Issue 1 - Spring 2014

The

eorgetonian G

January 22, 2014  Volume CXXXIV Issue 1

President’s Ambassadors terminated The unique President’s Ambassadors program comes to an abrupt end

By ANNA MEURER Opinion Editor A familiar name on campus, the President’s Ambassadors Program, has been discontinued. The program was established in 1992 “to encourage exemplary students to become actively involved in the development and promotion of the college and to offer additional leadership training opportunities,” according to the program’s now discontinued web page.

Each year 22-23 students were selected, each representing a former college president, to represent the college at various engagements. Additionally, the program was known for its trips with the president, including locations such as Greece and the Bahamas.

At the beginning of this semester, the ambassadors received an email on behalf of President Greene with the notice of the program’s discontinuation, effective Spring semester. According to the email, “To the contrary, it is a reflection of how the program has evolved in recent years.

While I assume the program served useful functions in the past, its focus and usefulness has dimmed, to the point of experiencing lack of direction and of becoming the subject of criticism across the broader college community.”

“Almost from the point I stepped on campus I began to get mixed signals about the President’s Ambassadors Program,” said Greene. His main reasons for the program’s discontinuation focused on the lack of direction and involvement of the group. In the past, the group was active and traveled quite frequently but in recent years suffered a dip in involvement.

Furthermore, the group had a mixed reputation on campus, with opinions ranging from approval to ignorance to criticism, even to the point of what Greene called a sense of “animosity.” A small group “felt the President’s Ambassadors was the favored group” on campus, said Greene. Additionally, with several ambassadors heavily involved in leadership roles in other campus groups, the program seemed somewhat superfluous.

In response to his initial feelings, Greene commissioned an independent review of the program as well as consulted program members, faculty, and Executive Cabinet members. In light of their findings, Greene and the Cabinet decided that the best plan of action was to discontinue the program until further notice.

When asked about the possible future of the program, Greene said that he had no active plans

for reinstating the program, but he could not comment on its status in upcoming years.

Reactions from the ambassadors ranged from agreement to disappointment. Senior Catherine Foust said, “I am thankful I was able to serve during the time that I could as a PA, but I respect Dr. Greene’s decision to end the program.

Things are bound to change with a new president, and if he feels that his skills and time could be better suited working with another program, I am okay with that. I am more passionate about seeing things prosper on this campus and gaining back stability under Dr. Greene’s president than I am about maintaining tradition for tradition’s sake.”

Brenda Patel, a senior Biology major, remarked, “I think the program wasn’t meeting the goals that it was originally created for, but I do think that it would have been a helpful program from the incoming president because it [would have] allowed him to meet with a small group of students who [could] help him learn about the issues the student body thinks are important…

With that said, I think the end of the program was inevitable.”

While the program’s status itself was generally accepted, several ambassadors criticized the manner in which its disso-

lution was announced. Former Ambassador Chris Bartlett remarked, “While I can appreciate the financial situation Dr. Greene has been placed in charge of, I feel that the process of discontinuing PA was handled poorly. An email, no matter how well worded, is a poor substitute for a personal, sit-down meeting that only had to last five minutes…

Financially, it was the right decision, but the manner in which it was handled leaves a bitter taste.”

Patel agreed,“The only thing that upsets me about the

decision is that we were notified via email….It would have been nice to have a formal meeting to inform us.”

Responding to the remarks, Greene said that, given the impending start of the spring and a recent meeting with the ambassadors, he thought the email was the most efficient and appropriate form of communication. “It was not intended to be impersonal,” he said, noting that he took special care in the email to thank the ambassadors for their service.

Dr. Cooper wins Curry Award

The Georgetonian/COLLIN SMITH

Congratulations to Dr. Tom Cooper, recipient of the 2014 Curry Award for Academic Excellence. Dr. Cooper is James Graham Brown Professor and Chair, Dept. of Business Administration and Economics. The award was presented at the annual Founders Day Convocation by Provost Rosemary Allen.

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News Future Tiger Friday welcomes over 80 prospective students to Georgetown

The Georgetonian

Global

Headlines Sponsored by Global Scholars

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By ANDREA BELLEW Staff Writer Friday, Jan. 17 was a cold, snowladen day as prospective Georgetown students entered campus to participate in one of the college’s Future Tiger Friday events.

However, wintery weather conditions did not keep the prospective students and their families away. An estimated 83 of over 100 registeredhigh school studentsre- Source: facebook.com ceived the grand tour of Georgetown College, given by Admissions staff and student Tiger guides. Some of the prospective students traveled from long distances such as Pennsylvania and Missouri.

Future Tiger Friday is a fairly recent development from the Admissions office. Events under the title Future Tiger Fridays have been hosted for about a year, yet Georgetown Admissions holds a variety of other similar events such as Today’s Tigers. Both themed events are designed to recruit

high school students to GC. Interested high school students of all grade levels are invited to Future Tiger Fridays, whereas Today’s Tigers events are only for high school seniors that have been accepted to Georgetown.

After registration, the students had many opportunities to engage with GC campus life.

The agenda consisted of a Black and Orange Fair showcasing academic departments, a walking tour of the campus, lunch in the Caf, sitting in on a class of their choice, and a driving tour of downtown Georgetown and East Campus.

The Black and Orange Fair gave the prospective students a chance to talk to representatives from various academic departments. At the booths, professors and GC students shared with prospective students their department’s requirements and discussed career options that lay ahead for majors and minors of their discipline.

Because of the weather, walking campus tours were optional, but some of the students and families decided to

brave the cold. The tours were shortened, and Tiger Guides were advised to keep the people inside the buildings as much as possible.

A wide variety of classes was included in the options for students to participate in and observe. Prospective students attended philosophy, business, religion or chemistry classes, among others.

The driving tours were also an optional activity in which the students and families could participate.

Though weather conditions ensured the rescheduling of the driving tours from the morning to the afternoon, the Admissions team continued serving the future Tigers without a hitch.

Additionally, the seniors in attendance who had not already applied were given the opportunity to fill out a paper application, submit it, and receive a decision from Admissions by the end of the day. Some students even came prepared with their high school transcripts and test scores.

Taylor Burchett, a Tiger Guide, said that the day, overall, went well and was a success.

There are Future Tiger Fridays scheduled throughout the rest of semester in February, March and April.

MLK Jr. commemoration rallies community for march, concert and speech

Source: facebook.com (all photos)

News Jim Newberry leaves Georgetown College

Issue 1

January 22, 2014 Page 3

Jim Newberry, Vice President & General Counsel at Georgetown College and former mayor of Lexington, will be joining Steptoe & Johnson PLLC’s Lexington office in February 2014.

Newberry is a 1978 political science graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. In 1981, Newberry received his law degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Newberry will be working to expand Steptoe & Johnson’s existing higher education practice. He will also practice under several areas within the firm’s business department, and assist clients in addressing regulatory challenges as part of its government relations team.

While at Georgetown College, Newberry was responsible for overseeing all of the college’s legal matters and served as a member of the college’s Executive Cabinet. Since late 2012, Newberry also served as Georgetown’s chief development officer during the transition of the presidency from Dr. Bill Crouch to Dr. Dwaine Greene.

During that time of change, Newberry led the Development Office in achieving a 39% increase in unrestricted, cash basis giving during calendar year 2013 over calendar year 2012.

“I have enjoyed my time at Georgetown College, a place that provides a superb academic experience and a Christian learning environment for its students,” said Newberry. “I am

By CAITLIN KNOX

calling them “better than Applebee’s.”

The burger choices include the black bean burger, turkey burger and the ultimate double burger.

Missing menu items are mozzarella

particularly grateful for the chance to work with many wonderful alumni and friends of the college over the last several months.”

Newberry added, “I am looking forward to working with my colleagues at Steptoe to help our clients achieve their goals, especially institutions of higher education as they address the many challenges currently confronting America’s colleges and universities.”

Commenting on Mr. Newberry’s departure, Georgetown College President Dwaine Greene said, “I am pleased to express appreciation to Jim Newberry for his distinguished service to Georgetown College. He has served with a high level of competence and professionalism, wrapped in the fabric

of a Christian gentleman. As he steps away now to other pursuits, he does so with our respect and appreciation. We wish him the very best!”

Steptoe & Johnson Chief Executive Officer Susan Brewer said, “Jim’s experience in higher education and government makes him a perfect fit as we work to add depth to our Kentucky practice areas.” She continued, “We are thrilled to have Jim on board and we look forward to the possibilities his talent brings to the firm.”

Press release Georgetown College News Bureau

GC Grille returns with updated menu

A&E Editor This semester Georgetown has changed the “W.O.W. Wingery” back to the cherished “Grille.”

When The Grille switched to the W.O.W. in 2010, the name never really stuck. With this new change, the Grille has quickly become a dining option that students actually look forward to.

Although the menu hasn’t changed too much, there are many items missing which have been replaced by healthier ones. Side choices include carrots, onion rings, fries and a fruit cup. There are three choices of salad: cobb, caesar and chef.

Junior Heather Yeates had chicken tenders with fries on her first day back.

“It was a lot more fresh and a lot less greasy,” she said.

The chicken tenders have been the most drastic change on the menu for some. “They are a big step up,” said senior Caliesha Comley. Many others have praised the tenders, some even

berry, extended hours at the Caf, and coffee or breakfast sandwiches at the C-store.

Students have already caught a few things that they don’t like as much about the Grille. Anna Joy Thompson noted that the sauces are different. “The honey mustard is great, but the barbecue and ranch are no good,” she said.

Others aren’t huge fans of the T.V. displaying the menu, saying that it’s conThe Georgetonian/COLLIN SMITH stant movement makes it The Grille’s new look (pictured above) has been hard to read. Jose Baeza well-received by students. thinks that by taking the menus away, the space sticks, red beans and rice, soup and looks too sparse. “Maybe they should breakfast. Breakfast at the W.O.W. was put a plant there or something?” he something that many students wanted suggested. to try, but never quite got up early As far as the new look of the Grille, enough to go. students are satisfied with the sign, For the few early birds who enjoyed partly because it gives them one less W.O.W. breakfast burritos and French thing to explain to newcomers. toast sticks, there are now new options, As Austin Fraley puts it, the Grille like breakfast sandwiches at the Mul- is “definitely better than before.”

New Grille Hours Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Friday

11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Sunday

5 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Reminders:

The Grille will no longer serve breakfast.

Meal plans remain unaffected by changes.

Sports

Page 4

The Georgetonian

Super Bowl will be anything but chill

By ERIC BALMER Sports Editor For many fanatics the Super Bowl is the pinnacle of the sports year. Although the majority of fans don’t get the opportunity to watch their hometown’s team, millions upon millions of intrigued viewers tune in to one of the most anticipated games of the year. In just under two weeks, fans will be treated to a showdown between the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks.

The media will most definitely exaggerate storylines, create unnecessary hype and reiterate reiterations (yes, I’m

handle the cold weather of the northeast to what adjustments each team will have to make in order to handle the type of team they’ll be facing and there may be mention of how both teams are based in states which recently legalized recreational marijuana.

There is no doubt in my Source: blog.stylesight.com mind that by Super Bowl XLVII promises to be classic. the time game day finally comes around, the media will have Questions that are sure to beaten every dead horse they be asked will range anywhere possibly could.

Something from how each team will sure they’ll find a way to do this) for the championship game of the National Football League.

Robinson earns Olympic team spot

By ERIC BALMER Sports Editor

eling involved. In fact, the reason he even gave bobsledding a shot was due to the

didn’t want to and thought I wouldn’t. But, I went to Park City, Utah, and as expected, I didn’t like it. However four years later, I’m headed to Sochi, Russia, as a representative of the United States of America. Talk about the Lord having other plans for your life” (georgetowncollegeathletics.com).

Many people believe representing your country in the Olympic Games is one of the highest honors imaginable.

Not only is it a high honor but achieving such a feat involves hard work and many hours of intense training.

For one Georgetown College coach, this dream of mil- Source: georgetowncollegeathletics.com lions will finally be realized. Robinson preparing for the games His bobsledding GC track and field coach with his team. career has been four years Dallas Robinson will be reprelong but has been serious senting the USA as part of the fact that a student-athlete was about the sport for two. bobsledding team. training for the sport and he Robinson is the brakeman Robinson was hesitant to wanted to help out. for the team and is the last man even give the sport a try. Not Robinson really didn’t to get in the sled. You’ll get to being much of a fan of the think giving the sport a try see Robinshon represent USA heights, cold or all the trav- would get him anywhere. “I Feb. 16-23.

everyone is looking forward to is watching the top-rated Bronco offense go up against the stingy Seahawk defense. In fact, this matchup will feature the NFL’s best overall defense (Seattle) and offense (Denver).

Needless to say, something has to give in this contest.

One player the Seahawks will desperately need to find a way to slow down is Peyton Manning. During the regular season Manning threw for an incredible 55 touchdowns and 5,477 yards, all while only throwing 10 interceptions (nfl. com). In order to stop the lights out quarterback, the Seahawks will need to keep their No. 1 rated pass defense sharp.

Denver is favored to win over Seattle but that according to Denver head coach John Fox, his team is not understating their opponent’s greatness.

“I know they’re a great football team. I think [head coach] Pete Carroll and his staff have done a terrific job. They’ve been the No. 1 seed all through the NFC for at least the last 6-8 weeks” (media.denverbroncos.com).

Seattle will have to prove that they can beat the best quarterback in the league on the road. This game should be an interesting and close dual between two of the most elite teams in the game.

Sports

Issue 1

January 22, 2014 Page 5

Bunny jumping will capture your heart

By MEGHAN ALESSI Features Editor Here in the Bluegrass State we love our sports. We’re accustomed to the likes of basketball, football and horse racing, but one sport I can almost guarantee you haven’t heard of hails from the country of Sweden. It was invented around 1980 and its technical name is Kaninhop, but most people simply call it bunny jumping (or rabbit hopping).

Basically, it is similar to what you might see with show jumping, an equestrian sport, but as you might guess, this sport is all about bunnies.

Miniature obstacle courses weeks of training, starting are set up before the event. from the time they are only Just imagine little hurdles at about eight weeks old. As you varying heights and lengths might imagine, it isn’t in a rabscattered across a minifield and you’re picturing what a bunny jumping course looks like. The bunnies’ fearless leaders (aka owners) walk alongside them, grasping their leash as they hop over any obstacle in their way to get to the finish line. Some bunnies Source: dailymail.co.uk need a little encouragement Kaninhop has fun that won’t stop. and others hop right to the finish line with ease. bit’s natural instinct to wear Not all rabbits are born a harness and leash, but they as bunny jumping champi- adapt to it. Luckily the sport ons. They have to go through plays off of something that is

natural to them: jumping.

Trainers start them off slowly, using things like milk cartons or other small boxes/ containers for them to hop over. They add more cartons and eventually build their own miniature obstacle course, similar to those at the events, for practice. The real moment of truth occurs when they are competing with other rabbits for a trophy (yes, they get a trophy).

Whether the bunnies actually know what the heck they are doing, or they are just having fun hopping around, I think we can all agree that this is arguably the most adorable

sport out there. If you don’t agree, just spend five minutes googling pictures and YouTube videos. You might change your mind.

leading the No. 1 Bears at the half with a score of 41-30.

During the second half, Georgetown continued to reign. As a result of a few fouls called on the Tigers in the first five minutes, Pikeville was able to free-throw its way within four points of Georgetown’s score. However, as the Tigers continued to broaden the gap, Pikeville’s efforts to clench the lead remained unsuccessful.

Throughout the last nine minutes of the game, Georgetown scored an impressive 24 points to Pikeville’s nine, securing the final 15-point victory and delivering the upset to their No. 1 ranked opponents.

Over the course of the

up 83 of Georgetown’s 92 points.

Head coach Chris Briggs was pleased with the outcome of the game, saying, “They did a good job of responding and getting back to the basics. I’m super proud of the effort and how they’ve been practicing.” (www.georgetowncollegeathletics.com) On Saturday Jan. 18, two days after the victory over Pikeville, the Tigers faced Bluefield College in a home match. The lead changed eight times in the game’s duration, but ultimately it was Georgetown who came out on top with a final score of 89-73. The game against Bluefield brought the Tigers’

season record to 14-4, and 13-1 at home.

This week, the team will travel in hopes of continuing their winning streak. The Tigers will be in Tennessee to face Cumberland University (11-5) on Thursday Jan. 23, and in Columbia, Ky. to take on Lindsey Wilson College (11-8) on Saturday Jan. 25.

Source: shortlist.com

Georgetown pulls upset over Pikeville

By KAITLIN FAHEY Copy Editor On Thursday Jan. 16, the Georgetown College men’s basketball team faced longtime conference rivals, the University of Pikeville Bears, in a home match.

Georgetown’s Montavious Marc made the first field goal early on in the game, which was quickly answered

by Pikeville’s Bruce Reed, tying up the score. Momentum continued to shift between the two teams throughout the beginning of the first half as field goals were scored on both ends of the court.

Eventually, it was the No. 18 Tigers who pulled ahead,

high—scoring game, five Tigers achieved points in the double digits: Monty Wilson

Source: georgetowncollegeathletics.com

GC upsets No. 1 PU. (20), Deondre McWhorter (16), Dominique Hagans (16), Russ Middleton (16) and Noah Cottrill (15) made

Page 6

Features

The Georgetonian

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Hayden Summers

By ANNA MEURER Opinion Editor Hayden Summers is an easy going senior with a huge smile and a plan for success. A native of Albany, Ky., which he describes as a “very small town in Clinton County,” Summers credits his uncle as the major influence on his decision to come to Georgetown. “My uncle was a graduate of Georgetown and a longtime role model for me, so that’s one reason in particular that I picked GC,” he said. A biology major and chemistry minor, Summers plans to attend Sullivan University’s pharmacy school in Louisville following graduation. On his choice to pursue pharmacy he said, “I chose that career

because I wanted to pursue a path in the medical field. I first entered pharmacy as a sophomore in high school, and I’ve wanted to be a pharmacist since then. I like science, and I like people, so pharmacy just seemed like a good fit.”

Just because he already has plans Source: Hayden Summers lined up for when he Hayden goes hiking frequently. leaves Georgetown doesn’t mean that he’s slack- “stomatal densities at various ing now. In fact, exactly the light intensities for different opposite is true. Looking for plant species,” something he an academic experience out- says is a spin-off from another side of the typical classroom, course. He is also a member Summers is currently work- of the GCPALS program, ing on an independent study which allowed him to conwith Dr. Griffith studying duct summer research at UK’s

Rural Cancer Prevention Center. Elaborating, he said, “My summer research dealt with colorectal cancer rates in an eight-county district in Eastern Kentucky. It was done through the University of Kentucky College of Public Health Rural Cancer Prevention Center.” Despite his affinity for science, he lists Dr. Klotter’s Modern Kentucky Politics class as one of his favorites alongside Dr. Stevens’ Paleobiology.

Outside of class, Summers is heavily involved with his fraternity, the President’s House Association, and also enjoys spending time with his high school sweetheart, Chelsea Brown, who is a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.

Said Summers, “Being a PHA

has really made my social life at Georgetown and I am so thankful for my friendships from there. I can’t imagine college without PHA, along with our overbearing nerdiness and shenanigans.” An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys hiking, hunting and running, aiming for his first half-marathon in April.

Reflecting back as he prepares to leave, his advice to the freshmen is, “Stay here on the weekends and make friends, as well as make friends outside of your social organization or groups.” That said, even though he will be saying goodbye to Georgetown soon, Summers doesn’t plan to go far. “I absolutely love the Commonwealth,” he said, “It would be very hard for me to leave Ky.”

best choice for a thrifty Tiger. Though it is easy to want to finish the entire plate, the very generous portion sizes will have you considering taking half back to campus in a carry-out box. With entrees averaging only $10, making two meals from one is not only easy, but a cheap The Georgetonian/ CALIESHA COMLEY end-of-the-week treat Thai Garden offers authentic Thai cui- that you can enjoy in-house or call to carsine and excellent service. ry-out. the dish to suit your mood.

Preferred plates among Thai Garden is also the Georgetown students include

Thai style spring rolls with Thai sweet chili sauce, followed by either fried rice of the mango or pineapple varieties, or traditional pad Thai noodles.

Chicken pad Thai is this author’s personal go-to, perfect with crushed peanut and lime slices to bring out all of the rich flavor of the Thai seasonings. And, of course, no meal seems complete without a sweet and creamy Thai iced tea topped with milk.

Thai Garden is also a great place for newcomers to experience Thai food for the first time. Not only can you dare

to pick you own level of spice, but Thai Garden is an optimal choice for both vegetarians and omnivores. There are plenty of veggie and tofu options, as well as chicken, pork, beef and seafood choices to accompany any main course.

Though no desserts are on the menu, the service staff is sweet enough to satisfy the experience. Senior Aimee Davis explains that Thai Garden is “A place that not only has great food, but is one that offers a kind hostess with a sweet smile.”

Thai Garden never fails to impress

By CALIESHA COMLEY News Editor A favorite eatery for both students and local Georgetonians, the new Thai Garden Restaurant is a foreign food escape located not far from campus.

More affectionately known as simply Thai Garden, this place offers a wide variety of delicious, authentic Thai food.

This charming place offers many appetizers, a variety of soups and salads and countless entrees. Whether curry, stir fry or one of many noodle dishes, Thai Garden has just

Cont. on page 7

Features

Issue 1

January 22, 2014 Page 7

Sororities welcome new members

By CAITLIN KNOX A&E Editor This weekend, over 80 girls went through recruitment.

Rush consisted of three main nights, the first being Values Night, a meet-and-greet where each sorority opened their doors, explaining their philanthropy and core values.

Theme Night was Friday, and consisted of a party revolving around a theme and skit (Phi Mu’s was Phinding Nemo). Girls going through recruitment bid each night on the sorority of which they would like to be a part.

Preference Night was the last of the parties, and the most formal of them all. On this night, the girls could choose to attend parties of their top two

sorority choices.

The ladies going through recruitment found out their bids on Sunday morning.

Then, at 4:30 p.m., they ran out of the Chapel into the waiting arms of all their new sisters.

Chapel Day could be heard from a mile away, and many alumni came to celebrate the new members.

The Georgetonian/COLLIN SMITH

The Georgetonian/COLLIN SMITH

Quote My Georgetown Professor “England is the size of a postage stamp. It’s smaller than this desk. It’s so small they had it carpeted...I’m just joking about that.” -Dr. Coke The Georgetonian/COLLIN SMITH

Thai Garden (cont.) she makes.

By face or by name, she recognizes and warmly welcomes her most loyal patrons, many of which are current and former Georgetown students. Get The Georgetonian/ CALIESHA COMLEY The Pad Thai and Thai iced teas are favorites to know her, and you’ll on the menu. be treated to Thai Garden owner and many endearing stories of her server Prisna is as invested in home and family in Thailand. her customers as she is the food Each year, Prisna and her

staff partner travel back to Thailand for two months to visit their families. This year, as in most years past, this break comes for them from March through May. Though time away leaves the Georgetown community craving, the Thai Garden hosts always return refreshed and with a repertoire of new stories.

Located in a humble building on North Broadway, the size of the restaurant is no indication of the flavor and experience Thai Garden offers.

Instead, it promises an intimate atmosphere with excellent service.

Posted on the “Quote My Georgetown Professor” Facebook group

Georgetown Tree Huggers

The Georgetonian/COLLIN SMITH

This week’s Tree Hugger is A&E Editor, Senior Caitlin Knox.

Page 8

ArtsEntertainment

The Georgetonian

“Banks” is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

By SHAY McCLEAVY Staff Writer Could the film “Mary Poppins,” celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, have been a complete wreck? It would have if author Pamela “P.L” Travers had her way. “Saving Mr. Banks” is the story of how Walt Disney and his creative team promised to make a classic from Travers book, and how she hated nearly every single element of the film.

No songs, no animation, and no red colors in the film were just a few of her demands.

Prickly, abrasive and full of dry wit, Travers (Emma Thompson) was in no mood to befriend Walt Disney (Tom Hanks). The interplay between the two characters, brilliantly played by Hanks and Thompson, crackles with tension and humor. It’s a verbal sparing match between the man who made “The Happiest Place on Earth” and the author who bluntly voices her distaste for his

“silly cartoons.”

Travers brings even more hostility to the Sherman brothers (B. J. Novak and Jason Schwartzman) responsible for the music and lyrics. Novak and Schwartzman are particularly good as they constantly put on a smile while performing for Travers, who seethes and scoffs at much of their music. She must also deal with the most peppy, optimistic chauffeur I’ve ever seen (Paul Giamatti, who takes a small role and makes one of the most memorable of the year).

Interwoven with the story are flashbacks of Travers’ youth in Australia.

We see her as a young girl and the impact her father (Colin Farrell) had on her youth. A funny, energetic and playful man who would rather be in a pub than at work, Farrell brings subtleties and heart to a role that would sink to maudlin levels in lesser hands. It is in these flashbacks that we piece together what caused Ms. Travers to harden into

the woman she was and discover her on the heart and the journey of the charinspiration for the character of Mary acters. It builds towards two catharPoppins. tic exchanges that never happened in Though the film plays fast and loose real life, but who cares when you’re with the real life story, it successfully invested in the story? With great actors creates a sweet and engaging drama. giving wonderful performances, this The look of the 1960’s Disney Studios is is a film that you can take the whole wonderfully bright, colorful and crisp. family to, and a Disney movie with that The script, though occasionally risking Disney touch. You don’t need a spoonover-sentimentality, deftly balances the ful of sugar to be charmed by this sweet humor and tragedy of its characters. It film. had me laughing out loud and blinking back a tear by the end, much to my surprise.

Director John Lee Hancock (“The Blind Side”) does a fine, if sometimes unimaginative, job. He wisely keeps the focus on the characters and keeps a smart balance between the two primary storylines.

Like any good Source: Movies.com Disney film, its focus is Strong personalities clash in “Saving Mr. Banks.”

New radio show takes you on a road trip

By CALIESHA COMLEY News Editor Grab your car keys and sunglasses, but leave those old mixed tapes behind!

WRVG’s newest program will take you on a road trip, complete with the perfect playlist for the journey.

WRVG, the student-led “Radio Voice of Georgetown,” is proud to present the newest edition to their broadcast schedule, “Al and LeLe’s Road Trip.”

Seniors Alex Courtenay and Leanndra Padgett are the new weekly hosts of the show which will take Georgetown students on a cross-country adventure through music.

While Padgett’s college bucket list and love of music has led her to this first experience as a radio personality, Courtenay is continuing her broadcast-

ing career from last semester. In the fall, area, or are performed by artists native Courtenay hosted a solo, 2-hour radio to the state. show in which she played some of her From Kentucky to Colorado, a personal favorite tunes. The hostesses cappella AcoUstiKats to soulful Earth, agree that this project is both exciting Wind and Fire, listeners were treated to and interesting, and a variety of genres that working together and performers. will be nothing but Other featured fun. artists included The duo made Kansas, The Fray, their debut yesterday, Churchill, the Zac taking listeners along Brown Band and as they travelled from the Jackson Five.

Georgetown, Ky. At the end of to Colorado. Stops each road trip, The Georgetonian/CALIESHA COMLEY Padgett and Couralong the way were This radio show takes you on a tenay will play a made in Indiana, Illimusical road trip. nois and Kansas. The song featuring a road trip includes hint to the next songs that name the state or region, are week’s destination. “Good Life” by a part of a genre associated with the OneRepublic was this week’s teaser.

Take a listen and see if you can guess the endpoint which will be announced at the top of the show next week.

Other bands to be featured next week include Weezer, the Beach Boys, The Mamas and the Papas, The Eagles and Lady Danville, among others.

“Al and LeLe’s Road Trip” will air every Tuesday from 3 – 5 p.m. on 93.7 WRVG. Tune in online, in your car or spend your afternoon in the Grille to rendezvous west. For this excursion, all you need is a sense of wanderlust because, as Padgett aptly exclaims, “It’s the music that makes the road trip!”

Like “WRVG Georgetown College Student Radio” on Facebook to receive updates and suggest future destinations for “Al and LeLe’s Road Trip.”

Issue 1

ArtsEntertainment

January 22, 2014 Page 9

Now introducing The Tiger Tones

By ABBY SMITH Staff Writer You’ve heard of the Tiger Tunistas, and you’ve heard of the George Tones, but have you heard of the Tiger Tones?

That’s right folks; there is a new and improved a cappella group on campus!

The Tiger Tunistas, under the direction of Collin Smith, has expanded its membership to include male vocalists!

Included in this transformation is also a new gender-neutral name, The Tiger Tones!

The merger will enable the group to sing a new variety of music (including songs from Pitch Perfect) and other arrangements that call for a more diverse vocal range.

So, if you are interested in joining

this aca-awesome group then come to the informational meeting this Wednesday (Jan. 22) in the basement of the Chapel at 5 p.m. – there will be snacks. Whether you sing formally or if your usual audience is the unfortunate soul in the next shower stall, this is the group for you.

The Tiger Tones manages to be fun and productive without being a huge time commitment. The group will meet once a week and rehearse for one to two hours a week.

In the past the Tiger Tunistas have performed at events such as Dance

Marathon, Hanging of the Green and fundraisers benefitting campus organizations.

This semester the a cappella group plans to work on and perform many new popular songs and some old favorites!

This group presents a great opportunity to have some fun and to get to know people you otherwise would not have the chance to meet.

If you are interested but cannot come to the meeting, contact csmith10@ georgetowncollege.edu or check out the Tiger Tones Facebook page.

record labels that he has any real talent.

Where the Coens’ story takes a turn from the predictable sort of Hollywood tale is that the viewer is not made to feel any sympathy whatsoever for Davis.

He is definitely an antihero, unapologetically asking his friends for money, heckling a poor old woman playing folk music at his regular club spot, and having an affair with his best friend’s wife. At some point this lack of sympathy almost makes you want him not to be successful or ever be truly discovered. Whether or not he does, I will leave to you to figure out.

Another interesting aspect of the film is its abandonment of big name actors as soon as they have entered.

While I was expecting John Goodman to be a central character, he only lasts for a few short scenes. Other characters are the same.

The film truly focuses on Oscar Isaac’s Llewyn Davis and in some

sense, the orange cat that he cannot seem to get rid of. To the typical moviegoer it seems not much happens at all in the film. Characters do not appear to develop much, and the occurrences of the plot seem random.

I could not help but be reminded of Holden Caulfield from “The Catcher in the Rye” when watching the film. Both characters lend themselves to little sympathy on behalf of the viewer/ reader, and in both there seems to be little plot or character development.

Of course, for some this will make it terrible, and for some it will make it amazing. Because of the Coen brothers’ name, they can get away with it. Yet part of me suspects that if this were the first-time release of an unknown filmmaker, it would have gotten significantly less positive reviews. The film definitely has symbolism galore, but for the typical moviegoer, it just probably would not make the cut.

Music Faculty Concert Sunday, Jan. 26 at 3 p.m.

John L. Hill Chapel Featuring Dr. Burnette on saxophone, Dr. Lewis playing trumpet, Mr. David Gierlach with an original composition and more!

“Llewyn Davis” ends with irresolution

By AUSTIN FRALEY Staff Writer The artsy Coen brothers have been popular among film critics and hipster and indie fans alike, for most because of their award winning film “Fargo,” “a home-spun murder story” about a man who plans to have his wife kidnapped in a convoluted plan to get some of his wealthy father-in-law’s money.

More recently they have written and directed “O Brother Where Art Thou?”, “True Grit”and “No Country for Old Men.” In their most recent release, “Inside Llewyn Davis,” the Coens portray an out–of–luck wannabe folk singer of the New York folk revival in the 1960s.

This folk singer, the eponymous Llewyn Davis, is essentially homeless, sleeping on his friends’ couches pretty much every night and struggling to make any sort of living or prove to

“Inside Llewyn Davis” views more like a novel than a film, and its plot accomplishes much less than the romances and explosions that many crave. This is still not to say that it is good simply because it is different from the majority; like the movie, let this review end with irresolution—you decide.

Source: Whatculture.com

Llewyn Davis with a cat that he can’t seem to get rid of.

Page 10

Georgetonian

Opinion

The Georgetonian

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Former Greek reflects on recruitment

By MEGHAN ALESSI Features Editor As with many things in life, this campus community tends to speak opinions of Greek life as if they have actually experienced it, when most of the time that is not the case. So, I offer a different perspective. I rushed three years ago and stayed in that organization for two years. I have been an “independent” since I dropped out last spring. So I know what I’m talking about.

I say “independent” in quotes because I don’t really feel the need to identify myself as one. This brings me to what I believe is the crux of the issue.

Our campus is very small, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.

There are four sororities and five fraternities. If all of those organizations are at quota (not always the case, but still usually a good amount), then that is a decent sized percentage of the student population.

At other schools that have a larger student population, that percentage doesn’t seem as high because the amount of students that do not participate in Greek life is noticeably higher than the amount that do.

At Georgetown, it seems as if everyone and their mom (probably their FFG mom) is in a Greek organization. This leaves a group of students that feels left out, and rightfully so.

However, to blame those that chose to go Greek is a little ridiculous. No one should feel as though their identity is somehow threatened by the fact that there are groups

of students on campus that identify themselves through an organization. At the end of the day, those students are still individuals, just like you.

The problem occurs when people don’t bother to branch out at all once they are in an organization. Often friendships that were made during the first semester of college slowly fade, and students become content with only associating with those that are a part of their sister or brotherhood.

There are a lot of people on campus with a chip on their shoulder feeling like Georgetown has somehow done them wrong because there aren’t enough events dedicated specifically to the independents.

I would agree that maybe Georgetown could do a better job organizing more events that include the entire student body, but to despise the Greek organizations on campus for having the budget and ability to throw welcome back parties and formals and anything else they plan is a little unfair.

If you think about it, we do have a budget for fun things on campus. It’s called GAC (Georgetown Activities Council), and people don’t take as much advantage of it as they could. Even when fun things are planned, attendance is generally low.

The way I see it, there are faults on both sides. A lot of members of the Greek community walk around like they own the place or can’t imagine themselves ever existing as a human being again without the ability to wear letters.

On the flipside, there are a lot of independents that make friends with each other in the crusade against anything Greek, because nothing brings people together quite like sharing a common enemy.

The judging that occurs from independents to the Greek community isn’t any different from the “judging” that goes on during recruitment.

When people walk into the Caf and feel as if they don’t belong because there are “cliques” of sororities and fraternities sitting at their designated tables, it is very unfortunate.

However, as someone that used to be Greek and is now an “independent,” I can say that when the role is reversed it can be just as unfortunate.

It’s very odd to find yourself as a senior not really knowing where you fit in. Independents form cliques of their own; that’s human nature.

I have heard before that independents don’t feel important to this campus. If independents feel as though they aren’t seen as important by the campus as a whole, then do something about it. Organize events, rally together in your identity as Georgetown Tigers and make this a more active campus. Let’s work on building lasting friendships that go deeper than just the surface level of which sorority you belong to or your disgust with the whole concept of Greek life. We chose to come to this college. Through the good and the bad, we are all Tigers.



Opinion

Issue 1

January 22, 2014 Page 11

Why can’t we all just get along?

By AUSTIN FRALEY Staff Writer

I remember distinctly with what vigilance the administration advocated Greek life to me and all of my classmates my freshman year. I remember distinctly the way friend groups that seemed to have been together forever immediately changed following those first few weeks of spring. And time and time again I’ve seen tears roll because of exclusion.

It’s my junior year now, and the begging to sign up for recruitment has waned a considerable amount. I don’t pretend to be unbiased on this subject at all, but I also want to say that I’ve also seen exclusion on the part of those who claim to despise Greek life and all the things associated with it. I have been just as guilty

of this as other independents.

Our willingness to embrace a life which we believe is better for us often leads us into a conceited and superior attitude towards those we think are doing the exact same thing that we are actually doing.

There is division on south campus, and even though sometimes we pretend there is not, it is especially prominent at this time of year. There are Greeks (not all) who believe that independents claim to hate Greek life simply because they are bitter about getting rejected from particular organizations, and expressing this anger in aggressive ways.

There are independents (not all) who believe that Greeks hate independents because they feel that they are superior and better than them.

What I’m asking, I sup-

The Georgetonian/COLLIN SMITH

Greek recruitment took place this past weekend. pose in the most stereotypical way possible is—“Why can’t we all just get along?”

Of course, that is an exaggeration. We do get along. But not as much as we should. There is still that bitterness, that hidden anger, from all sides of the student body. Though the majority of the campus is Christian,

there are times when we do not act like it at all—myself included.

I’m asking you, when recruitment is over and the dust from chapel day and bid day has settled, will you pretend those letters on shirts aren’t there? And will you pretend that there is no lack

thereof? In the end, we need to remember that we are all people, no matter what fraternity, sorority, organization or non-organization that we are in. If you want to be Greek, that’s okay, and if you don’t want to be Greek, that’s okay too. All of us are still people, and we all still deserve to be treated with dignity. So I leave you with a Pauline exhortation that seems to be all too fitting: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female. For you are all one in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:28).

Let’s be better, and more open.

Let’s be less in our own circles, high and above who we think are the evil or pitiful ones, and live to a higher standard, a standard of friendship.

Sign language is just as important as other languages

By FIONA McELRATH Staff Writer French, Spanish, German, Japanese... these, or variations thereof, are the languages that are generally taught in schools.

While vocal address of this sort is quite useful and important for human activity, there is another kind of communication that is often overlooked: sign language.

In every country, state and province, there are those who are unable to communicate with verbal speech. The first account of an official sign language comes from as far back

as the fifth century B.C., in one of Plato's works. From then until the seventeenth century, signs were not written about.

In 1620, a Spaniard published a book for “teaching mute people to speak.”

Sign language is, as I have come to discover, rather a mystery to many people.

Aside from “thank you” there are few well known signs, and grammar is something else entirely. ASL (American Sign Language) shares its grammar more with the Japanese language than that of English.

ASL, and every other country's sign language, uses

a person's entire body. Facial expressions are as important as inflections and stressed syllables. The question words/ signs—who, what, when, where, how, why—generally come at the end of sentence, while the sign that represents a thing does not necessarily have any visual connection to said thing.

All this aside, there are many useful ways to use sign language, apart from communicating with the deaf community. Babies who are taught sign language are less prone to being “fussy” as it were, and can be reasoned with sooner.

Much like Braille in a dark room, if one is in a situation where one is not allowed to use the vocal chords, the hands are just as useful in place of speech—during the Greek silence of this past week, for instance.

Hearing and speaking are things we as humans naturally do, and something that we learn as infants, imitating the people around us. It is something we take for granted, like any one of the other senses— sight, touch, taste, hearing, smell. Sign language is the only form of communication for some communities (aside

from the written word), and in my opinion, just as important as any spoken language.

Source: Moderndisability.com

Sign language is a mystery for many people.

THE BACK PAGE Water, water, every where, yet not a drop to drink

By LEANNDRA W. PADGETT Back Page Editor

T

he first week of spring semester came and went without any drama to speak of — unless you’re a freshman girl (but let’s not pursue that train of thought), President’s Ambassador or resident of South Campus. On second thought, it’s been kind of a crazy week.

The President’s Ambassadors received troubling news as they returned from break to find that their program had ended unexpectedly. Student participants learned, via email, that the program would not continue this semester.

Several Ambassadors felt that this was an impersonal end to a meaningful program.

According to the email sent to Ambassadors, the program had come to “the point of experiencing lack of direction.”

Now, I’m all for cutting back on unnecessary and undirected spending, but the President’s Ambassadors seems like a pretty good concept.

To remain relevant, all programs need to be continually evaluated, and at times this leads to scrapping them and starting over. I just hope that President Greene has a plan to replace what I perceive as one of

the functions of the President’s Ambassa- Vortex. dors: student-administration relations.

Soon, I heard rumors that the pipes While President’s Ambassadors are had frozen because we “powered down” the type of people who are involved in campus to save energy during Christmas other campus activities and will probably break. (Let’s blame the environmentalnot fail in making their opinions known, ists!) This rumor turned out to be entirely a valuable point of contact between stu- false, as “powering down” simply meant dents and Giddings unplugging appliHall may have been ances (I hope you prematurely severed drained your in this move. fridges before One other group leaving). that faced minor The line inconveniences which broke was during the first nine feet underweek back consists ground, and of those who live did not actually on South Campus, freeze. The cause as their water was of the damage turned off for sev- Source: Businessinsider.com could have been eral days. Now, it GC’s water problems are nothing the shifting of the would be easy to rail compared to West Virginia’s. ground above against the system due to the cold. and blame the new president or the head What is there to be thankful for in of maintenance or the trustees for such this situation? For starters, thank you an issue, but I’d like to take a different facilities/maintenance/whoever was approach. I want to say, “thank you.” out there digging up the frozen ground I rolled into Georgetown at 10:30 on in the bitter cold. Workers labored until Saturday night, ready to begin the new 11 p.m. on Saturday night and continsemester only to find that there were ued repairs throughout the weekend. workers digging in the Quad; I figured Yes, it was inconvenient to go withthat a water line had frozen in the Polar out drinking water until Wednesday.

Yes, I was disgusted to hear about some of the things that came up out of the water fountain when it was still undrinkable. But, overall, I am thankful for the committed people who restored unto us the life-giving H2O and thankful for not having to worry about the sanitation of my water regularly.

Those in West Virginia may not be as lucky. Are we seriously talking about a chemical leak that tainted the water of at least 300,000 people? The toxic irritant is used in processing coal, and the company responsible is ironically called Freedom Industries. I’m sure the people of West Virginia really feel free to drink and bathe and wash in their own water right now.

This is twenty-first century America; don’t we have systems in place to provide basic needs (e.g. clean water supply) to our citizens? Inspection guidelines need to be strengthened and enforced for chemical storage tanks. It’s too much of a health and environmental hazard to allow slip-ups of this type.

Maybe for Tigers this will put our problems into perspective and prevention measures for places like W. Va. will be implemented so this sort of thing doesn’t happen again. Another reason to say “thank you?”