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Wednesday, October 16, 2019
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pg. 2 | The future of UC’s pg. 10 | Six questions digital media ambitions with the lead of CCM play CCM alumnus makes dinosaurs come alive DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR Growing up, Douglas Puskas had been an active performer at regional theaters in the Cleveland area. From his peers, it was expected Puskas would continue to pursue theater in college, but when it was time to apply, Puskas new he wanted to work on the stage in a different medium — as a scenic designer. Puskas began to have an interest in scenic design when he was 8 years old. He remembers seeing a Disney on Ice show and realizing he could have a career working behind the scenes. “I was looking in the back of the program and there were all
these people with fancy headshots,” Puskas said. “There were all these actor people, but then there were also all these people that do something else that is super creative — they can create a world in their head and then put that on stage.” With no outlets to put scenic design into practice at such a young age, Puskas started off as a performer, remembering in the back of his mind he would one day get to work in the design side of things. In high school, while performing on the stage at regional theaters, Puskas would help design shows and assistant direct at school. After earning a scenic This Story Continued on Page 4
“We are extremely proud of Officer Cronin and Harley,” said UCPD Chief Maris Herold in a press release. “They are a valuable addition to our K9 Unit, and will improve the UCPD’s capability to respond to events on campus and in the region.” PROVIDED | UC PUBLIC SAFETY
UCPD introduces new K9 unit QUINLAN BENTLEY | STAFF REPORTER The University of Cincinnati Police Department (UCPD) has added a second unit to its K9 division, which now includes the first female explosivesdetection K9 handler in the Cincinnati region. Officer Lori Cronin has been with UCPD since 2005 and previously worked patrols and special events. Cronin and her new police dog, Harley, were required to complete over 120 hours of training to receive a certification from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission. Cronin and Harley will join Officer Lance Long and K9 Dozer in ensuring the safety of all campus events as well as assisting local law enforcement in
explosives-detection. “We are extremely proud of Officer Cronin and Harley,” said UCPD Chief Maris Herold in a press release. “They are a valuable addition to our K9 Unit, and will improve the UCPD’s capability to respond to events on campus and in the region.” UCPD received funding for both Harley and Dozer through the Matt Haverkamp Foundation – a nonprofit dedicated to continuing its namesake’s mission to fund K9 units for Greater Cincinnati police departments. Officer Haverkamp was a University of Cincinnati alumni and Golf Manor police officer who passed This Story Continued on Page 2
Douglas Puskas, a University of Cincinnati graduate, has started a project building animatronic dinosaurs. PROVIDED | DOUGLAS PUSKAS
NEWS
October 16, 2019
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The future of digital media at UC UCPD adds first female explosivesMITCHELL PARTON | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR The fall of 2015 marked the fulfillment of a massive collaborative effort within the University of Cincinnati backed by then-UC President Santa Ono — to combine the school’s existing media education resources into an all-encompassing, interdisciplinary degree program. Utilizing seed funding from Ono’s “Transformation Fund” matched by the CollegeConservatory of Music (CCM); the College of Design, Art, Architecture and Planning (DAAP); the McMicken College of Arts & Sciences (A&S); and UC Libraries, the Digital Media Collaborative (DMC) was born. To spearhead the new program, UC brought on a promising husbandand-wife team from DePaul University in Chicago: Matt Irvine would serve as the program’s director and Kristyn Benedyk would serve as an associate professor. Both were known for pioneering film programs — Irvine helped establish DePaul’s School for Cinematic Arts and founded its Digital
MICHAEL HOUGE/THE DALLAS MORNING NEW 2005
Cinema program, while Benedyk helped launch the university’s screenwriting program. “Digital media is scattered here and there, and production has no central place. DePaul was like that when I came here 18 years ago,” Irvine told film industry publication Reel Chicago in July 2015. “My job is to bring the elements together and structure a new school. It’s incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to build something new again. I do have the experience, but I’m also nervous.” Irvine and Benedyk’s appointments were split between the three colleges and UC Libraries, according to July 2015 contracts for Irvine and Benedyk obtained by The News Record. Both were tasked to teach existing courses in their first year and build a concentration or minor program as well as a major by the end of the 2017-2018 academic year. In Fall 2016, the DMC launched its Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (BIS) program, which paired together DMC courses in screenwriting, film direction and game design with courses from CCM, DAAP and A&S
departments to form an undergraduate degree path. Instead of having a concrete progression from foundational to advanced courses in one specific discipline, such as in a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, students would pick elective courses that satisfy certain categories. Steve Depoe, department head and professor of communication, said the program presented an educational philosophy of exposure to a wide variety of experiences and classes, but didn’t necessarily give students the depth of a traditional major. He said the BIS has been used to pilot programs at UC, including neuroscience. The DMC expanded from 25 to 94 students from fall 2016 to fall 2017, according to the Office of Institutional Research. “It has a lot of appeal to students, which is good,” Depoe said. “I think that a lot of jobs are out there where content creation can be the basis for the job, so this major grew fairly quickly.” DMC students said the program did not fulfill This Story Continued from Page 3
detection K9 unit in Cincinnati area
UCPD received funding for both Harley and Dozer through the Matt Haverkamp Foundation. PROVIDED | UC PUBLIC SAFETY
This Story Continued from Page 1 away tragically in a car accident in 2005. It was through his advocacy and fundraising that the Golf Manor Police Department was able to obtain its own K9 unit. Since 2006 the foundation has raised approximately $630,000 and has funded 69 K9 units in Greater Cincinnati, said Officer Haverkamp’s mother, Nancy Haverkamp, who runs the foundation. “We decided that was the best way to remember him,” she said. Most of the foundation’s funds come from donations and its 5k pursuit, which registered
about 1,100 attendees last year and gives people the chance to interact with some of their local K9s. Because of the constant training units performed daily, it’s important for K9s and their handlers to have a strong bond, said Haverkamp. “Most of them are just so incredibly passionate about their K9 partners,” she said. Cronin met Harley earlier this year at a kennel in Indiana that specifically caters to K9 units and the pair connected instantly, she said. “Harley loves being around me, and follows me everywhere I go,” Cronin said. “She was an instant hit at home, my
grandson is obsessed.” Having served in law enforcement for 27 years, Cronin acknowledged becoming a handler so far along in her career may seem like a late transition but she doesn’t regret doing so. “When you want something bad enough, you work hard and make it happen and that’s what I intend to do,” she said. Cronin’s father, who was also a police officer, had a K9 named King when she was growing up, which sparked her interest in K9 handling. “I am so excited for this next chapter in my career,” she said. “I always want to be the best at whatever task I take on, and this is no exception.”
October 16, 2019
NEWS
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UC digital media initiative seeks stability, focused vision
A future digital media BA program would be housed within the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences. MITCHELL PARTON | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
This Story Continued from Page 2 exactly what Irvine and Benedyk told them it would. Naim David, who graduated from the DMC in May, said he was promised the department would help his class find film production internships in Los Angeles — which never happened. “For me, it was kind of why I wanted to do the DMC,” David said. “It was just on that being something that they were going to do.” Nathan Epstein, a fourth-year digital media collaborative student, said in the DMC’s first three years, its directors recruited him and his colleagues with promises of a comprehensive film degree, which would provide everything from advanced screenwriting to directing and editing classes. “The university has shown a complete disinterest in remedying any of the misrepresentation and deceit that has occurred, no doubt in part because it would affect its bottom line,” Epstein said. “Students have been haphazardly led down the alleys of CCM, DAAP and A&S as to what classes should be taken in the void of the comprehensive, regimented program that was pitched to them.” An explanation for aggressive recruiting strategies could come from Irvine and Benedyk’s initial contracts, which offered the duo with monetary bonuses tied to enrollment growth — up to $44,700 for Irvine and up to $29,800 for Benedyk. The clause appears to have been removed from the duo’s subsequent contracts, and such an incentive is prohibited by the Section 487 (a)(20) of the Higher Education Act (HEA), which prohibits the university from “providing incentive compensation to employees or third party entities for their success in securing student enrollments.” Epstein filed a complaint via the university’s anonymous reporting platform, EthicsPoint, regarding the violation. He received the following response with no indication of action being taken by the university: “Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. The offer letters were revised in 2018 and the revised letters did not include the language referenced. Additionally, these individuals are no longer working for the university.” Irvine left UC abruptly during the 2018 fall semester, according to David and Epstein. Benedyk left UC in the 2019 spring semester to launch a digital media program at Elmhurst College near Chicago, where she now serves as associate professor of digital media and director of its digital media program. David Stradling, associate dean of humanities in the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences who now oversees the DMC, declined to comment on details of either director’s departure. In the interim, Mike Gasaway, assistant professor in the DMC, led the program as acting program director while a search for a new leader took place. Todd Herzog, department head of German studies and former director of film and media studies, became director at the start of the fall 2019 semester.
“I saw enormous student interest and wanted to use my experience at UC to stabilize the program and make it achieve what is possible,” Herzog said. Stradling said Herzog reports to him in the same way he already does for German Studies. This will bring a new sense of stability to the program’s leadership structure — Irvine’s contract didn’t clarify the program’s structure other than he would be its director. He reported to four deans across CCM, DAAP, A&S and UC Libraries. “[Irvine] knew he couldn’t talk to all the deans,” Stradling said. “He would talk to one dean and if he didn’t get what he wanted out of the one dean he would go to the other ones.” Stradling and Herzog said they are working to create a Bachelor of Arts degree in digital media to replace the current BIS program. Herzog said the roughly 250 students currently enrolled in the DMC BIS program will not be affected by this change and will continue to follow their current curriculum plan. The digital media program will eventually sit within the School of Media and Communication in A&S and the college is in the process of forming, according to Stradling. The school will bring together the DMC, film and media studies as well as communications in the same way DAAP has its School of Art. After 19 years building good relationships across the university, Herzog said he is up for the challenge of building something new, interesting and fulfilling. Herzog said he is assessing the strengths of the DMC to decide what to implement in the digital media BA program. As of now, he envisions the core of the program will be storytelling with an end goal to teach students how to tell narratives using the latest tools of digital media — such as animation, filmmaking and game design. Herzog expects to additionally train students in ethics, social responsibility and digital literacy. “We want to make sure that we train people to be flexible but embedded in a rigorous liberal arts education,” he said. As the degree is created, Stradling said it will require the input of other already existing programs on campus that involve digital media and film to make sure the digital media BA is complementary, not competitive. CCM’s electronic media program is one example, which focuses on content creation for fields such as video production, audio production, interactive media and media journalism. Kevin Burke, division head of electronic media, said his program will continue to focus on the aesthetics, theory and applied foundation of film and television production, while the DMC will touch more on the philosophical, historical and storytelling aspects of the industry. He said the two programs may overlap in some areas, but he does not expect them to compete. “We’re hoping that the future is something where we can work together,” Burke said. “That was the intent, that [the DMC] would use existing resources on campus and work on the strength of those various programs and colleges.”
The electronic media department’s television production studio, located in Mary Emery Hall, is utilized by student groups such as Bearcast Media. MITCHELL PARTON | MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
FEATURES
October 16, 2019
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How CCM prepared scenic design alumnus for ‘Jurassic World’ tour
This Story Continued from Page 1 design degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) in 2015, he began to freelance as a designer in the Cleveland area. Puskas is now a member of the animatronics team for the national touring production of “Jurassic World Live Tour.” Playing in arenas across the country, the show lets audiences come face to face with 25 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs based off of the “Jurassic World” film franchise. Tasked as a “dinosaur
technician,” Puskas has been trained to travel the made-to-scale dinosaurs and adapt them for the show. “They have to take hit to the tail every day at the same spot and that will keep breaking certain parts, so we are almost redesigning, in a sense, some of the aspects we’ve been given to make them more specific to the show and even to the performer in that role,” Puskas said. Puskas is the lead of his department and one of six technicians working to maintain and keep the animatronics up to caliber, making sure
the interior parts are working correctly and the exterior facade is scaly and realistic. While not directly related to scenic design, Puskas said CCM had prepared him for everything — even for painting dinosaur toes. “There is no training that I would rather have,” he said. “I have worked with other people and the things that I learned at CCM, it is just insane the amount of attention to detail and how deep we dive into things. They really train for any sort of situation.”
Each one is based off of a dinosaur from the franchise “Jurassic World.” PROVIDED | DOUGLAS PUSKAS
DAAP alumna grows clothing line for cancer patients DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR
An alumna from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) has launched her own clothing brand with lines dedicated to women undergoing cancer treatment. As a fashion design major in DAAP, Megan Sullivan, began developing her brand, With Grace B. Bold, as a project her second year. Drawn to designing for the medical market, Sullivan had known there was a need for fashionable clothing for women going through medical treatment. Sullivan’s own mother had been diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2001. Learning from her mother’s own treatment, Sullivan wanted to create a top that would comfortably conceal a surgical drain. The drain allows for fluids to flow from the incision after a patient undergoes a mastectomy. Using the concept as her senior University of Cincinnati Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP) student Megan Sullivan, a second-year capstone, Sullivan’s line originated fashion design major, has launched a clothing line with a dedication to women undergoing cancer treatment. as a comfortable sportswear brand. PROVIDED | MEGAN SULLIVAN However, she realized other brands a working prototype to test with I felt like this was my calling, like I like hers also produced loungewear, patients at the UC Health Barrett have to do something with this now,” so she wanted to create a high fashion Cancer Center. With Grace B. Bold Sullivan said. “People would ask me alternative. finally launched in 2017, named after in my undergrad if I was going to turn Sullivan further developed the Sullivan’s mother. this into a company and I said no, I concept for her master’s thesis, using “Women found it very helpful, and just want to help women. But it ended
up being a business.” With Grace B. Bold offers two staple pieces, the Ann Elizabeth and the Eileen. The Ann Elizabeth is a postsurgical garment with an interior pocket that holds a surgical drain. The Eileen is a wrap top without the interior pocket that anyone can wear. “I have had women wear them for many different types of reasons like to conceal pumps after a stomach surgery,” Sullivan said. “[With Grace B. Bold] has become an all-encompassing fashion brand. I didn’t want to isolate woman to a certain category.” Sullivan is now developing headwraps for patients who experience hair loss. She had been discussing her brand with her factory in New York and the idea had come to create an accessory line. Using some of the leftover material to produce the other garments, the headwraps will incorporate the design elements the garments have with an aesthetically beautiful feel. Sullivan is aiming to have the headwraps ready in early 2020. “I didn’t go into college thinking I was going to start a business,” Sullivan said. “It really was [DAAP’s fashion design program], going through that inventive process and the whole creative outlet that DAAP brings that sprung this whole creative venture.”
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October 16, 2019
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FEATURES
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DAAP Gallery opens bicentennial-themed exhibit university’s history. The Reed Gallery partnered with individuals from across campus to work with various collection and archives. “In some respects, a lot of these collections only get traffic by researchers and not necessarily the general public,” said director of DAAP Galleries, Aaron Cowan. “It is, in many cases, an archive rather a collection that is exhibited, and so we thought it would be a nice opportunity to expose the broader campus and the community to the various collections that UC houses.” In total, the gallery collaborated with seven different collections and archives:
Neil A. Armstrong’s life is celebrated in the “200 Years of Curation” exhibit after being a professor at UC during 1970s. MARY LEBUS | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR The University of Cincinnati opened a new exhibit in the DAAP Dorothy W. and C. Lawson Reed Jr. Gallery Sept. 18 honoring the innovation made possible by individuals who have contributed within the university. Titled “200 Years of Curation,” the exhibit celebrates UC’s bicentennial and displays a variety of different works and diverse objects from throughout the
• The Archives and Rare Books Library display includes “The Nuremberg Chronicle,” published in 1493 and the 1885 first edition of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” • The Robert A. Deshon and Karl J. Schlachter Library for Design, Architecture, Art and Planning display includes books created by women artists, selected by women librarians, to honor the centennial of the women’s suffrage movement. • The Henry R. Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions display includes three jars from the Cantagalli apothecary collection and a Civil War amputee kit with glass eyeballs. • The Neil A. Armstrong Commemorative Archives display includes Armstrong’s flight log book and
photographs from his 1977 Flight Test Engineering II class at UC. • The Oesper History of Chemistry Collections display includes a chemical atlas published in 1854, a pH meter from 1930 and a 1925 painting of an alchemical lab. • The Margaret H. Fulford Herbarium display includes samples of “crude drugs” from Cincinnati pharmacists and images of herbarium plant samples. • The Fine Arts Collection display includes works from a Cincinnati artist, Frances Wiley Faig, who studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and work by Tarrence Corbin, who taught at UC and the Art Academy. “200 Years of Curation” is the first in a series of exhibitions in which the gallery will partner with these collections and archives in discussions of mounting another exhibition in roughly two years. “Over the next year or so we will discuss what the strategy will be as far as how we will present those,” Cowan said. “I think next time, rather than [the exhibition] being broken into sections that feature the collections, we might work together from various collections and pair objects from the different collections over different conversations or either location or time period.” “200 Years of Curation” will be on display until Dec. 1 and is open Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Living Openly: Admissions director finds community at UC DAVID REES | FEATURES EDITOR
As the associate director of admissions at The University of Cincinnati’s College of Law, Chad Vondenhuevel has always had an instinct for helping others. Growing up in a small town called St. Mary’s in northwest, Ohio, Vondenhuevel spent his high school days working for the guidance counselors; finding himself through spending a majority of his time talking with his classmates and trying to help them with whatever they may have been going through. During that time, Vondenhuevel found himself in a lot of different social groups, which offered him many different perspectives from a young age. His senior year, Vondenhuevel decided he would major in psychology at Miami University. Eventually, he would change that to marketing. “Once I got into college and realized that job prospects for psychology were lacking, I thought what else can I do? Marketing is the psychology of business,” Vondenhuevel said. “I’ll get to know people’s behavior from the business perspective.” While at Miami University, Vondenhuevel began working for the First Miami Student Credit Union, serving as its VP of Marketing to further its marketing efforts across campus. He also became a full-time program assistant within the university’s housing, dining, recreational and business services department to create and disperse dining services marketing across campus. Vondenhuevel received his Bachelor of Business in Marketing and Interactive Media Studies Minor from Miami University in 2009. Vondenhuevel then moved to Ada, Ohio, to be the assistant director of admissions at Ohio Northern University’s College of Law. It was then that
Chad Vondenhuevel, the associate director of admissions at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Law, has been an active member of the LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association since it was first created in 2018. PROVIDED | CHAD VONDENHUEVEL
Vondenhuevel came out as a gay man. “Ada, Ohio is so small it is classified as a village,” Vondenhuevel said. “After a while of living in an area with such little LGBT representation, I was tired of feeling trapped. I wanted to feel free. I was in a new place, starting a new career, and I had no real obligations other than myself. I knew this was the time to come out.” Luckily, coming out was easier for him than most. An adjustment for his family, Vondenhuevel’s father did reach out to him saying how proud he was and
that as long as he was being true to himself and pursuing his passions then he would always be supportive. Vondenhuevel worked his way up to director of admissions at Ohio Northern’s College of Law and worked there for six years before being recruited to work for UC – drawn to UC Law’s focus on social justice. For the past three and a half years, Vondenhuevel has been the director of marketing and digital media and the associate director of admissions for the UC College of Law. Since joining UC, Vondenhuevel has been an active member in the LGBTQ Faculty and Staff Association since its creation in 2018. Surprised that a group for LGBTQ staff did not already exist, Vondenhuevel was proud to see his colleagues and the university stepping up to make it a priority. Throughout his career, Vondenhuevel said he has felt microaggressions for being gay, but looks at those experiences as educational opportunities. He does not look at being gay as an obstacle, but as a strength. To college students in the LGBTQ community, Vondenhuevel says his advice is to live authentically as possible – to wake up every day to act how you want, say what you want and do what you want. “I am proud of where I’ve come from and where I am today,” Vondenhuevel said. “I love the work I get to do. Through my profession, I consider myself to be a gatekeeper of the legal profession, as an admissions director. It’s important that students know about different opportunities, and that as an underserved community or minority group that they can make an impact by becoming an attorney, becoming a social justice warrior. Good lawyers are needed now more than ever.”
LIFE & ARTS
October 16, 2019
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Anne’s Craft Corner: Festive Halloween creations to make
pom-poms, 100 wraps would do the trick. Step 2: Slide yarn off the book while keeping the loop shape. Cut four pieces of orange string, each 10 inches and tie the loop off into four sections. Be sure to double knot each tie, you don’t want your pumpkins falling apart. Leave the tails for hanging purposes. Step 3: Cut in the middle of each section. You want the knotted part to be the middle of your pom-pom. This should give you four pumpkins. If your pumpkin is a little to shaggy, don’t be afraid to give it a haircut and cut off some of the excess with your scissors. Candy corn and pumpkin jars mason jars make a great craft Step 4: Cut four pieces of green string, each 10 idea for fall. ANNE SIMENDINGER | LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR inches long. Tie them over your orange tail and double knot. For the stem, make a slip knot, just ANNE SIMENDINGER | LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR with the green string, on top of the double knot. Cut to desired length. Pumpkin Pom-Pom Garland Step 5: Tie your pumpkins to the hanging yarn and hang to enjoy. Supplies: • 1 spool of orange yarn Candy Corn and Pumpkin Mason Jars • 1 spool of green yarn • 1 spool of yarn to hang the pumpkins (color Supplies: of your choice) • 2 mason jars • Scissors • 1 spool of thick, sheer, orange ribbon • Thin, hardback book (Children’s books work • 1 spool of thick, sheer, yellow ribbon perfectly) • 1 spool of thick, sheer, white ribbon • Cinnamon sticks Instructions: • 1 spool of orange yarn Step 1: Wrap the orange yarn around the book; • 1 spool of green yarn don’t cut the yarn until after you have wrapped • Double sided tape the book. In the image above, I wrapped the • Electric votives (optional) yarn about 50 times, but if you would like fuller
Instructions: Candy Corn Jar Step 1: Place double sided tape all over your jar. (I tried taping as I went the first time, and it was a special kind of Tim Burton-esque nightmare) Step 2: Wrap white ribbon once around the top section of the jar. Step 3: Wrap yellow ribbon once around the middle section of the jar. Don’t be afraid to overlap! It creates a more even flow and looks cleaner. Step 4: Wrap orange ribbon around enough times to cover the bottom section of the jar. Step 5: Place votive candle (electric, of course) inside the jar, seal, and tie a bow around the lid for a finishing touch. I used orange for my candy corn jar. Pumpkin Jar Step 1: Place double sided tape all over your jar. Keep the tape handy, you’ll need it again for this jar. Step 2: Wrap the jar completely in orange ribbon. Tape as needed. Step 3: Pick a cinnamon stick and hot glue it to the middle of the lid. Remember, pumpkin stems come in all shapes and sizes, so the length doesn’t matter. Step 4: Place votive candle inside the jar, seal, and tie a bow around the lid for a finishing touch. For this jar, I used green to act as the leaves.
Get Out And Do Something: Oct. 18 to Oct. 20
EMMA BALCOM | STAFF REPORTER FRIDAY, OCT. 18
Buried Secrets Ghost Tour: Forget the fake blood and jump scares of traditional haunted houses and go experience real hauntings this weekend. Beginning at Washington Park and making its way through landmarks like Memorial Hall and Music Hall, this tour dives deep into rumors of paranormal activity that’ve persisted for decades. Discover ghastly stories behind what’s proclaimed as “one of Cincinnati’s most haunted neighborhoods” and book your place in the tour today. 6:30, 7:00,
9:00, or 9:30p.m. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St.
A Bread Maker’s Garden: The fantastical place that is Krohn Conservatory is emphasizing the importance of grains in its gardens. While plants like wheat and rye are the stars of the show, you can’t help admiring the rest of the whimsical greenery as well. Bask in the light amongst brightly colored chrysanthemums and aster flowers of the lovely and whimsical worlds of Krohn’s gardens. 10a.m.-5p.m. Krohn Conservatory, 1501 Eden Park Dr. SATURDAY, OCT. 19 Weekend Workout: The arrival of cold weather can have the power to keep you inside for the season, but don’t let it. Washington Park is having its final session for you to keep up a healthy lifestyle, offering free classes that include yoga, zumba, or kickboxing: the perfect way to start your winter workout. Get a group to sweat it out in frigid morning air (and don’t hesitate to celebrate the success with a long hot shower or a nice warm meal). 9a.m. Washington Park, 1230 Elm St.
The Aronoff Center for the Arts will be putting on “Dream State,” at 5 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. WIKIMEDIA.ORG
Dream State: Make sure to buy tickets to attend “Dream State,” a gruesome yet expressive production aimed at illustrating a grisly story. The show will be performed by
Exhale Dance Tribe, known as Cincinnati’s first Contemporary Dance company, and they’ll be sure to impress with their array of diverse, talented artists. Aimed at acting as a “voice” for the area, their performance is certain to move you, whether with intrigue or disturbance you’ll soon find out. 5:00, 8:00p.m. Aranoff Center for the Arts, 650 Walnut St. SUNDAY, OCT. 20 Fall Food Fest: Everything autumn is gathered at Findlay Market this Sunday, celebrating the arrival of that crisp fall air and the leaves changing colors. Walk around the site to sample a delicious variety of fall-themed foods, take your chance at the spooky scavenger hunt, or paint a pumpkin to take home for the holiday. 10a.m.-4p.m. Findlay Market, 1801 Race St. Jidenna - 85 to Africa Tour: Jidenna, an award winning musician, is performing at Bogart’s this Sunday to share his music and story. An artist defined as having “man-about-town swagger” and “global appeal,” Jidenna has risen to fame by sharing stories with his audience through songs, singing of the meaning he’s found in his own unique experiences. Jive through the night and enjoy an exemplary mix of smooth vocals with upbeat R&B sounds. 7p.m. Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St.
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LIFE & ARTS
October 16, 2019
Page 8
Six questions with Jabari Carter of ‘Curious Incident’ neighbor’s dog.
University of Cincinnati fourth-year acting student Jabari Carter plays as Christopher Boone in the rehearsal of the College-Conservatory of Music’s production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-TIme,” on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019 in the Cohen Family Studio Theater in Cincinnati. PROVIDED | JABARI CARTER
ANNE SIMENDINGER | LIFE AND ARTS EDITOR Jabari Carter, a fourth-year acting student, was given quite the beautiful challenge of playing Christopher Boone in the University of Cincinnati CollegeConservatory of Music’s production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” The play, which runs Oct. 17-20, tells the story of young Christopher with an extraordinary mind and the journey he goes on to solve the murder mystery of his
Simendinger: How would you describe Christopher? Carter: Where do I even start? Christopher is a boy who sees the world like no one else. Numbers, patterns and geometry shape his world. In our production, you see this manifest itself in stage through every design aspect of the show. Christopher is clever, sensitive, intelligent and of course, curious. He lets his imagination fly when everyone else just wishes he’d be quiet, and he never stops until he reaches his goals. I hope one day I can grow up and be half as determined as Christopher. Simendinger: As you’ve gotten to know the character through rehearsals, have you found similarities between you and Christopher? Differences? Carter: Christopher and I are much more similar than I thought when I started my work on the show. At first, I was genuinely intimidated by his mind. It’s a weird feeling when you know you’re playing a character that is not only younger than you, but years smarter. But as we continued, I remembered my relentless curiosity and the hunger for knowledge that I still possess. As a kid, I did nothing but ask, “Why?” I bet my mother would love to chime in to agree with me right now. I always needed an answer and an explanation for everything, and I wouldn’t stop until I had it. This is a trait that I
admire so much in Christopher and one that we still share.
Simendinger: What has been the highlight of working on the production? Carter: This show has allowed my process to grow tremendously. I’ve been challenged with so many difficult balls to juggle playing this role, and I’ve never felt stronger as an actor. There really isn’t one single highlight but a combination of working on dialect, character development and how to find a love for math again that have been highlights of working on this role. I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity. Simendinger: Have there been any obstacles to overcome in telling this story? Carter: There is always that fear of how people might receive your work as an actor. Will people like me? Will they accept my performance and deem it worthy? Am I doing this character justice? How can I play someone on the spectrum? All these questions of doubt pop up in your head, and it’s been a complete blast fighting these judgments and allowing myself to be free of them. So, doubt really has been the biggest obstacle, knowing that what I’m doing is enough and knowing that there is no perfect way to get a character “right,” there’s only my way when I’m playing him. Simendinger: How do you think a story like Curious Incident is relevant in today’s
society? Carter: Autism is still a mystery to most of us neurotypical people. As we study it, it becomes more and more elusive, displaying a color wheel a varying degrees of symptoms and severity. The show helps people see what can be possible for someone on the spectrum. While everyone is different, the story never explicitly states what Christopher has and it is never used as a crutch in his mind. He is always fighting to overcome what people around him say he cannot do. It’s truly a coming-of-age story not for those just on the spectrum but for everyone who’s ever been told they can’t do this or that. It’s a story that uplifts those who dare to dream in a society that constantly tells them to start waking up and get back to reality. Simendinger: Is there one thing in particular you hope audiences take away after seeing the play? Carter: Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do what you set your mind to. Our mind is the most powerful thing we have, and it is something no one can take away from you. I want people to walk away from this show feeling inspired and determined. We aren’t limited by ourselves, but by those around us who seek to pull us down. Let this show help you rise up against that. Read the full interview with Jabari Carter on the News Record website: newsrecord.org
SPORTS
UC basketball: How Brannen has changed the pace SPENCER SCHULTZ | SPORTS EDITOR
UC men’s basketball player Trevon Scott reacts during “Bearcats Madness” Oct 4 at Fifth Third Arena. ALEX MARTIN | PHOTO EDITOR
The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team underwent an overhaul this offseason, welcoming head coach John Brannen and seven newcomers to the program. With a new staff comes a different direction of the historic program and a different style of play for prominent returners Jarron Cumberland, Trevon Scott and Keith Williams. The three will be running with new faces and a new pace. “Offensively, we want to push the ball in transition as quick as possible, not necessarily take the first shot in the first seven seconds, but take the first available good shot,” Brannen said in a news conference Tuesday. “Defensively, we want to force a late shot clock by utilizing our press and different forms of pressure along with a gap defense. Elite teams push the pace offensively and control the tempo defensively.” It’s been hard to establish that pace in practice with three players being
sidelined with injuries. Cumberland was a fourth player not participating in practice but has returned in a limited manner recently after recovering from a nagging foot injury. Cumberland is one of a number of shooters UC will have this season, which could turn problematic if one of them is open early in the shot clock. “There’s no fine line [when to take open looks],” Brannen said. “We’re paced to first available turnover, so we have to clean up the turnovers first. This group to this point, I haven’t talked about shot selection. They’ve been really good in practice about it. It starts with Jarron, who’s really unselfish and Tre Scott’s a really good passer so they’ve got a culture in sharing the basketball.” Last year, UC maintained a slower pace under Mick Cronin. The Bearcats had senior guards Justin Jenifer and Cane Broome as primary ball handlers who rarely pushed the ball up the floor. There were times on fast breaks and times of urgency near the
end of close games, but every team experiences those. Brannen comes with a pedigree of pushing the pace while winning three Horizon League Championships in four years at Northern Kentucky University (NKU). Something the two coaches have in common is the ability to pressure opposing teams. Cronin and UC surrendered only 62.7 points per game — 14th best in the nation. NKU held teams to 68.9. “The style is way different,” Scott said. “It’s a faster pace. The coaches last year were great and the coaches this year are great, so they establish the pace in their own ways. Everything is different, but it’s not anything we haven’t seen or been through before.” The season hasn’t started yet, but a new environment and style could lead UC to a deep run in March — something it hasn’t experienced in the last three years with a first-round exit last year and two second-round losses before that.
SPORTS
October 16, 2019
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UC women’s soccer has highest GPA in country LOGAN LUSK | STAFF REPORTER
The University of Cincinnati women’s soccer team was honored by the United States Coaches for having the joint-highest GPA in all of NCAA four-year institutions for the 2018-19 academic year, joining St. John’s University with a 3.79. The Bearcats earned placement on the list by maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA for the academic year, and it’s their fifth straight year doing so. The GPA is the highest across all men’s and women’s soccer programs of all four divisions in the nation (990 teams). “I’m really proud of the effort they’ve put in,” UC head coach Neil Stafford said. “These aren’t easy majors that the girls have and we’ve got great support from student-athlete services.” Stafford is no stranger to his student-athletes succeeding academically, as he spent four years at Central Michigan University (CMU) before arriving at UC. CMU held the highest GPA in the nation three times during his tenure (2009-10, 2010-11 and 201112). “It’s part of the big picture of what they’re doing after they’re done here,” Stafford said. “Academics are a big part of our culture of excellence, and I think it speaks to the quality of kids we’re bringing to UC.” Toward the latter half of the academic year in the spring semester, the team obtained a program-record 3.813 GPA. During that semester, 10 players from the team were “Topcats” — a recognition given to student-
athletes that post a 4.0 GPA. Current Topcats include sophomores Brandi Thomsen, Annie Metzger and Ying Zhan; junior Jane Sensibaugh, and seniors Holyn Alf, Michelle Travassos and Libby Greenwell. Alf was a finalist for UC’s Jean Stephens Memorial Award last year and can attest that keeping academics prioritized in the life of a student-athlete isn’t easy. “It’s definitely difficult, especially with all the traveling,” Alf said. “It can be really hard to keep up with classes. But I think our team is super proactive and aware of these difficulties. We’re really trying to reach our potential in all areas, and this signifies how hard we work both on and off the field.” The proficiency of communication off the field is just as important as it is on the field, as the players remain in constant communication with more than each another throughout the four-month season. “Our squad does a really good job of making relationships with our professors and letting them know ahead of time what our schedule is looking like,” Alf said. “They can plan ahead for make-up tests and things of that sort. We also tend to make relationships with our fellow classmates, so we can kind of lean on them for help and get the day-to-day information we may have missed.” Women’s soccer will play two road games at Southern Methodist University and University of Houston this week, before returning to Gettler Stadium Oct. 24 for a match with South Florida University.
The University of Cincinnati women’s soccer team fell to Northwestern University 2-0 on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019 at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati. ADAM DOTY | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
UC football: Ja’von Hicks shines in increased role on defense SPENCER SCHULTZ | SPORTS EDITOR
The University of Cincinnati football team had another strong performance on defensive at the University of Houston last Saturday, and sophomore Ja’von Hicks was a key contributor in three of the Bearcats’ five takeaways. Hicks came up with two interceptions and recovered a fumble that led to UC scoring 21 total points, but he and the defense weren’t perfect. They gave up two 50-plus yard touchdown passes, including a 69-yarder early in the third quarter Hicks was responsible for. “Hicks was probably one of those great examples of continuing to battle and be successful,” UC head coach Luke Fickell said Tuesday. “He gave up a big touchdown pass and responded really well in all phases, and I think that’s the growing opportunities you have to be successful in.” The Cincinnati native was thrown into the fire just days before the season opening win over UCLA after junior safety James Wiggins tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in practice and will miss this the season. Hicks’s new role didn’t start off strong, as he committed two costly penalties against the Bruins, but has learned from his mistakes over the past month and a
University of Cincinnati safety, Javon Hicks (3), breaks up a pass intended for UCF wide receiver Jacob Harris (87) on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. ALEX MARTIN | PHOTO EDITOR
half. “At the beginning, the process was worse because when I first got thrown out there, I knew I had big shoes to fill with Wiggins, and I had to live up to his standard and still play my game,” Hicks said. “As the season has gone on, I’m more confident and hopefully I can get
better each and every week.” As Hicks has gotten better, the entire defense has too. Despite a 42-point loss to Ohio State University in week two, UC is giving up an average of 18.5 points per game since and has forced nine turnovers over the past two weeks. After forcing the nine combined turnovers
against University of Central Florida and Houston, the Bearcats’ are now +6 in turnover margin, which is 11th best in the nation. Hicks has 20 total tackles, two fumble recoveries and three interceptions thus far. The interceptions which may have come easy, as the 6-foot-2 safety was a two-way player during his time at Colerain High School. Hicks hauled in 31 receptions for 640 yards during his three years on varsity. Receiving ability has helped Hicks in the long run, as he was awarded American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week Monday for his performance against Houston. He said he won’t let the accomplishment go to his head. “It’s extremely cool,” Hicks said. “Just shows my team and I are working hard and have been pushing in practice and showing it on the field. Me getting takeaways helps the team believe in me. I can’t get comfortable with myself. I just have to stay humble.” The Bearcats have a favorable upcoming schedule with games against Tulsa (2-4), East Carolina (3-3) and UConn (1-5) — who all rank in the bottom five in the American Athletic Conference for total offense.
OPINION
October 16, 2019
Opinion: America needs to fix its problem with infrastructure
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Fox News anchor, Tucker Carlson. TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE
Infrastructure reform was heavily debated during the 2016 presidental election. DREW SMITH | HERALD DEMOCRAT
SAM MANGOLD-LENETT | STAFF REPORTER It’s hard to think of the country that fostered minds of people like Benjamin Franklin, the Wright Brothers and Nikola Tesla as lazy but let’s face it; there is a lethargic orthodoxy when it comes to problem solving in America. While we were once the ingenuity capital of the world, we are starting to lag behind countries like Japan, the United Arab Emirates and the Netherlands. Whereas, the United States is still very much an economic force not be trifled with — thanks largely to the economic reforms and deregulatory measures taken by the Trump administration — we are being outpaced across the world in one extremely important, and routinely overlooked, field: infrastructure. No matter how you approach the issue, the fact remains that the infrastructure in this country is in dismal condition, as our bridges are decaying faster than we can replace them, the pipes that carry our drinking water are archaic, our rail system is a relic of the past and our interstate highway system is perpetually in shambles. With all this being so, I have one key question to pose; why? The United States is the preeminent global superpower and yet our infrastructure across the country is in shambles. Having campaigned heavily on infrastructure reform during the 2016 presidential election — along with many other things — President Trump has, in fact, began to enact top-down policy to stimulate the replacement and advancement of some of our infrastructure. The focus being placed on reform for water infrastructure and enabling communities to streamline disaster relief construction. However, this is simply not enough. The American Society of Civil Engineers predicts that
the US economy will lose just under $4 trillion in GDP — between 2016 and 2025 — due to infrastructure issues affecting commerce. If it decays even further, they estimate the loss to hit $14 trillion by 2040. We aren’t going to get anywhere by simply throwing federal grant money at the issue. When has this approach solved anything? I’m not going to sit here and say the government should not spend any money on infrastructure, because that is simply naïve and does not reflect the society in which we live. I will, however, maintain that reckless federal spending will do nothing but further entrench us in debt and likely create more problems than it would solve. So, now what? How do we proceed? How can we move our outdated and decaying infrastructure system into the 21st century in a way that is environmentally conscientious, economical and sustainable? At the time of writing, I think there are two caveats that will set American infrastructure up for success in the future: empower American entrepreneurs and allow states and municipalities more input and control over how infrastructure is developed within its borders. The Trump Administration’s “Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure in America” is a great example of this, but it isn’t enough to get us where we need to go. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great start, but it doesn’t really account for tomorrow. It’s a great plan for the infrastructure of yesterday. We need to elevate local leaders, municipal stakeholders, city and rural planners and find creative alternatives that utilize the infrastructure frameworks we already have built. This cannot be a top down effort aimed at rejuvenation, it must be a grassroots renaissance to awake the sleeping giant that is the goliath of American infrastructure’s potential.
Opinion: Why Fox News will always spark criticism SAMUEL SCHELL-OLSEN | OPINION EDITOR Remember the sayings your teachers told you growing up, “It’s okay to be different” or “Stand out from a crowd”? Well, turns out that is a lie. For example, Fox News. It’s no mistaking what people and rival networks think of Fox News. “You think that the CNN hosts can aggressively challenge government officials? I don’t think so. It doesn’t look that way at all. And of course, when you get to Fox News, they’re a whole different animal: they’re purely propaganda,” said progressive broadcaster Cenk Uyger. Fox News has been famously known as the news channel that your grandparents would watch, as it leans right-wing. People don’t like Fox News for the obvious reason that they aren’t leftwing. According to a Harvard study in 2017 that analyzed the news coverage of President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office, CNN and NBC had a 93% negative tone toward Trump and CBS wasn’t far behind at 91%. Where did Fox News rank? Fox News had a 52% negative tone toward Trump. Of course, anyone who remotely disproves of Trump will want Fox News to get in line with the other networks. There is the accusation that Fox News is far-right, or even to CNN host Brian Stelter “state-run media.” Some hosts like Laura Ingraham and Tucker Carlson are in fact more right-wing than preferred, and have questionable political views, especially with immigration. But are they any worse than CNN host Don
Lemon, who has said quite terrible things himself and NBC host Brian Williams, a known liar? At least Fox News doesn’t only cave to one political side, contrary to MSNBC, who only has left-wing hosts of note. Fox News has plenty of neutral to left-wing hosts on its channel, such as analyst Juan Williams and former DNC chair Donna Brazile. Fox News also has neutral reporters such as Emmy Award winning journalist Chris Wallace, and news anchor Bret Baier. To say Fox News is only right-wing is false. Even Fox News can ruffle the President’s feathers from time to time, despite Trump’s obvious preference to the network. “The New @FoxNews is letting millions of GREAT people down! We have to start looking for a new News Outlet. Fox isn’t working for us anymore!” Trump tweeted. Admirably, Fox News didn’t cave, instead several hosts stood its ground. For example Fox News host Neil Cavuto said “Mr. President, we don’t work for you. I don’t work for you. My job is to cover you, not fawn over you or rip you. Just report on you.” Is it to say Fox News is perfect? Of course not. The sexual harassment scandals for example, show Fox News is far from perfect. Fox News has let several questionable people on its shows, but guess what? So has other networks. Overall, the truth about Fox News is that it’s the only mainstream news outlet that is right-wing, and because of that, it will always have criticisms other networks may not have to deal with.
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October 16, 2019
Sudoku By The Mepham Group
Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9, without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square. Does it sound complicated? Each Sudoku grid comes with a few spaces already filled in; the more spaces filled in, the easier the game – the more difficult Sudoku puzzles have very few spaces that are already filled in.
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