In this edition, our members put together the magazine that we could manage.
We tried to take changes in stride, and we worked hard to put this edition out. During a mid-semester emergency meeting to plan out what was going to happen for the rest of the semester, I jokingly said that our theme should be “getting our sh*t together,” since that’s what we were doing. We all laughed and then the room went silent. Everyone realized that that’s what we have all been doing for the past year if not the past two years. After
Cover Art: Resilience, 2021
Artist: Jerry (Mary) Dickson, Senior in Nursing Acrylic, watercolor and graphite on canvas 12 in x 12 in (30.48 cm x 30.48 cm)
Veteran created during a time of convalescence shortly after having an 8th surgery from the waist down, only months before having the 9th (a hip replacement at age 28).
coming out of a pandemic that threw the world upside down, our sh*t was everywhere but where it needed to be. As a student run paper, we were all struggling with every other commitment and the adjustment to life “as normal.” What better title and theme than one that describes every person in the world and especially college students?
The Buchtelite hopes that you can relate to us and find a piece or two in this edition that you can connect with, because we now knowgetting your sh*t together is hard.
Natalie Mowad, Editor-in-ChiefArtist’s note: I created this during one of my trials and tribulations as a disabled veteran, while trying to complete my degree at The University of Akron. Not only does it represent my own experiences with fighting to complete the goals I set for myself against chronic challenges, whether physical or those presented by others who thought my struggles limited my capabilities, It represents my hope to carry the mindset of resiliency through in my healthcare practice.
Lotus flowers begin growing with their roots in the mud of dark muddy water but break through above it all,w beautiful and blooming, despite what they have gone through. I found this appropriate to paint on top of a pelvis due to my own struggles with my hip, and to exemplify the human capability to push through hard times and reach our goals, regardless of our beginnings.
Editor-in-Chief
Natalie Mowad
Managing Editor Savannah Johns Layout Editors Savannah Johns Alyssa Alexsonshk Copy Editors Emily Price Lauren Folk
Arts & Entertainment Editor Alexa Baumberger
Social Media & Online Edition Editor Alyssa Alexsonshk
Faculty Advisor Julie Cajigas Administrative Coordinator Brenda Reichert
Staff Writers: Isabella Aparicio Brandon Caster Liv Ream Camryn Moore
Contributors: Madison Nadeau Owen Pinion Christian Rhodes Baylee Vought
Contact Us
Office: Kolbe Hall, Suite 208
Mailing Address
The Buchtelite 302 Buchtel Mall Kolbe Hall, Suite 208 Akron, OH 44325-4602 www.buchtelite.com
Transferring and virtual learning nearly derailed my college experience, but it wasn’t too late for me to get involved.
By Savannah Johns, Managing EditorI’m in my third year at The University of Akron, but it doesn’t really feel like it. I can name (maybe) three buildings on campus, and I can never remember how to get to the campus library. This isn’t quite how I imagined my college experience.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I transferred to The University of Akron. In March 2020, I packed up my bags at a small private college in Kentucky and never returned. While living at home with my family, I transitioned to online learning and enrolled at UA.
The fall semester of the same year, I moved
to Akron and attended full-time. All my classes were online, and I wasn’t involved in anything on campus. It felt like I wasn’t even a student.
Since I had so much free time, I started working 40 hours a week. I spent so much time working that I never even thought about getting involved on campus. My routine stayed this way for all of my sophomore and junior years.
I wasn’t having a bad time, but the whole college thing just didn’t feel very fulfilling.
I spent a lot of time wishing I could graduate and rush into a career. It felt like I needed to be older or to have more experience in order to be successful in life. I was wishing away a time that I was supposed to be loving.
I assumed my senior year would be the same way. As I prepared to graduate this upcoming December, I couldn’t wait for graduation and to move away from Akron forever. I didn’t feel
I can never remember how to get to the campus library.”
connected to any of my classmates or anything on campus.
I had been writing for the Buchtelite, but the meetings were all virtual and I didn’t feel very connected with the organization.
But, in August, I got an opportunity to be involved in an organization. A friend of mine asked me if I would be the secretary of the University of Akron Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and I accepted.
Through this organization, I started going to different meetings and events. I attended a few conferences, and I started to network with other students and professors.
Just last month, I attended an Ohio Communication Association conference and accepted the Distinguished Student Organization Award for the Buchtelite with some of my peers. I was finally feeling involved in this organization too.
It definitely wasn’t a huge change in my everyday life, but I felt more connected. Between PRSSA and The Buchtelite, I finally felt like a true student.
This semester I’ve learned more than I have in my entire college career. I’ve gained professional experience, improved my resume and formed real
relationships.
In a way, I felt like college wasn’t very useful to me. It seemed like there were better things I could be doing. I thought it was dumb to do all the college stuff when I had a real career to build.
Getting involved and allowing myself to participate in the stage of life I am in has made me a better student and, hopefully, a better and more well-rounded professional.
I still don’t know how to get to the campus library, and I’ve only taken two in-person classes. Nevertheless, when I graduate, I will feel like I was a part of The University of Akron.
UA has over 340 student organizations. I know it’s not possible for everyone, but it’s worth a shot to get involved.
The pandemic certainly did add some unprecedented barriers to connecting with the campus. For those of us who started spring 2019 or later, we never knew a time where campus life was thriving pre-pandemic. We’ve been in survival mode for two years, but we can’t stay in survival mode forever. Now it’s time for all of us to get our sh*t together and take advantage of all college has to offer.
I finally got my sh*t together – will you join me?
Emily Hildreth, Automated Manufacturing Undergraduate Student
“I scratched at an old sore, absentminded. Something shifted underneath.”
Megan Mitchell, Chemistry Undergraduate Student
“As I hid in plain sight, my body froze with horror as the sun rose. His footsteps got louder until they suddenly stopped, I knew he had found me.”
“I started my day as usual, getting out of bed and taking a look in the mirror. I smiled at my reflection, but my reflection didn't smile back.”
Niranjan Gaire, Computer Science Undergraduate Student
“My roommate died last month. I heard him knocking on my door asking for food last night.”
“Mary was no longer frightened whenever the closet door in the back bedroom suddenly swung open and the ghostly presence she named Marie ran out and jumped into her arms. Then, one day, it wasn't Marie who emerged from the closet.”
Kimberly Younger, Office of Academic Retention and Support Staff Member“The lightening flashed, the thunder boomed and then everything went black. I was alone in the house, yet I felt a hand on my shoulder.”
Julie Cajigas, School of Communication Faculty Member“The background chatter of the eleven o’clock news reporting an unknown virus barely registered as Marjorie, lurched over the sink, head buzzing, sweat dripping, wiped a smear of blood from her nose. The killer was already inside the house.”
The UA Libraries held its second annual ‘TwoSentence Horror Story Contest’ to usher in the fall season. Students, faculty members and staff were encouraged to submit a scary or gruesome story in only two sentences. There were over fifty submissions from writers across all disciplines. Participants were able to submit multiple times, and winners were selected by blind review.
Featured here are the winning stories, along with twenty-one additional riveting micro stories selected for publication during the blind review. They are printed here with permission from the UA Libraries and the story authors.
Suzan Altintas, Cybersecurity Undergraduate Student
“On the 31st of October, Earth experienced an unexplained, worldwide power outage. Minutes before the outage, a message reached Earth from somewhere in the Andromeda Galaxy, three simple words that read: ‘we are coming.’”
“The first time my twin framed me for one of her hacks, we were twelve. The last time my twin framed me for one of her hacks, she'd been dead for five years.”
Bayli Trivette, Nursing Undergraduate Student
“At the funeral my mother was elated, the happiest I'd ever seen. We walked over to the casket, and in the casket was me.”
Hannah Barnes, Graphic Design Undergraduate Student
“I lock every window and every door in my house. I push my dresser in front of my bedroom door, but nothing ever keeps it out.”
“I step into the nursery to check on the baby, only to see bright red eyes staring at me from the crib. I hear a creak from the closet and I know it's too late to run.”
Fahmid Mahmud, Electrical Engineering Graduate Student
“My head was itching for a while. I tried to get rid of that with my hand and ended up scratching off my brain through my skull.”
“I woke up at 3 o'clock in the morning, went to the restroom, and came back to bed. There was no room for me on the bed as I found MYSELF sleeping with my wife.”
“I wondered why anybody would abandon a pair of sturdy hiking boots beside a mountain trail, so I went over to have a look. I solved that mystery right away, but then I wondered why something that hungry would leave the feet inside them.”
“The crazy guy with the axe chopped up Tom Clancy, Stephen King, John Grisham and Ian Fleming before the police subdued him. Luckily, he didn’t get as far as the romance novels, where he could have done some real damage.”
“I pushed the button to lower the door behind me as soon as my car was pulled all the way into the garage. ‘Maybe he wasn’t really following me,’ I thought just before the door stopped abruptly and changed direction.”
Halle Wright, History Undergraduate Student
“I knew that my neighbor was a vampire, but I kindly invited him into my home for a meal. He happily sank into the sofa, which let out the most delighted burp once it had fully consumed him.”
“They both saw the red-orange, frothy liquid oozing from the crack in the ceiling and wondered if their upstairs neighbor had let the pasta sauce pot boil over again, like it did last week. From my perch in the backyard treehouse, I could see Antonio in his second floor kitchen, adding another kitten to the overflowing blender.”
“On a warm summer night, it felt good to be outside in the backyard on a blanket with my new girlfriend, watching the comets streak across the night sky. We barely had time to scream when the tractor beam from the alien ship started to lift us up.”
One story was submitted without a name attached, which makes it even creepier. It belongs to a School of Counseling graduate student. Let’s hope it isn’t true:
“It started as these things usually do, in the bathroom of a cheap hotel. Howard slowly leaned forward, bringing his face next to the rusty keyhole of his trunk and whispered, ‘Hold on honey, we’re almost there.’”
Here are those stories, in no particular order...
Current students and alumni reflect on 60 years of learning in the studio at Z88.
By Owen Pinion, Contributor and Savannah Johns, Managing EditorAkron’s #1 for Nonstop Hits, WZIP, has changed the lives of many students and alumni for decades – six decades to be exact. The station celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2022.
Since 1962, The University of Akron has been home to a radio station operated by current students.
When the station was first founded, it operated under the call sign “WAUP” which stands for Akron University Programs (A call sign refers to the number code that all radio stations use for identification).
The broadcast of WAUP consisted of campus news, taped educational discussions and fine arts programming. The call sign was changed in 1989 to WZIP, in reference to the Zips, UA’s athletic mascot.
Today, WZIP has more than 125,000 listeners each week. It reaches many counties throughout Northeast Ohio, making it accessible to thousands of people. Being completely commercial-
free, it is a top station around Akron, particularly for younger listeners. It is one of the most-listened-to student-run radio stations in the country, standing out from other colleges.
Students can get training and experience in all aspects of a real radio station. At WZIP, students can become DJs on air playing music and interacting with listeners. Other departments include Music Programming, News, Production, Promotions, Sports, and Underwriting. These departments give students hands on opportunities to learn how a radio station is run.
Current students agree, these experiences just can’t be taught in the classroom.
Hundreds of WZIP alumni have taken what they’ve learned and used it in their career. Many alumni have had prominent and successful careers in the entertainment and media industry.
WZIP also opens current students up to opportunities in the industry.
Current members often get jobs at other radio stations in the greater Akron area while still in college. Working with one another and making connections helps students get real-life experience while working toward a degree.
Rachel Evans, program alum, shared that her time at WZIP helped her land her current job and she is grateful for the mentorship and opportunities she received from Chris Keppler and Sarah Kay.
Evans was a member from 2017 to 2021 in a variety of departments: On-Air, Entertainment, Music Programming, Production, and News. She also served as both the Entertainment Director and Music Programming Director.
“I learned about the ins and outs of how a radio station works, which was super helpful given I pursued it as a career,” Evans said. “I also learned how to edit audio, mix music, and network with people, all super important skills
I still use today. Being a team player, as well as a team leader, are things I definitely got a hold of while I was there as well.”
Evans found the experience beneficial and recommends that others consider joining. “If you’re going after a career in radio, it’s an absolute no brainer,” she said.
WZIP alumni can be found in radio stations throughout the region and beyond. Some have moved out to LA or NYC, and some work in positions across many different industries.
Beyond the experiential learning and career success, WZIP has always been a place to make friends and have fun. “… if you’re looking for a cool way to spend your time and meet new people, it’s a great way to do so,” Evans said.
Cody Brown graduated from UA in 2016 and became a part of WZIP as a sophomore. He shadowed other members, secured a spot on the mic and eventually worked his way up to serve as DJ Director, where he booked and
interviewed celebrity guests.
The friends and connections Brown made gave him a leg-up. Today, Brown works as an OnAir Personality at iHeart Media.
“The main thing is, the people in the industry now will tell you, it’s not always what you know it’s who you know,” Brown said. “WZIP has definitely helped that just as far as networking; people I didn’t even graduate with but are alum of WZIP, they still look out for each other.”
He explained that wherever there is a former WZIP member in the industry, alumni can make a connection.
“I know people that work in the industry in Los Angeles, New York, all the major markets in the country, and there might be a WZIP person out there. They do look out for one another, so networking is key. I know a lot of people who got their biggest break from someone who was from WZIP and ZTV.”
Rachel Evans’ mentor Chris Keppler is the current WZIP general manager. He is also a UA alum and was involved in the station as a student.
“One way that WZIP helps just about anybody, particularly people that are on the air, it builds their confidence,” Keppler said. “Having solid communications skills and building this confidence can help you in any capacity. That can be applied anywhere in life.”
Keppler and other faculty
Nominated Yvette Nicole Brown visited the station on Nov. 9, 2019 to spend time with WZIP students. She is known for her role on NBC’s Community and has a long resume of television, film and talk-show host roles.
members have had great influence in the lives of students through WZIP.
Amber Good recalls a former general manager of the station that made an impact on her. “Tom Beck, who was the program director for WZIP, gave us the freedom to cover the issues, businesses, and people that we felt would make an impact on and around campus,” she said.
Students at the station have long been encouraged to be creative and use their uniqueness at the station; which helps WZIP stand out. According to Keppler, differing member ideas bring a lot to the table.
Good used her gained perspective to help better the lives of others.
“Ultimately at WZIP, I learned the power of reporting and how to use my voice to be an advocate for the community,” Good said. “I learned that so many people in Akron were doing major things within the neighborhood and simply needed a platform to continue to positively influence those who stood to gain from their services and/or story.”
While at WZIP, Good had the opportunity to conduct an interview with ACCESS Women’s Shelter and remembers that interview as a
Photo by Chris Keppler. Rachel Evans during her time as a WZIP member, photo courtesy of Rachel Evans.moment she was able to create change within her community.
“I was making the public aware of an organization that provided vital services to women of all ages and backgrounds who were faced with some of the most challenging times in their life for whatever reasons,” Good said.
Today, Good works as the Senior Public Relations Manager at LeadCoverage. She believes that so many doors have opened for her within the industry because of the foundation that WZIP provided, and she is grateful that the radio station pushed her to come out of her shell.
Current students agree with its general manager and alumni that the experience at WZIP is life changing.
“WZIP has given me an opportunity to get an early hands-on experience with something that I want to do for the rest of my life,” Alex Henry, a current member at WZIP, said. “Not only is WZIP able to give me experience, but the friendships I have made is what makes it so great. You are working with your peers, learning together and growing bonds. It is the best college experience I can ask for.”
Alumni continuously return to offer advice to current members and pass down what they have learned, and the ones The Buchtelite spoke with had some to share.
When asked about advice for current students, Rachel Evans said that the station isn’t just for Communication majors and recommended everyone from biology and engineering to music and art give the radio station a try. Cody Brown also had advice to offer to students. He encourages them to join. “Excuses will always be there, opportunities won’t,” he said. “What do you have to lose? If you’re looking for a place to build a resume and develop yourself as a personality and as a professional, then WZIP is the place to do it.”
88.1, WZIP, Z88, “Akron’s #1 for Nonstop Hits,” whichever name you choose, is minting successful graduates every single year. That makes 60 years of success.
(Below Left)
Cody Brown interviewing American Idol Kris Allen for WZIP in September, 2014.
Photo courtesy WZIP.
(Below Right) Emmy Award Nominated Yvette Nicole Brown visited the station on Nov. 9, 2019 to spend time with WZIP students. She is known for her role on NBC’s Community and has a long resume of television, film and talkshow host roles.
Keppler
Happy 60th anniversary to WZIP and may you remain Akron’s #1 for many more decades!
When you shop online, please choose The University of Akron Foundation on AmazonSmile as your charity of choice. UA receives 0.5% of eligible purchases to help students. This year, all AmazonSmile donations are designated to ZipAssist. Scan this QR code to learn more:
After my first semester in Fall 2019, I went home for Christmas break and told my mom I had no friends.
College is hard when you have no friends.
As an out-of-state, “one-person-from-myhigh-school goes here” student, it was quite the adjustment. My friends that I grew up with for 18 years were no longer with me, and my hundred high school extracurricular activities were over.
Though I was in marching band at UA, and had a few acquaintances, my mom recommended I join a sorority.
I was not interested. Mom told me to investigate it before saying no, so just like any other Gen Z, I went to Instagram. After a bit of “researching,” I thought that I could maybe see myself joining one of the sororities, so I did.
The process was fun and a little stressful but, in the end, I found my second home with girls that I knew would be in my life forever. I joined a few other clubs and finally started to find my groove.
Everyone knows what happens in this next part of the story: (cue the dramatic music) March 2020.
Just like everyone, I had my struggles during lockdown. Not seeing friends, being stuck in my house, trying all the weird TikTok trends people were doing.
life.
My whole life I had enjoyed being on the go with sports, band, theatre, school. I had just started to find that busy, belonging feeling with college when the world shut it all down. It sucked.
Through lockdown though, there was a true effort put in by my sorority and other organizations I was in. Zoom became my laptop home screen but it was okay because I could still see and interact with the people I cared about in the only possible way.
As lockdown went on longer, it got easier to interact but harder to stay positive about the future when I had no clue what it would bring.
I went back to campus for Fall 2020 semester because I needed that interaction, and knew I needed to get involved, even if it was from 6 feet away. I got a job on campus in The Department of Student Life, I stuck with my sorority and the marching band, and joined a few new organizations. I was finally getting a taste of the “college experience” I had wanted.
Finally, I had friends.
Eventually, I started hearing that we were “back to normal” with classes in person, club meetings and campus opening back to prepandemic norms. Unfortunately, though people were excited to return, it’s almost as if as a student body, we still haven’t come back.
During the pandemic, people added more work to their schedule because online courses didn’t occupy the same time blocks. That also made it hard to succeed in school. Now that we’re back, students are still trying to maintain their pandemic work schedules on top of inperson course loads. Some younger students just aren’t used to being part of campus life; they started online.
Guess what that means?
I have personally experienced a significant
Editor-in-Chief Natalie Mowad is ready to move past the pandemic and put the students back into studentAbove: Natalie Mowad outside her sorority house at The University of Akron. Images courtesy of Natalie Mowad
“
Right:
lack of involvement on campus. Fewer people are available for organization meetings, activities, or fun get-togethers with classmates. This not only impacts student organizations; it’s also impacting us.
Without involvement, we are missing out on opportunities for leadership, professional experience, and experiences that can make us more well-rounded.
But you don’t have to take my word for it. I reached out to some of the people I look up to on campus for their thoughts on involvement.
“My campus involvement has been impactful to me as I have grown as a leader, and I’ve developed relevant experience in a field I am interested in,” Camryn Moore, President of Zips Programming Network, said. “I feel that working and leading organizations on campus has allowed me to utilize the things I am learning in my classes to be put to work in real-life situations.”
Moore is not only part of ZPN, but also serves on the University of Akron Public Relations Student Society of America officer board. Both allow her to put public relations, event planning and social media skills from the classroom into practice.
Other students emphasize the importance of making connections and growing as a professional.
“I can positively say that I am a better person because of my involvement on campus. It has given me lifelong connections and helped me improve my time management and leadership skills,” Jena Mies, President of Alpha Gamma Delta, said.
Involvement is what helps you find your people. You may only see students in one class or two, but when you become involved, you can meet others who share your interests and develop deeper friendships.
“Being involved on campus has been such a fulfilling and rewarding experience for me. Within my organizations and music ensembles, I have found people who share my interests and hobbies that truly make feel at home at UA,” Karlynn Baker, Treasurer of Kappa Kappa Psi and OCMEA said.
The relationships you can make and experiences you can have are unique to the college environment. When you walk across the stage, many of those opportunities dry up.
“I have met all my forever friends through being involved in some way on campus, and truly it has made my college experience something that I will always cherish and
remember,” Baker said.
My dad always told me to be involved in as many activities as possible because in the end, it will benefit me in more ways than one and I can confidently say he was right.
My experiences and involvement have led me to more opportunities than I ever would have thought and introduced me to some of the greatest people I have ever met. I have learned so much from every activity I have done. I know I wouldn’t be half the person I am today without it.
Getting involved helped me get my sh*t together when the world was falling apart. It helped my mental health. It taught me more about people and life than anything else could have.
If you aren’t involved, you are missing out. It’s time for everyone on campus to get our sh*t together and take advantage of all that student life has to offer.
Above: Natalie Mowad and UA mascot Zippy after a marching band performance. Natalie Mowad working her student job at The Source. Images courtesy of Natalie MowadDuring a 2018 scholarship competition, University of Akron horn player Jordin Andrews noticed his body trembling.
What would follow was nearly a year of frustration and questions after medicine prescribed by his doctor failed to stop his tremors.
On January 18, 2019, Andrews received a diagnosis. He had a tumor approximately the size of a ripe peach on his Thalamus, the area of the brain responsible for movement.
His biggest fear? No longer being able to pursue a career in music.
Jordin Andrews was in fourth grade when he first picked up a trumpet for the school band. Immediately interested, he kept playing until the eighth grade, when he eagerly swapped out his trumpet for a horn. Music wasn’t just a hobby to him, but a passion that he hoped to make a career out of.
Throughout high school at Jackson, Andrews joined the Canton Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Akron Youth Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony, the Cleveland Youth Orchestra, and the OMEA honor band.
He went on to win his high school’s concerto competition and had the opportunity to travel with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony in Europe as a soloist.
After graduating high school, he attended the University of Akron, where he received multiple scholarships. His studies were going well the first couple of years, and he excelled in music theory, every ensemble he joined and every horn competition he entered.
Andrews worked hard to complete his degree, and to survive the tumor that had changed the course of his life.
One brain surgery, six weeks of radiation therapy, and 13 months of chemotherapy later, Andrews realized he’d gone through too much to give up on his goals.
Though his career in performance wasn’t looking likely given his illness, he still felt moved to do something for others.
In an article submitted to the International Horn Society (IHS) before graduating from UA in 2021, Andrews said, “I hope to create a business specifically for musicians who are struggling with a disability, which not only empowers those musicians to keep playing but also helps to find solutions to overcome their disabilities, so that no one feels like they have to give up on music.”
Andrews’ goal was to create a program combining music with physical therapy, medication, physical accommodations, and doctors. He hoped to collaborate to find solutions
Above: Jordin Andrews (far left) with classmates from the UA Horn Studio, courtesy of Kiirsi Johnson
“As a friend and colleague, Jordin saw the true soul of every person. He brought the studio together in a time of transition and was everyone’s most vocal supporter,” Kiirsi Johnson, Senior Lecturer in the School of Music, said.
for musicians living with health challenges.
“After a lot of thought, and conversations with my doctors and teachers, I realized that I was in the unique position to help other musicians,” Andrews said. “I want to take what I’ve learned through personal experience and use that knowledge.”
Andrews’ horn teacher, Dr. Kiirsi Johnson, Senior Lecturer, appreciated his desire to help others.
“He was very open about his diagnosis and wanted to be sure that what he went through would one day help someone else,” Johnson said. “As a friend and colleague, Jordin saw the true soul of every person. He brought the studio together in a time of transition and was everyone’s most vocal supporter.”
Jordin Andrews completed one major goal. In spring of 2021, he graduated from The University of Akron with his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance.
Then, in 2022, Jordin Andrews passed away.
On Nov. 12, 2022, The University of Akron (UA) Horn Choir and UA Community Horn Club performed a concert in memory of Jordin Andrews. The concert was held in Guzzetta Recital
Hall and was livestreamed via The University of Akron School of Music YouTube channel.
As evidenced by the performance and the creation of a scholarship in his name, his legacy of bringing others together through music will live on.
“He was a role model for the studio in every way,” said Johnson. “Jordin approached the horn in a very thoughtful and artistic manner, with attention to detail on the level of a graduate student.”
Jordin studied under Johnson in 20192020 and she was the person who coordinated the memorial concert for the horn player.
The music performed in celebration of Andrews’ life featured many of his favorite composers including Brahms and Basler. The performance also featured an arrangement of Mozart that Andrews himself had begun for the horn ensemble. Kevin Walters, one of his best friends and a member of the UA horn studio alumni, performed a solo.
In planning the performance, Dr. Johnson reached out to alumni from Jackson high school and alumni from his time at UA More than 20 friends and alumni joined to memorialize their colleague and friend.
The scholarship
The University of Akron School Of Music has created in memory of Jordin Andrews offers funds to those who wish to study horn. To donate to the fund in Andrews’ memory, designate your gift to the Jordin Andrews Scholarship fund by texting UAmusic to 41444, or by scanning the QR code.
Human emotion can parallel certain animalistic tendencies in nature. The fear and aggression shown by the two front dogs is contrasted by the submissive dog in the background, allowing the viewer to question the intent of these animals and what is causing them to act this way.
Three’s Company
Edited by the Editorial Board
When the election results came in Tuesday night, I was happy to hear about future Congresswoman Emilia Sykes’ success in her race for Ohio’s 13th District. Summit County races went well, with Democrats securing all three County Council positions up for grabs as well as wins for Judges Breaux, Towell, and Hightower. Losses on state-wide tickets, however, for 3 Ohio Supreme Court positions, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and US Senator, brought down the party. In a time where abortion access is such a state-by-state issue, Ohioans did not elect Democrats who would protect women’s rights, which are very important to me. A highlight in the national news, however, was the Democratic Party’s successes against the so-called “red wave.” Generally, during a midterm election, power in the US Senate and House will shift to the party not in charge of the executive. It was expected that Democrats would lose record-breaking seats in the legislature, but that did not happen. Many analysts are attributing that to an increase in voter turnout among Gen Z voters. Overall, I’m pleased for the party, but I’m still very worried about the state of women’s rights. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade this summer, abortion access has come to the forefront of women’s rights issues, especially at the state level. The repercussions of Ohio’s legislative actions against abortion access may pave the way for the stripping of even more rights, which will be detrimental to all citizens living in Ohio.
Samuel Kosco, Junior, Applied Mathematics “I’m generally happy with the way local elections turned out, especially issue 10 which issued a police oversight board. I live in Highland Square and I have personally seen significant over-policing and needless displays of authority since this past summer. After the Police murdered Jayland Walker, it became obvious that Akron is not immune to the issues of police brutality in America. I am disappointed in the state-wide election results. I feel like Ohio has gone from being a swing-state when I was growing up, to a solidly republican state. I do not feel represented by any of the state wide politicians elected this cycle.”
“In my perspective, I believe the midterm election is an upsetting situation for our generation. The majority of our choices are being stripped from us such as women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the basic right to choose. The vast majority of candidates who have won the midterm elections are seeking to restrict the access to privacy. These candidates are wishing to change the world to an environment where people will be unable to make their own choices without governmental involvement. Unfortunately, with the candidates that have won the mid term election our generation will become compromised for years to come. Our generation needs to become more informed and involved with issues that hold importance to them.”
“My general opinion is that voting is important, but I think what is even more important is informed voting. With this in mind, I believe that only those students and individuals who have a solid understanding of not just politics, but of ethics, logic, and empathy as well, should be the primary individuals voting. Often times in today’s modern world we view the political parties as very divided- one side calling the other a villain, the other the same. Unfortunately, this does exactly what you would expectdivides people. I find that often times through this, it leads individuals to the belief that the opposite party is foolish, and without merit. This is often a poor view of the world, as realistically there is at least some merit to both sides of a conversation, and that disagreement most of the time boils down to miscommunication. While I think that voting is important generally, I think it is more important that for future generations- we ensure empathy and understanding above all, even of people that at first we may disagree with or even hate based off their views. On this basis I am not an active voter, nor plan to in the future, as I feel I have insufficient understanding and perspective into politics, as well as all of the prior mentioned qualities, to make a vote which accurately represents my own beliefs. Concerning the recent midterm elections, I did not intentionally pursue information regarding them, and what little insight I gained passively seemed to represent exactly what I already mentioned- that one side depicts the other as a villain as a means to get support from people who would agree. This is representative of the reason why I don’t vote, as the division of perspectives goes against what I believe is the most important element to genuine progress- empathy and understanding.”
“I’m a bit disillusioned. I plan to vote for Democrat representatives, but I haven’t put a lot of effort into research. I think that voting for them isn’t necessarily progressive, but rather less regressive. Roe v Wade being overturned was pretty discouraging and I had essentially no say as a citizen of the United States considering how our judicial branch works. Enormous decisions like that being made on our behalf upsets me and makes me less confident that my vote actually matters. Despite that, I think abstaining from voting goes against what I want America to be for myself and the next generation.”
“Why do all my choices suck? While I understand issue 10, I was a little thrown off by issue 8 that allows non-citizens to vote and feel we should have spoken on this more as a community. On one side citizenship takes a long time if you aren’t rich and you should have some say in your community, but at the same time this feels dangerous, like only 30 days and you can affect the whole climate of a county.”
“I think it is very important for students to vote and to know how to vote. So many of us are away from our hometowns, and it might be difficult to have time or resources to vote in the county you’re registered in. Knowing how to vote absentee can be so vital for students in this situation, as well as knowing the deadlines to vote this way or to register for voting. For the recent election, it may be easy for us to just pass it off as simply being a midterm election, but these elections are just as important as any presidential election. These people have a say in our futures- so try to invest some time in voting if you can. Also, please keep vulnerable populations in mind while you vote in the future. Voting decisions can make a huge impact on someone’s life, whether it’s negative or positive.”
By Alyssa Alexsonshk, Social Media and Online Edition Editor
Around nine months have passed since the war officially started, and much has changed for Ukraine and its people. Ukrainian citizen Hanna Bezuhla’s story began with The Buchtelite article “Living in War: Ukrainian Women Shares her Experience Behind the Front Lines.” However, the war is still ongoing and the story of the people in Ukraine continues to evolve.
was safe enough to return to Kyiv. It was an emotional journey for Bezuhla. She describes seeing the blooming chestnut trees, which are a significant symbol of Kyiv. After months of chaos and numbness, she felt some control over her life and cried the whole way home from the train.
(Top Left) A photo of the truck that Bezuhla used her savings to buy and donated to the army to transfer supplies and the wounded.
(Top Center) Metal “hedgehogs” placed on the streets of Kyiv to slow down tanks.
(Top Right) A photo of “war souvenirs,” missile case for Javelin and NLAW, that Bezuhla used to raise $4,000 for the army.
Photos by Hanna Bezuhla“We lost so many cities and towns, the whole regions,” Bezuhla said. “Then after a successful offensive we’ve seen even more devastation, more mass graves, more brutal attacks on civilians, more deaths of our most precious and devoted people.”
Bezuhla describes how life in Kyiv, her beloved homeland’s capital city, has shifted since the start of the war. In March, Bezuhla left Kyiv as fear of occupation by the Russians became a greater concern.
“Back then, there was a threat of the city being surrounded, they were too close, and even though I could stand the fear of a missile strike, I couldn’t stand the fear of living under occupation,” Bezuhla said. “When I was leaving, it felt like my favorite city on earth was contaminated, poisonous.”
On May 10, the decision was made that it
“I was home. I could make coffee in my small sunlit kitchen, sleep on the new mattress we used to cover the window with when the war started,” Bezuhla said. “I could work again. I spent the first week cleaning like a maniac, giving away about half of my possessions to people who lost their homes and had to move to a safer place.”
Kyiv is a much different city than before she left. The city now has curfews, shelled buildings, metal construction and air raid alarms. The last is something Bezuhla has yet to adjust to and refuses to let it become a “new normal.” The biggest fear now is nuclear threat.
“The other day I was scrolling my Instagram feed, and there was a post of my friend getting married, and the next post was all about instructions on how to behave after the nuclear strike,” Bezuhla said. “It’s just bizarre. I don’t think we were built to experience anything like this.”
There were also major changes in Bezuhla’s family. Nine months ago, her mother moved away when Odesa became unsafe for her to stay. Her
“I wish you do know though, how much I, and millions like me, love our country,” Bezuhla said.
“How we sacrifice our youth, our health, our lives to the simple joy of pinning the photos back on the wall.”
father continues to fight on the front lines but does have contact with her which enables her to volunteer for the cause. Her father collects “war souvenirs” that she auctions to raise funds for materials on the front lines.
The materials needed include thermal goggles, walkie-talkies, vehicles, vehicle parts and drones, which are very difficult to find right now in Europe and impossible to find in the Ukraine.
“One evening, my father called and I heard his voice tremble as he was telling me that there injured soldiers on the frontline and he has no means of getting them out of there without a proper car,” Bezuhla said. “I couldn’t sleep that night and I made it my priority to buy that pickup and have it somehow delivered to me whatever it takes.”
The goal was achieved: a Mitsubishi truck was purchased and delivered to her father’s battalion for transporting food, supplies and wounded soldiers. Bezuhla had drained her savings and the down payment for her dream apartment had disappeared, but she has no regrets.
Bezuhla is hopeful. She started a new job as a Knowledge and Development Specialist with an IT company. Currently, she enjoys time with her boyfriend back in Kyiv with her two cats. One cat belongs to her mother and is staying with her until her mother returns.
“It’s still the challenge of getting people all around the world to believe us, to believe in us, to not give up on Ukraine,” Bezuhla said.
Bezuhla’s mission is to help the army and the Ukrainians who had to flee occupied regions and start over. Contributions to these causes can be made to her PayPal account at hannabezuhla@ gmail.com.
“I wish you to never experience what we’re experiencing right now. The constant threat of losing your home, your identity, your language, your heritage, your loved ones,” Bezuhla said. “I wish you to never know how it feels to hastily peel the photos off the wall to the sound of distant explosions getting nearer because you can’t stand the fact that Russian soldiers might break in your home next and see your smiling faces looking at them from the photos.”
“I wish you do know though, how much I, and
millions like me, love our country,” Bezuhla said. “How we sacrifice our youth, our health, our lives to the simple joy of pinning the photos back on the wall.”
(Bottom Left) A photo from the first day Bezuhla returned to Kyiv depicting a blooming chestnut tree, a symbol of the capital city.
(Bottom Center) Top: A photo of a new residential complex after being shelled. Bottom: One of the first photos taken after returning home, showing scotch tape on the windows to prevent glass shattering and dead flowers.
(Bottom Right) A photo of the family cats. Bezuhla’s and her mother’s cat, waiting for her mother’s return.
Photos by Hanna Bezuhla
By Savannah Johns, Managing Editor
Between the ticket, ICEE, popcorn and candy, seeing a movie in theaters can get pretty expensive. As an alternative to a traditional movie theater experience, Akron-Summit County Public Library (ASCPL) offers a free event for community members to enjoy films on the big screen in their 400-seat auditorium. These movies are shown Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. at Main Library at 60 S High St.
“I feel that it’s important for the public to be able to see movies on a large screen in a theater setting with an audience, for free,” Julia Devine, Culture & AV Adult Services Librarian, says. “I try to vary the films to reflect different segments of our audience. Showing family-friendly films is a great way to give parents an option to bring their kids to see a movie without breaking the bank.”
Devine programs the movies for both Thursday and Sunday Movies@Main. Her background is in film history and preservation, so she loves to talk about movies with library patrons and works hard to ensure the movies they screen appeal to the audience.
“We have many DVDs in the library collection that are expensive to acquire, so I like to show some things that are not as easy for most people to find and
view,” she said. “And it’s fun to bring your family and friends to make it more of a group outing.”
Newer, blockbuster movies are typically shown on Sundays and shorter or older films are on Thursdays. Movies are shown by theme as well, including December holidays; Valentine’s Day and love stories; and remembrance of performers who passed away in 2022.
Another interesting component of Movies@Main is the “Checkit-out” flyer that Devine hands out. Through this flyer, audience members can find information on other resources the library has related to the film shown that day.
Providing further information and offering materials for viewers to check out demonstrates Devine’s and the library’s commitment to fostering learning and enrichment for all.
Creating a welcoming environment is important to ASCPL and they are committed to accessibility and inclusion. All films are shown with closed captioning for the hearingimpaired.
Akron-Summit County Public Library includes the Main Library, located in downtown Akron, as well as 18 other branch locations.
Free parking-deck parking is available on weekdays after 6 p.m. and on weekends.
Sundays at 2:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. No registration is required.
Nov. 20: Special 14th Anniversary Screening of Twilight
Nov. 27: Lightyear
December 2022
Dec. 1: Cash on Demand (1961)
Dec. 4: Comfort and Joy (1984)
Dec. 8: Remember the Night (1940) Dec. 11: Holiday Inn (1942)
Dec. 15: An American Tail (1986) Dec. 18: Miracle on 34th Street
Dec. 22: A Christmas Carol (1951) Dec. 29: One Way Passage (1932)
Jan. 5: Kid Glove Killer (1942)
Jan. 8: Where the Crawdads Sing
Jan. 12: Pressure Point (1962)
Jan. 19: A Reflection of Fear (1972)
Jan. 22: Minions: The Rise of Gru
Jan. 26: Brian’s Song (1971)
Jan. 29: Thor: Love and Thunder
Feb. 2: All That Heaven Allows (1955)
Feb. 5: The Lady Eve (1941)
Feb. 9: Love Me Tonight (1932)
Feb. 12: Love and Basketball (2000)
Feb. 16: Harold and Maude (1971)
Feb. 19: I Know Where I’m Going (1945)
Feb. 23: Design for Living (1933)
Feb. 26: Loving (2016)
Take a break from school and join the crowd at Akronym Brewing for a couple rounds of live trivia.
By Christian Rhodes, CorrespondentWith inflation driving up the price of a night out and packed schedules for school and work, students may struggle to find an affordable option for fun with friends.
What they may not know is that they can put the stress of school on hold and decompress with a couple rounds of free, live trivia at Akronym Brewing.
Students don’t have to wait until the weekend to enjoy a night out, either. For the past four years, Akronym Brewing and host Jared F. have been delivering free Wednesday night trivia.
“Wednesdays are the busiest week-day night,” says Joe Greising, an Akronym Brewing partner.
Students of all ages are welcome to compete in back-to-back rounds of trivia starting at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Host Jared F., of the Cleveland trivia and pop quiz business Sporcle, generates a wholesome environment for friendly competition.
Each week, contestants compete for the
chance to win Akronym Brewing gift cards. First place winners receive 20 dollars, and second place winners receive 10 dollars. All gift cards are eligible for immediate use.
Students over 21 can enjoy the in-house brewed beer and seasonal cocktails while those under 21 or who are alcohol-free can choose from a non-alcoholic beverage menu. In addition to a comprehensive beer and cocktail menu, Akronym offers a variety of pub-themed food selections ranging from snacks to dinner and six packs of beer to go.
The University of Akron holds a special place in the hearts of Akronym Brewing’s partners.
Three of the four partners behind Akronym Brewing are University of Akron alumni who are hoping to bring in more student clientele.
“We love working with UA students,” Greising said. “We offer free tours of the brewery for UA students of any age.”
Students interested in learning more about the beer brewing process can schedule a group tour with Joe Greising at beer@
akronymbrewing.com.
Akronym Brewing is located at 58 E Market St.
Akronym Brewing hours are: Monday - Thursday
11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Friday
11:30 a.m. – 12 a.m. Saturday
12 p.m. – 12 a.m. Sunday
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
For more information, visit their website: https:// akronymbrewing. com/.
(Right)
Eric Schweitzer poses with his cap and close up of the cap on a chair.
Photos by Alyssa Alexsonshk
(Left)
Eric Shawn Schweitzer
‘96, ‘98, ‘00, ‘17, ‘18, ‘21
The University of Akron alum and current student Eric Schweitzer creates unique, over-the-top, three-dimensional graduation caps.
Caps? Yes.
Schweitzer has a special tradition to commemorate the celebration of earning each degree, which is creating his graduation cap as a work of art that reflects his experiences and tells a story.
Schweitzer shared his inspiration behind the cap featured here, which he created for his sixth degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art.
“I taught a Hazardous Materials course while in Graduate School, and each cap is a representation of each class of Hazardous Materials,” Schweitzer said.
The sixth cap is based on Class #6, Toxic/ Infectious Inhalation Hazard. Unfortunately, the world was experiencing its own inhalation hazard while Schweitzer was working on this cap.
“I was working on trying to finish this one during the Covid Pandemic,” he said. “One of my Internships at the time was at an art gallery in downtown Canton.”
The gallery Schweitzer had been interning at closed permanently because of COVID-19.
“I had to find and found another gallery/ studio in Alliance, Ohio to finish my last 1 credit to finish my degree,” he said.
Schweitzer has earned, to this date, an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, and a Master’s in Public Administration.
He is currently working towards finishing his seventh degree here at The University of Akron, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics.
Does he have a cap planned?
“My next graduation will be Class #7 which will be of Radioactive Materials,” he said.
The real question is, will he run out of classes of Hazardous materials for all the degrees he will ultimately earn?
By Liv Ream, Film Critic
Haitian documentarian Etant Dupain spotlights Madan Sara, a group of women holding Haiti’s economy together. Madan Sara are the women who buy, sell and distribute food and other goods throughout Haiti. The documentary shows the community, solidarity and kinship that it takes to be a Madan Sara while navigating political unrest, social injustice, extortion, theft and suspicious fires.
The firsthand accounts in this documentary outline the enormous pressure these women face daily and give a voice to this marginalized community. The unrelenting work of the Madan Sara ensures a better life for, not just their immediate family but generations.
I had the opportunity to interview this documentary’s co-executive producer, Lulaine Childs, to learn about the inspiration of this documentary. Childs gave me a deeper understanding of these women of commerce, “[Dupain’s] mom was a Madan Sara.” The Madan Sara are known for taking on the role of breadwinner for their families. Ensuring a better future for their children while keeping the Haitian economy afloat is the reason this documentary exists.
I was curious what services could help the Madan Sarah, “For starters, property insurance.”
Haiti’s private insurance sector is small with no social assistance options, leaving the Madan Sara vulnerable to theft, loss and fires. Added financial barriers lead the vast majority of the population to loan sharks or other informal credit. The problem with this is not solely the high interest rates, the informal credit lender has no regulations and can charge any interest rate they choose. As the foundation of the Haitian Economy, the lack of security Madan Sara face was shocking to hear from Childs, “There isn’t any real policy to support the Madan Sara.”
I kept circling back to the fires. These fires are rumored to be carried out by gang members with political ties. The government has not acknowledged these rumors. Without insurance or government protection, the only thing the Madan Sara will not lose in these fires are their debts. The Madan Sara have long lacked power of their finances. Earning less than half that of a man’s wage as well as Haitian women holding a twenty percent higher chance of unemployment begs the question, does this gender bias extend to government lack of action? “Yeah, I would definitely say so […] If there were more men in commerce the issue would be paid attention to more.”
Etant Dupain is raising funds to host free public screenings in Haitian marketplaces. If you want to be a part of this effort, here’s how you can
contribute: The artist is currently using Paypal, which you can find at: madansarafilm.com/ donate
Childs also provided links to feminist/ general organizations you can donate to if you want to give any amount of financial support: https://www. negesmawon.org/ https://www. facebook.com/
Above
Everything used to be a normal amount of interesting, just average levels of interesting to carry us through the days and years. Now it’s like the sound when I pop my ears, like plastic crackling. Now I hear that plastic crackle everywhere, all the time. There’s plastic in the ocean, they say, in all the deepest parts, the most private and intimate parts, in the stomachs of the creatures who might as well be aliens, they’re so far away from the surface, and the sound in my ears when I pop them tells me there’s plastic in me, too, in my deepest parts, in my stomach, which might be its own alien within me for all I know.
Just living in this world is a radical act, they say, an act of hope that the future will be better than the present or the past. Maybe my alien will appreciate that future, might just step outside of me to enjoy it, to hear that fantastic plastic crackle reflected in the world outside and find itself home.
The majority of my artwork revolves around happiness, and I always want to incorporate that concept into my illustrations.
DR. AMBER FERRIS Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator, School of Communication Lesbian (She/Her/Hers) DR. JOHN MESSINAOpportunity awaits the aspiring life scientist who studies abroad.
Nestled in the Bermuda Triangle lies the island of Tahiti, a French Polynesian island that is bustling with tropical wildlife just waiting to be discovered.
This summer, University of Akron students will have the research opportunity of their lifetime when travelling to Tahiti for a two-week class instructed by Dr. Richard Londraville and Dr. Peter Niewiarowski.
From May 22 to June 4, life science students at UA will design and conduct their very own experiments at the Criobe Station in Tahiti.
This travel experience counts as a four-credit hour summer class and allows students to be recognized as authors of a scientific paper. According to Londraville, some students use the class as a way to complete their honors project.
Londraville believes the benefits of this research opportunity extend further than just the extra credits.
He describes it as a “rare opportunity to go through the whole research process in a short time.” According to Londraville, this process includes finding a question, collecting data, discovering data’s meaning and writing a paper for sharing the research with other scientists.
Before traveling to Tahiti, certain preparations are necessary. The group will meet weekly before the trip to work on a hypothesis and to design their research projects.
Total expenses will come in at roughly $3500 a person and $1500 of the total is due at the end of the current semester. Study abroad scholarship opportunities are available to interested honors students to help offset the cost.
While the $3500 covers most expenses, it does not cover food and tuition expenses for the summer semester class. Although refunds are possible, they aren’t guaranteed.
Dr. Randy Mitchell, professor of ecology at The University of Akron, said that students always seem to come back with good things to say about the experience.
“I’ve heard great things from students who’ve gone on past iterations of this trip,” he said. “Many of them develop projects into posters for the annual Biology research symposium, and even into published papers.”
Mitchell noted that students just “can’t stop talking about the adventures, experiences, surprises, and friendships they developed during the immersive experience.”
While in Tahiti, students will be busy developing skills as research scientists. Collecting samples, conducting experiments, implementing scientific procedures and teamwork are just some of the skills one can develop during this research trip.
Since the research projects are based on the study of tropical vertebrates, it only makes sense that students will have the opportunity to dive into the deep blue to collect samples or observe specimens.
Students will be allowed to dive up to 10 times for free, which Londraville says is important since dives in Tahiti typically cost $100 each time you go out. Students are only required to get their diver certification before traveling to Tahiti if they plan on diving for their research project.
If diving doesn’t appeal to students, then they can choose to study terrestrial tropical animals. Students will go on hikes through the tropical rainforests and learn to safely capture or study a species of their choice.
Some items that will be useful for hikes include band aids, sunscreen, a water bottle, a flashlight,
a hat and bug repellent. Fins and water shoes will be useful to those who choose to dive. It is also important for students to bring laptops with Skype in order to work on their projects, compile data and communicate with other students.
The curriculum to receive four credits in Tahiti is rigorous but is not exam oriented. The coursework is a group grade with the exception of some natural history presentations at night. In just two weeks, students are expected to complete the entire scientific research process and then produce a paper for publication. Niewiarowski mentions that they usually “need more hands than what they have,” so students will be busy at all times, either completing tasks for their own research projects or helping others complete tasks.
Although students will be busy at work for
much of the trip, that doesn’t mean there won’t be time for some rest and relaxation. On their off time, students can go on hikes through the tropical rainforest, attend Luaus, purchase ornamentals and souvenirs, tour facilities and participate in sightseeing.
With this research opportunity, students will learn what it is about the natural sciences that interests them. Londraville believes that this trip isn’t just a research opportunity but an experience for students to interact with the natural world.
Londraville’s driving force for becoming a zoological research scientist is that he “very much wanted to figure out how organisms solve problems,” and that “by learning how organisms deal with an environmental challenge . . . we can learn so much about how we work as organisms.” Londraville also noted that he “just really likes fish.”
“Field research and travel are some of
the best ways to really learn things. Classrooms can only get you so far, but a deep understanding usually requires applying or testing those concepts in studies of your own design,” Mitchell says.
Any students interested in this research opportunity can reach out to either Londraville (londraville@uakron. edu) or Niewiarowski (phn@uakron.edu). The group will be meeting weekly before the summer trip to develop research projects and discuss any further details.
(left) A previous study abroad trip. Photo courtesy of University of Akron.
“My photography utilizes a cinematic style to communicate a narrative.”
The University of Akron’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) held an event that inspired current students earlier this fall. The event, a new grad panel, featured recent graduates from the School of Communication. Students past and present were given the opportunity to swap stories and advice.
Though the panel was focused on Communication careers, the alumni speakers sprinkled words of wisdom beneficial for students in any major program to hear.
The graduate-turned-motivational speakers on the panel included 2021–2022 graduates Summer Torok, Stephanie Fairchild, Enrique Antonio and Jaina Gedeon.
Natalie Mowad, a senior Public Relations major served as moderator for students from the chapter. Professors Julie Cajigas and McKenna Vietmeier also attended the event.
The purpose of this event was to advise students scholastically, but there was much more in store.
Topics about dealing with imposter syndrome (the feeling of self-doubt often experienced by new employees) sparked conversation.
“It’s really just trial and error and working through the process. Eventually, you’ll feel more comfortable,” Stephanie Fairchild, Public Relations Specialist at Metro Regional Transit Authority, said.
Panelists also talked about how they wished they learned how to be gentler on themselves sooner, especially with job searching
“Don’t give up,” Fairchild said. “When it’s hard, and you can’t find a job right away, don’t give up.”
The panel also described the job search
process as a time for practicing social skills and exploring the field.
“It’s really more about the person you are,” said Enrique Antonio, Marketing and Content Coordinator at Greater Akron Chamber.
The panel also advised students that during the interviewing process, they can get to know the organization they are applying to better.
One panelist suggested that students should imagine they are interviewing the company during the question-and-answer part of the job interview. Another point emphasized by the panel was getting involved during college and taking advantage of student life. The panelists agreed that students can gain applicable skills
(Left) Speakers and a few attendees pose for a quick pic before parting ways with new insight.
Cajigasthrough internships, student organizations, mock-interviews and more.
Believing in oneself was an ongoing theme as panelists talked about pitching projects to supervisors.
Jaina Gedeon, Communication Associate at Hunter International Recruiting said, “I was really nervous at first to be like, ‘Hey, I have this idea,’ but, if you have something really cool, worst-case scenario they say is, ‘Hey, maybe we’ll try that later.’”
Summer Torok, Public Relations Specialist at Lake County Board of Commissioners stressed that deadlines may exist for specific aspects of work, but not for someone’s destiny.
“You’re not on a four-year timeline,” Torok said.
Attendees were left with their final food for thought. “You deserve confidence, even if you don’t feel you deserve it,” said Vietmeier.
A quote that stuck with many of the students came from Fairchild. “Inside it feels like you’re supposed to know everything. But really, no one expects that of you. Anxiety is a liar,” she said.
Though students came to the New Grad Panel seeking information on coursework and careers, they left with deeper insight than they could have anticipated and advice they can carry with them far beyond the classroom.
Photo by JulieThe University of Akron Athletics Department is embracing the “out with the old and in with the new” mentality this year as several changes were made to improve student athletes’ experience as well as to benefit the campus and community.
The University of Akron has had several logos in the past, but during a major rebranding beginning in 2022, a new “A” logo has been introduced.
With the help of Joe Bosack & Co., the department of athletics developed the new “A” that subtly includes the “Z” from the most recent former logo.
The hope of university and athletics leadership was that a rebrand would bring together the athletic department and the university itself with a unified brand identity.
“We do have one brand, and when you see it around our facilities it looks classic and it looks clean and it gets our point across that the ‘A’ stands for Akron,” Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie said.
Because of the logo change, several facilities needed to be updated to feature the new “A” including the James A. Rhodes Arena and the turf in InfoCision Stadium. Other facilities needed to be updated for safety and program growth, such as the new track.
“There’s a lot of interest in athletics and growing it,” Head Coach of Women’s Volleyball Tyson Norton said.
The new upgrades make the facilities where student athletes compete and practice safer and more up to date.
“From our new floor in the JAR, to the football stadium being renovated, to the track being renovated, there’s a lot of growth and resources being invested in athletics which is really important to me,” Norton said.
Some students see these changes and upgrades as a step in the right direction and are looking to the future in the hopes the athletics program keeps moving toward the vision they have started to act upon.
“There were many updates done to a variety of sports that needed it,” Anthony Nichols, a member of the track and field team, said. “We received a new track over the summer and fall and are now able to host track meets.”
Previous track students had expressed concerns about the safety of their facilities, which are now brand new.
“I believe it is an overwhelmingly positive upgrade that was desperately needed,” Nichols said.
In addition to physical changes, Akron Athletics hired several new coaches and staff, including Norton for Women’s Volleyball and Head Football Coach, Joe Moorhead.
Above Image: InfoCision Stadium Field via Akron Athletics
Right Page Image: Anthony Nichols at a track meet via Akron Athletics.
A brand refresh, new hires and facility updates enhance student athlete and community experience.
“I believe it is an overwhelmingly positive upgrade that was desperately needed,”
Anthony Nichols of the Track and Field Team said.
Director Guthrie based his hiring process on one used by his mentor Mark Murphy, CEO of the Green Bay Packers.
“When you bring people into your organization, take your time and really make sure you hire to not fire again which is the approach we have taken on some of the positions here at Akron,” Guthrie said.
Since the hiring of new athletics leadership in 2021, some student athletes express that they feel
and invest in the future of student athletes and the city of Akron.
“Overall, there seems to be a higher standard and push for improvement. Everything seems to be taken more seriously,” Nichols said.
Director Guthrie and Akron Athletics continue to push for changes to benefit student athletes, focusing on nutrition and health, travel, donors, academics, more updates to athletic spaces and eventually winning MAC championships across the board.
One of these future projects includes a new sports health center that Akron Children’s Hospital will build on the university campus. Since Akron Children’s is now the official sports health provider for Akron Athletics, they want to give athletes, faculty, staff and the community a place to have injuries evaluated and treated.
Director Guthrie shared his excitement about this ground-breaking deal.
have a streamlined approach,” he said. “I think that is going to benefit our student athletes very greatly as we move forward.”
With everything new for athletics in 2022, it is clear that The University of Akron Athletics Department is setting a new standard for its athletes, coaches, and leadership, incorporating the motto: “the standard is the standard.”
hopeful because the university as a whole seems to want to grow and develop its athletic department
“It’s great that our trainers are not driving student athletes to five different locations for different medical appointments and that we
That standard is to create the best, top-tier gold standard experience for student athletes at The University of Akron.
During this time, Akron had shifted from a canal town to a growing and thriving community. The Howers’ decision to establish their family here had a rippling effect on the city.
John Henry Hower was active in several industries throughout Akron: milling, reaping and cereal. Hower and architect Jacob Snyder developed the style of the Hower home. The 28- room home implemented the “Akron Plan” which was usually used in floorplans for church constructions.
Susan and John had three sons. Their middle son, Milton Otis, collaborated with his brothers and father to buy and run the Turner Oatmeal Mill. This company would become what is now known as Quaker Oats.
By Savannah Johns, Managing EditorThe Hower House Museum, home of the Hower family of Akron, OH, showcases women’s history and is “filled with artefacts collected by three of the Hower women on their travels around the world during the decades that spanned the 1880s through the 1930s,” says Tine Hreno, the Museum Guild’s co-vice president.
Those three women whose history is intertwined with the prominent Victorian Mansion are: Susan Youngker Hower, Blanche Bruot Hower and Grace Hower Crawford.
Susan and her husband, John Henry Hower, built the Hower home in 1871. John and Susan relocated to Akron near the end of the Civil War.
In 1880, Otis attended Buchtel College and was married to Blanche Eugenia Bruot. Blanche had a strong passion for education and donated out the second floor of the mansion to host a trade school. In 1929, Blanche was elected to the Akron School Board and even served in the Ohio State Legislature in 1934. She was one of only three women in the legislature at that time.
After Blanche died in 1953, her daughter Grace Hower Crawford, took over the home and carried on her mother’s legacy. Grace held that same passion for education and created the first radio station in Akron Public Schools. She also helped found the Weathervane Playhouse.
Grace Hower, the last person to live in the
Hower House, deeded the home to The University of Akron in 1970. During her life, Blanche Bruot Hower had a vision to share and display the treasures she obtained while traveling the world. Today, the museum offers that opportunity. The three women all had their treasures forever memorialized in 1974 when the volunteer group Friends of Hower House raised money and rallied support to have the house restored to its former glory.
On two and a half acres right on UA’s campus, the mansion still stands. Volunteers work to keep the museum running by hosting tours, events, dinners, meetings, weddings, and a book club. Their efforts are supported by private donations, the Hower House Museum Guild, and The University of Akron.
During the 100 years that the Hower family occupied the home, they fostered art, education, charity and business into the city of Akron. Their
legacy is present to this day.
For more information or to schedule a tour of the Hower House Museum call 330-972-6909 or email howerhouse@ uakron.edu.
““The images that I take capture the moments in time that revolve around the architecture, people, and spaces in Barberton to show the uniqueness of the different businesses. Barberton’s small businesses have given the city itself an abundance of qualities that make up its charm.”
(Left): Durbin’s Magic Freeze Give What You Can
(Right)
First Customer, Last Customer Made in Barberton Remarkable
UA seniors pursuing a degree in secondary English education teach local students in place of taking a traditional class on campus.
By Madison Nadeau, ContributorCan you imagine that instead of sitting in a classroom on campus, going to class meant getting real-life experience?
For nearly 30 years, this has been the reality for UA seniors majoring in Adolescent Young Adult Integrated Language Arts Education.
A collaboration with Barberton High School allows UA students to get hands-on experience as academic mentors in junior and senior English classes. For an entire semester prior to student teaching, UA students take over a classroom at Barberton where they are responsible for all of their mentor teacher’s typical duties. This includes planning and executing lessons, taking attendance, grading papers, and making phone calls home.
The collaboration was founded by Dr. Hal Foster in the early 1990s when Paulette U’Rycki, a teacher at Central-Hower High School, approached him saying that the college was not training urban teachers very well. U’Rycki offered to open her classroom to Foster’s students.
For the first few years, UA students served as tutors and worked with Central-Hower students in small groups. Then, one of Foster’s students realized something was missing and asked why they did not spend more time teaching.
U’Rycki agreed to let the UA students take over her classroom as academic mentors, assuming her day-to-day responsibilities.
“I had never seen anything like it done before. It was too
radical,” Foster said.
This unconventional way of preparing urban teachers by giving them full control of a classroom before their typical student teaching experience was different from what any other institution was doing at the time.
Over the next few decades, the collaboration evolved into a semester-long project. It moved to North High School after Central-Hower closed its doors and is now at Barberton.
Veteran teachers Angelalyn Pelfrey and Brittany LaCroix, both former students of Foster, graciously open up their classrooms to UA students and serve as mentor teachers in the collaboration.
“Although it can be difficult at first to hand over my classroom to university students, I continue to see how rewarding it is, year after year,” Pelfrey said. “I love seeing the academic mentors’ growth over the semester and am honored to play a role in their education journeys.”
Up to this point in the mentors’ education, many of those journeys have looked different.
After receiving her undergraduate degree in Writing, UA student Emma Walkinshaw decided to return to school to earn her master’s degree in Education.
“If you had asked me five years ago what I would be doing now, I never would have guessed teaching,” Walkinshaw said. “Although I always enjoyed working with students, making a career out of it was never the plan. The Barberton collaboration has truly solidified my love for teaching and I know this is what I
am meant to do.”
While the collaboration brings a lot of joy to the UA mentors, it also comes with its challenges. Barberton juniors recently finished reading The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and wrote their own memoirs. The Glass Castle contains mature content, which can be difficult for the mentors to navigate. Specifically, they must determine how to approach scenes that may be triggering, and offer support and resources when necessary. Additionally, many Barberton students choose to write their memoirs about painful experiences in their lives. Therefore, as mandated reporters, mentors need to be conscious of signs that their students could be in potentially dangerous situations, which may be revealed in the memoirs.
“Reading some of those memoirs was heartwrenching,” Walkinshaw said. “I actually teared up a few times while grading them.”
Another component of the Barberton collaboration is relationship building. In previous courses, the academic mentors have learned the importance of building a positive rapport with their students.
Madeline Powell, a UA senior, now has the opportunity to put that knowledge to use.
“I’ve seen what can come from having a good connection with your students,” Powell said. “After building mutual trust and respect, my students’ grades have improved and they are more comfortable sharing ideas in class, which makes me so proud.”
On the last day of the semester, Barberton students will join their mentors on campus at UA. Mentors will give their students a tour, go bowling in the student union, explore the rec center, and eat lunch before saying goodbye for the last time.
“In the past, I’ve seen both mentors and students break down as they say goodbye to each other on the last day,” Pelfrey said. “This collaboration impacts everyone involved in a way that I can’t even put into words.”
Over the next few weeks, the academic mentors will continue to work with their students before saying bittersweet goodbye. Although this year’s collaboration will come to an end, the impact of this program will last a lifetime for UA and Barberton students alike.
Over the years, with the help of grants, the university has been able to do research on the outcomes of the collaboration. The research has shown that the students’ grades have improved
in every subject and their attitudes about school change after going through the project. Additionally, UA students in the collaboration do not quit teaching at the same rate other new teachers do.
“The collaboration gives students the strength and ability to stay in teaching for much longer,” Foster said.
(Left Top) Academic Mentors: UA students in the Barberton collaboration participate in spirit week. From left to right: Kassandra Skelly, Colleen Hanke, Hannah Adams, Madison Nadeau, Emma Walkinshaw, Madeline Powell, Luke Nickel, and Charlie Richter. Photo credit: Angelalyn Pelfrey
The art included is a form of photography called Toy photography, where the photographer takes small figures and poses them/creates props and dioramas to make an interesting composition. Each figure pictured here are six inches tall
Student writers and editors are needed for Spring 23 and the 23-24 school year. Students may choose join the student organization as volunteer writers, or can register to earn one credit for the experience. To learn more about the for credit experience, or to join the student organization, students should e-mail Professor Julie Cajigas at julieca@uakron.edu.
There is still time to register for credit in Spring 2023