Author: TheTranscript

Recent natural disasters should be alarming to our future

By Kienan O’Doherty, A&E Editor 

So many disasters in so little time; the question remains, “Are we to blame?”

Scientists have stated such, with evidence proving that the gases we emit from our production are destroying our atmosphere.

Weather is hotter, ice is melting at an alarming rate, flowers are blooming sooner and water levels are rising at a rapid pace. It’s also believable that global temperatures will continue to rise in the coming years.

The worst part about all of this is, natural disasters are getting worse.

Eric Holthaus, a writer for the website grist.org, wrote in his Sept. 11 article, stating that the most recent hurricanes, Harvey and Irma, weren’t normal hurricanes.

“Make no mistake: These storms weren’t natural. A warmer, more violent atmosphere—heated up by our collective desire to ignore the fact that we live on a planet where such devastation is possible—juiced Harvey and Irma’s destruction,” Holthaus said.

This is not normal, there is no normal anymore. Our world is constantly changing, and it stretches far beyond the United States.

Devastating floods in both South Asia and Africa killed hundreds more than Harvey did. This has been going on for a while, as we all know.

Randy Lee Loftis, a National Geographic writer, wrote an article in 2015 about climate change and natural disasters.

“Human-caused changes in climate played a role in 14 of 28 storms, droughts and other 2014 extreme weather events investigated by global scientists,” Loftis said.

That is not a good number by any means. These storms are just going to get bigger if the world population.

It’s time to act now.

Women’s soccer team finds early success

By Kienan O’Doherty, A&E Editor 

Ohio Wesleyan’s women’s soccer team used to be considered an “easy win.”

Now, it’s a different story.

Three years ago, OWU had only won one game, dropping every single conference contest. The year after that, they had the same result. New head coach Nicole Ross was hired last year, and the team drastically improved, winning a total of seven games, which was enough to get some recognition, but not enough for the Battling Bishops.

This year, the Bishops were undefeated the first two weeks of the season and are 4-2-2 through their first eight games, their best mark since the 2011 season, where they posted the same record through the same amount of games.

Predicted to finish sixth in conference play, the team has been playing like a top contender.

Junior Mackenzie Brunke, who has started as goalkeeper since her freshman season, has seen the program find a new voice.

“If you were to ask me freshman year that by my junior year we would have 14 freshmen, a new coach and still be undefeated in the first two weeks I probably would have laughed out loud,” Brunke said. “This program has done a total 360 from my freshman year. I have seen girls who are so dedicated to this program make a huge impact in such a short amount of time”

Statement wins over Bluffton and Defiance have shown that impact, where the Bishops exploded for six goals in each contest.

Most recently, a tie to conference foe Oberlin kicked off North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) play.

Junior Megan Price, who shared the team lead in goals last season, said she believes Ross deserves a huge amount of credit for the Bishops recent success.

“[Ross] is a great coach and is an advocate for everyone.,” Price said. “She creates challenging practices and spends hours planning our practices so that no time is wasted.”

OWU students shine in production of “Scenes”

By Alameina White, Transcript Reporter

Some of Ohio Wesleyan’s first-year students got their chance to shine in this year’s production of Scenes.

Scenes gives first-year students a chance to showcase their skills and express interest in the theatre department. Not everyone who participates are theatre majors; some participate for fun. Each year, Scenes is conducted by the Directing class instructed by Ed Kahn.

This year the, class’s directors were Emma Antal, Jack Riter, Josh Martin, Doris Ottman, Emily Shpiece, Michael Sutton and part-time instructor Bradford Sadler.

Seven scenes with themes ranging from poverty in Alfred Sutro’s “The Man on the Kerb” to adultery in George Bernard Shaw’s “Overruled” were presented this year.

“It greatly exceeded my expectations because it was Scenes [performed by freshmen],” said Romi Gould, “but everyone performed so well.”

Gould went to support her friends and was impressed by the smooth transitions and said she liked that there was an open forum for everyone to meet the cast and crew at the end. Some in the audience didn’t know what Scenes was about, but came to support their friends and family anyway.

“I didn’t really know what I was going to,” said Nate Burkes. “My friend had told me that it was a chill, lighthearted event he thought I’d like.”

A few audience members had participated in Scenes in previous years and also found the performance very entertaining.

“I was in Scenes last year,” said Alanna Williams, “and it was just nice to see it done so well from an audience’s perspective.”

At the end of the production the department thanked everyone for attending and encouraged them to attend their next performance titled “Fahrenheit 451.” This event is happening from Oct. 5 to Oct. 8.

Tree House member hosts first house project of the semester

By Reilly Wright, Photo Editor 

The dirt covered construction site on Ohio Wesleyan’s Rowland Avenue has since been replaced by blanketed green grass, indie music and happy painters.

Junior Alix Templeman hosted Tree House’s first house project of the year on Friday, Sept. 22, in the front yard of the newly constructed Small Living Unit. Her event invited community members to paint on two environmentally-themed canvases and purchase baked goods.

“The money that I get from [the food] will go toward purchasing a terracycle box that will be able to recycle everything,” Templeman said. “Delaware can only recycle plastic ones and twos. With the terracycle box, you can recycle literally all the plastics.”

The two canvases began blank, sporting tape spelling “The Earth does not belong to us” and “We belong to the Earth.”

Within the first 30 minutes of the two-hour event, the pieces were dutifully colored by SLU members and passersby. Tree House members are required to complete one house project a year with the only stipulation of it to relate in some way to the mission of the house.

“This [event] relates to the house mission because we’re spreading the message of loving the earth,” said junior Eva Blockstein, the moderator of Tree House. “It’s all about engaging the house with the outside community and making sure that people know tree house has a presence on campus.”

Blockstein said future house projects such as building garden boxes and a wind chime workshop of recycled materials are coming soon.

“House projects show the community who we are,” Templeman said. “I think, depending on what you do, sometimes it really does benefit the community and get the word out about environmentalism.”

Templeman said she plans to have the finished canvases hung inside the house to show the power of people getting creative together.

“I think [Templeman]’s kind of a pro now because she’s an older member and she’s lived in the house longer than a lot of the new members,” Blockstein said. “So this is a really good way to show the new members how great a house project can be.”

Ross Art Museum features first outdoor video exhibit

By Jesse Sailer, Transcript Reporter 

The unveiling of the Ross Art Museum’s first public outdoor art installation titled “the Shadows We Cast” is a thought-provoking conversation piece about years of history stored within public spaces.

The installation was projected on the front facade of the Ross in the form of a 12-minute looped video that showed a montage of documents and images collected from the Delaware County Historical Society and the OWU Historical Collection of Beeghly Library.

The artists behind the exhibit are Tiffany Carbonneau and Susanna Crum, both of whom have pursued art as their chosen professions and continue to create work in their chosen medium.

Carbonneau’s body of work explores the impact of our surroundings by presenting the public with familiar architectural constructions in an unfamiliar setting. Crum is an accomplished printmaker and has been heavily focused on archival research and social artifacts.

Her work consists of multilayered images that merge together oral histories, documents and film.

“The overlaying of images from different eras and time periods give way for the viewer to access public space in a new way,” said Crum.

Carbonneau and Crum’s shared interest in the connection between the past and the influence it holds on the present and future made for an advantageous partnership.

This project has been in the making for more than a year and was sparked by an interest in the history of the Ross Art Museum. Prior to its renovation into an art museum, it served as a post office until 1969. Its job as a post office allowed for it to be a crossroads between campus and community and a transition point for sending and receiving information.

This link between the outside world and inside manifested itself in the shape of postcards, letters and printed maps and brochures.

These materials were collected and meticulously layered on top of each other to create a composition and narrative that displayed a visual relationship between personal, political and historical events that shaped the cultural diversity of Delaware.

“All are treasures, like gears in a time machine taking us to curious places in the past inspiring us to carry on,” said Benny Shoults, a trustee and member of the Delaware County Historical Society.

The technical aspect of the video installation was accomplished through the process of projection mapping. A complex process of manipulating the chosen projection to fit the exact contours and terrain of the structure the video is being presented on.

Creating these projections “highlights the significance of our built environment within our modern and historical cultural framework,” said Carbonneau.

This exhibit gives a glimpse into the cultural identity of Delaware and the OWU communities. Through the collection and presentation of historical archives, the public is provided a narrative that illustrates the connections between past and present.

Wes Anderson returns after lengthy absence

By Jesse Sailer, Transcript Reporter 

Wes Anderson returns to the screen with his new film “Isle of Dogs” after a four-year absence.

His 2014 film “The Grand Budapest Hotel” earned him a nomination for best picture at the Academy Awards and rave reviews from movie critics alike.

The plot follows the journey of a young boy named Atari, who is searching for his dogs after a dystopian Japan quarantines all canines on “Trash Island” after an outbreak of dog flu.

Much like his 2009 film “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” which demonstrates the dazzling use of stop-motion, “Isle of Dogs” delivers a kinetic energy that can only be delivered through the aesthetic that stop-motion offers.

The trailer gives us a quick glimpse at the striking playground Anderson has created for us to feast our eyes on as well as a cast of entertaining characters to follow throughout the film.

His signature cinematographic flare is also evident in the teaser trailer. Anderson’s group of recurring actors such as Bill Murray, Ed Norto and Tilda Swinton return to voice the cast of characters for the 2018 film along with new faces such as Bryan Cranston and Scarlett Johansson.

The film debuts on March 23, 2018, to a much awaited public waiting to see how Anderson plans to outdo himself this time.

New psychology professor dives into Ohio Wesleyan culture

By Reilly Wright, Photo Editor

Ohio Wesleyan University’s newest psychology faculty addition can either be found in Phillips Hall or Meek Aquatic Center.

The new assistant professor of psychology and avid swimmer, Chris Modica, joined the OWU community in August.

Previously an assistant professor at Wright State University’s School of Professional Psychology for three years, Modica was chosen for OWU after a nationwide search for a clinical or counseling psychologist.

“Though we brought in three very strong candidates, Modica ended up rising above the rest and received the job offer,” said Kyle Smith, associate professor of psychology. “We’re very fortunate that he decided to accept it.”

Smith also said Modica’s pre-OWU experiences are different from what most of the faculty have had. His fresh perspective on the faculty’s old questions made Modica a strong candidate.

Professionally, Modica specializes in areas such as psychotherapy and counseling, but he has a primary interest in sociocultural variables within eating disorders and body image.

“I was really kind of undecided for much of my college time … my senior year I took a class in abnormal psychology—which I teach now—and psychotherapy theories … and I thought that was the coolest thing in the world,” Modica said.

Modica has taught students since he began earning his Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Ball State University in 2008. Currently a licensed psychologist in Ohio and Indiana, he has experience in private practice and clinical work since 2012 with therapy and assessments.

“I think [psychology] is a good fit for my personality,” Modica said. “I don’t think I knew that at the time, but I tend to be much more gentle and I tend to be a deep thinker … But it’s a good fit for that.”

Since his move to campus, Modica expresses his enjoyment with students’ engagement and how familiar the community is with one another. He encourages any student interested in psychology to reach out and ask deep questions.

“Modica is very approachable, so I’d encourage people to come to Phillips and meet him,” Smith said. “You also might bump into him at Meek where he puts in some laps just about every day.”

How does one truly disrespect the American flag?

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor 

Sunday was meant to be a day for relaxing and watching one of the most popular sports in the nation, but it was overshadowed by protest and name-calling.

Everything happened this past Friday with President Donald Trump who was speaking to supporters. He seems to take issue with one thing, players kneeling for the national anthem. This controversy covered all major news outlets when former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to kneel during the national anthem.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” said Kaepernick, in an article written by sbnation.com.

Kaepernick added that this issue was bigger than football and that it would be “selfish on (Kaepernick’s) part to look the other way.”

“Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, ‘Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!’” said President Trump, who was quoted by the Guardian.

His Twitter account also shows his disdain for those who protest the anthem. He tweeted about how fans should stand up and take action for those who decide to kneel during the national anthem.

“If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!” President Trump said via Twitter.

Fast forward to this past Sunday and there were many instances of teams protesting the anthem in what seemed to be a response to President Trump’s comments.

If you watched any of the games, you saw players kneeling and standing while locking arms, players sitting down, and players such as Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy, who stretched while the national anthem was playing. There were also some teams that chose not to go out on the field for the anthem. Both the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans.

Both head coaches Pete Carroll (Seahawks) and Mike Mularkey (Titans) told tennessean.com the players made the decision. This big topic of controversy upsets those who have served in the armed forces and those who respect our nation’s history. But is it really the most disrespectful thing we do?

I am constantly on social media because I’m either bored or I just want to see what my friends are doing. But something crossed my mind as I aimlessly read people’s opinions about the protest, do we really respect our flag?

I also came across a series of screenshots that explained all the ways we disrespect the flag. The screenshots that were posted to Facebook but originated on Twitter was posted by user @koopa_kinte and has close to 200,000 retweets and more than 250,000 likes.

This prompted me to research the rules for respecting the flag, and so I did. Scavenging the Internet, because that’s what millennials do best, I found a website titled usflag.org.

A link on the website let me to the United States code, title 36, chapter 10. Scrolling down, I was shockingly surprised.

“The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free,” according to usflag.org.

If you have ever watched an NFL game, you may remember the one moment, when they play the national anthem, that some stadiums carry an enormous flag out that is horizontal but never touches the ground.

OK, but that’s just one little slip that people make. At least it never touches the ground. Wait, there’s more. “The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery,” according to usflag.org.

This means that my flag-patterned tank top should not be on my list for weekend attire. But there are all sorts of ways we, as Americans, find an excuse to put the flag on anything. You can go on Amazon and find any number of products that use the pattern of the U.S. flag.

“The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown,” according to usflag.org.

Say goodbye to celebrating the Fourth of July with all those cheaply made napkins and paper plates that show the U.S. flag. At the end of the day, people will not even care how they use the flag.

I have seen people who buy U.S. flags and post them up in their rooms only to find the flag laying on the ground. As a football player, I would probably never kneel for the anthem.

To me, it means more than your typical patriotic symbol. However, I love to see people using their First Amendment right to freedom of expression. And it is other people’s right to disagree with the protesters.

This is why I write and want to be a journalist. To record the moments in history where we find ourselves breaking apart rather than coming together. But this past weekend showed teammates, coaches and owners coming together and it may not stop here.

William Cronon receives honorary degree for work with liberal education

By Madeleine Matos, Transcript Reporter 

Ohio Wesleyan University honored William J. Cronon with an honorary degree for his work with liberal education that lead to the creation of OWU Connection.

The ceremony took place in Gray Chapel on Sept. 14, with President Rock Jones; Ellen Arnold, associate professor of history; Zackariah Long, associate professor of English, among those honoring Cronon.

Much of the freshman class was in attendance as well, as part of an assignment for the freshman course UC 160: The OWU experience.

UC 160 was designed to teach freshmen about the university, and what it means to receive a liberal education. The inspiration behind this course is attributed to Cronon, aided by his essay Only Connect: The Goals of a Liberal Education.

“The idea to honor Professor Cronon with this degree came when we decided that UC 160 would be a universal part of the curriculum,” Arnold said. “Honorary degrees reflect OWU’s mission and values. Since Cronon’s essay ‘Only Connect: The Goals of a Liberal Education’ is now sent out to all first-year students as a piece that reflects those values, it seemed a perfect match.”

The speech given by Cronon after the ceremony discussed many ideals that not only are valued by Cronon, but by students here on campus as well.

Cronon discussed how his life choices led him to have degrees in many fields, and that many of these fields came to him by accident. The idea of finding your passion using the liberal arts resonated with students. Cronon also talked about putting work into whatever field you pursue, and that it is not always easy.

“Not everything in life is going to be handed to you, you need to work hard and things will eventually take their place,” freshman Madison Drabick said.

Cronon discussed traveling across the world for his studies, something that many students on campus have expressed interest in, leading to the creation of the OWU Connection program.

The program allows students to connect what is being learned in the classroom to real life situations, which can include international studies.

“I hope to be part of the OWU Connection,” freshman Claire Yetzer said. “It would be a great experience to be able to study abroad or take a travel-learning trip.”

The final message Cronon left for attendees is one that is common among students on campus: the idea of exploring whatever you can through the liberal arts, and being able to connect on campus with other students.

“That’s really the core of lifelong learning, and something I aspire to,” Arnold said.

Third I-cubed lecture topics announced

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor 

Ohio Wesleyan professors are prepared to introduce, explain and educate the campus community in three minutes with the third installment of the I-cubed lecture series.

The I-cubed lecture series has been a big part in showing what the OWU learning environment is like since its inception in spring 2016. The event focuses on 10 current professors who choose specific topics in their area of study.

“The purpose of it is to give prospective students a little snapshot of what life is like in the academic classroom at Ohio Wesleyan,” said Alice Simon, professor of economics.

According to OWU’s website, “Students select 10 of their favorite professors to deliver lectures with ideas, insight and imagination in only three minutes. The event is a showcase of great teaching and the breadth of expertise on the OWU campus.”

“It is an honor to be asked,” Simon said. “Here I am being asked to represent the school. I love this place and it’s an easy thing for me to do.”

The challenge for the professors who are presenting is to talk about a concept they teach within three minutes. Simon said that there have been professors that have referred to past videos of lectures to understand the format.

Simon’s lecture is “Why Can’t the Best Decisions Always Be Fair?” which is a concept in economics that shows how scarcity affects decision-making. Her main goal, she said, is to offer students the opportunity to take an economics course. Her style of teaching doesn’t involve PowerPoint presentations or computers, she said. She feels that even without the bells and whistles, her style of teaching is effective.

The material that gets covered can range from actual lecture material, talking about an important issue, or simply discussing past experiences all while still focusing on learning and education.

Last year, Keith Mann, professor of geology, gave a lecture discussing his battle with cancer while focusing on the topic of learning. Students can view his lecture on OWU’s YouTube page.

The third installment of the I-cubed lectures will be Oct. 17 at noon-1 p.m. in the Benes Rooms in the Hamilton-Williams Center. The school will also stream the lectures online and publish the event on YouTube.

The event is filmed and published on online. Students can go and view past lectures by searching OhioWesleyanU on YouTube.

The 2017 I-cubed lineup features Barbara Andereck, professor of physics and astronomy; Ellen Arnold, associate professor of history; Ashley Biser, associate professor of politics and government; Michael Flamm, professor of history; Shala Hankison, associate professor of zoology; Ed Kahn, professor of theatre and dance; Sean McCulloch, professor of mathematics and computer science; Judylyn Ryan, associate professor of English; Alice Simon, professor of economics; and Kyle Smith, associate professor of psychology.