2023.11.15

BLOOD IT ’ S I N MY

Doudna celebrates anniversary with “Children of Eden”

Flowers rushes more yards than offense

Doudna upgrades performance for anniversary celebration

By Alli Hausman Reporter | @DEN_News

Children of Eden opened Thursday night at the Doudna Fine Arts Center to much praise from audiences.

The 30-person cast alongside the orchestra, tech crew, directors, designers and more have been hard at work for the past eight weeks, rehearsing six days a week, Monday through Friday and Sunday evenings, in preparation for the opening of this large show, said director and choreographer Larry Cox.

Freshman communication disorders and sciences major Aubrey Kaufman attended the Children of Eden performance and was ecstatic following the performance. Kaufman has been to shows at Doudna before but has never seen a musical put on there.

“I absolutely loved it,” Kaufman said. “Anything the Doudna puts on is absolutely incredible.”

Kaufman had high praise for the show, saying she would encourage anyone to come.

“I was just so impressed,” she said. Children of Eden was selected to be this year’s musical in celebration of Doudna’s 15-year anniversary, Cox said. With a run time of two and a half hours, a large cast and a grandiose writing style, Children of Eden was selected as a way to go all in for commemorating Doudna. Each year, Cox said, he tries to pick a show that will challenge his students.

Compared to last year’s show Xanadu—an 80’s rock comedy musical, Children of Eden is almost double the scale. According to Dr. Rebecca von Kamp, the music director for Children of Eden and vocal instructor at Eastern, this year, the orchestral score was over 800 pages, compared to roughly 300 for Xanadu last year. For the conductor score, Children of Eden was 432 pages, while Xanadu’s was 175 last year.

To learn all the material, von Kamp and Ethan Hayward, the assistant musical director for Children of Eden and the piano accompanist during rehearsals, led the cast in a series of singthroughs during the earliest rehearsals. Last Friday, the cast and orchestra combined to practice together in what’s known as a sitzprobe, von Kamp said. The sitzprobe rehearsal focuses on integrating the cast and orchestra, who previously practiced separately.

“This show is so much bigger, so much longer, than the one we did last year,” von Kamp said. “But they [the cast] did amazing. They did really, really well.”

The cast for Children of Eden is also bigger than last year, according to Cox. With a show as sizeable as Children of Eden and with Doudna’s anniversary, Cox said he was very interested in bringing in the community.

“It’s so fun to bring outside people into the department to work with us,” he said. Cox said this year two community members, two students from Charleston High School and one student from Mattoon High School were cast in the show.

As the creator of the musical theatre track in the BA theatre program and instructor of musical theatre at Eastern, Cox has watched the interest in theatre grow in Charleston and around campus. When started at Eastern, he estimated 20 students total tried out for all four of Doudna’s yearly productions. This year, he said, 50 to 60 students auditioned for just the musical.

One student who auditioned this year was Harrison Hahn, a junior music education major. He was cast in the role of Cain, a major character in the first act of the show. Children of Eden was Hahn’s first musical at Doudna, though he said he has been heavily involved in theatre since he was young. Following the performance, Hahn was greeted with roses from friends who attended the show.

“I feel great,” he said. “It’s exciting. Everyone’s at the top of their game.”

Hahn said that the scale of the show was challenging and that it was a lot to memorize and learn as a cast member.

“I’m just proud of our whole cast,” Hahn said. “Everyone’s voices are super strong; the acting is great. I’m so happy to be here.”

In Feb. 2024, the Children of Eden cast will be headed to Lincoln Center in New York with Cox to perform in the Broadway concert premiere of Children of Eden. The Eastern cast members will join Broadway actors in the ensemble as storytellers.

Children of Eden is the favorite show of Stephen Schwartz, the person behind Children of Eden’s music and lyrics. Schwartz is most famous for his work in the musical Wicked, Cox said. Despite this, Children of Eden has never been produced on Broadway.

“They’re [the cast] so excited. Like, everyone is so excited,” Cox said. “And faculty is too. We’re all super geeked about it.”

The cast is currently fundraising for the trip.

While Children of Eden is inspired by the

Book of Genesis in the Bible and Tanakh— the Hebrew Bible, the show departs from the biblical story. Both Cox and Harkulich shared their thoughts on the production’s themes.

“The show really talks about parent/ child relationships,” Cox said. “That’s really what it’s all about. How we generationally do the same things over and over and over again.”

Throughout the show, multiple generations of a family are shown and how they

mirror one another. From the character Father banishing Adam and Eve to Cain killing Abel, the characters in Children of Eden are part of a generational cycle of behaviors.

“This is a powerful story about the cost and joy of creation, loss, perfection, paradise and family,” Harkulich wrote. “We hope you’ll find something new in this old and well-known story.”

Alli Hausman can reached at 5812812 or at dennewsdesk@gmail.com.

BY ALLI HAUSMAN | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Bri Olshawsky (Eve), a sophomore theatre major, gasps as (from left to right) Ellis Mansfield, Rose Brazzell, Olivia Enlow, Emily Ritter, Abby Smith, and Andi Hortenstine (Snake) convince her to take a bite of the apple at Doudna Fine Arts Center Sunday evening.

BY ALLI HAUSMAN | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Bri Olshawsky (Eve) looks on as (from left to right) Ellis Mansfield, Rose Brazzell, Olivia Enlow, Emily Ritter, Abby Smith, and Andi Hortenstine (Snake) appear before her at Doudna Fine Arts Center Sunday evening.

by Jenna Minor

EDITORIAL

Pink tax is out of control, what is EIU doing?

Students are using low-cost feminine hygiene products provided by campus in academic halls, but it does not seem to be enough.

Over the last few years, the cost of living has been increasingly inching its way up. It is causing stress on all types of people everywhere, but one special group that has been affected are those who use hygiene products such as tampons or pads.

That is a large majority of people, so why them?

The phrase “pink tax” has been used to explain this. The pink tax is when products that are specifically designed for those who menstruate are at a higher price compared to their male product counterpart.

Hygiene products are a part of this pink tax and it has a huge impact on those who do not have access or cannot afford them.

We recently went around campus and searched for how accessible these hygiene products were to students on campus and in academic buildings. In most academic buildings, specifically Buzzard Hall, we found a vending machine in the female bathroom that was free. While the products were free, the quality was well... uncomfortable and unreliable for period-having people who need more than a light-low pad.

In a pinch, it could get you by, but there was no continued support if a person needed more quality supplies to fit their needs.

One place we found, that was genuinely an amazing resource, was the Health Education Resource Center (HERC) in Blair Hall.

If you do not know what the HERC is, it is an office that often holds programs on different health concerns that focus on college students (healthy habits, drinking, safe sex, mental health, and much more).

We had a staff member go and tour what the HERC had to offer. There were pads and tampons of all different shapes and sizes that were more suitable to a wider need of period-having people.

How is the HERC able to supply these wonderful products though? Where does this funding come from? How much do they get?

These are the questions we had and were wondering how the HERC could do this, but not all of campus.

When we reached out, we found that the HERC does not specifically have a budget. They received a lot of products from an overstock from another office, said Matthew Warner, the HERC’s assistant director.

Their staff stocks the bins in Blair

Hall occasionally when they notice products are low in the women’s bathroom.

This is a great service, but it is not a formal program, it was a student initiative that has drove this project.

They do not have a formal procedure or budget, but they are still doing very respectable work to support students who may need these supplies at no cost.

At The News, we applaud those students who saw a community problem and did something about it.

When talking with students, they felt similar ways that we did and did notice the work the HERC does.

Shay Edmond, a senior sociology major, said that she appreciates the addition of period products on campus in academic halls but hopes they would be included in residence halls.

while it great that they added period products in campus educational buildings, they should be included in the residence halls as well.

Olivia Omundson, a junior psychology major, said that she has only noticed quality products are supplied in Blair Hall.

“[Blair Hall] just happens to be one of the halls where other people who have periods leave extra period products they have. Most of the other buildings have the cheapest version of pads and tampons that does not work for a lot of

women. We either have to rely on other products that are unreliable and hard to use.”

The next question is, why are different parts of campus seeing this as an example to help support students? If locations on campus that have these products, how it is advertised to students?

Having a menstrual cycle is a basic human function. People cannot just stop their cycle when they have no supplies or resources for obtaining supplies.

We at The News, hope to see more places like the HERC that address this problem among students. We also hope to see more variety of products like offered at the HERC. All bodies are different and need different supplies, so why is just one type offered in some academic buildings?

If students are aware of different resources that are not widely known about, we encourage students to share those resources to make more people aware of the resources offered. Why should a lack of resources on campus alter one’s education or daily life due to dealing with a natural bodily function?

The Editorial Board can be reached at 217-581-2812.

Comic

‘The Mule’ is unique, but missing pieces

By Cam’ron Hardy News Editor

“The Mule” has a somewhat unique plotline but feels like something is missing.

Released in 2018, The Mule stars Clint Eastwood as Earl Stone who is a lonely 90-year-old man who is reserved from his family. When his money starts to run low, he begins to transport drugs for the Mexican cartel.

After a few successful trips, he jumps the ranks as one of the top mules in the business, which begins to draw attention to him from DEA agent Colin Bates, Bradley Cooper.

Based on the true story of war veteran Leo Sharp and “The Sinaloa Cartel’s 90-Year-Old Drug Mule” by Sam Dolnick.

The plot is unique. Having a 90-year-

COLUMN

old man transporting drugs that late in his life was interesting to see at first, but then as the movie continued, there was nothing that really kept me interested.

The beginning of the film was very captivating. It had a very story strong hook that easily grabbed the attention of viewers.

After watching, I did not know that it was based on a true story, but after doing research I had a different opinion on it.

It is hard to say how a movie could have been better when it is based on a true story since it is the actual story and truth being told, unless it is fabricated for entertainment purposes.

In that case, giving an opinion on what false information could have been included is just saying how to write your own movie.

As stated previously, the idea and story were very interesting it just failed to keep me entertained the entire time.

With an hour and 57-minute runtime, the movie ends at the perfect time

before things get exhausting and boring to the point where I was waiting for the movie to go off.

The acting was nothing to celebrate. Eastwood’s character acts grumpy the entire time, which from an outsider’s perspective, does not seem that challenging or impressive in this setting.

With his character being young, Bradley Cooper brought a little bit of fun to the film by him playing the main detective. His character’s storyline was repetitive and not very different.

He played the typical trope of a cop trying to crack a case, but the higher ups want him to move on because it is taking too long, but at the last minute he finally gets evidence and catches the bad guy after his boss gives him a thousand chances.

I wish Laurence Fishburne had more screen time. His part is so small that it is easy to forget that he was even in the movie.

I think if the film showed more of the conflict within the family, that could have kept things more interesting. The

family dilemma was already an interesting aspect, but it is only shown for a little amount of time due to the film focusing on the drug dealing and police storylines.

Trying to make up for his poor performance as a father, Stone gives the drug money he makes to his granddaughter so he can fund family functions and other things she has going on in her life.

With a budget of $50M, the film grossed $103.8M at the box office in the United States and Canada, and $69.8M in other territories, according to imdb. com. Also according to imdb.com, the film grossed $174,804,407 during its opening weekend.

The movie was not disappointing, it just was not as exciting as I hoped it would be, but honestly, how exciting could a realistic movie about a 90-yearold be?

Rate: 3/5

Cam’ron Hardy can be reached at cahardy@eiu.edu or 217-581-2812.

Dear Aunt T: Rejections and reflections

By Tera Johnson-Swartz Columnist

Recently, one of my professors tasked us with reading a variety of professionals’ take on rejection. I couldn’t help but recall my “first”. Not my first literary one, mind you.

For some odd reason, while each “Thanks, but no thanks” does burn a little, none stick out quite as much as my first job refusal.

Picture it: 22 year-old, dewy-eyed me. I’d graduated from Berklee College of Music a year before and was working as an executive assistant in the copyright department at one of the top publishing companies, Warner Chappell Music Group.

My job wasn’t particularly bad as much as it was boring: I answered the director’s phone, took messages, entered data, and filed paperwork. It was a pretty standard administrative gig. However, as a spunky youngblood, I wanted nothing more than to be part of the action. I wanted to work with the artists, and near the recording studios;

I wanted to see the limelights, and maybe make a difference in an already sexist, baby nepo industry.

Well, I got my chance. There was an executive assistant position for two of the top A&R directors at Warner Brothers Records. Somehow, my resume got to their desk and I got a call to interview.

That morning I spent a good hour trying to select the coolest, hippest outfit I had in my closet. That was the difference between creative and admin: business casual usually meant you were a square working in the paper-pushing division, but hipsters and trend-setters worked in creative.

I was confident that’s where I belonged. Cut to the interview. I sat in a poshy office with two men maybe a decade older than me. What they wore and said weren’t particularly memorable, neither were their questions. But what they did during my entire 15 minutes still sets my blood boiling.

While I sat on the edge of the oversized chair, careful to lean forward as I’d read it indicated interest and confidence, the entire 15 minutes in that meeting neither of the men even looked at me.

One was perched on a chrome barstool a few feet away and the other behind a desk that seemed more like a

stage for his toy and gadget collection.

The entire time both were too busy thumbing their tiny flip phones - I later learned they were texting each other; yes, common even in the early 2000’s. I knew I wasn’t going to get the job long before I received the rejection email a few hours later. I knew seconds into our awkward Q&A exchange.

Looking back, I probably wouldn’t have been so bothered by any of it had I known I never had a chance at the position. The entire interview was a formality.

I learned later the person that got the job was hired from within - someone’s relative or friends’ kid if memory serves me right. That sting though - the feeling of hopelessness and realization that rejection is completely unavoidable and sometimes has absolutely nothing to do with one’s character, resume, or capability.

Sometimes it’s just bad timing. Or bad interviewers. Or both. The point is, I learned a lot from that one experience. I learned I didn’t want to work in creative - at least not at that record label. But more importantly, I learned that that rejection had nothing to do with me.

I learned that some things just aren’t meant to be.

Over the years I’ve had more bad interviews, received 100’s of polite que -

ry let downs, and sometimes not even a consideration for a gig I’m perfectly qualified for. It still sucks. Every. Freaking. Time. But I can’t say it burns quite as bad as that one.

Many of you might be reaching the end of your college careers and are excited to get out there to show the world what you can do. Remember that energy - that feeling of invincibility - you’ll need it when [not if] you get that first blow to the ol’ ego.

I won’t sugar coat it. That first one will make you question whether you chose the right industry or whether you really are all that or just mid. It’s okay to feel all those insecure and vulnerable feelings. That’s normal.

Now, learn from it though - how you conducted yourself, how the people/person that interviewed conducted themselves. Reflect.

Most importantly though, don’t let rejection - that deflation of your ambitions - kill your momentum. Take it as a loss, lick your wounds, and get your butt firmly back in the saddle. Or, as I often say, “just one more round…” And sometimes, one more round is all it takes.

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Fashion show empowers models

By Drew Coffey Reporter | @DEN_News

A packed ballroom got the chance to show off its style Saturday night as the African Student Association hosted the African Renaissance Fashion Show in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

The event started at 7 p.m. and African American students on campus were encouraged to participate in performances to celebrate fashion.

But the road to planning the event was not an easy one, as the African Student Association had not hosted a fashion show since 2019, right when the COVID-19 pandemic struck the campus.

ASA President and senior political science major Nyla Douglas, said planning the revived show was especially challenging.

“We always have good ideas but like I said we just didn’t have that much to go off of so that was kind of discouraging along the way,” Douglas said. “But like it feels good to be able to pull everything off and have everything come together and have everybody so excited.”

Other clubs and organizations were involved as well, with the knitting and crochet club also participating in the modeling performances, according to Douglas.

Douglas said fashion, for her, helps express individuality.

“I feel like it just made me comfortable,” Douglas said. “Some people may not like it; some people may like it and some people may see it and then like even hear the story behind what made you go through that decision.”

Kevin Branch, a junior cybersecurity major and model at the show, also saw the opportunity to express himself as a meaningful outlet.

“You know I used to go through a lot

BY PRINCE PAPPOE

of stuff like stress,” Branch said. “It just takes away everything bad when you’re dressing and you’re actually just modeling and stuff like that because it’s just focused on you.”

Branch said the students involved with his performance had practiced every Tuesday and Thursday leading up to the fashion show.

He said despite this being his first experience in modeling, seeing that practice pay off to such a big crowd felt rewarding.

“So, it was pretty scary,” Branch said. “But once you actually get out there and like you see all the people you kind of just get motivated. But seeing how many people actually came out to this, and we’re not even done so just seeing that all these people came out, it is heartwarming.”

Jada Laws, another performer and

senior public relations major, said she also enjoyed the enthusiasm in the room.

“Like I love seeing the support,” Laws said. “I’ve been modeling for a while, so modeling is just like in my blood and to see everybody come out and support us it feels amazing to know that people are waiting to see us.”

Modeling is also a great way for people to be proud of who they are, according to Laws.

“For me, it’s like not being a different person, but like really showing my craft,” Laws said. “Really showing my confidence and just embodying who you are and every single flaw that you have, it’s like you’re embracing every single part of it.”

Drew Coffey can be reached at 581-2812 or at akcoffey@eiu.edu.

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FRONT

| THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

The African Students Association host the African Renaissance fashion show where models from Couture, The Kat Walk, Essence, and more show off their cultural looks which is a mix of afrofuturism and afrocentrism in the Grand Ballroom of Martin Luther King Jr. University Union on Saturday night.

Swanson, Atkins, Jacobo to compete in nationals

By Aidan Cusack Sports Reporter | @DEN_News

In all of Eastern’s 128-year history, only 11 runners have made it to the NCAA Cross Country National Championships.

The most recent nationals runner from Eastern was Dustin Hatfield in 2021 (Placed 77th). We need to go back two decades to find the next runner, Jason Bialka, who made nationals in 2001 (Placed 99th).

This lengthy gap between Eastern national runners should underscore how difficult the journey to the pinnacle of collegiate Cross Country is.

There is a runner from Eastern who is pushing for a national entrance a

mere three years after Hatfield at the NCAA Cross Country Midwest Regional meet in Stillwater, Oklahoma today.

This man is fifth year senior Adam Swanson, and his stats make the claim that he could make a nationals run to finish off his 2023 season.

Dustin Hatfield ran a 24:31.50 8k time in the 2021 Ohio Valley Conference Championship, earning him first place.

This was a fast time, no doubt. Hatfield was a full 18 seconds in front of second place runner Jamie Marcos who ran a 24:49.10.

Adam Swanson finished the same race in 2023 with a time of 23:33.60. Almost a minute faster than Hatfield’s time, the year he made nationals.

LALANI ELLIS

A point must be made that, on average, runners are finishing roughly one minute faster today than they were two years ago. Even with this fact in mind and adding a minute, Swanson is going toe to toe with a national runner.

Swanson had the aforementioned Hatfield to look up too from the beginning of his career at Eastern in 2019 until Hatfield graduated after the 2022 season.

During this four-year stretch, the pair raced together in three OVC championships and two NCAA Regional Championships.

Other runners to look out for during regionals today are sophomore Micheal Atkins and senior Richie Jacobo. Atkins finished 17 seconds behind Swan-

Panthers of the Issue

The freshman guard from Milwaukee led the Panthers with 22 points in the team’s home opener win against the Valparaiso Beacons Sunday afternoon. Ellis was nine of 16 for overall field goals. Ellis also recorded nine rebounds, one steal, and one assist in her first regular season game at Lantz Arena for the Panthers.

son and placed third in the OVC championship. Jacobo finished 25 seconds behind Swanson and etched a spot at sixth.

The three headed monster of Swanson, Atkins, and Jacobo will certainly be a force to be reckoned with come Friday.

Freshman Joe Stoddard will also be competing at regionals. He finished 18th at the OVC championship with a time of 24:35.50.

Swanson and company will be runners to keep an eye on during the regionals meet. The men will run at 11:30 central time.

Aidan Cusack can be reached at 5812812 or at densportsdesk@gmail.com.

MJ FLOWERS

The redshirt freshman running back from Cincinnati racked up four rushing touchdowns in the Panthers’ 30-17 win over the Tennessee State Tigers.

This is the second time this season Flowers has single-handily rushed more yards than the opponents’ offense. The Tigers rushed for 106 yards compared to Flowers’ 201 yards.

FILE PHOTO | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Fifth year senior Adam Swanson is looking to be the 12th runner from Eastern to make it to the NCAA National Championship meet.

SPORTS

BY TYRIQ JOHNSON | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Flowers scores for more than Tigers’ offense

By Zaria Flippin Sports Editor | @zariaflippppin

With four rushing touchdowns, a blocked punt, and a new pass breakup record, Eastern has aspects to be proud of after their win against Tennessee State.

In the first quarter, redshirt junior quarterback Pierce Holley threw a pass to junior Eli Mirza. Mirza made the one-handed catch to gain 17 yards and the first down.

On the next play, redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers ran for 14 yards, just shy of a touchdown by two yards…that he obtained on the next play. Flowers also scored the second touchdown the Panthers recorded in the first quarter with some assistance from sophomore safety NiJhay Burt.

Burt blocked a punt from TSU Tiger Jackson Foster and recovered the punt at the nine-yard line to help the Panther offense have less than 10 yards to gain for an additional six points. Senior

kicker Stone Galloway gave the Panthers an extra point for the 14-0 lead.

“The whole time, I was thinking ‘I gotta make the play, I gotta make the play,’ and it just happened,” Burt said.

Throughout the second half, the Tigers fought their way to end the first half with 14 points. TSU used two quarterbacks throughout the game: senior Draylen Ellis and redshirt senior Deveon Bryant.

Both quarterbacks threw touchdown passes to give the Tigers momentum throughout the second quarter. The flip switched for the Panthers when defensive captain Mark Aitken Jr. gave the defense a pep talk before coming out for the second half.

“He said, ‘if we want it, we have to take it,’” Burt said.

“I said, ‘it’s like 0-0 now,’” Aitken said. “‘The second half is our half. Playmakers make plays in the second half.’ After that, we turned on some Kodak [Black] and we started dancing to get the energy up before going outside.”

With about seven minutes left in the third quarter, Flowers found the end-

zone again after running 31 yards to give the Panthers an additional six points.

From the 06:51 minute mark in the third quarter, the Panthers took control for the remainder of the game.

Junior kicker Julian Patino gave the Panthers an additional three points for a 23-17 lead before the fourth quarter.

Yet again, Flowers found the endzone late in the fourth quarter to seal the win for the Panthers. Flowers rushed for 201 yards and recorded four rushing touchdowns.

“There’s a whole lot of trust in the coaching staff and a whole lot of hard work that went into that to be able to come out here and display that performance,” Flowers said. “It’s big for us; not just for me but for the program too to get that win.”

“MJ certainly had some great vision cuts where he took the first read and got vertical and then kinda got himself back in phase with blocking, but it was really fun to watch,” Panthers’ Head Coach Chris Wilkerson said.

The last Panther to record four rushing touchdowns was J.R Taylor against Florida

Atlantic University in 2002.

This is also the second time this season Flowers has single-handily rushed more yards than the opponents’ entire offense. The Tigers rushed for 106 yards.

Fifth year defensive back Russell Dandy also broke records of his own.

Dandy now holds the most pass breakups in a single season in program history with 17 breakups. Ben Brown previously held that record since 2004 with 16 pass breakups. Eastern defeated TSU 30-17 to move to a 7-3 overall record and a 3-2 Big South-Ohio Valley Conference record.

“That was a real good team that we played against,” junior cornerback Tyris Harvey said. “For us to come out with the win, it feels good.”

Harvey recorded an interception in the end-zone with less than a minute left in the second quarter.

Eastern has one last game in the regular season on Saturday, Nov. 19 against Robert Morris. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Moon Township, PA.

Zaria Flippin can be reached at 5812812 or zhflippin@eiu.edu.

Redshirt freshman running back MJ Flowers (20) celebrates a touchdown with redshirt junior offensive lineman Elkhanan Tanelus (72). Eastern beat Tennessee State 30-17 Saturday afternoon at O’ Brien Field.

Greek life and leadership

By Payton Liggins Reporter | @DEN_News

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Panhellenic Council (PHC) are two different organizations with distinct purposes.

The NPHC is a collaborative organization consisting of nine historical African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine. The PHC is a governing body that oversees sororities that are members of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC).

The primary purpose of the NPHC is to promote unity and leadership among its member organizations. The Divine Nine fraternities and sororities focus on fostering academic excellence, community service and philanthropy. They also provide a support system for students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, to help them succeed in college and beyond.

Josiah Moodie, a senior sports management major, is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated the Delta Chi Chapter. Moodie became interested in becoming a member from the older members of the organization and how they carried themselves.

“They pretty much just like were in the organization, getting opportunities, you know, going everywhere and just being still real,” Moodie said. “Like they never changed how they were from when I first met them. So that kind of drew me closer.”

With joining this organization, Moodie wanted to become something bigger than himself, he never really participated in campus events, nor did he talk to many people. Being in the organization

Greek Court gives many students opportunities and support from the community and other members.

has allowed him to open and be a part of different Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus.

His main goal was staying true to himself and never changing that even with the letters.

“I was able to just embrace myself and become my own self in a way like I was able to still be myself, but I was able to be put in certain spotlights that I could give back and gain more opportunities,” Moodie said.

For the Delta Chi Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, brotherhood is one of the main principles and Moodie expressed that all the brothers before him, and even now, have never switched up and always

stayed true to him and the rest of the members.

“For me to sit there and have brothers that I know, that’s in my circle and in my corner and that are always gone make sure that I’m [okay]; it is just a good feeling and like, it’s just bigger than me, brotherhood is just selflessness, bigger than one person,” Moodie said.

Being a member of an organization has become something more for Moodie, he appreciates how much this fraternity has helped him grow in college.

Brianna Hull-Dennis, senior political science major, is member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated the Omicron

BY TYRIQ JOHNSON | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Delta Chapter. Hull-Dennis has encountered many Zetas in her life but once she came to college and started getting involved, she happened to be working with mainly Zetas.

“I will say really, before me being inducted seeing that the Zetas ran the yard that they had a leadership position in almost every organization or department, they were receiving accolades in regard to their academic successes, their service successes, their national initiatives,” Hull-Dennis said.

To

An evening with the authors

By Mackenzie Fehrenbacher Reporter | @DEN_News

Faculty members, Eastern students and friends of the authors gathered on Tuesday in Buzzard Hall to enjoy advice and a book reveal from the newest authors: Brenda Yoho, Alexis Jones and Carrie M. Dale. Each author gave a summary of their book, as well as read a few specific inspiring passages from them.

Yoho’s book, Lead with Two Rules: Feeling Good & Feeling Safe, explains how she has experienced many hardships in life.

After getting into a car accident and surviving with a traumatic brain injury, she felt an extreme need to publish a book about mental health and safety.

“Feeling good and feeling safe” are Yoho’s rules that follow her throughout life, and she feels that everyone should live by their own set of rules.

In her book, she dives deeper into how these rules and an individual’s decisions will affect one’s life.

Jones also made many good points in her book, Teaching is a Human Interaction: How Thoughtful Educators Respond, are Responsive, and Take Re -

sponsibility. “I’m trying to sort of get readers aware of the complexity of teaching,” she explained.

Jones’ main focus of her book is to teach not only individuals in the education field, but anyone the importance of being a caring human and ways to properly handle human interaction.

Dale was very passionate about writing her first book, The Portal, which focuses on two vastly different characters. “When you’re the youngest in the family, you never get to do anything first,” she said.

BY MACKENZIE FEHRENBACHER | THE DAILY EASTERN NEWS

Dr. Alexis Jones reads a passage from her book at the Evening with the Authors event in Buzzard Hall.

Between her passion behind reading and using words to communicate and her will to do something first, she was destined to publish a book one day.

Toward the end of the event, students

and faculty had an opportunity to ask the authors many individual questions.

In turn, they spoke about when their best time of day to write was, who their favorite childhood teachers were, and gave very useful advice to early education students that aren’t sure about the “proper ways” to teach.

The Department of Teaching, Learning and Foundations held the event. The department Chair, Bob Klein spoke about the opportunity to learn from the authors. “Bringing a book to publication is a labor of love and one that merits celebration, so we were motivated to share with the broader community by giving them a taste of each of the author’s books,” he stated.

One of the department’s main goals in hosting these types of events is to create a mutual understanding of material between readers and authors.

Being able to actively listen to and engage with each other was a very powerful and successful way to accomplish this.

This network can provide access to job opportunities, internships and connections in various fields.

“I feel like I’ve gained like another family… It’s like people I don’t think I would have ever met otherwise because we’re all so different, categorized groups that you would usually have at school like cliques,” Torres said.

Sigma Kappa Sorority provide numerous opportunities to develop and enhance leadership skills.

As a member, there will be chances to participate in various events and have the chance to become more open to social aspects.

“It’s made me become more open to new things and new scenarios, definitely,” Torres said.