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Courtney Blackett Photo Editor courtneyblacket@oakland.edu
Kurt Szymanski Sports Editor kurtszymanski@oakland.edu
Adrian Jimenez Morales Campus Editor ajimenezmorales@oakland.edu
Chelsea Bossert Arts Editor cbossert@oakland.edu
Noah Francis Features Editor nfrancis2@oakland.edu
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Moe Del Rosario Reporter
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Matilde Rabajoli Reporter
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Garry Gilbert Editorial Adviser
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248.370.2105
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CENTER
(CCE) hosts town hall event “24 Election Debrief: Now What?” with journalist Christy McDonald and OU professors Nicole Asmussen Mathew and David Dulio.
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Master Plan: Improved dining, parking and third spaces
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
With five months left until their final planning stage, Arcadis, a planning consultant agency, hosted Campus Master Plan Open Houses with students, faculty and other stakeholders to evaluate the proposals that will transform Oakland University in the years to come.
At the Oakland Center, the library and South Foundation Hall, the Arcadis team concentrated on high-traffic areas to receive input from passing students regarding changes to dining, parking, renovations, green areas and other proposals.
“There’s kind of this overall impression that Oakland University is a hidden gem, even within Oakland County so it’s way more cost-effective to build on the already cool things,” Nicholas Kothari, Arcadis project manager, said. “That’s what I think we’re focusing on, the very pragmatic way to think about campus transformation, rather than building a bunch of new things.”
Initially calling for qualifications and proposals in November 2023, OU partnered with Arcadis to draft a plan for the next 10 years of campus-wide transformations. The nine “master plan leads,” with the help of sub-consultants narrowed down the five big moves:
• Activate the core: define and enhance campus green, and optimize academic spaces
• Engage at the periphery: improve community connections and walkability
• Diversify the campus community: celebrate learning, diversity and wayfinding at OU
• Make on-campus experience purposeful: amplifying learning, residential life and sustainability
As students annotated posters with post it notes and passed the mic around during focus sessions, the main points of interest were improved dining experience, third spaces and parking management.
Improved Dining Experience
“Meal plans could be restructured,” Alex Porter, dining consultant, said. “We want to do that through continuous 24-hour dining options and you would not have swipes anymore that were decreased. It would be an unlimited meal plan where you pay your rate and then you could go to any of the unaudited dining facilities continuously throughout the day.”
While all tentative and in a draft stage, the dining landscape is planned to change by Fall 2025, Porter said, with expanded hours at the OC’s Pioneer Food Court and all dining halls. A tentative $20-day pass for unlimited food at the OC and a complete overhaul of the menu were also discussed to maintain food quality and variety across campus.
Third Spaces
“If we focus the energy in one spot that helps each renovation support one another, rather than have something way out in a corner that activates the campus,” Kothari said. “We are concentrating the energy where people are really going to feel it. So
they feel that their people are here, they’re going to make a friendship and meet their colleagues here.”
Turning the 50 parking slots in front of Hillcrest and the similar space next to Wilson Hall into green areas was an idea supported by students. The “outdoor pavilion space” could include movable sitting and working fixtures, natural shade and small structures to rest while walking during the winter.
The initiative raised questions about accessibility among students who have encountered problems with outdoor spaces like the trails, the Native American Heritage Site and the outdoor learning space.
Managing Parking
Renovating Parking Lot 1 is an initiative that would impact a larger number of students. Meadowbrook Road would become a pedestrian promenade including a rainwater capture garden which would move the loop road closer to Squirrel Road, away from the OC.
With some buildings being taken offline soon like Graham Health Center and reconstructing old buildings like Anibal and Fitzgerald House, more efficient parking projects were proposed. Turning surface parking into multilevel structures in more convenient locations was the priority for parking renovations.
More quiet study spaces, an indoor tennis court, general accessibility and apartment-style residence halls were also discussed during these expositions and highlighted by students.
(Continue reading on our website)
Students take the stage at OU Has Talent
ADRIAN
JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
First-time participants, lifelong performers and rising stars displayed an increasingly outstanding array of on-stage artistic prowess at OU Has Talent.
OU senior, singer and songwriter, Grace Ricci won first place with her interpretation of “My Heart Will Go On” by Céline Dion.
“[Winning first place] feels so good,” Ricci said. “I was so stressed out with school that I haven’t been performing in a while, so it was nice to be back on stage. I was shocked that I won, but I’m very glad I did.”
An annual participant since her freshman year, Ricci was accompanied by her family and friends. “I don’t know if I’m auditioning for the next one,” Ricci said. “I feel like ending on a high note is good too, so I don’t know, I gotta see what happens.”
Cayla Stus, a Michigan-based artist and Musical Theater student, surprised the audience with a second-place award in her first appearance at OU Has Talent.
“It’s my first time doing this talent show and I won second place,” Status said. “There were a lot of really good acts, so I’m just honored to be a part of it and being part of the winners’ brackets felt so good.”
Also a senior at OU, Stus left some advice for aspiring artists beginning their careers or advancing them beyond school grounds.
“There’s nothing wrong with just putting yourself
out there, you never know what could happen,” Stus said. “I’m an active performer so I always have events going on around so the only way you’ll ever figure out what can happen is if you do it.”
Elvis Presley tribute artist and lifelong actor, Skyler Janiszewski secured third place with his interpretation of “Hound Dog.”
“I had a great time doing it, I love coming out here and getting to meet all the wonderful people before and after the show,” Janiszewski said. “I really love this community that we have at Oakland, and the wonderful community that SPB puts together with all these wonderful events.”
Shining outfit, electric moves and an analog microphone accompanied OU’s Elvis in one of many interpretations of the decade’s classic songs.
“The dressing room etiquette and everything was
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
good,” Janiszewski said. “Everybody was very kind and cordial, and people were eager to talk and be friendly, which was really nice.”
The winners were chosen by a three-judge panel featuring OU alumni, advisors and a special guest — Emagine Theater co-founder, Paul A. Glantz. However, student ovations and applause also manifested in the People’s Choice Award determined by an attendee survey.
The Infinity Kpop Dance Team won the People’s Choice Award with their medley of songs featuring “DNA” by Kendrick Lamar and “Baba O’Riley” by The Who.
“We’ve been rehearsing for the talent show since September, so it’s been a while, it’s a long time coming,” Infinity member, Jazz, said. “Our color theme this year was tan, black, white and maroon. Our songs’ theme was kind of victory/action.”
With hidden dancers in the first row jumping on stage mid-performance, Infinity surprised the audience with a variety of song mixes and props.
“I think the surprise factor definitely helped, we got the audience reacting and those cheers right from the start,” Infinity member, Tiger Xiong, said.
Eight other performers were featured at the talent show presenting original songs, musical theater performances, and interpretations of musical emblems like Paramor and Beyonce’s songs.
“Each and every one of our performers tonight is a winner, they did a spectacular job,” Glantz said. “I am truly impressed by the talent. It was very challenging to parse through these spectacular performances, but I hope you enjoyed it. I certainly did.”
‘Ink as Identity:’ Culture, resilience and honor in tattoos
MATILDE RABAJOLI Campus Reporter
Donna Voronovich, Oakland University professor, specializes in teaching Art and Archeology History, Theory and Design courses. She is also a member of the board of the Ukrainian American Archives & Museum of Hamtramck, Detroit, as well as the curator of the “Ink as Identity” exhibition.
The UAA Museum held the exhibition throughout this past summer, as it included tattoos by Detroit-based artists and some artists from the old continent. The exhibit was interactive, with attendees sharing their own inkwork and having the opportunity to be photographed.
Voronovich hosted a conversation and partial exhibition at OU, during which she included submissions from individuals of Ukrainian heritage. The presentation had various individuals from all over the Metro Detroit area and other countries who shared their personal stories imprinted in their tattoos. A questionnaire was also sent out to be presented at OU, featuring questions such as “Do you think tattoos are art?”
“So, I honestly never really thought that much about tattoos as an art form, until I started doing a little research for this exhibition, and also once we started to get the submissions, and I realized how beautiful, just aesthetically beautiful a lot of the imagery was,” Voronovich said. “There are a lot of tattoos that use templates, but especially in some of the work that we showed in the exhibition, a lot of
them are custom-made.
“They were custom designed after really giving it a lot of thought by the owner of the tattoo and working with the artist, ” Voronovich said “I have a whole new appreciation for tattoos as an art form.”
Voronovich answered questions after her
presentation and concluded with the fact that tattoos have become a form of protest and patriotism for Ukrainians all around the world.
“I think it’s important because a lot of people in the United States, even among the Ukrainian community here, kind of have war fatigue,” Voronovich said.
She mentioned the importance of keeping a level of joy and hope for the future, and as a way to physically represent this, she showed the first mural by Banksy that appeared in Ukraine. The work of art is painted on a building in Borodyanka, Ukraine that was dilapidated by airstrikes during the RussoUkrainian War.
“At the end of the day, though, this is a humanitarian crisis, people are losing their lives, they’re losing their property, they’re losing hope. We have an entire country that’s going to be experiencing post-traumatic stress, even once this conflict is resolved,” Voronovich said. “So, for anybody who’s a human being. We have to care for our fellow humanity and so, that’s probably the most important reason to keep the conversation going.”
For more information on the exhibit, visit the NPR Michigan Public article from Aug. 9. For more Ukrainian-related art, visit the Ukrainian American Archives & Museum Collection of Hamtramck, Detroit, as more upcoming events and exhibits will be hosted to celebrate the holidays and Ukrainian artists.
Town hall discussion after the election: ‘Now What?’
MATILDE RABAJOLI AND ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
On Nov. 12, the Center for Civic Engagement and WDIV Local 4 hosted another town hall event for the “Decision 2024: Your Vote” series entitled “24 Election Debrief: Now What?” going over Trump’s election victory and the changing political landscape.
Hosted at the Oakland Center’s Winter Garden, journalist Christy McDonald and OU professors Nicole Asmussen Mathew and David Dulio hosted an open discussion among students, visitors and OU administrators.
“Oakland University is like a community spot, I think, here in Oakland County, so when you can open it up to the community to be able to come in and you have a range of audience, from students to people across the community, you really get a sense of what people are talking about,” McDonald said.
As a moderator, McDonald took the Political Science professors from the national to the state level in a reading of campaign successes, changing policies and upcoming bipartisanship.
“I think the presidential race, for me, was a change election, and I think that’s reflected in the fact that Trump won the popular vote,” Dulio said. “Trump won all seven of the swing states, and the country shifted pretty dramatically from coast to coast, in terms of support for Trump, moving, in some cases, heavily or significantly more Republican in each county.”
While the effectiveness of the Trump campaign was highlighted, Mathew underscored the lower
performance of the overall Republican Party. A lack of public endorsement of Republican judicial candidates was highlighted as one of the main reasons these votes slipped.
“The Supreme Court race was really a failure of the Republican Party to get their candidates elected,” Mathew said. “They turned out a ton of people to vote for Trump, but some people left the Senate blank, a lot of people left the Supreme Court blank.”
McDonald then shifted into ad campaigns and messaging on the last days of election season. Mathew and Dulio focused on the shortcomings of the Democratic Party and their emphasis on abortion.
“The Harris campaign thought that they were going to over-perform with women, and they just performed, and they needed to do better than that,” Mathew said. “And I thought they were emphasizing the abortion issue because they thought that was going to really stick while it turns out a lot of states abortion rights are protected … that wasn’t as big of an issue for women voters as they thought it was going to be.”
“Abortion was pretty much all Democrats had, right? I mean, they couldn’t talk about the economy because people were perceiving it to be negative,” Dulio said. “They couldn’t talk about immigration, right? Those were the two big sort of policy issues … so Democrats smartly tried to make it about something where they had an advantage, and that was abortion.”
The conversation navigated through Michigan’s lame-duck session, and bipartisanship in the Senate to ultimately evaluate the integrity of the vote in times of political polarization.
Mathew offered a last view on the coming
Republican trifecta, which historically has been short-lived, highlighting that while favorable, they have many factors to work with before the midterm elections.
“Trumps got a lot of policies that might turn out to be incredibly unpopular. Tariffs on goods from other countries could exasperate inflation. Rounding up a bunch of illegal immigrants is going to produce a lot of news stories about children being separated from their parents,” Mathew said. “We’re going to have pictures of crops on the rotting on the vine because there’s no one there to pick it. So, I think that Trump’s got some work ahead of him to actually show that he can solve some of the problems that he said he was going to solve. And I think Democrats are likely to have a good year in the midterms.”
To view the full conversation, visit Local 4 Plus.
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
PHOTO BY MATILDE RABAJOLI
OU Honors College Tools Project: Final project could change the lives of many
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
Within Oakland University’s Honors College, the final project for each group was to develop a creative idea that could significantly benefit the lives of others. Students were tasked with conceptualizing solutions to real-world problems and presenting their projects in a structured format that included every key component, from initial inspiration to implementation strategies.
“We really wanted to focus on something that would have a tangible impact,” freshman Madleen Zirnsak said. “It was amazing to see how our ideas came together when we combined all different perspectives from psychology, education and public health majors. This has shown me how important it is to apply what we learn in college to solve real problems. It’s not just about getting a grade; it’s about making a difference.”
The main goals of the project were to encourage students to think critically about societal needs and to challenge them to apply their academic skills in innovative ways. Each group was given the freedom to choose a topic they felt passionate about, resulting in a diverse range of projects aimed at tackling issues such as mental health, environmental sustainability, education and healthcare accessibility.
“Working with a group made this experience
even more rewarding,” freshman Sophie Miller said. “Everyone brought something different to the table, and it was amazing to see how all of our ideas came together. We wanted our project to focus on a problem that often gets overlooked. For us, it was all about finding a way to make a small but meaningful difference.”
Beyond the classroom, the Tools Project aimed to instill in students a sense of responsibility to use their education for the greater good. By focusing on
projects that address real-world issues, the Honors College hopes to inspire students to continue pursuing meaningful work after graduation.
“The hardest part was making sure our idea was practical and sustainable,” Zirnsak said. “It’s easy to come up with solutions, but turning them into something actionable is a whole different challenge. We decided to make an app designed to give tickets to concerts or events to children in hospitals.”
Many groups chose topics they were deeply passionate about, ranging from mental health awareness to environmental sustainability. By working together, students not only developed innovative ideas but also gained valuable experience in teamwork and project planning, skills that will benefit them in their future careers.
“This project challenged me to think critically and step out of my comfort zone,” Miller said. “It was amazing to see how much we could accomplish as a team. We wanted our project to inspire others to take small actions that can make a big difference. And even though we faced a lot of challenges during the planning process, it was all worth it and finding creative solutions made our project even stronger.”
Oakland University’s Honors College continues to foster a culture of innovation and service, empowering students to use their knowledge to create positive change. For more information on the Oakland University Honors College, visit their OU webpage.
OU Day of Service: Volunteering for the greater good
DANIELA CESARIO
Features Reporter
Oakland University’s Day of Service took place on Nov. 13 and showcased the spirit of community engagement and volunteerism among its students. The event brought together students, faculty and staff to support a variety of organizations, including senior centers, animal shelters, hospitals and other nonprofit groups in the surrounding community.
“I really want to accomplish making something useful for people in need,” sophomore Makiyah Terry said. “In a sense that it makes their day get better. Even what we are doing right now, making bookmarks for kids, could lighten up their day.”
As athletes part of OU’s club volleyball team, they are required a certain number of hours of community service in order to be able to play.
“It also helps us fundraise on our end,” Terry said. “I see it benefitting us in a lot of ways, on one hand we get funding for different things we need like jerseys and better equipment. It also really helps us with our team bonding doing activities like this outside of practice.”
Terry also noted that volunteering together strengthens the team’s sense of unity and purpose. Participating in service activities allows the team to step away from the competitive environment and focus on shared goals beyond the court. These experiences help build stronger connections among
teammates while contributing to the community.
“We all come from different backgrounds, and we don’t always see each other outside of practice,” Terry said. “It definitely helps with our team chemistry. As a transfer student, I felt better connected by participating because in the ‘clurb,’ we all fam!”
While there were many students there that day, not all were there for club volleyball. Some were there as a requirement for their classes. These
simple yet impactful gestures underscored the power of compassion and the importance of lending a hand to those in need.
“The class we are in is Group Dynamics and it centers around team building,” freshman Nolan Medere said. “We do a lot of group projects, and this is the biggest one that we really do. We have to do six hours of service as a team together, along with a lot of projects too.”
This requirement encouraged students to step outside their comfort zones and collaborate in new ways, fostering a deeper understanding of teamwork. The experience also emphasized the importance of service and how small efforts, when combined, can lead to a significant impact. Many participants gravitated toward activities that resonated with them personally, finding meaningful ways to contribute to the community.
“I think everybody that comes here is here to give back,” junior Faith Rothley said. “We picked this table, ‘making cards for children in hospitals,’ because we knew it would make a difference in someone’s life.”
Oakland University’s Day of Service exemplifies the institution’s dedication to civic engagement and the importance of fostering a culture of giving back. By coming together to support the community, students not only enhance their understanding of societal needs, but also strengthen their bond with each other and the university.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OFFICE FOR STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
Academic Success Center: Prepare for finals with resources tailored to your needs
NOAH FRANCIS Features Editor
Thanksgiving break is here, meaning only a few weeks are left until the end of the semester. While it is almost time to break out the cooler temperatures, cozy sweaters and hot chocolate, final exams are the last hurdle between students and the end of the year.
To help overcome that hurdle and end the semester on a high note, the Academic Success Center (ASC) at Oakland University is a tutoring center offering a variety of different ways to help students with their studying. Whether you’re looking for help in a class, or just looking for a quiet place to study, the ASC is a one-stop-shop for academic support.
“The programs are here for students, so they can come and stay for as long as they want,” Clarisse Mikami, the ASC Interim, said. “If they want to stay here from 10am to 10pm with tutors, they can.”
The ASC offers four different types of services. There are academic support appointments, allowing students to schedule one-on-one tutoring with staff about study strategies; study groups where students can study with experienced student leaders; supplemental instruction, organized study sessions for difficult courses; and peer tutoring, drop-in
tutoring available for several beginning courses at the 1000 and 2000 levels.
All tutors at the ASC are certified and cover several of the majors around campus. Mikami says that those with classes involving math benefit the most from the center.
“There are a lot of majors that use math classes, so we have a lot of help for math students,” Mikami said. “So, math statistics is another one that most majors will require at least one statistics course. So that is something that we can help as well. A lot of, like I said, the business courses. We have help for that. We have help for physics, a lot of chemistry, a
lot of biology.”
While a majority of the services are offered in person, the ASC offers several online tools as well. The newest ASC student tool is the time management interactive system that students can use to plan out how many hours they use in the day for different activities.
“Let’s say I’m planning my classes, and I want to take 17 credits,” Mikami said. “Can I do that and still be able to do my hobbies? It’s a time management tool, so they can plan out if they have enough hours during the week to get done with everything they want.”
For students looking to become a tutor, the ASC offers campus jobs. Students can apply on Handshake for jobs such as SI (supplemental instruction) leader, a job typically chosen before a semester starts, and peer tutors, who can be chosen throughout the year.
“Basically, if we need more tutors or if you’re looking for specific courses, we may hire during the semester as well, based on demand,” Mikami said.
The ASC is located in room 1100 of Wilson Hall. For more information on the ASC and how to access their services, visit their OU webpage or visit their Instagram page @ouacademicsuccesscenter to stay up to date with their events.
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
SPB hosts Regency Ball
Story by Mallory Waligora Design by Megan Judy
Photos by Katie Reid
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Hear ye Hear ye!
On the magical night of Nov. 11, the Student Program Board (SPB) hosted a regency ball for students to have the enchanting experience of dressing up and having a fun night out on campus. Students donned their finest silks, wore their shiniest tiaras and danced the night away. The event ran from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the banquet rooms of the Oakland Center.
Various forms of entertainment filled the lively night. An artist created caricatures of those wanting a fun souvenir to take home. A jazz trio played live music throughout the night, captivating guests in a romantic and lively mood.
Student Alyssa Turner enjoyed the event, appreciating the live performance, festive atmosphere and the communal spirit of everyone dressing up.
“I really liked the music and the fact that it was live. It was really cool. I liked that everyone dressed up for the event because it just seemed very together,” Turner said.
Others liked the caricature artist, noting how it added a fun touch to the night and commented on the popularity of the attraction.
“The caricature was probably the highlight of the event. There’s been a huge line for it, and the artist is really talented,” student Marisa Cohen said.
Throughout the night, guests were offered delicious appetizers, such as turkey meatballs or spinach tartlets. A cranberry cheesecake dessert topped off the night. Students could also sip on a specialty mocktail, either a sangria punch or a sparkling peach punch.
Jadea Dorsey, the marketing director for SPB, discussed the inspiration and planning behind the first Regency Ball. Inspired by “Bridgerton,” she aimed to create a similar event for students to enjoy.
“Over the summer, I was watching 'Bridgerton' a lot, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I want to go to a Bridgeton ball.' Then I heard about the ball that was in Detroit. I didn’t go because of the ticket prices, but I also heard that it was terrible. I thought it would be cool to bring Bridgerton to Oakland,” Dorsey shared.
Due to copyright reasons, SPB couldn’t use the name “Bridgerton.” However, the event was heavily inspired by the Regency era and the Netflix television show. The event garnered significant interest, with students inquiring about attire and admission while the event was being publicized.
“When we first mentioned it by handing out flyers and Instagram posts, it got a lot of attention, and people were coming and asking about, “What to wear? Who can we bring? And is it free?” We’re just like, yes, it’s free to all students. It’s formal attire. We just want people to come and have fun,” Dorsey said.
Dorsey anticipates future events similar to the ball with possibly different themes and was pleased with the current event’s reception and the community’s engagement. She expressed her enjoyment in planning the decorations, music and unique elements like the caricatures.
Story by Chelsea Bossert
Design
by
Zachary Oberdier and Dylan Hecker
“I haven’t watched the full Bridgerton show, but I have watched some parts of it. I’m a huge fan of just dressing up in general. So that’s why I wanted to go to this event, just because it’s a chance to dress up for a night out,” Cohen said.
To learn more about SPB, visit their GrizzOrg’s website or follow them on Instagram @sbou. The next event will be a rap battle, which will run on Nov. 20 in The Habitat. On Nov. 21, SPB will also host a tailgate outside the O’Rena and serve cider and donuts before the men’s and women’s basketball games that day.
The Jack Stone Trio provided music for students at the ball, with Taylor Atkinson on piano, Jack Stone on bass and Colin Arena on drums. Follow them on Instagram @thejackstonetrio.
SMTD presents ‘Pipeline’ in Varner Studio Theatre
MOE DEL ROSARIO Arts Reporter
Following the results of the tumultuous election, many questions have been raised in our society — these are discussed and explored in the play “Pipeline” written by Detroit local Dominique Morisseau, which opened on Nov. 14, 2024, in the Varner Studio Theatre.
“Pipeline,” directed by Lynch R. Travis, follows single mother and exhausted teacher Nya as she deals with different aspects of her life that all yearn to be her main focus — her students, her son and her ex-husband.
The play begins with Nya — played by DeNetria Gibson — attempting to call her son’s father to no avail. Upon getting his voicemail, Nya has a comedic yet dreadful moment where she has to leave a message detailing how their son is in hot water.
Nya’s son, Omari — played by Christian Brannon — is facing school expulsion and possibly legal charges after a physical altercation that isn’t explained until later on in the play.
Omari and his girlfriend Jasmine — played by Nea Lynn — then have a philosophical discussion on what it means to be in a relationship and what it means to be a teenager of color in a primarily white institution. Much to Jasmine’s dismay, Omar decides to run away. The play dissects the poem “We Real Cool” by
Gwendolyn Brooks while projecting it onto the background wall of Nya’s classroom as she teaches it to her students and is mirrored with Omari who constantly repeats it.
“Pipeline” is a reflection of “We Real Cool,” with the poem discussing Black teenagers who rebel against the school by skipping, partying and staying out late before meeting a tragic fate. The poem brings forth the same issues Omari faces in the play. The comparison is striking and adds depth to the topic at hand. The creativity of the poem projection — both literally and figuratively — make for a dynamic watch.
The set is relatively simple, but well-constructed and fills the theater with purpose. Each set change and prop location have a meaning, while simultaneously shapeshifting into its designated space. Varner Studio Theatre also makes the play more intimate.
The lighting was another really cool aspect that shapes the audience’s perspective on the characters true intentions and inner thoughts. For example, while a character is being hospitalized in a nerve-wracking scene, the lights are flickering red — resembling a heartbeat.
The characters also felt entirely genuine, and the relationships and dynamics of the characters worked more than well. Each actor performed exceptionally and delivered lines with passion and purpose.
Some monologues truly stuck with me, like Jasmine’s monologue about what it means to be the child of a parent and Nya’s counter monologue on how it feels to be that parent that would do
anything for their child.
Characters like Nya’s friend and fellow teacher Laurie, school security guard Dun and Omari’s father Xavier all complete the world building and drive the plot forward with added humor, drama and excellence.
The play feels authentic, and it’s not just one particular section that helps it do so — but rather the crew, the techs and everyone in between that elevates the play so that it sticks with the audience once they leave.
If you haven’t yet caught “Pipeline” in action, it’s not too late. You can purchase tickets on the Oakland University events page and also check out other upcoming events like “The Thanksgiving Play.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
‘Heretic’ forces belief into an escape room
MOE DEL ROSARIO Arts Reporter
The long awaited thriller, “Heretic,” released in theaters throughout the U.S. on Nov. 8, 2024, to primarily positive reviews. The film, directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 8, 2024.
“Heretic” stars Hugh Grant as the main antagonist — Mr. Reed — who lures two Mormon missionaries — Chloe East as the shy and naive Sister Paxton and Sophie Thatcher as Sister Barnes — Paxton’s opposite.
Barnes is more of a pessimistic character compared to Paxton, as she understands the danger they’re in within a few minutes of being with Mr. Reed. Paxton, however, believes Mr. Reed to be an honest, curious man who knows more about their religion than they do.
These contrasting opinions make for an intriguing plot as the two have to work together to escape the house. The two completely different mindsets have to now settle on solving a puzzle that is nearly impossible to be solved.
The film’s plot is drawn out at the beginning, which builds suspense but also gives the audience enough time to understand the characters.
Once the pair of missionaries realize that perhaps Mr. Reed isn’t the inquisitive and quirky man that they thought he was, they begin to formulate an escape route — only to realize that there is no escape.
Thatcher and East complement each other’s acting, and their dialogue bounces off of each other in a completely natural way that seems like the two have known each other for a while, but it works well enough that audiences can gather the sense that the pair are more acquaintances than anything else.
I came into the film without knowing much of East’s filmography, but her performance as Paxton felt compelling and convincing. Her characters transformation from being the quieter of the two to
being enough of a challenge that catches Mr. Reed off guard is really well done, and she ends up being a reflection of who Barnes was at the beginning.
Thatcher is a natural at tragic roles that truly stick with audiences, and while I had previously known her from the series “Yellowjackets,” her performance here feels truly genuine. While she doesn’t say much, you can tell exactly what she’s feeling from her micro-expressions and body language.
Grant, of course, is a familiar face, and his performance in “Heretic” is truly sinister. Despite knowing the fact that he was the antagonist, his reveal was still frightening and caught me off guard.
The plot itself was really interesting and easy to follow, but the dialogue seemed like a conversation that many young adults have had about religion. The comparison of religions to the board game Monopoly felt profound albeit a little basic.
Despite this, I found myself enjoying the conversation and was delighted that they included evidence both for and against religion. The film ends with neither side being the one true winner and instead argues that if both are used wrongly, both sides can yield disastrous results.
I enjoyed the film and while the debate is a basic conversation that has been had endlessly and tirelessly debated, it still took a route I hadn’t seen before and left me questioning my own beliefs and how I think of the world.
Metal Madness: Linkin Park’s ‘From Zero’ and Poppy’s ‘Negative Spaces’
CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Editor
On Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, two new monumental metal releases hit the shelves: the popstar turned screaming sensation, Poppy, and Linkin Park with their long-awaited, energetic revival-record.
Poppy has been on a fantastic run as of late and has proved herself to be a genre-defying icon. From pop in her early career, to industrial, metal and even electronic — Poppy always keeps her listeners on their toes.
Her new record, “Negative Spaces,” aims to compete with the best alternative metal records of the early 2000s — a true throwback. Released on the legendary metal label, Sumerian, this record stands on the back of classics. Despite all of the pressure, “Negative Spaces” comes out the other side and shines as bright as a diamond. Aside from the standout singles on “Negative Spaces,” including: “the cost of giving up,” “new way out” and “they’re all around us,” there are a boatload of exciting and genre-pushing tracks on this LP.
Specifically, “the center’s falling out,” “nothing” and “surviving on defiance” are fantastically diverse. They all share the same genre, but branch outside of that main idea in a variety of different ways. From 2000s alt-metal throwback to nu metal, current metalcore worship and even industrial metal are all represented here.
While the lyrics are not life-changing or deeply profound, there are some songs on here with catchy choruses and sometimes even lines that hit close to home. An example of both of these things being true is on the chorus of “surviving on defiance.”
“I’m fighting in the wake/Unfettered so maybe/ Flowers will bloom for me again/The mirror in my face/She’s screaming for blood and violence/But it’s my time to pretend,” Poppy sings on the twelfth track.
Overall, while “Negative Spaces” does not reinvent the wheel when it comes to alternative metal, it definitely plays up the best and most exciting aspects of it for a fun listen.
On the other side of the spectrum, “From Zero” by Linkin Park had a lot of expectations to live up to. In 2017, Linkin Park’s lead singer, Chester Bennington, died at 41. They released “One More Light” earlier that year, to the dismay of fans who wanted something heavier and more like the band’s earlier records.
With the absence of Bennington, there was radio silence from the band, until in the summer of 2024 where Linkin Park announced a new record was to be released.
“From Zero” includes 11 new tracks as well as a new lead vocalist, Emily Armstrong, and the band’s original lineup, including Mike Shinoda — another one of the band’s longtime vocalists.
The sonics of the record are much more polished and cleaner than previous Linkin Park records like “Meteora” or “Hybrid Theory.” However, it is a little disappointing that there is not as much edge
to the production than with those previous works. While aspects of the production are good, like the vocal and instrumental mix, the plainness of the sounds of the album really display a lackluster quality of “From Zero.”
Songs like “The Emptiness Machine” and “Heavy Is the Crown” — two singles released before the album dropped — are both incredibly tight lyrically and sonically. They remind me of classic Linkin Park songs like “Somewhere I Belong” off 2003’s “Meteora” and “Papercut” off their debut, “Hybrid Theory.”
However, the rest of the tracks range from average to disappointing. It is just not something I would expect, even out of an average Linkin Park record like “Minutes to Midnight” and “The Hunting Party.”
The lyrics are strong on this, catchy choruses as well, yet the chemistry between Armstrong and Shinoda are not at the same level as the chemistry between Bennington and Shinoda. It is not a damnable offense, since this is their first record together, but it does not help me think that this album contends with some of the bands best. Between Poppy and Linkin Park, I’m left a tiny bit disappointed with the two records. One basks in an early 2000s-sentimentalism that overshoots its promise sometimes and the other is just an alright altmetal revival record from Linkin Park. I’m excited to see the future of both of these acts though, as it looks like they are both just getting hot.
PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB
Putin and Hamas signal for peace following Trump’s victory
NICHOLAS KABLAK Political Reporter
During Donald Trump’s campaign for president, he often called for negotiating peace between Ukraine and Russia, while urging Israel to conclude its wars in the Middle East. Now multiple parties from each of these respective conflicts have signaled various degrees of willingness to negotiate following Trump’s election victory.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine President Volodymir Zelensky have both reacted to Trump’s victory and have shared their hopes about the coming administration. Likewise, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of Hamas leadership have also made statements on Trump’s return to the White House.
War in Ukraine
“What he said about his desire to rebuild relations with Russia, to facilitate an end to the Ukrainian crisis, I think this deserves attention at the very least … we are willing to talk to Trump,” Putin said.
Putin reacted to Trump’s victory with congratulations and words of admiration referencing the presidentelect’s character. Putin commented on his admiration for Trump following his assassination attempts.
“I think he acquitted himself admirably in a valiant fashion of a man,” Putin said.
On the opposite side of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Zelensky also had comments about Trump’s victory and even had a personal meeting with Trump about the prospects of the American-Ukrainian relationship
going into the next administration.
Trump and Zelensky have both made comments following their meeting that they are on the same page and that the talks have been fruitful. Despite criticisms between the two presidents, especially during Trump’s campaign, they seemingly have mutual respect.
“It was extremely important to hear the words, of the then 45th President of the United States, about peace through strength. When this becomes the policy principle of the 47th President of the United States, America and the whole world will undoubtedly benefit from it,” Zelensky said.
Trump commented on the Ukrainian President following their meeting, saying that both he and Zelensky agree the war needs to end, along with his belief that Putin also wants the war to end. Trump expressed optimism that his administration will be able to play a meaningful role in these developments.
RFK Jr. in Trump’s administration
NICHOLAS KABLAK Political Reporter
After Trump’s recent victory in the 2024 presidential race, he and his allies have been discussing the future administration and its structure. Robert Kennedy Jr. is a unique and indicative aspect of the administration’s future and also highlights a new dichotomy in the Republican party.
Kennedy has been nominated by Trump as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), making it certain that Kennedy will exert significant influence. The Secretary of HHS is an immensely powerful position that holds direct influence over 11 separate agencies related to public health and financial security.
Even though Kennedy has been nominated by Trump for the position, he still requires Senate approval before he is officially appointed. Kennedy has claimed that he and Trump are aligned with their views on the health administration and related industries, allowing Kennedy free reign to pursue his health agenda.
“For too long, Americans have been crushed by the industrial food complex and drug companies who have engaged in deception, misinformation and disinformation when it comes to Public Health,” Trump said in a post on X.
Kennedy outlined the three goals of his role in the Trump administration.
“One, clean up the corruption at the agencies particularly the conflicts of interests that have turned those agencies into captive agencies … Two, to return those agencies to the gold standard science … Number
three, to make America healthy again and to end the chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy said.
Many healthcare professionals have found issues with Kennedy in a position of power in the healthcare agencies. Citing Kennedy’s controversial opinions about vaccines and other products in the market, many professionals call Kenndy dangerous and conspiratorial.
Kennedy has pushed back on this.
“If vaccines are working for somebody, I’m not going to take them away. People ought to have a choice, and that choice ought to be informed by the best information,” Kennedy said.
While Kennedy says this, his overall ideology and characterization of the federal agencies and health industries are very hostile to established power.
“The problem could be fixed with regulation, but the pharmaceutical industry is … a criminal enterprise,” Kennedy said on a podcast.
Kennedy has spoken about eliminating many of those in the federal departments from their positions. Kennedy claims that many of those in charge of the regulatory agencies have failed in their duties and need to go.
“Like the nutrition departments … they’re not protecting our kids. Why do we have Fruit Loops in this country that have 18 or 19 ingredients, and you go to Canada, and it’s got two or three?” Kennedy said.
Kennedy and Trump still differ in many areas, with Trump commenting on Kennedy during his election victory speech, saying he needs to stay away from the U.S. energy production in relation to oil.
However, Kennedy has expressed an understanding of some of the differences between himself and Trump, seeing his pro-environment views as reconcilable with
War in the Middle East
Beyond the war in Ukraine, leaders from the conflicts in the Middle East also commented on Trump’s victory. Netanyahu said he and Trump had spoken three times already and called Trump’s win a “huge victory.”
“We see eye-to-eye on the Iranian threat and all of its components and the danger posed by it. We also see the great opportunities before Israel in the field of peace and its expansion,” Netanyahu said.
Hamas leaders have commented and seem hopeful of a more open dialogue between Hamas and Trump, even though Trump is historically a close and loyal ally to Israel and has threatened Hamas over American hostages. However, Trump has also recently criticized Israel for some of their actions in the Middle East.
“Palestinians look forward to an immediate cessation of the aggression against our people, especially in Gaza, and look for assistance in achieving their legitimate rights of freedom, independence and the establishment of their independent self-sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital,” Hamas Spokesperson Basem Naim told Newsweek.
Given recent developments in the Middle East and the acceleration of hostilities between Hamas and Israel growing to include other regional powers such as Iran and Hezbollah, it is unclear exactly what direction Trump will take in cooling the crisis in the Middle East.
Trump has rhetorically focused on resolving the conflicts around the globe during his campaign. World leaders have taken note of this fixation, whether or not these policies are feasible, or durable remains to be seen.
Trump’s pro-fracking views.
“The most important thing you can do about carbon is to fix our soils, to do regenerative agriculture … We could absorb 100% of the carbon and get us down to pre-industrial levels and that’s part of the role that I hope to play in government,” Kennedy said.
The placement of Kennedy in such a high and influential role in the Trump administration indicates an overall trend in the coming Trump administration, which is continually taking on a more ideologically mixed flavor.
This is further observable with Trump not inviting Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, both leading figures of neo-conservative ideology in the Republican party, to his new administration. Trump’s interest in involving Elon Musk and his recent appointment of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense in the administration are also arguably anti-establishment.
Trump’s recent appointment of the historically hawkish Mike Waltz as National Security Adviser, also a leading neo-conservative figure, may give some with antiestablishment hopes cause for worry.
The dichotomy of anti-establishment figures and neoconservatives highlights the state of the Republican party, which is becoming more and more of a coalition of ideologies — in a similar way that the Democratic party is.
Kennedy is radically different in political persuasion from these other Republicans. The concept of radically different political ideologies finding a home in a single administration is alien to the Republican party and will likely cause unpredictable relationships to form, shift and break in the coming Trump administration.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKHAIL SVETLOV/GETTY IMAGES
Donald Trump wants you to be afraid
MORGAN WARNEKE Content Editor
Donald Trump’s rhetoric is powerful, divisive and dangerous. His unsupported claims have real consequences, with minorities and marginalized communities facing the brunt of the impact — and we must hold him accountable.
As many of you may remember, during the presidential debate on Sept. 10, Trump claimed that Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were “eating the cats and dogs.”
Trump was fact-checked, with the moderator noting that city officials had said there were “no credible reports” of this happening within the Haitian community. Shortly after this false claim, protestors with Nazi flags marched through Springfield, fueled by Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Trump’s brand of rhetoric is anti-establishment, and his supporters celebrate his direct and unfiltered approach. His speeches are rooted in a populist technique that relies on fear and a rejection of the political elite. During his rallies, he leans into conspiracy theories, rumors and doomsday narratives — feeding on his supporters’ fears.
His message is often apocalyptic: without Trump, the U.S. will face ruin. There will be an economic collapse, World War III, the fall of Israel and a crumbling America. He frames himself as a savior, vowing to protect the country from immigrants and minorities, whom he describes as “animals,” “stone-cold killers” and “the worst people.” This rhetoric fuels existing stereotypes while enforcing
hostility and fear amongst his supporters.
“If I don’t get elected, it’s gonna be a bloodbath for the whole country. That will be the least of it. If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country,” Trump said at a rally in Ohio.
Political scientists have analyzed Trump’s language from 2015 to 2024, noting a significant growth in violent vocabulary — from 0.6% to 1.6% by 2024. His speeches increasingly focus on themes of crime and military conflict, surpassing those of
Where Harris went wrong
MALLORY WALIGORA Political Editor
In light of Donald Trump’s recent victory, one should examine where his opponent, VP Kamala Harris, went wrong. Maybe she was dealt a bad hand of cards, and pure luck was at play. However, it can be argued that the Harris-Walz campaign could have made some major adjustments to its campaign strategy, potentially shifting the outcome. Here’s why I think Kamala Harris lost.
The Wrong Issues
In general, it’s difficult to connect issues with election turnout, but polling can work to fill in the gaps. The top issue among voters was the economy. 81% of voters said the economy is very important in their vote for president. Voters viewed Trump as more equipped to handle the economy than his opponent, with 54% compared to Harris at 45%. According to an ABC poll, 59% of Americans viewed the state of the nation’s economy as getting worse.
Harris did poll better on other issues such as health care, climate change and abortion, but these issues trail behind. These issues have proven to be important and drive support, but if a candidate is polling far behind in the number one top issue for voters, something needs to be fixed. Voters were more motivated by economic anxiety more than anything.
The typical citizen needs their fundamental needs met before they consider more theoretical social issues. While Harris polls higher on healthcare and climate change, these issues lose their importance
when Americans are struggling to afford food and gas. The campaign’s messaging needed to focus more heavily on the economy and fixing inflation to capture more votes.
Abortion
I think Harris did a good job of finding weaknesses in Trump’s campaign and focusing heavily on her pro-choice stance. However, pro-choice support doesn’t always translate into a vote for Harris. Voters have several options to voice their opinion on the ballot for abortion, and voters could do this through voting for Congress or ballot measures.
In seven of 10 states, abortion ballot measures passed. This includes the swing state of Nevada which Trump won at 50.6% compared to Harris at 47.5%. However, the “Right to Abortion” ballot measure passed by 64.2% compared to those who responded no at 35.8%. This is paradoxical in a way — how could a Republican win Nevada even though an overwhelming amount of the population supports the right to abortion?
The answer is simple: if one can vote for their right to an abortion, what’s the point in voting for Harris to protect one’s right to an abortion? The ballot measure is a way to ensure this right, not by voting for Harris to protect it. Ballot measures to abortion possibly took away this need to vote for Harris simply because one aligned with her prochoice beliefs.
Joe Biden
President Biden’s approval ratings hit a high in September with 42.3% approval. However, approval has been falling, with it being at 38.7% around the
known authoritarian figures like Kim Jong Un and Fidel Castro.
At a rally in Wisconsin, Trump’s rhetoric reached new levels. He stated that under Kamala Harris’s presidency, immigrants would “walk into your kitchen and cut your throat.” When his audience reacted with shock and concern, he laughed it off, saying, “This is dark — this is a dark speech.” This tactic, mixing fear with humor, is part of his technique.
The FBI’s annual reports on hate crime statistics reflect the broader impact of Trump’s rhetoric: hate crimes surged nearly 20% under his presidency, with hate-motivated murders, mostly by white supremacists, reaching their highest levels in 28 years.
As a student of writing and rhetoric, I find this alarming. Somehow, Trump has been granted immunity to the consequences of actions that would be career-ending for many other politicians. This immunity, combined with his influence over large audiences, has created a weapon of mass destruction.
Whether Trump will become more reflective about the impact of his language remains unclear, though unlikely given his continued success. Americans deserves a leader that values unity and inclusivity, wants to make life better for all of us and celebrates the diversity that this country is built upon.
We once held public speakers to high standards, only giving platforms to those that hold moral and societal excellence. Aristotle advocated for rhetoric to be a tool for truth, justice and the common good. Today, that ideal feels distant. How did we reach this point, and how can we reclaim rhetoric’s higher purpose?
election in early November. This percentage is just above his record low of 36.9%, which came in July just after his debate with Donald Trump. In his 13th quarter, which ran from January through April of 2024, Biden averaged a 38.7% approval rating, making him the lowest-performing president in his 13th quarter since Eisenhower.
All of this to say, Biden’s approval ratings make him an unpopular president that many Americans don’t support. For a campaign, it’s a bad idea to associate with Biden given his low approval ratings. The Harris campaign should’ve removed Biden from the equation, creating a campaign without him and doing everything in their power to make Harris an independent candidate. Although harsh, the presidency is at stake, and with a widely unpopular president in the mix, things can get messy.
It’s extremely difficult to dissociate with the president if you’re the sitting vice president, but it’s still possible to make an effort. A good step is recognizing the president’s failures and suggesting changes you would make if you were in that position.
“There is not a thing that comes to mind,” Harris said on “The View” when asked about what she would have done differently than Biden.
This is what voters didn’t want to hear, and it likely turned some important swing voters away. Harris should have anticipated these questions and come better prepared with something to say that’s professional and intelligent but also doesn’t completely bash Biden.
(Continue reading on our website)
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
Oakland men’s basketball comes up short on the road at Illinois
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
In a rematch of last year’s game, Oakland University men’s basketball traveled to Champaign, Illinois, to take on the Fighting Illini on Nov. 13. Like last year’s game, the Golden Grizzlies fell short of a major upset, losing 66-54.
Numerous key players from last year’s Illinois team departed, including now-NBA player Terrence Shannon Jr. as well as Coleman Hawkins, who transferred to Kansas State. Freshmen stars Will Riley and Kasparas Jakucionis now lead the Illini. Also new to the program are 7’1” Tomislav Ivisic and Ben Humrichous, a transfer from the University of Evansville.
Both teams got off to quite a sloppy start with two turnovers and a couple of missed jumpers before Tre White of Illinois started the scoring with a layup. Oakland responded immediately with a three from Jayson Woodrich. The Golden Grizzlies would need their shooters to step up amidst huge early-season struggles.
Illinois cashed in on some jump shots before Cooper Craggs hit a fadeaway shot on the baseline before the first media timeout. Oakland faced an early 9-5 deficit.
The Oakland offense looked entirely out of sorts early on. Shooters DQ Cole, Malcolm Christie and Woodrich struggled to get separation on sets for open threes. Illinois also did a fantastic job limiting post touches early in the game, as the Illini denied senior forward Allen Mukeba from consistently getting a post look.
The Golden Grizzlies fell 14-5 before Jaylen Jones hit an acrobatic layup to spark the offense. After a
Craggs layup, Riley began to assert himself with another jumper and two free throws. After a Craggs turnover led to a run-out dunk for Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn of Illinois, Oakland seemed dead in the water. Just under the 10-minute mark, OU was down 22-9, a very uncommon occurrence with Greg Kampe’s highpowered offenses.
Thankfully, senior Buru Naivalarua splashed home a jumper to kick-start a 10-0 Oakland run in the next two minutes. A technical foul assessed to Illinois coach Brad Underwood gave Christie two free throws, and Woodrich and Cole got a layup each to bring the game within three points.
Arizona transfer Kylan Boswell responded in turn for the Illini, cashing in a three quickly followed by another trey from White. Another Jones layup for OU came right before a Humrichous tip-in that gave Illinois a 30-21 lead.
Basketball is a game of runs, and Oakland wasn’t about to roll over right before the half ended. Jones dished out two assists for layups to Woodrich and Mukeba, followed by a phenomenal dump-off pass to Naivalarua for a dunk. Just as the half was winding down, Mukeba ran the floor for a spectacular dunk assisted by Woodrich. The Golden Grizzlies found themselves down 36-29 at the half; not too bad for only hitting one three in the half.
Out of the half, Cole drilled a three for the black and gold. Less than a minute later, Mukeba stole the ball and had another highlight reel dunk. Two free throws from Woodrich brought Oakland within two before Ivisic hit a free throw line jumper. Ivisic’s soft touch inside punished the Golden Grizzlies all night, exposing the center of Oakland’s zone.
After some more back-and-forth, the Illini stretched their lead to 53-38 at the 12-minute mark. OU lost its offensive rhythm, and Illinois began to hit its shots.
Naivalarua was there again to stop the bleeding for Oakland, hitting another jumper off a post-up. Two free throws from Craggs and a Christie three-pointer brought the deficit closer at 10 points.
Unfortunately for the Golden Grizzlies, Oakland couldn’t sustain another run to cut the lead any closer than 10. Illinois had an answer every time, and the Golden Grizzlies defense couldn’t string together the stops needed to pull off the upset.
OU’s amoeba zone defense looked the best it’s looked all season against the Illini. Illinois’s previous two games saw them score 112 and 90 points, so a 66-point showing against OU was encouraging. However, if Oakland can’t begin to hit shots and get better looks in their offense, defensive improvement won’t matter. The shots must fall.
Oakland falls to top-ranked Kansas despite strong second-half effort
KURT
SZYMANSKI
Sports Editor
The Oakland men’s basketball team lost to the nationally top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Allen Fieldhouse with a final score of 78-57.
The loss against the Jayhawks ends what has been a challenging stretch of road games for the Golden Grizzlies, who previously lost to the Boise State Broncos and the Illinois Fighting Illinis.
“We handled this about as well as you could expect. So I’m pleased,” head coach Greg Kampe said in an interview with Neal Ruhl on the Golden Grizzlies men’s basketball X account.
Allen Mukeba led the Golden Grizzlies in scoring, tallying 19 points and a team-high two steals while shooting 9-15 from the field. Buru Naivalurua was another Golden Grizzly who made his presence known, scoring 12 points and coming down with a team-best nine rebounds.
On the other side of the court, AJ Storr scored the most points for Kansas, registering an efficient 16 points to go along with three assists and two rebounds. Hunter Dickinson also came up big for the Jayhawks, nearly notching a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds.
In the game’s first five minutes, Oakland hung around with the Jayhawks with a tough bucket from Navalairua and a three-pointer from DQ Cole. However, a made free throw from KJ Adams Jr. jumpstarted a 9-0 Kansas run, giving the Jayhawks
the early lead.
As the first progressed, Mukeba kept the game competitive with a steal that led to a layup for Mukeba. Cooper Craggs snagged an offensive rebound on the next Oakland possession before dishing the ball out to Mukeba for another bucket.
Despite the persistent play from the Golden Grizzlies, the Jayhawks started to build on their lead with consistent offense while staggering Oakland on defense, disallowing the Golden Grizzlies to find steady chances to score the ball.
With the half approaching, Rylan Griffen hit a buzzer-beater three following a Kansas inbound pass, ballooning the Jayhawk lead to 46-24 heading into the break, the largest Kansas lead to this point in the game.
At the start of the second, the Golden Grizzlies once again kept pace with the Jayhawks for a long stretch of play as Kansas struggled to widen the margin. Still, the Jayhawks eventually found some stable offense and grew their lead regardless, going on a 13-4 run.
Leading the Golden Grizzlies by 30 with less than five minutes to go, Oakland ended the game on an impressive defensive note, allowing just one Jayhawk bucket in the final five minutes of play.
Oakland’s good defense led to even better offense during this stretch, as the Golden Grizzlies made all but two of their attempts from the field, highlighted by a long three from Malcolm Christie and a trio of layups from Deng Majak, Jaylen Jones and Mukeba.
Notably, the Golden Grizzlies outsourced the Jayhawks 33-32 in the second half. However, after
letting the first get away from them, Kansas was the clear winner of this matchup, marking their first win over the Golden Grizzlies since the 201718 season.
“A lot of good came out of tonight,” Kampe said in an interview with Neal Ruhl on the Golden Grizzlies men’s basketball X account. “The fact that we got the ball and scored in the post, and we played inside out in the second half.”
Next, the Golden Grizzlies will host the Eastern Michigan Eagles at the OU Credit Union O’Rena on Thursday, Nov. 21. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will mark Oakland’s first home game in two weeks and their first game against a mid-major program this season.
PHOTO COURTESY OF RON JOHNSON-IMAGN IMAGES
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL REEDY
Oakland women’s basketball drops road game at University of Michigan
EVAN BLANCHARD
Sports Reporter
On Sunday, Nov. 17, Oakland’s women’s basketball team traveled to Ann Arbor to take on the University of Michigan (U-M) Wolverines.
The team was coming off a blowout loss to Michigan State and a narrow loss to Army, with a blowout win against Cleary University sandwiched in between. A win against Michigan could earn the Golden Grizzlies a huge early season victory for their resume and a massive in-state rivalry win. However, despite a solid first quarter, the Golden Grizzlies lost by 30 points to U-M.
First Quarter
OU jumped to a quick 5-0 lead behind a midrange jumper from freshman Sereniti Roberts-Adams and a three from sophomore Kylie Buckley. RobertsAdams made her presence known early, securing a defensive rebound and two offensive boards. Michigan’s offense began to wake up; they evened the game with a three and a layup. Dani Grim for the Golden Grizzlies reclaimed the lead with a smooth jumper. After a quick Wolverine 7-0 run, Lianna Baxter knocked home a three to bring the Golden Grizzlies closer at 10-12.
With 2:30 left to go in the opening frame, Michigan erupted for a quick 8-0 run, all within one minute. An offensive rebound and a turnover from the Golden Grizzlies allowed U-M to get out and
run. This proved to be a common theme during the game. Madison Royal-Davis stopped the bleeding with a layup to cut it to 12-20.
Second Quarter
The Wolverines came out of the gate in the second quarter, attacking hard. They targeted RobertsAdams and forced two early turnovers from the freshman. A dry spell on the offensive end for the Golden Grizzlies allowed Michigan to rip off another 10-0 run. OU wouldn’t get on the board in the quarter until a Grim three-pointer with just over four minutes to go.
Additionally, a familiar face to the Golden Grizzlies got in the scoring column for Michigan. Brooke Quarles-Daniels transferred from Oakland to Michigan after a terrific sophomore season; the junior guard scored a layup for her first points of the game.
OU would escape the quarter down 17-35, but they were not out of the game. The Wolverines won the rebounding battle 22-9 in the quarter, dominating the glass and securing multiple offensive rebounds. Oakland would have to control the glass and cut down on turnovers to have a chance to win.
Third Quarter
With much better shot-making in the third quarter, Oakland kept the game within 20 points for most of the period. Maddy Skorupski started heating up, hitting a three and a jumper, while Baxter hit a three and got a layup of her own. Skorupski, Oakland’s leading scorer in the early season with 13.5 points
per game, had a frustrating day with four turnovers while shooting 2-10 from the field.
OU had a much better offensive quarter than the second; they scored 18 points compared to five in the second quarter. However, they couldn’t gain any ground on defense, surrendering 23 points to let the Wolverine’s score grow to 58-35.
Jordan Hobbs of the Wolverines led the way with seven points in the third. The 6’3” senior’s ability to step out and shoot the ball proved a mismatch problem for the Golden Grizzlies all game.
Fourth Quarter
In the final frame, the game got away from the Golden Grizzlies. It was layup after layup for Michigan, scoring 20 points at the rim in the quarter. Seven turnovers from the Golden Grizzlies gave the Wolverines easy runouts and let them blow open the game.
Oakland could only manage seven points in the quarter as OU opted to play their bench in the waning minutes. The final score stood at 88-42 for the Wolverines, with Hobbs leading U-M with 16 points and Baxter scoring ten off the bench for Oakland. By no means is the loss a marker of the quality of this Golden Grizzlies team; they will have all season to come together as a team and improve. These early-season tests are vital to grow as a group and get experience against top competition.
Next up for Oakland is a visit from St. Thomas (Minnesota) at the O’Rena at 4:00 pm on Thursday, Nov. 21.
Going for Gold: OU Fall 2024 Esports playoffs
CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Editor
Although Oakland University Esports is a relatively new addition to their Division I athletics program, Head Coach Carl Leone and his four teams are going for gold this fall season. The teams: Overwatch 2, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, League of Legends and Rocket League compete for OU in the D1 American Esports Conference, NACE.
Out of the four teams, only two made the playoffs — LOL and SSBU. The Rocket League team went 4-4 in the regular season and did not make playoffs, meanwhile, the OW2 team was eliminated from contention by Wichita State University in a 3-1 loss in Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) match.
On the LOL side, the five players from Oakland entered the playoffs as the thirteenth seed but fell to St. Clair College — a Canadian school — in a 2-0 loss.
“Our LOL team has so much potential and I’m excited to see them continue to improve going into the Winter semester,” Coach Leone said.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate — a primarilycasual fighting game that features several characters from classic Nintendo video games and beyond — has proven to have the most potential for a stellar end for OU’s fall esports season, according to Coach Leone.
“This team is a true contender for the national championship. Our confidence and focus have never been higher. Our recent win in the CECC Midwest Championship over our rival Northwood has only given us more motivation to succeed,”
Coach Leone said. “[Last Tuesday] we took down fellow Horizon League school Cleveland State in a 2-0 sweep. We play a strong Akron team next week and I think we are ready for it.”
I sat down and talked with four players and two
PHOTO BY COURTNEY BLACKETT
alternates of OU’s SSBU Varsity team during a practice session last Thursday to understand their thoughts on the season as a whole, as well as to touch on their growth from the beginning of the season at Riptide.
“We’re still gonna be wary about it, I know they have a really good Ken named ‘Sytonix,’ he’s definitely on our radar,” sophomore “Min Min” player, Pablo Avila, said.
OU’s “Cloud” player, sophomore Anthony “AnthonyIsntCool” Codd, also expressed worry about the upcoming match vs. Akron, but did not seem too concerned. “A lot of members on our team are familiar with their characters and their playstyle, so I think we can do good,” Codd said.
Robby a.k.a. “Rob.” Rabinowitz, the captain of OU’s SSBU varsity squad, emphasized the importance of hard work and how success for the team can be achieved in this late season play.
“Our season so far has been fruitful, I’d say. We’ve exceeded expectations and we’re excited to keep exceeding them in our match with Akron next week as well,” Rabinowitz said. “We are prepping and looking forward to the postseason, and [nationals] that are coming up in May as well.”
OU’s SSBU team plays in round two of the NACE playoffs versus Akron University Tuesday, November 20. More information about the full esports teams and their rosters can be found at goldengrizzlies.com/sports/esports.
Oakland men’s soccer hot streak snapped in thrilling Horizon League Championship loss
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Oakland University men’s soccer team was bested by the Robert Morris Colonials at the Oakland Soccer Field with a final score of 1-0 in the Horizon League Championship game.
Oakland entered the game on a six-game win streak, with their most previous loss coming at the hands of DePaul University back on Oct. 8, marking over an entire month without a loss for the Golden Grizzlies.
As the game got underway, the Colonials came out aggressively. Having lost to the Golden Grizzlies earlier in the season and never beating Oakland in their program history, Robert Morris looked eager to make a statement early.
Before the first minute of the game even passed, Anass Hadran from the Colonials secured the first shot of the afternoon. Minutes later, Hadran followed up with another shot. However, like his first attempt, Golden Grizzlies goalkeeper Alex Flowers was there for the save.
In the eighth minute of play, Morris’s aggression paid off. Colonial defender Victor Thompson took a strike from just outside Oakland’s box. Despite Flowers’ diving effort to keep the ball away, Thompson scored, making it a 1-0 game in favor of the Colonials.
With an early lead secured, Morris shifted to a more conservative approach while Oakland searched
for a goal to stabilize the match. After the Colonial goal, the Golden Grizzlies took six more shots than Robert Morris before heading into halftime.
As the second half kicked off, tensions began to rise with both teams. In the first minute after the break, Andrew Darakdjian went up for a ball and made contact with a Robert Morris defender on his way down.
In what would turn out to be a rather scrappy second half from both teams, Darakdjian’s contact was enough to send him off with a red card, leaving Oakland with just ten players on the field instead of the standard eleven.
Although the loss of Darakdjian would seem to zap away all of the energy Oakland had, the opposite effect took place. The following moments after Darakdjian’s booking saw the Golden Grizzlies play with a lot more urgency.
This promptness led to Oakland’s first shot attempt of the second. Jack Klomparens tested colonial goalkeeper Josh Lane, but Lane was there for the save, leaving the Golden Grizzlies still on the hunt for an equalizer.
Abdul Al-Rashed rattled a shot off ten minutes after Klomparens’ attempt, but Morris prioritized limiting all of Oakland’s chances. In the next 24 minutes of play, the Golden Grizzlies couldn’t get a single shot off against the Colonials.
In the dying minutes of the championship game, with an emotional crowd supporting them from the stands, the Golden Grizzlies poured everything into their attack. Oakland took four shots in the game’s final ten minutes, but none found the back of the
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
net, resulting in a loss for the Golden Grizzlies.
Despite the loss, a trio of Golden Grizzlies made enough impact throughout the Horizon League tournament to be named to the Horizon League AllTournament Team. Carson Ballagh, Flowers and Darakdjian were all recognized as all-tournament team members.
The loss to the Colonials marks the end of the Golden Grizzlies’ 2024 season, their inaugural season under head coach Paul Doroh.
It was a rollercoaster of a season for the Golden Grizzlies. Oakland opened with four straight losses to non-conference opponents before defeating the Michigan State Spartans for their first win on the season.
Following the win against the Spartans, Oakland was nearly unstoppable the rest of the season, winning the next eight of their 12 regular-season matchups while only losing twice.
