Professor of English David Caplan’s book explores the relationship between hip-hop music and poetry. Caplan uses Jay Z and Kanye West as examples in his newest book.
Jay Z and William Wordsworth. Kanye West and William Shakespeare. Eminem and D.A. Powell.
These unlikely pairings are a few that show up in “Rhyme’s Challenge: Hip-Hop, Poetry, and Contemporary Rhyming Culture” a new book by OWU English professor David Caplan released Feb. 10 by Oxford University Press.
In the book, Caplan compares the work of rap and hip-hop artists such as West, Jay Z, Lupe Fiasco and others, to that of classic and contemporary literary poets.
Caplan said he was first inspired when students asked if he considered hip-hop a form of poetry.
He became interested in a key difference between the two.
“Hip-hop differs from contemporary poetry because it uses rhyme, which contemporary poetry does not,” Caplan said.
The book’s main argument is that hip-hop music contains sophisticated rhymes, or what Caplan calls “verbal artistry.”
His book examines three rhymes that hip-hop artists favor: doggerel, insult and seduction.
“Eminem is my favorite rhymer, but I think that Lupe Fiasco has the most creative ideas,” Caplan said.
“Jay Z is the most versatile and Kanye West is the most erratic.”
Caplan, who is also OWU’s associate director of creative writing, has also published another non-fiction book, “Questions of Possibility: Contemporary Poetry and Poetic Form,” as well as a collection of poetry titled, “In the World He Created According to His Will.”
Ji Young Choi, OWU politics and government professor, explains the rise of China’s power and economic status during the March 7 installment of the Great Decisions lecture series.
According to Ji Young Choi, China might develop the largest economy in the world, but that doesn’t mean it will become the number one global superpower.
Choi, a politics and government professor at Ohio Wesleyan, gave a lecture on the rise of China for the Great Decisions lecture series on March 7.
According to Choi, China has a lot of weaknesses, both internal and external, that could prevent the country from becoming the top global superpower.
Choi said the United States currently holds that position when it comes to gross domestic product (GDP) and military strength. China comes in second.
“The total gross domestic product for China in 2012 was $18.4 trillion,” Choi said.
However, according to Choi, China’s income per capita is only about $9,000. This is far behind the United States’, which was about $28,000 in 2012, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Another internal problem that negatively affects China, according to Choi, is the country’s location.
“(Its) number one problem is the geography,” Choi said in the lecture.
“(China) does not have access to sea (trade) routes, nor do they have many allies on any of their borders. Many of their neighboring countries are allies of the United States,” he added.
Choi explained that sea trade routes are necessary for a country to import and export goods, such as natural resources and raw materials.
Other problems that Choi thinks are contributing to China’s inability to become a dominant superpower include the country’s environmental issues, overwhelming population and domestic political instability.
A Closer Look at Chinese Youth
One audience member brought up the problem of “brain drain,” where China’s highly-educated youth go to study overseas and do not return to China.
Choi said “brain drain” is an issue because China spends a lot of money to educate its youth, but then they go to Western nations and to study and end up staying there because they enjoy the culture and lifestyle.
However, not all of China’s young people are escaping the country.
According to Choi, there is a fairly large percentage of the country’s youth population that is developing more of a sense of nationalism.
Choi said China’s political system has drifted away from communism, and that the country could now be more accurately described as an “authoritarian-capitalist” system.
“It seems to be working out pretty well so far,” Choi said.
Choi proffered several ways in which China could improve its global standing to get closer to becoming the top international superpower.
“China needs to change its ideology,” he said. “For the past couple of decades, they have had somewhat of a superiority complex.”
OhioHealth physical therapist Jeremy Woods works in the Welch facility. Photo by Jane Suttmeier
Injured student athletes now have less ground to cover to receive treatment with the opening of a physical therapy facility in Welch Hall.
Ohio Wesleyan has partnered with OhioHealth to offer physical therapy on campus in a space across from the Arthur A. Belt Fitness Center rather than the off-campus site on South Franklin Street.
The Welch Hall space opened up when Chartwells Trattoria Pizza facility moved to Smith Hall.
A New Location
Levi Harrel, residential life coordinator for Welch Hall, said he thinks the facility’s new location is positive for several reasons.
“First, it puts these medical professionals literally in the same facility where students live,” he said. “Also, it is a big positive to be partnered with the OhioHealth department and enable them to have better access to their clientele.”
The center underwent renovations during the fall semester before opening up to students.
Harrel said he is glad to see the former pizza kitchen and cafeteria occupied after being vacant for the 2012-2013 academic year.
“It is huge that the space is being used for student wellness, as I think that speaks to the dedication that OWU has overall in regards to student health here on campus,” he said.
Craig Ullom, Vice President of Student Affairs, said staff from OhioHealth — which also has a strong relationship with OWU’s Healthy Bishop initiative — told him they were interested in moving to a smaller facility last year.
“After they told me that 98 percent of their patients are affiliated with Ohio Wesleyan, I offered them the possibility of leasing a space here on campus,” he said.
OhioHealth has a three-year lease in Welch Hall and pays monthly rent to the university. OhioHealth also covered the renovation costs.
Feeling the Benefits
Freshman Summer Tompkins tore her ACL and meniscus, and after surgery in December she is working with the center to help her rehabilitation.
“The Welch physical therapy is a fundamental and necessary part of my recovery, and the ease of access makes my rehab less of a stressful and draining process,” Tompkins said.
Both Harrel and Ullom said they have been hearing nothing but positive feedback from students like Tompkins since the facility opened.
While the center is available to any member of the community, most of the patients in need of treatment are those who have suffered an athletic injury.
According to Ullom, OhioHealth printed promotional posters for the university to distribute, but many on campus still aren’t aware of the center’s existence.
“Since it is still new and such a nuanced target audience, not many people are yet aware of it,” Harrel said.
For Tompkins, treatment has helped her to grow as well as recover.
“The whole process taught me a lot about patience and perseverance,” Tompkins said. “The physical therapy has helped me tremendously not only in my physical recovery, but with how I respond mentally too, So I’m pretty fond of the physical therapy here.”
Photo by Jane Suttmeier; illustration by Hannah Urano
“Battling” isn’t usually the first word that comes to mind when you hear the word “Bishop,”unless you go to Ohio Wesleyan.
In 1925, the term “Battling Bishop” was the winning nickname selected through a contest held by the Phi Delta Epsilon journalism fraternity. Prior to that, “Ohio Wesleyan University’s teams were simply known as “The Red and Black,” or sometimes as “The Methodists,” states the athletic department’s website.
Starting this year, the selection of the student (or students) who will wear the Bishop mascot costume is being streamlined into a more consistent process.
Nancy Bihl-Rutkowski, assistant director of student involvement, said that because there has been no formal procedure in the past, their office, in coordination with the athletics department, marketing and communications, alumni relations, admissions and the cheerleaders, have been working on revamping the mascot selection process.
“It has not been easy to find someone to wear the costume when it is needed,” Bihl-Rutkowski said. “Also, since it is constantly someone different in the costume, there is no consistency to the Bishop’s mannerisms.”
The new process will involve an application, interview and audition. One or more students will be chosen to portray the Bishop at sporting events, around the campus and at other community events.
Senior Kelsey Brewer, who has been working with the Student Involvement office in the revamp of the mascot program, said the representatives will also be working with the various offices that utilize the mascot.
“(They) will be responsible for boosting moral, showcasing OWU spirit, and acting the part of the Bishop as needed at various events,” she said. “The selection committee will choose candidates based on school spirit, enthusiasm, and ability to function and maneuver in the mascot costume.”
Bihl-Rutkowski said she likes the idea of having representatives because it makes the whole process “more fun!”
Brewer said some of the challenges in selecting the mascot include an uncertain level of interest in students wanting to be the mascot, as well as finding someone who meets the criteria to be the Bishop.
“There might be difficulty in finding an applicant who meets the qualifications we are looking for, such as recommended height requirements (per the manufacturer) of between 5’7” and 6’2”,” she said. “We also need someone who shows an outstanding level of school spirit, enthusiasm, and maneuverability in the costume.”
Brewer said she volunteered to be a part of the program because she believes that the mascot should be an official school position “to maintain standards and school spirit.”
Brewer said, “portraying the Bishop is an honor and a privilege; I believe the Bishop program should reflect that level of importance and pride.”
School spirit, an enthusiastic and outgoing personality, an ability to interact well with others, and an ability to pick up choreographed routines are three important qualities Brewer thinks the mascot should have.
Those interested in applying to be the mascot should email the Student Involvement Office at siostap@owu.edu.
The first appearance of the Bishop is scheduled for Day on the Jay, April 25.
This year the President Commission on Racial and Cultural Diversity has added the Guy Sarvis Award to the Golden Bishops celebration of achievements.
“The President’s Commission on Racial and Cultural Diversity (PCORCD) is a group of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusivity at OWU,” said Richelle Schrock, assistant professor of women and gender studies and chair of PCORCD.
“Each year we host educational programs and recognize OWU community members who make significant contributions towards these goals,” she said.
This award was made possible by commencement speaker Stephen Ollendorff.
“Stephen and his family were profoundly impacted by the generosity of Dr. Guy Sarvis as they fled Nazi Germany to settle in the United States,” Schrock said.
“Stephen has carried with him a sense of gratitude for this act of kindness and with the creation of this award seeks to honor and perpetuate Dr. Sarvis’ memory and his values for the OWU community.”
According to the criteria for the award, the student needs to show an understanding of different cultures and incorporate that into the OWU community.
At Ohio Wesleyan University, the six-year graduation rate is 61 percent, staggeringly low compared to the national graduation rate of 64 percent.
OWU’s graduation rate is behind almost all small liberal arts schools in Ohio, with the average for private universities floating at 70 percent or higher. Denison University, a member of the Ohio Five and rival of OWU, weighs its graduation rate at 81 percent
“When I first got here, I was told within the first week of classes to get ready to see a lot of my friends leave,” said junior Stephen Telepak. “I’ve known at least one friend personally who has failed out every semester since then.”
The cause of the lower then average graduation rates could also be attributed to tuition costs, according to senior Matthew Wasserman.
“Most of the students you ask will say they came to OWU for the scholarship, but tuition rates keep going up and the amount of scholarship you get typically does not.” Wasserman said. “Either you get a job on campus to offset your post grad debt, or you find somewhere that can make you a better offer.”
Despite the financial burden of college life, the university has made strides to help students graduate on time and improve graduation rates. According to Dr. Dale Swartzentruber, the associate provost for institutional research, the four-year graduation rate for students who arrived in the fall of 2009 and graduated in 2013 was 64.3 percent. This increase shows tangible results of improvement over the recent years.
“I think that since president Rock Jones got here, he has done a good job giving more attention and allocating resources to help students graduate, and that is a good sign that we are headed in the right direction,” said assistant director of admissions Steven Johanson.
“Personally when I am recruiting new students, I show them all the great opportunities OWU has to offer and we hope that students take full advantage.”
Johanson pointed out that many OWU students are very active in clubs outside of classes, and that admissions have emphasized looking for potential students that have already shown the ability to balance academics and extracurricular activities.
“Our goal is to have every student who enrolls graduate in four years, and while meeting that 100 percent isn’t realistic, I think our efforts to bridge that gap will continue to show positive results,” Johanson said.
Because OWU’s graduation rates are staggering compared to those of other Ohio five schools, Telepak said he thinks students should take even greater pride in their accomplishments during college and their abilities to graduate despite academic, financial and personal obstacles.
“When I get my degree I’ll feel an extra sense of pride, not just because of the piece of paper, but how hard it was to get it,” Telepak said.
“After seeing so many fall, I appreciate even more the work I put in over these four years.”
Construction workers continued stage three of the renovations on the JAYwalk on Tuesday, March 18. Construction across campus has been stalled due to the extreme winter temperatures. Photo by Jane Suttmeier
Maintenance work and repairs to buildings have stopped cold while the winter weather caused damages to campus grounds.
Peter Schantz, head of Buildings and Grounds, said the weather limited the number of days exterior repairs could be made.
He also said the above average number of snowfalls and subsequent plowing has damaged some walkways and grounds.
“We have been inspecting these areas for damage as the snow melts,” Schantz said.
President Rock Jones said the delayed repairs are being addressed as needed by Buildings and Grounds.
“We have developed a lengthy list of deferred maintenance needs and have prioritized those needs according to the potential risk to the building and those who work and study in each building,” Jones said.
Jones said the annual budget for deferred maintenance is limited but a long-range budget model is being developed to provide more support for deferred maintenance.
Schantz said the renovations at Edwards Gymnasium, Elliott Hall, Merrick Hall and the student residential facilities will make a significant reduction in the campus backlog of deferred maintenance.
Jones said the cold weather revealed a vulnerable aspect of the fire suppression system design in Elliott Hall.
The suppression system has since been renovated and other buildings have been under inspection.
“We continue to monitor all of our buildings in an effort to do everything possible to avoid the kinds of damages suffered in the Elliott flood,” Jones said.
Schantz said there is a silver lining to the extremely cold temperatures because there have not been many leaky roofs on campus.
“Most of these problems occur in late winter when repeated freeze -thaw cycles cause ice dams. For the most part, it got cold and stayed that way all winter,” Schantz said.
Senior Skylar Drake, sophomore Kaila Johnson and junior Lauren Rump led the screening and are planning additional events. Photo from Women’s Resource Center website
By Catie Beach Transcript Correspondent
Cupcakes and criticism brought Ohio Wesleyan student together to watch the Women’s Resource Center’s (WRC) screening of the documentary “Killing Us Softly 4,” which analyzes female objectification in advertising.
Senior Skylar Drake, junior Lauren Rump and sophomore Kaila Johnson – all WRC interns – organized a lunchtime screening of Jean Kilbourne’s film.
This 2010 edition analyzes trends regarding the unachievable beauty standards set for women in advertising over the past 20 years, according to her website.
It is the fourth in Kilbourne’s educational series, which first premiered in 1979.
“The movie focuses on different issues and themes regarding body image issues and eating disorders,” Rump said.
Both topics relate to a previous WRC event, “Written on the Body,” a public body image speak out held in Bishop Cafe this past December.
“(The film) reinforced my ideas that advertisement is detrimental to womanhood and feminism,” said junior Noelle Davis.
Although the material was familiar to Davis, she reaffirmed that many of the film’s 160 images and advertisements were shocking.
“The worst was the man sitting on top of the woman in bed, looking at a car magazine on her face,” Davis said. “I think I actually got goose bumps.”
Rump attributes the event’s success to increased advertising and strategic timing.
“We decided to do Friday lunchtime programming because it’s convenient to attend and different,” she said. “We’re amping up our social media presence on Facebook. We’re trying to be more aware and present.”
The movie screening isn’t the WRC’s only original event this semester. The prospective line up includes a $mart$tart Salary Negotiation Workshop for women, as well as an auto body workshop for women, taught by women.
“It’s an auto body workshop run by an all-women mechanic shop in Columbus,” Rump said. “They teach women how to work on their cars and let them know what questions to ask when they go for car repairs.”
Plans for the $mart$tart Workshop, which teaches women how to negotiate pay with future employers in a market where females earn 77 cents to every dollar earned by a male, are in the works for this spring semester.
However, Rump said that the auto body workshop may have to wait until next school year due to workshop organizer’s pregnancy.
In addition to new workshop programming, the WRC is sponsoring the OWU premiere of the play Butterfly Confessions, a culminating Women’s Week event.
The play, which focuses on the stories of women of color and brings awareness to domestic violence and HIV/AIDS, will premiere at 8 p.m., March 28 in Chappelear Drama Center.
Despite attention to new programming, the WRC maintains its primary function, according to Rump.
“Students can come chat with us about women’s issues and feminism, ask us advice or obtain resource numbers on campus and in the Delaware community,” she said.
“We provide a confidential safe space and a listening ear.”
Sophomore Nicole Barhorst hands junior Kristen Krak a ticket to see Josh Radnor at the Chappelear Drama Center next month. Photo by Jane Suttmeier
“All my friends back home are so jealous right now,” said freshman Shashank Sharma, about actor Josh Radnor’s March 19 visit to Ohio Wesleyan.
“I’m a die hard fan of How I Met Your Mother, so (Radnor) coming to our campus was just mind blowing news,” Sharma added.
Josh Radnor’s most well-known role is Ted Mosby on the hit television series “How I Met Your Mother,” and he also wrote, directed and starred in the 2012 film “Liberal Arts,” screened on campus March 1 by Campus Programming Board.
Senior Kelsey Brewer, a current member of CPB and former marketing chair, vice-president and president, said Radnor’s agent had contacted their organization about two years ago.
“He wanted to come to our campus, since he is from nearby in the Columbus area and attended Kenyon College,” Brewer said. “Since then, we had been slowly making steps toward bringing him to campus.”
Brewer said they liked the idea of bringing a celebrity to campus, especially since they thought a majority of students already knew Radnor from the television show.
“We thought it would be interesting to hear his message on working in the movie and television industry as an actor, writer, and director and talking about his time working on ‘How I Met Your Mother,’” she said.
CPB has around 300 tickets available for students and its members are hoping to fill all the available seats.
“Since the event will be held in Chappelear Drama Center Main Stage, we have a cap on how many tickets we can extend,” Brewer said.
The first set of tickets was distributed at the “Liberal Arts” screening in Stuyvesant Hall’s Milligan Hub; Brewer said around 120 people were present and 103 tickets were given out.
“We had a great turn out for the event,” she said. “The movie was funny and furthered the excitement to see Josh on campus.”
Freshman Shashank Sharma, a CPB member, said he joined to work behind the scenes and is very excited at being a part of bringing Radnor to campus.
Sharma said he believes Radnor’s event will help make CPB more popular among the students and increase the overall turnout for future events.
Freshman Samantha Sygier, a viewer was at the Liberal Arts screening, said she was elated when she heard the news that Radnor would be on campus.
“I got too excited,” she said. “He is such a great actor, I knew I cannot miss the opportunity.”
Sygier also said she found “Liberal Arts” to be “entertaining and humorous.”
Sharma said he is happy with the general response from the student population.
“A lot of people’s initial reaction was, “Who’s Josh Radnor?” for the simple reason that we all know him as Ted Mosby,” he said. “After being told who he actually was though, almost everyone seemed to be excited for his visit.”
Brewer said this is one of the biggest names they have brought to campus in a while, but it is on the lower end of logistics and campaigning compared to other CPB hosted events such as A Capellooza and Spring fest, that have happened in the past.
Funding for all of CPBs events are requested through WCSA, and Brewer said this was no different.
“Large-name actors and speakers, like Josh, carry a larger price tag than you might think, so we are grateful to WCSA for this opportunity,” she said, but she would not say how much was paid.
Brewer said those who have tickets should not lose them, as they will need the ticket and a student ID to be allowed in.
“Your ticket will be tied directly to you, so you can not give it to someone else or sell it,” she said.
“The doors will open at 8:30 pm and if you have not arrived by 8:50 pm, your seat may be forfeited to people waiting on stand-by for a seat.”
Students play with dogs from the Canine Collective shelter at Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity’s ‘Dog Day’s’ Philanthropy event March 2. Photos courtesy Phi Kappa Psi
Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity unleashed cuteness last Sunday for its first “Dog Days” philanthropy event.
Dogs and cats were brought to Ohio Wesleyan University’s campus from two different animal rescue organizations in Delaware, Canine Collective and Colony Cats.
Both of the organizations hope that this will be the start to an annual partnership, and according to Phi Psi Vice President and philanthropy chair Nate Goodhart, the house is already thinking of ideas that could make next year’s Dog Days even better.
“We have had many rescues as house dogs over the past few decades, as is our current dog Rich and we felt that it was our time to give back,” Goodhart said.
“Both canine Collective and Colony Cats are no kill shelters and bring in strays off the streets, keeping them away from being put down or starving to death. We felt that this was a great cause to support.”
Goodhart thanked the support of both Kappa Alpha Theta and The Modern Foreign Language House for their help in throwing the event.
All Canine Collective dogs are available for adoption, and applications were available for anyone who wished to adopt.
The main objective was to raise both funds and awareness. Phi Psi requested a $2 donation from each attendee with all proceeds going to benefit the Canine Collective’s efforts.
Students play with dogs from the Canine Collective shelter at Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity’s ‘Dog Day’s’ Philanthropy event March 2.
The Canine Cause
Jean Lally, a Canine Collective volunteer, elaborated on some of the Collective’s goals.
“In the short term we aim to save dog’s lives,” she said. “We want to rescue dogs and give them short term housing and care before finding them a good home. These animals deserve better then what many shelters currently provide and long term we want to collaborate to build a regional adoption rescue center.”
Not only did the event serve to benefit the local organization, it was a chance for students, dog and cat people alike, to get their animal fix in and unwind from the stress of midterms.
“I miss my dog so much while I’m on campus, so playing with these puppies did a great job of reducing my homesickness,” said Junior Sam West. “I couldn’t decide my favorite; each one I met was so cute and easy to fall in love with.”
The dogs ran around downstairs in the Phi Psi basement, while the cats were kept upstairs. The cats were kept in their portable homes, but could be taken out to hold.
“Lazarus was my favorite (cat); he was so friendly and fun to pet,” said junior Makenna Huff. “Normally cats don’t like me, but my time with Lazarus was just as good as playing with the puppies downstairs.”
For those interested in helping out but are unable to adopt, Lally said there are other ways tstudents could assist the animals without adoption. She encouraged those in attendance to stay in contact with the Canine Collective. Lally said she welcomes fresh perspectives that can help the organization in connecting with a younger demographic.
“It can be something as small as taking a dog out for some time in the park to things like helping us transport the dogs we rescue,” Lally said. “Any amount of time you can give makes a difference.”
