News – Page 32 – The Transcript

America’s oldest discussion series travels to Delaware to discuss foreign policy

By Anna Davies, Transcript Correspondent

The largest and longest-running grassroots politics education program is starting its 2017 series in Delaware on Feb. 17 at the Williams Street United Methodist Church.

The theme of this year’s Great Decisions series is U.S. Foreign Policy, according to an Ohio Wesleyan University press release written by former politics and government professor Corinne Lyman.

OWU professor of economics Goran Skosples is the first lecturer and will discuss the effect of Brexit on the United Kingdom.

Other lectures will include topics like Saudi Arabia’s political transition, the United States’ petroleum supply and nuclear security. The Foreign Policy Association, which runs the Great Decisions program, chose the topics in advance. Local groups then choose experts from their town that they want to see explore the Great Decisions topics.

The press release also said that at the end of each lecture, audience members will fill out surveys that will be sent to policy-
makers in Washington, D.C.

James Franklin, OWU professor and department chair of politics and government, will discuss Latin American political shifts. Franklin’s lecture will focus primarily on leftist populist leaders like Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Rafael Correa of Bolivia and Evo Morales of Bolivia, he said.

These leaders fought against social elites and gained support from poor citizens who felt ignored by old political regimes.

“Recently, much of Latin America has experienced an economic slowdown, and there has been a shift back to the center-
right in some recent elections,” Franklin said. His lecture will explain this shift.

Franklin teaches courses at OWU about Latin American politics, which made him qualified to be the lecturer for this topic.

“I think the topic is relevant and interesting even outside of Latin America,” Franklin said. “There has been a rise of populist politics in Western democracies with the Brexit vote and the election of Donald Trump.”

“Learning is not a one-way street at these events,” Franklin said. “The Delaware community is very knowledgeable of international affairs, and they contribute to rich discussions of these topics. I encourage everyone to attend.”

The Great Decisions lecture series started in 1954 in Portland, Ore. According to the Foreign Policy Association’s website, it is now the largest discussion program on world affairs in the U.S.

The Backstretch moves focus from bar to food

By Sara Hollabaugh, Online Editor

Known to many as “The Stretch,” a staple in Delaware since 1990, The Backstretch has rebranded from just a bar to The Backstretch Kitchen and Drinks.

Owned by Joanne Meyer and her son Kyle Meyer ‘02, an OWU alum, The Backstretch is populated daily with OWU students and local customers.

According to their website, the Meyer family understood that frequent customers using the space for a quick drink at the bar also wanted food.

Though The Backstretch is limited on space, they installed a full-service kitchen over two years ago, allowing the bar to provide a full and seasonal food menu.

Since the kitchen has been installed, The Backstretch has rebranded their logo and updated their website.

“This was just a natural progression,” Meyer said. “The food business has really taken off and so it was a natural evolution to update the 20-year-old logo to incorporate all aspects of the business.”

As for future changes, Meyer said there is always room to improve.

“Last year, we also had been focusing on the outside: updating, painting and installing the patio,” Meyer said. “This year’s plans are for updating and doing some things to the inside of the premises.”

Meyer said they have received positive feedback on their efforts to update The Backstretch.

“It has been overwhelmingly positive,” Meyer said. “Everyone has agreed the progression of updates and changes we have made in the past couple of years has been great.”

“We have had alums in and they have all liked the new logo and the food,” Meyer said.

OWU senior Cait Burton-Dooley said she thinks the rebranding is strange for students.

“The Stretch has always been a bit seedy and knowing that it’s been cleaned up feels a little like we’re losing some-
thing,” Burton-Dooley said.

However, Burton-Dooley said the changes will not stop her from going.

“I’ll still go because their food is good and their drinks are bomb,” Burton-Dooley said. “It’ll just take a little getting used to.”

In addition to The Backstretch changes being different for students, the list of restaurants allowing students to use their OWU meal points has been updated for the semester.

After changing the card reading system last fall, Nancy Tumeo from the card office announced the seven restaurants returning this spring are Hamburger Inn, Home Slices Bakery & Café, Domino’s, Opa Grill & Tavern, J. Gumbo’s Delaware, Subway and Victor’s Tacos.

This list leaves out El Vaqueros, typically on the off-campus dining program, due to technical difficulties with the card reading system, according to Tumeo.

As for The Backstretch, Meyer said they would not be opposed to joining the program, but do not know what it entails.

“We have talked about it in the past, but haven’t had the time to get with OWU to learn about the system,” Meyer said.

OWU Spanish professor nominated for AHTC position

By Alanna Henderson, Managing Editor

Assistant Professor of Spanish Glenda Y. Nieto-Cuebas was nominated to run for the three-year renewable term on the Board of Directors of The Association for Hispanic Classical Theatre. Her term began in January 2017.

The Association for Hispanic Classical Theatre (AHCT) is a non-profit organization charted in 1984. AHCT’s purpose is to promote and foster a greater appreciation for Spain’s classical drama in production.

According to AHCT’s website, this organization “counts among its members literary scholars, theatrical directors and producers, teachers, and other aficionados of Spain’s Golden Age of Theater.”

The AHCT board members contribute in different capacities, depending on the needs of the Association. This may include assisting in the organization of the annual conference, evaluating conference paper submissions and submissions for the AHCT prizes, and proof-reading articles, according to Nieto-Cuebas.

“My goal is to keep working in academic projects intended at finding innovative approaches for teaching and researching Hispanic Classical Theater,” Nieto-Cuebas said.

“AHCT has allowed me to connect with numerous specialists in my field. This organization has led to different collaborative research projects.”

Nieto-Cuebas is currently co-editing a book focused on social justice in the Spanish Comedia with three other members of AHCT.

“The Association has also opened doors to numerous opportunities for my students. I have invited several guest speakers to give talks at OWU and in my classes whom I met personally through AHCT.”

Junior Kari Seymour met Professor Nieto-Cuebas her first day on campus. Nieto-Cuebas is Seymour’s academic advisor and took her first college Spanish course with her.

“She is extremely dedicated to her students, making sure we understand the material and Glenda is always willing to find new ways to help us,” Seymour said.

“It’s clear that she loves her job as a professor and truly wants her students to leave her class having learned something each day. I think this position is great for her because, just like teaching, it is something she is passionate about,” Seymour said.

In 2015, Professor Nieto-Cuebas led a Theory to Practice Grant project that focused on studying how theater plays are adapted and produced for contemporary audiences, how theater festivals in Spain are able to maintain a theatrical tradition, and in what way this has benefited different communities, audiences, and institutions throughout Spain.

The interviews students conducted for research in Spain were facilitated by connections Nieto-Cuebas previously made through AHCT.

“In the near future, I hope to be able to take some students to the annual AHCT conference and include them in one of my presentations so they can share their experiences working on projects and discuss how it contributed to their understanding of Spanish literature and culture,” Nieto-Cuebas said.

When “punk” meets politics

By Evan Walsh, Chief Copy Editor

Ohio Wesleyan Professor Sean Kay presented his book “Rockin’ the Free World!: How the Rock & Roll Revolution Changed America and the World” at a reception held in the Ross Art Museum on Friday, Jan. 27.

The book explores the relationship between rock and roll and its influence on major political movements through the years. From Bob Dylan’s folksy charm to Rage Against the Machine’s less subtle sound, rock and roll has a long history of sending political messages that Americans can hear every time they turn on the radio.

Rockin’ the Free World” also considers the broader international context and implications of these politically impactful musicians.

Although Kay was unavailable for comment, several critics have already published reviews of their own.

One of them, Ronald Tiersky, spoke very highly of “Rockin’ the Free World” calling it “a declaration of faith, in the music and in America” in a Huffington Post article from January 23.

Kay is no stranger to either of these fields. Besides being a professor of politics and government and the chair of Ohio Wesleyan’s international studies program, Kay is a musician, too.

Included in the book are a number of interviews with high profile musicians.

Kay mentioned those interviews that helped shape his book during his address on Friday.

Before Kay spoke, fellow politics and government professor James Franklin introduced students, faculty members and other audience members to the author.

Franklin, who has performed with Kay in the past, shared his thoughts on the book’s subjects.

“Music has the potential to bring people together, and so often we see a song or an artist play an important symbolic role with political consequences” Franklin said.

For those interested in reading “Rockin’ the Free World!: How the Rock & Roll Revolution Changed America and the World,” copies are available in the campus bookstore and online.

Faculty and administrator present at Fort Lauderdale shooting

By Sara Hollabaugh, Online Editor

On Jan. 6, 2017, Paul Kostyu and Chuck Stinemetz found themselves part of a national news story.

Kostyu, associate professor of journalism, was traveling back from Cuba and Stinemetz, provost, was on a weekend vacation with his wife, Annie, when 26-year-old Esteban Santiago Ruiz killed five civilians at the airport.

Stinemetz said he and Annie landed in Florida on a Delta flight in Terminal 2.

“The shooting took place in the luggage area on the first floor,” Stinemetz said. “We had stopped at the escalator that went from the second floor to the luggage area when we heard the first shots below us.”

Stinemetz said they took shelter in a restroom before running out of the terminal to the street outside.

“Outside of the terminal, people were trying to come to terms with what was taking place,” Stinemetz said. “Some were crying, others were taking pictures, people were just trying to figure out what they should do.”

Stinemetz said he and his wife didn’t know what was going on, except that there was a shooting.

“We had heard the gunshots and saw people who were bleeding after they were shot,” Stinemetz said. “Police cars and ambulances with lights on were everywhere, [and] police with guns drawn were rushing in and trying to get people to move away from the scene.”

Having arrived in Fort Lauderdale at 11:45 the morning of the shooting, Stinemetz said he and his wife were at the airport until 10 p.m. where they were taken to Port Everglades by taxi.

Stinemetz said they eventually got to their hotel at 11:45 p.m. in Fort Lauderdale.

Kostyu was waiting for his flight back to Columbus, which was scheduled to board within 30 minutes in Terminal 1, when he learned there was a shooting in the next terminal.

Due to nearly 30 years of journalism experience, Kostyu immediately took to his instincts and began taking photos of the scene around him.

Outside on the tarmac, after being moved there, Kostyu said he took more photos.

“I got some stern looks … I got some people saying they didn’t want their photographs taken and I respected that,” Kostyu said.

Kostyu didn’t mention he was a journalist until people approached while he was working on photos on his computer.

“I didn’t say anything [about being a journalist] … a couple people asked when I was sitting down working on the stuff and they came up to me.”

In addition to taking photos, Kostyu frequently posted updates on his Facebook page.

Having seen his updates, Kostyu said he believes a former student of his who works for the Columbus Dispatch asked to use his photos and may have gotten in touch with the Associated Press (AP).

“I got called from AP Chicago, not from Ohio,” Kostyu said. “This was the regional guy … the photo editor from Chicago.”

Kostyu said he told the AP he would send them photos when he got Wi-Fi.

After being taken to a Red Cross shelter in Fort Lauderdale, Kostyu sent them five to seven photos, all taken from a digital camera.

After spending a night at the Red Cross shelter and another in a hotel in West Palm Beach, Kostyu arrived back to Columbus Monday, Jan. 9 at around 12:30 a.m..

“My wife wanted me home as soon as possible and I told her [it was] just not possible,” Kostyu said. “Everybody was booking flights. And that area is filled with a cruise ship dock so they have [people] constantly coming in and out.”

Minus the delay in getting home, Kostyu said it didn’t cost him anything.

“Southwest didn’t charge me for redoing the flight, but it was kind of a hassle,” Kostyu said. “[However,] spending the night in a Red Cross shelter was an interesting thing that I had never done before.”

For Kostyu, the minor inconvenience he experienced was nothing in comparison to what those who lost their loved ones were experiencing.

“[I overheard] ‘Oh, this is so mishandled, blah blah blah, just these general complaints,” Kostyu said. “But an armed deputy heard some people complaining and she said, ‘Can I have your attention?’”

Kostyu said she acknowledged that it was an inconvenience, but had a message for those complaining to acknowledge that people had lost their lives and others their loved ones.

“It just struck me that it was exactly the right thing that she should have done,” Kostyu said.

“It was an inconvenience for us but you know, five people lost their lives, others injured and what were were doing,” Kostyu said. “We weren’t under any danger and the airport had to deal with roughly 4,000 people, it doesn’t just turn over like that.”

“I got to see humanity as its worst and its best,” Kostyu said “I found that interesting as an observer and journalist.”

In addition to Kostyu, Stinemetz reflected on the experience.

“I saw really terrified people who were just thankful to be alive, that still tried to put the best face on things and help each other as much as possible,” Stinemetz said. “In particular, people tried to help those with children and the very elderly.”

Stinemetz said he has thought about what could have happened if he and his wife had not stopped at the top of the elevator.

“The randomness of it all is probably the most frightening aspect. Acts of terror are not predictable,” Stinemetz said. “Why Fort Lauderdale? Why that Friday? Why did the Air Canada flight come into the same terminal as our Delta flight?”

“We all would like to think that we control our lives, and something like this makes you question if you have control,” Stinemetz said. “That, in turn, makes a person feel very uneasy and I think can lead to a sense of instability which is what these types of events are trying to accomplish.”

Prof. David Caplan selected to serve on creative writing forum

By Anna Davies, Transcript Correspondent

Professor of English, poetry scholar and published author David Caplan will serve five years on the executive committee of the Modern Language Association’s international Creative Writing Forum.

Caplan’s term began Jan. 9, according to an Ohio Wesleyan press release.

He will act as secretary and chair of the forum’s executive committee in 2019 and 2020.

“The forum is working to address an important need: It brings together scholars and creative writers so members of both groups might benefit from the lively exchange of ideas and shared perspectives,” Caplan said in the press release.

The Modern Language Association (MLA) is an international promoter for teaching and learning language and literature.

Academically, Caplan specializes in contemporary poetry and poetics.

“I had American Images with [Caplan], and afterward, my papers improved by a 1,000 percent,” said senior English major Jordan Waterwash.

“I thought I knew how to structure a paper, but he pushes you to really narrow what you want to write about, and then pushes you to narrow it further. By the end, you really feel as though you can be proud of your work,” she said.

Senior Joseph Acero, also an English major, had classes with Caplan and accompanied him to the Disquiet International Literary Program in Lisbon, Portugal.

This semester Acero is in Caplan’s poetry workshop.

“He is very enthusiastic when it comes to poetry, and is very interested in looking between the lines, recognizing literary devices and seeing how they all tell a story,” Acero said.

Acero said Caplan is well respected as a writer and professor in the English department. “He’s very professional when it comes to his work and has a deep respect for many styles of writing,” he said. “No matter where it comes from, he is able to see the art in each of them.”

Caplan has published four books and was a two-time Fulbright Lecturer at the University of Liege. He is also Ohio Wesleyan University’s Charles M. Weis Chair in English and the assistant director of the creative writing concentration.

Caplan is working on another book about American poetry and a poem collection of his own. One of his books, “Questions of Possibility,” is also being translated into French.

Greek community rushes into formal recruitment

By Alanna Henderson, Managing Editor

New year, new members—spring semester is the busiest time of the year for Ohio Wesleyan’s Greek community.

Formal recruitment for fraternities and sororities take place at the start of spring semester every year.

Sorority recruitment officially concluded on Jan. 23, with houses welcoming new members to its organizations by handing out bids. Fraternities, on the other hand, will have bid signing Monday, Feb. 6.

Forty-three percent of men and 34 percent of women on OWU’s campus are affiliated with Greek organization. To help increase those percentages, changes were made to women’s recruitment dates.

This year, women’s recruitment was held earlier than previous years. Because of scheduling conflicts, the first day of rounds started on Jan. 18 and ended on Jan. 20.

In the past, recruitment rounds would begin on the first Friday of classes after winter break in the evening, while bid day festivities took place the following Monday evening.

Panhellenic Council President Elise Baer of Delta Delta Delta (Tri-Delta) worked with Vice President Recruitment Maddie Presley-Wolff (Delta Zeta) and Membership Director Shelby Mackey (Kappa Alpha Theta).

Prior to Panhellenic presidency, Baer has been involved in her sorority as Panhellenic Delegate and vice president of chapter development.

“I really enjoyed talking to the Rho Gammas,” Baer said. “Seeing how in the beginning, they were reserved with one another, but by the end of recruitment, they were all engaged with one another and in different chapters that they might not have known ever. That was probably one of the most Panhellenic experiences in that aspect.”

Dana Behum, assistant director of student involvement for fraternity and sorority life, now has her seventh formal recruitment at OWU crossed off her to-do list.

“The great news is that recruitment isn’t perfect, but it’s something we’re given by our National Panhellenic Conference,” Behum said. “It is not unique to our campus, it’s a process that every Panhellenic across the nation will follow as appropriate to the size of their campus.”

“I went through the same [recruitment] process as an undergrad in 2002. There were 17 chapters on my campus, so first parties took an entire weekend. There is proof that it can be successful, but it is not perfect.”

New member of Tri-Delta, sophomore Ninna Maldonado went through recruitment for the first time this year.

“It was nerve-racking, but my sister who is greek at another university encouraged me to get out my comfort zone,” Maldonado said. “It can be intimidating, but the Rho Gammas and the Panhellenic council are very supportive.”

The fraternity recruitment process is more casual than sorority recruitment. Each fraternity hosts one formal event and one informal event.

Sigma Phi Epsilon’s (Sig Ep) informal event was held on Jan. 23, where unaffiliated men played basketball with active members.

“There was a good turnout of unaffiliated men who showed up and it was a good way for them to interact with some of the active members they may have not known, as well,” President Patrick Puracchio said.

On Jan. 31, Sip Ep hosted its Balanced Man Scholarship dinner.

“[This event is] where we give our Balanced Man scholarship to the person who [we] thinks lives [by] our value as a fraternity,” Puracchio said. “They have to submit an application that we review as a fraternity and then they go through an interview process and we decide out of the applicants who should receive the scholarship.”

Men’s formal recruitment held two information sessions: one in December 2016 and another in January 2017. Junior Mac Willard of Chi Phi, the vice president of recruitment events and marketing, ran both sessions. These sessions have given unaffiliated men the opportunity to learn about OWU’s Greek life overall, as well as get to know specific chapters better.

Men’s bids will be distributed the first weekend of February. The active men come dressed in formal attire with their chapter letters on flags and cheer the new members.

“Bid night has such a lively atmosphere,” Willard said. “When unaffiliated guys walk in the doors of Ham-Will and head straight to the chapter’s table where he’ll sign his bid—that’s an exciting time. The whole brotherhood there will cheer and clap and shake hands. It’s a good time.”

Thirty-eight percent of OWU’s campus as a whole is affiliated with Greek organizations.

“There are groups of people on campus that Greek life hasn’t been able to impact; I’d like to reach out to them,” Baer said.

A common fear for those signing up for recruitment comes from misconceptions, according to Baer.

“Greek Life here at [OWU] is really unique and different than you see on a lot of other campuses,” Baer said. “There’s absolutely room for growth, there’s always room for growth and whether that be further down the road and there is a new chapter opened, which be astounding, it’ll take time.”

Women’s recruitment peaked with 116 sign-ups, while 123 men signed up to join fraternities.

“I was intrigued to see and know so many different individuals involved with Greek life on campus,” Maldonado said. “I thought, if so many others on campus can find their place, so can I.”

WCSA Today: New budgets approved

By Liz Hardaway, Arts & Entertainment Editor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hopsters provides festive beer options

By Shamayeta Rahman, Transcript Reporter

Holiday-themed beers are in stock at Barley Hopsters. Flavors include nutmeg, cinnamon and allspices, all of which are already in shelves.

Owner Brian Harpster displayed a collection of holiday-themed beers, some of which are made locally. The special ales, beers and porters come in Christmas-themed bottles and the avors range from peaches, citruses and other winter spices.

“This is mainly a beer store, so we’ve got a lot of themed beers and we’ll serve it up in a beer mug rimmed with nutmeg,” Harpster said.

Some of the beers on display included Great Lakes Brewing Co. Christmas Ale, Shiner Holiday Cheer, Sweet Water Festive Ale and Alpha Klaus Three Floyds Christmas Porter.

“I like craft beer and they have a lot of great variety,” said Ohio Wesleyan senior Connor Payne, “I’m drinking a citrus-flavored local brew and am enjoying the new flavors they’ve got for the holidays.”

Students of legal age flock to the little beer joint and Barley Hopsters has a great reputation in the student community, said Payne. He also added that he has heard plenty of students talk about it and knows of many more who frequent the store.

New pizza place opens in Delaware

By Leah Mizas, Photo Editor

Pizza shop MOhio opened its doors to the Delaware community with a concise, one page menu of pizza, sandwiches, salads and drinks.

Owner Mo Nelson said he wanted to get into the food business and has been cooking pizzas for four years, studying different styles while crafting his own, according to the Delaware Gazette.

Nelson, who was initially a contractor, said he decided to start his business in Delaware after attending a car show in town.

We saw this as a solid investment opportunity and ended up buying a three-story building in the heart of Sandusky Street,” he said.

MOhio provides a three-item menu.

“If you have one thing, you do it well,” Nelson said. “The idea is that whatever I have on my menu, is going to be good. I don’t have any lost readers on my menu.”

Ohio Wesleyan junior Daniel Haygood, waiter at MOhio, said the restaurant has become a popular date spot. He also said it’s the best pizza he has had in Delaware.

Although Delaware has been flooding with new restaurants, Nelson said he hasn’t felt any type of competition.

“Everybody has been really friendly around here,” he said.

“I was told that they wanted me to open, because if one more place opens then there will be one more person who might come here who had not and will see restaurants, as well.”

But the one problem that he encountered is parking spots, especially since his clients are predominantly older.

“There’s nowhere to park,” Nelson said. “I see them drive around and then leave.”

The new pizza shop has been publicized through its Facebook page and several news outlets, according to Haygood.