To uncover the truth and report it accurately
Volume 52, Issue 22 | wednesday, september 20, 2017 | ndsmcobserver.com
Writing tutors serve as student resources Notre Dame’s Writing Center provides assistance, constructive criticism to writers of all skill levels By MAX LANDER News Writer
In the midst of midterms and application season, those looking to improve their writing skills can visit the Writing Center to discuss their work and receive constructive criticism. The center is open to anyone, regardless of skill level or area of study, senior Kathryn Minko, a tutor at the center said, and allows clients to work on any form of writing with trained student tutors. “The Writing Center is a tool for undergraduate, graduate students — pretty much anybody to come in and just work on their writing and have a conversation about it,” she said. “There’s an emphasis on
collaboration, not just the tutor telling the student what’s wrong with their paper.” Junior Evelyn Heck, also a tutor for the Writing Center, said its methodology focuses on ideas and communication. Taking cues from the way writing works in a real world academic environment, it focuses on improving a student’s writing through organic discussion with tutors, Heck said. At the Writing Center, she said, a student can receive constructive criticism about their writing as well as discuss, debate and order their ideas. “The purpose of the Writing Center is to promote discussion about various topics, and also see WRITING PAGE 4
ZACHARY YIM | The Observer
Student tutors in the Notre Dame Writing Center spend 45-minute appointments working with any members of the community who want to improve as writers or work on a specific piece of writing.
Saint Mary’s examines DACA with teach-in event By IMAN OMAR News Writer
On Tuesday, Saint Mary’s hosted “DACA, Then and Now,” a teach-in event on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program’s past, present and future. The purpose of the event was to inform community members about the DACA program, how it started, what it involves and what
can be expected in the future. The event involved a panel of three speakers that touched on different facets of DACA as well as immigration policy and practice. Holy Cross Sister Sharlet Ann Wagner was the first speaker on the panel and spoke from her experience as an immigration attorney. Wagner said she believes the most common problem is the fact that many people
simply do not understand the role of illegal immigrants. “Many people believe that illegal immigrants don’t pay taxes,” she said. “Immigrants pay sales taxes, gas taxes, rental taxes. Taxes are withheld from undocumented immigrants paychecks just like they are withheld from mine and yours. The difference is many of them don’t see DACA PAGE 4
Vespers service offers alternate form of prayer By TOM NAATZ News Writer
Every month, the McGrath Institute for Church Life holds vespers, an evening prayer service in the chapel in Geddes Hall. John Cavadini, a professor of theology and the director of the institute, explained that Vespers is part of
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the church’s ongoing Liturgy of the Hours. “Liturgy of the Hours refers to the daily prayers of the Church,” Cavadini said. “The two hinges of Liturgy of the Hours is morning prayers, which is called Lauds, and evening prayers, which is called Vespers.” Cavadini discussed the other
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Liturgy of the Hours as well. There is mid-morning, noon and mid-afternoon prayers in addition to lauds and vespers. The idea behind Liturgy of the Hours, Cavadini said, is to “sanctify the day.” Since Mass can be held at any time of the day, it is independent of the see VESPERS PAGE 4
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College alumna embraces passion for photography By MAEVE FILBIN News Writer
By the start of her freshman year at Saint Mary’s, Elise deSomer (’17) said she knew she would be a professional photographer. DeSomer started her Michiana photography business, Elise Imagery, as a high school blog and has since transformed it into a fullfledged career specializing in portraits and unique artwork. Having graduated from the College as the co-valedictorian of the class of 2017 and having been the recipient of departmental awards in art and English literature, Elise said she attributes much of her confidence to her Saint Mary’s education. “I’m definitely not the same person I was before Saint Mary’s. I was very timid and non-assertive, which simply doesn’t work for photographing people. Saint Mary’s helped me gain the leadership
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skills necessary for directing clients during photo shoots,” deSomer said in an email. “The intensity of art classes at SMC prepped me well for the fast turnaround clients expect for photography in the digital age. … Being an art major taught me how to conceptualize an idea in my head and then form it into reality.” Like many other successful Belles, she said, deSomer received some help along the way. “I never met a [Saint Mary’s] faculty member who didn’t change my life for the better in one way or another,” she said. DeSomer credits Professor Krista Hoefle’s SISTAR grant creative research project in Object-Oriented Ontology, as well as advice from Aaron Moe of the English department and Douglas Tyler in the art department as integral influencers on her “direction in life as see PHOTOS PAGE 3
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