The Transcript

Music historian and former publicist for The Grateful Dead, Dennis McNally, spoke on Tuesday about the power of music to unite and change cultures.

Hosted by Ohio Wesleyan University’s Arneson Institute for Practical Politics and Public Affairs, the talk was, in part, a promotion for McNally’s new book, Highway 61: Music, Race, and the Evolution of Cultural Freedom. McNally’s presentation mirrored his book, following the evolution of music from southern blues to rock n’ roll.  His presentation also showed the bridges made over cultural divisions during this journey.

All of this, McNally asserts, came to a head in the 60’s with anti-establishment movements against status quo concepts of sex, religion, politics–especially during the Vietnam war–and race in America.

McNally also took the time to relate the subject to the state of the music industry today. After admitting that he did not spend much time listening to contemporary music, he lamented that the modern industry does not allow the same room for creativity that allowed bands like The Grateful Dead to find their voice in the 60’s.

“It’s easy to forget, (The Grateful Dead) had two huge flops before they got big, y’know?” McNally said. “The label stuck with them back then, though you couldn’t blame them if they hadn’t, but today?… The business is just a horror. So commercialized, most guys get one shot and then they’re done.”

McNally went on to lament this turn in the music industry, especially as this age of technology has enhanced the ability for people with a message to send that message around the world.

Pointing to subjects like marriage equality and climate change as examples, McNally argued that a push from the musical community of today could affect greater social change than ever before if those gatekeepers and artists would allow the message to mature and escape in a form that was appealing to the public.

Independent bands both in America and abroad provide some sense of hope for that vision, at least to McNally.

“There’s this band in Mali called Tinariwen,” McNally said. “They’re using Malian music, sang in French, using american rock n’ roll instruments with modern rock modalities. They’re playing blue notes, because they invented them….and they’re a rock band. A hell of a rock band.”

To conclude, McNally warned about the potential for even these pockets of positive musical influence to become over commercialized and robbed of meaning, and the chorus of “noise” that the internet age has brought along with it has more positive benefits.

“(Positive messages losing their meaning) is a danger, I don’t think that’s reason enough to keep you from putting out a positive message,” McNally said. “You can only say what you feel and in as sincere and heart-felt a way as possible…That there’s always a risk that it’s going to get blurred with endless side noise.”

McNally’s book is available now in the campus bookstore. The next Arneson Institute speaker will be film director and poet Sini Anderson, who will be screening her documentary “The Punk Singer” on Wednesday, Oct. 8th.

Students around campus focused on giving back last week as part of “Do Good Week” presented by Delta Gamma (DG).

Delta Gamma’s motto is Do Good and Delta Gamma nationally encouraged chapters in the US and Canada to Do Good during the Week of September 15.

“It also enables chapters to encourage others on their campuses to adopt Doing Good as a way of life, as we Delta Gammas have done,” said Mariah Bockbrader, the president of the ___ chapter of DG.

The sisters of Delta Gamma primarily used social media to promote ways for others to do good and get involved, as well as giving examples throughout the week of how they have given back to the community.

“We Delta Gammas strive to live by the motto of Doing Good, and are happy we have an entire week dedicated to helping OWU strive to live by the same motto,” Bockbrader said.

DG’s Vice President of Foundation, Ali Phillips helped to plan the majority of the week’s events and stated “Do Good week differs from a normal philanthropy event because it’s focus is more on bringing awareness to our motto, which is Do Good. This week really highlights what we as Delta Gamma’s stand for and we used this week to bring awareness to the OWU campus.”

Since the focus was primarily awareness, DG did not raise money throughout the week, Phillips said.

Examples of volunteer work DG’s participated in throughout the week include: bingo at Willow Brook Nursing Home and spending time with the Miracle League in Columbus. Senior Abby Reynolds event donated her hair to Locks of Love, as her act of good for the week.

“I’ve done it once before so it had kind of been in the back of my mind until do good week came around,” Reynolds said. “I knew I wanted to do something good, and I thought this would be the right thing.”

Additionally, members tabled in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center and had a sheet for the campus community to sign with examples of how they chose to Do Good throughout the week. The table also had a large glass bowl filled with ideas of how to pay it forward and Do Good throughout the rest of the semester.

Senior Lauren Moore said this week helped her to realize “how committed DGs are to service.”

One sorority raised more money for its philanthropy last academic year than all other Greek organizations on campus combined.

Delta Delta Delta sorority (Tri Delta) surpassed their goal for raising money for their philanthropy, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Last spring, Tri Delta raised over $25,000 in one semester, making them Ohio Wesleyan University’s leading Greek organization in terms of monetary contributions.

The sorority put on various fundraisers last year, the first being the organization’s  “Sincerely Yours” letter-writing campaign to encourage family and friends of the OWU community to donate to St. Jude’s.

“Each girl is required to do a certain number of [letters], but most girls go above and beyond and write a significant number more,” said Dara Markus, Tri Delta’s philanthropy chair. “That is the main way we raise that money.”

Tri Delta’s annual spring philanthropy event is Pasta for Life, an all-you-can-eat pasta dinner with a $5 admission charge, and raffle basket bidding.

“Pasta for life was a very successful event [last spring], I had a great time and I learned a lot about St. Jude, also that ice cream bar was amazing,” sophomore JT Knoble said.

St. Jude has been very grateful for Tri Delta’s contributions on a national level. In 2010, the sorority pledged as a national goal to raise 15 million dollars in five years; they accomplished their goal in 3.5 years.

“The women of Delta Delta Delta are to be congratulated for their fundraising accomplishments,” said Dana Behum, OWU’s Greek advisor. “Their ability to partner with local and national organizations in order to raise such an impressive amount showcases their organizational skills, enthusiasm for the cause and passion for improving the lives of others. As a Greek community, we are fortunate to have such focused and compassionate members serving local and national philanthropy efforts.”

Tri Delta has high hopes for the upcoming semester. They are partnering with Sigma Chi fraternity for their second ever Kicks for Kids philanthropy event.  The kickball tournament that will take place Oct. 5.

“We will head in a positive and aggressive manner this year so we can do as much for St. Judes as possible,” Markus said.

“I grew up in New Jersey, though I usually try not to admit that,” said English professor, Nancy Comorau.

Comorau has been selected by Kappa Alpha Theta sorority’s national headquarters as “outstanding faculty of the year,” after being nominated by the members of Ohio Wesleyan’s Theta chapter, according to OWU Theta president, senior Jordan Bernstein.

Comorau began teaching at OWU in the fall of 2009, where she specializes in post-colonial literature, “which covers the places in the world where the British colonized, and usually left,” she explained.

Before Ohio Wesleyan, Comorau got her undergraduate degree in English from Wake Forest University. After Wake Forest, she got her Masters degree in English at Villanova University. After Villanova, Comorau taught at the University of Maryland – College Park as a graduate teaching assistant, which is where she got her PhD.

“My plans are to continue doing what I’m doing,” said Comorau. “I’ve built a roster of postcolonial courses in the department,” she added.

Comorau will be leading her third travel learning course throughout Europe in May of 2015. She and her class, “Slouching Towards Empire: The Literary Politics of Ireland,” will be traveling to Ireland.

“We were just ecstatic that Dr. Comorau won outstanding faculty member when over 135 chapters sent in applications,” Bernstein said. She said that the ladies of Kappa Alpha Theta chose the professor who has had the biggest impact on the chapter.

Programs to include films, discussion on immigration and closing dinner

Hispanic Film Series Schedule

All films will be shown in the Benes Rooms of Hamilton-Williams Campus Center from September 18 to October 2.

“7 Cajas” (Seven Boxes) – Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Country: Paraguay.

“Arrugas” (Wrinkles) – Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Country: Spain.

“Un Cuento Chino” (Chinese Take Away) – Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Country: Argentina.

“También La Lluvia” (Even the Rain) – Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Countries: Spain, Mexico, France.

“Pan Negro” (Black Bread) –Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Country: Spain