GRAND VALLEY
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SCIENCE
Chemistry lectures taking place on campus BY ITA TSAI ITSAI@LANTHORN.COM
hir believes this anonymity gives people a platform to say harmful comments with no repercussions. While older generations may think of bullying in terms of physical abuse, cyberbullying introduces new issues. People who get bullied can see physiological effects. Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and many other mental problems can develop for people being bullied, according to www.stopbullying. gov. This, in turn, can create academic barriers for students, making it harder for them to be successful in the classroom. GVSU maintains a policy of collegiality, which reads, in part, “In order to foster a healthy and diverse environment, we will act with integrity, communicate respectfully and accept responsibility for our
The Arnold C. Ott Lectureship in Chemistry series of presentations is returning to Grand Valley State University. The first lecture, titled “Chemical Reactions: What Lies Under the Arrow?” will take place Thursday, April 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Devos Center Loosemore Auditorium. The next lecture, “Studies of Radicals, Catalytic Intermediates and Transition States by Slow Electron Velocity-Map Imaging of Cryogenically Cooled Anions,” will be held Friday, April 13, at 1 p.m. in the Kirkhof Center Pere Marquette Room. The lecture this year will be given by Daniel Neumark, professor at the University of Califorina, Berkeley. Neumark earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Harvard University in physical chemistry. His research interests include physical chemistry, molecular structure and dynamics. In the lecture, Neumark will talk about fundamental problems in chemical physics, such as reaction dynamics, cluster spectroscopy and ultrafast x-ray science. “The Ott lectures offer an excellent opportunity for our GVSU students to be exposed to cuttingedge research in chemistry in particular and science in general,” said Felix Ngassa, GVSU professor of chemistry. “Not many of our peer institutions can boast of the quality of speakers we have brought to GVSU thanks to the Ott lectures. “In the past 10 years, we have had two Nobel laureates in chemistry present as Ott lecturers. ... GVSU students may not be exposed to such high-profile scientific minds if not due to the opportunity provided by the late Dr. Ott and his wife, Marion.” Every year, a group of select lecturers from the Chemistry Department Communications Committee request names from all of the chemistry faculty to potentially select them as Ott lecturers. The committee is comprised of Ngassa and chemistry professors Andrew Korich, Dave Leonard and Steve Matchett. “To me, anything that adds value to the education of our students at
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STRUGGLE: A student reacts to being harassed online on Wednesday, April 4. Cyberbullying can take numerous forms across social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. As sites continue to expand and evolve, further opportunity to engage in harmful language arises. GVL | EMILY FRYE
Social media sites open door for bullying, even in college BY DREW SCHERTZER DSCHERTZER@LANTHORN.COM
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ullying can take many forms, including harmful comments, physical abuse or other degrading actions toward a person. Victims of bullying can feel isolated from their peers and suffer from stress. As more social media platforms develop every year, there is an increasing number of places to be in contact with others. One downside of this, however, is the increased potential for online harassment. “I was harassed for years in middle school after telling students I would attend a different high school than them,” said a Grand Valley State University student who asked to remain anonymous. “Every day, people would make fun of me and even go as far to ignore me completely.” The stress this GVSU student
faced was so immense that they often thought suicide would be the only way out. Facebook made it possible for people to send harmful messages, even when the student was at home. Cyberbullying is something that prior generations did not have to worry about. Currently, more than one billion people use Facebook. Millions of people use other forms of social media, such as Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. These sites all give people access to message others directly. This has done a lot to enhance communication, but it isn’t always a good thing. “All of my friends have social media,” said GVSU student Elise Snyder. “It’s easy for people to be ganged up on online, especially if they say something unpopular or voice a different opinion.” Snyder said she has been on Facebook and Twitter for as
long as she can remember, and she has seen many accounts of students being put down by negative messages online. Snyder said it’s hard to make everyone happy, and you often see a lot of negative things on your feed. With the rising popularity of online video games like Fortnite, millions of players also have the chance to communicate with each other anonymously. Players have the option to communicate through typing or by talking to each other through their microphones. “I’ve played most games, from League of Legends to Fortnite,” said Matthew Jawahir, GVSU student and avid gamer. “People take things too far sometimes. It’s just a game.” You’d be surprised how toxic gaming communities can be, Jawahir said. Online video games allow players to hide their real identities with usernames. Jawa-
INSPIRATION
‘You have the opportunity to make a difference’ Grand Rapids Mayor Bliss talks about leadership at GV BY ARPAN LOBO NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Grand Valley State University students had the opportunity to learn about effective leadership from the chief of the secondlargest city in Michigan. Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss spoke at GVSU on Wednesday, April 4, for the Kenneth Venderbush Leadership Keynote. Bliss, who in 2016 became the first woman to become mayor in Grand Rapids, shared advice on believing in others, finding balance and making the most out of transitions in life. The Venderbush Leadership Keynote is an annual program at GVSU designed to recognize exceptional leadership as well as honor the memory of the late Venderbush. Bliss shared her journey from growing up in Northern Michigan to becoming Grand Rapids’ mayor. She told the audience, which included GVSU President Thomas Haas, various members of student senate and GVSU students, that her ability to lead has
been improved by building relationships over time. “If you keep relationships at the heart of what you do, you will be successful,” Bliss said. “Really honor the relationships, even with people that disagree with you. It’s important that you try to have empathy ... or maybe just listen. There’s nothing that I’m able to do as mayor on my own.” Bliss cited her relationships with other leaders, such as her predecessor George Heartwell, former Grand Rapids Mayor John Logie and various women in other positions of power, as ways to constantly evolve in her role. “(Leadership) is a journey; it’s never over. I’m learning all the time,” she said. “One thing that I’ve learned (is) that relationships are critical to success.” Bliss, who described herself as an overachiever, also highlighted the importance of transitions in everyday life. She explained that we often fear change but that it’s during those moments that the biggest personal growth can take place. “Transitions are really opportunities for transformation,” she
said. “When we’re not really sure what’s coming next, taking a risk, stepping out there can be terrifying. Transitions in life are like being on trapeze bars.” Bliss said graduating college is a great example of being in transition. “Some of you are getting ready to let go of the trapeze bar of college,” she said. “You have this safe place, this bar that you’re holding onto, and you’re getting ready to let go. You might not know where you’re going to be, what job you’re going to be at. “If we let our fear hold onto us, we often miss out on opportunities.” Bliss, who is in her third year in office, also reminded students that their voice is valued. “Regardless of your age, you have the opportunity to make a difference because of the power of people,” she said. “The most important things in this country happened because of the power of people.” This is especially true in the greater Grand Rapids community, according to Bliss. She said SEE BLISS | A2
JOURNEY: Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss speaks on leadership during the Venderbush Leadership Keynote at GVSU Wednesday, April 4. GVL | EMILY FRYE