If global warming becomes a major issue or alternate fuels are developed, Saudi Arabia’s economy will suffer, according to a former energy consultant.
To diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud drafted the Saudi Vision 2030, said Rand Guebert, a former Oilinvest B.V. consultant. The objective of the vision is for Saudi Arabia to be “a pioneering and successful global model of excellence,” according to the Vision 2030 website.
Guebert said Salman is trying to get Asian countries to invest in his country to diversify the Saudi economy, while helping Asian countries diversify as well. Guebert and Melinda McClimans discussed Saudi Arabia in transition as part of the Great Decisions lecture series March 3 at the William Street United Methodist Church.
Saudi Arabia faces many challenges, such as oil production, water scarcity and national defense issues, and has been in a state of transition for the past 60 years, according to Guebert.
Oil was discovered in Saudi Arabia in 1938, years after Iran (1908), Iraq (1924) and Bahrain (1932).
Before the 1960s, Saudi Arabia produced about 1 million barrels of oil a day because of low demand. But by the 1960s, the demand spiked. As a result, Saudi Arabia began producing 10 million barrels of oil a day, Guebert said.
In the early 1980s, Saudi Arabia competed with Russia and the U.S. and oil prices dropped dramatically.
“One of the things to remember about this production is it’s very cheap,” Guebert said. “Saudi Arabia is the lowest cost oil producer in the world and costs about $5 a barrel.”
In the 1980s, however, the price went up to nearly $40 per barrel.
“All of a sudden, [the Saudis] had huge amounts of money coming in,” Guebert said. “So this transformed what was still a desert society.”
Today, the price of oil per barrel is $53, but in the current economy, that price isn’t pro table but it is stable, according to Guebert.
Saudi Arabia spends almost 10 percent of its annual revenue budget on national defense, which is nearly twice what the U.S. spends, Guebert said.
McClimans, assistant director of the Middle East Studies Center at The Ohio State University, focused on Saudi Arabia’s religious perspective.
Saudi Arabia is the heart of Islam, McClimans said. Though Islam started as an Arab phenomenon, it has expanded to Persian and Turkish territories and is now a multicultural religion.
McClimans, who lived in Saudi Arabia for a few years, said the country’s government is grounded in “pure Sharia law.”
But there are caveats, McClimans said. For instance, during the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims are required to fast, if someone needs to take medication with food, that’s permissible.
“[What I found most interesting] is that Saudi Arabia’s under pressure to get into the modern world,” said Oluf Kongshaug, a local retired Presbyterian minister. “Now that the U.S. is producing more oil, what’s Saudi Arabia going to do if they don’t have us as a customer?”
By many indicators, Latin America has the most unequal distribution of wealth in the world.
Some have termed Latin America’s uneven distribution “the birth defect of in- equality because it dates back to at least colonization,” said James Franklin, professor of politics and government at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Franklin discussed Latin America’s political pendulum as part of the Great Decisions lecture series March 10. He used the analogy of a pendulum to explain the back and forth trends of the recent political shifts in Latin America. Because of the legacy of inequal- ity in Latin America, political systems were weak. When Latin America countries gained independence, the region experienced “cha- os without centralized control,” Franklin said. He compared Latin America’s post-in- dependence era to that of Afghanistan’s and Congo’s current situations.
Later, as Latin America became more stable and urbanized, large groups of people remained unrepresented and inequality persisted. From the 1930s to the 1950s, a new type of leader, the populist, emerged, Franklin said.
“They carried some of the characteristics of the caudillo, the forceful man in charge who would come in and set everything right,” Franklin said.
Populists were nationalistic and decried foreign powers, especially the U.S., and foreign businesses, arguing they were trying to manipulate Latin America, according to Franklin. Populists believed in an activ- ist government, promising to work for the people.
The Cold War era, in particular, was important in Latin American history. Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, who led the Cuban revolution, promised that revolution would put an end to region-wide inequality.
But the revolution as the solution for inequality proved false, Franklin said. In most cases, plans to overthrow the elite failed and poor peasants were caught in the cross re of civil wars.
The 1980s and 1990s saw major changes in Latin America, including the rise of democracy. More recently the pendulum swung toward neo-liberalism.
Chile and Brazil are examples of a successful shift to neo-liberalism, where growing economies followed a market-oriented approach. But in many other countries, neo-liberalism led to unemployment. The poor continued to believe they weren’t being represented by anyone in the capital, Franklin said.
Populist leftist leaders, such as Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela), Evo Morales (Bolivia) and Rafael Correa (Ecuador), came into power with the inten- tion of helping the poor.
These leaders railed against corrupt elites, neo-liberalism and the opposition, Franklin said. They were also critical of the news media. The public had concerns about corrup- tion, growing signs of authoritarianism and weakening of checks and balances within the populist leaders’ countries. But the leaders lowered poverty and inequality rates while in power.
“Research in comparative politics shows that people with a more stable economic environment … tend to put more emphasis on things like honest government and rights and freedom,” Franklin said.
Ken Doane, of Delaware, said he learned a lot about the countries in Latin America from Franklin’s talk and it made him curious to learn more.
“The difference between the neoliberal left and ultra-left and how some countries have gone back and forth between the two [was interesting],” Doane said.
While Ohio Wesleyan was originally Patrick Huber’s backup plan for college, it ended up being his best plan.
The Air Force Academy first opened its doors in April 1954 in the city of Colorado Springs, CO. Huber aspired to go to the Air Force Academy and graduate with the second class to ever attend.
For admission to the academy, Huber was required to pass a physical examination. His examination took place at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, just east of Dayton, Ohio, about two and a half hours away from his home in Tiffin, OH. However, Huber failed the exam due to his eyesight because he did not have 20/20 vision.
With 20 minutes left in the nearly three hour drive home, Huber’s father broke the silence of the car ride and said they needed to come up with a backup plan for attending college.
He chose Ohio Wesleyan.
Huber graduated with the class of 1962 and continues to share his passion for OWU with prospective students. Huber has now been recruiting for roughly 15 years in the Lima, OH area.
A devoted OWU recruiter in the Lima area, Huber originally started recruiting at college fairs, however these fairs have become less popular. Nowadays, Huber visits high schools to meet prospective students and receives a lot of recommended names from high school coaches, counselors, and teachers.
Huber stresses the importance “comfort”, which he believes is critical to the college selection process. “There’s no scientific formula for finding a college. I say when you get to that place where you really have a comfort level, that’s probably where you should go to school,” Huber said.
Ohio is a competitive state for college recruiters. While there are large state schools such as Bowling Green State University or Ohio State University, there are also colleges that can offer athletic scholarships such as the University of Findlay or Ashland University that have advantages against OWU recruiters.
“The most rewarding part is meeting the young students and then hearing them say they’re going to be a Bishop. To be able to watch them grow and hear their experiences at OWU … [it’s] probably more rewarding for me than to them,” Huber said.
Huber can be found at different OWU sporting events, cheering on the many Battling Bishops he has helped bring to OWU.
Huber has three children and five grandchildren; the youngest grandchild is 10 years old and the oldest grandchild is 21 years old. Huber said it was as if all three of his children wanted to rebel since none of them attended OWU; he has high hopes that one of the younger grandchildren will become a bishop.
Huber graduated with majors in both economics and political science. During college, he played on the football team for his first two years before a knee injury ended his career. His Senior year he joined the track team. Huber was also the Circulation Manager for The Transcript his final two years at OWU.
Huber was also involved in Greek Life as a member of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji). He held the position of pledge trainer. As an alumnus, he was heavily involved in the process of reestablishing the fraternity on campus.
Besides being an active recruiter for OWU, he’s an avid fundraiser and currently serves as President of the “W Association,” which is the alumni board for former OWU varsity athletes. He is on the Football Advisory Board and previously served on OWU Alumni Board for six years. In June 2017, Huber will end his eighth year as president of the “W Association.”
Within the Football Advisory Board, he helped launched a mentoring program that helps juniors and seniors find internships, jobs and supports students who want to go to graduate school. The program started this year and Huber hopes other sports teams will start a similar program within their organizations.
Huber, along with three others, are recipients of the Alumni Award and will be recognized at alumni weekend in May, the following weekend of commencement. The Alumni Award is given to alumni who demonstrate outstanding service to OWU.
Huber is a supporter of the 2,020 students initiative and plans to help achieve that goal as best he can. Other ambitions of his includ updating the seating in Branch Rickey and increasing OWU’s endowment to make the university more financially stable.
“I have a passion for the university. I think there’s so many great young people here and it’s important for them to have the opportunity to succeed and go on,” Huber said.
Ohio Wesleyan recently announced the addition of several new athletic teams and a marching band for the coming academic year for new and current students to join.
Before they were approved, OWU offered 23 different sports which were separated into 11 male varsity sports and 12 female varsity sports. Men’s wrestling and women’s rowing now join the growing Bishop family. It is not just sports being added, however, as a marching band will support OWU athletics during games.
“I used to be a part of the marching band in high school so I think that it is really cool that the school will now offer it,” said ju- nior Emma Stilgenbauer.
Athletic Director Roger Ingles said that after the two sports were chosen it took two years before they could be approved. He said this will provide more opportunities for students to continue their athletic careers after high school.
Questions about funding the teams remain. So do questions about where these teams will practice and play.
The athletic department has created a sample budget for the administration’s approval.
According to Ingles, this will provide help for OWU’s goal for admission of 2020 students by 2020.
Wrestling was once offered at OWU but was dropped in 1984. This decision was made before Ingles led the position as athletic director.
“I am excited [wrestling] is coming back,” Ingles said, adding that the sport is growing and popular in the area with maximizing recruiting opportuntiies. During his time as athletic director, Ingles has brought softball, and now wrestling, back to OWU.
He said he is very proud of that accomplishment.
“I think it is awesome that [wrestling] is now a varsity sport,” said freshman Max Aaronson who is in the wrestling club at OWU. “A lot of guys were happy to hear that it was being considered.”
Ingles also said that he spoke with members of the club and that there was a definite interest for it to be a varsity sport.
Women’s rowing was added because of its growing popularity in the area, according to Ingles.
Coaches for the new sports are being considered, and a hiring decision will be made late this spring. Ingles said that he is looking for coaches that are knowledgeable about the sport and that are committed to starting fresh.
The Environment and Wildlife Club (E&W) requested $75,000 to bring Bill Nye to Ohio Wesleyan for Green Week.
The Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs’ (WCSA) Budget Committee denied the request. E&W wanted to bring either Nye or local lawmaker Andrea Torrice.
“The Budget Committee decided [Torrice] was a better fit for Green Week,” said treasurer Kristen Nooney at WCSA’s meeting on March 20.
Overall, E&W requested $81,753 and the Budget Committee funded the club $3,816 for Green Week, which will be held from April 17 to 22 to promote sustainability and other environmental issues.
The club also requested $670 to attend the Midwest Student Coalition for Climate Action Conference.
The conference is being hosted by Denison University and provides a platform for the Ohio5 schools to discuss different sustainability issues, Nooney said. The Budget Committee funded the club $637 for the conference.
Additionally, members of the senate discussed a bill to amend the constitution’s language on the election of a treasurer as well as a bill to amend the constitution’s language on the quali cations to be considered for the treasurer position.
WCSA’s Academic Affairs Committee will also host an academic forum March 30 prior to course registration.
The next WCSA meeting will be held March 27 in the Crider Lounge in Ham-Will.
On Nov. 8, 2016, Donald J. Trump was elected as the 45th president of the United States. Ilhan Omar, a Somali-American woman and follower of Islam, was elected to her state’s legislature that same day.
As part of the Butler A. Jones Lecture Series, Omar shared her story as an immigrant and a public servant with the Ohio Wesleyan community and friends of the uni- versity this past Tuesday.
Fleeing the violence of a civil war in her native Somalia, Omar and her family came to the United States in 1995.
Like so many people who come to America in search of a better life, Omar imagined that she, too, would be afforded those opportunities necessary to make her dreams and her family’s vision a reality. But as she grew up, her faith in an “American Dream” would be tested.
Omar said that most of the time she felt welcome and accepted as she made a new home in Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, there were times where people did not respect her because they were intolerant of her religious identity, ethnic identity or gender.
She recalled one experience where she had her hand raised to answer a math problem on the board at the front of her class. She was the only one who knew it, yet her teacher was unwilling to let her answer.
That did not stop her. Rather than remain silent and let the class continue, Omar got up and made her way to the board where she wrote out the answer to the problem.
She said she believes that that kind of strong, independent attitude has made it possible for her to face the injustices she sees and experiences everyday as a minority.
In addition to all that she has accomplished in her public and private lives, Omar’s example has inspired and given hope to so many that identify with her and the message of a more equal America that she is fighting for.
Quoting the ancient Greek philosopher Solon, Omar said, “Wrongdoing can only be avoided if those who are not wronged feel the same indignation at it as those who are.”
That message resonated with Omar Hashi, a Columbus resident with degrees from Ohio State University in both political science and international studies
“As Somalis, and as immigrants in the Trump era we look at Ilhan Omar and see a beacon of hope,” Hashi said.
Athletics Director Roger Ingles is leaving OWU to become director of athletics at Capital University.
On March 23, President Rock Jones sent a campus-wide email stating Ingles is leaving behind his combined 33 years of experience at OWU as a coach and director.
In his email, Jones said Ingles will “oversee 20 men’s and women’s varsity sports.”
According to the Batthing Bishops staff director, Ingles coached baseball for 22 seasons, was assistant athletics director for seven years and associate athletics director for three years before he became the athletics director.
Before becoming interim athletics director, Ingles was associate athletics director for 3 years and assistant athletics director for 7 years.
Jones wrote of Ingles’ success at OWU as both baseball coach and athletics director.
“During his 22 seasons coaching the Bishops, Roger’s teams earned 15 NCAA Division III postseason appearances and eight North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) championships,” Jones said. “Roger’s accomplishments include creating the student scholar-athlete awards banquet, expanding the coaching and athletic training staffs, working to improve gender equity across the athletics spectrum, and helping to improve Ohio Wesleyan’s athletics facilities.”
Jones added Ingles brought OWU two NCAA men’s and women’s track & field national championships and one men’s and women’s cross country national championship.
“Ask Roger what he’s most proud of during his tenure as Athletics Director, and all of his comments have a common theme: Supporting Ohio Wesleyan student-athletes, helping players achieve academic as well as athletic success, and preparing them for happy, healthy, well-balanced lives,” Jones said in his email.
Ingles said, to Jones, joining Capital University’s athletic program will challenge him.
“I have great love for Ohio Wesleyan. I am proud of all that has been accomplished here. Capital is looking to enhance its athletics programs and facilities, and this is just the kind of opportunity and challenge that I like to take on,” Ingles said.
The Transcript is reaching out to Ingles and other members of the athletic department at this time and will update the story when information is available.
Ohio Wesleyan University has notified the House of Black Culture (HBC) residents that they are being relocated.
On March 2, President Rock Jones sent a campus-wide email stating the house, located at 65 Oak Hill Ave., is not in good living condition and that the members would be moved out of the house.
The current building housing the HBC “is in significant disrepair,” Jones said in the email, “raising questions about the best location for the house to ensure that it remains a vital and vibrant space for students.”
Jones said the floors are in bad condition and animals such as raccoons and rodents have gotten into the attic and other areas of the house.
After speaking with members of the house and other students, Jones said the next step was to select an advisory group made up of students, alumni and employees.
Jones said the advisory group is being established to decide on a new location for HBC, potentially being the current Honors House, located at 123 Oak Hill Ave.
“[The Honors House] would house more students in a setting that potentially could support the socializing, studying and sharing in cultural experiences that recognize and celebrate the African American experience,” Jones said.
Prominent on OWU’s campus since 1971, Jones said HBC is an important part of the college experience for students of color.
“Current and former residents often describe the house as their safe haven and home away from home,” Jones said. “This is a wonderful legacy that Ohio Wesleyan is committed to preserving and protecting.”
Jones added the house will soon be celebrating 50 years on campus.
“We want to assure everyone that Ohio Wesleyan is committed to supporting the House of Black Culture,” Jones said. “And to continuing to honor the legacy of Dr. Butler A. Jones, for whom the house was named in 1994.”
On March 9, Jones sent out another campus-wide email saying the advisory group had been determined.
Jones said the group is made up of students, alumni, faculty and administrators.
Chaired by Aaron Granger ‘93, the group consists of students Adedayo Akinmadeyemi, Ornella Bisamaza, Iyana Buckmon, Genaye Ervin, Cara Harris and Austin Moore.
The alumni in the group are Khadija Adams ’04, Kaila Johnson ’16 and Andrew Wilson ’13 and the faculty members are Nancy Comorau, associate professor of English, Randy Quaye, professor of black world studies and Juan Armando Rojas Joo, professor of modern foreign languages and associate dean for diversity and inclusion.
The administrators in the group are Lisa Ho, associate chaplain; Terree Stevenson, director of multicultural student affairs and Dwayne Todd, vice president for student engagement and success.
Jones said the first advisory group meeting will be held March 24.
“I am grateful for the many people who expressed interest in serving on this group,” Jones said. “The advisory group will solicit input from the campus community and from alumni as it undertakes its work.”
In the conclusion of his email, Jones said those who wish to contribute to the conversation can email hbc@owu.edu and everyone can look for updates at owu.edu/hbcupdates.
Junior Cara Harris does not live in HBC but is part of the community and will participate in the advisory group.
Junior Cara Harris
“The house is a physical and symbolic place for Black students and students of color to come together in a safe space to hang out, study, have dinner, and celebrate our cultures without the pressures of attending a PWI (predominantly white institution),” Harris said.
In regard to the relocation process, Harris said she is frustrated.
“The worst part of the relocation process is that administration did not notify the residents nor the greater OWU campus until after they had made a decision,” Harris said. “There was no consideration of the students and alumni that the HBC has affected, until we voiced our concerns.”
Sophomore MaLia Walker has lived in HBCulture since the beginning of her sophomore year, but has been part of the community since her freshman year.
Sophomore MaLia Walker
“I loved the community, vibe and the people who resided in the house,” Walker said. “Living in the house is an experience I’m sad to see taken away, because it is one that I will cherish forever.”
Walker said being a minority on campus is difficult, especially when it comes to finding a community to be part of, but that HBC is her home away from home.
“It is very unfortunate, that programs for people of color on this campus are constantly getting cut or no longer available for students,” Walker said. “And it’s sad to say that the actual house of black culture is another thing that will be cut.”
“It’s really hard to be a part of a community that is always getting underrepresented and undermined,” Walker added.
Walker said the relocation process makes her uncomfortable for three main reasons.
“[The] first first reason being the school has already made their decision before consulting the people who live in the house.” Walker said. “[The second reason is] the school has known about [HBC’s] condition for about 20 years now.”
“Dwayne Todd even stated in the meeting that had their not have been a new honors house being built next door that the students who live in the house a black culture would have to continue to reside in this house that has been falling apart,” Walker said.
Walker’s third reason was that the potential relocation to the Honors House makes their walk to the other parts of campus minutes longer.
Walker said the move to the Honors House makes her feel like the school wants them further away from the public view.
After stating there had been work orders yet to be filled for the house in the initial meeting with administrators, a box of supplies was left at the house the next day.
“It may not be true but it feels as if residential life and the dean of students are trying to cover up their tracks,” Walker said.
Walker also said she responded to Jones’ email that asked for advisory board volunteers, but did not hear back for eight days.
“When my moderator responded that she and I would both be interested, President Rock Jones immediately responded to her email saying that the list has already been published and finalized,” Walker said.
Walker said she wonders how the group was made after her request was ignored.
“Once again, the dean, residential life and now even the president are making decisions without notifying the people who are involved.”
However, Jones said a lot of people asked to be on the committee, therefore not everyone could participate.
“I tried to make it as representative as possible,” Jones said. “So the alumni are from different class years and represent different times in the history of the house.”
Jones said leading up to the idea of the advisory group, it became obvious that many involved with the house had strong feelings about it.
“We needed to take a step back and listen more carefully to hear people share their feelings and then think more fully about all of the options that could be available.”
Ty’Aira Manning ‘15 was close to the HBC community throughout her time at OWU and decided to live in the house her senior year.
Ty’Aira Manning ’15
“ I decided to live in this community because the house residents have been supportive of my academic journey since freshman year,” Manning said. “These HBC residents and alumni were invested in my education and well being.”
Manning said she remembers late-night talks with residents supporting her college experience.
“Simply, the HBC became my support system because its residents were going through the same process as me; this process being a black person trying to prove the world wrong and make our families proud,” Manning said.
Manning said her feelings on the relocation process are complex.
“On one hand, I am elated because the relocation process would ensure the legacy of the HBC could thrive longer for future OWU students to experience,” Manning said. “However, I am troubled because the HBC is in need of renovation due to the poor upkeep of the facility itself.”
Manning said she wonders if relocation would have been necessary if HBC had “received additional maintenance throughout the years.”
Though Manning will not participate in the advisory group, she said she’s been contacted by members and will “advocate for the preservation of HBC.”
JaMilla Holland ‘16 also lived in the HBC and will serve on the advisory group.
JaMilla Holland ‘16
Holland moved into the house during her sophomore year.
“I chose to live in the House because I truly began to consider it my home,” Holland said. “I felt socially, emotionally, and academically supported there; I was also able to connect with other students on the basis of cultural likenesses, which boosted my experience as a Black student at a predominantly white institution such as OWU.”
Holland said the relocation process does not fully support the needs of Black students that live in or are part of the HBC community.
“To both past and current residents/friends of the House, it’s not just about having a geographical location on campus,” Holland said. “ The House was placed where it is for a reason (directly across from the Cave in Stuyvesant Hall, another essential resource geared toward Black students).”
Manning also said issues discussed with administration before plans were made are not being honored.
“Also, none of the information available to current students and alum seems to be consistent with board members or with administration,” Holland said. “Those things, combined with the years of neglect of maintenance certainly makes it appear that administration does not value the importance of creating a positive and safe space and resource for students of color, even having been told quite how significant it is.”
Manning said the physical house is extremely important to students, which is why the relocation process and how it is taken care of is so important.
“I will always consider HBC the place I felt most at home, and I don’t think my experience and growth as a Black student at OWU and a person could have been nearly as positive without the resources and provided by the House itself, the members, and close friends/groups associated with it,” Holland added.
On Tuesday, March 7, from noon to 1 p.m., Ohio Wesleyan is celebrating its 175th year on the day the school was given a charter.
Erin England, social media producer for the office of university communications and coordinator of the event, said President Rock Jones will speak on the importance of charter day.
“[The celebration] will also include a giveaway of fifteen $10 Chartwells gift cards as well as a grand prize of a $175 gift card to the bookstore,” England said.
England said there will be free temporary tattoos, tech pockets, wristbands and cookies, but the main event will be the balloon drop that will take place at noon.
The charter day celebration, supported by the President’s Office, will include a balloon drop of about 600 balloons in the Hamilton-Williams atrium.
Junior Katie Kuckelheim, intern for the office of university communications, is involved with blowing up the balloons.
“The communications office will blow up some of the balloons,” Kuckelheim said. “[And] a couple of my [Delta Zeta] sorority sisters and I will help blow up the last of the 600 balloons.”
Kuckelheim said she loves OWU and loves history, which is why she wanted to get involved with the charter day celebration.
“It seemed fitting I would help with the celebration of the anniversary of the 175th signing of the charter that made our university a reality,” Kuckelheim said.
Cole Hatcher, director of media and community relations for the officer of university communications, wrote excitedly of the event.
“It should be a fun event for everyone to come together to celebrate OWU’s heritage and the university’s ongoing impact in the world,” Hatcher said.
Greek life at Ohio Wesleyan University came together to participate in Delta Gamma’s Anchor Splash, and other drives to raise money for a philanthropic cause just last week.
Every spring semester, Delta Gamma (DG) holds Anchor Splash at the Meek Aquatic and Recreation Center. To help raise funds, the sorority also organized some small competitions during the week of Feb. 20-24
The funds raised go towards Service for Sight. According to deltagamma.org, Service for Sight is a non profit created by DG to help the visually impaired.
Alpha Sigma Phi and Delta Zeta were the winners of this year’s Anchor Splash.
“We are happy that we won,” said sophomore Andrew Alaniz who is also a member of Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity. Alaniz said that they lost a lot of points early on in the week but was pleased with how they were able to work together in the other activities.
“Seeing everyone come together for a good cause is something special to see,” said sophomore Maggie Greer. As officer of the Anchor Games Greer was responsible for organizing the swimming events that took place on Friday.
“It was hard at first, but with help I was able to organize and get things together,” said Greer. “It was a great experience.”
Throughout the week leading up to the swimming events, fraternities and sororities collect pennies for what DG calls “penny wars”. Pennies that are collected by specific fraternities and sororities get counted for points. According to Greer, the top three organizations that collect the most get points awarded to their house.
Then comes the banner making where fraternities and sororities compete to see who can make the best one. The banner must to be placed in the atrium in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center no later than Thursday night.
To qualify for the banner competition, each organization’s banner must feature Delta Gamma or its iconic anchor. The fraternity or sorority that makes the best banner is awarded the most points.
Delta Gamma’s judges emphasize creativity when it comes to designing banners.
“It is really cool to see people be as creative as possible,” said Greer.
Also on Thursday, serenades for the senior members of the sorority were held.
Together, they travel to every greek house where the members of that organization have to sing to them. The songs vary from pop to old time classics. However, extra points are rewarded for those serenades that have Delta Gamma related adaptations.
Throughout the week, participants receive more points through social media shout outs. This includes mentioning DG or Anchor Splash on any of the major social media outlets such as, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Those organizations that participated in the week long activities gathered in Meek to compete in races of various kinds on Friday. One notable competition involved two team members pulling an inflatable whale. In it, a DG member rides on the whale’s back, to the opposite side of the pool where two teammates are waiting to ride it back across.
The funds raised are yet to be fully counted, but Greer approximated that they raised close to $1,000 for this year’s Anchor Splash.
