The Transcript

Kurdish Chef Avesta Saaty cooks with a collage of different herbs, spices and cultures, but emphasizes locally grown and eaten food is best.

On Nov. 1 Saaty spoke about her experience growing up with local organic food and cooked Kurdish food for Ohio Wesleyan students.

Kurdistan consists of parts of Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria.

“The closest I have ever been to my land is Lebanon and I will probably never be able to go back so food helps connect me to Kurdistan,” said Saaty.

Saaty grew up in Southeast Ohio with parents who emigrated from Iraq in the 1970’s. She cooked and found her love for delicately homemade food with her mother and her large Kurdish family.

They raised their own chickens, butchered them themselves, grew their own produce and milked their own cows.

“Growing up I never experienced going out to eat nor experienced eating packaged food,” said Saaty. “I just assumed everyone made their own food.”

Saaty said the key ingredients to a healthy life are knowing the importance of eating local and knowing where your food comes from. She said eating non-processed food and her mothers homemade Kurdish yogurt is what made her healthy.

“I always knew what I was eating and where it came from,” said Saaty. “People ask how am I turning 40 and I say its because what I grew up eating and what I eat today.”

Saaty’s Kurdish background made her want to have her own restaurant. She was trained in Western Europe and opened “Avesta Eclectic Cuisine,” in Delaware in 2004.

Saaty had Greek, Turkish, Persian, Arabic, Eastern European and Kurdish foods on the menu for OWU students and Delaware residents. The restaurant is now closed.

Senior Maggie Argiro, who introduced Saaty at the lecture, said a restaurant like Saaty’s would be a great addition to the Delaware Community.

“I would love it if Avesta’s Eclectic Cuisine was still in Delaware today,” said Argiro. “After eating the meal she served us, I have no doubt that the restaurant would be successful today.”

Argiro said a restaurant like Saaty’s would be a good addition to the restaurants on the OWU card.

“But I think any restaurant like Avesta’s Eclectic Cuisine would be a welcomed addition to the options we have in Delaware and for the students,” she said.

Saaty said the Kurds eat based off of Kurdistan’s terrain, such as nuts, pomegranates, cheese, yogurt, fruit and salads.

“The Kurds think that if you start with some type of salad you’ll eat less entrée,” said Saaty. “So Kurds start with some sort of salad and end the meal with some sort of fruit. They believe fruit helps digest your food.”

Saaty cooked dishes of Mediterranean stuffed grape leaves, cucumber yogurt with pita bread, basmati rice, beans and baklava.

She also showed a video about Kurdish people and what the Kurdish people have been through in order to have their own culture and land.

OWU alumna Kath Ziminsky also spoke at the lecture.

“I believe that everyone should be a farmer on some scale,” Ziminsky said. “There is an undeniable satisfaction and sense of freedom that comes from being a producer of homegrown and homemade staples.”

Ziminisky also said people’s food choices have an impact on the economy on both a global and local scale.

“In today’s globalized world it is the consumer who has the power to make a difference in the unbalanced often inhumane so called free-market economy.

“It is now more important for citizens of the world to wake up, put their money literally where their mouth is and be conscientious consumers by eating locally and buying (and thus demanding) organic, fair trade products.”

Oct. 29 7:45 p.m. – Public Safety dispatched to Bashford Hall on a report of a missing fire extinguisher. Investigation is ongoing.

Nov. 1 1:32 a.m. – Public Safety and the Delaware City Fire Department dispatched to Smith Hall on a full building fire alarm. Alarm was caused by a discharged fire extinguisher in the fifth floor hallway of Smith West. Investigation is ongoing.

Nov. 2 9:51 p.m. – A resident of 19 Williams Drive was cited by Delaware City Police for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nov. 4 1 a.m. – a resident of Hayes Hall reported a plastic door decoration was removed from her door by two unknown female subjects.

Nov. 4 2:05 a.m. – Public Safety dispatched to Welch Hall on a student welfare concern.

Nov. 4 8:15 a.m. – damage to the basement windows at 20 Williams Drive was discovered during a routine Public Safety patrol.

Nov. 4 2:55 p.m. – Public Safety dispatched to 9 Williams Drive on a report of damage to a downspout and trash receptacle on the exterior of the building.

By Heather Kuch
Sports Editor

The Pet Pals club at Ohio Wesleyan offers animal lovers the opportunity to spend time with animals and to learn how to care for animals in need of help.

According to the OWU website, “Pet Pals is an on-campus organization that volunteers at the Humane Society of Delaware County.” They help train the dogs and socialize the cats to make them more adoptable. They also raise money for various animal welfare organizations and spread awareness on campus about different issues in the animal world.
Senior Caity Buzza, president of Pet Pals, said the organization focuses on teaching their members about all types of animals.

“Pet Pals was started in 2003 and we have about 30 members,” Buzza said. “Its goal is to raise awareness on different animal issues both domestic and exotic.”

Buzza said the group uses its meetings to plan activities on campus and to schedule trips for the club. She said they often help out at the Humane Society of Delaware County by playing with the cats and dogs.

“We try to meet weekly and often talk about event that we have coming up and where we want to go,” Buzza said.

“Members have the opportunity to volunteer at the humane society and make a difference for the animals there. They also have the chance to bring awareness to something they feel strongly about.”

According to the Humane Society of Delaware County’s website, the society is “a non-profit organization dedicated to helping abused neglected and homeless pets find their forever homes.”

The Humane Society focuses on protecting animals by conducting investigations of locations in Delaware County and also works toward informing citizens on how to take care of their pets with low-cost options.

Sophomore Mariah Bockbrader said she has considered joining the club because of her love for animals. She said she would like to find time to help out at the Humane Society at some point during this school year.

“I just have a big heart for animals and I want to help them as much as I can,” Bockbrader said. “I haven’t been able to make any of the meetings yet this year but I think that what the club is doing is great since there are so many animals out there that need help that can’t help themselves.”

Sophomore Margaux Erilane agreed with Bockbrader and said as a zoology major, she is always interested in learning more about animals and would like to help local animals in any way possible.

“My major has helped me to further my passion for animals and I would like to have the opportunity to volunteer at the shelter if it means that I would be helping out animals that are in need,” Erilane said.

“I think this club is a great idea to have at OWU because there are a lot of people on this campus who feel strongly for homeless animals and care about protecting them. This club seems like a great opportunity for anyone who needs volunteer hours and as a bonus, you get to spend time with animals.”

Freshman Shannon Hill said she is thinking about becoming a member and thinks other students should consider helping out at the shelter as well.

“I think giving attention to animals who don’t have anyone else is a really good thing,” Hill said. “I think a lot of people on campus would be interested in (Pet Pals), because who doesn’t love playing with animals? I also think the animal shelter is a place that could really always use volunteers so it’s a nice way to help.”

By Sarah Love
Transcript Correspondent

The Ohio Wesleyan Fund hopes to raise the amount of faculty, staff and administrator donations with their new campaign “I Believe.”

The Ohio Wesleyan Fund helps to pay for student’s education, and for essentials within the school like hot water and electricity.

The “I Believe” campaign is designed to be catchy and grab the attention of faculty, staff and administrators.

The faculty, staff and administrators on the posters all explain why they chose to donate, and why they believe in OWU.

Support is absolutely essential.

“Tuition only covers 47 percent of an OWU education,” said Ashley Waltermeyer, Phonethon student and young alumni coordinator.

“The rest is covered by support from alumni, friends, parents, faculty and staff,” Waltermeyer said.

Every year there is a meeting to design the staff campaign. This year, they chose the slogan “I Believe” and decided to not only feature faculty and staff, but to also feature students.

Emily Winnenberg, assistant director of the Ohio Wesleyan Fund said since the students benefit from the fund so much, they should be included in the campaign.

“Students are the primary beneficiaries of the Ohio Wesleyan Fund so we wanted to share their story this year as well,” she said.

Sophomore Livvy Coseriu is also helping with the campaign.

“It’s my role to give students a voice to the campaign and let faculty and staff know how important it is to us that they help out. OWU simply couldn’t function without donations so every little bit counts,” she said.

Winnenberg offered another reason as to why it is so important for faculty, staff and administrators to donate.

“When you participate in the Ohio Wesleyan Fund, you’re indicating that you believe Ohio Wesleyan is an excellent institution worthy of your support,” she said.

“Your enthusiastic participation encourages others to give and increases the likelihood of Ohio Wesleyan receiving recognition from national ranking organizations.”

Last year, only 32 percent of faculty, staff and administrators donated to the Ohio Wesleyan Fund.

“Our peer institutions had much higher participation,” Winnenberg said.

“50 percent of Denison’s faculty and staff donated while 99 percent of Ohio Dominican’s staff participated.”

The goal this year is to increase participation to 45 percent.

“The more people participate in the Ohio Wesleyan Fund, no matter the size of the gift, the more likely it is that Ohio Wesleyan will accomplish its goals, boost its academic reputation, and attract and retain the best students, faculty and staff,” Winnenberg said.

By Samantha Simon
Transcript Correspondent

Recently, the department previously named University Relations has undergone a name change to now be known as University Advancement.

The name change was a collaboration of all parties involved in the advancement team.

Colleen Garland, vice president of university advancement, said development in the past 30 years has been changing as a profession.

Today, many universities today do not have a university relations department, but rather a university advancement department.

Garland said development is changing as a whole.

“(It’s) moving beyond the notion of ‘friend raising’ and developing relationships with alumni in hopes that donations would follow to a much more intentional and thoughtful engagement of alumni, parents and friends to help move the university forward in some way,” she said.

Garland said the involvement of university supporters is important in a variety of ways.

“Whether it’s providing career opportunities through internships or informational interviews with our students, to the recruitment of prospective students and of course lending financial support, alumni, parents and friends remain a crucial part of strength of OWU,” she said.

Garland also said that as their team worked to create a mission statement early in the year, it became clear that they wanted to create a name change.
Garland said they wanted a more descriptive name for their work division.

University Advancement includes many different divisions within their department.

The department includes alumni relations, annual giving, development services, foundations and corporation and major giving.

Phonathon coordinator, Ashley Waltermeyer works within annual giving.

“I feel the university is trying to literally advance itself through travel-learning courses, course connections and theory to practice opportunities,” she said.
“It made perfect sense to change the name of the office that makes these initiatives possible.”

Waltermeyer also said she felt like it was the right time to make the change, having many new employees onboard it brought the staff together, to work to establish their goals.

Ed Lenane led the team in developing a mission statement for University Advancement.

“The University Advancement Division is dedicated to advancing and championing the mission of Ohio Wesleyan University as one of the nation’s premier liberal arts institutions,” the statement reads.

“Grounded in the University’s strategic priorities, University Advancement seeks to engage alumni, students, families, friends and organizations in the life of the institution through meaningful volunteer involvement, partnership and financial support.

“We strive to promote and sustain strong relationships with Ohio Wesleyan University and between all Battling Bishops.”

Garland said the team presented the mission statement and the name change to the board of trustees earlier in the year, which was unanimously approved.