DEFINING
DISCRIMINATION
SEE PAGE 6
Changes to NC State food and dining this fall
NC State Dining implemented changes to its dining halls and restaurants this semester. Talley Student Union saw modifications to its market, Los Lobos, One Earth and 1887 Bistro, while dining halls and other restaurants underwent other tweaks.
Lauren Smith, director of nutrition and wellness, said Los Lobos began offering global food options due to students’ requests. The menu now includes dishes like soy chorizo fajita bowls, Moroccan chickpea burritos and meat-free Baja bowls, which students can customize.
“It had been a while of being the same menu, so we were looking for ways to add excitement [and different flavors] and get students really excited about trying new things,” Smith said. “We’re really looking for ways to incorporate more types of global fusion with Latin cuisine.”
One Earth now serves dinner Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Smith said students are excited about the change.
“It has been such a fan favorite among the students,” Smith said. “So we were really excited to be able to open it up to dinner. I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback.”
Jennifer Gilmore, director of strategic marketing and communication, said opening One Earth for dinner appeals to students who seek convenience and value. But because One Earth accommodates students during the evening, Gilmore said 1887 Bistro will stop serving dinner and instead transform into a study space at night.
NC State Dining has introduced several to-go options at its restaurants. At Talley Market, the grab-and-go options now include shaker salads, sandwiches, wraps and fresh fruit. Gilmore said Talley Market’s sushi will be moved next to Los Lobos.
Earlier this year, NC State closed on its purchase of University Towers, a residence hall with a dining hall on its ninth floor.
CATE HUMPHREYS/TECHNICIAN
Students with meal plans now have keycard access to the building when the dining hall is open. University Towers also features Howling Cow ice cream and allergenfriendly stations.
Two on-campus Port City Java cafes have been rebranded. Nelson Hall’s Port City Java has been rebranded to the Exchange Cafe, featuring Caribou Coffee and takeout options. The Terry Center, serving the College of Veterinary Sciences, had its Port City Java rebranded to Creature Comforts. Gilmore said these changes were to increase versatility and connection.
“Not only did it make these spaces feel a bit more connected to the college, but it also gave us a little bit more flexibility and what we could serve there,” Gilmore said. “Not just the coffee or the beverage side of it, but the grab-and-go and food component.”
Clark Dining Hall implemented a bowl
CRIME ON CAMPUS
NC State’s weekly log of major incidents across campus.
SUSPICIOUS PERSON
Sept. 3, 2024 at 12:14 a.m. Dan Allen Dr/Fraternity Court
A student and Lambda Chi Alpha were referred for alcohol violations.
DRUG VIOLATION
Sept. 2, 2024 at 2:00 a.m. Western Manor
Drug violation was reported. Nonaffiliated individual was smoking cigarettes on his back porch.
station, with breakfast bowls during the morning and grain bowls at night. While not allergen-free, the station provides grains, proteins, vegetables and a variety of sauces. Smith said this new addition has received positive feedback from students.
“They’re doing a different type of bowl each day,” Smith said. “The team at Clark did a really good job designing the bowls this summer.”
Smith said NC State Dining is eager to hear students’ feedback and suggestions, which holds the team accountable. Gilmore and Smith both said they read and respond to all the feedback and dining employees even monitor social media platforms — namely, Yik Yak.
“We can’t stress enough how much we value students sharing their input because food is personal,” Gilmore said. “If you’re not getting what you need to thrive, we need
to know that.”
Smith said her role is to help students with dietary restrictions, either from allergies or religious standards. She said she shares students’ feedback with chefs and purchasing managers to try to accommodate all students.
“We really do care about every single student,” Smith said. “We want to make sure that everyone can eat and have a good experience.”
Gilmore encourages students to step out of their comfort zones and form a community around food. She said the dining team is committed to helping students do so.
“A lot of students are struggling to make connections, and they’re sitting by themselves, not because they want to, but they’re too afraid to talk to someone else,” Gilmore said. “We would also love [to be] the conduit to provide these opportunities.”
DRUG VIOLATION
Sept. 1, 2024 at 9:58 p.m. Welch Hall
One affiliated individual was referred and charged for possession of marijuana, paraphernalia and underage possession of alcohol.
BREAKING, ENTERING
Aug. 30, 2024 at 11:13 a.m. Carter-Finley Stadium
A nonaffiliated individual reported her unsecured vehicle was entered and credit cards stolen.
Talley Market sits in Talley Student Union on Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, 2024. Talley Market offers Howling Cow ice cream and an assortment of grab-and-go convenience items.
Valerie Sun Correspondent
NC State theatre minor discontinued
Matthew Junkroski Correspondent
NC State has offered a theatre minor for students since 2013. After 11 years of serving students, the minor has been discontinued.
Joshua Reaves, director of University Theatre, said the decision was in response to a recommendation following a program review of University Theatre, and the initial suggestion was to eliminate the minor and academics associated with the theatre.
However, Reaves said the minor was holding students and staff back academically.
“The minor is a 15 credit hour course, and we have the resources in terms of staffing, based upon our funding model, to teach a certain number of classes a year,” Reaves said. “What happens is, in order to make that minor work, we are constrained to teaching those introductory classes. We can’t move beyond those because we have to teach the minor, and by doing so, we are basically eating up the entire pool of resources just by teaching intro to theatre, intro to acting, intro to stagecraft.”
Reaves said the process of canceling the minor started last semester.
“Last semester, the process formally began,” Reaves said. “In late April, early May, the administrative hold was put on it. So as students were starting to ask about [the minor], there was advice that this may be going away. But as of Aug. 16, the final approval at my level went through. It’s essentially official. As of mid-August, the minor’s officially discontinued.”
Gray Nico, a fourth-year statistics major and theatre minor, said he learned about the decision on Aug. 21 from another student.
“So my friend … was taking classes working up to a minor,” Nico said. “She didn’t declare it. So recently, she was looking in the MyPack Portal, and she realized that the minor was no longer there, so she reached out to her advisor and I guess that was how she was one of the first people to realize that.”
Nico said he didn’t recall current theatre students receiving notice from the University.
“She told this big group chat that had all of us from the Jekyll and Hyde cast from the spring, and then we all just kind of talked about it,” Nico said. “We were like, ‘What?’ So I don’t recall there being an actual announcement, it was pretty informal.”
Over the 11 years since its inception, 124 students have graduated with a theatre minor, though 169 students have declared the minor.
Mia Self, assistant director of acting, directing and academics at University Theatre, said limited academic resources are the culprit for the minor’s 26% drop rate.
“A lot of students at that point would leave the minor and not complete, although they had every intention,” Self said. “It was just not possible because of the constraints of the ability to offer classes at times that students could take them, and the flexibility of you can’t have a whole lot of extra classes if you have no one to teach those classes.”
With the elimination of the minor, Reaves said University Theatre will be focusing on their workshop series, which is a variety of workshops and masterclasses on theater and theater-adjacent topics in a digestible way.
The University Theatre’s workshop series began in fall 2023, and Reaves said it has been successful in that time.
“That first year, it turns out our fall semester of workshops served more students in the fall than it did an entire year of all of our academic courses,” Reaves said.
In the last three years, 3,366 students have participated in the University Theatre, regardless of major. Only 31 of these students are theatre minors.
In place of a minor on students’ academic records, Reaves said the theatre department works with students to get their theatre experience on paper. In January, the department began hosting meetings intended to teach students how to put together portfolios and resumes in a way that displays their experience.
“I know that I am someone who obviously will graduate with it just because I’ve been in it before it got canceled,” Nico said. “But I do know that my friend was especially scared because she’s done so much for the theatre. … And she was doing the classes, but I don’t know if she was able to get into it or not. I don’t know what her advisor meeting was like, but she was an example of someone who was angry that it happened without warning.”
Nico said he only took some classes because of the minor, which he worries will limit the perspectives of those not pushed to take them.
I don’t think it’s fair to only know what you see on stage and then not dive into what happens backstage. ... I feel like there’s a respect that’s deserved there. ... I think that there’s a lot of value in these classes that is now being lost.
-Gray Nico
“I don’t think it’s fair to only know what you see on stage and then not dive into what happens backstage,” Nico said. “I feel like there’s a respect that’s deserved there, and I don’t know how many people will be incentivized to give that respect or learn about what happens backstage without the class in the minor. I think that there’s a lot of value in these classes that is now being lost. I’m really hoping that they become frequent workshops that people are encouraged to become part of.”
Self said she looks forward to the future of the theatre department even in the absence of the minor.
“I’m excited with the shift over the next several years that we’re going to see much more dynamic teaching, much more varied teaching,” Self said. “It is painful to let that go, but it’s knowing, ‘Okay, if we let this go, it increases both access and flexibility and creativity for a much larger group of people.’”
Nico works with admissions and said he is disappointed he can no longer talk about the theatre minor to prospective NC State students.
“Your resume is not the one thing, certainly not your transcript, is not the one thing that’s going to sell you as a full person,” Reaves said. “So we are helping build that full person, that full identity of how the arts have shaped you, how your major is a part of that.”
While currently enrolled theatre minors will graduate with the minor, Nico said some theatre minor students are unhappy with the decision.
“When people hear that I’m a theatre minor, there’s always a handful of families whose faces light up, and they will find me after the panel, and they will want to hear from an art student, specifically because NC State is advertised as a very STEM-heavy school,” Nico said. “My role was very valuable because I am a representative of someone who actually is successful in these other parts of State, and they always want to hear about the theatre minor. … So I am disappointed that that is something I can no longer really talk about.”
PATRICIA SCHOLLE/TECHNICIAN
Thompson Hall, the home of University Theatre on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. University Theatre hosts multiple musicals each year.
Resources on NC State’s campus
A new school year provides students with new opportunities to take advantage of a surplus of resources and communities at NC State to make campus feel more like home.
Let’s break down major resources NC State has to offer for students on and around campus.
Campus Health Center
NC State’s Campus Health Center provides several resources to aid the mental and physical well-being of all students. Appointment types such as primary care, gynecology services, STI testing, physical therapy, allergy injections, nutritional services, dental care, nutrition counseling and mental health services are all provided on 2815 Cates Ave. To make an appointment, visit HealthyPack Portal or call the office at (919) 515-2563.
NC State Transportation
Navigating NC State’s campus can be tricky for new and old students. However, with NC State Transportation, finding parking passes, bus routes and maps to navigate buildings is made simple. Even with campus construction, the transportation website allows alternate routes for students to find and provides bus information daily. Visit the NC State Transportation website for more resources.
Multicultural and Student Centers
As the largest university in the state, NC State provides several campus centers to welcome students to a variety of campus communities. Talley Student Union is the campus’ largest hub, providing dining experiences, studying spots and aid for students’ Wolfpack One Card. Personalized student centers such as NC State’s Women’s Center, LGBTQ Pride Center and Multicultural Student Affairs program provide resources and student events for new and returning students.
Witherspoon Student Center is another major part of student life at NC State and is home to Student Media, the African American Cultural Center, Passport Offices and Military and Veteran Services. Weekly student events can be found on the calendar at the Witherspoon Student Center Website.
Wellness and Recreation
NC State offers several programs, services and facilities for students looking to enhance their physical and mental health. Carmichael Gym offers personal workout equipment, private fitness classes and studios, a swimming pool, an indoor track and tennis and pickleball courts. Along with these services, Carmichael Gym provides students with fitness lessons customized to their interests as well as employment opportunities. For more information on Carmichael’s fitness lessons,
University Housing
University Housing is the hub of providing students with sufficient information on their living arrangements. Located in Pullen Hall, University Housing oversees 20 residence halls, Greek Village and five offcampus apartment communities. A surplus of resident resources is available to students and accommodations on living arrangements or needed changes can be found on students’ resident portal.
Student Legal Services
NC State provides students with legal services that can accommodate several legal needs. Located in Pullen Hall, Student Legal Services provides advisement on lease signing, power of attorney and immigration advisement. Appointments can be arranged for legal representation, document creation or reviewing, notarizations and several educational resources. To make an appointment with Student Legal Services, visit the NC State Student Legal Services website for more information.
Campus Dining
NC State Dining provides students with dining halls, restaurants, food courts, cafés,
markets and vending machines. In addition, mobile apps such as GrubHub are available for students to pre-order food on the go. Get Well Meal Kits are also available for sick students as well as the TellUs Feedback program that allows students to text dining programs with feedback.
Student Stores
Wolfpack Outfitters and the student bookstore are two of NC State’s Student stores that allow students to shop for apparel and academic supplies. Whether a student requires NC State merchandise, textbooks for classes or school supplies, Wolfpack Outfitters and the NC State bookstore can be found on the first and second floor of Talley Student Union.
Academic Success Center
NC State’s Academic Success Center supplies students with assistance and resources that promote students’ performance and success within academic settings. Tutoring appointments and groups, writing consultants, peer mentoring and academic and career counseling are a few of the resources available to students to help aid their academic career. Students can visit the Academic Success Center website to find more information to fit their specific academic needs.
visit the Wellness and Recreation website.
GRAPHIC BY LUCY OSBORN
Ally Tennant News Editor
NC State revises policies, language following antisemitism Title VI complaint
raeli government to antisemitism. Harrison says the adaptation of the definition could threaten protected political speech in the state.
NC State has revised its anti-discrimination policy following a settlement with the Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under the Law. Some experts believe the obligations in the agreement could challenge freedom of speech on campus.
The settlement arose from a Title VI complaint alleging the University failed to address a hostile environment amid multiple incidents of antisemitic harassment of a student. The Brandeis Center cites the student being doxed and harassed online for supporting Israel, and that classmates yelled “Death to Jews” and “Death to Zionists” at her from a car.
Robin Pick, senior counsel for the Brandeis Center, said the University will revise and disseminate discrimination policies and trainings in accordance with North Carolina’s recently passed SHALOM Act and federal regulations.
“In having explicit reference to the North Carolina General statutes, which includes the SHALOM Act and Executive Order 13899 — both of which incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and its contemporary examples by incorporating that explicitly in their policy — they’re just committing to follow the law as written,” Pick said.
The agreement also states the University will issue a non-discrimination statement to the campus community including links to these documents and an Office of Civil Rights letter with examples of antisemitism on campuses. It also says the University will conduct a campus climate survey to gauge community needs.
Pick said NC State has 60 days from the day of the agreement to issue the statement; the settlement was reached on July 18.
The IHRA definition of antisemitism
The SHALOM Act, passed in June, officially established the IHRA working definition of antisemitism into state law. The definition illustrates several examples of what could be considered “contemporary” antisemitism — seven of the 11 relate to the state of Israel.
Rep. Pricey Harrison, who was one of three members in the North Carolina House of Representatives to vote against the SHALOM Act, joins critics in saying the definition equates criticism of the Is-
North Carolina is the 34th U.S. state to adopt the IHRA definition, along with hundreds of organizations and governments around the world. Pick calls the definition the gold standard in defining antisemitism.
“The IHRA definition is very clear and explicit in terms of it provides clear guidance in recognizing both classic and contemporary antisemitism,” Pick said. “And not only does it provide a definition of antisemitism, but it provides a list of contemporary examples which illustrate the various forms that antisemitism can take.”
Pick says universities adapting the definition can help identify instances of antisemitism and be more empowered to address it, like in the NC State case.
“What we find is, in some cases, the reason why universities perhaps may not be addressing certain instances of antisemitic conduct is they may not be recognizing it,” Pick said. “And so the IHRA definition is an excellent tool for universities to recognize antisemitism as it happens on their campuses.”
Phil Brodsky, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh, lobbied for the SHALOM Act and the state adoption of the IHRA definition. He says Judaism is unique because it is more than a religion, a sentiment that can make legally identifying antisemitism more difficult.
“In truth, a lot of Jews think about ourselves as a people; we’re not defined by a race or ethnicity or religious belief, it’s a little bit of everything,” Brodsky said. “So we consider ourselves a people. Because of that it can be more difficult under the law to specifically call out an action as a hate crime against Jews when there’s not a clear definition of what antisemitism is. So it’s important that we have a clear definition of antisemitism that’s adopted so that when there is a crime, it can be treated or understood to be antisemitic.”
Campus implications
This expansive understanding of Jewish identity as more than just a religious affiliation is central to the wording changes in NC State’s policy. A statement from University spokesperson Mick Kulikowski explains the developed language.
“While protection from discrimination on the basis of national origin has been covered for decades in this policy under Title VI and Title VII of the 1965 Civil Rights Act, the updated policy clarifies that this protection also prohibits discrimination on
the basis of actual or perceived shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics,” the statement read. “This update ensures compliance with federal and state laws, as outlined in Section 5 of the policy, and communicates clearer protections for many in our community.”
The policy, which was updated Aug. 1, now specifies that it is implemented in accordance with Executive Order 13899, which was not included in the most recent 2020 version of the policy. While formerly referring to specific chapters of state statutes, the updated policy refers generally to North Carolina General Statutes, which would include the SHALOM Act.
The IHRA definition especially draws criticism from academic circles that explores the historical conflict between Israel and Palestine from a scholarly perspective.
Joel Beinin, professor emeritus of Middle East history at Stanford University and former president of the Middle East Studies Association, believes the definition’s implementation is meant to silence criticism of Israel.
“The underlying intention is to try to fuse anti-Zionism with antisemitism, and in that way, to protect the state of Israel from fundamental criticism,” Beinin said.
Beinin said this is acutely felt in academia.
“The main issue for both students and faculty is that definitions of discriminatory and unfair treatment like the IHRA definition may be and in fact, have been, deployed to suppress academic freedom and freedom of speech,” Beinin said. “I know many, many faculty members and PhD students — who hope to become faculty members — who are frightened at least to some extent in this way. It’s definitely constraining freedom of speech and academic freedom, which is exactly what it’s intended to do.”
Rep. Harrison said the initiative in the General Assembly to pass the SHALOM Act arose partially from pro-Palestine protests on Chapel Hill’s campus in the spring. Harrison said legislators were reluctant to criticize the legislation on the floor for fear of being labeled antisemitic, a “chilling effect” she sees expanding to state universities.
“This has happened on other campuses where they have shut down programs or gotten rid of professors who’ve taught classes that discuss this issue, and I think that’s the big thing that’s going to happen as a result of this,” Harrison said. “And I feel like this now being part of our state law will have that effect of silencing discourse from different viewpoints, and I don’t think that’s healthy for a college environment.”
Academic challenges anchored by the IHRA definition have become almost commonplace in higher education following Ex-
ecutive Order 13899 in 2019. The definition has been cited in efforts to shut down activist and guest lecturer events, film showings and entire courses at universities. Many of these examples single out chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine.
First Amendment concerns
Sarah Ludington, director of the First Amendment Clinic at Duke University, shares these freedom of speech concerns. While Ludington does not see the SHALOM Act as having explicit punitive implications, her concern would be if NC State adapts the IHRA definition as a form of campus speech code.
“[The First Amendment] protects against laws that are sort of vaguely written that make people concerned that their speech might fall into the no-fly zone,” Ludington said. “So one of the concerns about adopting the IHRA as sort of a guide for campus speech code is that it’s very broadly written to encompass a lot of circumstances, a student might not know whether their speech is going to fall into the danger zone.”
Ludington hopes any adoption of new policies will be qualified with a statement upholding First Amendment rights inside and outside the classroom. In an almost identical 2020 Title VI settlement with New York University, the institution said it only agreed to a portion of the IHRA definition and would create its own examples of antisemitism in addition to stating their commitment to academic freedom.
Ludington said the enforcement of this policy will ultimately be up to University administrators, and if an extreme interpretation is taken, it’s not impossible for NC State to see efforts to shut down protests and academic discussions.
Ludington agrees the complaint in the NC State case constituted a hostile environment, and the specific aggressive targeting of a student on the basis of race or religion should be characterized as such. Generally, universities are facing difficult circumstances in trying to navigate the distinction between political, academic and discriminatory speech.
“I think in North Carolina and other states, an enormous amount of external pressure is being brought on universities, particularly by legislatures and sort of interfering in the university’s mission,” Ludington said. “And I think universities are in a really, really tough position with that, because it is hard to protect your university, keep it focused on its academic and educational mission, while at the same time fending off intense criticism from the legislators who fund you.”
Justin Welch Managing Editor
Editor’s Note: This article contains references to antisemitism and violence.
DUELING COLUMNS
Taylor Swift has made her place in history (class)
Over a dozen universities were expected to offer courses on Taylor Swift this semester, ranging on topics from impact to lyricism. Our very own university is currently offering a similar course in the honors program, titled “Taylor Swift: Through the Eras.” In a previous article, Technician covered why her career and cultural impact made her an ideal course focus over women in music or femininity in general.
I do not consider myself a “Swiftie,” as many of her fans do, but I cannot deny the significance of her career. The music of an artist like Hozier, with alt-folk influence and poetic lyricism, is far more my style. Unlike Hozier, however, Swift has paved the way and set numerous records in the music industry. She’s won 209 awards, including 14 Grammys. Four of these Grammys were for Album of the Year.
A unique characteristic of Swift’s career is her ability to achieve feats through her music. Forbes confirmed in April 2024 that she is the first artist to achieve billionaire status based on music alone.
The consistency for her to have a devoted and international following throughout her career is something that you can associate with few musicians. The only others I think of with similar impacts are Michael Jackson, Beyoncé and Prince. Each of these artists holds an important place in history, and no doubt will be discussed for decades to come. There are some distinctions between these artists, however. This is not to compare influence but to recognize that she has been nearly exclusively focused on music as a solo artist for nearly two decades. I in no way want to minimize the talent or impact of the other artists mentioned, but I want to recognize that their group endeavors and successful projects external to music, such as acting, are intertwined with their impressive careers.
Hozier focuses on music primarily as well, working on personal work as well as composing for movie soundtracks. This is in a similar vein to Swift, but his genre and topics are less digestible for a broader audience. His themes of religion and politics are worth reflecting on, but any taboos may restrict interest or be difficult to market from an educational perspective.
Swift’s fanbase is so committed to following her efforts that her relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce brought an entirely new audience to the NFL. Despite backlash to media attention on the pop star at games, there was a 20% increase in sponsorships, a 53% viewership increase among teenage girls and a 24% increase in the 18-24 demographic overall since her relationship with the NFL player went public. Anything that Swift is noted to associate with creates vast interest and impact.
Swift has been traveling the world for nearly two years on the Eras Tour, with 150+ concert dates planned, many of which are sold out. The tour in the U.S. is estimated to have caused 0.5% of national economic growth for the fiscal year due to $5 billion in consumer spending. She also released “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” movie, which grossed $261 million globally and became the top-grossing concert film of all time.
As an entity, Swift remains impressive. Dan Fleetwood, President of QuestionPro Research and Insights, said “If [Swift] were an economy, she’d be bigger than 50 countries; if she was a corporation, her Net Promoter Score would make her the fourth most admired brand, and her loyalty numbers mimic those of subjects to a royal crown.”
Regardless of anyone’s opinion of Swift and her music, her impact and influence are undeniable. Anyone interested in an economic, cultural, musical or influential perspective of history would benefit from taking a course centered around her. Other artists may make interesting additions to study alongside her, but it feels naive to attempt to replace her spot.
Hozier deserves a class more than Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is probably the most well-known current pop star in the world, but there are better musicians for a college class to revolve around. Now, let’s be clear — I don’t hate her. I grew up during her country pop era and have danced around with her music on full blast countless times. However, Swift’s albums have become repetitive and predictable. Good for a breakup or dance party, but not the best to base a class on.
I’d rather analyze the line “I’d walk so far just to take the injury of finally knowing you,” from Irish musician Hozier’s “Unknown / Nth” than the line “Touch me while your boys play ‘Grand Theft Auto,’” from Swift’s “So High School.”
Students have analyzed Shakespeare and Chaucer for centuries. It gets old. I’m glad to see universities modernizing their teaching with contemporary artists like Taylor Swift, but she’s not the only option for a course. Like Swift, Hozier has several songs alluding to classic literature, making him a perfect candidate for a lit class.
Additionally, professors don’t have to throw out old content to have a class on Hozier. His work can be studied alongside the traditional content in a refreshing way for students.
“Eat Your Young” is a reference to “A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift. “Francesca” is a reference to “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri. “From Eden” is, you guessed it, inspired by the Bible.
Dissecting the connections between Hozier’s music and traditional literature may actually be a more effective way of teaching the content. Modern students are more likely to listen to relevant music than they are to voluntarily read 100 years-old literature.
Not only are several of his songs tied to classics, his lyrics are just downright more worthy of analysis. His writing ability is unmatched. Due to the depth of his lyrics, a Hozier class would offer more to students than a Taylor Swift class.
His use of literary devices, such as “I saw her hair like the branch of a tree” from “Would That I” and “Your love is sunlight” from “Sunlight” beg to be incorporated into a poetry class.
I would go so far as to say a psychology professor could form lessons around how Hozier’s cleverly written lyrics successfully distract the listener from how morally ambiguous the narrator in his songs can be.
Hozier has developed the reputation of a man written by a woman, but some of his songs make me wonder how he earned that label. “I’m almost me again, she’s almost you,” is a line straight from “Almost (Sweet Music).” The narrator admits that he’s looking for his ex in a new person.
I love Hozier, but I would not design a man who would say that to me. I am interested in learning the psychology behind how he was able to develop the reputation as a “perfect man” when his songs contain lyrics like that.
Though it is understandable why Taylor Swift is the top choice for many to take a class about, the meaningfulness of that class is over-inflated due to her popularity, overshadowing the value of studying other amazing musicians like Hozier. Both artists reference classics, but Hozier writes with a depth that puts a course about him higher on my list than a Taylor Swift course.
Hozier’s music can be explored through a variety of disciplines, not just an English class while being a fun, engaging and relevant learning experience. Whether a literature, English, psychology or music class, Hozier provides ample material for analysis.
Jordan Birkner Correspondent
Grace Turschak Correspondent
GRAPHIC BY LUCY OSBORN
What happened to being a “girl’s girl”?
Do you think you’re a “girl’s girl”? Do you talk behind people’s backs?
Do you only hang out with men? Are you bad at communication? Do you lie to your friends to spare their feelings? If so, TikTok thinks you may not be.
The dialect of teenagers has varied greatly over time; the slang we use now is vastly different from that of our grandparents and even our parents before us. Today, I’m not here to lecture you on the effects of TikTok brain rot. But I am here to focus on a term that has been around for a while, although the meaning isn’t quite the same.
I’m sure most of you have seen or heard the term “girl’s girl.” For example, take a look at 1950s periodicals such as the Ladies’ Home Journal. Shirley Jackson wrote “Out of the Mouths of Babes,” a short nonfiction essay about the role of being a mother. This journal created a sense of solidarity among women decades ago. The notion of girls sup-
porting girls is not new, but the term has taken on a new form and a new definition.
In my mind, at the core of it, being a girl’s girl means that you offer encouragement and support for other women. The term originated because of the fact that most women face similar systemic inequalities in society. We are often undervalued, overlooked and treated poorly by others on the basis of gender.
The idea is to form an unsaid pact of sorts, in which women use the bond they have through shared experience in order to be the person someone else can fall back on that so many of us lack. It is a way to protect and assist when you feel like nobody has your back, almost like a default ally.
Being a girl’s girl comes in handy in stressful situations, especially ones where women are being taken advantage of by others.
To be a girl’s girl is to step in, not because you know or like the person, but because they need you. For example, situations where you spot a visibly very uncomfortable woman in a public space, and you pretend that you know who she is just so she can exit
a potentially dangerous situation.
Still, the phrase has taken a turn for the worse. Social media platforms in recent years, specifically TikTok, have opened up a space where anybody can post anything. As a result, trends have been going around where people are using the same “You aren’t a girl’s girl if …” format. However, the words following are any range of pet peeves or critiques that are completely unrelated to the central essence of the term.
Girl’s girl and girl code have started becoming more of an issue surrounding how women act around men rather than how they act toward each other. You can be accused of not being a girl’s girl over almost any act you commit nowadays.
The “Barbie” movie from summer 2023 was definitely a step in the right direction for getting back to the source of what it means to be a girl’s girl. The movie is vastly different from anything that came out previously, such as “Mean Girls,” which was such a big hit in 2004 and is still frequently referenced today.
Don’t get me wrong, I do love “Mean
Girls.” But “Barbie” portrays the bond between women in a far more positive light than the early 2000s flick. All the pink and silly humor aside, I think the movie is actually crucial in acting as a new step towards finding the meaning of girl’s girl again. It shows the unwavering support and unity that is so characteristic of the term.
All in all, even if the terms are silly or feel like complete nonsense, the ethics behind them are actually very vital in allowing for the foundation of a stronger defense against degrading patriarchal values within society. I think it is important not to stray so far from the original root of the term. When the lines get muddied, the true principle of the phrase is lost. The most necessary bit of why the term was even created gets misplaced, and the value is gone.
To be a girl’s girl is to have other girls’ backs when it is truly needed; it isn’t an excuse to bash others under unrelated pretenses.
Abbigail GoetzeThompson Correspondent
My Happy Place
Avery Szakacs, Staff Cartoonist
A fourth-year studying art and design
Zzz
Alyssa Phillips, Staff Cartoonist
A fourth-year studying art and design
TransLoc’s Entombment
Emma Reid, Staff Cartoonist
A fourth-year in design studies
Snacking during class — is it appropriate?
There’s nothing quite like the experience of trying your absolute best to pay attention during a lecture, only to have your focus disrupted by the smell of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos or the sound of someone munching on kettle-cooked chips. Sensory overload during these instances can make honing in on your instructor incredibly difficult, but what if the other individual has a legitimate reason for snacking during class?
Eating during class is something most instructors permit nowadays, under the condition that no messes are made. While some would argue eating in class is distracting to others, there are many reasons why an individual might be snacking during instructional time, such as having a health condition or a busy schedule that makes finding time to eat challenging.
Of course, many individuals have a sensitivity to the sound of chewing. In extreme cases, lip-smacking and teeth-sucking can lead to intense emotional reactions for those who have misophonia or the fear of everyday bodily sounds. Additionally, the noise that comes from opening food packaging can seem to completely drown out the instructor’s voice at times.
Along with snacking producing audible distractions, some snacks create odors that are inescapable in an enclosed classroom environment. I would know, since I used to be that kid who brought beef jerky or hardboiled eggs to school and received a lot of backlash.
An important thing to note is that food allergies are a widely prevalent problem and can make simply sitting in the presence of a specific food a dicey situation. Being allergic to a major food item such as peanuts or soy is a very stressful thing to have to constantly take into consideration. Furthermore, having to worry about whether there is a risk of exposure to one’s allergen during class makes one’s learning experience less ideal.
While another person’s eating can be distracting, anxiety provoking or even dangerous, I would like to acknowledge that there are many health conditions and personal situations that can affect when a person has to eat. For example, if someone is afflicted with hypoglycemia or diabetes, they may require more frequent meals in order to avoid their glucose tanking.
As college students, we all know the struggle of finding time to sit down and eat a meal amidst the craziness of class schedules, work and extracurricular activities. Perhaps class time is someone’s only opportunity to be seated long enough to fit in a small meal.
Aside from having limited time to eat or health concerns, being hungry during class is a downright miserable experience. Time ticks by ever so slowly when you have to wait for class to end so you can scarf something down, causing you to focus more on the clock rather than the actual discussion. Plus, there is nothing as embarrassing as your stomach growling at maximum volume in the middle of class.
So, to answer the burning question over whether eating during class should be allowed, it should be. In fact, it is totally acceptable.
It would be wrong to deny someone permission to eat if they have a health condition that requires them to eat regularly, but don’t forget that food allergies are health conditions too. It’s important to be conscious of other classmates and their potential allergies by bringing snacks that are free of the most common allergens. This could include potato chips, an apple or fruit snacks, to name a few. Additionally, instructors can help create a safer environment by asking students what they are allergic to at the beginning of the semester. They could send out anonymous surveys and share the results with the class to establish which foods are a no-go in the classroom without singling anyone out.
Apart from health-related needs, having a sensitivity to the sound of chewing or the smell of a certain food is completely valid and is something that people should be aware of if they choose to eat in class. I’m not saying that everyone needs to have table manners that meet cotillion standards during class. However, let’s do each other a favor by picking less noisy snacks and being mindful of how loudly we chew.
I also think it would be wise to bring snacks with minimal smell to avoid distracting others with more odorous foodstuff. I’m positive that most students would rather focus on their instructor than the sound of a classmate chowing down on some Takis or the smell of Funyuns infiltrating the air.
Above all, decisions over whether to eat during instructional time should be made on a case-by-case basis. If an instructor explicitly says they don’t allow eating in class, then respect their wishes. If someone has a legitimate need to eat during class, then individual accommodations should be discussed with the instructor.
Alas, eating during class should continue being allowed so long as the snacker is conscious of how their eating habits might affect the classroom environment. Please don’t bring an entire roast dinner to class, but eat as you need to in order to make your learning experience more enjoyable and manageable.
AJ Toler Correspondent
Who Will You Vote For?
Jordan Ramsey, Staff Cartoonist
A fourth-year studying art and design
Eight new books to pick up this fall
Sarah Hoffer Culture Editor
School is back in full swing, and with campus on the fringe of fall, there’s no better time to make an addition to your bookshelf. Here are some new arrivals check out this autumn.
“One Day I’ll Grow Up and Be a Beautiful Woman” by Abi Maxwell
This book follows a mother raising her only child while she struggles to combat public opposition to her daughter’s gender transition. In poor and rural New Hampshire, the book flashes back to the mothers life as a young girl as she encountered bullying and parental issues herself.
“Nexus” by Yuval Noah Harari
The bestselling author of “Sapiens” uses philosophy, psychology and political theory to face homosapiens’ means of
communication. Harari, a public intellectual and historian, presents a timeline on the flow of information from the dawn of time to present time and into the future, and tackles how accessible communication is and how we may be able to improve.
“Reagan” by Max Boot
Boot, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and notable historian, narrates Ronald Reagan’s life and the puzzle it entailed. Boot writes about Reagan’s political career and involvement in social justice and the New Deal and makes connections to current politics.
“Rejection” by Tony Tulathimutte
Tulathimutte’s “Rejection,” a collection of stories, is a series of misses and takes on changes in relationships. Diverse stories give readers a place to connect with stores they might connect to.
“Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney
Rooney, author of “Normal People,” writes about two brothers coping with their complicated relationship when their father’s death brings up past issues. The brothers have very little in common, one
Tuesday, September 17
being a lawyer and the other a competitive chess player, but both struggle in their relationships with the people they love who are intertwined in their lives.
4 of 6,000: International students’ perspectives
Alessandra Sandoni Correspondent
Every year, NC State hosts over 6,000 international students from all around the world. Four exchange students from different corners of Europe offered their perspectives on their experiences so far.
A student’s reasons for choosing where and why to be part of an exchange program differ.
Vít Koštejn, a graduate student studying computer science from Czechia, said socializing and expanding their connections is one of them.
“I think it’s a very nice opportunity to get to know new people,” Koštejn said.
Óscar Lamuela Dorado, a graduate student studying aeronautical engineering from Valencia, Spain, said improving his English skills is another core factor.
“I expect to be able to improve my English and meet a lot of people from different backgrounds,” Dorado said.
Others dream of living in the United States after they graduate. Jesy Mamputu, an undergraduate student in philosophy from Manchester, England, believes the U.S. offers more opportunity than anywhere else.
“[In the U.K.] there’s a ceiling for Black people, for how far you can achieve, or how much,” Mamputu said. “The U.S. is a place where you come with your dreams, you come with your ideas, and you can get
rewarded for the amount of work that you put in. I wanted to do the study abroad year first, to do almost like a test a year before I commit to a full time move.”
For Lisa Rose Sliman, a graduate student studying business, coming back to the States unsurfaced memories of childhood.
“I lived in New York for three years with my family and I guess I have these memories of those three years of my childhood that I look up to and I miss a lot,” Sliman said.
American culture can be quite different, making some students’ first time in the U.S. a culture shock.
“Something I found weird, that doesn’t happen in Spain, is the fact that most people thank the bus driver when they get off the bus,” Dorado said. “That’s something that usually doesn’t happen in Spain, and I haven’t seen that happening in any other place.”
“In my home university, the facilities are spread out around the whole city and here the university is almost at one place, so all students live in the same area and do everything in this area,” Koštejn said. “I think it’s a much better experience.”
Traveling is exciting, but being away from home can be tough, particularly when people are away for months.
“I miss my [native] language,” Koštejn said. “It’s quite hard to speak only in English. And because it’s not my native lan-
guage, it’s hard to concentrate on speaking with others all day.”
Sliman feels it’s less of a physical thing or city that she misses, but more of a feeling of home that she longs for. She finds this feeling with her family and loved ones, who are in far away states and countries.
Koštejn is excited to travel to the Appalachian Mountains and explore North Carolina with all it has to offer, and experience NC State while here. He wants to focus on the classes he has and enjoy the different styles of learning and studying.
The semester has only just started and with four months ahead of us, international students like these have plans to make the time the best it can be.
“I’m super excited to get involved and serve the student community here, especially the Black student community,” Mamputu said. “That’s one of the reasons why I came here, to be able to serve students, to understand the college student experience, particularly the Black college student experience here in the U.S. I’m really excited for all the events that we have lined up.”
As foreigners in the United States, these students are frequently posed with questions, some they find strange and annoying.
“[It’s] every time I have a conversation with someone,” Sliman said. “After 10 minutes of conversation, they ask me where I’m
from, and I say I’m French, they usually go like, ‘Oh yes, of course. I could hear it. You do sound French.’ And it’s just not true. I feel maybe there’s a lack of knowledge or awareness about other cultures, because it’s so stereotypical to hear an accent that’s very slight.”
Some questions are less serious but surprisingly recurrent.
“[Americans] can hear that I’m from the U.K.,” Mamputu said. “So they’re like, ‘Oh my God, you’re from the U.K. Oh my gosh, you’re British. Can you say bottle of water?’ The amount of times I’ve had to say bottle of water in these last two weeks is ridiculous. Or, they’ll be like, ‘Do you drink tea with their pinkies out?’ Yes, I do drink tea, but not like that. I didn’t realize that many people were fascinated with bottles of water,” said Mamputu.
Extending grace to international students is a great way to be welcoming and courteous.
“An already established friend group is not an excuse to not make a new friend, so if somebody you know just says hi, they are honestly just trying to make friends,” Mamputu said. “Also, if you do meet anybody who’s an international student and you do have questions about their culture or where they come from, feel free to ask. I would just say, ask questions, be curious.”
VIOLET BEESLEY/TECHNICIAN
Xinyuan Cai, a second-year studying business administration with a concentration in marketing, speaks to a participant while tabling with the Chinese Students & Scholars Friendship Association during the International Festival at Stafford Commons on Friday, April 19, 2024. This event featured tabling from various culturally focused student organizations.
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” serves the sweet n’ savory sides of her artistry
Sabrina Carpenter’s new album “Short n’ Sweet” perfectly encapsulates her vocal and artistic range and highlights all the drastic highs and lows of romance. The heavily-anticipated album was released on Aug. 23. It maintains Carpenter’s signature pop-princess style while unapologetically exploring new sounds like banjo and ‘80s synth.
Carpenter dropped two singles, “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” leading up to the release of “Short n’ Sweet.” Both songs were massively successful. “Please Please Please” became the singer’s first number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and its country-like structure and notes of synth-pop acted as a window into Carpenter’s upcoming album.
“Short n’ Sweet” plays into Carpenter’s signature glamourous and bouncy pop style while doubling as a reminder of the depth of her musicality. Songs like “Good Graces” and “Bed Chem” are examples of the feel-good traditional pop songs peppered throughout the album. Carpenter backs up their upbeat, electric rhythm with flirty, confident lyricism, like “When I love you, I’m sweet like an angel / Drawin’ hearts ‘round our names.”
“Slim Pickins,” on the other hand, brings in sounds more consistent with bluegrass and country music. The incorporation of a banjo and soft intonation of Carpenter’s voice gives the song a smooth feel and demonstrates her ability to expand her music past the pop genre.
Carpenter’s album also explores and builds upon the emotion felt in her 2022 album, “emails i can’t send.” Her previous album centered around the period of grief and anger felt after a breakup. Songs like “things i wish you said,” “Lonesome” and “emails i can’t send” feel very raw, both emotionally and musically. The songs often rely singularly on Carpenter’s voice to carry through the melody, with limited
harmonies or background instrumentation. These choices place extra weight on the storytelling and lyricism. The album flows like a conversation about the various aspects of heartbreak and the fallout of a breakup.
“Short n’ Sweet” is a continuation of that storyline, this time focusing on a reentrance into the dating scene with the confidence to set boundaries and know when to leave. There are a ton of stacked harmonies, including higher notes and more experimentation with various background vocals and instrumentation. This gives the album a stronger, more self-assured feeling.
There are a few mellow songs on the tracklist that reference heavier topics,
like heartache, but the use of sarcasm and humor in the lyrics allows the overall air of self-worth and security to remain. For example, in “Dumb & Poetic” Carpenter sings “Every self-help book, you’ve already read it / Gold star for highbrow manipulation.” The song is inherently sad, as it references a broken, deceitful relationship. However, the cynicism with which she references the man in the song gives the impression that instead of looking back on the breakup with regret, she feels immense relief that she’s moved on.
Alongside emotional and musical range, Carpenter also demonstrates the depths of her creativity through the accompanying “Short n’ Sweet” music videos. Her most recent music video, “Taste,” was
“An Image of My Name Enters America” by Lucy Ives
continued from page 10
“Defectors” by Paola Ramos
Ramos, a veteran journalist, poses an extensive investigation into Latino Americans’ political beliefs, and puts to rest myths and past presumptions on this voting bloc. She reveals a diverse community when it comes to political views, one to familiarize yourself with.
In this collection of five essays, Ives examines events from her own life and the interweaving aspects of them. She aims to excavate the larger aspects, while weaving new stories about herself and culture with expert range as a writer.
released on Aug. 23 alongside her album and has already amassed over 47 million views. Carpenter starred alongside actress Jenna Ortega, who is known for her appearances in horror films such as “X” and the “Scream” film franchise.
Ortega’s resume perfectly fit the role, as the music video included a multitude of references to classic horror films. The most pertinent reference was to the 1992 satirical macabre comedy film “Death Becomes Her” in which two women attempt to sabotage and one-up each other as they vie for the attention of the same man.
The “Taste” music video follows a very similar plotline. Ortega and Carpenter humorously, but gorily, attempt to get rid of each other while cycling through a series of iconic horror scenes, including references to “Psycho,” “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Ginger Snaps.”
Along with the iconic homage to classic horror, the music video is also a great representation of Carpenter’s dynamic artistry. There is an obvious contrast made between the gory plotline of the video and the use of bright, pastel set pieces and costumes. The video is set in a stunning, glamorously decorated mansion, and both Carpenter and Ortega are often in colorful, playful outfits. Even in a scene where she’s in surgery, Carpenter dons a bright pink, polka-dotted hospital gown.
Carpenter’s dynamic artistry encapsulates both sides of this video. She writes songs about topics with serious implications like heartbreak, manipulation and toxicity, while simultaneously making it digestible by adding humor, sarcasm or even just a catchy beat.
“Short n’ Sweet” was meticulously crafted to provide a perfect encapsulation of Carpenter’s versatility. It demonstrated every aspect of her range, musically, emotionally and artistically. Carpenter’s newest album once again proves she deserves her spot at the top of the charts.
“Didion and Babitz” by Lili Anolik
When Eve Babitz, rebound writer and literary titan, died in 2021, boxes upon boxes of stories from a lost world of the literary scene involving Joan Didion were revealed. A misunderstood mystery, Didion was an enigma of an American writer, and Anolik dives into Babitz’s writings to uncover and unlock Didion in a way we have not seen before.
GRAPHIC BY SITKA MAZZAN
Kelsey Bohn Correspondent
COLUMN: NC State football’s lackluster season opener curbs preseason dreams
Editor
And just like that, all the preseason hype surrounding NC State football is gone.
The No. 24 next to NC State’s name in the AP Poll shouldn’t be there this week for its matchup against No. 14 Tennessee. The Wolfpack’s season opener against Western Carolina was supposed to be a tune-up for the Volunteers; it was anything but.
Yes, NC State won by 17 points and no victory should be taken for granted in college football, but trailing an FCS opponent entering the fourth quarter is concerning. The final quarter should’ve been an opportunity for the Wolfpack’s younger players to get on the field but instead, NC State found itself in a dogfight.
The Wolfpack trailed the Catamounts 21-17 going into the fourth quarter but scored three straight touchdowns to make the final score look better than it was. A team with ACC Championship and College Football Playoff aspirations now looks like a team that could struggle to reach last year’s win total. It may just be an overreaction for a squad that’s trying to find chemistry and its identity with over 40 new faces. But that’s what the offseason was for. NC State can’t afford to work out the kinks in live game action with its upcoming schedule. A ranked Tennessee and Clemson both loom in September.
NC State’s attempt at trying to find chemistry on the fly almost resulted in a historic
upset before finding a semblance of what the offense was projected to be in the fourth quarter. Maybe the Wolfpack should be judged on its fourth-quarter performance and that’s the team it will look like next week, but the larger sample size is concerning.
“The coach’s message is that we have a whole bunch of work to do,” said sophomore receiver Kevin Concepcion who recorded his first career three-touchdown game. “We were expecting a blowout.”
For three quarters, graduate quarterback
Grayson McCall and the rest of the offense struggled to find a rhythm against a team that doesn’t even play on the FBS level.
McCall threw for over 300 yards in his Wolfpack debut but had more off-target throws than precision passes. He found an instant connection with Concepcion but too many times Concepcion had to haul in a ball that was thrown behind him or low.
“There were some balls that, if he would’ve put a little bit to the right or a little bit to the left, would have been completions and some of them potentially big gains,” said head coach Dave Doeren.
It was also concerning that Concepcion provided most of the offense when portal additions like redshirt freshman wide receiver Noah Rogers, junior wide receiver Wesley Grimes and junior tight end Justin Joly were brought in to help take the load off of Concepcion.
There is nothing wrong with McCall feed-
ing Concepcion — he was wide open on most plays. It’s the fact that when the ball wasn’t in Concepcion’s hands, the offense was stagnant. The sophomore receiver was always going to be the focal point of the offense but he shouldn’t have to be relied upon, especially against an opponent like Western Carolina. On the ground, graduate running back Jordan Waters was supposed to provide a spark to a run game that hasn’t finished inside the top half of the ACC since 2019. Aside from a 50-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, Waters averaged less than four yards per rush as his offensive line struggled to move the Catamounts’ defensive line that recorded a sack and nine tackles for loss.
Defensively, the Wolfpack didn’t force a single turnover and didn’t record its first sack until the fourth quarter. The past three seasons no Power Four team has recorded more interceptions than NC State but it couldn’t come away with one against Western Carolina.
It also struggled to contain Catamounts quarterback Cole Gonzales who threw for 211 yards and ran for 65 more. There were also costly penalties that kept Western Carolina’s offense on the field. Missed tackles and blown coverages were also too common of a theme for a defense that has a high standard for itself.
“We came out prepared for them to run, and they didn’t do quite what we were prepared for,” said graduate defensive end Davin Vann.
“It was just the first game nerves and just we started off slow. Moving forward, we’ve got to attack every quarter with the fourth quarter mentality the way we did today.”
Going into this season, Doeren knew he had to get a lot of new players on the same page. He and the rest of his coaching staff altered their schedule and created spaces on the calendar to build team chemistry.
The team took a trip to Camp Rockfish in Fayetteville, North Carolina during the spring for team-building activities that included coaches and players sleeping in the same bunks and a dip into the 55-degree lake.
But on Thursday night against the Catamounts, it seemed like the players hadn’t gotten enough work on the field. While players need to bond off the field to build trust, none of it will matter if they aren’t on the same page on the field.
Thursday night’s first three quarters provided a glimpse of why it’s dangerous to build through the portal. It can take years for a team to build chemistry, and attempting to find it throughout the season can be costly.
The Wolfpack is keenly aware of that.
Last season, the Wolfpack struggled to find its identity early in the season, resulting in losses that ultimately cost it a spot in the ACC Championship game.
This year’s team looks like it could be headed that way. So for NC State’s sake, it better hope the fourth quarter is a sign of things to come.
ALEX MANUEL/TECHNICIAN
Sophomore wide receiver KC Concepcion looks for an opening during the game against Western Carolina at Carter-Finley Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Concepcion had 121 yards receiving. The Wolfpack defeated the Catamounts 38-21.
Colby Trotter
Sports
Wohner’s hot streak elevates NC State women’s soccer into top 25
Senior midfielder Annika Wohner knows plenty about scoring — she’s got five goals in her last two games for NC State women’s soccer. Wohner’s awe-inspiring spree has placed her firmly among the ACC’s premier scorers and has put the conference on notice.
Just five games into the season, Wohner has already matched her junior year goal output and surpassed her season point total. Her 36.4 shot percentage and 63.6 shot-on-goal percentage both mark a career-best pace. By all accounts, Wohner’s tremendous start sets the stage for a career year in her sendoff season.
“Scoring goals is the best part about soccer,” Wohner said. “It’s the best feeling, especially at home with the fans. Celebrating with them is great.”
The senior midfielder’s hot streak hasn’t just been empty calories either. The Wolfpack, led by Wohner’s offense, has won its last two games by a combined 8-1 score. NC State’s win streak has catapulted it into the Coaches Top 25 Poll, an impressive feat considering the team’s 0-2-1 start.
Regardless of her achievements early this fall, Wohner recognizes the team’s mission goes beyond any individual’s statistics.
“It really feels great, don’t get me wrong, but in the end, it doesn’t really matter who scores,” Wohner said. “I’m super happy to help and score the goals for me personally, but in the end as long as we win, I really don’t care who puts it in the net.”
Originally from Poing, Germany, Wohner joined NC State in the fall of 2021 following a handful of standout years at German Club Bayern Munich, where she scored nine goals. Wohner started all 20 matches in her freshman campaign and scored three game-winning goals, warranting a selection to the ACC All-Freshman Team.
Over the course of her time in Raleigh, Wohner has tallied 16 goals and seven assists for 39 points. Wohner
has played 4,312 minutes and appeared in two NCAA Tournaments.
Under head coach Tim Santoro, the Wolfpack has had mixed results ranging from a 15-5-2 finish in 2017 and six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances to a 3-9-6 decline last season. Last year’s group seemed to lack the offensive firepower to compete, being outshot 300150 and outscored 33-16. It seems the 12th-year coach emphasized aggressive shot-taking over the offseason, a
call that Wohner has answered with intensity.
“I mean the wins are so valuable right now, we need them, and it’s kind of giving us a little push for the next couple games,” Wohner said. “It’s only getting harder. We’re getting good opponents.”
Wohner and the Wolfpack will look to continue this impressive run on Sunday when they take on Rutgers at 1 p.m.
GRIFFIN BRYANT/TECHNICIAN
Senior midfielder Annika Wohner battles a defender for the ball during NC State’s home game against Charlotte at Dail Soccer Field on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. Wohner scored two goals. The Wolfpack beat the 49ers 3-1.
Josiah Lee Correspondent
Matthew Burkhart
Colby Trotter
Connor VanDerMark
Aidan Carlson
Wilson, McMahon headline rookie class of 2024 NFL Pack Pros
Some of NC State football’s most talented players were deservedly rewarded with opportunities at the NFL level this season with projections to make immediate impacts on Sundays. Featuring the likes of linebacker Payton Wilson, center Dylan McMahon and more, let’s dive into the biggest rookie Pack Pros in the NFL this season.
Payton Wilson, linebacker
It takes a rare player to jump off the screen the way Wilson did with the Pack. Numerous trophies, titles and distinctions marked his senior year at NC State. Wilson was named the best linebacker in the country with the Butkus Award and was named the best overall defensive player with the Bednarik Award. Nonetheless, NFL teams remained skeptical for reasons outside of the former four-star’s indisputable talent. Knee and shoulder injuries marred Wilson’s early years at State and even date back to his high school years, giving a number of teams hesitation throughout the draft process.
At the NFL combine, Wilson came out with the highest overall performance score of any linebacker in Indy, showcasing what made him so successful as a positionless player on defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s defense. That masterclass led Pittsburgh to take a chance on Wilson in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft, hoping to bank on his superstar potential.
The polished rookie currently sits second on the Steelers’ depth chart at inside linebacker behind recently signed Pro Bowler Patrick Queen. Wilson was Pittsburgh’s leading tackler in its preseason opener against Houston and finished the preseason with nine tackles and one tackle for a loss.
Dylan McMahon, center
McMahon may be NC State’s most substantial loss on offense, regardless of position. After starting 44 games in Raleigh, the three-time All-ACC-Academic standout seeks to continue where he left off for the Wolfpack. Although he endured uncertain quarterback play throughout his tenure, McMahon stood out with a consistency and poise that emulated his captain status.
Showcasing his traits at the NFL Com-
bine with a 7.26-second 3-Cone Drill — which was second among all linemen — the nimble center proved intriguing to multiple teams prior to draft night. His overall athleticism score of 95 ranked second among all linemen in the draft. In the end, it was the Eagles who snagged the former fifth-year graduate student in the sixth round of the draft.
The 23 year-old seemed to be a perfect fit in head coach Nick Siriani’s offense, as it relies heavily on sweep and counter plays led by athletic, pulling interior lineman like the recently retired Jason Kelce. However, despite a solid training camp and a seemingly comfortable preseason showing with Philly, McMahon was curiously waived during the team’s final roster preparations. He was signed to the team’s practice squad less than a day later and will spend the year learning behind seasoned veterans.
Trent Pennix, tight end
Pennix played unique roles under multiple offensive coordinators at NC State,
playing both running back and tight end during his years with the team. The offensive chess piece finished his career with 41 carries for 240 yards paired with 55 catches for 712 yards and 12 total touchdowns.
Pennix competed in the Wolfpack’s pro day, playing both running back and tight end to highlight his versatility. His 4.60 40-yard dash and 36.5-inch vertical reiterated his ability to play with the best in the class, as both performances ranked third among tight ends and top-seventeen among running backs at the combine.
Following the draft, Pennix signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Colts and spent training camp on the roster at the running back position. After sustaining a groin injury early in the preseason, Pennix was added to Indy’s injured reserve prior to reaching a mutual injury settlement with the team in order to be released and seek new possibilities during recovery.
Other notable players
Long snapper Joe Shimko spent the offseason with the Arizona Cardinals competing for a spot on the sideline. However, his effort ultimately fell short. The reigning Patrick Mannelly Award winner, given to the nation’s top long snapper, will search for a workout opportunity elsewhere.
Coming off the heels of a quality rookie preseason showing with the Titans, kicker Braydon Narveson was waived by Tennessee and quickly claimed by the Packers. The move for Green Bay, who recently cut its starting kicker, paves the way for Narveson to immediately be first on the depth chart.
Savion Jackson couldn’t find his place in a crowded Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher rotation, getting waived early last week. Like Jackson, cornerback Robert Kennedy III was also waived by the Chargers during its roster trimming. Kennedy was on the cusp of making the 53-man roster, leaving optimism that he could find a new home.
KATIE RYDER/TECHNICIAN
Graduate linebacker Payton Wilson celebrates with his teammate, senior linebacker Jaylon Scott, during the game against Notre Dame at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. The Wolfpack fell to the Fighting Irish 45-24.
Josiah Lee Correspondent
2024 NC STATE FOOTBALL
See page 15
