Indiana Statesman The Polar Plunge For ISU students. About ISU students. By ISU students.
Indiana Statesman
Monday, Feb. 19, 2018
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isustatesman
Volume 125, Issue 54
Annual campus event raises money for Special Olympics Katelynn Cook Reporter Students and staff took a jump into cold water for the annual Polar Plunge event on Saturday at the Student Recreation Center Patio, to raise money for Special Olympics. The Polar Plunge is an annual event where participants pay a $75 donation to support the Special Olympics while jumping in a freezing cold pool in fun costumes. After that there were refreshments in the SRC and an awards ceremo-
ny for things, such as best costume. Most of the participants were part of an organization on campus, whether it be fraternity, sorority or other. Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority held the most participants from a single organization, with a total of 75 participants. ASA attended to bring awareness to Special Olympics because of their passion towards the cause, sophomore ASA participant Sydney Lynch said. Lynch believes that everyone should do the Polar Plunge at least once in their life. There were a lot of happy supporters in
Community Semester remembers 1968
the crowd, ranging from family members to friends of participants. Even Indiana State University President Dr. Deborah Curtis was there to show her love and support. President Curtis was very supportive and excited to be attending the event. She had a lot to say about her first of many Polar Plunges. “It’s exhilarating! I love the dedication that these people have for this event. It really means a lot that Indiana State partners with community events like this one and I am so proud of our fraternities and
sororities,” she said. Indiana State has been hosting the Polar Plunge for 11 years now, and the campus hopes to continue this tradition. The event is usually held in mid-February when Indiana has that last bit of winter weather before spring blooms. Not only are the participants passionate about this event, but the people who are there to support are passionate as well. “It means a lot to me to support others with disabilities. It is everything I imagined and it’s a great cause,”. freshman Alexis Karner, said.
Show ‘Pretty Fire’ delivers strength and perseverance
ISU Communications and Marketing
Youngsters participate in “Night at the Museum” event, which is part of the College of Arts and Sciences’ Community Semester.
Indiana State University’s College of Arts and Sciences’ sixth annual Community Semester is paying homage to the eventful decade of the 1960s, especially 1968. “Our theme reflects the fact that we are marking 50 years since that momentous time in the history of the United States and much of the world. Events and discoveries in and around that year continue to reverberate in the United States today, helping to shape the modern world in which we live,” said Christopher Olsen, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “My hope is that these events will prompt us to think about the important changes initiated during that period that continue to affect us today.” The college offers this programming each year as another way to foster involvement in the community. “Many schools the size of ours and larger pride themselves on their connection to the community. It is vital to have interaction between the professional people in town and the institution, because in many ways, the university personnel represent the philosophy and the sense of who you are in the community,” said Roby George, associate professor in the School of Music and facilitator of Community Semester. Since the theme is 1968, it is only natural to show the “50th Anniversary of the Assassination of Martin Luther King -- Commemorating the Civil Rights leader from a half century ago,” at 7 p.m. April 4 in the African American Cultural Center. The presentation will focus on the life and time of the slain civil rights leader and the impact of
his message 50 years later. Another highly anticipated event is the third installment of the “Night at the Museum,” at 6 p.m. March 21 in the Science Building. The hallways and laboratories of the Science Building come alive during this popular event. The science department will present a number of family-friendly, hands-on activities for all ages. Beginning in February and running through April, there will be a once-a-month “MiniFilm Festival,” as well as other events and presentations around issues such as women’s history, media and environmental sustainability. “When you look at the events collectively, I think because the topics of the events are centered around the ‘60s, it’s clearly about the advancement of minorities, both women and African Americans and the struggle that we have had over the years,” George said. The semester culminates in the final event “Public Memorials of the ‘60s: Remembering Kent State and other Legacy Sites,” at noon May 4 in Hulman Memorial Student Union, room 407. Students in the department of communication will create a geo-social digital map of significant sites marked forever by the ‘60s. “We hope people will attend as many events as they can, and we are truly honored to share the College of Arts and Sciences,” said Olsen. All events are free and open to the public. Story by Communications and Marketing. Stroy by ISU Comunications and Marketing
ALEXIS HERMAN FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF LABOR
Photo courtesy of Terre Haute Brewing Company
The play by Charlayne Woodard, ‘Pretty Fire’ will be performed in the Terre Haute Brewing Company.
Kiara Dowell Reporter Theatre 7 is doing a production of “Pretty Fire” written and performed by Charlayne Woodard. The play is a humorous, but heavy story about a young African American girl struggling through 1950s America. The play consists of five touching autobiography tales and experiences growing up as a colored woman. It stars actress Kimberly McMurray as she performs a riveting tale about the characters premature birth, Ku Klux Klan raiders burning a cross in her grandparent’s field, and her families struggle to survive in Georgia in the 1950s. McMurray, who will play Charlayne, believes, “This story is filled with so many dynamic life lessons; lessons that will touch every human emotion. (Ms. Woodard) has truly bared her soul in this piece of art and laid the foundation upon which we will, in turn, bear ours,” As stated in Carrie Schoffstall’s press release. Cliff Lambert who is also the general manager for Theatre 7 directs the show “Pretty Fire.”
FEBRUARY 22
This play came at a good time, while students all over campus celebrate Black History Month. “‘Pretty Fire’ celebrates the strength, courage and perseverance of the African-American woman. Also included are teachable moments that enrich and enhance the lives of everyone involved,” Lambert said. The show opens on Feb. 16 and runs through 17 -18 and 23 – 24. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the exception of Sunday’s matinee at 2:30 p.m. and will take place in the Terre Haute Brewing Company. “In honor of its service mission, Theater 7 will donate a dollar of every ticket sold to a local charity benefitting the homeless in our community,” Schoffstall said. The play draws ideas from a time where not everyone was treated equally. The play brings to light the struggles African-American women went through in several different autobiographical stories of a young African-American girl in the 1950s. “It’s important to remember where we’ve come from as a society,” senior Josh Luna said.
“The day that everyone is seen as equals and as humans rather than race, sex, sexual orientation etc. is the day that Black History Month no longer important, because then we can no longer draw parallels to a time when people had to fight to be even considered worth listening to. ‘Pretty Fire’ is one of many kinds of plays, like ‘Raisin in the Sun,’ which put these kind of issues to the forefront. If someone today can connect to a character from ‘Pretty Fire’ and see the similarities rather than the differences it will help push to a better tomorrow.” Tickets are available on at the Hulman Center Box Office. Tickets are $7 a person, but $4 for students. “Theater 7 was introduced to the Wabash Valley during the summer of 2016. The company is united by their focus on delivering an uplifting theater experience that showcases diversity, simplicity of set and costumes, utilizes a professional core company, and introduces new works to the community it strives to serve. For additional information, visit Theater7.com,” stated the press release.