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Investigation into student death continues

Transcript Staff

The investigation into the death of freshman Luke Gabbert continues to progress as results from the autopsy report become public.

“We have the autopsy report, and no obvious cause of death has been found. No visible traumatic injuries were found and the coroner is now conducting forensic testing for internal injuries and also for toxicology, the results of which are awaited,” said Captain Adam Moore of the Delaware Police Department.

Moore said he cannot pinpoint as to when those other tests will be received but they do not think foul play was a factor in Gabbert’s death..

As for where the investigation is headed next, Moore said they are looking into what Gabbert’s whereabouts were prior to him being found and also looking into who he may have been with.

A pedestrian called police about 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, after noticing a body in Delaware Run creek south of a building the first block of South Franklin Street near OWU’s campus.

He said investigators are trying to piece together a full timeline of Gabbert’s activities between the night of Feb. 5 and the discovery of his body.

Anyone who came into contact with Gabbert on the night of Feb. 5 or the morning of Feb. 6 is asked to call the Delaware Police Department at 740-203-1111.

The Transcript will continue to update this story as more information becomes available

Vigils held in remembrance of Luke Gabbert

Transcript Staff

Luke will never be forgotten.

This was said by Carson Miller, an old friend of Luke Gabbert’s, as well as several others in the wake of his body being found just off of Ohio Wesleyan University’s campus late Saturday morning.

There are certain things that bring the OWU community together and one of those things is tragedy. On the night of Gabbert’s death, students gathered on The Hill for a vigil in his memory.

Delta Delta Delta sorority member senior Megan Ryan put it out to students soon after hearing the news. As word spread quickly over 300 students gathered to grieve with the community they all share.

Gabbert was a soccer player, a pledge of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity (Phi Psi) and a member of Athletes in Action. All of these communities he touched were present at the vigil. Students braved the cold to honor his memory.

Students and members of the OWU community had the opportunity to light a candle and write a prayer on white paper bags that were lined around The Hill. They were able to remember Luke and the things he loved.

Gabbert’s neighbor Julie Feasel said, “He was always smiling and just last Sunday I saw him leaving his house with a big smile on his face.”

Students were seen comforting each other holding hands, giving hugs, and consoling emotions with comforting words. At one point everyone was circled all the way around the Hill holding hands in a moment of silence for the deceased.

At the end of the vigil the attendees walked around the circle on the hill to look at the prayers and messages people wrote for Luke. Messages read “Miss you roomie” and “Rest in Peace Luke.”

Director of Mission, Chad Johns, Director of Greek Life, Susie Long, and the President of Phi Psi Doug Dodridge all spoke to the students in attendance, comforting them and thanked everyone for coming.

Associate Chaplain Lisa Ho said, “The vigil was a beautiful illustration of all that is good about the OWU community. It was the strength of community coming together in the midst of tragedy to honor a young life lived well.”

“We only had four lighters, not realizing that we were going to light 315 candles,” said Ryan. “Four people showed up together, 10 people showed up together, entire sororities and fraternities showed up together, sports teams gathered, and then just like that, almost 400 people were gathered together, crying, holding hands, and being there for each other.”

Ryan said she hopes to make a collection of the bags and give them to the Gabbert family. “Luke truly touched so many lives,” she added.

A memorial for Gabbert was also held at Pioneer Field at his high school on Saturday, Feb. 6 with over a hundred people attending.

“Everyone was hugging each other a little tighter last night. He touched all our hearts and was with us in spirit. He is looking down on us letting us know it is okay,” said Marco Ventresca, Gabbert’s friend from elementary school days.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to help Gabbert’s family with the funeral costs.

The GoFundMe was created by a friend of the family, Jody Spriggs, in an effort to make the process even the slightest bit easier, said Ventresco.

OWU men’s soccer coach Jay Martin was open to talking about one of his former athletes. A long time coach of Gabbert, he said he is sad to see such a talented kid go. Martin was not only his coach at OWU but had also worked with Gabbart on the field during summer soccer camps.

Martin said Gabbert was studying physical education and dreamt of becoming a coach and teacher.

Martin also said the university plans to hang a banner featuring Gabbert’s name and number at OWU’s soccer field in his honor. He said the team will retire the number 19 in his honor. He wants people to know that the support from the community has been amazing and is appreciated.

Miller, who had known Gabbert for 9 years, said, “[Luke] did everything for everyone else and did not expect anything in return. He was so lovable and loving...No one is ever going to forget Luke.”

In just six hours, friends, family and well wishers of Gabbert came together to raise over $8,000 for the family to cover funeral costs. To view the GoFundMe account, click here.

UPDATE: The calling hours and Celebration of Life services will be held at Grace Church of Powell, 7600 Liberty Road, Powell, Ohio. Calling hours will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12, with a service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13.

Breaking News: student found in Delaware Run

Transcript Staff

Luke Anthony Gabbert, an OWU freshman from Lewis Center, Ohio, was found dead Saturday morning in the Delaware Run, a small stream flowing near the campus off Spring Street.

Gabbert was a soccer player and a new pledge of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

Just after 10:30 a.m., Delaware police sectioned off part of downtown on South Franklin Street, not far from the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center.

Robert Wood, director of OWU’s Public Safety, said, “We are currently working on an investigation with the city and should be able to release additional details soon.”

The cause of death is undetermined and still being investigated by Delaware police who are awaiting autopsy results. No evidence of foul play has been found so far.

President Rock Jones sent an email to the campus community about Gabbert’s death. Members of the chaplain’s office and counseling services staff were available for students and faculty members to go to shortly after receiving the news.

“Words can not express the sorrow and hurt that comes with the loss of Luke Gabbert. I hold his family, friends and our OWU family in my prayers and thoughts as we all try to make sense of this horrible tragedy, ” said Roger Ingles, director of athletics.

Ingles said he is hopeful the Delaware Police Department will conclude their investigation and be able to give answers to unanswered questions regarding Gabbert’s death.

The Transcript will update this story as more information becomes available

Barnes, Schaefer finish careers as All-Americans

Evan Walsh and Olivia Lease, Transcript Reporter and Online Editor

Ohio Wesleyan men’s soccer announced last week that two of its seniors, Brian Schaefer and Lonnie Barnes, were named (as) d3soccer.com All-Americans.

Barnes plays midfield and Schaefer plays forward for the team. Neither anticipated they’d receive recognition for one of college soccer’s most prestigious individual awards. Schaefer said it would not have been possible without the support of their teammates and coach, Jay Martin.

To be nominated for the award, Coach Martin said each school’s team nominates its players according to their team’s record. The names go into a pool and all the coaches in the division told to pick their top three (but they are not allowed to vote on their own players).

Since the men’s team had a strong record this past season, the coaches were eligible to nominate five guys, instead they only sent three.

Photo courtesy of Sarah Blake — Photo courtesy of Sara Blake

“I try to stay true to process, I know a lot of coaches who take advantage and do the full amount but to be honest with you, we didn’t have five All-Americans on the team,” said Martin.

Martin praised both having great technical skills and for being competitive but most importantly, for being good leaders.

“We had some of the best leadership we’ve ever had, at least in my 39 years, this past season and those two guys were apart of that leadership group,” he said.

Barnes said he remembered looking at the plaques of previous winners on the the wall when he was a freshman. “It’s cool to have that recognition,” he said.

“I was mostly playing to win games and help the team out as much as possible,” Schaefer said.

While neither sees themselves playing competitively in the future, their passion for the game has only grown during their time at OWU. “I love soccer … I think my career is done at this point but I may keep playing in some men’s leagues,” Schaefer said.

When asked if he had any advice for fellow college athletes, Schaeffer said, ““Just try your best honestly, and put in the work.”

In regard to post- grad plans, Martin said, “I hope they can carry over the high level of motivation they had on the soccer field to what they choose to do in their professional life.”

Barnes is from Illinois and majoring in geography. Schaefer is from New Jersey, and majoring in accounting and minoring in management economics. Off the field, both are brothers of Phi Gamma Delta.

This past season the men’s soccer team ended the 2015 with a record of 16-5-2.

Gallery 22 brings art to Delaware

Ela Mazumdar, Transcript Reporter

Restaurants, ice cream shops and antique shops line Delaware’s street, but it is important to take note of a new establishment which has become a part of town just this past month.

Gallery 22, a local art gallery, is centrally located on East Winter Street across from Mi Cerritos, Veritas and 1808. It is now holding exhibits and adding character to what many residents of Delaware refer to as “the cultural block” of the town.

An exhibit called “Confederate Currency: The Color of Money” features the works of artist John W. Jones and depicts intricately painted people and currency based on the Civil War period. This exhibit is on loan from the Ross Art Museum and was coordinated by Tammy Wallace.

Every six weeks the exhibits are changed and feature a variety of different artists, including some professors from the OWU community. The gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays from 6-8:30 p.m. but is hoping to expand its hours over time.

The Gallery is a place for artists to work at affordable studios and for the public to see new exhibits and buy art. Currently, this gallery is also giving away free art books. The gallery also actively calls in artists and guest speakers and has wine and cheese nights on the first Friday of each month to meet and greet new artists.

Gallery 22 is run by the Delaware Arts Castle, which holds art classes for local residents and the wider Columbus area. This organization now holds ownership of the property and is run by its own board after it was given up by Ohio Wesleyan University.

The gallery runs solely on its volunteers and is one that gives back to the community by supporting OWU’s artists and providing studio space to artists for a reasonable price.

“We are looking for the help we can for spreading awareness and getting more volunteers,” said Mindy Hedger, a board member of the gallery.

Currently, the Gallery is getting limited audiences, but members of the board are hoping that people will gain awareness with time.

“What surprises me mostly is that so many people don’t know about the Arts Castle since we have been in town for so long. We try to get the word out, but maybe there’s more we can do,” Hedger said.

Although attendance is still small, there were some excited visitors.

Of these visitors were two high school students.

“I’ve always loved art exhibits and run into this along the road, the ones with the pretty skylines were my favorite,” said Abby O’Donald, a student at Olentagy High School.

Another Olentangy student was also drawn in by the art.

“I was just at the Arts Castle last weekend because we won an award there and we were in the area and saw that this gallery was linked with that, so we were interested and came in,” said Lauren Douglas, a senior at Olentangy High School.

Overall, Gallery 22 is a cultural element in town and its board members are hoping to see it grow into the Delaware community

Food review: Smith’s restaurant week

DJ Fradkin, Transcript Reporter

If students have not already noticed, Smith Dining now offers meals that are “almost like” menu items offered by popular restaurants in the area. Since students have responded positively to this new meal plan, this trend will continue.

At the beginning of the 2015-16 school year, restaurant styles from places such as Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Olive Garden and a variety of other restaurants.

It is currently labeled as “Restaurant Week,” but this title will change due to legal complications.

The concept was introduced because Smith Hall was not receiving enough business during their lunch hours.

The Marketplace in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center is the most popular during lunch hours. This is largely due to its location and convenience to students, according to Resident District Manager Gene Castelli.

There will most likely not be any other major changes by the end of this school year, but this summer, Castelli said they will brainstorm and hopefully generate changes for the beginning of the next school year.

Several students were asked whether they liked this idea. Most students were in favor of “Restaurant Week” and hope the trend will continue.

Sophomore Isaiah Retti said, “I like the idea of trying to replicate restaurants menus. My favorite is when they serve Cane’s because the sauce they make is really accurate.”

Sophomore Hallie Sinko said, “I like the idea of having restaurant quality food without having to leave campus, but I would still probably eat at Ham-Will for lunch. It is inconvenient to go back to Smith to eat between classes. I think it would be a better idea for them to offer this at Ham-Will.”

Castelli said, “This has been absolutely successful.”

Students have provided positive feedback to these new changes. Some of the unpopular options were stopped, but others that were big hits such as “Almost Like Cane’s” will be repeated.

Junior Evan Payne supports the change, but it was not the change he was looking for.

Payne said, “I think the idea to replicate local food establishments for the students is a good idea, but if the school really wants to make students happy, Trattoria should be brought back.” Payne was referring to the food service that was discontinued this year but used to be open for students from 8 p.m. till midnight.

Here is a list of the restaurant styles Smith has offered so far: Cane’s, Chipotle, Five Guys, Melt, Olive Garden, BW3’s, IHOP, Noodle’s & Company, City Barbecue and Pei Wei. Chartwells will continue researching other restaurants to add them to this list.

Hymn for the Weekend: let’s try not to get offended

Ela Mazumdar, Transcript Reporter

As many eagerly watched the new music video for Beyonce and Coldplay’s “Hymn for the Weekend,” it seemed that not everyone was thrilled with the video, which, according to many people, appropriates Indian culture and is blatantly disrespectful.

As an Indian woman, issues of cultural appropriation are incredibly important to me and hit close to home.

Although I live in the U.S., Indian culture is a part of me and a part of how I have grown up, so when someone tells me that my culture is being appropriated, I take a very critical stance on that issue.

However, in this case, I do not see this video as a form of cultural appropriation, but rather one of appreciation. Yes, it may be somewhat ignorant and is problematic in the grand scheme of things, but it also captures all that makes India and its culture colorful and beautiful.

This is not to say that video is completely flawless, but simply that it does not seem to be intentionally disrespectful. I found that Beyonce could have obviously researched traditional Indian clothing, and that there were some visual elements which were heavily exaggerated, but again that’s what music videos are all about.

As someone who has been to Mumbai, I see this video as a glimpse into India with its poverty, happiness and people who smile regardless of their harsh circumstances.

I do understand why some people could be offended, but I also have seen a number of comments on BuzzFeed, most of which don’t seem to understand the meaning of appropriation.

I am not saying that my voice is the voice of all Indians or that it should be, and if people are offended, they have a right to those feelings.

I’m just saying that sometimes those who have been oppressed tend to expect oppression and don’t believe that there is a chance that people in the media (and in general) are just curious and excited about our culture and choose to explore it in different ways.

I do not believe that this video gives a holistic view of India, but it does highlight some of my favorite things about India. The video especially showcases elements which I believe are inoffensive.

I think that the song and the representation of India are positive. I could be the only one thinking this, but that might because I am hopeful that there are people out there who find new cultures to be exciting and go into understanding them differently and with respect.

I believe if they make mistakes along the way, that’s OK. At least they made an attempt and learned something along the way.

Get to know Big E

Ela Mazumdar, Transcript Reporter

Erik Brewer or “Big E” is a barista at Ohio Wesleyan for Chartwells. But to OWU students, faculty and staff, he is much more than that. He is a mentor, a friend and inspiration.

Brewer has been an essential character in shaping the lives of students for 16 years since he began working at OWU.

“Big E is an OWU icon whose talents go far beyond latte-making,” said senior Mary Suttmeier.

Suttmeier also said Brewer is a special person who always makes her laugh. He factored into her decision to stay at OWU when she considered transferring.

“He is loved as equally as he is lovable. He is an amazing, kind, hilarious person,” Suttmeier said.

Brewer’s relationships at OWU go beyond the students.

Natalie Kalista, one of Brewer’s coworkers, said, “Other people call him Big E, but I call him Big Brother … just because we have worked together over the past 10 or 13 years since I have been here.”

She added that he’s a positive role model who takes joy in interacting with the students.

“When I see him, he just makes my day better and he’s got his little quirks like the rest of us, but he makes me happy and I would be sad without him!”

Brewer began working at OWU when his mother-in-law asked him to help deliver pizzas in Welch Hall.

“I was like, ‘I’m not serving any pizza to any kids. You must be out of your mind.’ But then I changed my mind, gave it a shot and met students who inspired me and made me laugh everyday … I was able to find my family here.”

Brewer said the library café in Beeghly Library was where he remembered connecting with students the most. He would play different kinds of music and the students would gather there. It also gave him the opportunity to meet new freshmen.

“This was a social hour where we really got to know each other and everyone felt comfortable having their own separate conversations while still enjoying the music.”

Brewer is not just a friend, but also a mentor to OWU students.

“Your 20s are about all about you and figuring out who that is while still being confused and yet having a lot of fun and making mistakes which you can use to shape you in the future,” he said.

SLUs on the move

Gopika Nair, Chief Copy Editor

Dilapidation, bats and bees might alarm some, but for residents of Inter-Faith House (IF) and Peace and Justice House (P&J), leaving that behind means letting go of some cherished memories.

In an email addressed to the campus community on Jan. 27, Kurt Holmes, the interim dean of students, said OWU is vacating IF and P&J at the end of the 2015-16 academic year.

According to the email, both houses have “worsening mechanical and structural issues,” which led to the university’s decision to relocate the houses.

Members of both houses received another email on Jan. 28 with the news that P&J will occupy the Sexual and Gender Equality’s (SAGE) old house, while SAGE will move to one of the new SLUplexes in the coming academic year. IF will also move into a new SLUplex.

“[…] while I was somewhat saddened to know that the structure in which I have great memories will no longer be a part of my life, I was excited to know that the community with which those memories were made would still exist, and would possibly exist in a new SLUplex,” said junior Chase Smith, the moderator of IF.

Smith also said IF did have several mechanical and structural issues. The house does not heat evenly and though OWU’s Buildings and Grounds staff have inspected the issue, the outcome remained unchanged.

“When one half of the house is cold, the other is uncomfortable warm and vice-versa,” Smith said.

Moreover, lights in certain rooms tend to die out and there is a bee’s nest on the front porch of IF, which is aggravated in the warm weather.

“I do think it was necessary for [IF] to be vacated because it was no longer an efficient use of OWU’s resources to maintain the home,” Smith said. “I think the new homes … will be better maintained.”

Junior Emma Nuiry, a member of P&J, said that their house is also in rough condition. The toilets stop up often, their vacuum doesn’t work, water leaks from the ceiling onto a few housemates’ beds and there are bats on the third floor.

Despite these issues, Nuiry would have “relished the opportunity to live in [P&J for] another year,” but she realized that the house’s current state is a liability issue.

Sophomore Izzy Taylor also said that though they understand the administration’s concern about P&J’s worsening physical state, they have learned to adapt to its conditions.

“We love the rich history of the home we live in, and ultimately we don’t think the [current P&J] house is in such poor condition that we shouldn’t be allowed to live here,” Taylor said.

Nuiry also said that P&J is more than just a physical structure that houses students who live there. “It’s filled to the brim with memories, laughter, ghosts, bats, etc.”

She added that the move from P&J to SAGE “is the equivalent of the move from a severely dilapidated house to a slightly less severely dilapidated house.”

Nuiry said the move increases the likelihood of P&J being displaced again in the coming years because SAGE’s house also runs the risk of being deemed unlivable soon.

“Some people may think we are overreacting, but how would you feel if your living situation was constantly up in the air?” she said.

Despite the two houses’ relocation, students can go through the SLUSH process and try to become a member. This semester, IF will be recruiting to fill six spots for fall 2016, Smith said. P&J also has six openings, said Taylor and Nuiry.

Sagan series is talking trash

Ross Hickenbottom, Sports Editor

The 2016 Sagan National Colloquium speaker series kicked off on Jan. 27 with Ohio Wesleyan geography department’s John Krygier introducing Sarah Moore who presented “Tracking trans-national hazardous waste trading: methodological problems and partial solutions.”

Moore is an assistant professor of geography at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the co-author of “Environment and Society: A Critical Introduction.”

She earned funding from the National Science Foundation to work with other primary investigators to analyze created data tracking hazardous substances swapped for disposal and recycling among the North American countries: Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

“(We) have some suspicions where maybe an organization like the EPA that might not be doing their jobs,” she said, citing the Flint Michigan pollution epidemic as an example.

The shakiness of reliability reveals itself when “the EPA is writing to me asking how they’re doing regulating hazardous waste,” Moore added.

This particular speech is one of a series of five talks all reviewing separate environmental issues in the western perspective that has been backed by a $50,000 Exploration Grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to collaborate with multiple universities in places like Taiwan, South Korea and Japan.

All universities involved study eastern as well as western concepts of waste and how countries in the western hemisphere, particularly Asia, work to reduce waste.

Junior environmental studies major Carter Rae, who enjoyed the informational speech by Moore said, “Most people think that when you throw something away, it goes to the local landfill. But in reality, there is a global and complex economy built around that ‘waste.’ The image of waste is not as garbage but as a commodity.”

Rae also believes more people should become educated on issues such as this, since it impacts the world on such a large scale.

President Rock Jones attended the speech as well and thought “it was fascinating to learn more about how hazardous waste moves in and out of the country and how it’s concentrated in certain regions of our country.”

“I think (Moore) did a wonderful job addressing these issues, which are so detrimental to the world today,” President Jones added.

The remaining Sagan National Colloquium speeches will be taking place on Feb. 4 and 22 as well as April 11 and 18 in either the third floor of Merrick Hall or in Benes Room B in the Hamilton-Williams Campus Center.