THE
BLUE &GRAY
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER
PRESS
February 6, 2020
VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 15 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE
1922
Farmer’s Legacy: powerful influence of Civil Rights leader and UMW professor survives in the hearts of former students
Kaley McCusty Staff Writer
class with Farmer as life-changing. “In Dr. Farmer ‘s class, it was more than just reading a history book; we had UMW is currently celebrating what someone who lived and made history,” would have been James Farmer’s 100th he said. “From phone conversations with birthday. Farmer, who was a history Bobby Kennedy to leaving Louisiana in and American studies professor at Mary a hearse under cover of night to avoid Washington from 1985 to 1998, is getting lynched, Dr. Farmer weaved a remembered fondly by alumni who took grand narrative in a way that was deeply his classes. intimate.” “Dr. Farmer engaged his students During Farmer’s tenure at Mary by telling Washington, stories,” said Kim “From phone conversations with his classes were highly sought Isaac, class Bobby Kennedy to leaving Louisiana after, filling the of 1986. in a hearse under cover of night to lecture hall in “He drew Monroe. avoid getting lynched, Dr. Farmer us into the “It was a story and weaved a grand narrative in a way class everyone made us that was deeply intimate.” took when I feel like we was here… his lived it. As class… [was a] a history -Dennis Rudnick rite of passage, major, it a collective was such a special treat to take his class experience for us in those days. It was because it wasn’t something we read something all Mary Washington College in a book. He brought the Civil Rights students did at one point – take that Movement to us in living color.” class, read his book,“ said Ornstein. Many of Farmer’s students remember Farmer’s ability as a storyteller and him as a gifted storyteller and credit real-world experience had a significant him with an ability to bring history and lasting impact on his students. to life. Len Ornstein, class of 1994, “My time with James Farmer inspires described Farmer as “...an icon. He had me, every day, to fight for racial and this booming voice. He was a master social justice,” Rudnick said. “I am a storyteller.” better scholar, advocate and human.” Dennis Rudnick described taking a
Farmer’s inclination towards activism and social justice seemed to be contagious. His students walked away with a greater passion for justice and doing what’s right. “[He taught us that] standing up for what is right is important, and although the consequences may be dangerous it is still the right thing to do,” said Ellen Valentine, class of 1993. Other students of Farmer echoed Farmer’s classes filled lecture halls during his tenure as a history and American the sentiment. studies professor at Mary Washington. Houston Public Media Ornstein he teaches his students today. spoke to how his “Prior to my class, time with Farmer changed the way that •Farmer | 7 none of my students
Dining Services clarifies pricing system for new Panera Bread get how many [meal swipes for menu items] or how much flex,” said Sarah Hendrickson, a junior English and theatre major. Students have also noticed Panera cashiers using calculators when ringing up customers’ orders. According to Christine Porter, who serves as Dining Services Liaison for UMW, all items available on the Panera menu can be purchased for meal swipes. Unlike other on-campus retail locations such
as Vocelli Pizza, Panera does not use not have tax applied to them. the UMW retail system in the registers; “When you use your meal plan, you they use Panera Bread’s standard retail don’t pay tax,” she said. “So [the price] system. For that reason, they cannot is going to be higher when you’re paying Panera Bread opened in the input meal swipes into their registers. with a credit card or cash.” University Center this semester in the That’s where the calculators come Until recently, the Panera closed at location previously occupied by Qdoba, in. Panera cashiers need to calculate 6 p.m. “It’s that way because we had to Jamba Juice, and Lil Joe’s. Nearly a how many meal swipes – the equivalent make a choice,” said Porter. “We had to month after opening, students are still of between four and five dollars – can either delay the opening by another two expressing some confusion regarding the be applied to a single order, and how weeks or so, or set up shorter operating new Panera’s operation. much flex needs to be used to cover hours because of the assistance that “I kind of wish I knew when I can the remaining balance. In we’re receiving addition to the from Panera “When you use your standard register Corporate.” meal plan, you don’t pay system, the onThis means campus location that the hours tax. So [the price] is going also uses Panera were limited to to be higher when you’re allow time for Bread’s standard paying with a credit card UMW dining menu, so it is not specialized to employees to or cash.” reflect UMW’s receive training meal system. from Panera -Christine Porter Porter said that Corporate there are plans to employees. As replace the current of Saturday, on-display menu with a more Feb. 1, the Panera hours have been specialized version, to include extended to 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday meal deals. through Friday, and noon-7 p.m. on In response to questions weekends. regarding price differences As Bodacious Burgers was supposed when using cash as opposed to close when Panera opened, students to a meal plan, Porter clarified were surprised to see it Students paying with credit card or cash will pay more at Panera than those using UMW’s meal plan. still in the Eagles Nest •Panera | 7 Tamara Omer / The Blue & Gray Press that meal swipes and flex do Deanna Biondi Staff Writer
IN THIS
ISSUE
AJR SHOW
Pilot program
Kobe Bryant
Students attend show following spring concert.
Shooter safety steps taken by some academic buildings.
NBA legend dies at age 47, students remember at event.
LIFE | 4
VIEWPOINTS | 3
SPORTS | 8