02-20-19

© 2019 collegian media group

@kstatecollegian

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T V O I C E F O R K A N S A S S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

kstatecollegian.com

vol. 124, issue 58

kansas state collegian

wednesday, february 20, 2 0 1 9

Found on Campus: Early ‘90s career resources for all your retro needs

MACY DAVIS

THE COLLEGIAN

Find something on campus that you’d like to know more about? Let us know by sending an email to collegian@kstatecollegian.com.

The second floor of the Ahearn Gymnasium adjoining Ahearn Field House is hot and spooky, and aside from a few classrooms, the only inhabitants are a handful of offices for the Department of Economics at Kansas State University.

The stairwell doors open to a lookout over volleyball practice courts. Around the corner, there is a glass display case on the wall. Given the relative lack of student traffic in the Ahearn Gymnasium, the case is now mostly empty.

However, the case contains a small piece of K-State history: two items tacked on the left side, a flyer and an information card, both old and faded. The information card has been ripped in the corner where it is tacked to the board.

“ACWA,” the top of the flyer declares. “Administrative Careers with America.”

According to the United States Office of Personnel Management, ACWA was developed in the 1980s as a series of written tests to replace the Professional and Administrative Career Exam, which had been found by a federal court to be biased against racial minorities.

ACWA seeks to help fill en-

05

try-level positions in the federal government. The iteration of ACWA featured on the flyer discusses six examinations to help fill openings in different governmental areas.

ACWA still exists as a function of the Office of Personnel Management today. However, instead of the six different content areas and a paper examination, the ACWA is an ability test with verbal and mathematic reasoning portions and the Individual Achievement Record. Additionally, the ACWA more frequently takes place online now, rather than as a written test.

According to the information card alongside the flyer, the promotion of the ACWA to K-State students was thanks to the work of Tracey L. Fraser, assistant director of the Career Planning and Placement Center.

According to archived K-State campus directories, currently located in Special Collections in Bluemont 116, Fraser first held the role of assistant director in the Career Planning and Placement Center in the 1991-1992 academic year.

Fraser continued to hold that position through the 1994-1995 academic year. A gap exists in the directories between 1995 and 1998, but in the 1998-1999 academic year, Fraser had taken the role of director.

However, in addition to Fraser’s position changing, the name of the Career Planning and Placement Center had changed as well. The 1994-1995 campus directory lists the

Lafene Health Center to open new drive-thru pharmacy in mid-March

Katelin Woods | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

Dating back to the early 1990s, a flyer for the ACWA seeks to help fill entry-level positions in the federal government. This flyer is one of two located in a trophy case on the second floor of the Ahearn Gymnasium referring to services that no longer exist. new office name as Career and Employment Services.

Thus, Fraser must have hung the ACWA sign in Ahearn Gymnasium between the fall of 1991 and the spring of 1994.

The Ahearn Gymnasium was likely used in this time frame as classroom and office space. Both Ahearn Gymnasium and Ahearn Field House were refurbished after 1988, when the home court of the K-State basketball teams was moved to Bramlage Coliseum.

What used to be the Career

07

Planning and Placement Center and later the Career and Employment Services is now the Career Center.

The location has also moved from Holtz Hall to the Berney Family Welcome Center.

While the methods mentioned in the ACWA flyer, the personnel and the name of the office have changed, K-State students still have access to valuable career resources and guidance — and they don’t have to go to the deserted hallways of Ahearn Gymnasium to find out about them.

Memes to dreams: K-State professor writes book about political memes

NEWS

Minute in My Shoes: A student working with special needs folks

by Natalie Leonard Above all else, passion is what drives Grace Hunter, sophomore in human development and family science, to help those around her who have mental or physical disabilities, she said.

Hunter described her experience working with individuals from Big Lakes Developmental Center, a nonprofit organization serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as something she is passionate about.

“This is what I feel like I’m created to do,” Hunter said.

Hunter said she lives her life propelled by her passions, and one of these passions is loving people, especially those with special needs.

The origin of Hunter’s admiration for individuals with disabilities is her relationship with her 17-year-old little sister, Adeline, who has Down syndrome.

“She is definitely my best friend,” Hunter said.

Together, the two take delight in pushing each other on the swings, going on frequent runs to Sonic DriveIns and cooking up fluffy pancakes on Saturday mornings.

Hunter works at Big Lakes Development Center as a residential advisor for eight clients who have a wide range of intellectual and developmental disabilities. However, Hunter said it is a job she loves for a variety of reasons.

see page 4, “HUNTER”

02

wednesday, february 20, 2019

DISPLAY ADS.................................785-370-6351 advertising@kstatecollegian.com CLASSIFIED ADS.............................785-370-6355 classifieds@kstatecollegian.com NEWSROOM..................................785-370-6356 news@kstatecollegian.com DELIVERY......................................785-370-6350 delivery@kstatecollegian.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Kaylie McLaughlin Rachel Hogan Co-Editors-inChief Dené Dryden Managing Editor

Rebecca Vrbas Assistant Culture Editor

Gabby Farris Colton Seamans Design Chiefs

Molly Hackett Sports Editor

Olivia Bergmeier Multimedia Editor

Rafael Garcia News Editor

Nathan Enserro Julia Jorns Assistant Sports Editors

Bailey Britton Peter Loganbill Assistant News Editors

Olivia Rogers Leah Zimmerli Community Co-Editors

Macy Davis Culture Editor

Kyle Hampel Copy Chief

Wednesday

The Collegian welcomes your letters. We reserve the right to edit submitted letters for length and style. A letter intended for publication should be no longer than 400 words and must be relevant to the student body of K-State. It must include the author’s first and last name, year in school and major. If you are a graduate of K-State, the letter should include your year(s) of graduation and must include the city and state where you live.

For a letter to be considered, it must include a phone number where you can be contacted. The number will not be published. Letters can be sent to letters@ kstatecollegian.com or submitted through an online form at kstatecollegian.com.

Letters may be rejected if they contain abusive content, lack timeliness, contain vulgarity, profanity or falsehood, promote personal and commercial announcements, repeat comments of letters printed in other issues or contain attachments.

The Collegian does not publish open letters, third-party letters or letters that have been sent to other publications or people.

Logan Wassall Kyle Hampel Deputy Multimedia Editors Monica Diaz Autumn Mock Social Media Editors

36°F 17°F

Cloudy early on, mostly sunny in the afternoon.

CORRECTIONS In the Monday, Feb. 18 issue of the Collegian, the article “Lunar New Year celebrates Vietnamese culture in Union Courtyard” by Gabriela Faraone misquoted Sarah Green, senior in geology. The Collegian regrets the error.

If you see something that should be corrected, call co-editors-in-chief Rachel Hogan and Kaylie McLaughlin at 785-370-6356 or email news@kstatecollegian.com.

The Collegian, a student newspaper at Kansas State University, is published by Collegian Media Group. It is published Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the school year and on Wednesdays during the summer. Periodical postage is paid at Manhattan, KS. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 828 Mid-Campus Drive South, Kedzie 103, Manhattan, KS 66506-7167. First copy free, additional copies 25 cents.

[USPS 291 020] © Collegian Media Group, 2019

LOOKING AHEAD

Thursday

Friday

44°F 28°F

43°F 37°F

Grab your copy of at Radina’s

03

wednesday, february 20, 2019

OPINION: Trump's tenure is only worth frustration, not mass panic PETER LOGANBILL THE COLLEGIAN

President Donald Trump.

I remember the first time I heard it. He wasn’t in the role yet, someone just mentioned the concept to me. I laughed; it always seemed like a joke.

When was I younger (single digits, I think), I asked my dad who Trump was after hearing his name on TV. “He’s one of the richest men in the world” was all he said.

Unlike many young minds today, my mind didn’t immediately jump to “wealthy equals evil,” but I did think, “Well, he probably likes himself just a bit.”

As years went by, I would hear about him sometimes and just started to think that he was very arrogant — and yes, stupid — but not necessarily in a way that put other people down.

I’ve known people like this in my own life. They put others down for no reason, but they love to pull themselves up as high as they can.

If you like them, they might take you on the ride up — as long as you do the same to them. However, if you dislike them, they will throw you down as hard as they can.

These people don’t have a real set agenda or value system that makes them like or dislike others. They like those who like them and hate those who don't like them.

The current president falls into this category.

This is why I was confused when Trump started being accused of racism, transphobia, Islamophobia and all the types of prejudice on the typical hate-trait list.

It’s not hard to crank out this terminology. In fact, it's lazy.

It’s a lot easier to slander someone’s personal character and motivations with one of these common labels than to factually explain why they

may be incorrect.

President Trump does not fit into a small, hateful box; he's more complicated than that. He's not out to hurt people — honestly, I'm not sure he's that calculated.

There are valid reasons to be frustrated with him, but panic isn't called for.

All of this went through my head as my first election approached.

In 2015, I was a senior in high school and had no idea what was happening with politics, but the polarization that was occurring forced all of us to learn. My friends and I laughed about the idea of “President Trump,” and we still do.

I knew the presidential election was coming, and felt the burden to vote. I saw it as such an amazing opportunity.

One of our teachers told us, “For those of you that are voting for the first time, I am sorry.”

On the day of the Kansas caucus, I was traveling to see me brother. I was really disappointed to not vote and show where I stood. I didn’t want Trump (and those tweets) to represent the Republican Party; however, time with my brother mattered more to me.

Family should always have priority over politics.

The primary results came in. Looking back, I wonder why we expected anything different. Trump was a direct product of our selfish culture, no matter what side of politics you’re on. We like people who compliment us and are rude to those who put us down. Don’t be surprised by him.

Why was he always placed right in the center of the debates? Why did the moderators ask the other candidates questions about him?

It's because he puts on such a good show and knows how to appeal to crowds. The political right wanted someone like this at the time: someone who packed a punch.

The primary left me with two options: Trump or Hillary Clinton. On one hand, Clinton wasn't trustworthy. It was difficult for me to side with someone who said “Vote for me because I’m a woman.”

Seeing a female president would be incredible, but I’m not going to vote for someone just because of their sex.

Other issues continued to turn me away from Clinton.

The Benghazi incident was scary. I couldn’t stand her position on abortion, which she's continued to promote.

She defended her husband’s conduct while in office after he had an affair. She flipped her view on gay marriage when it became socially accepted. She always seemed hungry for power, and Trump seemed to just want the status of the office.

Fall came and I was starting college. I wasn’t sure who to support, but I did know that some issues would guide my vote.

One was the issue of abortion. Whoever won the election was going to appoint the next Supreme Court justice — a decision that would be pivotal, as the justices were on the bench for life. I knew the Democratic Party was creeping toward making abortion limits later and later, and Clinton would likely appoint a justice who shared those ideals. Despite this, I was still afraid of what Trump would do to the Republican Party.

In 2016, at the Republican National Convention, Senator Ted Cruz didn’t endorse Trump. Although he was ridiculed for not giving his support then, how could he after what Trump said about Cruz's father and wife?

He had told the crowd to vote with their conscience. I thought it was such an honorable thing to do.

see page 6, “TRUMP”

Both Manhattan Locations NOW HIRING: Team Members Shift Managers Benefits Include: Flexible Hours Competitive Pay Positive Work Environment Apply in stores or online at tbamericajobs.com Equal Opportunity Employer

04

wednesday, february 20, 2019

Ask a Professor: Who inspires you? also loves diving deep into interesting topics that we can geek out about."

Andresen noted how refreshing and satisfying it was to be heard by Eric. "[I] started imitating him in my own relationships, and now have multiple students who stop by for talks and jokingly refer to me as 'Father Dan,'" Andresen said. "Real, genuine conversations are awesome."

OLIVIA ROGERS THE COLLEGIAN

Do you have a question for a professor? Submit it to us at opinion@kstatecollegian.com and your question just might be featured.

All of us have been inspired by someone else.

Whether that's our friends, parents, siblings or historical figures, there's someone we look up to and hope to be like someday.

These Kansas State University professors reflected on who inspires them and why.

1. FAMILY

Marsha Frey, professor of history, easily rolled off a list of people who inspire her.

As newlyweds, her parents both enlisted in the armed forces during World War II — her father in the Pacific and her mother in the Atlantic. Frey also has a twin sister who lives in Montana.

Her sister is ill, so Frey visits her regularly.

“She’s very ill, but never complains — she’s always very positive,” Frey said, smiling. “She believes you

HUNTER continued from page

1

“I love my job,” Hunter said.

“There, I am able to love on my clients through preparing meals and spending the day with them.

Working with my clients hits so close to home with me because I see them through the same eyes that I see my little sister.”

In June, Hunter said she plans on participating in an internship with the disability ministry Joni and Friends in Uganda.

Once she’s in Uganda, she will work with the physically handicapped and provide resources for

3. STUDENTS Rowan Jones COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

Wearing a hat given to him by a former student, Daniel Andresen poses for a portrait. Andresen is a professor of computer science. can’t control what happens to you, but you can control your reaction to it.”

2. FRIENDS

Daniel Andresen, professor of computer science, reflected on a longtime friendship that inspires him.

"My friend Eric, who listens so well, and asks such good questions," Andresen said. "Doesn't hurt that he

them and educate them on how to serve children with disabilities.

Hunter said she plans to live her life serving the community of those with disabilities and working to make society more inclusive of people with disabilities.

“Inclusion — that is one thing that I am really stoked about,” Hunter said.

Hunter said she wants her little sister and others like her to be seen just like everyone else.

In the future, Hunter said she hopes to see more and more schools adapting their learning styles to kids with disabilities, and she also hopes places of employment hire more individuals with special needs.

Alice Boyle, assistant professor of biology, said her answer was easy.

"My students!" Boyle said. "It is the grad students and undergrads who do research in my lab, the students in my classes and the others that I meet through clubs, biology field activities — including at the Konza Prairie — and departmental events."

Boyle said meeting new people has helped her understand different points of view.

"Each of these people has a story, a reason they are here at K-State learning and contributing, and each will benefit from different information, opportunities and kinds of support," Boyle said. "For me, the challenge is figuring out “They can give so much to whatever they are a part of,” Hunter said. “They’re such a blessing to our world.”

Change does not just happen, Hunter said. It is forged by powerful, passionate people seeking to make room for everyone in this world and, as a result, making the world better than they found it.

Grab your copy of at Claflin Books

Olivia Rogers is a community editor for the Collegian, the secretary of the College Republicans at Kansas State and a junior in political science.

what I can do to help each student thrive. I’m especially motivated to try new things and to work harder at meeting each student’s needs when I learn a bit of the personal stories."

FOLLOW US

ON TWITTER FOR ALL THE

LATEST

4. A GOOD COMMUNITY

Heather Bailey, assistant professor of psychological sciences, said she's inspired by anyone trying to better themselves in the community, whether that's students, colleagues or older adults who work in her lab.

"Recently, I was at a teaching workshop on campus and looked around to see some of the strongest teachers here at K State," Bailey said. "I was very inspired by this because these individuals are great at what they do, but they are striving to be even

K-STATE Rowan Jones COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

Heather Bailey, assistant professor of psychological sciences, poses for a photo near Bluemont Hall. better. I also love to have students swing by my office when they are struggling with a concept from class or when they have new ideas.

Their drive to learn inspires me to be better."

NEWS!

@ kstate collegian

05

wednesday, february 20, 2019

A Place to Call Home Lafene’s new drive-thru pharmacy opening in March, director says SARAH MOYER

THE COLLEGIAN

A drive-thru pharmacy at Lafene Health Center is scheduled to open as students return from spring break on March 18 of this year.

Before the Lafene building was a student health center, it was once a local hospital. A former ambulance bay will serve as the new drive-thru pharmacy location.

Inside the center, the new pharmacy area was more recently an area for the women’s clinic. Jim Parker, director of Lafene, said trouble with the current pharmacy setup led to the addition of a drive-thru.

“There’s just no easy way for you to get pharmaceuticals,” Parker said. “If you leave the building and come back, you have to find parking. You have to come in. You have to wait.”

Parker initiated the project and talked informally about the idea to some members of the Student Governing Association before work on the renovation began. The project has taken about a year and a half so far.

“We believe really one of the major components is that students like convenience, and that is probably the driving force,” Parker said.

Other components are value and access, Parker added.

“Hopefully, utilization will improve because we really do try and offer significant discounts for students,” Parker said.

There will be check-in windows inside the clinic and a stan-

dard drive-thru window that faces out into the former ambulance bay. Both have privacy and safety features.

Besides the drive thru, Lafene is also adding drug storage units and office workspaces for pharmacists and technicians.

While adding a drive-thru pharmacy is beneficial for students, Parker said other pharmacies, such as ones found at Walmart, use pricing methods that Lafene cannot afford to compete with.

“We won’t be able to compete with $4 drugs on a $50 cost to us,” Parker said. “They’re willing to lose money on some drugs in order to get people to buy other things in the store. Those are called loss leaders, and we just don’t have those.”

Hannah Sutherland, senior in mass communications, said she currently uses the drive-thru pharmacy at Walgreens.

“Sometimes it just feels a little bit more private,” Sutherland said. “Also, it is just quick, and in the winter it’s a lot more appealing to not have to get out of my car and go inside.”

Sutherland said the update to Lafene will not change her choice in pharmacy.

“Walgreens works really well with my insurance,” Sutherland said. “I’ve been going there for basically my whole life, so I have a lot of trust built up.”

Parker said he knows Lafene isn’t able to match prices from other locations, but he aims to keep Lafene financially stable.

“Whenever we sell something like pharmacy goods, our desire

Katelin Woods | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

A student walks into Lafene Health Center, seeking assistance to combat a cold. isn’t really for profit,” Parker said.

“We have to project so that we don’t lose money; otherwise, it becomes a subsidy program.”

The drive-thru renovation project is funded by Lafene’s operating revenue. Some sources of operating revenue include simple procedures like getting stitches, lab tests and similar services.

Parker said Lafene provides limited services to faculty and staff.

The addition of a drive-thru pharmacy is an opportunity to attract

CLASSIFIEDS 785.370.6355 | kstatecollegian.com

them to use more services.

“That’s an external source of revenue down the road we’re hoping could potentially offset what we would ask for privilege fees,” Parker said. “However, we have no finite or solid foundation on how we would project that out.”

Parker said Lafene will look to make other functional updates moving forward, but those improvements are more of “a dream” until the drive-thru project is completed.

GET A JOB FIND YOUR MOJO LEASING AND RENTING SELL YOUR LITTLE BROTHER LEAK THE KRABBY PATTY FORMULA

Contact the Irvine Family for all your Rental Needs!

1,2,3,4 BR Homes & Apts.

785-539-9800

We’ve got you covered! Close to KSU and Country Properties Available.

www.irvinemhk.com/for-rent irvinefamily@sbcglobal.net

06

wednesday, february 20, 2019

TRUMP continued from page

3

In the midst of my indecision, Evan McMullin from Utah started a large write-in campaign literally saying, “It’s never too late to do the right thing.”

This was an appealing option to me, as it seemed to be a way to “vote with my conscience.” If I could “vote with my conscience,” maybe my voice could be heard — instead of just submitting to “the system,” whatever that may be.

While voting for a third party felt like a righteous thing to do, a small, nagging part of me kept saying it would just help Clinton. Call it a flipflop, but about a week before election day, Senator Cruz was back on TV, saying someone should vote for Trump if they didn’t want to see a Clinton presidency. I knew he was right.

Trump being Trump, Cruz went from being “lying Ted” to a “brilliant opponent,” and most recently, “beautiful Ted.” Cruz supported Trump, and then the praises came.

The choice was difficult.

Neither Trump nor Clinton offered good character, but I think America gave up on that a long time ago in favor of policy and party. With a focus on policy, and just over 48 hours to go before election day, I decided to put Trump at the top of my ballot. I felt conflicted about it even on the way home from my polling location.

The day after the election wasn’t a celebration. My friends and I didn’t know what would come next.

I’ve watched carefully since Nov. 8, 2016. Trump’s policy choices have been controversial. But neither his policy nor his conduct has been evidence of the prejudiced terminology listed above.

Trump has celebrated low black unemployment. He wore a rainbow flag on his back at a rally. He works with many Hispanic people and women, many of whom he appointed and praises.

It’s easy to criticize a man by just cranking out hasty gen-

eralizations. While the simple diagnosis of these criticisms is compelling, they miss the nature of the president and fuel political polarization.

While the political left loves to criticize Trump because he’s “the next Hitler,” he “colluded with Russia” or he’s a “liar,” I believe there are so many other, more productive ways to analyze him.

First, President Trump is not a uniquely wise man. This is why I never believed in the Trump-Russia collusion narrative — not because I think highly of him, but because I don’t think he’s smart enough to pull that off and hide it.

Second, he lies, but when he lies, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. “Mexico will pay for the wall” was never going to happen. He thought it sounded good in the moment, so he said it.

When someone runs their mouth, they are often asked what they were thinking. This is not a great question, because they weren’t. It’s a characteristic of the biblical fool; Proverbs 18:2 states, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

As a side note, this is a different type of lie than the fully-aware lies that former president Barack Obama would tell. Obama’s lies would result in policy. “‘If you like your health care plan, you can keep it’” was PolitiFact’s Lie of the Year in 2013.

Third, Trump likes to please whoever is in the room.

After the horrendous school shooting in Parkland, Florida, last year (almost to the date), Trump talked about gun control and began moves toward banning bump stocks. Why? Simply because there were Democrats in the room smiling at him! He will please anyone as long as it makes them like him.

This is why I don’t get it when someone says that Trump is like Hitler. This is false. Here’s the key difference between Trump and Hitler: Hitler had a set ideology from the start. Trump is there pleasing whoever is around him at the time.

Quick, lazy generalizations need to end. The country is so polarized right now, and

that’s because both sides are driving people into the arms of the other with their insane rhetoric.

The media says stupid, untrue things, and the Republicans run to Trump. Trump says something absurd, and the Democrats run to the media.

Everything is so reactionary these days, and it’s our collective fault.

You may not like him, but in order to solve any issue, we should get rid of the idea that there’s an evil, old, rich, greedy man out there who wants to hurt people. It’s not real. The reality is that Trump wants supporters who make him feel good.

Do you think you can solve your own problems? Is some evil man far away going to ruin that for you? Are you angry, but willing to do your work every day? Are you thrilled because the great leader is here to end the tyranny of the eight years before him? Are you terrified because the new Hitler is here?

I voted for Trump because of his policy, not his personality, and those who fall into this category are often some of his greatest critics.

You won’t hear us walk around saying who we voted for, or even our political affiliations. That’s because it doesn’t really concern us. We know that Trump, or any other president, is ultimately not responsible for the state of our lives. That’s on us. We work, do our best and vote.

Whether you like him, don’t like him, love him, hate him, are indifferent or don’t care, one thing is clear: President Trump has revealed the hearts of everyone in the country. You can be mad at him and things he does, but I really don’t think he’s worth the panic.

Peter Loganbill is an assistant news editor for the Collegian and a junior in public relations. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Collegian. Please send comments to opinion@kstatecollegian.com.

07

wednesday, february 20, 2019

Memes, politics are subjects of K-State professor’s brand new book EMMA WITTER

THE COLLEGIAN

Does looking at memes make you a white supremacist?

Not necessarily, but Heather Woods, assistant professor of communication studies, said memes have the potential to make extremist ideals seem normal in the political landscape.

To explore this question further, Woods wrote a book, “Make America Meme Again: The Rhetoric of the Alt-Right,” with co-author Leslie Hahner, associate professor of communication studies at Baylor University.

The book was published in December 2018.

"Make America Meme Again" discusses the impact that memes can have on public discourse and perceptions of political ideals, specifically in the context of the 2016 presidential election.

Woods and Hahner argue that memes capture attention and can be used to direct the public to politicians’ agendas, often promoting the radicalization of ideas.

“Things that used to stick sort of on the outside fringes are now becoming more mainstream,” Woods said.

Woods said she wanted to figure out why and how memes in favor of certain candidates gained more traction than others during the 2016 election. She noticed the quicker a political group was to utilize memes, the more political traction they gained over opponents online.

“There were discussions about the vision for the nation occurring in these meme formats,” Woods said.

Woods said memes have evolved from simple pictures of cats with bold text around them to an increasingly important communication tool, one that is important enough to write a whole book about.

“Memes create communities,” Woods said. “If you understand a meme, you’re a part of a community.”

Hahner was one of Woods’ advisors for her graduate research at Baylor. Now, the two are co-authors.

“Individually, we had started to see patterns of memes showing up in places that we hadn’t seen before,” Hahner said. “We were trying to trace how images got created and how they traveled across different social media sites.”

The pair had been texting about memes and their effects on communication sheerly out of fascination, but Hahner said they eventually realized just how important their observations could be.

“I texted Heather and was like, ‘We have to write this,’” Hahner said.

The internet moves fast, but both Woods and Hahner said their goal was to write a book with ideas that could stand the test of time.

“We wrote it quickly on purpose because we knew that meme formats shift so quickly that the memes that we wrote about may not have the same traction a year later,” Woods said.

Even with its challenges, Woods said co-authoring a book was a wonderful experience.

“It’s hard work, because you have to wrestle with two sets of ideas and kind of compete with one another, but I found that our research expertise really complemented one another,” Woods said.

No one knows memes like college students, and Woods said she had discussed her research with her students to understand how various groups of people are affected by the media they consume. “[The book] has academic structure, but we wrote it to be accessible to most people,” Woods said.

“We want it to speak to different audiences.”

Woods said it matters that students and people in general be able to rec-

ognize the persuasive nature of memes, “even if they seem silly."

Tom McClain, junior in economics, said that while some memes are clearly meant to be political, he never considered that some could be sending more subtle messages.

“I think they are designed to oversimplify and take information out of context,” McClain said.

Woods and Hahner said it’s important to challenge the thought that we're too smart for our opinions to be altered as a result of social media.

“People need to under-

stand that even if they think they’re beyond being influenced by propaganda or are too smart for it, we are affected in subtle ways that we may not fully understand yet,” Hahner said.

Woods said anyone who enjoys politics or engages in social or digital media may be interested in reading "Make America Meme Again." Both she and Hahner said they hope to impress upon people that memes are a form of communication that should be taken seriously, even if they appear innocent.

“They matter, and they influence,” Woods said.

Melanie White | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

Heather Woods, assistant professor of communication studies, co-authored “Make America Meme Again: The Rhetoric of the Alt-Right.” It is now on display in Nichols Hall.

Rent-Apt. Unfurnished

Housing/Real Estate

Rent-Apt. Unfurnished

Rent-Apt. Unfurnished

W W W . V I L L A FAY P R O P E RT I E S . COM one to eight bedrooms, apartments, houses and duplexes. Next to KState. No pets. 785537-7050.

MANHATTAN CITY Ordinance 4814 assures every person equal opportunity in housing without distinction on account of race, sex, familial status, military status, disability, religion, age, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Violations should be reported to the Director of Human Resources at City Hall, 785-5872440.

Prime Location to advertise

your rental property.

Contact us at 785-370-6355 or classifieds@kstatecollegian.com

Post your

room

for sub

ease

here

APARTMENTS NEAR CAMPUS: One bedroom $500-$590; two bedroom $560-$720; three bedroom $900-$930; four bedroom $1100-$1200.

Property locations: 1838 Anderson, 516 N 14th, 519 N Manhattan, 1214 Vattier, 1207 Kearney. Call 785-5391545 or 785-537-1746; Visit us at mhkrentals.com

ONE-BEDROOM apartment next to KSU/Aggieville www.WilliesVillas.com

Rent-Houses & Duplexes FOUR AND Five bedroom houses avaialble June and August. 785587-8724, 785-3131256.

FOUR AND Six bedroom houses available June and August. 785537-7138.

Employment/Careers

Business Opportunities ADVERTISE WTITH US AT AWESOMEADS.US. (503) 806-2860.

08

wednesday, february 20, 2019

every Wednesday

Saddlin’ Up at K-State Cooper Kinley | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP

On the weekend of Feb. 15, the 63rd annual Kansas State University College Rodeo was held in Weber Arena at K-State. The rodeo drew in over 450 contestants from 18 different colleges and universities, along with a crowd of more than 10,000 people. The event is run by the K-State rodeo club every year, and it is one of the largest events held at Weber Arena.

In this photo, a saddle-bronco rider is released from the gates as he attempts to hold onto a bucking horse for a total of eight seconds to continue on in the competition.