Volume 120 Issue 25 Friday, April 15, 2016
OrbitMediaOnline.com
Welcome Board of Trustees members
April 22 declared Anne Steele Day To celebrate the upcoming retirement of Muskingum University President Anne C. Steele, several events have been planned and organizations have been spending the semester honoring Steele and her achievements while working at Muskingum. One event that is being hosted to honor President Steele before her impending retirement is “Anne Steele Day” on April 22. This will be during the weekend of this year’s Muskiepalooza. All students, faculty, and staff, along with community members and University alumni and trustChristine Holmes/ Black & Magenta ees are invited to participate in the President Anne C. Steele presides over the Annual Scholarship “Anne Steele Day” activities. “A lot of people want to say Recognition Day ceremony on Friday, April 8 at 3:15 p.m. in Brown ‘thank you,’” said Janet HeeterChapel to kick of Parents’ and Family Weekend 2016. Bass, Interim Vice President for Advancement. “It’s pretty amazing that you bring a president in that can raise 100 million dollars in 17 years and put up the amazing during her time here.” • She is the first female to serve as President buildings Anne Steele Day will be held to the University. on the Muskingum Quad, if there rain, between 3 p.m. and 5 • She has served as the 20th President since isn’t p.m. in the afternoon on April 22. taking over the position in January 2000. The event will also include different hors d’oeuvres and drinks • Led the construction of 6 campus buildings. for the community and the chance to personally thank President • Under her direction, two new masters’ Steele for her work at Muskingum programs were offered to graduate students. and in the greater New Concord community. • During her tenure, President Steele added 15 Village The goal of the group picture, new majors to the Academic program list. that will be taken from the second floor of Montgomery Hall,is • While in office, Muskingum College to gather the New Concord and transitioned to Muskingum University. Muskingum community into a picture that Steele can take with • Her retirement date will be June 30, 2016. her after her retirement. A faculty picture was taken on
President Steele
March 22. Since then, it has been framed and signed by faculty in the picture. “Sometimes she doesn’t realize the impact that she’s had because she’s in the middle of the impact,” said Heeter-Bass. “And to have others say ‘Wow, you really have done an amazing job and we want to say thank you.’ She loves that.” “Anne Steele Day” will also include 600 free T-shirts that will be passed out to the first 600-700 students, staff, and faculty that show up to commemorate the event for all those who are involved or attend. Other events that have already been held to honor President Steele include inductions into some of the groups and clubs on Muskingum’s campus. Greek organizations, such as the F.A.D. Club, made her an honorary member last month. Steele was made an official Muskingum Programming Board (MPB) member at “Caketacular” this year. Not only an was she an honorary judge but the theme of the cakes that night was also “Anne Steele.” Various teams competed with cakes designed with the new Roberta A. Smith Library building or with Steele’s face. According to Heeter-Bass, Some of the upcoming Anne Steele events will come as a surprise to the President herself. “It’s always fun surprising her so although she knows the dates of a lot of these events and she knows some things that are coming there’s many things that she’s going to enjoy and be touched by,” said Heeter-Bass. Information regarding these remaining events will be released as they draw closer.
Feb. 19, 2016 Caketacular hosted in honor of President Steele
Events honoring Steele at a glance
Lindsey Kreamer Arts & Entertainment Editor
April 18, 2015 Announces Retirement
President Steele becomes honorary member of MPB March 14 , 2016 President Steele becomes honorary member of F.A.D. Club March 22, 2016 & Faculty Picture with President Steele April 22, 2016 “Anne Steele Day” & Community Picture May 7, 2016 President Steele’s last Commencement Ceremony June 30, 2016 President Anne C. Steele Retires
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News & Opinion The Black & Magenta • Orbit Media
Model United Nations class wins at Delegation
Editorial: It may seem pointless, but it’s not so bad
Katie Meddings Orbit Media Reporter
Brenna Busby Editor-In-Chief
The IDIS-140 Model United Nations (UN) class received the Outstanding Delegation award during their trip to the National Model United Nations in New York City. The conference went from March 27-31. The award was given to Model UN clubs who remained in character, participated in committees, and followed the proper rules and procedures. Dakota Riddle, a Muskingum University sophomore and a Model UN member, said he could hardly believe that the group had received the award. “To have been given one of the top honors, we weren’t even sure it was real,” said Riddle. The trip was in conjunction with a class taught by Associate Professor of Political Science Richard Arnold. Arnold’s class was separated into different groups, then graded based on a point system.
The experience offered the Muskingum class to associate with people from all over the world in hands-on activities. “I loved it, I got to meet all kinds of different people,” said Brienna Rhoades, junior Political Science and International Affairs major. “It was also a very nice learning experience, because there’s only so much you can learn in the classroom.” Among the topics discussed were terrorism, women in politics, and the Central African Republic. An average day for the students started around 8 a.m., as they would start with impromptu speeches on the topics they would discuss that day. That would be followed by an hour break, where the groups would spend time tackling writing the papers on their topics. After meeting again, breaking for lunch, then coming back together for more persuasive speeches and discussions, their days ended around 10 p.m.
Christine Holmes/ Black & Magenta Dr. Lisa Marshall, Associate Professor of Communication, presents students with advice that she recieved from her father.
Professor offers ‘fatherly’ advice Brenna Busby Editor-In-Chief
As per usual, Brown Chapel was filled with Muskingum Students, faculty, staff, and families at the Scholarship Recognition Day ceremony. The featured speaker was Associate Professor of Communication Lisa Marshall. Marshall gave advice that she had received from her father while gorwing up. She looked back at the places she carried the advice with her. She said that she now gives those same words of advice to her students, especially her senior advisees who come looking to her with pregraduation jitters. Submission/ Brieanna Rhoades The first piece of advice that she The Model United Nations class took a trip to New York City and shared with those in attendance came home with an Outstanding Delegation award. was to put “work before play.”
This advice, she said, was what she often shares with the students she works closely with in WMCO, as the radio station manager. “The mentoring conversations that I have outside the classroom are always the ones that I cherish the most,” said Marshall during her speech. The second tip she gave was to always know that “there could be something worse” than what you are currently experiencing. The final statement Marshall offered was that “education is something that can’t be taken away,” unlike other accolades. In attendance this year was President-elect Dr. Susan Hasseler, while President Anne C. Steele presided over the ceremony for the last time. The ceremony was the first event during Parents’ Weekend.
“Don’t give up” has been the mantra that has been on repeat in my head for a few weeks now. Every time I glance at a calendar, and believe me I try not to, I cringe. I do the math. I add up how many days are left in the semester. Then, I think about all the projects and exams that are squeezed into the few weeks left. It hurts my brain. It hurts. The stress, it’s alive and well. My persistence? I lost it somewhere back in February. It’s buried under the snow and under all of my naive “there is plenty of time” thinking. Time is up. How do I jump through hoops, while they are seemingly on fire, while I’m also expected to complete the obstacle course in front of me at the same time? These are the questions that plague me as I fall asleep at night. I think I’ve found the answer. “Don’t give up.” You don’t have to do everything you want to do. You don’t have to do that extra credit or spend hours socializing. You don’t have to be perfect. You just can’t give up. The end is close. To optimistic Brenna, that means the freedom that summer offers is the light at the end of the tunnel. I can see it, just slightly out of my reach. My negative side would say “The light is so far away and the tunnel is on fire.” Standing between the two of those forces you just have to remind yourself of the bigger, overall picture. That’s what is important. Just don’t give up, not yet.
Arts & Entertainment The Black & Magenta • Orbit Media
Muskingum area children go for the gold Logan Weaver Orbit Media Reporter The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) hosted the Muskie Olympics for young students with disabilities in The Recreation Center on April 8. Children from across the area flocked to Muskingum’s campus to participate in the day’s events. “We just have them come and have fun,” said CEC President Sam Green. “That’s our main goal for them.” The event was originally scheduled to be held at McConagha Stadium but was moved indoors due to cold temperatures.
East Muskingum, Tri-Valley, and West Muskingum school districts as well as the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center competed in the games. The event began with the opening ceremonies followed by a small parade. Once the main events concluded, the students were treated to a pizza lunch and other snacks. Some of the events included bowling, an obstacle course, Frisbee toss, and a football station. Students continued to play games after lunch until it was time for them to return to school. Students that participated received stickers and a treat bag.
“We want to empower the kids that are in the multiple handicap classes and let them know that they matter,” said Green. “They don’t always get that.” Green said the event benefited the students by allowing them to get out of school and simply have fun. He also said the event benefited the volunteers as well. “It makes me happy to see what’s going on,” said Green. “To see the smiles on the kids’ faces that you don’t get to see very often. That’s just the best part.” Green said CEC usually meets once a month to plan for events they’d like to host during the year like the Muskie Olympics.
Students showcase talents at Parents’ Weekend
l a r t n e C Cinema Aaron Eno Orbit Media Reporter “Free State of Jones” is the newest historical film to hit theaters on June 24. The film takes place during the American Civil War and is about a small county in Mississippi that rebelled against the Confederacy. The film stars Oscar winner Mathew McConaughey. McConaughhey plays Newton Knight, the main protagonist of the film and the leader of the rebellion in Mississippi. Muskingum University Professor of History, Bil Kerrigan, specializes in American Civil War History and is looking forward to the upcoming film. “We’ll have to see how true the version that Hollywood puts out is to the real story, but it is based on authentic events,” said Kerrigan. “Events that historians have some disagreement about exactly the nature of the rebellion, but there was a rebellion against the confederacy set in Jones County Mississippi.” In the trailer that released a few weeks ago, Knight has deserted the Confederate Army. He sees the conflict as a pointless loss of life only serving other mens’ gains.
Editorial Staff Anna Kramig/ Black & Magenta The Muskingum University Parents’ Weekend Talent Show is hosted every year for students to have the ability to showcase their talents for visitng parents and alumni. Some of the acts involved in the Talent Show included organizations on campus that are known for participate in events similar to these such as the Muskingum dance group, “Black Ice,” pictured above.
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Editor-in-Chief Brenna Busby Assignment Editor Christine Holmes A&E Editor Lindsey Kreamer Sports Editor Chris Morgan Copy Editor Kayla Rausch Circulation Manager Aaron Eno Faculty Advisor Lisa Marshall Orbit Media Newsroom (740) 826-8379
“I think that’s what the context of “Free State of Jones” is about the internal conflicts within the state of Mississippi that existed before the war and Newton Knight and his people are symbols of that [conflict],” said Kerrigan. These conflicts stemmed from the gap between poor and rich whites in the south at the time. Being that this is a historical film, it is ultimately up to the directors and film makers how to show these ‘based on true events’ movies on the big screen. “I’m eager to see it, whenever historians go to see a historical film they go in and they’re like hanging on to the edge of the chair a little bit like, ‘how much am I going to cringe?’” said Kerrigan. “What are they going to get wrong in this film?” Historical films are also unique in that the endings are history, so they can potentially be spoiled when shown on a big screen. “We know he doesn’t succeed, but ultimately neither does the confederacy he’s fighting [against],” said Kerrigan. Since this is Hollywood, the ending of the film could look like anything from a heroic death to a bitter defeat. Viewers will just have to see how the end plays out when the film hits theaters.
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SPORTS
The Black & Magenta • Orbit Media
DeVore eyes return to field Kristin Gill Orbit Media Reporter
Submission/ Muskingum Athletics The new turf at McConagha Stadium, pictured above, will replace the current field at Muskingum University this month. The current turf, pictured right during a football game, is 11 years old and has seen much wear and tear in its time. A new product by FieldTurf call “Revolution 360” is being installed starting April 25.
Black & Magenta Archive
New turf on the way, construction to begin soon Zach Vinski Orbit Media Reporter McConagha Stadium will see a major overhaul this year, with new turf being installed at Sherman Field later this month. Construction is set to begin on April 25 and should be finished in early July, according to Athletic Director, Larry Shank. The current turf is 11 years old and has many problems that contributed to the decision to replace it this year. Shank said that the cross drains are plugged up and dust from the stone under the turf has made its way to the top, causing gray lines to appear. There have also been repairs made to small sinkholes that occurred under the field in the past.
The old turf will be completely ripped out and replaced from the ground up. New cross drains will be put in as well as stone to avoid the gray lines coming back. The new turf going in will be a new product created by FieldTurf called “Revolution 360.” “We’re very very excited about the new turf,” said Shank. “I think it is better for wear and tear.” The project will affect some spring sports since the process is starting while they are finishing up their seasons. Womens lacrosse will travel to Capital April 30 with the mens team for their game that was scheduled for home as a result. Both teams also will continue to have practice on the grass field once the construction starts.
No Muskingum track meets are altered but it does affect the John Glenn track meets April 28 and 30. The construction is planned to be completed before athletes return to campus in August. Weather may cause some delays in the process and the early start helps give some time to finish before athletes return. “We’d like to have a couple weeks of extra time if needed,” said Shank. There will be a few other little changes made to the field during the construction process to make things easier for groups that use it. One of those changes is adding more electricity to help support the needs of track meets. The source of water for trainers is also going to be moved to a more convenient location.
After being on crutches for six weeks, baseball player Austin DeVore is back to walking. The junior outfielder for the Muskingum University Baseball team injured his left leg during the winter in front of his residence before spring break. DeVore has been off crutches for about a week, and he has started rehabbing the injury. “It feels great being able to actually walk,” said DeVore. In rehab, DeVore has been working on getting the strength back in his left leg through a variety of leg drills. The goal is to get the muscles in both legs back to the same level of strength before competing again this year.
“I lost an inch and half [in circumference] in my left leg [after the injury],” said DeVore. He said he has been able to feel the progress he’s been doing with the trainers. He is hoping to be back full go as soon as possible if everything keeps progressing well and the trainers feel he can play. “The sitting out wasn’t fun,” DeVore said. “It sucks. You can only motivate the guys by talking to them so much motivating through words just isn’t the same as through actions.” Once back, DeVore will wear an ankle brace just as a precaution so it doesn’t get re-injured during games or practices. The team has been awaiting his return, but have gone 12-9 overall and 2-2 in the OAC in his absence.
Womens Lacrosse striving to improve Payton Patterson Orbit Media Reporter
The record-breaking year for Muskingum’s Womens Lacrosse team continues. The Fighting Muskies are 4-7 so far this season and are 0-1 in OAC play. After going winless last season, the women were looking for their first win in program history, but now they have their eyes set on a new goal. “For right now we are looking to get our first OAC win,” said sophomore midfielder Ashley Adams. “Just to end with a really good record is all we are aiming for.” Sophomore goalie Kate Shamel and Adams are two main players for the Fighting Muskies and are being talked about throughout the OAC. Shamel has an OAC leading 102 saves, 20 saves ahead of the second place goalie.
“Considering this is my third month in lacrosse I feel pretty good about it and pretty confident,” said Shamel. Adams is leading the OAC in goals scored with 36 and has 37 points which ranks her as fourth best in the conference. So far this season, Adams has tied her record for most goals in a game, staying consistent at five. On April 3, Adams broke that record at St. Vincent with six goals in the 11-10 comeback victory for the Muskies. “Just to getting the motivation and getting the ball in the back of the net,” said Adams. The Muskies will continue to work on improving as a team as they finish out their 2016 regular season. The team has four games remaining against OAC opponents Ohio Northern, John Carroll, Wilmington, and Capital.