The Franklin: Dec. 2, 2016 by The Franklin

holidays

feature

sports spot

Helping hand: Find out where you can donate to this holiday season

You don’t know Jack: Franklin icon a man of mystery

Grizzly Grandparents Women’s basketball team has big fans

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Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 | TheFranklinNews.com

College, nation see decline in education students

MATTHEW BROWN

matthew.brown@franklincollege.edu

Franklin College is seeing a drop in the number of students wanting to become teachers. But the decrease is not unusual — it’s following the national trend. According to a study by the U.S Department of Education, there’s been a drastic decrease in the enrollment of students in teacher preparation programs. It showed that — between 2008 and 2010 — there was a small increase in enrollment in education programs by less than one percent of students. But after 2010, the United States has seen a big drop. In 2009, there was a record high number of students in teacher preparation programs, sitting at 725,518 students. In 2014, it was down to 465,536 students — a 35 percent decrease. Although that study is national, a rough analysis completed by Kirk Bixler, assistant dean of students, shows the same downward slope is also present at Franklin College. In 2002, the number of education graduates at Franklin College was 40 students and made up about 21 percent of the graduating class. In 2014, the number of education graduates was down to 22 students— just 10 percent of the graduating class. Although these are rough numbers because graduation class sizes change,

education field herself. She said the tests necessary for students to get teaching licenses are one of the big problems. When Klene was asked what some of the challenges were with going into the education field, she laughed. “There are so many challenges,” she said. Klene said her biggest challenge is passing the license tests. Education students have to pass math, social studies, language arts and science tests. “They are extremely difficult, and are expensive, as well,” she said. “I have to pass these tests in order to be a licensed teacher in Indiana.” The decrease of students wanting to become teachers means there are multiple teaching positions open for students who do want to go into the field. According to the same analysis by Bixler, at the 2002 Education Job Fair at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds, teacher job fair, 83 school corporations were in attendance. This year, 103 school corporations are planning to attend and offer job and internship opportunities to those entering the education field.

Bixler said the decrease of students Schilawski said the concept of getwanting to become teachers is still ting rid of bad teachers wasn’t bad. there. The problem came when the laws Education professor Linda Airey said were having the 95 percent of teachers, the reason behind the decrease varies who were highly effective, be persefrom person to person. cuted because of the other 5 percent, For her, it’s job strain. he said. “There is a lot of stress put on teach“But even after the laws were passed, ers today,” Airey said. “Often, teachers the statistics were still the same,” he do not feel that what they do is valued.” said. John Schilawski is the assistant Senior Justice Klene is going into the superintendent for 2008 nearby Clark-Pleasant Community Schools 2003 2005 2007 in Whiteland, a school many Franklin College education graduates are 2012 placed at. 2004 Schilawski said he 2010 thinks the education enrollment is down because of a negative 2002 public perspective. “In a political perspec2006 tive, to a degree, it is like a 2013 witch hunt for bad teachers,” Schilawski said. 2011 He said that, years ago, 2009 Education majors politicians across the made up more country started to assume than a fifth of the that 5 percent of teachers 2002 graduating class. In 2016, were bad teachers. the college is AT FRANKLIN COLLEGE So, he said, state laws only expecting to graduate 23 were passed to evaluate PERCENTAGE OF education majors EDUCATION MAJORS IN which teachers were bad — 12 percent of EACH GRADUATING CLASS teachers. the class.

24 24 24

DECLINE IN EDUCATION MAJORS

2015

10 2014

12 2016

A+E

Instrumental concert plays Tuesday ABRAHM HURT

abrahm.hurt@franklincollege.edu

ARTS + ENTERTAIN MENT

OUT

12/2

& ABOUT

Holiday INDIEana Handicraft Exchange

Get a jump on holiday gift buying by shopping goods from makers and artists in Indianapolis tonight. The exchange is at the Harrison Center for the Arts. Admission is free.

12/3 Franklin Holiday Lighting The lighting activities begin at 8 a.m. and include a gingerbread baking contest, winter market, horse carriage rides and a parade. The courthouse lighting is at 7 p.m. See the entire schedule at franklin.in.gov.

12/3 Chocolate Extravaganza Shop 38 area vendors—while eating chocolate desserts. The vendors will be selling jewelry, skincare, makeup, clothes, art and more. The event is at the Barn at Bay Horse Inn in Greenwood. Admission is free. All proceeds will go to two local ministries.

FRANKLIN

THE

Issue 10, Volume 113

Executive Editor Leigh Durphey Opinion Editor Christina Ramey News Editor Ashley Shuler

At 7 p.m. on Tuesday, the Franklin College music department will host its annual winter instrumental concert. The concert, which features both the wind and string ensemble, will take place in Custer Theatre with free admission. Michael Black, who is in his first year of directing instrumental music at Franklin, has been able to work with a larger group than in previous years. “This year, we have a full string ensemble instead of just a quartet or trio,” Black said. “We have four violins, a viola, a cello and a bass.” This is the first year the ensemble has been able to be considered a full string ensemble. A full ensemble consists of at least two violins, a viola, a cello, and a bass. “They have a willingness to work and a desire to sound good, which is obviously a good thing to have if you’re playing music,” Black said. “They are always working hard, and they give their best effort. They’re very teachable, and they listen.” The ensemble is composed of six students and one teacher, Sarah Mordan-McCombs. All but one of the students in the ensemble are freshmen. Though the concert will be held during the holiday season, the concert is not necessarily a Christmas-themed concert. The ensemble will play the “Radetzky March,” written by Johann Strauss, an arrangement of “Danny Boy,” and

“Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s “Pocahontas,” closing with a medley of Christmas tunes. To fill the role of a cello player, the ensemble has employed the abilities of Mordan-McCombs, who has previous experience with the Franklin Community Band and the Hendricks Quinn Fitzgerald | The Franklin Symphony OrSenior Nathaniel Staples, who is in the string ensemble, sings with the Franklin Colchestra. “I just love get- lege Singers. Staples’s ensemble will play in the annual winter instrumental concert Tuesday. ting the chance to play my instruBlack said he would still like to see ment,” Mordan-McCombs said. “I’m the ensemble grow numerically and glad that I could step in and fill a hole skill-wise while becoming more visible in the ensemble with the cello part. I around campus. just want the students to love making “I think it would be really good if we music and hopefully spark an interest had a better ability to adjust when misin some other students or prospective takes happen,” Black said. “We’ve gotstudents, as well.” ten better about this, but at the beginFreshman violinist Andrew Frey said ning of the semester if someone was he thinks of the the ensemble as a place a beat off, it was difficult for them to where he can grow instrumentally and adjust and fix it in.” as a team member. In the upcoming years, Black wants “My goals for being in the ensemble to see the ensemble grow to a point are to improve as a violinist, improve where they could play orchestral muas a performer and improve as a team- sic with some of the wind instruments mate” Frey said. “We are a team.” on campus. Even with the group’s recent growth and development, director Michael

GRIZ ON THE MALL:

Sports Editor Megan Powell Copy Chief Shelby Mullis Photo Editor Zoie Richey

WINTER TERM PLANS

Web Editor Nicole Hernandez Ads Manager Jonna Kauffman

Carlin Way, admission counselor

Adviser Chelsea Schneider Publisher John Krull

@TheFranklinNews

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The Franklin aims for accuracy and clarity in all articles. We take errors seriously and regret any mistakes. If you find an error, please send an email to thefranklin@franklincollege.edu.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

“I’m staying on campus, meeting with students, going through applications and getting everything ready for our admitted student overnight programs that are coming up in February and March.”

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Cody Porter, junior “I’m working as a pharmacy technician at Wal-Mart in Shelbyville. Then, in the last 10 days, my parents are taking me to California to go snowboarding at Lake Tahoe.”

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Lydia Gibson, freshman “I’m going on a study abroad trip to France. I’m a freshman, so I’m super excited to go out of the country for the first time.”

Jordan Cermak, freshman “I’m swimming over winter term, and I’m also taking an energy and sustainability class with [chemistry professor Nazir] Khatri.”

Three area organizations to donate to this holiday season ASHLEY SHULER ashley.shuler@franklincollege.edu

‘Tis the season to give. As the weather cools down and the holidays approach day after day, people are looking to give to those they care about — and maybe give to a cause they are passionate about. Below are three Franklin-based organizations in need of all levels of time, money and good donations this holiday season and year-round.

KI C-IT 1015 Grizzly Cub Drive, Franklin 317-412-4973 | www.kic-it.org KIC-IT serves homeless Johnson County youth ages 16 to 25—whether that be someone couch surfing at a friend’s house or someone staying in a hotel with nowhere else to go. TIME The organization, which is a United Way agency, is looking for people to volunteer a minimum of once per month. Volunteers are responsible for greeting youth, serving meals, preparing food bags, tracking inventory and cleaning, among other tasks. Other volunteer opportunities are more tight-knit to the nonprofit industry and include grant research and writing or serving on a special planning committee, such as donor relations or budgeting. Apply online to be a volunteer at www. kic-it.org. MONEY Monetary donations of all levels can be made at www.kic-it.org/donate through PayPal. GOODS KIC-IT has an extensive donation wish list, including the following: • $5 fast food restaurant gift cards. • $5 Johnson County ACCESS bus passes. • Ready-to-eat foods like pre-packaged snack lunches. • New and gently used coats, blankets, pillows, suitcases and tents. • Hygiene items such as towels, deodorant and feminine hygiene products. All in-kind donations can be dropped off at KIC-IT.

INTERCHURCH FOOD PANTRY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 211 Commerce Drive, Franklin 317-736-5090 | www.pantryjc.org Interchurch Food Pantry is the blood line for struggling families in Johnson County. In 2015, more than 3,000 unique households visited the pantry to shop

OH, SHOOT! SAE CANNON GOES MISSING

for goods. The pantry has seen an increase of about 38 percent in attendance on a year-toyear basis. On a typical day, Interchurch Food Pantry sees about 70 households. TIME Ever since its move to its current location in 2015, the pantry has been staffed entirely by Nicole Hernandez | The Franklin unpaid volunteers. Currently, the pantry Shelves at the Interchurch Food Pantry of Johnson County are filled with food is seeking shopping as- to donate to struggling families. The organization is seeking volunteers this sistants to help clients holiday season. select food from the pantry, fork lift operaand foster programs for animals in the tors to work in the warehouse, box truck area. drivers and fundraising volunteers. Those interested in volunteering can TIME email pantry@ifpjc.org or call the panThe humane society accepts daily, adoptry. tion event, cat socialization, event and fundraising, pet food pantry and foster MONEY family volunteers. Donations can be made through PayPal Each of the responsibilities vary, but at www.pantryjc.org/donate. each involves working with animals in a nonprofit setting. GOODS The application can be found at www. The pantry accepts food and health hsjc.org/volunteer. items, including the following: • Canned goods such as chicken noodle MONEY soup, canned beans and mixed vegetaBecause The Humane Society of Johnbles. son County is not a government agency • Boxed and bagged items such as skillet and doesn’t receive funds from the city dinners, mashed potatoes and crackers. or county government, the organization • Homeless supplies such as paper is operated solely on donations and othplates, plastic cups and can openers. er fundraising activities. • Baby items such as diapers, Enfamil Donations can be made on the Huformula and cereals. mane Society of Johnson County’s web• Personal hygiene items such as toothsite at www.hsjc.org/donations. brushes, shampoo and laundry deterThe donations are processed through gent. PayPal, and donors have the option to Interchurch Food Pantry accepts domake a donation in memory of a pet or nations 12–3 p.m. Monday through Frianimal-loving friend or family member. day and 9–11 a.m. on Saturdays.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF JOHNSON COUNTY 3827 N. Graham Road, Franklin 317-535-6626 | www.hsjc.org A nonprofit organization, the Humane Society of Johnson County has adoption

IN BRIEF:

GOODS The humane society is currently looking for supplies for their pet fostering program. Items include: • Dog leashes, collars. • Litter boxes. • Carrying kennels of all sizes. • Puppy exercise pens. @THEFRANKLINNEWS

The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity chapter is missing its cannon. Students, staff and faculty may be familiar with the cannon because it’s fired at home football games after the Grizzles score. According to an all-campus email sent by Security Director Steve Leonard Wednesday, the fraternity is offering a $250 reward if the cannon is returned—no questions asked. SAE members aren’t sure when the cannon went missing from their house, Leonard said. Anyone with information or would like to return the cannon should contact the Franklin College Security Department at 317-738-8888. The number is answered 24 hours per day.

LIBRARY OFFERS FREE ONLINE CLASSES

Johnson County Public Library cardholders can now learn graphic design, marketing strategy, video editing and more—without leaving home. Along with typical book rentals, members now get free access to thousands of online courses through Lynda.com, according to a recent Daily Journal article. The website’s subscriptions start at $19.99 a month without a library card. Existing library members can access the website by creating an account using their PIN number, which is the last four digits of their library card number. County library card holders also have access to digital content—including Zinio for magazines and OneClickDigital for audiobooks—for free with their cards, as well as discounts at area businesses. There are two ways Franklin College faculty, staff and students can apply online for a Johnson County Library card. Simply visit the local library, or go on pageafterpage.org and “get a library card” under the “visit the library” tab.

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FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

College’s overall food waste decreased over last year LAURA OLIVO maria.olivo@franklincollege.edu

The amount of leftovers in the college’s Sodexo dining hall has decreased since the new executive chef Rosie Neel was hired. The decrease does not including what students leave on their plates in the tray return. “We can’t calculate the food on the tray returns,” Neel said. “Students throw away the food. It’s theirs to do. This doesn’t happen often, but if they didn’t like an entree, I’ll make a note, and I’ll take it off the menu. I’d rather take something off the menu than have [students] throw it away.” What Neel can calculate are the servings made each day and how many of those servings were taken. She said, for the month of October, Franklin College’s cafeteria weekly waste of food made and not served averaged $30.90. The waste is mainly rice and vegetables. Last year, the total waste was $3,028.48, which includes low-cost items such as pizza, cookies and gelatin desserts. Les Petroff, the college’s food service director, said the amount of leftovers has decreased for two reasons: batch

cooking and Neel. “We barely have any food left over now,” Petroff said. “We do batch cooking — cooking throughout the meal — simply because we have a chef now who stays on top of the food production.” Neel said Sodexo has had instances where food is wasted, even with the batch cooking method, because of bacteria and not being able to reheat food. “For chicken potpie, we made 180 portions then had to make 211, but we only served 183. We had 28 portions leftover,” Neel said. “It gets gooey, and we can’t reheat chicken pot pie and that we had to waste.” Neel said there aren’t any leftovers or waste when there’s a pasta toss bar, nacho bar, wings or crepes. Before Neel, when there were leftovers, a woman used to come to the college and take the leftovers to feed local residents. Franklin College also used to donate the extra food to feeding pigs on local farms. “We don’t have any leftovers to give because of the way we’re portioning,” Neel said. “We know that 200 students

are going to want to eat this product. We’ll cook enough for 150, and once it gets closer, we’ll do an extra 50.” Sophomore N a t h a n Stonebraker said he doesn’t have an opinion on the college’s food waste, but he does see a lot of food on the Daphne Ng | The Franklin tray returns. Meanwhile, The amount of food wasted in the college’s dining hall has decreased over the last year. junior Hannah For the month of October, the Sodezxo’s weekly waste of food made and not served avHoyt is eraged $30.90. completing extent.” her capstone Hoyt said Franklin could provide liberal arts course on living sustainability. The course reassures students a tray for food that hasn’t been tampered with, monitored just Hoyt that food waste is never good. “It’s on Franklin when the food is by the student’s word. “Or if you won’t eat it, don’t take it,” put on the tray return because that’s the food that Franklin provides,” Hoyt Hoyt said. said. “It’s Franklin’s problem, to an

J-term or May term? Provost, student weigh in ASHLEY STEEB ashley.steeb@franklincollege.edu

Indiana University, Hanover College and the University of Virginia all have something in common. These three schools, and many others across the nation, offer something called a May Term. Franklin College offers a program similar to the May Term, but it happens in January—J-Term for short. Interim provost Tim Garner said the original plan for Franklin College’s January Term was to offer students and faculty new and different opportunities. “[January Term is] an opportunity for students to have these creative, unique, innovative, focused learning opportunities,” Garner said. “I also think it was seen as an opportunity for faculty to grow and explore things.” Garner said the January term has changed a bit since it was first offered 45 years ago in 1972.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

He said curriculum-required internship, or to study abroad for three courses were not offered, students to four weeks before or after their were required to take three J-Terms, normal spring semester. internships were never thought about Garner said the school will and all courses occasionally were assigned discuss moving pass or fail to a May term, grade scales. but has yet to The main commit to the idea was for change. So students to take far, the school a course they always decides would never the four have taken months, one during the month, four – Tim Garner, interim provost months format fall or spring semester for works the best a variety of for Franklin reasons or College. complete a research project. Sophomore Hannah Rollett, who More recent January Terms offer called herself a “huge nerd,” said students the ability to focus on one she enjoys J-Term because she loves curriculum-required course, an learning, and it’s a good time to take

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“

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to focus on one area of learning or experience.”

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an interesting class to solely focus on. Although Rollett likes having a January semester, but she said she does think there could be a few minor changes to the existing format. “I might start [J-Term] a couple days later,” she said. “So students have done everything to fully enjoy the holidays with their families.” Students who are required or choose to participate in a J-Term semester have around two weeks of break.. January Term this academic year begins on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. Garner offered some advice on how students can make the most of their J-Terms. “Embrace it,” he said. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to be able to focus on one area of learning or experience.”

College’s alumni house has deep campus roots ADRIANNA PITRELLI

adrianna.pitrelli@franklincollege.edu

The three-story red brick structure located on the corner of Henry and Jefferson streets, now known as the Napolitan Alumni House, has been a part of the Franklin College community off and on since 1946. Starting in 1946, the house—then known as the Crecraft House—was the residential building for women who attended Franklin College. But when Harold Richardson became president of the college, the house was renovated to become his living quarters. Richardson and his family are said to have often held events for members of the college and community, and it quickly became known as “the house on Jefferson Street.” The house continued to be the president’s home until Franklin College sold the house in June 1976. For a short time in the early 1990s, the house once again became part of Franklin College before being sold. Finally, in May 2003, the house came back home to Franklin College, according to Jan Schantz, President Thomas Minar’s assistant. After a donation from trustee Jim Napolitan and alumna Sandra (Mock)

Napolitan, the once well-known house became an important asset to the college. It was named The Napolitan Alumni House after those who helped bring the house back into the hands of the college. Since then, the house has been used to host Franklin College Board of Trustees members, distinguished guest speakers and alumni council members. With plaques outside the doors, each room is named after different notable donors, including the Richardson family. “The first floor of the house consists of two parlors, a library, sun room, dining room, kitchen, patio and powder room,” Schantz said. A caretaker is available for those who stay in the house. Responsibilities of the caretaker include ensuring the guests are comfortable during their stay, as well as guaranteeing necessary supplies are available to the house’s guests. Caretakers are often Franklin College students who stay in a separate part of the house during a guest’s visit.

When hiring a caretaker, Schantz said she looks for someone with “strong oral communication skills, solid time management and organizational skills.” Although the Napolitan Alumni House has been a successful Franklin College establishment with what many guests call a beautiful interior and Zoie Richey | The Franklin exterior since the early 2000s, not all the The Napolitan Alumni House sits on the corner of Henry and Jefferson renovations made to streets. The house has been an integral part of Franklin College since the house were sought 1946. solely on a want-basis. “In July 2010, lightAlthough the house is mostly used ning struck the house and caused a for visitors of Franklin College, inside fire,” Schantz said. “Although the dam- groups such as academic departments, age was minimal, the house was closed organizations or Greek groups related to guests from late July to October to Franklin College are permitted to 2010 for renovations. have functions, like bridal luncheons, Like many historic buildings, there at the Napolitan Alumni House for a is speculation of the Napolitan Alum- fee. ni House being haunted. Schantz said Reservation requests can be made there have not been any prevalent sto- by calling the president’s office at least ries about potential ghosts. five days prior to the event.

Student involvement correlates with success, relationships LEIGH DURPHEY

leigh.durphey@franklincollege.edu

Approximately 15 percent of students at the college are not involved in a student organization of some sort. For Keri Ellington, that’s a problem. “I would love for that number to be zero,” said Ellington, who works as the assistant dean for student involvement at the college. “Those people are choosing not to be engaged in a student organization. Because of what I do, I would love every student to be involved.” At the beginning of each school year, Ellington and the Student Activities Center requests a list of members from every registered organization on campus. These registered organizations include clubs and athletic teams, but not other forms of involvement like internships, off-campus jobs and work study positions. Out of 1,000 students, 154 students are not registered in a student organization.

“I don’t like to assume that because people aren’t engaged they just don’t care,” Ellington said. “Many of our students have families or work many hours in order to make Franklin College affordable for them.” For junior and commuter Suzie Sickels, co-curricular engagement didn’t come easy. Her fall semester of freshman year, she chose not to get involved in any campus organizations. “A lot of people told me not to get involved in a lot of stuff because it would weigh down my school work,” she said. “But coming from such a small school, it’s almost impossible to not get involved.” That spring, Sickels joined Earth Club, which she now serves as treasurer of. As a commuter, she said that joining a student organization was one of the only ways to build relationships with people outside of her major.

“You don’t have that same opportunity to make relationships with people in your hall or people in your room or at late night or stuff like that because you’re home,” she said. “It’s really hard to just connect with people in general because you have limited time to do it.” Ellington bases her desire for greater campus involvement on Alexander Astin’s Theory of Involvement, which suggests that students who are engaged and invested in college, in addition to the classroom, are more likely to persist and graduate in four years than those who don’t. “That is the crux of why our co-curricular programs exist,” Ellington said. “I think we’re lucky at [Franklin College] that, because of our size and scope, there’s just about something for everyone to get involved in. If a student chooses not to do that, it’s almost like they’ve intentionally chosen not to engage in opportunities that our cam@THEFRANKLINNEWS

pus has.” Ellington says she believes there is a point when too much involvement in student organizations becomes a problem. “Oftentimes, I see when people are involved in five, six or seven things, they’re not doing any one thing well, including academics and co-curriculars, and that’s not fair to that person,” she said. “It does a disservice to their experience. It does a disservice to their faculty, to the other organization members that they’re involved in.” Ellington said she may pull some of those 154 students who aren’t involved in a student organization and encourage them to get involved. “You’d kind of be silly not to take an opportunity that’s staring you right in the face,” she said. “We want students to take advantage of all the opportunities that Franklin College has to offer.”

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FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

hether he’s walking along the streets of downtown Franklin, greeting everyone he sees, or volunteering at the Historic Artcraft Theater, Jack Wood is everywhere. But the one place you can’t find him? His own home. With a few knocks on the front door of his Franklin home, it was clear that 81-year-old Jack was out on the town again. On a daily basis, Jack visits area businesses along the Jefferson Street strip. He’s not there to shop but simply to talk to his neighbors. Joanna Ryan, a KORN Country 100.3 radio show host, first met Jack when she started working for the station three years ago. “I was filling in on the morning show, to start and was told by people already working for KORN that Jack just walks into our building whenever, which is great,” Ryan said. “It’s just to say, ‘Hey!’ Everyone treats him — like the uncle you see at Christmas that you actually KORN Country like.” The local station adores Jack so much that he became an integral part of their Friday morning road show, which airs each week live from the Franklin McDonald’s at the Interstate-65 exit. And Sean McAuliffe said he fits right in with the show’s hosts. McAuliffe, Franklin’s KORN Country market manager, became acquainted with Jack after he started picking him up every Friday

“He’s just mayor of lin. Everyb loves Jack

FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

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@THEFRANKLINNEWS

YOU DON’T KNOW

JACK? the man, the myth, the franklin legend story, photo & design

morning for the show. On the brief car ride, Jack would tell stories him of his childhood. “He really is an intelligent guy,” McAuliffe said. “He loves to have a conversation and he’s just fun to be around. As far as being on the morning show, he fits it. He is the community. And every Friday morning, he’s there for the community show.” Everybody does love Jack, which is why Brian Alvey, of Franklin, created a Facebook page to honor the Franklin star. The page, called “Franklin loves Jack Wood,” currently has 563 likes. Several people have taken to the page’s wall to share their fondest memories of Jack. “Franklin, Indiana loves their most iconic and favorite citizen, the officially unofficial ambassador of the Historic town of Franklin, Mr. Jack Wood,” the page says. One woman wrote, “I have known this man almost my whole [life.] It’s nice running in to him. I always find out — Sean McAuliffe, something new about my father that I didn’t get to know y market manager before his death. Thanks, Jack, for everything you have told me.” Others have shared photos of themselves with Jack, calling him “a great guy.” A bench, which reads “Jack Wood: Friendship Bench,” sits in front of Frank’s Guitar Shop on Jefferson Street. “He’s just like the mayor of Franklin,” McAuliffe said. “Everybody loves Jack.”

shelby mullis

like the Frankbody k.”

@THEFRANKLINNEWS

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FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

O EDITORIAL

Final exams: Isn’t there a better way to test our knowledge?

The end of 2016 is quickly approaching, and with it comes Christmas, break and the dreaded final exams. Final exams are the curse of students’ lives—especially college students. No one looks forward to them, and no one enjoys them. To a college student, finals mean hours of stress and tears, learning and relearning the material to take a twohour test that may count for a majority of their overall grade. In many cases, it could even mean passing or failing a class. This causes a lot of pressure for students because they are so concerned about passing their final. Final exams wouldn’t be so bad if there wasn’t that pressure to pass them in order for them to pass their class. So why do students have to be put through the hours of anxiety and stress just to show they paid attention

in class and grasped an understanding or supervisor you know what you are of their material? Why do they have to doing simply by doing your job. deal with such an intense amount of In some cases, a test may be the best pressure to pass one test? way to test someone’s knowledge, but It’s understood that students need for others, it seems it would be better to be tested on their knowledge of a to assign a project. Projects allow a subject in order to be efficient in their student to have more control in their chosen career. approach. However, A project OUR POSITION isn’t there a can lead to The opinion staff is split with less stress better way to test their which one they prefer. Half of bs teucdaeunst es knowledge than by giving the staff prefer exams while don’t have to them a test? get it done in others prefer projects. Why not one sitting write a paper like a final reflecting on exam. For a what they final exam, learned, or complete a final project? In students get a two-hour time period life, most jobs don’t require a monthly to complete it. A project is something test. a student can do over a longer period Most of the time, you show your boss of time.

OPINION

around campus: DO YOU PREFER FINAL EXAMS OR FINAL PROJECTS AND WHY?

“I would prefer a final exam. I think it’s easier to study for. I feel like with projects, you usually have to come up with a new perspective on a topic, and sometimes it’s hard to find that nuance that would be interesting for a professor.”

Katie Curry, sophomore “Between the two, I really prefer a final exam. It’s easier for me because I know my study habits and it’s a good way to test exactly what kind of knowledge you have learned over the course of the semester.”

TWITTER POLL We asked Franklin College students on Twitter:

Which do you prefer: final exams or final projects? To participate in future polls, follow TheFranklinNews on Twitter.

38%

final exams

62%

final projects

FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

80 people participated in the poll THEFRANKLINNEWS.COM

@THEFRANKLINNEWS

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in the opinion section do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the entire The Franklin staff. Opinion editor Christina Ramey moderates the board and its members, including Brittney Corum, Matt Thomas and Ashley Steeb. Leigh Durphey, the executive editor, sits on the board. If you have an issue you would like the board to cover, email christina.ramey@franklincollege.edu.

TIPS FOR DEALING WITH STRESS DURING FINALS WEEK 1) Figure out when your finals are. It’s important to know when each of your finals take place and when. The majority of finals do not take place at the same time as your class does.

3) Minimize time spent on social media. Social media is very distracting. While you study, silence your phone and put it away. Focus on your studying. You can check who has the cutest dog after your finals.

“I prefer final exams because I learn better that way. I learn better through memorization and it sticks with me longer than a project where I just work through it for a couple of days, present it, and then done.”

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2) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep is important, especially during final weeks. It’s not going to do you any good to pull an allnighter before your exam.

Morgan Elkins, sophomore

Wanda Gaines, senior

There needs to be a better way to test a student’s knowledge. Exams aren’t always reliable because some students aren’t good test takers, while others may get anxiety from the test, which can cause them to rush through it or forget some of the material they studied. A final project would help lessen this anxiety and allow those who aren’t good test takers to prove they know the material.

FINAL EXAMS

OR FINAL PROJECTS?

CHRISTINA RAMEY 5 ways to spice up your ramen noodles

With finals coming up, which is better? Doing a final exam or doing a final project? These columnists weigh in.

All the work, minus the test anxiety

MATT THOMAS matthew.thomas@franklincollege.edu

I’ve never been one to prefer final exams, and I am sure that I am in the majority when I say this: Finals are stressful. I understand that professors use these as tools to measure just how

much a student has learned over the course of the semester, but that doesn’t make them any easier. Many times, final exams are cumulative – meaning the test is over material covered in class from the last three months, not just the last couple of weeks. Of course, if the student has successfully mastered the material in the past, they will most likely be able to recall that information at a later date, like the final exam, but many times, even good students can simply fall prey to forgetfulness and test anxiety during an exam period. Final projects, on the other hand, can

require just as much work and effort as a final exam, but can eliminate the student’s apprehension of being tested over a semester’s worth of material in a two-hour exam period. These projects can also let the student showcase what they’ve learned in the class more creatively as opposed to being tested. As a future educator, I do see the value in final examinations, but I also believe that final projects are a valuable asset to determine a student’s comprehension and retention in a class. It is simply up to the individual teacher to decide which assessment outlet they believe is best.

Taking a test: the lesser of two evils

ASHLEY STEEB ashley.steeb@franklincollege.edu

Finals are one of the most stressful aspects of college. Final exams or final projects leave a lot of students feeling angst for the next semester. Finals stress is so

common that when you Google the phrase, every major news outlet offers tips on how to beat the stress. If I had to choose which final I prefer, I would have to choose a final exam. Call me crazy, but I think taking a test is a lot easier than working on a major project—as long as the exams do not involve math or science. I guess my choice is even crazier considering I have test anxiety and tend to overthink them, but I still prefer exams over projects. Final projects take a lot of time and effort to make them worthy of a good grade. You have to brainstorm an idea, research the idea and then implement

the research into every aspect of the project. If you are a multimedia journalism major like me, you know final projects contain several different aspects, such as video editing and graphic design. Final exams only require a few hours of studying the night before, at the most. You study, you take the test, then you’re done. I am a strong advocate for the abolishment of finals, but until that day comes, I will still stick with the dreaded exam… unless it involves math.

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Ramen noodles have always been known as a college kid food, but plain ramen noodles can be extremely boring. If you’re going to eat as much ramen as a college kid does, then you need to get creative or it’s going to get old fast. Below are five easy and affordable ways to take your ramen from boring to yummy. 1.) One of the ways that I make my ramen different is to get some chicken from Sodex. I make my ramen like normal, and then I’ll chop up the chicken into little bit size pieces and mix it in. Then I’ll sprinkle it with a little Parmesan and heat it up for a few more minutes. It’s an easy way to make your plain chicken flavored ramen more tasteful. 2.) Another way to make your ramen more flavorful is simply by adding some shredded cheese after you make your noodles. Then heat it up again so that your cheese melts over the noodles. To finish it off, top it with bacon bits. 3.) You can use your ramen noodles to make chicken soup. After you boil your noodles, add in chicken, cabbage and carrots. 4.) You can use ramen noodles to make a beef version of the shepherd’s pie. Do this by browning ground beef with onion, then place it in a casserole dish. Sprinkle frozen peas and carrots on top and layer it with cooked ramen. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. source: www.rasmussen.edu 5.) Make spaghetti with your ramen noodles by adding marinara and Parmesan. You can also add in some basil.

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FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

Success achieved on a personal level

IN BRIEF:

The Franklin College football team ended its season 8-2 overall, but as a whole, the team achieved many things. Several people, inside and outside of the football team, think the season was unsuccessful because Franklin didn’t make it to the national playoffs as they have in the past, but head football coach Mike Leonard thinks differently. “Even though some people think it was not successful, relationships were made and truly the success of a season, to me, will not necessarily be judged immediately right now, but years later,” Leonard said. In his office, he has large frames of photos of past players and can tell you their successful careers and lives. Leonard said it’s neat to see previous players again and hear they are doing well from what they learned at Franklin by setting goals. “At the start of the season we map out a bunch of goals that we would like to accomplish,” Leonard said. “Some of them we did and a couple of them

LAURA OLIVO maria.olivo@franklincollege.edu

SPORTS

PRATHER AMONG NOMINEES FOR NABC GOOD WORKS TEAM Just as the men’s basketball program heads into regular season play, one of the team’s seniors heard word this week that he is one of 278 nominees for the 2017 Allstate National Association of Basketball Coaches Good Works Teams. The organization rewards players from all levels for service work within their communities. Senior guard Robbie Prather is one of the nominees from NCAA Div. II, Div. III and the NAIA. Prather is a longtime leader for Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health dating back to Roncalli High School. At Franklin College, Prather is a co-founder, previous vice president and four-year executive board member for Riley’s Dance Marathon. Franklin College Dance Marathon started during the 2013-14 academic year and raised $1,000 its first year, $16,000 in its second and $17,000 last year. In addition to Riley Dance Marathon, Prather also gives his time to the Grizzlies’ “Dream to Read” program. This program allows players to volunteer their time to read to local elementary school students in the area. The program is part of the Allstate National Association of Basketball Coaches reading advocacy initiative. As a political science and pre-law major, Prather is in his third and final season as the men’s basketball team captain. Prather won the team’s Branigin Award for Mental Attitude last season, is a Dean’s List student, and a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. For now, Prather will have to wait until February 2017 to know if his name is one of the 20 winners the NABC chose. Source: Franklin College Athletics

FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

we didn’t. But it’s the striving for it that is the fun of it.” For the past 10 years, Leonard has scheduled tough non-conference opponents where Franklin had come up short on most of those games. Yet, one of the team’s accomplishments was winning their opening game of the year, a non-conference opponent. “We had a great comeback from behind against Thomas Moore in the last minutes,” Leonard said. Another goal for the season dealt with the mindset of the players, thinking of going 1-0 each week. This thinking prevailed in the season opener, but fell during the second week when the team faced the Butler University bulldogs, and again in their toss-up with Rose– Hulman Institute of Technology. Every year, the football team holds a final team meeting, crowding the Hamilton Library auditorium with 130 players. Seniors reflect on their overall experience and returning players look forward to what is coming next season.

“I know a lot will happen next year without the 2017 class,” junior running back Tanner Kameda said. “It’s my last year, but it’ll be the best year yet.” The focus for next year will be commitment and leadership at all times, both on and off the field, to step up their game and accomplish the goals the team didn’t achieve this year. “The leadership program will teach the players leadership and fellowship,” Leonard said. “Not only will there be success in the sport, but also in their careers and future lives.” Senior defensive back Trevon Sevion said his advice to returning players is to always keep a positive energy and attitude on and off the field, even during the tough times. “I definitely enjoyed the season,” Sevion said. “I was successful in making new friends, meeting new people and, as a whole, the team definitely saw where we were and we can see where we can get.”

Support from the bleachers fuels team atmosphere ASHLEY STEEB ashley.steeb@franklincollege.edu

During the winter months, the Spurlock Center is filled with fans cheering for the women’s basketball team. As the team plays in front of students, faculty, and parents, there is also a special group they play for during home games — the Grizzly Grandparents. The Grizzly Grandparents program was established in 2007 by former head coach Kim Eiler when she partnered with the Indiana Masonic Home. There are 50 Grizzly Grandparents, all from the Masonic Home, in the program. Grandparents are paired with one or multiple granddaughters — players of the women’s basketball team. Grandparents can support their granddaughter in various ways with gifts or by showing support at the team’s games. Head coach Dana Haggenjos said the strength of the relationship between the grandparents and granddaughters is dependent upon the individuals. She said some relationships have developed more than others. Senior forward Sarah Taylor said her relationship with her grandparents, Fred and Fran, is a special part of her

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life. “They have become a part of my family and treat me like I’m part of theirs,” Taylor said. “We have a great relationship, and that has made playing basketball the past four years so much fun. I’m always in contact with my Grizzly grandparents and we all look forward to that next home game Matt Thomas l The Franklin when I get to hear them The 2016 Grizzly Grandparents cheer on the women’s basketball team at screaming for me from the Spurlock Center during a game. the stands.” have that extended network of support Haggenjos said Franklin College is not the only school to have to lean on.” Taylor shared Haggenjos’ sentia program like the Grizzly Grandparents. New York University has a pro- ments and said the Grizzly Grandpargram that allows students to live with ents’ support helps during games. “Knowing we will always have them local senior citizens instead of a dorm room. But, she would like to see other there for us is always something to look forward to,” Taylor said. “We schools adopt similar programs. “I think [the grandparents] are a know we can always count on havgreat support system for our team,” ing them behind our bench cheering Haggenjos said. “Each grandparent us on. They look forward all week to takes on a position of a grandparent our next home game, so knowing how figure of sorts. For some of our kids, much it means to them, makes it that who maybe don’t have family close by, much more special to us.”

HIT AND MISS

Emily Alfrey finds passion for sport

STORY QUINN FITZGERALD | PHOTOS ZOIE RICHEY

t took some time, but senior Emily Alfrey finally found the school with a basketball team she is glad to be a part of. Before transferring to Franklin College, Alfrey was enrolled in two other schools — Lindenwood University in Missouri, where she played for two years on a full ride scholarship, and University of Indianapolis. Alfrey was heartbroken when she found a lack of connection with her teammates at these schools. Eventually, she fell out of love for the sport altogether. A friend of hers, Franklin College graduate Katie Brewer, who found herself in the same situation, told Alfrey how much she loved basketball again after playing at Franklin. It was then that Alfrey made the switch. Playing as a Grizzly, Alfrey said, has taught her she can have fun playing college basketball. “I absolutely love the program. I finally enjoy basketball again,” Alfrey said. “And my team, they make it fun, and I enjoy being on the floor with them. They helped me find my passion

for the sport that I had lost.” Alfrey’s number one supporters, aside from her teammates, are her parents. She said not only did they deal with her changing three times, they traveled long distances to see her play. Even when she was four hours away at her first school in Missouri, Alfrey’s parents made sure to attend every home game. “They are definitely my biggest supporters,” Alfrey said. The trial-and-error process Alfrey went through to find a place where she could play basketball is a reflection of her passion for the sport. Since she was five years old, basketball has been a big part of her life. By the time she got to high school, Alfrey knew she couldn’t stop there. “It’s something I’ve worked for,” she said. “That was always the goal. Practicing everyday wasn’t just for high school; it was to get me to a scholarship and to get to college basketball.” Despite coming into the program late, Alfrey has done well adjusting to the team, according to head coach Dana Haggenjos.

“I think she has done a remarkable job learning our system,” Haggenjos said. “Her teammates look at her as a leader, and someone who will do anything to help our team. She is a great friend, and someone I think all the underclassmen look up to as a role model.” Alfrey’s success on the court is evident in the statistics of her performance from her first season with the Grizzlies. Starting all 27 games, Alfrey scored an average of 6.1 points per game and recorded the first double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament semifinal game against Rose-Hulman, according to the college’s athletic department site. To Alfrey, these numbers are simply that: numbers. She tries not to look at them because she does not think they define her as a player. Instead, they show her success with her teammates on the court. “I’m just comfortable with my team; they’re the big reason why I am to get the stats that I do,” Alfrey said.

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“Without them, I probably wouldn’t get nearly as many.” A strong team bond has always been important to Alfrey. “Although she attributes her success to her teammates, Haggenjos shared how Alfrey, in re-turn, has been there for her teammates, both on and off the court. “She stabilizes our forward court,” Haggenjos said. “She is a tough matchup for opponents because of her overall quickness, her inside and outside shooting versatility, and ability to put the ball on the floor. She is a great defender. Off the floor, she is a great leader. She cares about her teammates, and wants them all to be successful.” Alfrey suggested a piece of advice to keep in mind for those who may be in a similar situation she was in. “Just because you’re in a situation that isn’t suitable for you, it’s okay to leave, but also don’t give up on it,” she said. “There is a place for you. You just have to find it.”

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Why did you choose to be a religion major? “All the other majors don’t really let me form my own opinion on my beliefs. With being a religion major, I can learn about other religions that help me form my own beliefs.”

Elisia Ott, junior Jordan Brodner | The Franklin

What is your favorite hobby? “I enjoy reading comic books and drawing.”

James Alexander, instructor of religion

Jordan Brodner | The Franklin

FRIDAY, DEC. 2, 2016

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