,” said Kristen Nooney, the president of the Campus Programming Board (CPB).

The members of CBP found Rudo at the National Association for Campus Activities conference. Guillermo Gutierrez, the vice president of CBP, was approached by Rudo to tie him to a chair.

“Personally, I like an artist who is engaging and who understands the atmosphere of our school…I’ve found often-times found spoken-word poets do really well with students…we’re trying to figure out what people want to see,” said Gutierrez.

Although Rudo is not a magician, he seemed quite comfortable with his dangerous and painful-looking stunts. But he did reveal the secret to getting out of a straitjacket: “Wiggle,” said Rudo.

Rudo has executed more dangerous stunts than he did at Milligan Hub, but decided to change his act as the night pro-
gressed to cater to what the crowd wanted.

“I’ve been saran-wrapped in a tank underwater…padlocked on the outside, with a curtain…I’ve been hung from a bridge overpass in Alabama in two straight jackets over a pit of fire,” said Rudo.

CBP’s next event is a 1950’s Roller Skating night on Feb. 16 from 6-9 p.m. in the Benes rooms. CBP will also be announcing on March 1 their surprise musical artist for the fourth annual Bishop Bash.

WCSA Today: New budgets approved

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

The Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs (WCSA) is back in session this semester and a new administration in charge.

With junior Chris Dobeck as president and sophomore Michael Sheetz as vice-president, WCSA has funded over $5,000 worth of budgets since Monday. The budgets approved went to PRIDE’s International Queer Film Festival, which kicked off this Wednesday, and to lesson fees for the Equestrian Team.

The Council also elected freshman Maxwell Aaronson as sergeant of arms, who will provide added security for meetings if necessary.

The council is also considering an amendment to its constitution that would change the way elections are held in the future. This amendment prevents officers from running uncontested to encourage widespread representation.

“We are supposed to be representing the whole campus…that vote should matter,” said junior Ryan Bishop.

Dwayne Todd, the vice president for student engagement and success, also suggested opening a student service center in each residential hall. These rooms, typically just open for registration in the beginning of each semester, could also serve as hubs for students to rent games and check the progress on their room requests, said Todd.

The next full senate meeting will be Monday, Feb. 6 in Crider Lounge at Ham-Will.

OWU choir goes caroling

By Liz Hardaway, A & E Editor

“Hark! the herald angels” sang in Gray Chapel Dec. 5 as four different choirs in Delaware collaborated to kick off the holiday season.

Organized by Jason Hiester, Ohio Wesleyan’s choir director, and organist Joshua Brodbeck, choirs from Linworth United Methodist Church, Buckeye Valley High School Thomas Worthington High School and Ohio Wesleyan’s Choral Art Society shared the stage in Gray Chapel to celebrate the beginnings of Advent.

“[It was] an experience that … kicked off the season,” Hiester said.

Lessons and Carols included various scriptures from the Bible and a medley of carols, both with the purpose of telling of the nativity of Jesus and get everyone in the Christmas spirit, Hiester said.

In the future, Hiester said he hopes to get more of the community involved, including the Delaware Community Chorus.

“I always hope that every art event encourages people to continue supporting the arts and going out to see [the events],” said sophomore Hannah Wargo, who has been apart of the choir since her freshman year.

Different members of the community read for the Lessons and Carols, including Pastor Curnell Graham of Linworth United Methodist Church, the choir directors of Thomas Worthington High School and Buckeye Valley High School, students from Ohio Wesleyan and Rev. Jon Powers.

Powers explained that Advent is a 25-day celebration leading up to Christmas. Usually, churches will light candles each day until the holiday.

“We prepare for [our holi- days] with a certain number of days of re ection and preparation and trying to do goodwill … but, in our American culture, it kind of gets lost in the tinsel and glitter,” Powers said.

Though all the choirs had been practicing their carols since August, the choirs only rehearsed once all in unison an hour and a half before the show.

Students and faculty voice fears about election results

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

Just 48 hours after the election results were unveiled, Ohio Wesleyan held an open discussion among students and faculty to review the historic night.

In the second floor lounge of Smith Hall, around 40 people gathered, including staff from the Chaplain’s Office, six alumni and Jenny Holland, an assistant professor of politics and government. Sally Leber, the director of service learning, facilitated the discussion.

The night started with an introduction from Rock Jones, who celebrated how diverse the campus community is, which, in turn, provides a wide range of perspectives concerning different issues.

“We come here to learn with one another and to learn from one another,” Jones said.

Leber opened up the floor by asking attendees why that had come to the discussion. Many students voiced their fears and anger toward Donald Trump, president-elect, especially with many of the comments he made during his campaign trail.

Holland commented that this year’s election has been one of the most contentious elections in the modern era. With the polls mainly pointing to Clinton, many people felt shocked at the outcome.

Associate Chaplain Chad Johns discussed the term “othering,” or defining someone as “not like us,” either by cultural or personal factors. In the election cycle, Johns explained the liberals made the mistake of ‘othering’ many people in rural and working-class America.

“There was this assumption that no American could support Trump,” Johns said. “So we de-Americanized a whole swath of the population 
 we have two segments of our nation where we all claim the title ‘American’ that have ‘othered’ each other.”

Students mainly expressed fears concerning social issues, especially with the LGBT, Latino and Muslim communities. Even nationally, there was a record-breaking 300 calls made to the crisis hotline Trans Lifeline 24 hours after the election results, according to a statement made on its Facebook page.

There was also uncertainty among the group, one student even asking Holland what to expect to happen in the next four years with the new president-elect. Holland encouraged students to get involved, especially at the local level.

“Community is messy,” Leber said. “Community has problems, it has people coming from all different viewpoints and community works when people listen.”

With many heavy topics discussed, Jones ended the event on a lighter note, asking students to voice what they are hopeful for.

Interfaith House celebrates early Thanksgiving

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

On Nov. 16, the Interfaith House (IF) hosted an open-table discussion about what people are thankful for.

Sophomore Anna Davies facilitated this discussion for her house project to encourage people to join together before the break and spread her house message, which is to spread interfaith, cooperation, love and tolerance.

The event brought together people of both faith based and non-faith based backgrounds to express to each other how thankful they are.

“I really wanted it to be a time to pause with how busy it is this time of year and just reflect on things that make us happy to be alive,” Davies said.

Coming from a religious background and a small-town setting, Davies aimed to make the event simple and easy for people to discuss how thankful they are without angling the discussion towards religious aspects.

One attendee, senior Olivia Lease, said her favorite part of the event was interacting with new people. The local Mormon Missionaries attended, as well, adding more viewpoints to the discussion.

The discussion started out with the basic question of what people were thankful for. People also discussed a specific moment in their life that solidified that thankfulness and also the importance of community in their lives.

Attendees also considered the various ways people express gratitude, whether it being through letters or hugs. Each one is a unique moment of sincerity in it’s own form, said Lease.

“We get caught up in things that frustrate us and things that are momentarily stressful, but in the long term there are so many things we are thankful for,” Lease said.