OWU students launch Xnox Fitness

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor 

Two Ohio Wesleyan students have taken what they have learned in class and turned it into their own business and passion while still keeping up with school work.

Junior Ben Mudzinganyama and sophomore Connor King have created their own company called Xnox Fitness.

The company focuses on personal training, dieting and sports performance.

King is a finance major with a minor in exercise science and is currently trying to get certified to train clients. Mudzinganyama is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and works directly with clients on a daily basis. He is also majoring in exercise science and minoring in business administration.

It didn’t take long for both students to relate to one another.

“We met last semester and just talked about what we wanted to do one day in the future,” King said. “Then we just started talking about ideas and what we were passionate about.”

Both students played sports here at OWU. But they found the stress of playing a sport while going to class wasn’t as rewarding as creating something that would “last a lifetime,” according to Mudzinganyama.

King and Mudzinganyama met last semester and talked about what interested them. Mudzinganyama said he originally wanted to be a physical therapist but eventually decided that wasn’t his passion. He also added that the injuries were taking a toll on his physical capability.

“To be in this business, you have to have an able body,” Mudzinganyama said.

Both students said they have been interested in health and fitness for some time now. It wasn’t until the summer they thought that it would be a good idea to work together.

“We both have the same passions and bring different ideas and experiences to the table,” King said.

With sports no longer being a factor in their daily lives, they still have a very busy schedule to keep up with.

“Running your own business is a grind,” King said. “It’s not for everybody,” Mudzinganyama said. “You have to put in odd hours.”

Xnox Fitness is working out of the Delaware Fit Factory, a crossfit gym that is located on South Sandusky Street. They are currently working with the owner Eric Sutliff and Mudzinganyama said their partnership has been “fantastic.”

The company is looking to expand its brand with an informational video on their Facebook page that currently has more than 1,500 views. They have also been in contact with local high schools in the Delaware area.

“We want to dominate the sports industry and the fitness world,” Mudzinganyama said.

Some other students on campus have noticed how dedicated they are in their business. “I think that it’s awesome that they are doing this,” said junior Lauren Carpenter. “[Mudzinganyama] is an insightful guy and loves to work with people.”

Executive assistant to president ready to help students succeed

By Reilly Wright, Photo Editor 

Janet Lewis was recently given the title of executive assistant to the president and secretary to the Board of Trustees at Ohio Wesleyan University, but she said she prefers the title Janet.

The position was granted to Lewis after a full search process led by an OWU committee reviewed dozens of applicants.

“I was very impressed with her from the opening minutes of my first meeting with her,” said President Rock Jones. “Her experience, professionalism, personality and deep commitment to higher education and to the welfare of the entire campus community will serve all of us very well.”

In recent years, Lewis was an administrative associate to the executive director and development team and the Central Ohio American Heart Association. She supported their board of directors and programs such as Go Red for Women Luncheon and the Central Ohio Heart Walk.

When Lewis spotted the job listing, she initially hesitated due to her passion for her job with the Central Ohio American Heart Association. But after weeks of curiously visiting the listing, she applied for the opportunity to work directly with Jones.

“[Jones] is not only an engaging and eloquent speaker, but is also clearly a committed and passionate advocate and leader for OWU,” Lewis said. “I love that he is so accessible to the students and enjoys interacting with them.”

She holds a bachelor of science in chemistry from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and has a master of business administration with a marketing emphasis from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Lewis grew up in Tennessee where most of her family lives, but she has called Ohio home for the last 12 years. Both her sons go to school in Ohio while she and her husband of 26 years are active in Columbus’ recreational volleyball leagues.

“As she gets to know the OWU community and the OWU community gets to know her, I am confident Janet will become highly regarded for her work, for the warmth of her personality and for her commitment to our mission as a residential liberal arts university,” Jones said.

Communication professor brings video expertise to campus

By Spencer Pauley, Copy Editor 

With a new major being introduced this semester at Ohio Wesleyan, new faculty comes as well.

Kyle McDaniel is one of the new faculty members for the journalism and communication department and is helping lead the way for student success in the major.

McDaniel, from Jonesboro, Arkansas, went to school at Arkansas State, which is located in his hometown. After that he got his master’s at the University of Missouri-Columbia and then his Ph.D. at the University of Oregon.

The classes that McDaniel is teaching are: Video Production, Conflict Resolution and Communication Theory.

The classes are new to OWU so there are not a lot of students in each class, but McDaniel said he sees an increase in student interests in the classes in the future.

“I’ve talked to quite a few students already who have already been thinking about registering or have but dropped,” McDaniel said. “But I do think more people are going to take it in the future.”

The video production class is a half unit course but may change to a full credit class by next semester. The class is one of the highlights of the new courses added to OWU.

“The goal of the class is to get the students to learn how to be professional and use the equipment,” McDaniel said. “But it’s a lot of work, so hopefully after this semester it will be a full unit class.”

McDaniel is coming from a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Oregon. Oregon’s enrollment from 2016 was 23,634 compared to OWU’s enrollment of 1,650. So McDaniel has experience with both a state school and a small private one.

“There are a lot of similarities across the board, that’s being engaging in the classroom,” McDaniel said. “Trying to think of new ways to engage students is very important” McDaniel said. “Ohio Wesleyan students are very impressive. You guys seem really engaged and interested.”

Campus bookstore transitions to self-operated store

By Gopika Nair, Editor-in-Chief 

Students could forgo the hunt for affordable textbooks on Amazon with Ohio Wesleyan’s upcoming bookstore transition.

Starting Oct. 2, the OWU bookstore will no longer be Follett-operated and will instead reopen as a self-operated store. Lauri Strimkovsky, vice president for finance and administration, recommended that OWU would be better served by returning to a self-operated model, according to President Rock Jones.

Strimkovsky’s suggestion came after consultation with other campuses that returned to functioning as independent bookstores, and discussions with the faculty’s Committee on Teaching, Learning and Cross-Cultural Programs.

“I am pleased with this recommendation and the potential benefits going forward,” Jones said. “These benefits include adjusting the pricing strategy for textbooks to be competitive with online vendors, making OWU more competitive for textbook business; enhancing OWU’s online presence for textbooks, OWU apparel and other products; and expanding the mission from a bookstore to one of a more comprehensive OWU store.”

Follett Corporation, a third-party company, works with more than 1,200 campuses across the country, said Lisa Tackett, OWU’s bookstore manager.

Follett leases space from campuses and runs the store, providing course materials, supplies and branded items such as apparel. The campus bookstore’s partnership with Follett began seven years ago, prior to which the bookstore operated independently.

“This industry is constantly changing, so what was relevant then may not be relevant anymore,” Tackett said. “We’re changing with the times and more campuses are going independent now, [opting to] leave Follett and Barnes & Noble, which are the two major in-campus stores.”

In addition to working on providing students with the most affordable options for course materials, Tackett said the bookstore will have the freedom to “get items that are a lot less cookie-cutter and styles that are more desirable for our students in terms of clothing.”

Tackett has placed orders for custom items such as yoga pants and joggers instead of basic sweatpants.

“Our prices are going to be better and our markup will be smaller,” Tackett said. “I’m not limited anymore on where I can order our materials, so I’ll be able to purchase the things everyone has been asking for.”

In an email to employees and students sent on Aug. 31, Melanie Kalb, director of purchasing, said the campus store will also host a website with online ordering and online book adoptions for faculty.

“We believe the OWU culture and identity can be best represented by our new model,” Kalb said in her email.

Follett’s operations with the campus bookstore will conclude Sept. 28. In preparation of the transition, several apparel items will be sold at a discounted rate of 50 percent off starting Monday, Sept. 18.

OWU welcomes new athletic director

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor 

It’s the start of a new semester and the Ohio Wesleyan athletics department appointed Doug Zipp as the new athletics director in August.

“He is absolutely the right person to serve as OWU’s director of athletics at this time,” President Rock Jones said. “I look forward to working closely with him.”

Last semester, OWU’s athletics department said goodbye to Roger Ingles who served as the previous athletics director. Since then, the school tried to find a suitable replacement. For a while, Mike DeWitt was the interim athletics director while also being the head coach for the men’s basketball team.

Zipp was appointed to the position Aug. 15.

“The great work of … [DeWitt] in the transition has been ideal,” said Zipp. “The work he and the staff were able to accomplish over the summer was incredible and how they quickly were able to get me up to speed was a huge help. I cannot thank them enough for all of their good work.“

Jones said, “Doug has hit the ground running and is quickly engaging in every aspect of oversight of the athletic program at Ohio Wesleyan.” He also said Zipp has been learning a lot for being here a short while and that he has made time to get to know the coaches and staff.

Before coming to OWU, Zipp was the director of athletics of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia for five years.

But this is not the first time Zipp has been a part of the NCAC. Prior to his time at Shenandoah, Zipp worked various jobs at Kenyon College, from dean of Residential Life, special assistant to the president, project manager for the Kenyon Athletic Center to interim athletics director.

Zipp became aware of the opening for athletics director at OWU after his colleagues and friends told him about it.

“They encouraged me to take a serious look at the position and to consider applying,” Zipp said. Jones said the process of finding a new athletics director was primarily about finding someone who valued athletic and academic excellence.

“There was tremendous interest in this position, reflected in the fact that all four finalists who visited campus have experience as Division III athletics directors,” Jones said. “OWU’s athletics program is highly regarded, as is the [NCAC].”

Zipp already has high standards for OWU and its athletics program. He said he wants to instill a winning attitude in every team and build relationships with alumni and the Delaware community.

“It is our goal to provide each student the opportunity to compete for a NCAC championship at least once every four years,” Zipp said.

Before Zipp joined OWU, the athletics department added women’s rowing and men’s wrestling. Zipp ensured that the process for finding coaches and new staff is underway.

“We have search committees for each position and we are now on the fast track to find the best candidates [who] will buy into and support our academic and athletic mission and be able to build solid programs in wrestling and women’s rowing,” said Zipp. “We will be engaging in the interview process in the next two weeks with the goal of having coaches named and starting by early October.”

The Battling Bishops welcome Zipp and plan on improving the athletics department and its teams in the future.

Students host rally in response to Charlottesville attacks

By Gopika Nair, Editor-in-Chief 

Ohio Wesleyan students, faculty and staff shared messages of solidarity, love and hope at a rally staged in support of victims of the Charlottesville attacks.

Junior Emily Shpiece and senior Ryan Bishop helped organize the event at OWU, which was held Aug. 25 outside Beeghly Library.

On Aug. 12, Jason Kessler led the “Unite the Right” rally to protest against the removal of a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee in Charlottesville. The rally, which has been regarded as one of the largest white supremacist events in recent U.S. history, turned violent when a speeding car crashed into anti-racist protestors, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer and injuring at least 19 others, according to Al Jazeera.

“Even though the events of Charlottesville weren’t fresh and recent when we organized the rally, the effects of Charlottesville-sentiments, white supremacy and anti-semitism are,” Shpiece said.

Bishop added, “It’s really important to recognize this on campus and to address this instance of domestic terrorism, this instance where hateful groups, [such as] white supremacists, neo-Nazis, Ku Klux Klan supporters, kind of were allowed to march and be violent and be armed and ultimately someone died resisting that.”

The rally Shpiece and Bishop organized gave allies and marginalized students a chance to share their thoughts on the pro-white demonstrations in Charlottesville.

Giving Jewish students and students of color a space to speak validated what they had to say, Shpiece said.

In addition to students, Chaplain Jon Powers, Dean of Students Dwayne Todd and President Rock Jones gave speeches.

“I was especially moved by the personal narratives and powerful calls to action shared by many of our students,” Jones said. “While there is much in our larger society today that causes great concern, I left Friday’s gathering with hope and with confidence that our community will remain strong and will work together to create a better future for all people.”

Todd said, “The rally was a moving demonstration of the commitment of these students, faculty and staff to confront bigotry and white supremacy, and to stand alongside those who are attacked or marginalized by such attitudes and actions.”

Gatherers held signs which decried white supremacy and racist attitudes. Some handmade signs read, “No Nazis,” “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention” and “Bigotry will not be tolerated.”

Bishop also reached out to Sally Leber, director of service learning, who provided printed signs sporting the words, “Hate has no home here,” in four different languages, including Arabic and Spanish.

A day before the event, Bishop and Shpiece met with Lisa Ho, associate chaplain; Bob Wood, director of Public Safety; Todd, the dean of students and Kristin Weyman, associate dean for student success. This group suggested signing postcards to send to children in Charlottesville, Shpiece said.

The Chaplain’s Office also provided candles during the event, which concluded with Chaplain Powers leading a prayer.

“I loved what everyone had to say, and while I’m disappointed there wasn’t more of a turn out, I think that the people who showed up learned a lot about one another, felt supported and found a means of channeling their heightened emotions about Charlottesville into community action,” Shpiece said.

American and international students eligible for Bachelor of Science degrees

By Spencer Pauley, Copy Editor 

Ohio Wesleyan has been accredited to allow international students to get a Bachelor of Science after a U.S.-born student at OWU receives one.

Earlier this year, OWU granted students the opportunity to receive Bachelor of Science degrees in approved scientific areas. But the Department of Homeland Security noted that international students cannot receive a B.S. degree unless a U.S.-born student receives it first.

OWU is a part of the Higher Learning Commission, which is the group that accredits the school when they request it. In this case, OWU was accredited the right for international students to receive a B.S. degree back in March. The process just took time.

Darrell Albon, the director of the International and Off-Campus Programs Office, said it’s a tricky process for school sto get accredited for various requests.

“If we had a new major or add[ed] more courses, no problem,” Albon said. “But if we add a program like a Bachelor of Science program or a separate type of program, then we need to be accredited.”

The Bachelor of Science degree is currently being conferred to students in four scientific fields: geology, microbiology, physics and astrophysics. But Barbara Andereck, a professor in physics and astronomy, said she believes there will be more options in the future.

“I am almost certain there will be others available,” Andereck said. “It’s just a matter of the departments needing to formulate what a Bachelor of Science requirement looks like in comparison to a Bachelor of Arts.”

Current students who are seniors can opt for the Bachelor of Science degree as long as they complete the requirements listed in the 2017-18 course catalog.

New disability services coordinator hired

By Aleksei Pavloff, Sports Editor 

The new school year always brings new faces to campus.

Ohio Wesleyan University recently appointed Stephanie Rowland as the new disability services coordinator.

“Stephanie Rowland brings outstanding experience and expertise to this position and is a tremendous addition to the OWU community,” President Rock Jones said.

Rowland is originally from the Central Ohio area and previously worked with Adrienne Luke, the former coordinator at OWU. They worked together on projects over the past years. Luke contacted Rowland and told her about the available position.

Rowland came to OWU with a master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University.

“What I like about OWU is the small school and personal one-on-one interactions I get to have with students,” Rowland said.

Her job at the university is not just to serve as the disability services coordinator, but also the testing center coordinator, which is located in University Hall.

Students who have documentation of a certain disability go to Rowland. Her main focus is to provide testing accommodations.

She also said she helps process school material and with scheduling exams while still working with students in and outside of the classroom so they can have support. She deals with students on a confidential basis so they feel comfortable and get the assistance they need. 

Students who have ADHD, learning disabilities, hearing disabilities, or who are on the spectrum can go to her with documentation for assistance.

Some of the accommodations include a testing area where students can go and take exams given by the professor. Other services are also designed to help students with assignments, note-taking and books. This department deals with around 200 students, according to Rowland.

“All student accommodations differ based on need,” Rowland said. “If students have a disability that impacts their college experience, they can register with the office.”

President Jones spoke about the Disability Services Center and how it is a very important part of OWU.

“OWU is committed to the success of every student on our campus and to ensuring that each student has the resources necessary to achieve that success,” Jones said.  “We are particularly concerned that students with disabilities receive support that allows them to thrive in our educational environment and that prepares them for success at OWU and beyond.”

The school year brings different types of challenges to different types of people. Jones said he is confident in the center’s efforts to help students deal with the stress of school, work and much more.

“The Disability Services Center plays a key role in assisting the entire campus in meeting these objectives as well as working directly with individual students with various diagnosed disabilities,” Jones said.

Students can call 740-368-3857 or email slrowland@owu.edu with any questions or inquiries.

Office of Career Services launches Career Closet

By Reilly Wright, Photo Editor 

Ohio Wesleyan University hides a variety of nooks and closets, but now one will be fully dedicated toward helping students’ futures.

The Office of Career Services is committed to providing students tools for interviews, internships, jobs and more. This fall, the office is launching Career Closet, a program that benefits students needing professional attire for those career opportunities.

“The Office of Career Services is committed to helping students through every step of their professional development process,” said Leslie Melton, the director of Career Services. “Part of that is ensuring our students are prepared and ensuring that they not only are able to demonstrate the skills they’ve gained in the classroom, but we want them to feel confident in doing so.”

Melton said the clothes provided are mainly business and business casual wear. The room holds job attire including suits, polos, blazers and portfolios that can be loaned out to anyone with an OWU student ID.

All of the clothes are dry-cleaned and the office currently sponsors alterations students might require. OWU Career Services requested faculty and staff to donate new or gently used clothing not too out of date in all sizes to keep in the closet.

“I think this is an excellent opportunity for professors and Career Services to work together to provide resources for students on the job market,” said Melanie Henderson, a professor in the psychology department.

Henderson had corresponded with Melton about possible methods to raise student awareness of various programs and initiatives Career Services offers, including Career Closet. She wanted to collaborate with the office to show students how these services can help leverage skills from the classroom, eventually donating clothes to the program herself.

“There are many expenses to consider, such as travel and professional attire, and funding the job search can be a challenge for students who are at an economic disadvantage,” Henderson said. “Providing students with the necessary clothing reduces some of the financial stress of the job market … so they can focus on preparing for the interview and the job itself.”

Some students have already used the program to their advantage when dressing for interviews or internships.

“[Career Closet] was a positive experience,” said senior Amber Sample. “The people there helped me to narrow down my search criteria and provided me with some other places to search that I did not know existed.”

Melton said she wants to see students using the program for the career fair Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Benes Rooms. More information about Career Closet will be coming out beginning Sept. 11.

“We’re always here to help students be prepared. That’s the biggest thing I want students to know is that it’s here,” Melton said. “If they need it, there’s no judgement. They can come in and use it freely.”