The Blue & Gray Press

THE

BLUE &GRAY

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON STUDENT NEWSPAPER

PRESS

October 10, 2019

VOLUME 93 | ISSUE 5 SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE

1922

UMW Police takes measures to improve campus security Hannah Galeone Senior Writer

The blue light phone system on the UMW campus is a unique feature of campus safety. These phones are placed across campus in many accessible areas of the property so, in the event of an emergency, they can be used quickly and efficiently. These phones allow people to call help to the scene and communicate with the dispatch center in Brent Hall.

Recently, there was speculation among the campus community that these blue light phones are being removed from campus and from the roster of available campus safety implements. That rumor was incorrect.

The blue light phones on UMW’s campus are “absolutely not” being removed or taken away, according to the University Police Department Chief Michael Hall. Instead of removing the blue light phones, the security infrastructure on campus is being improved upon.

Last year, Hall appointed a task force following concerns about the campus’ blue light phone system.

This task force was responsible for discussing the blue lights, the number of them, their strategic placement and their effectiveness on campus.

“The task force was formed, comprised of students, faculty, staff, emergency management, law enforcement,” said Hall. “They’ve met and looked at all the data so far.”

After the task force reviewed the data, they made recommendations to the University’s Police Department for how safety on campus could improve.

One of their suggestions was to ensure that every new blue light phone on campus had a surveillance camera.

This suggestion comes from both a

place of safety concern and financial responsibility.

By installing new blue light phones with cameras, the University is streamlining the security process, and making sure that funding is effectively allocated. Ensuring that each strategically placed blue light pole has a camera reduces the need for additional surveillance in specific areas.

The University pays approximately $30,000 annually for the blue light phone service, with each new phone unit costing anywhere between $8,000$10,000. In total, the University employs the use of around 211 blue light phones, 194 of which are on the Fredericksburg campus.

These 194 blue lights do not include those being added to the campus safety system during the renovations of both Willard Hall and the Jepson Science Center. Once these renovation projects are completed, an approximated additional 40 cameras will be deemed online and in-use. In addition to these cameras, several new safety features will be added, including new style locks, improved access control, card entry versus hard keys, and cameras on all entrances and elevators.

“The blue lights are a sense of deterrent to the people around us and it’s also a sense of security,” said Hall.

“More cameras are coming on board, the patrols on campus, the officers’ interactions -- those are elements that tell outside community [members] we take [security] seriously.”

The new and updated safety features will help prevent unsafe, suspicious or harmful activity from occurring on campus. As reported on Oct. 3, there have been multiple instances of sexual battery in Virginia Hall over the past

several months.

The most recent incident, which occurred on Sept. 19, involved a student from another university entering the residence hall and committing assault against a UMW student.

These incidents have shaken some students’ confidence in the safety of the campus.

“I feel like, after the things that happened in Virginia Hall, there definitely needs to be more safety measures put in place to prevent unknown people from walking into the dorms,” said Diana Ramirez, freshman.

An additional safety measure that the UMW Police Department suggests students use is the Rave Guardian The blue light phone system allows students to alert police from smartphone application. different locations around campus.

This app is available for Hannah Galeone / The Blue and Gray Press free on both Apple and offers features that can assist with Android devices and safety on campus, many students have provides many safety features. The not heard of it. app allows the user to send anonymous “I’ve never heard about the Rave tips, receive safety updates, and call Guardian app,” said Simon Jones, or text the police department. Other freshman. “[The University] should features include the ability to find definitely advertise [the app], I know appropriate safety resources and set a tons of people who would use it.” safety timer when walking alone.

In the wake of the incidences in The alerts and messages from this Virginia Hall, students are concerned app go directly to the UMW Police with their safety on campus, but Department dispatch center which is respect the work the campus police are located in Brent Hall. doing.

“The Rave Guardian App, in “I live in Virginia Hall,” said Jones. my opinion, gets a quick, instant, “It has been a little scary [but] I feel response,” said Chief Hall. like the police on campus are doing the Although the Rave Guardian app best they can. I’ve never felt unsafe

Fredericksburg City Council approves expansion plans for Catholic Campus Ministry in College Heights Christopher Fols Staff Writer

A Fredericksburg City Council vote on Tuesday, October 8 granted a special use permit to the Catholic Diocese of Arlington to use 1604 College Avenue. as a rectory for priests serving the Catholic Campus Ministry. The building in question is located next to the St. John Bosco Center of the Catholic Campus Ministry at 1614 College Ave., which is also owned by the Catholic Diocese of Arlington.

The Diocese hoped to expand the special use permit to tie both properties together. Instead, the special use permit was granted independently of the property next door, allowing for one property to be sold without the other.

The buildings surrounding 1604 College Ave. include the new Hillel

IN THIS

ISSUE

limited to 18 participants.

Jewish student center and BaptistMembers of the neighborhood affiliated student center. surrounding the properties had concerns The Planning Commission and with the special use permit being Staff recommend approval to the City amended to include both properties.

Council, subject to several conditions According to including City Council’s the rectory “The top floor of the house will be meeting minutes, should be used as a place of residence for our John Nere, a used as the Chaplain, then the bottom floor of the resident of College residence house is going to be used for small Ave, said that he of a priest who works groups of students to meet as well as wanted the number with the house the staff offices for the Campus of people that could be using the Catholic Ministry.” property limited ministry and also said, associated -Matthew Malanga “A special use with permit goes with a property indefinitely the UMW, it should remain a separate regardless of ownership.” This means subdivided residential lot and the existing building should not be that if one of the properties was expanded, and group activities or purchased by someone else the special meetings on the property should be use permit would allow the property to

HBO GO Movies

Campus MISSIONARIES

continue to be used as a student center.

Tim Brown said he owned 1616 College Ave next to the St. John Bosco Center but had to move because it became hard to live there.

“Everything done there was done by volunteers and there was lots of noise,” Brown said. “They hold weddings there and events, and they do not treat these facilities like they are located in a neighborhood.”

Many people in the neighborhood also expressed concern that College Heights was being taken apart and is becoming less like a neighborhood and more like a business.

Meredith Beckett, resident of Brent Street and current president of the Civic Association, said, “The residents have no objection to a rectory… the facilities [should be] •Catholics | 2 exclusively for

NATS WIN

Are the movies leaving this month worth a watch?

Visiting missionaries looking for faith and friends.

Washington Nationals win first playoff series.

LIFE | 7

VIEWPOINTS | 3

SPORTS | 8

NEWS

Editors: Kate Seltzer & Abigail Buchholz | blueandgray.news@gmail.com

College Heights residents concerned with the growing BLUE & GRAY catholic ministry presence in the neighborhood PRESS THE

MISSION The Blue & Gray Press is published every Thursday in the University Apartments Clubhouse for our university community. The goal of The Blue & Gray Press is to produce high quality and accurate news in a manner compliant with the Society of Professional Journalists ethics code. In its coverage, The Blue & Gray Press strives to highlight the community of the University of Mary Washington, as well as deliver fair and accurate coverage on the issues important to our students.

EDITORS-AT-LARGE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Lauren Closs

Associate Editors Grace Winfield Ginny Bixby

Buisness Manager Lucas Burkholder

SECTION EDITORS NEWS Kate Seltzer Abigail Buchholz

the students of the Matthew Malanga, student president “The Catholic Campus Ministry here University of Mary of the Campus Catholic Ministry, said at Mary Washington has drastically Washington and not the Diocese in grown in the past few general.” She also wants the two years which has been a “The neighborhood was under significant properties to remain separate on the tremendous blessing,” he encroachment between the University, the special use permits. said. “This added space Archdiocese of Arlington, and the silver Sue Sargeant, a resident of will be very helpful for companies and it was losing its neighborhood the Catholic Campus William Street and member of the College Heights Civic Association, Ministry and it's growing qualities.” said, “The neighborhood was under population.” significant encroachment between “The special use permit -Sue Sargeant the University, the Archdiocese of allows us to accommodate Arlington, and the silver companies the large amount of students that frequent the St. John Bosco Center. and it was losing its neighborhood the new building will be beneficial to qualities.” students.

The top floor of the house will be used as a place of residence for our Chaplain, then the bottom floor of the house is going to be used for small groups of students to meet as well as house the staff offices for the Campus Ministry,” said Malanga.

The Archdiocese of Arlington, which owns the St. John Bosco Center where the UMW Catholic Ministry holds worship, owns seventeen properties in the College Heights area. They own five properties on Stafford Ave, three on Buckner Street, two on William Street, three on Augustine Ave., three on Royston Street and one on College Ave. All of their properties are located near St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church which is a Catholic church under the Archdiocese of Arlington.

The properties surrounding St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church are used as residential homes and storage. The Archdiocese of Arlington plans to keep the residential appearance of all of the properties.

•Catholics | 1

City Council approved a permit for the Catholic Campus Ministry to use the building next to the St. John Bosco Center as a rectory for UMW priests.

Iliana Laiza / The Blue and Gray Press

POLICE BEAT

VIEWPOINTS Alicen Hackney

ABIGAIL BUCHHOLZ & KATE SELTZER News Editors

LIFE Cosima Pellis

Possession On Sunday, September 22 at 1:10 a.m., there was an incident of underage possession of alcohol in Mason Hall. One administrative referral was issued.

ONLINE

PHOTO Cayley McGuire

On Sunday, October 6, between 12:37 a.m. and 1:00 a.m, a window was vandalized in Virginia Hall.

This case is pending.

On Thursday, October 3 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., a license plate was stolen in the Sunken Road parking lot.

This case is pending

Sexual Battery

Meaghan McIntyre Samuel Cobb

Petit Larceny

Vandalism

SPORTS Jack Hagn

Kate Seltzer contributed to reporting.

On Thursday, October 3 at 2:32 a.m., a student was found in possession of marijuana at Randolph Hall. One administrative referral was issued.

On Saturday, September 28 between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. there was a sexual battery in Eagle Landing. This case is pending. Referrals were issued to the office of Title IX and the Commonwealth Attorney.

Between Friday, October 4 at 1:00 p.m. and Sunday October 6 at 5:18 p.m. a pair of headphones was stolen from the HCC. This case is pending.

Noah Strobel

FACULTY ADVISOR Sushma Subramanian

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CORRECTIONS for THE Week PLEASE REPORT ANY MISTAKES SEEN IN THE BLUE & GRAY PRESS TO Lauren Closs, blueandgray.eic@gmail.com or Sushma Subramanian, ssubrama@umw.edu

Thursday, October 10, 2019

VIEWPOINTS

Editor: Alicen Hackney | blueandgray.views@gmail.com

Students should be polite to visiting missionaries

SOPHIA MALDONADO Many organizations and groups visit UMW to spread Staff Writer messages to students. Frequently, UMW students come across missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as LDS or Mormon missionaries. While many students do not want to be approached on their way to class, some students enjoy engaging in the conversation. Sometimes the missionaries feel just as nervous to approach students as the students feel about being approached. Members of the campus community should remember this when passing missionaries on campus. They are kind Missionaries look forward to building friendships.

Scott Eells / Bloomberg via Getty Images people and should be treated with the same respect and politeness as any other visitors to campus.

Amani Guillaume, a sophomore biochemistry major, Two missionaries currently visiting campus are Sister stopped by one day to talk to the missionaries “out of Hansen and Sister Smith who come from Rupert, Idaho curiosity.” and Springville, Utah respectively, and shared how they She said, “I didn’t realize they were missionaries, at interact with UMW students. first, because I had never seen them on campus before.

Hansen described that when they come to campus, They asked me about what my beliefs were, why I “discussions aren’t planned. Mostly when [we approach believed them, and if I had ever heard of The Book of or are] approached [by students], it’s based off of Mormon. I had heard of it, but knew nothing about it. questions like ‘are you religious?’ Then [we] go off of As I was interested in trying new things, I chose to meet that and see how they became religious.” another time.” ”[We] usually guide conversations towards the Book Unlike Guillaume, many students often ignore the of Mormon and how that can help them in their life, missionaries as they try to approach them. They “don’t but we don’t start off with that. [We] just get to know take it to heart,” said Smith, “it’s kind of intimidating them and whether or not they have faith in Jesus Christ walking up to two strangers, and even have them walk or not,” said Smith. “Most of the time, we try to get to up to you. They’re probably not an extrovert, and they know people and try and tell them how this can apply might be more like an introvert.” in their life because the Gospel can apply in everyone’s Hansen related to the feeling and said, “I definitely life.” feel like I’m not an extrovert, but this is something that They do not have a required number of students to I really love, and our Heavenly Father’s aware of us and speak with, but as Hansen described, their goals are of the people here.” more intrinsic and based off of what they wish to gain Her love for this pushes her and other missionaries from going out and preaching to others. “It’s definitely out of their comfort zone. She explained, “it takes the not about the number, but about the person and getting pressure off my shoulders knowing that I’m not doing to know them,” said Hansen. this for me or my name, but for Jesus Christ. But it is

Staff Ed: State elections are essential

By THE BLUE AND GRAY PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD Voting in state elections matters as much as voting in national elections, if not more.

As an American citizen, it is considered a civic duty to vote. In national elections, voters in swing states, such as Florida, Pennsylvania and Michigan hold the most power compared to voters in non-swing states. This is due to the fact that the electoral college operates on a winner-take-all system, where the winner of the state popular vote wins all of that state’s electoral votes. This means that any votes cast towards the losing candidate in a given state don’t count and the candidate gets zero electoral votes.

Because voters in non-swing states hold little power in the national election, some might feel discouraged from voting at all. Voting still matters. State elections are notoriously close races. For example, current Democratic nominee Joshua Cole lost the bid for the Virginia House of Delegates in 2017 by 73 votes. In state elections, each vote carries a significant amount of weight. The winners of these state elections have the power to shape the everyday functioning of their constituents’ lives. For example, bills passed by the Virginia House of Delegates in 2019 included when the first day of district public schools is, the budget bill, and property tax bills.

One state issue making headlines is the potential ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment by the Virginia House of Delegates. The ERA, which forbids lawmakers from denying rights on the basis of sex, was killed by House Republicans earlier this year by a slim margin. If Democrats flip the House, the ERA will likely be ratified, making Virginia the 38th state to do so and will allow the ERA to become a constitutional amendment.

Your single vote can change the course of legislative history in Virginia, so don’t forget to register by October 15 and vote on November 5.

This editorial was led by Abigail Buchholz.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

hard sometimes to be like ‘Hi’ and have people just walk off, but it’s easy to be like they’re on their way to class or maybe their busy. It takes a lot of positivity, but it’s so worth it at the end of the day to talk to people.”

The missionaries also visit downtown Fredericksburg. Both of the sister missionaries have noticed that more people walk by and don’t acknowledge them downtown in comparison to UMW. ”Younger people are so open, and they’re more likely to be themselves than someone older. They’re just polite and they’ll say thanks for the card even if they probably won’t look at it,” said Hansen. “You can tell if they’re being honest and likewise, they can tell if we’re being genuine, so we have to be as genuine as we can.” “[On campus] the attitude I’ve seen and heard about the missionaries is mostly passive,” said Guillaume.

“Most people ignore them or acknowledge them but don’t talk to them more than once. I think [student’s] attitude towards the missionaries is more of a reflection of their attitude towards the religion or misconceptions about it. I think people can have their opinions but shouldn’t mock them or be disrespectful to them. If others put their assumptions aside, they could see that missionaries are very polite, and some are very interesting.”

The students actually speak with the missionaries appear to have had a positive experience unlike what some may believe might have been the case.

“We definitely think it’s good for people to know that we’re not going to force anything on anyone, we want it to be normal. We’re normal people and this is just something we love, and we want to share it with people,” said Hansen.

“My experience with them has been good overall, and as I got to know them, I’ve made some new friends,” said Guillaume.

Republicans must have primaries

Last month, four state fruitless campaigns.

JOSEPH MILBANK Republican parties declared In an election that features Staff Writer that they were going arguably one of the most to cancel their primaries and caucuses for the 2020 controversial incumbents ever, it is crucial to allow election. Primaries and caucuses allow for a diversity more people to run for the nomination. While all three of beliefs to be presented that is crucial to the success potential nominees face difficult odds and a harsh home of democracy, and no political party should be allowed party, their beliefs and arguments are important to to impede this process, regardless of the expected highlight. outcomes. This is a dangerous move that has serious Mark Sanford, for instance, is running on the belief implications for freedom of speech. that more focus must be placed on the national debt in A Monmouth University poll released on August order to avoid another financial crisis.

22 found that 84 percent of Republicans approve of University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato President Trump’s job performance. Trump claimed in a believes that Sanford’s campaign could still make an tweet that the number was 94 percent. impact, even without winning.

While figures like these seem to display unity among “Is he a serious challenger to Trump? If you mean by Republicans, blocking primaries and caucuses only serious challenger that he could beat Trump, the answer causes a forced unity. is no, but there are other ways to measure challenges,” To some, Sabato said. “If he can make the figures are the argument against Trump, a justification if he can rally whatever that Republican remaining ‘Never Trumpers’ primaries and there are out there, then he caucuses are could have an impact.” pointless for Some, like Bill Weld, 2020, and that believe that Trump is scared Trump is the of this potential impact. clear favorite.

“Canceled primaries?”

While few Weld tweeted Sunday.

Republicans are “What are you afraid of, willing to risk Mr. No-Show? Intelligent, Donald Trump, Joe Walsh, Bill Weld and Mark Sanford are the Republican presidential candidates. floridapolitics.com experienced, honest and a campaign, as failure would decent competitors? Now mean retribution from Trump following the election, more than ever, @realDonaldTrump, you can run but three people are currently running for the nomination. you cannot hide.”

These three are former Representative Joe Walsh When asked how she felt about the issue, junior of Illinois, former Representative Mark Sanford of Gabriella Garcia, a business administration major, said, South Carolina, and former Governor Bill Weld of “Any Republicans that want to vote for their party, but Massachusetts. don’t like Trump, are being given only one choice. This Canceling primaries and caucuses during an hurts the democratic process.” incumbent phase is not uncommon. Both parties have Junior Spanish and biology double major Nathan done it on several occasions. The Democratic Parties Mitchell said, “What these state parties are doing of Arizona and Kansas canceled them in 1996 when is bringing us farther from the democratic process.

Bill Clinton was the incumbent. South Carolina’s People should have the option to choose from different Republican Party cancelled them in 1984 and 2004 candidates, and Republicans are being given no option, when Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush were other than Trump. It’s effectively forced support.” incumbents, respectively. Trump has claimed that states For a fair election to occur, state parties must allow are currently doing so to avoid spending money on primaries and caucuses to happen.

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LIFE

Editor: Cosima Pellis blueandgray.life@gmail.com

“Desire paths” mark common student routes around campus Below: The Bell Tower path, used by students who want to save a few seconds by crossing Double Drive through the Bell Tower to get onto the brick sidewalk to Combs (and vice versa).

Above: This desire path was forged as a result of students straying off College Avenue to go to Ball Hall. This path is also on the left side of Fairfax House.

Photo story by John Wray

Above: This footpath, which begins at the corner of Randolph and Mason Hall, is mostly used by students who live in Russell when they come up the long staircase to visit Randolph and Mason.

Despite extensive brick paths constructed throughout campus, UMW students have created their own shortcuts, wearing down the grass with high foot traffic and creating what is commonly known as “desire paths.” These paths persist despite efforts by landscaping crews to regrow the grass, and consequentially tell a story about student movements that can not been seen on bricks.

Above: This footpath extends down the hill from Arrington behind the HCC. It allows fast travel to the Sunken St parking lot, cutting minutes off the gravel path that takes a detour through the woods.

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Above: This desire path goes around the corner of Combs to make a shortcut to College Avenue from the front of Combs.

Above: The longest footpath on campus goes from the sidewalk of College Ave all the way around Custis Hall.

Most of the traffic on this path travels toward Combs Hall via College Ave or to the UC from the sidewalk on College.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

LIFE Joaquin Phoenix gives chilling performance in controversial “Joker” JOSEPHINE JOHNSON Staff Writer

“Joker” is the perfect movie for this Halloween, with Joaquin Phoenix’s chilling performance of a man deteriorating into murderous madness, accompanied by breathtaking cinematography and a perfectly chaotic soundtrack.

Despite controversy over the movie’s release, “Joker” overtook the box office with an estimated opening of $93.5 million, the largest opening of October so far. The film had a budget of $64 million, making it cheaper to produce than many other movies by DC Comics.

I went in with reservations, especially with the big debate about whether “Suicide Squad” was romanticizing the relationship Joker has with Harley Quinn. The idea of an origin story for Joker, or Arthur Fleck as he is for most of the film, was risky. A lot of fans feared that it would glorify Joker and his actions. It is true that the viewer tends to sympathize with him, but I feel that the movie successfully painted him in a foul light instead of making him the victim.

With its scene set in the 1980s, “Joker” takes us back to before Gotham was the city that Batman protects. Our main character, Arthur Fleck, lives in the slums of this Gotham with his sick and elderly mother. They are presented as a loving family who suffers from the cruel effects of poverty.

Joaquin Phoenix absolutely lost himself in this film. He became Arthur Fleck, who became Joker. He plays his role with terrifying believability- that of a sick, delusional and insane man playing

the role of a normal and functioning member of society.

The viewer is sucked into his delusions. It’s impossible to know what is real and what is in his sick mind; you’ll have to watch and see what you believe. The movie left me scared, scared to think that people I know could have fallen down that path of insanity, but narrowly avoided it. It really makes you think.

Joker is an amazing villain. But was mental illness portrayed accurately? Is it offensive? It is mentioned that Arthur Fleck has spent time in a mental hospital and is on seven medications. When those are cut off, he starts going off the deep end.

He goes off his medicine and goes crazy- what does this make viewers think? The shock value is there.

The viewer deep down is aware of what’s going to happen, but the movie still manages to shock you to the core.

And it’s very bold to have so much gun violence in a movie after everything the United States has been through lately.

But Joker did it well, if anyone could.

The cinematography is true to DC Comics’ aesthetic. There is meaningful repetition in the shots that is critical to the effect of the movie on the viewer.

Cinematographer Lawrence Sher sets the scene of a dark, unhappy Gotham bursting into color when Joker shows up.

This film should be viewed with caution. It had me laughing at parts, nearly crying at others, and feeling very uncomfortable throughout. If you have bad experiences with guns or violence, please be cautious. Overall, although I am not a fan of clowns, I did enjoy the movie.

“Joker” overtook the box office with an estimated opening of $93.5 million.

TrailerAddict

Ridderhof Martin Gallery exhibition features figurative art Sutton as well as other artists such as Arshille Gorky, Hans Burkhardt, Tetsuo Ochikubo, Nicholas Vasilieff, Alfred Levitt and Dorothy Van Winckel.

Modern art pieces were pulled from Most of the figurative pieces were storage last month and put on display for drawn from nude bodies in different the Phyllis Ridderhof Martin Gallery’s colors and positions, while a select few exhibition “Embodiment: figurative took on concepts such as music, the works from UMW’s permanent beginning of a journey and subjects as collection.” This exhibition, which could simple as a nun’s jacket on a coat rack. also have been called “The ode to naked In the two-room layout, the placement form,” was open from September 2 of the artwork made the main feature through October 6.

Phyllis Ridderhof Martin’s paintings The artwork was chosen by former “Three Graces” in the first room, and collections manager Charles “Alex” “Untitled (woman in doorway)” in the Trivette, featuring some of his favorite second. The paintings contrast each other works by Mary Washington alumni such in color and variety.

While both have nude women as as Phyllis Ridderhof Martin, whom the gallery is named for, and Margaret the main subject, “Three Graces” sees three women painted with more natural and muted colors, except for the electric blue paint used for the eyes of the woman in the middle, with an almost enticing stare, locking the viewer in a silent challenge. In her piece “Untitled (figure in the doorway)”, she uses far more vibrant colors in a saturated portrait of a nude woman looking “Untitled (four nude figures)” by Hans Burkhardt. out of a doorway. Both Daley Jennings / The Blue & Gray Press find its subjects in a

DALEY JENNINGS Staff Writer

Thursday, October 10, 2019

vulnerable state but unashamed in their vulnerability.

Focus on the nude body wasn’t only a prevalent theme in Martin’s pieces.

Hans Burkhardt took a more stripped down technique, with his pastel on paper approach. While they look like they could’ve been taken straight from his sketchbook and put in a frame, it’s that quality that set his pieces apart from the rest. His specialty as an artist is abstract expressionism, which is shown brilliantly in his presentation of the everyday of the nude human body on such a simple canvas and making it gallery worthy.

Margaret Sutton is a bit of a savant in the form of figurative artwork, and her pieces for this exhibit were no exception.

In particular, “Untitled (clothed figure with deer and cat)” was particularly eyecatching with its use of the contrasting colors of tan, blue and white.

The varied patterns and paint strokes, while bordering on abstract, at first look a mess. But they draw the viewer in to the little details of the piece, noticing how different designs are seemingly laissez-faire yet painted intentionally as to complement the subtle transition between the templates in the painting.

“Untitled (figures on a park bench)” has a much firmer foot in the figurative realm, with two very distinct people (fully clothed) sitting on a park bench, facing away from each other. It has the feel of a sophisticated cartoon you

“Three Graces” by Phyllis Ridderhof Martin.

Daley Jennings / The Blue & Gray Press

would see in the newspaper on a Sunday morning, and think to yourself “oh that’s fancy!” It stands out in how it has firm lines instead of the rigorous paint or pastel strokes of the other pieces, with the varied pattern characteristic that was present in her other artwork at the gallery.

The next exhibition set to take over the Phyllis Ridderhof Martin Gallery is “Buddhist Art from the Past and Present: BG Muhn &The Leidecker Collection.”

The opening reception will be on March 14, 2020.

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CONNECT WITH US

Upcoming Events Thursday • Thanks in Advance: Jason Robinson @ duPont Gallery • NRA University Presentation @ HCC 327, 6 - 7 p.m.

• Ratifying the ERA @ Monroe 240, 6 - 7 p.m.

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Saturday - Tuesday @theBlueandGray

• Fall Break • Big Fall Cleanup @ Old Mill Park, 9 - 11 a.m.

• Thanks in Advance: Jason Robinson @ duPont Gallery

Wednesday • Thanks in Advance: Jason Robinson @ duPont Gallery • Honor Week @ UC Patio, 11 - 2 p.m.

• Let’s Talk @ Lee Hall 414, 7 - 8 p.m.

• PAC Small Show @ Dodd Auditorium, 7 - 8:15 p.m.

• Homecoming Bonfire @ Jefferson Square, 7 - 10 p.m.

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LIFE

Editor: Cosima Pellis blueandgray.life@gmail.com

Lesser-known films soon to leave HBO GO: worth a watch?

ABIGAIL WEBER Staff Writer

HBO GO, the streaming platform paid for by UMW, is constantly adding and removing movies. Here are three leaving at the end of the month and whether they’re worth watching before they go.

Dracula (1979) Rating: R, Genre: Horror/Romance “Dracula” (1979) balances two plots, the first being Van Helsing, Seward and later Jonathan Harker’s quest to identify what is killing people around the asylum, and the second being Dracula and Lucy’s romance. One casts Dracula as a bloodthirsty villain, the other as a romantic lead. Overall, the film was more interesting to me as a horror-mystery film, with the romantic scenes being easily the most boring and confusing. Dracula’s parasitic influence on Lucy is at odds with the film’s romantic framing of their relationship.

Despite these bizarre choices in terms of plot and characterization, I enjoyed the film, mostly for its style.

The movie bleeds atmosphere, from its long stretches of silence punctuated by occasional dialogue, to the closeups accompanied by John Williamscomposed musical stings. From a graveyard overlooking the cliffs, to an asylum with architecture as off-kilter as its inhabitants, to the spiderweb-laden, candle-filled Carfax Abbey, the sets add to the gloomy, gothic environment. The limited palette (while still in color) and many nearly monochrome sets work in the film’s favor, creating a sense of timelessness that contemporary color schemes would have destroyed. While the mullets, anachronistic fashion and occasionally laughable special effects may mark it as a product of the late seventies, the cinematography and artistry in set design deserve a modern audience.

Rating: 3.5/5: worth a watch for fans of vampires, John Williams, and interesting cinematography. Those looking for an actionpacked romantic adventure can skip it.

The First Grader (2011) Rating: PG-13 Genre: True Story “The First Grader” is based on the true story of Maruge, a Kenyan man who attended primary school at the age of 84.

The film explores his history as a participant in the Mau Mau rebellion that helped free Kenya, including his imprisonment and torture by colonial British forces. The filmmakers were dedicated to authentically and respectfully representing Kenya: the film was shot on location, Maruge and his classmates were played by Kenyan actors and the production

crew consulted numerous experts, including family members of those who survived imprisonment. While the film does occasionally veer into dangerous Oscar-bait territory, it’s never exploitative of its Kenyan setting and cast.

Visually, the film stands out on the HBO GO platform where dim, night and/or artificial light is the norm. Nearly every scene is shot in bright sunlight, bringing out the color of the wardrobe and setting.

The rich palette and realistic sets make this movie visually interesting enough to make up for any shortfalls in the plot.

While individual scenes, characters and dialogue are strong on their own, strung together they weaken: problems are just dropped without real resolution, characters disappear from the script and issues like tribalism are brought up and never mentioned again. Still, these issues are only noticeable under scrutiny, and the film hits all its emotional beats.

Rating: 4/5: a bright, emotional film for when you need your faith in humanity restored after a long day.

Waking Ned Devine (1998) Rating: PG, Genre: Comedy Picture “Weekend at Bernie’s,” but in a 52-person village in Ireland, and you’ve got the basic idea of “Waking Ned Devine.”

When a man with no family wins the lottery and dies from shock, “Dracula” bleeds atmosphere and is stylistically pleasing. his neighbors impersonate him to claim the winnings. The film opens from knowing the lottery winner dies with a tense, suspenseful sequence as a from the synopsis, the scene genuinely man watches the lottery announcements. got my heart pounding.

While some of the suspense likely came Unfortunately, it was downhill from

“The First Grader” visually stands out on the HBO GO platform.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

IMP Awards

there. The film is two thirds of the way through before the main characters hatch their plot to impersonate Ned Devine, and most of the humor crawls by at a snail’s pace. The other subplots which include a love triangle between a pig farmer, a single mother and a playboy, and the friendship between a young boy and a visiting priest, fail to induce laughter or emotional connection. The most notable thing to say about the film is that its bizarre last 20 minutes and twist ending put “The Sixth Sense” to shame. While a few moments managed to make me snort and the cast is delightful, I would not recommend the film unless you’re a fan of slower comedies from the British Isles, or plan to turn it on for background noise.

Amazon Rating: 2/5: great background noise if you need that to do homework, a bit slow for a movie night.

“Waking Ned Devine” takes place in a 52-person Irish village.

Amazon

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SPORTS

Editor: Jack Hagn | blueandgray.sports@gmail.com

Nationals win first playoff series in franchise history

JULIA MAY Staff Writer

Despite a rough start to the season with a 19-31 start record, the Washington Nationals managed to come together as a team to win the wild card game last Tuesday, and then pull out a massive win last night in the first series of the playoffs. The season began with tension due to the Philadelphia Phillies’ pick up of the right fielder, Bryce Harper. Many fans were convinced that the team would suffer due to the loss of a dominant member of the team.

However, not everyone felt the same way. “They just had to stay in the fight,” said freshman Zach Georges. “It was kind of their unofficial motto too, they just had to put in the work and really just come together as a team.”

The season began to turn around for the Nationals beginning in late May as they turned their losing record around, going 93-69 for the regular season and becoming the ninth team in MLB history to make the postseason after falling 12 games under .500 during the season, and clenching a wild card spot.

Manager Davey Martinez spoke on this dramatic turn around for the team, saying, “No matter how you start the objective is to get to the postseason. The boys did that. And we can all sit here and say it was ugly in the beginning, but they stepped up and endured a lot and we’re going to the postseason.”

The Nationals carried this momentum into the wild card game against the Milwaukee Brewers this past Tuesday at Nationals Park. Max Sherzer was the starting pitcher for the Nationals, serving up three runs in the first two innings before Stephen Strausberg took over in the fifth. The Nats were still trailing by two runs in the eighth until Juan Soto hit a bases-loaded, two-run single. “Soto saved us,” said freshman, Maggie Young.

Daniel Hudson closed the ninth inning on three hits over seven innings. Even and kept the Brewers scoreless, bringing with odds stacked them, the Nationals the Nationals to a win with a score of managed to tie the series up 2-2.

4-3, and sending them to the playoffs, Game five of the Nationals-Dodgers where they would face the Los Angeles series was played in Los Angeles last Dodgers in LA. night. Stephen Strausberg started for The Dodgers have reached the the Nationals, for his third appearance National League Championship Series this postseason. The first two innings for three consecutive years now, whereas started out rough for the Nationals, as the the Nationals have never won a playoff Dodgers hit a two-run homer in the first series since the franchise moved from and another run in the second.

Montreal to Washington back in 2005.

The Nats, however, didn’t let this Despite this obvious setback, the stop them. In the sixth inning, Anthony Nationals have managed to put up a fight Rendon scored after hitting a double, both in Washington and in Los Angeles. with Juan Soto sending him home. Then, In the first game, the Nationals fell in the eighth inning, Rendon and Soto short to the Dodgers losing 0-6, with got back to back home runs, tying the only two hits for the nine innings played. score at 3-3. Neither team got runs in the However, the Nationals brought the heat ninth inning, sending the game into an in the second game, where they pulled extra tenth inning. out a 4-2 win.

With bases loaded, Howie Kendrick Game three was played in hit a home run with zero outs, pushing Washington, but the hope for a win the score to 7-3. Kendrick’s grand-slam soon dissipated in the sixth inning when was also the second ever extra inning, the Dodgers managed seven runs. The postseason grand-slam in MLB history.

Nationals tried to push back, getting two Dodgers fans immediately began to runs in the bottom of the sixth, yet it get up and leave the stadium. Sean wasn’t enough to close the gap and the Doolittle pitched the extra inning for Dodgers won 10-4. the Nationals, keeping the Dodgers at Many fans feared that game four bay. Michael Taylor caught the final out, would be the last for the Nationals in sending the entire team running on the their playoff run, yet Ryan Zimmerman field to celebrate their huge victory of sent fans into a frenzy after hitting a winning their first postseason series in three-run home run in the fifth inning. the franchise history.

“The crowd exploded… it was the loudest I had ever heard that stadium. It was a roar,” said freshman, Kevin Munson, who was in attendance at the game. Max Sherzer also threw a hell of a game, giving nbcsports.com The Nationals win their first playoff series. up only one run

Rugby provides home away from home for Adam Thomson ERIN MATUCZINSKI Staff Writer

UMW has become a home away from home for international students, many of whom play on the men’s rugby team.

Adam Thomson, a senior and a history major, shared his experience.

Thomson began playing rugby when he was seven years old in Banchory, Scotland. He attributes his start in rugby to his family.

“My grandfather and dad both played and my grandmother was a massive rugby fan during her lifetime,” said Thomson, “so when I became of age and developed what she called ‘rugby shoulders’ she sent me along to rugby training and supported my participation in the sport fully by buying me new rugby boots for every birthday that I had.”

Thomson heard about UMW when he was recruited by the former director of rugby. He became interested when

The rugby team has several international students.

Thursday, October 10, 2019

the rugby leadership showed interest in both his “rugby value” and his value as a person to the wider campus community.

“I also really liked the idea of a smaller campus,” said Thompson, “having been out of education for around two years before coming to UMW in the fall of 2016, I think going to a bigger school and not having the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with my professors that I have during my time at UMW would not have been a good thing for me.”

Thomson described his experience in America as “absolutely unbelievable.”

“I wouldn’t change my experience for the world,” he said. “I have made friends that I now almost consider family members as for the last three years I have seen them more than some members of my immediate family. I like to think I have my Scottish family and my UMW family.

Attending a college away from home has not been without its challenges for Thomson, however, such as being away from home when my grandfather passed away his freshman year.

“I was lucky enough to be able UMW Athletics

to go home for the funeral and mourn with my family but not being able to say goodbye was tough on me emotionally,” said Thompson.

Adam Thomson.

“I was at practice when I heard that UMW Athletics it was just a matter of time and I broke down but I had my teammates there to pick me up.”

Thomson emphasized the role of the team in making him feel at home.

“I soon realized that it didn’t matter where I was in the world, back home or stateside, rugby people are the same the world over,” said Thomson. “It’s a brotherhood unlike I have seen or come across in other sports. While in our case I prefer to refer to it as a ‘Motherhood’ because it’s a fantastic pun.”

Thomson also appreciates that the rugby team has so many international students.

“UMW’s international recruiting for the rugby team has also made going through the tough times of inevitable homesickness much easier as we have players from all over the world that are going through the exact same thing as you, as an international student, so you have people to confide in.”

University of Mary Washington Fall Sports Schedule

Women’s Soccer (5-7)

Oct. 2 L vs. Salisbury (1-0) Oct. 5 L @ Christopher Newport (3-0) Oct. 9 W @ Southern Virginia (3-1) Oct. 12 @ York (Pa.) Oct. 16 vs. Southern Virginia

Men’s Soccer (8-2-2)

Sep. 21 W vs. Widener (1-0) Sep. 28 W vs. St. Mary’s (Md.) (4-0) Oct. 2 W @ Salisbury (2-1) Oct. 5 L @ Christopher Newport (2-0) Oct. 9 W vs. Southern Virginia (10-0) Oct. 12 @ York (Pa.) Oct. 16 @ Southern Virginia

Field Hockey (5-6)

Sep. 29 W @ Rhodes (3-1) Sep. 30 vs. Roanoke (4-3) Oct. 2 W vs. Randolph-Macon (5-3) Oct. 11 @ Christopher Newport Oct. 15 @ FDU-Florham

Volleyball (9-9)

Oct. 2 W @ Salisbury (3-1) Oct. 5 L @ Christopher Newport (3-0) Oct. 9 W @ Southern Virginia (3-1) Oct. 11 vs. York (Pa.) Oct. 12 @ Johns Hopkins

Men’s Rugby (0-2)

Sep. 7 L vs. Kutztown University (36-8) Sep. 21 L @ Penn State University (22-0) Oct. 12 @ Wheeling Jesuit University Oct. 26 @ Army Nov. 2 vs. St. Bonaventure Nov. 9 vs. Notre Dame College

Women’s Rugby (3-0)

Sep. 21 W vs. Old Dominion (38-21) Sep. 28 W vs. Maryland (41-5) Oct. 5 W vs. Longwood (81-0) Oct. 19 vs. Alumni Oct. 26 @ William & Mary

Full Schedule not listed above.

Most recent games included.

Bold indicates home game.

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