saraschneider – Page 3 – The Transcript

The Glass Rooster Cannery involves OWU students

The Glass Rooster Cannery, located in Sunbury, is looking to Ohio Wesleyan for patronage.

The Glass Rooster Cannery opened in May of 2011. They have set out to help people understand fundamental parts of their world, including eating and stewardship of the earth, ever since.

The Cannery is owned and ran by sisters Jeannie Seabrook and Susie Schmidhammer. Schmidhammer is an artist who takes care of the art and antique side of the Cannery, while Seabrook works in the kitchen with her daughter, Rachel.

“Susie has lived on the property since 2003, every year improving it and creating a park-like setting,” Seabrook said. “I came to her with the idea of the Cannery in autumn of 2010, and she offered to share her farm with me. We built the Cannery building together, and she has since restored two barns on the property for art and other events. We have onsite gardens where we grow what we need for canning, classes and catering.”

“My goal is to reinvigorate the nearly lost art of home preserving, home cooking and enjoying nature. Susie loves to take old and renew it, fashioning new life into her art.”

The Seabrook and Schmidhammer sisters. Photo courtesy of glassroostercannery.com.

Senior Ali Smith said, “its great that the Glass Rooster Cannery is getting OWU students involved and that they are able to take different classes there that would benefit them greatly for their whole life.”

“Every class we teach focuses on the principle behind the process, empowering people to do it themselves, or choose to farm it out, based on being educated about the process,” said Seabrook. “We strive to have fun, enjoy the farm and each other, and be grateful for the beauty around us. Currently we have an artisan food shop where we sell over 150 varieties of canned goods and such, and two arts and antiques barns filled with Ohio-made art and upscale antiques.”

The Cannery offers classes for canning and preserving and cooking. Students can also get involved by visiting and touring the farm and volunteering in the garden.

“We encourage people to come out and see what is going on, form private classes on their own, or join a class on our calendar,” Seabrook said.

The Glass Rooster Cannery is currently offering a college student discount: enroll in four classes, get the fifth free. To keep up on the events and offerings at the cannery, or to sign up for a class, go to www.glassroostercannery.com. The Cannery will be holding an open house on May 9 from 9 p.m. 5 p.m.

Ohio Wesleyan to host Tournées French film festival

Ohio Wesleyan will be hosting six different French films on campus as part of the Tournées French film festival.

These six films will be March 27 through April 16 and will be presented in French with English subtitles.

The professor organizing the festival, Ana Oancea, teaches French in the Modern Foreign Languages department, is in charge of “obtaining the grant funding, liaising with distributors, scheduling the screenings and inviting students and professors to introduce the films.”

“The Tournées film festival is a highly regarded event, one which I first attended when I was an undergraduate,” Oancea said. “Now a professor, I saw hosting the festival as a rite of passage.”

“Together with other colleges and universities, OWU was chosen to host the festival from a large pool of applicants based on an application I prepared,” said Oancea. “The film selection was made by my composition and conversation students. I think the selection committee was pleased to see students and faculty cooperate so closely.”

The films will be shown on the following days; March 27, Dans la Maison; March 31, Le Passé; April 4, La Grande Illusion; April 6, Elle s’en Va; April 14, Augustine; and April 16, Grigris. The films will be shown in Benes B at 7 p.m. These six films were selected by students in a French composition class taught by Oancea.

Elle S'en Va movie poster. Photo courtesy of allocene.fr. — Elle s’en Va movie poster. Photo courtesy of allocene.fr.

Junior Victor Soder said, “The company that owns the rights to the film festival puts out a list of recent and classic films and we picked films we thought would be interesting to watch.”

Ohio Wesleyan students and faculty will lead pre-screening discussions before each movie begins. “The faculty members introducing the films are free to take discussion wherever they think will be most interesting,” said Oancea. “They will seek to enrich the audience’s understanding of the film, delving into both artistic and technical aspects, and because these are foreign films, they will also invite us to ponder the cultural differences.”

Oancea said, “The festival lets students and faculty put the topics discussed in our classes in larger, and very current, context. It also gives us a chance to share our interests with the wider community: the festival was advertised to the local high schools, and film enthusiasts in Columbus.”

“The grant application of the French-American Cultural Exchange Foundation entailed explaining the rationale for the film selection, and how the films relate to the French curriculum at OWU,” said Oancea.

Juan Rojas, professor of Spanish in MFL said, “through the showings we have the chance to experience elements of other cultures, and in this case it also represents an extension of what our students are learning in their French courses – a unique opportunity.”

This is the first time OWU has hosted the Tournées.

Run-off elections to be held for senior class council

Those thought to be elected into the senior class council will have to continue pulling for votes from the junior class.

On Wednesday and Thursday, March 25 and 26, the senior class council elections were held. The positions on the ballot were president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Only juniors could run.

Three members of the class of 2016 ran for both president and vice president, two ran for secretary and one ran for treasurer.

Ben Miller, Brittany Spicer, and Kelly Johnson were told they won their respective postions. However, it was clear that in order to confirm these results, a run-off election must be held.

On Wednesday, Post-Grad Intern for University Involvement Hillary Fowler informed the candidates of the run-off via email.

“I apologize to each of you for the miscommunication of the announcement of last week’s election results,” Fowler stated in the email.

“There will need to be a run-off to determine the President, Vice President, and Secretary between the two candidates receiving the highest percentage of the votes.”

Sean Roskamp was elected as treasurer and will remain certain in his position since he ran unopposed.

The run-off election will be held from Wednesday April 8 through Thursday April 9. Juniors will be able to vote through the same online process through the My OWU portal.

Each of the candidates particpated in the election for different reasons. Each is looking to improve the OWU community in varying manners.

Madison Snider said she decided to run for secretary because “I felt that secretary would be fun, considering that I enjoy typing and keeping notes. I could’ve joined clubs or groups, but this to me felt like a better use of my talents and would allow me to be part of something that helps makes all seniors enjoy our last year.”

Kelly Johnson said, that as “secretary I would want to ensure that majority of the Class of 2016 attends the events being planned by the senior class council through the help of the marketing team. It is important for seniors who pay their dues to get the most out of their money and their senior year.”

Johnson also added, “The events planned by the senior class council are a fun way to bring the senior class together and I would not want anyone to miss out on this.”

Milagros Green said, “I will still be working to support the student body. I am currently trying to push for free housing over Thanksgiving and spring break for students who cannot afford to travel home and prefer to stay in their own room.”

“Our liberal arts university is a place to grow as a person, and I would love to strengthen the communication and interaction among different groups on campus to make that growth happen,” said Green.

N’Toia Hawkins, who ran for vice president, said, “I think that getting people together as a class is one thing that could be improved. They tell us that convocation and graduation are the only times that our entire class will be together, but I don’t think that these should be the only times.”

Shelli Reeves, who is in the running for president said, “I view the OWU community is a place of various people and various ideas. This makes us unique because we as a whole are leaders of tomorrow. I think that everyone has immense potential and we are welcomed to learn from each other.”

SARN’s helpline brings sexual assault program to campus

The Sexual Assault Response Network (SARN) of HelpLine of Delaware and Morrow Counties, Inc. is bringing a sexual assault program to Ohio Wesleyan.

The facilitator of the support group, Nora Flanagan, said her “role will be to start the meeting with an introduction to a topic regarding sexual violence, open up for discussion and then have time for sharing more personal stories if people wish.”

The group is a peer-led support group and therefore members have a majority say in how to spend the time.

“The facilitator is there to explain and keep ground rules of the support group in play and to be ready to assist if anyone is triggered or needs extra support after the group,” Flanagan said.

“This particular group is based on a four session curriculum. The topics we will talk about include what is sexual assault; setting boundaries; trust after trauma; triggers; and self-care. After the sessions participants are welcome to continue to access our services in any way that is found to be beneficial in their healing journey.”

Flanagan explained her role is also to ensure confidentiality, provide a non-threatening, supporting, open and non-judgmental conversation. She is trained in trauma informed care.

“We provide rape crisis and recovery services for all survivors of sexual assault. Sexual assault is any unwanted sexual activity you don’t agree to when you are coerced, threatened, forced, intoxicated or unable to consent in any circumstance, for any reason,” Flanagan said.

Flanagan has worked in the field for 15 years, first as a liaison to the judicial system then to volunteering at a nonprofit. She then took the position as the SARN coordinator. Flanagan works with survivors both in hospital and law enforcement settings but most often will work with survivors who reach out to the SARN hotline in a one-on-one capacity.

Senior Ali Smith said, “I think it’s great that this program is being offered at OWU. Women that have experienced sexual assault will have a safe place to discuss issues caused by the assault.”

Flanagan said “this group has been designed specifically for the 18- to 20-something-year-old female population who identify as sexual harassment, abuse or assault survivors. Registration consists of interested participants contacting us, getting more information and being signed up.”

Junior Macie Maisel said, “I don’t think we have a major problem on our campus compared to large campuses, however I think taking precautionary steps is needed so that this doesn’t become a large issue.”

The program is currently being offered and is being considered for fall 2015, spring 2016 and possibly this summer.

HelpLine’s SARN program has been a yearly participant in Take Back the Night, various campus awareness and educational groups and held a similar support group last spring.

Tim Miller explores gay identities through performance

Tim Miller is a performance artist whose work currently focuses on marriage equality and addressing the injustices facing lesbian and gay couples in America.

Miller visited Ohio Wesleyan on Thursday, March 18 and performed a lecture-rant entitled, “Sex! Body! Self!”

Miller said, “My performances over the last several years at OWU, which have explored gay identity, marriage equality and immigration rights for gay bi-national couples, were breaking new terrain. For a long time my performances would be the only internationally touring show on the subject.”

This event was made possible by a theory-to-practice grant received by senior Ryan Haddad and professor of theatre and dance Edward Khan.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the performance, particularly the last one which was about his marriage because that occurred during a week in which I was doing a workshop with him,” Haddad said. “This was right around the time that the Defense of Marriage Act was overturned so he [Miller] went right away and got married.”

Miller said, “though Ohio remains one of only 13 states without marriage equality today, after the coming supreme court decision this June, I am sure the next time I land at CMH I will be arriving to an equality state.”

Miller said his performances have been presented all over North America, Australia and Europe in such venues as Yale Repertory Theatre, the Institute of Contemporary Art, the Walker Art Center and the Brooklyn Academy of Music.

According to his biography, “Miller has received numerous grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1990, Miller was awarded a NEA Solo Performer Fellowship, which was overturned under political pressure from the Bush White House because of the gay themes of Miller’s work.”

Miller worked with OWU students for a week to put on an ensemble performance. This performance occurred on Saturday, March 21 in Chappelear Drama Center. Miller worked with students from the two classes, theories of performance and political/social cabaret and others.

Recent Black World Studies cuts jeopardize department

Director of the Black World Studies program (BWS), Randolph Quaye was recently notified that his request for nine units of classes was denied.

For this coming 2015-2016 academic school year, the BWS department will only have three units of classes each semester.

According to Quaye, “these recent cuts are due to the financial difficulties the university is currently experiencing.”

Quaye is the currently the only full time professor in the BWS department.

Although the cuts have been announced, Quaye is currently negotiating with the university and attempting to raise the amount of credits granted to the department.

“I am having a series of meetings with the board to retain programs. I will also be asking, at the minimum to keep Ali Skandor [a part-time faculty member] as a faculty member for the black world studies program.”

“Because of these cuts, we can be sure that Swahili 225 will not be offered,” for the next academic year, said Quaye.

“As someone who is currently in Swahili, I am extremely upset that I will not be able to continue in my language of choice,” said sophomore Cece Albon. “Swahili should be valued with the same importance that other languages at this school are.”

As for the completion of the program for current majors and minors, “it is hard to know how exactly they will be affected because a final decision has not been made yet. However, some classes are contingent on the incoming freshman class,” said Quaye.

Every student at Ohio Wesleyan is required to take at least two semesters of a language. Swahili is able to be counted towards these mandatory credits.

“His Swahili classes taught me more than just the language. It made me immediately want to broaden my intellectual horizons as well as my experience here at OWU,” Albon said.

The cuts also call into question the OWU in Tanzania program.

“If the university makes the planned cuts, it will be hard to keep the program successful when many classes will not be offered. Although, as of right now, about 17 students have shown interest partaking in the program and traveling in Africa,” said Quaye.

Albon mentioned that she would love to go to the OWU in Tanzania Program but didn’t have room in her schedule.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to experience something that a lot of students don’t get the chance,” she said.

Junior Kelli Kiffer said, “I understand the university is having financial difficulty, although maybe they could cut from a department that is more established and not trying to gain grounding in their field of study.” Kiffer is a BWS major.

“One of the reasons the black world studies program exists is to study and protect the African American culture,” Kiffer said. “If this program gets cut, there is a good chance these ideas will be suppressed.”

Kiffer also explained how she believes the BWS department can at times be underappreciated. Kiffer accompanied Quaye on the semester abroad to Africa through the OWU in Tanzania program.

Junior and senior performers talk Music Department

Senior Arie Leffel and junior ZoAnn Schutte perform in the Jemison Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Meg Linebaugh via Facebook.

During their junior and senior years, Ohio Wesleyan music majors are required to hold and perform in a recital to showcase their work and talent, but these can sometimes fly under the radar.

On Tuesday, March 3, junior ZoAnne Schutte and senior Arie Leffel performed in the Jemison auditorium of Sanborn Hall. These students were also joined by Dr. Mariko Kaneda who is, “an accomplished chamber musician and accompanist.” Kaneda was playing the piano and is a part time assistant professor at Ohio Wesleyan. She teaches applied and class piano.

Schutte performed on the clarinet, which she has been playing for about eleven years and studying privately for six years. During this recital, Schutte played for about 30 minutes collectively.

“Arie and I were approached by our teacher, Dr. Gamso, last fall about performing a recital,” Schutte said. “Logistically, all we needed to do was submit an application to the department chair for approval. Everything else was in our hands to prepare.”

“I think the Ohio Wesleyan Department of Music is growing in size and quality, but needs more recognition on campus. Unfortunately a lot of students don’t even know we have a music department. Hardly anyone attends the ensemble concerts or student recitals,” said Schutte. “The department is always looking for more people to get involved in Music, and for more ways to shine a light on our corner of campus. We have a lot of hard-working students and faculty who deserve recognition from their peers.”

Kaneda played for about half the concert. Kaneda said that she is “usually the one playing for all the student performers who need accompanist.” She has been playing since the age of four.

Leffel did not respond by the time this article went to press.

Track and field head to conferences with stellar record

Coach Kris Boey. Photo courtesy of the Connect2OWU website.

Men’s and women’s track teams conquer their fifth first place victory at the Kenyon College Classic and prepare for conferences.

Seven teams competed at Kenyon on Feb 21. Both the men’s and women’s teams came in first.

Although they have had a very successful season so far, coach Kris Boey said, “They look at every meet as an opportunity to improve.”

“Usually after a big meet, we give athletes some time off. They also work on their secondary event verses their primary,” said Boey. The NCAC championship will take place on March 6 and 7. “The women’s team is hoping to win their ninth straight title,” said Boey.

Junior Aaron Port. Photo courtesy of battlingbishops.com.

Junior Aaron Port said, “There have been lots of personal bests early in the season and we are really stepping things up in time for the conference and national meets.” Port competes in the heptathlon and the decathlon events.

Boey explained, “The very special team dynamic is a large part of our teams success. Each athlete believes that they are a part of something bigger than their selves.”

“Morale is extremely high as both teams are having great success early in the year and are both looking to take home the conference titles,” said Port. “We have a lot of young talent this year and they are contributing in a big way.”

Junior Abbey Warth. Photo courtesy of battlingbishops.com.

As for the remainder of the season, junior Abbey Warth said “I am hoping to keep seeing big improvements from everyone on the team, and a big showing at the NCAC conference meet. It would be great if we could see quite a few of us at the national meet and represent OWU well but, we are more of an outdoor based program, and will probably see a much bigger showing at the outdoor NCAA meet.”

Boey said throughout the past five years, their “recruiting style really hasn’t changed. We are at a point that we recruit very aggressively. It is a competitive market and we are building personal relationships. Although our past record helps recruit, we cannot completely rely on it.”

Students victims of credit card fraud

Throughout the past months, the credit card information of some Ohio Wesleyan students has been compromised.

While the exact locations of the thefts are unknown, all have been in Ohio.

Senior Elise Pitcairn said, “For me, it wasn’t a specific place that I had used my credit card at. My bank told me that a ‘private vendor’ had stolen information from a large group of the bank’s clients.” This took place about three weeks ago.

Pitcairn said she was notified when “her bank called and left a voicemail saying that they would be cancelling my card because multiple people had their information stolen and that they had issued me a new card.” Pitcairn mentioned that none of her money was withdrawn.

Pitcairn said her credit card information had been taken once before during her sophomore year. However, she knew at which store her card information had been stolen.

Pitcairn offered these words of advice: “I would suggest always knowing how much money should be in your account, speaking directly to your bank if a problem arises and cancelling your card as soon as something happens.”

Senior Maria Urbina said her information was compromised in early June. However, Urbina said “around $200 was taken and I got it back after talking to my bank.”

Urbina had her credit card information stolen before, during spring break of 2014. Since the two incidents, Urbina has instituted preemptive security measures.

“Since I work at a bar and get most of my money through tips, I’ve just been paying with cash all the time and that’s been a good and safe alternative for me,” she said.

Senior Lauren Rump, another victim of credit card fraud, said “I practically use my card everywhere I go, so I have no idea where my information was taken.” Her credit card information was compromised about three weeks ago.

“I have a mobile banking app and was checking my balance after a day of shopping when I saw there was a transaction made earlier in the day that I had not authorized or been present for,” said Rump.

Rumps said $66 was charged to her account. “I had to fill out paperwork with my bank and my money has since been credited back to me,” she said.

Rump explained that this had never happen to her in the past.

For future protection, Rump said, “I would suggest trying to have more cash on hand and use that more often than a card, using credit instead of debit more often, since with credit the money isn’t taken off your account immediately, with debit it is, and check your transactions often to make sure your money isn’t being spent without you knowing.”

Rump said she found it odd that so many students have had their information compromised in such a short time span.

OWU students share their Tanzanian research

Eight Ohio Wesleyan students traveled to Tanzania this fall to complete professional research on a variety of topics

Throughout their time in Africa, each student conducted research that would be presented to a panel of nurses, doctors and other African medical professionals. This research was then presented by the students on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Benes Rooms of the Hamilton Williams Campus Center.

Some of the topics covered were the Tanzania Youth Alliance’s fight against HIV/AIDS, breast and cervical cancer and the link between violent conflict and AIDS in Saharan Africa.

Junior Kelli Kiffer presented her research, entitled “The Truth Behind the Bite – An Analysis and Look into Tanzanians’ Perceptions of Malaria.” Kiffer gathered information on the impact of malaria and the awareness of malaria in Africa.

Kiffer said “about 90 percent of deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa are due to malaria.” Kiffer compiled quantitative data to reach this statistic.

Junior Addy Dyrek conducted a research project entitled “Why Women in Sub-Saharan Africa are More Vulnerable to Contracting HIV: Taking a Look at the Biological, Social, Economical and Cultural Practices That Affect Women’s Health.”

Dyrek described her experience in Tanzania as “eye-opening. It was incredible to see the dynamic between men and women marriages in Africa.”

Junior MaryKate Caja worked on a project she called “Communication Barriers Between Parents and Adolescents in Tanzanian Society.”

According to Caja, her “research looked into the dynamic between parents and children on topics such as sex education.”

Accompanying the students on the semester-long trip was Randolph Quaye, director of OWU’s black world studies program.