TheTranscript – Page 28 – The Transcript

Landscape artist comes to OWU

By: Katie Kuckelheim, Transcript correspondent

Panoramic paintings of urban and rural landscapes in oil called “Matter of Fact,” an exhibition at Ross Art Museum, is a collection of paintings in plein-air by Todd Gordon.

PleinAir, according to professor Frank Hobbs in the fine arts department, is, “Painting or drawing… on site, rather than in a studio or from photographs or drawings.”

Gordon explained, “These regions are typically overlooked as mundane …industrial, or even ugly, but, as a painter, I find them profoundly interesting visually in their wealth of various shapes, colors, textures, and spatial relationships.”

The reasoning for coming to OWU, Justin Kronewetter, the director of the Ross Art Museum, explained was, “because he grew up in Delaware and many of the local residents know the artist and his artwork.”

Growing up in Delaware, it is “distant and familiar” for Gordon to display his art outside of his New York Gallery.

Gordon is coming to OWU on Thursday, Oct. 22 to talk to residents and students alike in the R.W. Corns Buildings, Room 312, at 7 p.m. about his art. A reception follows the presentation from 8-10 p.m. at the Ross Art Museum.

Gordon said, “I plan to give a brief presentation about my work, focusing on my artistic process as an observational painter who makes representational landscape paintings.”

Kronewetter said, “We anticipate a large turnout.”

Gordon expressed his excitement “to share this experience with the students and faculty at OWU and the local community.”

Hobbs, a pleinair artist himself, said, “The work is impressive in its scope and in its honest attempt to capture a personal view of the urban environments in which the artist lives. The paintings owe a large debt to another, older contemporary painter, Rackstraw Downes, who also works on site in urban settings and takes in similarly wide angles of view.”

Gordon’s “Matter of Fact” is currently on display at the Ross Art Museum until Nov. 13.

The museum’s hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.

Princeton professor discusses an “uncommon faith”

By: Gopika Nair, Assistant Copy Editor

On Oct. 8, a Princeton professor visited Ohio Wesleyan to speak about one interpretation of religion in the black community.

Eddie Glaude, professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University, discussed “An Uncommon Faith: Pragmatism and Religion” at OWU in Merrick Hall.

The lecture was sponsored by OWU’s religion department. Susan Gunasti, assistant professor of religion at OWU, invited Glaude, her former professor, to speak at the university.

Glaude’s talk focused on American pragmatism and African American religious history.

Throughout the lecture, Glaude referenced and quoted James Baldwin, Toni Morrison, W. E. B. Du Bois, William James and John Dewey.

“(Dewey’s) and, by extension, mine is a practical faith in ideal ends,” Glaude said. “(It’s) a faith that lights up our imaginations and convinces us to act in pursuit of those ends.”

Freshman Jade Jin said she didn’t follow all of his ideas, but liked Glaude’s assertion that human salvation lies in our hands, not in some metaphysical realm.

Senior Kaila Johnson said Glaude’s talk was necessary.

“He raised a lot of good points and questions that, I think, would help facilitate more understanding about the black community, especially (regarding) religion,” she said.

Besides teaching at Princeton, Glaude has also written several books. His forthcoming book is titled “Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul” and is a reflection on racial politics.

“In this country, there is a value gap. And the value gap is that white people are valued more than others,” Glaude said. “To the extent to which that’s true, it animates our social practices, our political arrangements and our economic arrangements.”

“Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul” will be released in January 2016.

Perkins Observatory: the place for space

By: Ross Hickenbottom, Transcript reporter

It’s better than the Ivies’.

Recently, OWU’s Perkins Observatory was listed 15th on “College Rank’s” 35 Best College Astronomy Observatories list that’s above Harvard, MIT and the US Naval Academy.

According to its website, “When the observatory was completed in 1931, the Perkins Telescope was the third largest in the world. Perkins had one of the best Astronomical Libraries of the day, as well as facilities to accommodate visiting astronomers from all over the world.”

Though the 69-inch telescope once housed in Perkins not longer belongs to OWU, the observatory is a staple of OWU’s academic life.

Senior Mark Chalmers, an astrophysics major, is indebted to the Perkins Observatory for all his research.

“I take Observational Astronomy and do summer research,” Chalmers said. “For one project we go to Perkins (when the weather permits), take images of an eclipsing binary W Ursa Majoris and make light curves with the data.”

And though Chalmers did not know about Perkins’s recent ranking, he was not surprised.

“Perkins is an amazing place,” he said. “It’s not only an observatory, but a library. And the basement is full of scientific demonstrations. There is also a workshop where people make telescope lenses.”

When asked if prospective students should see Perkins as part of their visit to OWU, Chalmers was emphatic.

“I would tell them to definitely check it out,” Chalmers said. “Professor Harmon [in the astrophysics department] is very willing to give prospective students and their families tours. It’s a beautiful building full of history and not taking the time to see it while you’re here is a missed opportunity in my opinion.”

But Perkins is for more than just prospective and current OWU students. Thomas Burns, director of Perkins Observatory and a professor of English, says there is a lot going on almost every night.

“The observatory hosts a variety of public activities,” Burns said, “including two lecture series, our regular Friday night stargazing sessions, and day- and night- time programs for groups of all descriptions; fraternal organizations, daycares, senior groups, scouting organizations, and school classes from kindergarten to college ages. We’ll do in excess of 100 public activities this year, both at the “O” and at various locations around central Ohio.”

One recent event held at Perkins was an installment of the “Astronomy And…” lecture series.

The talk featured Donald Lateiner, professor emeritus of the OWU classics department. On Oct. 8 he spoke on “Astronomy and Astropoetry: The ‘Stars’ of Ancient Greek & Roman Epic and Lyric.”

Letter to the editor: a gap in the OWU community

Dear Editors,

If you ask students what makes OWU special, many will say the community; the lasting bonds they have formed with people, in and outside the classroom, who have humanized their experience here. And many will say that staff people are a vital part of that community. In addition to keeping the university running in so many crucial ways, staff people have hosted international students for Thanksgiving, served as (official and unofficial) advisors, guided student clubs, ran sound systems for student bands, and offered understanding ears when students needed someone to listen.

Unfortunately, for various reasons, many dedicated staff people recently have had their positions eliminated. And many have been terminated after years of service, without the campus community having had a chance to recognize their contributions or thank them for their service.

Patricio (Pachi) Plazolles is one such staff person who, in his 26 years here, touched many people across the university, but whose position was recently eliminated. For many of us, Patricio’s abrupt departure left a gap in the OWU community. Some of us would like to thank him and recognize the many ways, above and beyond his duties at the Woltemade Center, that he contributed to campus life.

Students and alumni remember Patricio as both a mentor and friend, who invested his time in students and the community. Patricio was the advisor of the OWU Marketing Group (OMG) for the group’s entire existence, said a past president of the group, and he helped many of us to get practical work experience through the group’s projects. He guided us in succeeding academically and professionally, other students and alumni emphasized, but success was not enough; he wanted us to succeed with integrity, excellence, and a sense of service to others. One successful alumna identifies Patricio as the reason why is she is where she is today.

Patricio always knew what to say and how to connect with people, remembers one student.

When he walked around campus, people always approached him as if he were a great friend they hadn’t seen in awhile. Another alumna remembers visiting Patricio’s small homestead farm and remembers how his dreams to better the world inspired her in her sustainability work. A faculty member echoed these views, describing Patricio as one of the most sincere and honest human beings he has met. Patricio’s departure is truly sad and disappointing, they agreed, as Patricio had so many skills and virtues, and he truly represented the Ohio Wesleyan spirit.

Another student identified Patricio as an “incredible role model” and one of the key reasons she majored in economics. I never once saw him give up on a student or a student project, she says.

He is encouraging while also challenging people to do their very best. When she had an idea for TiPit grant to study social entrepreneurship and microfinancing, Patricio was immediately on board, helped her and others to design a workable project, and reached out to friends in Peru to make the project a success. It was a great honor, she said, to travel to his home country with him and see the tremendous respect that his friends, family, and local professors have for him.

Patricio and others who recently have lost their positions here will be missed.

Signed,

Lautaro Cabrera, former president of OMG, Class of 2015

Billy George, Class of 2017

Erika Kazi, Class of 2014

Reilly Reynolds, Class of 2016

Juan Armando Rojas, Associate Professor of Modern Foreign Languages

Sarah Sanders, former vice president of OMG, Class of 2015

Shari Stone-Mediatore, Professor of Philosophy

Michelle Waltz, Class of 2002

Andy Wittenberg, Class of 2013

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Squirrels. Cartoon by Mili Green '16. — Squirrels. Cartoon by Mili Green ’16.

We maintain our independence

By: The Transcript‘s editors

Recently, Butler University in Indiana made a startling change in the leadership of their student newspaper. The paper’s faculty adviser, Loni McKown, was fired from her advising position after nearly six years, and was replaced by a member of the school’s public relations department. That’s right–an administrator with a vested interest in making Butler University look good now has official input regarding what the reporters and editors of the student paper write about and publish.

That’s not how we do it at The Transcript. Not now, not ever.

The Transcript has two advisers: a faculty adviser, Dr. Paul Kostyu, and a media adviser, Jo Ingles. They share their extensive wisdom and experience and offer support when asked, and the rest is up to us, the paper’s six editors.

We decide which stories and editorials will be written. We assign the stories to ourselves and to our reporters. We find sources, interview them, gather information and write stories, along with the reporters. We design pages, publish stories online and promote our paper.

We make the judgment calls, the hard decisions.

There is not a single administrator, faculty or staff member or interested party who has the power to sway us.

This is an integral part of what being a college student newspaper is all about. This system provides us with the autonomy and freedom necessary to find out what is really happening on campus and publish that information how we see fit, even if some people would rather that information stay concealed.

The Transcript has a long legacy at OWU. We were founded in 1867 under the name Western Collegian. Over the course of nearly a century-and-a-half, the paper’s many editors have felt pressure from OWU’s administration numerous times while breaking controversial news.

There have been many instances throughout The Transcript’s illustrious career when the administration has asked us to change the angle of a story or to promote an event. And time and time again, we have maintained our independence.

Some of that news includes drug busts and other on-campus crimes, powerful administrators being fired, a now-obsolete residence hall having its fire escape doors nailed shut and so much more.

There has been criticism, both by the university and by students, but as a paper, we feel what we’re doing is important. And that importance is maintained by our independence.

The importance of publishing these stories for all of campus to read and maintaining the independence of The Transcript cannot be overstated. And while preserving our autonomy over the years hasn’t always been easy, it’s something that we as editors will continue to fight for.

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Forgetting About An Assignment. Cartoon by Blake Fajack '16. — Just Need A Minute. Cartoon by Blake Fajack ’16.

Suite restrooms on campus see changes

By Ross Hickenbottom, Transcript reporter

The Aramark logo. Image courtesy of ifma.org.

Get your mops ready. The Ohio Wesleyan housekeeping department and their partners, Aramark, are doing things a little different this year.

On the residential side of campus, suite restrooms will only be cleaned once every three weeks. In years past, they were cleaned weekly.

Dorms affected will include Thomson Hall, Bashford Hall and 4 Williams Drive.

Aramark Services Manager Darryl Phelps described how Aramark will change their cleaning agenda for the rest of the school year.

“The restrooms are stocked to last a threeweek period, but if something comes up, if toilet paper gets stolen or anything like that, we have a system worked out with the Residential Life staff in place where they can sign a sheet posted on the custodial closet,” Phelps said.

Darryl went on to explain that “We’re told by our Aramark partner that we are the only place that cleans the suite restrooms at all. Everywhere else they work, the students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves in their restrooms. We’re not taking that step, we’re still participating in the cleaning of suite restrooms, but we have reduced the frequency.”

Though no schools in the surrounding area partner with Aramark, Wittenberg University does. There, “every Sunday they clean and replace everything. Midweek a couple days they clean but don’t replace items,” Wittenberg junior Landon Hormann said.

As far as cost effectiveness goes, Dan Hitchell, vice president of finances, said the changes are going to have a positive impact on the budget.

“There were cost savings by doing this. We’re bringing Merrick Hall back online, we’re bringing part of Edwards Gym as well as Simpson Querry Fitness Center,” said Hitchell. “So we are adding square footage to campus by making these changes; therefore by changing the cleaning schedule we are able to save some money and bring the facilities back online without an increase in budget.”

Freshman Jake Riddell, who lives in Thomson Hall, is glad the campus is being cost effective.

But he doesn’t agree with how they’re doing it.

“It’s great that OWU is saving money, I get that,” Riddell said. “But the restrooms get out of hand, so if anything, I think they should be maintained more often.”

Bishops dominate in volleyball invitational

By: Ross Hickenbottom, Transcript Reporter

It was one for the record books. The Bishop Invitational took place on Sept. 25 and 26 at Ohio Wesleyan’s Branch Rickey Arena and with a record of four wins, zero losses, the volleyball team extended their winning streak season to 13 matches. A school record.

“It’s honestly one of the best feelings ever,” said junior Shelby Ksiazek in regards to breaking the record. “We have put a lot of work in on the court and the weight room, and we have such great team chemistry on the court.”

Opposing teams participating in the tournament included Hanover College, John Carroll University, Defiance College, Alma College, Mount Union College, Grove City College and Manchester College. This many participants meant that the winning team had to play and win four total games, including the championship game.

Sophomore Iris Anderson explained the process of winning a tournament as well as the fatigue that naturally follows. “When you’re playing four games, and you’re going hard every game, of course you’re going to be tired. But when you’re playing for your teammates, because you see how tired they are and that they are still giving it everything they have, you push through it.”

In matches against Defiance, Mount Union, Hanover and John Carroll, two Bishops managed to receive alltournament honors, including Anderson and sophomore Brianna La Croix. In addition to alltournament team, Anderson also received the honor of being named The Bishop Invitational’s MVP.

“I feel very honored to receive that title. I just try to play my hardest for my teammates,” Anderson said. “The harder they play and give all of their effort, the more it makes me want to work even harder.”

In her second season as head coach, Kirsta Cobb, who last year led the Bishops to one of their best seasons since 2006, emphasizes daily improvements in her players’ games in order to complete a successful season.

“We want to continue to get better each day. Get better in fundamentals, team play and volleyball IQ. The ultimate team goal is to win a conference championship and make it into the NCAA tournament,” said Cobb.

The OWU volleyball squad will continue their action with their last non-conference contest before NCAC play: Capital on Tuesday, Sept. 22 7 p.m. at Branch Rickey Arena.