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HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS Oscar Rosales (left) and Ingryd Escobar (right) visit OU to discuss the current state of human rights in El Salvador.
PHOTO BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
2 Writing and Rhetoric Department professors remembered for their tutelage
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
Marshall Kitchens, recently retired associate professor of writing and rhetoric, died on Nov. 16, 2024. Special Lecturer, Cindy Mooty-Hoffman, died on Nov. 17, 2024. Both professors passed away as a result of long struggles against cancer.
“It is with a very heavy heart that we share the news of the recent passing of two dedicated faculty from the Writing and Rhetoric department,” Amy Pollard, OU-AAUP executive director, said in a bereavement notice.
Marshall Kitchens was an associate professor of writing and rhetoric at OU since 2001. Kitchens was also the inaugural chair of the department and director of the Meadow Brook Writing Project, offering teacher training in writing instruction and summer writing camps.
“He worked in the Oakland University Prison Creative Writing Program at the Thumb Correctional Facility in Lapeer, Michigan,” Megan Shoen, Writing and Rhetoric department chair, said. “In 2024, Dr. Kitchens was honored at the Founder’s Day Faculty Recognition Luncheon for excellence in service and for excellence in online teaching.”
Kitchens created online courses for first-year writing and peer tutoring. He also focused on how
digital technology affects social interaction within diverse communities.
Before his retirement in 2024, Ph.D. Kitchens conducted research in creative nonfiction, prison writing programs, technology and pedagogy and video game culture. He also taught composition courses, literature, culture and rhetoric classes.
Cindy Mooty was a special lecturer at OU starting in 2012 and a visiting assistant professor since 2023.
Mooty served on many department committees, including the First-Year Writing Committee and the Writing Excellence Awards.
“In 2014, she received the department’s Special Lecturer Award for Student and Community Engagement,” Shoen said. “In 2019, she received the department’s Timothy J. Briggs Special Lecturer Award for Teaching Excellence.”
Mooty combined Aristotle’s appeals and fallacies with group projects working on multimedia platforms to foster a supportive community of learners.
Ph.D. Mooty was also a journalist before teaching philosophy, composition and business writing at OU. She made students active participants in her courses, incorporating an inquiry-based curriculum and scaffolded rhetoric assignments.
Both Mooty and Kitchens graduated with their Ph.D. in English, Rhetoric and Composition from Wayne State University. They were part of the Writing and Rhetoric Department at Oakland University.
“Marshall and Cindy were well loved by their colleagues and their students,” Pollard said. “Their absence in the department has left a large hole and they will be missed immensely.”
No funeral or memorial arrangements have been shared as of yet.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF GARRY GILBERT
Michelle Moore discusses conscientious leadership with OU alumni
MATILDE RABAJOLI Campus Reporter
Michelle Moore discussed leadership potential and conscientiousness at Oakland University’s Alumni Association (OUAA) webinar series. The seminar was held virtually on the Alumni Engagement website, a “webinar series [that] brings the expertise of industry-leading professionals right to your home in an easily accessible virtual setting,” OUAA says on its website.
Moore is “an award-winning leadership coach, author, speaker and educator voted as one of the ‘UK’s 50 Most Influential Women in Sport,’” she writes on her website. Known for the keynote speeches she delivers and the events she has chaired for the United Nations and House of Lords, Moore often uses her career in sports to provide examples of how she has persevered through challenges and grown not only as an individual but as a leader.
This specific webinar, “How to Discover the Conscious Leader in You,” focused on the tools and tactics required to become a leader. Moore revolved her entire seminar around “the four main building blocks of self-awareness, mindset mastery, resilience and being a changemaker,” Moore said. She expanded on each of these pillars, adding anecdotes on how she had struggled with achieving each one throughout her life. Moore used her previous running career to explain how she took on the “mindset mastery” aspect. She realized she could only focus on her own performance since focusing on what her adversaries were doing would
be a waste of potential.
Moore stated how quieting one’s insecurities and “inner critic” can be another incredibly difficult challenge. She advised the attendees to “quiet the voice and the volume of your inner critic.” The ability to know when to show empathy and understanding and when to detach ourselves for our own health is a balance that can aid in ignoring one’s critiques of oneself, Moore explained.
“Self-compassion is us talking to ourselves as we would to our friend,” Moore said. The ability to have patience with oneself opens up an immense amount of opportunities for the future. Moore acknowledged that being more self-compassionate can be intimidating, but once that fear is accepted one can grow more brave. “I talk about selfcompassion as the way to lead you to more confidence,” Moore said.
The speaker added personal tips as well, one of them being the three M’s. The ones she applies to leadership are that of engaging in Mindfulness, Movement and Mindsets every day to build our resilience.
“The most successful people do, ritualistically, activities that fall into those categories every day,” Moore said. “Progress is non-linear, it has constant ups and downs,” Moore said.
Also author of the book, “Real Wins,” Moore expanded on the subject of resilience and how it can be factored into various strategies of self-growth. However, She urged the necessity of taking care of oneself before anything else.
“Your resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity,” Moore said. “It’s non-negotiable people, you have to ask yourself what you consistently need more of.”
Moore ended her webinar with affirmations that represent how much she believes in accepting one’s own fragilities and building character to complement them, to allow you to become a more conscious leader for yourself and those that look to you. Moore signed off with a smile and a farewell, “I’m rooting for all of your success.”
Relaxing and informative: Oakland University’s Sociology Club
MATILDE RABAJOLI
Campus Reporter
Finding the balance between socializing and informing, Oakland University’s Sociology Club aims to host fun meetings every two weeks. On Nov. 22, a “Gratitude Collaging” meeting was held in the Oakland Center as one of the last events of the semester.
The meeting was held to create personalized and handmade crafts for the Thanksgiving holidays to share with family, friends or pets. Zines, thank-youcards and collages were just a few of the gifts made with dozens of magazines and art supplies.
The event was run by the all-sociology major E-Board — President Kate Bird, Vice-President Madison Kattula, Treasurer Sierra Spry and Secretary Kelsey Rife.
Now a staple of the club, hand-made crafts have been a popular part of their meetings, Spry explained. “[Crafts] are so interdisciplinary, and we try to teach sociology and education through a very hands-on way,” Spry said.
Magazines as old as the 90s made up the stacks of colorful paper turned into end-of-the-year gifts by attendees.
“We also connect it to DIY and make it a lesson on consumerism, trying to teach people that you can make something yourself with the magazines that you have or construction paper,” Spry said.
Zine days, DIY fridge magnets and game nights have built up the community surrounding the club
while expanding on the themes the organization stands for.
“Last spring, we did a zine event where it was kind of the same thing, but it was more so about being able to spread very strong messaging on things that we personally believe in,” Spry said. “Zines and booklets are new ways to articulate thoughts and opinions and spread that information.”
With the last event of the semester being a study session event for finals, the E-Board explained how the sociology club has helped them understand the needs and wants of their membership.
“I think it’s really taught me to kind of learn how to tune in to what students really want out of an org and kind of what kind of atmosphere they want,” Spry said. “Also how to use sociology in a very literal, hands-on way, and help to show people how meaningful and useful sociology is.”
With the phrase “craft your stress away” as part of their advertising, the sociology club E-Board has created a new identity for an almost 10-yearold student organization. The relaxing atmosphere has shifted gears from the previous presentations on human trafficking awareness five years ago. Spry explained this has been a helpful effort to create a more welcoming environment for attendees and E-Board members, allowing non-sociology majors to participate in these fun events.
The black and pink colored rebranding has not led to a lack of academic relevance as some of their events focus on networking with other sociology students or analyzing the sociological discourses of Halloween media.
“It’s definitely taught me a lot of ways to kind of manifest those desires that I had when I first helped Kate start the club,” Spry said.
For more information on future Sociology Club meetings, please visit their Linktree, GrizzOrgs or their Instagram page.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHELLE MOORE
OU’s food prices: Exclusivities, fees and franchising
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
Whether it is using declining points (meal dollars) for resident students or commuters paying out of pocket during long days at the Oakland Center, the same comment is repeated — food prices at OU are controversial.
A bowl at the OC’s Panda Express costs $8.59, a Celsius is $3.89 and Starbucks drinks oscillate between $3.65 and $6.25. But when you order from the Panda Express at Rochester Road, the same bowl is $8.60. Across Squirrel Road, the Grande Shaken Espresso is $4.45 while at Kresge it is $5.95. The A-Star convenience store on Adams Rd sells a Celsius for $3.49 and the CVS across the street has it at $3.19.
Christopher Reed, OC executive director, explained the setting of different prices for foods and drinks depends mainly on contracts with the franchises and Chartwells.
When talking about the snacks at the OC’s Zingerman’s Coffee Bistro, “Chartwells sets those prices in conjunction with whoever the supplier is, as well as Oakland University,” Reed said.
“When you talk about Celsius, we have the Pouring Rights Contract with Pepsi,” Reed said. “Any of the beverage products have a price that it costs Chartwells to bring in … and then they set the price based on the different costs associated with it.”
The situation with Starbucks is different, starting
with the fact that OU doesn’t have a brick-and-mortar Starbucks. Instead, it is We Proudly Serve, a program allowing businesses to use Starbucks beans while operating independently of corporate-run stores, Megan Hegman, TastingTable journalist explained.
Similar to the coffee shop, the campus Panda Express doesn’t take gift cards due to the agreements between the university and the corporations. Much like a mall food court doesn’t take gift cards, Reed explained, this is because the restaurants are not franchised like brick-and-mortar restaurants.
“Panda Express, like Slim Chickens, is saying ‘here’s what it costs, kind of like the MSRP [Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price],’” Reed said. “They’re going to provide that pricing for us and then we work off of that.”
While corporations and agreements set the starting point for the pricing, OU and Chartwells also have a say in the final retail price, taking outside factors and operation costs into account.
“All the revenue goes to Chartwells, there are royalties, and it varies based on the brand,” Reed said. “Let’s use Panda Express. So, there are royalties that go to Panda Express … the contract we’re in now started where we got just a flat commission each year, which was prescribed in the original contract, and it was based on an assumed number of sales, based on historical trends and enrollment and all that.”
The contract with the fast-food enterprise was adjusted last year, becoming a “fee-based model,” Reed explained.
“Chartwells provides the services across campus,” Reed said. “They pay out all the royalties that are due, and then we either make money or we have to subsidize food service if it costs more to operate than the revenue that came in.”
Due to the decline in enrollment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the university had to subsidize the Panda Express operations on campus, after not generating the revenue projected in the contract.
When the university is making revenue from campus dining, a portion goes back into auxiliaries like the OC and housing to support daily operations, services, and updates like the $4.5 million renovation of the Pioneer Food Court.
New contracts with food franchises are being signed next year and the campus master plan is on the horizon, thus more food options, extended hours and higher affordability are expected to make an impact on campus dining by Fall 2025.
“It’s hard to keep prices lower than what you’re paying similar off campus, obviously, we’d love to do that, but it doesn’t always make sense,” Reed said. “I think the new RFP [Request for Proposal] and the new contract will help us to do that. I think food, how it’s delivered on campus, will change drastically next year — hopefully, it’s for the better.”
Human rights activists send call to academia to study El Salvador
ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES
Campus Editor
From El Salvador, human rights defenders came to Oakland University to discuss the current state of human rights abuses and the efforts to alleviate the state of emergency that has lasted over two years.
“In El Salvador, we have been fighting to overcome a phenomenon known as ‘the gangs,’” Ingryd Escobar, Socorro Jurídico Humanitario (SJH) director, said. “However, none of the governments have given a proper solution to this problem. The same can be said for the government of Nayib Bukele which hasn’t been an exemption to the rule and in some ways, it can be said the problem has increased.”
In 2019, El Salvador had 20 to 25 daily murders, but when Bukele took office, the rate decreased after a truce was established between the government and the gangs. However, the peak point of criminality was on Mar. 27, 2022, with a total of 85 killings in a single day.
“The government created a possible, semi-solution that we know as the state of emergency, although the state of emergency was created to address the gang problem it has also affected innocent people,” Escobar said. “Around 83,9000 Salvadorians were captured over 32 months of the state of exemption. According to our organizations, in 30% of the cases, there are reasons to believe that they are not associated with gangs in any way.”
The reasons for these detentions go from having tattoos or criminal records to having economic disputes or being part of a working union. A crackdown on oppositional narratives and daily incarceration quotas that the police have to fulfill have led to an estimated 25,000 innocent people incarcerated.
“The government of Nayib Bukele has disbanded the constitutional court, the Supreme Court in El Salvador, this is why it has been hard for us to gain traction in this issue,” Escobar said. “Despite the obstacles and the difficulties, SJH has been able to free at least 52 people and we’ve been able to get horrifying testimonies about what really goes on within the detention centers.”
Systemic beatings, psychological torture, disease, lack of food, denial of medical services and clandestine graves are common in the massive detention centers, Oscar Rosales said. Of the 330 diseases officially recorded, it is estimated that three times the number have been eliminated through clandestine graves and a lack of transparency.
“We have exhausted due process at the national level, and it hasn’t worked,” Escobar said. “We have the international framework which is the International Republic Act and while we are in those protection systems like the OAS [Organization of American States] or the U.N. we need to exhaust those mechanisms.”
The attorneys explained that aside from speaking at universities in the U.S., they intend to talk with U.N.
representatives to openly denounce the Salvadorian state of emergency.
“Of the 330 deaths inside the detention centers, we know of 4 children,” Rosales said. “The call is to academia, to conduct research on the current state of human rights in El Salvador since 2022, study regimes, the acts of government and the causes and effects that led to the state of exemption.”
After a thirty-minute presentation and a bilingual Q&A session, Escobar made a last call to students interested in human rights advocacy.
“With college students, it is important not to stick with propaganda. Propaganda sells but reality surpasses fiction,” Escobar said. “Propaganda sells so much that the world buys it and legitimizes Bukele’s government and that can be counterproductive for our society as it can become a permanent regime, authoritarian, neo-fascist.”
College of Arts and Sciences Dean, Elaine Carey highlighted the local importance of the conversation amongst a polarized political climate in the United States.
“The Oakland Community can learn a lot about the impact of violence, the violation of constitutional law and international human rights because we’re hearing similar rhetoric in certain sectors in the United States,” Carey said. “This actually provides us a lesson; this is why it was so important for Ingrid Escobar and Oscar Rosales to come to Michigan.”
Music in Motion: OU students’ thoughts on standout music artists
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
Music fans have plenty to celebrate as two standout artists, Tyler, the Creator and Tate McRae, are dominating headlines with new releases and highly anticipated tours. Both are pushing boundaries, captivating listeners and proving why they’re at the forefront of their respective genres.
“Tyler’s new album is insane,” freshman Sebastian Mora said. “He always reinvents himself, and this time, it feels more personal and experimental. I’ve had it on repeat all week. I’m hoping to catch him on this tour because the energy he brings is unmatched.”
Tyler, the Creator continues to solidify his reputation as a musical innovator with his latest album, “Chromakopia.” Released earlier this month, the album sees Tyler experimenting with fresh beats, introspective lyrics and genre-blurring collaborations.
“It’s been such a good year for music — between Sabrina Carpenter’s tour, Gracie Abrams releasing new songs, and now Tyler and Tate McRae stepping it up,” freshman Eleanor Kroetsch said. “It’s impossible to pick a favorite. I’m just excited to see how Tyler keeps evolving as an artist. He’s one of the few people who can drop an album and it feels like an event.”
In tandem with the album, Tyler has embarked
on tour, which has already sold-out major venues across the country. The tour promises an immersive experience, with elaborate stage setups, electrifying visuals and live renditions of his latest tracks.
Meanwhile, Tate McRae is making waves in the pop scene with her latest single, “2 HANDS.” The charged track, released last week, is already climbing charts and resonating with fans worldwide. Known for her ability to articulate the complexities of relationships and selfdiscovery, McRae delivers yet another heartfelt anthem with her signature vocal prowess.
“Tate has this incredible ability to make you feel every word she sings,” Olivia Sanders, a freshman
psychology major, said. “Her songs are so relatable; it’s like she’s speaking directly to you. I was really lucky to snag tickets to her tour for her new album dropping in February, ‘So Close To What.’”
McRae is also hitting the road on her tour, which includes stops at iconic venues like Radio City Music Hall and The Forum. Fans can expect a mix of highenergy performances, intimate acoustic moments and surprises that reflect her growth as an artist.
For Oakland University students, these artists’ latest works are more than just new tunes — they’re the soundtrack to late-night study sessions, road trips and moments of self-expression. Both Tyler, the Creator and Tate McRae are proving that music is a powerful force, capable of connecting people and inspiring them to embrace their individuality.
“I saw Sabrina Carpenter on tour recently, and she puts so much heart into her performances,” Kroetsch said. “It reminds me of the raw energy Tate McRae is bringing right now with her new music. They’re so authentic, and that’s what makes their music so powerful.”
As 2024 comes to a close, the world of pop music is thriving like never before, with artists pushing creative boundaries and connecting with fans on profound levels. In a time when connection feels more important than ever, music is proving to be the universal language that unites us all, one unforgettable song at a time.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES
The Diplomacy Lab: OU students trailblazing new research on West African uprisings
NOAH FRANCIS Features Editor
Throughout this semester, Oakland University has joined the United States Department of State with the Diplomacy Lab, a partnership between the Department of State and several academic institutions, working to harness research and innovation to solve global challenges. OU is the second Michigan university to partner with the Diplomacy Lab, alongside the University of Michigan.
The Diplomacy Lab is offered as a class for students and unlike other classes, it is offered to handpicked students due to their French background and knowledge. Larisa Giacomin, an international relations major and French minor in the Diplomacy Lab, finds it gratifying to use her French knowledge in her research.
“I’m also a French minor, and so are most people here,” Giacomin said. “Being able to draw on that for the purposes of just a paper, seeing how much language can impact research and can open doors in the policy field, it’s very gratifying.”
This semester, students have been focusing on the recent uprising and resurgence of military coups in several West African nations such as Guinea, GuineaBissau, Niger, Mail, Chad, Sudan and Gabon. The student’s job is to figure out why these uprisings have been resurfacing as of recently and what French colonialism has to do with it.
“We got our assignment from the Department of State, and after our initial call with them, the professor sat down with us and we went over the plan for the research,” Giacomin said. “We structured our semester to have the first half be solely researching on the background of our case studies, and then we’re now at the point of writing the case studies themselves. So, we just had a full week of no classes last week where we did a lot of our writing, and this week, we are meeting every other day to put the presentation together. So, what we do here is discuss how our cases compare to each other, and how to bring them together into a presentation and a final paper. Our sole work is doing the hard part of researching and combining that into a 20-plus page essay.”
For Josef Gojcaj, the experience is beneficial for him as he is able to work closely with what he wants to do in life, becoming a U.S. diplomat.
“I also think that for those who are going into the field of political science and international relations, I can testify for something closely related to the State Department,” Gojcaj said. “I want to become a U.S. diplomat, hopefully one day, and I think this is a step in the right direction for me becoming a U.S. diplomat, especially having such a wonderful opportunity to
work with the State Department on this research.”
For Maria Williams, a political science major in the Diplomacy Lab, the program is beneficial to her because of the real-life policy exposure seen in the lab.
“It’s like real life policy exposure also,” Williams said. “We have an aspect of it where we give solutions as well, so I feel it’s just a little taste of what really exists at the federal level, national level and even global level type policy consulting.”
When it comes to big projects that extend beyond the scope of university, it is easy to look back on what classes helped prepare you for the project. For Williams, a class that helped prepare her for the Diplomacy Lab was her class on international law.
“Specifically with my case study, I had Sudan,” Williams said. “There’s a really bad humanitarian crisis going on there right now, so just knowing all the legalities of it, there’s been a lot of involvement with the United Nations and the International Criminal Court with my case. So, knowing the legislative structure of that, how that all works, and all the laws, I feel like it just helped me get a broader understanding of why things are happening, and how United Nations politics and international politics can play a role in maybe stopping that and giving policy suggestions. Because I do have a section on that that I had to go back into my international law notes to look at.”
For Giacomin, her honors thesis helped her through the Diplomacy Lab.
“Having done my honors thesis has helped me a lot, because I just finished it earlier this semester, and I got you presented in a political science conference here in Michigan,” Giacomin said. “Just having the experience of researching something on my own, even though we have the structure and the help from
our professors, is really quite an undertaking. It’s, you know, scary and it’s intimidating, but having that drive of sitting down and researching and questioning what you just read and how it applies to current issues.”
With such a unique experience, there are several apects for students to take away from their time with the Diplomacy Lab. For Giacomin, a big takeaway is that they are the ones making new research.
“It’s really different from a capstone or other projects,” Giacomin said. “With this there’s no concrete answer anywhere, so we’re doing the groundbreaking. It’s the new research that other people are going to look for when they do their own research.”
For Gojcaj, the experience is memorable because it is history in the making.
“I always think of it as, ‘this is history,’” Gojcaj said. “This is change, this is future foreign policy when it comes to Africa and the West African bloc.”
For Alex Verzillo, an international relations major in the Diplomacy Lab, the outcome of everyone’s work stuck out to him the most.
“The most memorable thing is just what the outcome of this Diplomacy Lab is going to be, because while we’re doing this for credit, of course, I’m pretty sure I can speak for everyone when I say that we’re not doing this for the grade,” Verzillo said. “It’s way beyond that, and it’s because of the impact that it’s going to have. The fact that we’re meeting with diplomats, and they’re going to listen to what we have to say, and they’re gonna hold on to those teachings.”
For more information on the Diplomacy Lab, visit diplomacylab.org.
Roaring Towards Success: OU student reactions to the Detroit Lions’ comeback
DANIELA CESARIO Features Reporter
The Detroit Lions, a team historically associated with underwhelming performances and dashed hopes, are rewriting their narrative this season. With a renewed focus, a dynamic roster and a passionate fanbase, the Lions are showcasing a level of grit and determination that has electrified the Motor City.
“The turnaround isn’t just the result of chance,” freshman Blake Jahn said. “It’s the product of calculated changes within the organization, by head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glen. Their vision is to really build a culture of resilience and commitment that inspires not only the players but also the fans who have remained loyal through decades of mediocrity.”
This season, quarterback Jared Goff has been a standout. Initially seen as a placeholder after the blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, Goff has silenced critics with his poise, precision and leadership. With an offensive line protecting him and a versatile backfield led by rookie Jahmyr Gibbs and veteran David Montgomery, Goff has been able to exploit defenses with remarkable efficiency.
“I’ve grown up watching the Lions,” Jahn said. “And it’s surreal to see them finally living up to the hype. It’s like
the city’s underdog story is finally getting a happy chapter.
For years, we’ve been waiting for this. It’s not just about football; it’s about pride in our city and its resilience.”
Equally crucial is the Lions’ connection with their community. Ford Field, their home turf, has become a fortress of enthusiasm, with sellout crowds donning the team’s signature Honolulu blue and silver. The “One Pride” mantra resonates beyond the stadium, fostering unity and optimism throughout Detroit and its suburbs.
“I love how the Lions are playing like a team, not just a collection of players,” freshman Evan Guilloz said. “It shows what good coaching and teamwork can
do. It’s amazing to finally see the Lions doing well. It feels like they’re playing for the city, and for us as fans, it’s uplifting.”
Despite their progress, the Lions face challenges ahead. Their schedule includes several playoff-caliber opponents, and injuries could test their depth. However, the team has embraced adversity, as Campbell often reminds them, “You’ve got to fight tooth and nail to earn your success.”
“Seeing the Lions win is inspiring for all of us in Detroit,” Jahn said. “It feels like a new era for the city. It feels like every Sunday is a celebration now. Even people who never talked about or liked football are suddenly all in on the Lions.”
The Lions’ journey is a reminder of how perseverance and belief can drive transformation. For a franchise that has often been an afterthought in the NFL, the spotlight is no longer a distant dream. The Detroit Lions are roaring louder than ever, and this time, they seem poised to sustain their momentum.
As they march towards a potential playoff berth, one thing is clear: the Detroit Lions are no longer just a team with potential, they are a team delivering on it. Detroit, its fans and Oakland University students alike have every reason to hold their heads high.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Oakland Post’s favorite albums and songs of 2024
Friday the 13th turned from scary to nostalgic at Oakland University with Y2K Night. Live music, retro outfits and vintage cameras took over Elliott Tower to commemorate the late 90s and early 2000s.
Hosted by the campus radio station, WXOU, the party included a DJ set by KARMEL, a Y2K outfit contest, cup pong tables and a live music set by The Rodri-bros.
Some students shared their thoughts on the most iconic Y2K aspects such as fashion, music and visual atmosphere.
“[The] first thing that came to mind was neon colors and ‘The Sweet Escape,’” Sydney Dochscader, a freshman, said. “That’s why I brought a Y2K tie with tech stuff I got from my dad.”
“It would definitely have to be the patterns, only patterns like cheetah print scream 2000s” Hayle Monjaras, a junior, said. “Prints were such a staple to the Y2K fashion. Also, music, what better way to remember the nostalgia of the 2000s than with the music?”
event coordinator. A cover of Bowling for Soup’s “1985” was the opening song for the band that also played retro hits like “All Star” and “Stacy’s Mom.” “Beverly Hills” by Weezer was also revamped to have the crowd instead chant “Rochester Hills” during
“My favorite song ever is ‘Stacy’s Mom,’ it was probably the song that inspired this whole set, if not this whole event,” Deacon said. “Something I never liked or thought I’d really get into before was ‘Beverly Hills’ — I wasn’t a big Weezer guy until today.” Students also reflected on the fascination with retro experiences.
“I would say that the music and nostalgia are some of the reasons why we like the 2000s,” Monjaras said. “It was a time when everything was in its prime of commencement. Classics like Lady Gaga, the reminiscence of our childhood, it all seemed simpler and more colorful.”
While bedazzled belts, cheetah prints, baggy pants and analog cameras were mentioned as staples of the Y2K experience, there was an almost unanimous consensus that the emblem of the late 90s and early 2000s was none other than Britney Spears.
“One of the most iconic things about the Y2K fashion is the creativity,” Monjaras said. “There [were] so many accessories, so many fun colors and patterns that were played with, people expressed themselves in so many different ways.”
After attendees grabbed refreshments, the Rodri-bros started their live music set, led in vocals by Andrew Deacon, WXOU
“When we were growing up, it was what we were seeing as kids,” Deacon said. “The Wii’s and DS’s — all the game consoles back then — the technology, the music, that’s what was on the radio and TV when we were growing up.”
“It’s the same way our parents were obsessed with the 70s and the 80s, it’s the love for what was around when we were younger,” Deacon said.
As the party concluded, students also expressed an interest in seeing similar thematic events centered around the 80s and the 90s on OU’s campus in the future.
Story by Chelsea Bossert Design by Megan Judy
Photos courtesy of Spotify
For information about upcoming events, visit WXOU’s Instagram and GrizzOrgs.
It is near the end of November which means 2024 is wrapping up. This year has been hailed as the revival of pop music, Kendrick Lamar’s smash-hit diss track “Not Like Us” was the most popular rap song this year and country is still going strong with albums from modern titans such as Jelly Roll and Zach Bryan.
You see end-of-the-year lists everywhere, but this is not one of those lists. Instead, let’s see what albums, singles and tracks the reporters, graphic designers, editors and photographers at The Oakland Post have enjoyed the most over the past year.
The pop girlies take over
Both Political Editor Mallory Waligora and Features Reporter Dani Cesario touted Taylor Swift’s eleventh studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department” as their favorites for 2024. The album by the now legendary musician features hits like “Fortnight” (featuring Post Malone) and “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.”
Cesario picked “Peter” by Taylor Swift as her favorite song of 2024. She was the only Postie to pick Swift for an individual song.
Gracie Abrams also had multiple nods from Posties. Editor-in-Chief of The Post, Olivia Chiappelli, had Abrams’s album, “The Secret of Us” as her favorite record of 2024. “That’s So True,” also by Abrams, was Waligora’s favorite song of 2024.
Pop stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Charli XCX — who both had strong showings this year — were adored by Posties such as Content Editor, Morgan Warneke, as well as Photo Editor, Courtney Blackett. Warneke enjoyed Olivia Rodrigo’s single, “Obsessed,” while Blackett preferred “Guess” (featuring Billie Eilish) by Charli XCX.
Pop had an amazing run this year, Charli XCX’s “Brat” was the best of the year for me in this genre.
Hip-hop gets hot
Blackett, Sports Editor Kurt Szymanski and Graphic Designer/Distributor Zachary Oberdier all enjoyed hip-hop releases from this year.
Blackett and Szymanski enjoyed more traditional hip-hop records: Megan The Stallion’s “Megan Act: II” and Tyler, the Creator’s “Chromakopia” respectively. On the singles side, Szymanski enjoyed JPEGMAFIA’s experimental single, “SIN MIEDO” and Oberdier lauded Bladee and Yung Lean’s rage rap foray, “ONE SECOND.” Personally, I thought this year for hip-hop was a bit weaker than years past, however, there were some standout releases for me, including Kendrick Lamar’s surprise drop, “GNX,” Lupe Fiasco’s “Samurai” and Chief Keef’s drill masterclass, “Almighty So 2.”
Indie has its shining moment
Out of all of the different kinds of albums, singles and artists listed, one category that stood out to me was the music that did not really fit into one. For all of these, I am categorizing them as Indie, since most of these artists have less than 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.
Editor-in-Chief Chiappelli’s favorite song of the year was “Haunt Me” by Yana. Oberdier’s favorite album of the year was ex-Black Midi frontman Goerdie Greep’s “The New Sound.” Finally, Warneke’s favorite record was the quaint and folksy “Going Through It” by Eliza McLamb. A very special shoutout goes to “Charm” by Clario as well, which received nods from both Managing Editor Megan Judy and Szymanski.
As the Arts Editor of The Oakland Post, my favorite song and record of the year both were indie releases. They were Friko’s album, “Where We’ve Been, Where We’ll Go From Here” and the single from Wishy’s newest record, “Love On The Outside.”
We only have each other: WGS screens Puerto Rican documentary ‘Landfall’
MOE DEL ROSARIO Arts Reporter
The 41st annual Women and Gender Studies program film festival screened Celia Aldarondo’s “Landfall” on Nov. 20, 2024, offering free admission to any student interested.
Since 1994, the film festival has screened films from different countries and experiences to raise awareness on a variety of topics. “Landfall” was chosen this year to represent Puerto Rico and educate viewers on the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The 2020 documentary strived to raise awareness on the country as a whole — from history to present day — but specifically focuses on why Puerto Rican citizens continue fighting for their own rights.
“Landfall” shows the aftermath of the hurricane from two major points of views: corporations who seek to use the island for financial gain and citizens of the island who have witnessed Puerto Rico in several stages of development.
The documentary is intimate, with pauses and silences in between speakers, which allows the audience to sit with the information presented. While there is little interaction between the two points of view, displaying the two opposing sides in the manner that Aldarondo does sparks emotion and contemplation from any viewer.
There’s a special interaction in the film that consists of two women sitting on a beach and having a conversation about the destruction they faced from the hurricane, as well as their own experiences following the disaster. The pair met after the hurricane, capturing the unity that Puerto Ricans have always had, but especially in the aftermath, when all they had was one another.
Following the screening was a panel with speakers Raúl Echevarría, director of community organizing and advocacy at the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation, and Consuela Barber-Lopez, member of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan.
“Everything I do has to keep me connected to homeland,” Echevarría said during the panel. “The
work that I do in Southwest Detroit is as if I was in Puerto Rico.”
Barber-Lopez continued the panel by asking the audience a question about what comes to mind when they think of Hawaii. She explains that most people would think of it as a destination spot instead of a home to citizens that have lived there for generations — she compares that viewpoint to Puerto Rico.
“You can see what happened in Hawaii,” Barber-Lopez said. “You don’t see Hawaiians, and Hawaiians are on poverty level. We as Puerto Ricans are at the poverty level.”
The film captures the very essence of Puerto Rican culture and shows the island in a new light. At the heart of it, Puerto Rico is rebellion, pride and passion.
“As a colonial subject of the United States of America, I’m just trying to be free. That’s the energy that I take to the work that I do in Southwest Detroit, even though Puerto Ricans in Southwest Detroit are a small number,” Echevarría said.
“We have a tendency to forget who we are,” Barber-Lopez said. “You can’t remember something if you don’t know, so having our children understand who they are at the core, at the raíces, at the roots — that’s the longevity.”
Puerto Rico is a beautiful island, and it isn’t done fighting.
Kendrick Lamar’s surprise release ‘GNX’ cements him as a West Coast legend
CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Editor
Kendrick Lamar is the greatest rapper of all time, at least that is what he is telling us.
The 37-year-old rapper from Compton, Cali. has recently released a new record — only announcing it 30 minutes before it dropped. “GNX” has arrived. It is a short, concise, 12 track and 44-minute record. But does it live up to everything that Kendrick has been putting out recently?
Yes. It even exceeds them.
“GNX” is everything I expect from a modern, West Coast hip-hop album — and more. It basks in its hyphy, ratchet and nervous music influences. These regional sounds force Kendrick — a traditionally conscious and laid-back rapper — to stretch his flows and cadence a bit more than he is used to.
The record is hot off the year-dominating success of Kendrick’s Drake-diss tracks: “Euphoria,” “Meet the Grahams,” “Not Like Us,” etc. — he knows that the internet’s current Drake-hate wave is profitable. However, instead of directly capitalizing off of this, Kendrick opts — correctly in my opinion — to double-down on the musical vibe of “Not Like Us.” Brash, bold and electrifying.
The entire record is filled with catchy-as-hell
choruses, anxious beats with staccato string and bass hits, as well as crash-out lyrics that go for the kill. Take the fifth track, “hey now,” for example:
“We got the same twenty-four, what you mad for?/I put a square on his back like I’m Jack Dorsey/ It’s high beams if I make a public appearance/Go back to hidin’ ‘cause I’m not too friendly with n*ggas,” Lamar raps on “hey now.”
There are a ton of other instances of this, the delightfully ignorant “peekaboo,” the hilarious posse-cut “gnx” and the sure-to-be-viral “tv off” — featuring incredible production by Kamasi Washington, Mustard and Jack Antonoff, to name a few.
The West Coast vibes extend from those cuts to some of the more traditionally “conscious” tracks, where Kendrick flexes his lyricism. Songs like “reincarnated,” “heart pt. 6” and the closing-track “gloria” demonstrate this. My two favorite tracks on the record, “reincarnated” and “gloria” are just as good as some of Kendrick’s classic storytelling tracks for me.
“Reincarnated” interpolates both Tupac’s traditional West Coast flow and even one of his beats, Kendrick uses this homage to paint us a picture of musical legacy. He narrates from the perspective of John Lee Hooker and Dinah Washington, then jumps to a call-and-response segment with another version of him — Kendrick’s interpretation of God.
“I kept one hundred institutions paid/(Okay, tell me more)/I put one hundred hoods on one stage/(Okay, tell me more)/I’m tryna push peace in L.A./(But you love war)/No, I don’t/(Oh, yes, you do)/Okay, then tell me the truth,” Lamar raps on “reincarnated.”
The final track, “gloria” is absolutely impressive and encompasses everything amazing about Kendrick Lamar. He raps seemingly about a woman who is elusive and seductive, but it ends up being about his love for writing raps.
“My woman and my right hand, my saint and my sin/Ain’t no bitch like my b*tch ‘cause that b*tch been my pen,” Lamar raps on “gloria.”
The features on “GNX” are what makes the record stand out among popular rap albums, for me. There are obvious inclusions like SZA, but underground L.A. artists like Dody6, Hitta J3 and Young Threat are present on the album as well.
Overall, I am extremely impressed with this record. Although I was not a fan of the start of the album, the creative ingenuity of Kendrick and his producers saved this for me. The run from track five to the end is one of my favorite track-runs in Kendrick’s discography. This record contends with Kendrick’s best like “To Pimp A Butterfly” and “good kid, m.A.A.d city.”
It’s hard to say where Kendrick will go from here, but to me, it really does not matter — because he will always be a legend
PHOTO COURTESY OF ITVS
Rauw Alejandro is a jack-of-all-trades on new album ‘Cosa Nuestra’
MOE DEL ROSARIO Arts Reporter
Puerto Rican artist Rauw Alejandro released his fifth studio album, “Cosa Nuestra,” on Nov. 15, 2024, achieving 34.15 million streams within the first 24 hours on Spotify.
“Cosa Nuestra” creates a persona for Alejandro — “Raúl Alejandro” who, described by Alejandro, gives off a telenovela vibe set in the same era as the musical and film “West Side Story,” which was also a big inspiration for the album.
The titular song, “Cosa Nuestra,” sets the stage for the rest of the album, which serves as a callback to previous artists. The song and album reference previous projects from renowned and classic salsa musicians Willie Colón and Héctor Lavoe.
The song also introduces the audience to Raúl Alejandro.
The second track, “Déjame Entrar,” uses reggaeton. The song is more modern and in turn, familiar to younger generations of Latino. “Déjame Entrar” speaks about a crush that Alejandro has but he can’t quite tell her.
“Qué Pasaría…” gives us the first feature of the album — Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny is a massively popular fellow Puerto Rican artist, and the pair work well together on this song. I find that reggaeton suits them well, and this collaboration did not disappoint.
Being familiar with the classic song, I was very
excited for Alejandro’s take on Frankie Ruiz’s “Tú Con Él.” Alejandro’s voice suits modern salsa and although it wasn’t a new song, it still felt separate from the original, and I enjoyed his cover.
“Committed” features Pharrell Williams and is the first song on the album where Alejandro is singing in English. The song fits the “West Side Story” aesthetic, being in Spanglish — Spanish with hints of English — and the lyrics depict the singer yearning for someone.
All in the same genre, Alejandro is known for “Espresso Martini,” “Baja Pa’ Acá,” “Ni Me Conozco,” “IL Capo” and “Revolú.” These are all well done and I enjoyed each one, but they don’t
give the audience anything new.
“Mil Mujeres” and “SEXXXMACHINE” are more fast paced and mix a variety of different genres together. Electronic is combined with merengue and salsa and ends in a hyperpop instrumental. Although different from his previous music, Alejandro works well with the genre change.
In “Khé,” Alejandro works with Romeo Santos — one of the most well-known bachata artists that defined the 2000s. These two work really well together and combine a traditional bachata with a more modern bachata.
“Se Fue” features Laura Pausini and plays more into pop than what I expected from Alejandro, but oddly enough, his style warps in with Pausini’s. “Pasaporte” also follows the pop trend but has a twist that gives it more of a synth-pop style, which can also be heard in “Touching the Sky.”
“Amar De Nuevo” explores more of a bolero route, and the lyrics detailing a distrust in a budding relationship works well with the style.
One of my favorites from the album, “2:12 AM,” has a pop-rock feel to it that truly makes it feel like a song straight out of the 80s. The guitar in the middle ties the song together and LATIN MAFIA elevates the feel of it.
Overall, the album captures Alejandro’s impressive range. There was a lull in the middle with songs that sound like any other album of his, the last few were all unique in their own way.
‘Wicked: Part I’ finally arrives: Grande and Erivo shine in a faithful adaptation
REAGAN REETZ
Marketing Director
“Wicked” has been one of Hollywood’s most anticipated adaptations since plans for a movie were announced in 2012. To put that into perspective: if I’d started practicing “Defying Gravity” back then, I might actually be able to hit the notes by now.
I first discovered the musical in 2016 as a preteen, and it quickly became one of my all-time favorites. Since then, I’ve seen the stage version multiple times and spent countless hours listening to the soundtrack.
“Wicked” carries the same weight for many viewers, whether they’ve been fans since its Broadway debut in 2003 or discovered it more recently. Now that “Wicked” has finally made the leap from the stage to film, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
When I first heard about the casting of pop star Ariana Grande, I’ll admit — I thought they’d already messed it up. Thankfully, I was wrong, as Grande delivers a stellar performance from start to finish.
We first see her prowess as Glinda in the opening track “No One Mourns the Wicked.” Grande perfectly captures Glinda’s polished, bubbly exterior while revealing subtle cracks that hint at her conflicting sense of their world.
While Grande is known for her impressions, it’s clear that she is not simply trying to replicate Kristin Chenoweth’s original portrayal of Glinda. Instead, she brings her own nuance and flair to the character while deepening Glinda’s complexity by further exploring her complicity.
On the other side of the green and pink coin, Cynthia Erivo takes on the role of Elphaba, with a commanding presence that immediately sets her apart. Known for her powerhouse vocals, Erivo dives headfirst into the character, embracing Elphaba’s quiet vulnerability and determination.
Erivo shines in Elphaba’s closest personal moments, most notably “The Wizard and I” and “I’m Not That Girl.” Erivo’s Elphaba feels different in a way I’ve never seen before — less confrontational than most portrayals, with more emphasis on her introspection and deep sense of longing.
Erivo’s choice to show more restraint throughout the film makes the climactic “Defying Gravity” all the more impactful. However, the impact of her performance is undercut by the overly drawn-out final scene.
In this adaptation, “Defying Gravity” includes far more interludes of dialogue than the stage version, giving it an almost Marvel-style action sequence feel. While the added context works well in other parts of the movie, it drags heavily here, especially after the previous two and a half hours of runtime.
Regardless, Grande and Erivo complement each other perfectly, bringing distinct and authentic energies to both Glinda and Elphaba. Their chemistry shines in the scenes where they clash, and even more so in moments where their friendship develops. Their performances, while brilliant, felt weighed down by the heavy CGI appearance of the film. Despite the presence of physical sets, the backdrops felt far too artificial for the heavy lifting the crew did to build the world of Oz.
I also felt disappointed in the appearance of the
animals, though I’m not sure what exactly the solution to that would be. It seems to suffer the same issue as “Cats” (2020) — a production that works beautifully on stage with its extravagant makeup and costumes but struggles to effectively translate to realistic CGI.
Something I am beyond thankful for was “Wicked’s” unapologetic existence as a musical. Unlike recent adaptations, such as “Mean Girls” (2023), which seemed hesitant to advertise their musical nature, “Wicked” proudly leans into its theatrical roots.
In the end, “Wicked” delivered a faithful adaptation of the beloved musical, showcasing spectacular performances from the two leading women.
“Wicked: Part Two” will hit theaters next year, on Nov. 21, 2025.
Rating: 4/5 stars
PHOTO COURTESY OF IMDB
PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOTIFY/DUARS ENTERTAINMENT
‘Gladiator II:’ Monkeys and sharks and rhinos, oh my!
MALLORY WALIGORA
Political Editor
Spoilers ahead.
Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, takes center stage in the “Gladiator” sequel, directed by Ridley Scott.
Years after witnessing the death of gladiator Maximus, played by Russell Crowe in the original movie, Lucius fights in the Colosseum as a prisoner of war. Lucius is out for revenge for Acacius, played by Pedro Pascal, who was the Roman general responsible for conquering his land and killing his wife – inciting a spark of rage within Lucius.
Throughout the film, Lucius fights his way through various gladiator battles and works towards his goal of revenge. This is all against the backdrop of deeper Roman politics, the fall of the empire and power struggles between different rulers.
Before watching this movie, you have to brush up on your original “Gladiator” knowledge. I made the mistake of watching the original movie over five years ago, and I showed up to the cinema hoping that all this knowledge would come back to me.
Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
The movie builds upon past developments in the first movie, and you’ll struggle to keep up with the plot if
you don’t understand. Without understanding the first film, it’s difficult to follow the plot of the second.
In my eyes, a strong sequel is a standalone movie. Yes, it is possible to build upon past relationships and plot lines, but also the audience should be able to easily follow the plot without previously watching the prequel.
As for Mescal, It’s difficult to top Russell Crowe, as his emotional and multifaceted performance is impossible to replicate. Additionally, Mescal was given a bland script. Scott essentially handed him five cool fight scenes and minimal emotional scenes to work with.
After seeing Mescal’s work in “Aftersun,” it’s clear he has the acting chops to reveal a deeply emotional and impactful movie, however, the script gave him minimal time to breathe or show that side of him. This is not to say that Mescal delivered a bad performance, instead, the material was weak.
Denzel Washington was the real hero of the movie. I won’t be the first, nor the last, person to praise his acting skills. His intonation of specific words and his emphasis on certain syllabi proved just how talented he is in the art of theater. Although not the main focus of the film, he gave a stand-out performance. Watching “Gladiator II” is like watching a Prince
impersonator concert. It’s fun and something to fill your weekend. However, at the end of the day, it’s a tacky remake lacking emotional appeal, where you so desperately wish it was Prince — in this case Russell Crowe.
Without the hype of the original “Gladiator” or the Hollywood-stacked cast to draw audiences in, this would likely be a History Channel episode that your middle school teacher puts on the day before Christmas break. The marketing and the starstudded cast seriously worked in this movie’s favor.
All of this to say, this was a fun movie. The fight scenes were enthralling and action-packed. The Roman political plot was exciting, although it should be noted that a plot to overthrow the emperor(s) was done in the first film as well. I enjoyed the production design, the costumes and even the cinematography.
Who should watch this?
If your Roman Empire is actually the Roman Empire, this movie will be fun for you. Also if you want to spend two and a half hours looking at Paul Mescal in a tunic, your ticket is worth the price alone.
Rating: 3/5 stars
NICHOLAS KABLAK Political Reporter
Donald Trump has nominated Senator Marco Rubio as the next administration’s Secretary of State. Some see this as a break from Trump’s foreign policy record, while others see Rubio as a safe and stable choice.
The Secretary of State is responsible for conducting the president’s foreign policy via the Department of State. Rubio would be advising the president on foreign affairs, supervising the Department of State and personally engaging in foreign negotiations.
As the head of the executive branch’s most central and arguably most important department, Rubio would exert significant influence on the federal government. So, what is to be expected of Rubio as Secretary of State?
Stances on Global Affairs
On the topic of the war in Ukraine, Rubio has supported Trump’s recent call for a negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia. Rubio seems determined to help Trump fulfill the goal of a swift settlement of the war.
“I would be comfortable with a deal that ends
these hostilities that is favorable to Ukraine meaning they have their own sovereignty … I am not going to pre-judge any agreement,” Rubio said.
Conversely, Rubio is considerably negative toward China, as he believes that China has been abusing the global markets and stealing American research to damage the U.S. Rubio has also floated how decoupling from China might look.
“It’s not smart to have all your eggs in one basket and the beneficiaries are not going to necessarily be America, but it’s Vietnam, Indonesia and other places in Southeast Asia,” Rubio said.
Rubio has made it clear that he supports Israel and has commented that Hamas is to blame for the deaths in Gaza and the war in the Middle East.
Concerns
Some are worried about Rubio, calling him a war hawk and pointing out that his initial response to many conflicts is to take an aggressive stance. This seems in part contradictory to Trump, who often favors avoiding military conflicts.
“He’s [Putin] not going to stop with Ukraine if he’s allowed, he must pay a big price for it,” Rubio said at the outbreak of the Ukraine war.
Besides his reaction to Russia’s invasion, Rubio has also been a past critic of Trump’s administration
Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense: Who is he? Marco Rubio as Secretary of State: Who is he?
NICHOLAS KABLAK Political Reporter
Donald Trump has selected Pete Hegseth, Fox News host, author and Army veteran, as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth is a conservative commentator with many traditional viewpoints and a strongly Conservative reform-driven desire for the U.S. military.
The Secretary of Defense is the highest-appointed position concerning military matters that a president can make, second only to the president himself. Hegseth would be in charge of creating defense policy, managing the entire Pentagon, overseeing every branch of the military (except the Coast Guard) and gathering intelligence.
If Hegseth receives the necessary approval from the Senate, he will be a core pillar of Trump’s cabinet. So, who is Hegseth and what are his viewpoints?
Views on the Military
“When you impose DEI and CRT and gender fluid standards into the military, you are breeding a less capable military,” Hegseth said in an interview with Kirk Cameron.
Hegseth is highly critical of any left-leaning ideology in his beliefs and statements concerning the military. Hegseth has specifically criticized women in combat roles, claiming they have been put there artificially and are not meeting the original standards for combat positions.
“I’m okay with the idea that you maintain the standards where they are for everybody and if there’s some, you know, hard-charging female that meets that standard — great, cool join the infantry battalion — but that is not what’s happened. What has happened is the standards have lowered,” Hegseth said on the Shawn Ryan Show.
While the military has said they haven’t lowered any standards, Hegseth seems to believe that there is a de-facto lowering of standards in the military, from high-ranking officers pressuring lower officers to maintain higher levels of women in combat roles.
Hegseth has also criticized the educational apparatus for the military, saying they push the same ideologies that have been weakening the military. He has instead called for a purge of many of the superintendents and professors from the military academies.
“There’s a good core in the middle. A good, honest, God-fearing core inside our military that wants to do the right things,” Hegseth said.
Views on Foreign Rivals
Hegseth has also commented on Russia as a player on the global stage. In general, Hegseth finds Russia not to be capable or willing to extend past Ukraine and has voiced his concern about America getting overinvolved in Europe.
“I don’t think he’s [Putin] a suicidal maniac who’s hellbent on bringing Armageddon. If Ukraine can defend themselves from that — great, but I don’t want American intervention driving deep into Europe,” Hegseth said.
for removing the U.S. from certain conflicts. Notably, Rubio commented on Trump’s withdrawal from Syria in Trump’s first administration.
“My qualm with him now is he is abandoning that effort before it is completely finished,” Rubio said.
While Rubio has shifted his perspective and stances in recent years to better reflect Trump, it is not clear if there has been any sort of change in Rubio’s governing ideology. If a new conflict were to arise that could pull the U.S. into a war, it is uncertain if Rubio would advise the president in a hawkish fashion as he has in the past, or if he would mirror Trump’s stance.
Personal Beliefs
Rubio is strongly opposed to relativism, the idea that truth is subjective. He has spoken extensively about American decadence and its corruptive nature.
“I think decadence … is this belief that we could do whatever we wanted. That things that have always mattered to every country, every society, every culture throughout human history it didn’t matter anymore,” Rubio said.
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Furthermore, Hegseth believes that China is a direct enemy of the U.S. and is actively seeking global domination to America’s detriment. He believes that the U.S. is completely failing and falling behind China, while China excels in almost every metric.
“They [China] have a full spectrum, long-term view, of not just regional but global domination,” Hegseth said. In terms of Iran, Hegseth is primarily concerned with Iran’s capability of producing and using a nuclear weapon. He believes it is dangerous to allow any Islamic extremist, which he holds Iranian leadership to be, to have a nuclear bomb.
Personal Beliefs
Hegseth routinely brings up his Christian faith as an important part of his ideology and motivations. He has commented that he feels that Christian values are under attack in the military.
“It’s always been a bedrock of the American Military — it’s that we believe in something bigger than ourselves,” Hegseth said.
Hegseth has said that being faced with life-ordeath scenarios causes one to consider faith deeply. Hegseth’s beliefs are even visible in his tattoos which amongst other things, involve heavy Christian imagery and has caused some to call him a religious extremist. While it is currently unclear how Hegseth’s beliefs will inform his decisions, in his capacity as Secretary of Defense, it seems certain that he will play a controversial role in the coming administration — being a bigoted regression to some and a return of greatness to others.
Karoline Leavitt selected as Trump’s press secretary
MALLORY WALIGORA
Political Reporter
In light of Donald Trump’s win, the presidentelect is currently choosing members to fill his staff before his inauguration in January. One of the most pivotal and public roles of the White House administration is the press secretary. The press secretary provides daily briefings to the media on behalf of the president, making it an extremely visible role.
Trump officially named Karoline Leavitt as the press secretary for his upcoming administration. Leavitt is only 27, making her the youngest ever to hold the position.
“Thank you, President Trump, for believing in me. I am humbled and honored. Let’s MAGA!” Leavitt wrote on X.
Karine Jean-Pierre sits as the current press secretary under the Biden administration. She famously had to battle off concerns over Biden’s age amid the announcement of Biden dropping out of the race. Although vastly different in terms of political beliefs, both women must defend the sitting president and put forward a positive image
of the Oval Office.
Leavitt attended Saint Anselm College and studied political science and communication. Additionally, she interned at Fox News during her studies. While at college, she played softball on scholarship. She also wrote op-eds in the campus newspaper defending Trump.
After working for Fox News, Leavitt interned at the White House Office of Presidential Correspondence. Following her graduation, she returned to work for Kayleigh McEnany, to help with press for Trump.
In 2022, Leavitt began her political career, announcing that she was running for the House of Representatives in New Hampshire. Her campaign was focused on conservative values. Although she won the Republican primary, she lost the general election. It should be noted that she won the nomination at 25 years old, making her the second member of Generation Z to win a congressional primary.
Despite her defeat, her loss raised major publicity for her career and image, eventually leading to her nominated position. If one can learn anything from her story, it’s that when one door closes, another one opens. That door might lead you to one of the
Opinion: My ideal White House
MALLORY WALIGORA Political Editor
As much as I love politics, sometimes it gets stressful, heated and overwhelming. America is politically divided, especially after the election.
Sometimes I want to live in a dreamland where there are rainbows and unicorns, and it’s time I make an official government for my imaginary world. Here’s who I would pick for some of the positions in the government. For consideration for the roles, all characters must be fictional and not exist in real life.
President Gandalf from “Lord of the Rings” will be president. Everyone likes Gandalf. Gandalf is about 24,000 years old, so he’s seen a lot and lived a long life. All of these life experiences will perfectly translate into the role of president. He’s calm, experienced and wise.
The U.S. gets invaded, and a world war begins? You shall not pass! I know Gandalf will be casting his spells and using magic throughout the presidency to run a smooth and successful country.
Vice President
For vice president, I’m choosing Harvey Specter from “Suits.” Specter has a J.D. from Harvard and graduated 5th in his class. During the series, his character worked as a senior partner at Pearson Hardman. Throughout this experience, Specter shows he’s dedicated and intelligent. His legal background would add to the position, as the government commonly intertwines with the law.
Secretary of State
I’m picking Queen Mia Thermopolis of Genovia from “The Princess Diaries” to run foreign affairs. She’s learned from Queen Clarisse, played by Julie Andrews, in lessons of diplomacy, government affairs and etiquette. Besides being the ruling queen of Genovia, she’s brave and smart and would be a great representative of the U.S.
Press Secretary
I love Samantha Jones from “Sex and the City,” and she is one of the most iconic characters on television in my opinion. I know she would eat up a cute blazer and Manolo Blahniks and strut into the press briefing room. I think she would add some fierceness to the role and much-needed sass to reporters who overstep. Additionally, in the television show, she ran an extremely successful PR
most highly coveted positions in the U.S.
A potential challenge one might face when managing public relations for Trump is his frequent and constant flow of direct messages. Trump typically prefers to engage directly with people, opting for social media and rallies to communicate. This is in stark contrast to the highly regulated public relations and proofreading that communications from the president typically go through. With such a large personality as Trump, it might be difficult balancing communications and monitoring what goes through the office versus what comes directly from him.
The Trump transition team publicly announced her role on Nov. 15.
“Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communication. I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium,” the Trump-Vance transition team wrote in a statement.
The role of press secretary is one of the most scrutinized roles not just in the U.S., but in the entire world. Leavitt has a tough road ahead of her. With all the public attention, will she be able to thrive or will she fall under pressure?
firm, so there’s brains to her beauty. She knows the world of PR and handles press on a daily basis. With her New York charm, she would be a spectacular press secretary.
Secretary of the Treasury
For this cabinet position, I’m picking Alan from “The Hangover.” Alan is played by Zach Galifianakis as he joins his friends for a bachelor weekend in Vegas. Alan makes $80,000 in one hour through card counting. To win that much in that time, one needs to be $1,000 per hand when the count is in your favor.
All of this to say, I want someone who can make that much in blackjack in charge of my treasury. The stock market crashed. No worries, just send Alan over to Caesar’s Palace to earn a little money to fix it.
Director of the Office of Science and Technology
I’m picking Sheldon Cooper from “The Big Bang Theory.” Cooper graduated college at 14 years old and then began his PhD at the California Institute of Technology for theoretical physics. He’s extremely knowledgeable in terms of the scientific field, and I have no doubt he would do a good job.
Eastern Michigan claims victory over Golden Grizzlies in tight swim and dive meet
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Oakland women’s swim and dive team lost to the Eastern Michigan Eagles in a meet with a final score of 161-139 on the road at the Jones Natatorium.
The meet consisted of 16 different events, including two relays, which started and closed the event. Among the 16 events, the Golden Grizzlies and the Eagles placed first in eight — respectively — showing just how close the meet was.
Starting with the 200-medley relay, the Eastern Michigan A team narrowly edged out the Oakland A team for first place, finishing less than half a second ahead of the Golden Grizzlies. However, the rest of Oakland’s relay teams took places second through fifth.
Next, in the 1000 free, Mia Englender claimed first place for the first time in the meet for the Golden Grizzlies. No other Oakland swimmers finished in the top three, but Nora Molnar put some points on the board with her fourth-place finish that marked a new personal best.
Following that, in the 200 free, Nehir Oz and Emma Littrell from Eastern Michigan claimed first and second place, respectively. Closely behind them were Oakland swimmers Kelley Hassett in third, Erika Pietras in fourth and Viviane Partridge in fifth. In the 100 back, Oakland placed first yet again, thanks to Grace Albrecht, who finished with a time of 56.17. Eagle swimmers notched second through fourth, while Paige Koscielski finished in fifth for the
Golden Grizzlies.
During the 100 breast, Eastern Michigan dominated the podium, with three swimmers taking first, second and third. Still, Maya Dobry and Englender contributed three points to Oakland’s score with their respective fourth and fifth-place finishes.
The Golden Grizzlies got back on track in the 200 fly, with Rhianna Hensler dominating the field on her way to finishing first. Additionally, Ajete Eggers placed third for Oakland with a final time of 2:09.83.
Ronja Riihinen and Jordyn Shipps built off Hensler and Eggers in the 50 free, outpacing Eastern Michigan’s swimmers for first and second-place finishes. Notably, Riihinen and Shipps finished extremely close, with just 0.08 seconds separating the pair.
In the 1M dive, Elleana Chalifoux lifted the Golden Grizzlies to another top finish, ending with 279.83 points. Behind Chalifoux, Eastern’s Malia Marie, Rebekah Knapp and Taityn Speier put up enough points to take the next three spots.
Next, Riihinen took another first place in the 100 free, further boosting the Oakland score. In addition to Riihinen, Samantha Thiessen finished in fifth place with a time of 53.97 for the Golden Grizzlies.
Following Oakland’s stretch of first-place finishes, the Eagles had their own streak of finishing at the top of the podium. Eastern Michigan swimmers finished first in the 200 back, 200 breast and 500 free.
That didn’t deter Oakland, as in the 100 fly, Shipps pulled ahead of all swimmers for a top finish. Shipps and Albrecht also dominated in the 200 individual medley, with the duo taking first and second, respectively.
Still, the Eagles dominated in the 3M dive, claiming first, third and fourth, giving Eastern Michigan a somewhat comfortable lead as the meet neared its end. For Oakland, Chalifoux took second, while Abigail McCool contributed a point to the Golden Grizzlies’ total.
In the last event, the 400 free relay, the Eagles capped off their day with another first-place finish. Their A team finished a little over three seconds quicker than Oakland’s A team, giving Eastern Michigan their second consecutive win over the Golden Grizzlies.
Next, the Golden Grizzlies will compete in the Zippy Invite from Thursday, Dec. 5, until Sunday, Dec. 8, in Akron, Ohio. The competition marks Oakland’s last in the calendar year.
PHOTO BY KATIE REID
Shooting struggles continue to haunt Oakland in tight loss to Eastern Michigan
KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Editor
In their first clash against a mid-major this season, the Oakland men’s basketball team narrowly lost to the Eastern Michigan Eagles, ending with a score of 68-64 at the OU Credit Union O’Rena on Thursday, Nov. 21.
“This hurt. For the rest of our non-conference games, there isn’t one where we’re favored to win,” head coach Greg Kampe said. “You got to get the ones at home, and you got to get ones that you think you can get.”
This season, the Golden Grizzlies Achilles’ heel has been their shooting from beyond the arc, and that theme continued against the Eagles. Oakland shot 16.7% from beyond the arc, making just three of their 18 three-point attempts.
In fact, among all 355 Division I men’s basketball teams, the Golden Grizzlies rank dead last in efficiency from beyond the arc, converting just 20.3% of their attempts, according to NCAA.com.
“It’s all up in their heads, and our offense is historically bad right now, and that’s why there’s a chance we can turn this around because water does find its level,” Kampe said. “Those guys can shoot, and eventually, we’ll start shooting, but we got to get mentally tougher. You give up 68 points at home; you should win.”
Buru Naivalurua led Oakland in scoring, chipping in 16 points, four rebounds and two steals against the
Eagles. DQ Cole snagged a team-high 14 rebounds while also tallying 12 points and three assists. Jaylen Jones led the team in assists off the bench, dishing out five.
For the Eagles, Arne Osojnik contributed a teambest 16 points while also recording four rebounds and two assists. Da’Sean Nelson led Eastern Michigan in rebounds, bringing in seven while distributing the Eagles’ most assists with five.
In the first half, the Golden Grizzlies set the tone early, with Jayson Woodrich scoring on a layup to start the game. As a result, Oakland built up a slight lead that was not relinquished in the game’s initial stages with buckets from Allen Mukeba, Nassim Mashhour and Cole.
After Mukeba fouled Christian Henry towards the end of the first, the Eagles brought the game back, tying it at 26-26 with just under five minutes to go. Despite this, Oakland entered the break on a high note, scoring the half’s last six points, giving them an eight-point lead to end the first.
At the start of the second, Eastern Michigan wasted no time taking their first lead of the game. The Eagles went on a 14-2 run through the first seven minutes of the second, flipping a six-point deficit into an eightpoint lead.
In the game’s final minutes, Oakland managed to cut deep into an Eagles lead that stood since they gained it in the half’s opening minutes.
Down by two with a minute left, the Golden Grizzlies got a defensive stop that gave the team life, but Cole’s three-point attempt to take back the lead rattled out. Naivalurua collected Cole’s miss, but his layup refused to fall.
With just four seconds left on the clock, a pair of free throws from Eastern Michigan’s Jalen Terry sealed the game, giving the Eagles their first win over Oakland since the 2017-18 season.
Next, the Golden Grizzlies will look to get back on track as they take a road trip to face off against the Toledo Rockets on Saturday, Nov. 30, before they host the Wright State Raiders on Thursday, Dec. 5, in the first conference game of the season.
Women’s basketball drops home game against St. Thomas
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
In their first clash against a mid-major this season, the Oakland men’s basketball team narrowly lost to the Eastern Michigan Eagles, ending with a score of 68-64 at the OU Credit Union O’Rena on Thursday, Nov. 21.
“This hurt. For the rest of our non-conference games, there isn’t one where we’re favored to win,” head coach Greg Kampe said. “You got to get the ones at home, and you got to get ones that you think you can get.”
This season, the Golden Grizzlies Achilles’ heel has been their shooting from beyond the arc, and that theme continued against the Eagles. Oakland shot 16.7% from beyond the arc, making just three of their 18 three-point attempts.
In fact, among all 355 Division I men’s basketball teams, the Golden Grizzlies rank dead last in efficiency from beyond the arc, converting just 20.3% of their attempts, according to NCAA.com.
“It’s all up in their heads, and our offense is historically bad right now, and that’s why there’s a chance we can turn this around because water does find its level,” Kampe said. “Those guys can shoot, and eventually, we’ll start shooting, but we got to get mentally tougher. You give up 68 points at home; you should win.”
Buru Naivalurua led Oakland in scoring, chipping in 16 points, four rebounds and two steals against the
Eagles. DQ Cole snagged a team-high 14 rebounds while also tallying 12 points and three assists. Jaylen Jones led the team in assists off the bench, dishing out five.
For the Eagles, Arne Osojnik contributed a teambest 16 points while also recording four rebounds and two assists. Da’Sean Nelson led Eastern Michigan in rebounds, bringing in seven while distributing the Eagles’ most assists with five.
In the first half, the Golden Grizzlies set the tone early, with Jayson Woodrich scoring on a layup to start the game. As a result, Oakland built up a slight lead that was not relinquished in the game’s initial stages with buckets from Allen Mukeba, Nassim Mashhour and Cole.
After Mukeba fouled Christian Henry towards the end of the first, the Eagles brought the game back, tying it at 26-26 with just under five minutes to go. Despite this, Oakland entered the break on a high note, scoring the half’s last six points, giving them an eight-point lead to end the first.
At the start of the second, Eastern Michigan wasted no time taking their first lead of the game. The Eagles went on a 14-2 run through the first seven minutes of the second, flipping a six-point deficit into an eightpoint lead.
In the game’s final minutes, Oakland managed to cut deep into an Eagles lead that stood since they gained it in the half’s opening minutes.
Down by two with a minute left, the Golden
Grizzlies got a defensive stop that gave the team life, but Cole’s three-point attempt to take back the lead rattled out. Naivalurua collected Cole’s miss, but his layup refused to fall.
With just four seconds left on the clock, a pair of free throws from Eastern Michigan’s Jalen Terry sealed the game, giving the Eagles their first win over Oakland since the 2017-18 season.
Next, the Golden Grizzlies will look to get back on track as they take a road trip to face off against the Toledo Rockets on Saturday, Nov. 30, before they host the Wright State Raiders on Thursday, Dec. 5, in the first conference game of the season.
PHOTO BY CARLEE MORGAN
PHOTO BY CARLEE MORGAN
Detroit Pistons early season recap
EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter
The Detroit Pistons, the last few years, have been, how do you say it, dreadful.
In the 2023-24 season, the Pistons finished with a league-worst record of 14-68, also good for the worst in franchise history. After a 2-1 start to the season, Detroit lost 28 consecutive games, setting the NBA record for the longest single-season losing streak and tying the record for the longest losing streak overall.
Immediately following the season, head coach Monty Williams was fired after only one year at the helm. General manager Troy Weaver also stepped down in May after compiling a 54-192 record in three seasons.
Heading into the 2024-25 season, the franchise’s direction was a major focus. Trajan Langdon was brought on as president of basketball operations and hired head coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Bickerstaff led the Cavaliers to the playoffs in two consecutive seasons but was let go last season after failing to advance past the conference semifinals.
With the current core in place of point guard Cade Cunningham, off-guard Jaden Ivey and center Jalen Duren, the management knew they needed to prioritize shooting in the off-season. Last season, the Pistons ranked 26th in three-point shooting percentage at 34.8% while tying for dead last in the league at 11 makes a game.
To fix this, wings Malik Beasley and Tim Hardaway
Jr. were brought in. Both have a history of being high-volume, decent-percentage shooters and so far, the early returns have been promising. Beasley is cashing in on 39.2% of his threes, making 3.6 per game. Hardaway Jr. sits below at 38.4%, making 2.2 per game.
Cunningham is having the best season of his career so far, in large part due to the shooting that now surrounds him. He is averaging a career-best 8.9 assists with 23.5 points per game. Health has always been a concern with Cunningham, but he has played in 17 of 18 games.
Ivey’s growth as a scorer and playmaker is vital to the season’s success. After a splendid college career at Purdue, Ivey was drafted fifth overall in 2022. While a capable scorer and outstanding athlete, his pureshooting capability leaves much to be desired.
He also leaves his feet nearly every time he drives, failing to play off two feet in the lane and throwing away the ball as he haphazardly jumps into defenders. Ivey is playing a career-high in minutes and scoring a career-best 18 points a game, but the jury is still out on him as a second option.
Tobias Harris was also brought in for reinforcements — the forward returns to Detroit after stints with the Clippers and the 76ers. Harris may not be the same robust, multi-level scorer that he used to be, but he brings a shot-making ability off the dribble that the Pistons sorely needed.
A big theme in the last couple of years has been the franchise’s ill fortune in the draft lottery. After finishing with the worst overall record this previous
season, the Pistons fell to fifth overall again in the draft. They took Ron Holland II — a former five-star recruit out of high school who chose to play for the G-League Ignite instead of college ball. Holland has great size at 6’8” and is a tremendous athlete but lacks a consistent three-point shot.
These players have contributed to a 7-11 start as of Nov. 24, which is much better than last year’s. Last season, the Pistons held an offensive rating of 109.7 (fourth worst in the league) and a defensive rating of 118.8 (sixth worst). Eighteen games into the season, the defense ranks 14th in the league at 112.6 and 23rd in offense at 110.8. The offense needs some work, but the early returns on defense are huge.
Numerous close losses have also occurred; the season’s opening game against the Indiana Pacers resulted in a 6-point loss. In total, 10 of the Pistons’ 11 losses have been by 12 points or less. Three losses were by one possession, and two others came in overtime.
Concerningly, there have also been many surrendered leads. Against the Bucks on Nov. 13, Detroit held an 18-point lead early in the second half but blew it. In a one-point win over the Hawks, the Pistons had a 23-point lead in the first half erased in the fourth quarter. With all that being said, the NBA season is long, and a lot can happen. Teams can get plagued with the injury bug, cold spells in three-point shooting can mean losing streaks, or surprise players will earn more time on the court and become stars overnight. I am intrigued by this new iteration of the Pistons and will follow them closely as the season progresses.
