The Lantern - March 23 2017

TUESDAY

THURSDAY

CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH

P2

A team of OSU researchers is working to better tailor atrial fibrillation to each patient.

WOMEN IN STEM

P3

An engineering student argues that its important for women to support other women in STEM fields.

FISHBOWL

P4

The OSU improv comedy group is hosting it’s fourth-annual festival.

CHRIS WORLEY

P8

The Buckeyes’ coaching staff believes the linebacker can confidently lead a reloaded defense.

The student voice of the Ohio State University

Thursday, March 23, 2017

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Year 137, Issue No. 18

OSU Hillel ousts Jewish student group for pro-divestment partnership SARA STACY Senior Lantern reporter stacy.118@osu.edu An Ohio State LGBT Jewish student organization has been cut off from Ohio State Hillel, a Jewish student center which is part of the larger Hillel International network, after co-sponsoring an event with another organization which Hillel takes issue with, Jewish Voice for Peace.

Jewish LGBT student organization B’nai Keshet and 15 other student and community organizations collaborated with OSU’s chapter of JVP to put on a Purim Drag show fundraiser for LGBT refugees on March 3. JVP supports boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel because of its military occupation of Palestinian territories. Supporters of the boycott, divestment and sanctions strategy have compared the movement to the actions taken against apartheid-era South Africa, though its critics have accused it and some of its supporters of anti-Semitism.

B’nai Keshet was warned prior to the event that the partnership would result in its expulsion from Hillel. According to Hillel International’s website, Hillel-af-

OUAB announces array of events EMILY HETTERSCHEIDT Lantern reporter hetterscheidt.26@osu.edu

SAM HARRIS | ASSISTANT CAMPUS EDITOR

Ohio State Hillel is a community center for Jewish students at OSU and in the surrounding community. filiated organizations are prohibited from partnering with organizations that “support boycott of, divestment from, or sanctions against the State of Israel.”

B’nai Keshet ultimately decided to continue with the co-sponsorship of the event.

“We as B’Nai Keshet didn’t really feel as if that was an adequate justification as to not be allowed

to organize with the LGBT community on an issue of such importance, so we voted and it was almost unanimous to continue with the fundraiser,” said Elaine Cleary, vice president of B’Nai Keshet and president of Jewish Voice for Peace.

B’nai Keshet, as an organization, will no longer be eligible for funding, advertising, access to

staff and other resources through OSU Hillel. The news was picked up by Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, on Monday.

The move to oust B’nai Keshet resulted from its violation of the Hillel International guidelines, according to a statement from OSU Hillel.

“In keeping with the mission

National musicians, performers and TV personalities will visit the Ohio State campus this semester thanks to OUAB. The organization announced Wednesday via Twitter that Toddrick Hall will come to campus to perform his musical, “Straight Outta Oz,” on April 13 and ASAP Ferg will be opening for the Big Spring Concert on March 31.

Tickets for the Big Spring Concert, with headliner Rae Sremmurd, were released Tuesday.

The organization also announced on Tuesday that ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith will speak on campus on March 30 and “Mythbusters” hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman will visit on April 17.

Mike Avdey, a fourth-year in operations management and conOUAB CONTINUES ON 5

Transition underway High school students live like Buckeyes for a day as USG swearing-in approaches OWEN DAUGHERTY Lantern reporter daugherty.260@osu.edu

While seeing a group of high school students touring the campus is a common sight, A Day in the Life of a Buckeye offers a different experience than traditional tours.

The annual event, which took place Wednesday, is intended to give sophomores and juniors from inner-city and Appalachian area high schools the opportunity to see what college is really about, guided by student hosts to show them campus firsthand.

DaVonti’ Haynes, an organizer for the event and a graduate student in the College of Education and Human Ecology, said he saw a need to reach out to more low-income and rural high schools when he first came to OSU. As an undergraduate, Haynes worked with Undergraduate Student Government to help make A Day in the Life of a Buckeye possible.

What was started from a program that consisted of about 60

high schoolers from just two Columbus schools has grown to encompass 11 schools across the state, with 400 students attending the fifth-annual Day in the Life.

Haynes said he is surprised that the event has become what it is now.He said the event’s success over the years is due to support from the Office of Student Life, which took on the running of the event after its first year. He also attributed the growth to the nine colleges at OSU that sponsor the event.

“The point of this program is not to recruit kids to Ohio State,” Haynes said. “This is a real and authentic look at what college life is. We aren’t shy about all the different aspects of college life.”

Both Haynes and his co-organizer, LeRoy Ricksy, a third-year in criminology, said the event is special because it pairs highschool students with their hosts based on a variety of factors, such as gender, major and interests.

“Whatever the OSU student is doing that day, then that is what the kid will do,” Ricksy said. “If

HILLEL CONTINUES ON 2

COURTESY OF JACKSON AND CHANG

OWEN DAUGHERTY | LANTERN REPORTER

OSU student hosts speak to high school students during a panel session. the student lives in a dorm, then the high schooler will see the dorm life. If the student lives in a Greek house, the high schooler will see that too.”

Vic Young, a third-year in international studies, was a junior in high school when he first came to OSU as part of A Day in the Life, and ultimately decided to attend OSU based on that experience.

On Wednesday, Young served

as a student host for the second time, and said it was a no-brainer to host a high school student’s visit.

“The coolest part is seeing him, seeing myself in him,” Young said. “When I was in 10th grade, I know what I was thinking, and it wasn’t college. But it’s still something that needs thinking about.

It’s far, but closer than you think.”

BUCKEYE CONTINUES ON 3

Andrew Jackson and Sophie Chang.

IAN DOHERTY Lantern reporter doherty.122@osu.edu

As their swearing-in date of April 4 approaches, newly elected Undergraduate Student Government president Andrew Jackson and vice president Sophie Chang are mapping out their administration’s ambitions and aspirations in the coming weeks.

Jackson, a third-year in Spanish and political science, and Chang, a third-year in environment, USG CONTINUES ON 2

2 | Thursday, March 23, 2017

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OSU research team awarded grant to study atrial fibrillation ALYSSA WERNER Lantern reporter werner.458@osu.edu A research grant was awarded to an Ohio State team composed of engineering, medicine and pharmacy professors and will be used to further understand new treatment options for atrial fibrillation, a disease that causes an irregular rapid heart rate and impacts more than 3 million people in the world.

Graduates and undergraduates worked with Peter Mohler, director of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Institute; Thomas Hund, a biomedical engineering associate professor with the College of Engineering; and Cynthia Carnes, senior associate dean for research and graduate education with the College of Pharmacy and earned a four-year grant for $3.2 million from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

Xander Wehrens, professor and physician at Baylor College of Medicine, is also working on the project.

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular heartbeat, and can lead to strokes and heart fail-

ures, among other complications, according to the American Heart Association. Existing therapies and treatments for atrial fibrillation are relatively standardized, and Hund is hoping the team’s research might change that, as they focus on targeting individuals and providing them with therapies that will be tailored to their needs.

“From a clinical perspective, we tend to take a one-size-fits-all approach, where we think all people with atrial fibrillation patients are the same, and we can use one approach, or a handful of approaches, to fix them,” Hund said. “When in reality, everyone is different.”

While the group as a whole is collectively working towards finding new treatment options for atrial fibrillation, they are split into teams. Hund’s team focuses on engineering components and Carnes’ and Mohler’s team focus on the medicinal aspects.

The team is hoping to individualize therapies by looking at patients’genetics and using models to see if a treatment will work for them before they receive treatment. Hund’s team will put the DNA into computer systems that

HILLEL FROM 1

COURTESY OF THOMAS HUND

Thomas Hund, professor in biomedical engineering, is one of several Ohio State researchers working to find new treatment options for patients with atrial fibrillation. can predict why the arrhythmia is occurring and what treatments might work.

Carnes’ team uses mice as test subjects to study arrhythmia. Mice are used to study the role of specific proteins in heart function, because there is a lot of

overlap in the proteins related to heart function between mice and humans. The computer models from Hund’s team along with the mice from Carne’s team allow the researchers to test predictions on how treatments might work. “(We) have created a team

that is greater than the sum of its parts,” Mohler said. “That allows us to move a lot faster on the discovery part of the grant and coming up with new treatments for the patients.”

all instructors to include the mental-health statement on their syllabi.

In November, the University Senate passed a resolution created by USG to provide an example statement with OSU’s mental-health resources for instructors to put on their syllabi. While the statement is provided to all instructors, it’s not required to be put on syllabi.

“Right now, that’s not currently being enforced,” Chang said. “But that’s not saying that we want to come up with an enforcement system, but we want to make sure that all faculty are aware of it.”

Chang and Jackson also have college affordability in their sights, in the form of attempting to cut the cost of textbooks and open up more online-textbook access codes.

“What we really need to do is push further in working with administrators and professors to eliminate access codes, which is one of the main issues that students have talked to us about,” Jackson said. “We will be working with administrators to find that balance with teachers, so we don’t have to pay $150 to $200 for

a textbook and also pay for the access codes.”

Jackson and Chang also said they want to have input on the current plans underway in which companies are bidding for a contract to privatize the management of OSU’s energy systems, saying that sustainability should be on the forefront of negotiations with companies. University President Michael Drake recently told a local NPR affiliate that OSU wouldn’t commit to a bid unless certain energy standards were met.

“The main concern with that is the deal would be privatizing energy for the next 50 years and, right now, the face of energy is changing,” Chang said. “We know that it’s not going to be just coal and natural gas for the next 50 years. We want to make sure that anything we are committing ourselves to financially and environmentally is going to be sustainable and affordable for students, because going into the future in the next 25 years, it may very well be that renewable energy is more affordable than coal or natural gas.”

USG FROM 1

and values of Ohio State Hillel and Hillel International, our affiliation with B’nai Keshet (formally Jewish Queers & Allies) has unfortunately ended, as B’nai Keshet has chosen to act outside of our programming guidelines,” the statement read, though there is no action being taken against specific members of B’nai Keshet regarding their participation in the OSU Hillel community, or using OSU Hillel’s building on East 16th Avenue or its resources.

“OSU Hillel made every effort to seek alternative ways to engage with B’nai Keshet on the LGBTQ refugee issue, including sponsoring its own programming,” the statement continued. “But B’nai Keshet rebuked these efforts.”

Cleary, however, refuted that statement.

“No one in (B’nai Keshet) has received any contact from Hillel about that, and actually I, as an individual, have tried many times to do refugee advocacy work with Hillel and it has never worked out because of issues with staff,” Cleary said.

There is now no other LGBT group affiliated with OSU Hillel, and Cleary said this will limit

OSU Hillel’s ability to support LGBT members of the OSU Jewish community.

“Because of our access to staff, we were able to consistently advocate for LGBT issues in order to build an inclusive community like teaching staff to ask for pronouns, assigning a gender-neutral bathroom within Hillel, teaching people within Hillel how to use correct language and be respectful of how out people want to be,” Cleary said. “Things like that were conversations that were not happening at all before B’Nai Keshet started.”

The move to oust B’nai Keshet also has broader implications for the student groups that other Hillel organizations are able to partner with, Cleary said.

“The issue here is a lot of groups support BDS against Israel, which means that Jewish student organizations affiliated with Hillel are effectively prevented from working with most marginalized student groups and other faith-based groups in an organized way, which to me is un-Jewish as well as unjust,” Cleary said.

economy, development and sustainability, will be meeting with current USG president Gerard Basalla, a fourth-year in political science and strategic communication, and vice president Danielle Di Scala, a fourth-year in political science, to discuss transition plans for continuing the current administration’s work.

“From there, that’s when we start talking about what needs to be finished,” Jackson said. “We really want to make sure that we’re meeting with (Basalla) and (Di Scala) to ensure that what they’ve worked on gets implemented and continued. We want to push what they’ve done further.”

While their core policy has remained untouched since the election, Jackson and Chang said they’re open to expanding or changing their platform.

“As we have our transition meetings with the general assembly, and the administrators too, we’ll find out new information, and as we do that policy will evolve and it also depends on what the senators and directors will want to accomplish,” Chang said.

In terms of continuing policies, Jackson and Chang said they want

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OPINION

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Thursday, March 23, 2017 | 3

Lantern Classifieds

The importance of women supporting women in STEM My mother always told me growing up that I was just as smart as the boys. My mother encouraged me to participate in the science fair, the robotics team, the problem-solving team … the list goes on. My mother warned me when I left for college that women are underrepresented in STEM majors. In my typical fashion, I heard but didn’t really understand.

Freshman year, day one: I walked into my Fundamentals of Engineering class excited to code and start my career as an engineer.

It took all of five minutes of lecture for me to realize that only seven other girls felt that way … in a class of 60 people. This is when my mother’s warning finally set in.

This week, I was invited to participate in a student Q-and-A with Margot Lee Shetterly, the author of “Hidden Figures,” and Brenda Drake, wife of University President Michael Drake. The discussion started with a moderator asking some questions, and then transitioned to students asking questions and sharing their stories. Shetterly shared anecdotes of interviews, while Drake discussed her own experiences with STEM and underrepresentation she has observed throughout her life. Fighting underrepresentation through mentorship was a major theme of the discussion. Both Shetterly and Drake emphasized supporting others in your field and beyond. Shetterly mentioned growing up being surrounded by the engineers and mathematicians mentioned in her book, noting that she never had the concept that women or people of color shouldn’t be in STEM fields. As the child of two engi-

neers, who grew up surrounded by the auto industry, this point resonated with me. The reason why I couldn’t understand my mother’s warning was because I hadn’t really experienced it until college.

My mother’s mentorship encouraged me

Shetterly brought up the point that, in the end, you need to let yourself off the hook. When you have achieved your level of excellence, there is nothing more you can do. Shetterly brought up the point that, in the end, you need to let yourself off the hook. When you have achieved your level of excellence, there is nothing more you can do.

to pursue my love of math and science, and to never settle for second best. Having a mentor that pushes you to excellence was another theme in the discussion. When a student asked if she should accept a position she knew was offered to her to meet a quota,

Drake responded immediately, demanding she take the job and show her excellence.

Shetterly emphasized throughout the discussion that if you are excellent at your job, no one can say you don’t deserve it.

The Q-and-A wrapped up with the panelists sharing final thoughts. Drake focused on fostering excellence in others, and genuinely supporting those around you — noting that another’s success can be your success. Shetterly brought up the point that, in the end, you need to let yourself off the hook. When you have achieved your level of excellence, there is nothing more you can do. Walking away from this discussion with thoughts of following the women in STEM before me, and pursuing my own level of excellence, was very encouraging.

In the four years I have been at Ohio State, I have attended a number of lectures and events encouraging women to pursue STEM-related careers. What stood out about this discussion was the focus on passing on the torch. I am already here, getting my degree and heading out into the workforce. Stories like these need to be broadcast to the world. Shetterly encouraged this by emphasizing that any moment, no matter how small, can be an opportunity to show the world that anyone can be excellent.

Maggie Gilbert Fourth-year in Computer Science and Engineering Editor’s note: Gilbert is friends with members of The Lantern staff.

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Tyric Drane, a sophomore at East Tech, a high school in Cleveland, said this was special to him because he someday wants to not only come to OSU, but also play football as a Buckeye.

When asked what the best part of his day was, Drane said it was the food, and Young agreed with a laugh.

“I showed him all the best food spots on campus, so he knows when he makes it here,” Young said.

Drane said he probably wouldn’t have toured OSU if not for the event.

As student guides and high schoolers met in the Ohio Union for a handful of speakers for the event, Alesia Gillison, chief academic officer for Columbus City Schools, touched on what she believes it takes to become a Buckeye.

“Everyone in this room has heard about the achievement gap,” she said. “But I’m tired of that. Let’s talk about the belief gap.

You all need to believe that you can make the dream of a college degree possible.”

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ROMOPHOS The sophomore honorary is hosting the Spring Charity Concert, featuring alumni and student artists. | ON PAGE 5

Fishbowl Improv to host free 2-day comedy festival SARAH UPTON Lantern reporter upton.91@osu.edu This weekend, the tide will pull in comedians from across the country to Ohio State.

Fishbowl Improv, one of Ohio State’s improv-comedy groups, is hosting its fourth annual Tides Festival this weekend.

The festival will feature performances by OSU’s 8th Floor Improv Comedy Group, as well as groups from other colleges, such as Bowling Green State University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Missouri and Xavier University.

Collin Roberts, vice president of Fishbowl Improv and a thirdyear in engineering physics, said that in addition to performances from collegiate groups, professional improv comics from New York, Chicago and Columbus also will perform.

“Some of the alumni of Fishbowl, for example, are on professional improv teams now,” Roberts said. “So we always extend an invitation to them and ask if they want to come and, then they also have connections in different communities.”

Roberts said there are two types of improvisational comedy: short form and long form. He said short-form improv usually has a gimmick and is similar to what you would see on “Whose Line is it Anyway?” while long form is like an improvised play, where the performers have more of an opportunity to “freestyle.”

WHAT’S UP THIS WEEK

“The performer goes on stage, says, ‘Can we get a word?’ and then from there, it’s fair game.”

Colin Roberts Vice president of Fishbowl Improv and third-year in engineering physics

COURTESY OF FISHBOWL IMPROV

Fishbowl Improv group will host a free two-day improv comedy festival at U.S. Bank Conference Theater at the Ohio Union on March 24th and 25th.

laugh, escape reality for a little while and be a part of whatever fantastic, ridiculous, goofy, funny, crazy world the people on stage are making.”

Jackson Donaldson, a member of Fishbowl Improv and a second-year in electrical engineering, said this is his second time participating in the Tides Festival. He said seeing live improv comedy is a exciting experience.

“I think there’s something really neat about being there when this whole improvised thing is just being made up on the spot,” Donaldson said. “You’re there to witness it. It’s never the same like going back and watching improv in like a video or anything. But when you’re there and this crazy thing happens, it’s just amazing.”

The Tides: A Free Two-Day Improv Comedy Festival will be held in the U.S. Bank Conference Theater at the Ohio Union. Doors open on Friday at 7 p.m., and on Saturday at 5:20 p.m. Admission is free.

Roberts said, in the past, they have combined both short form and long form. This year’s Tides Festival is focused solely on longform improv.

“The performer goes on stage, says, ‘Can we get a word?’ and then from there, it’s fair game,” Roberts said. “No rehearsal, (it can last) 20 minutes or more.

Some of these pros go for nearly an hour straight. That’s what we’re focusing on this year.”

While the festival is marketed with a different theme every year, Roberts said there is no set theme for content that participating teams must follow. He said the main goal is to showcase different collegiate and professional im-

prov groups.

Roberts added that he wants people to come to the festival to laugh and immerse themselves in the comedy that will be created on stage.

“We just want as many people to come for as long as they want and just watch this stuff,” he said. “(We want them to) have a good

Thursday, March 23

Friday, March 24

Saturday, March 25

Sunday, March 26

Big Spring Standup Show, 8:30 p.m. at Hitchcock Hall.

Headliner Dan Mintz, the voice of Tina on “Bob’s Burgers,” is set to perform along with members of the Buckeye Standup Comedy Club. Admission is free with BuckID.

“Two Trains Runnin,” 7 p.m. at the Wexner Center for the Arts. Producer Sam Pollard will present the film, which documents a group of young men during the “Freedom Summer” of 1964. Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for the general public.

CD 102.5 Day, Side A, doors open at 5 p.m. at EXPRESS LIVE!, 405 Neil Ave. The concert will feature Cold War Kids, The Shelters, Mondo Cozmo, Hembree and Personal Public. Tickets are $20 not including fees via Ticketmaster.

Harry Potter in Concert, 1 p.m. at the Ohio Theatre, 39 E. State St. “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” will be screened as the Columbus Symphony performs the music from the film. Tickets range from $49.50 to $89.50.

“Our Heavenly Bodies,” 7 p.m. at the Wexner Center for the Arts.

Nashville-based group Coupler will perform music for the digitally restored silent film. Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for the general public.

Sick Weekend II, 7 p.m. at Ace of Cups, 2619 N. High St. The second day of the annual music festival is set to feature headliner Mean Jeans. Tickets are $20 for the day and $49 or all three days, not including fees

TEDxOhioStateUniversity: Precipice, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ohio Union. The sixth annual conference will feature 11 speakers presented by TedxOhioStateUniversity. Tickets are $20 for students and $25 for general public.

OSU and OU Ukulele Club Concert, 4 p.m. at the Ohio Union. Ukulele clubs from OSU and Ohio University are set to perform in the Round Meeting Room in the Ohio Union. Admission is free.

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3 Buckeye bands set to perform at the Newport HANNAH HERNER Arts&Life Editor herner.12@osu.edu Three local bands made up of Ohio State students and alumni will take the big stage at Newport Music Hall on Thursday.

Romophos Sophomore Honorary is set to present its Spring Charity Concert featuring Captain Kidd, First Responder and Flashback Humor.

Romophos is made up of 22 second-year students who applied to be a part of it and meet biweekly. Laura Baird, secretary of the group and a second-year in strategic communication, said the group follows three pillars: service, leadership and academics.

Each year, the members choose a charity to support, and this year Romophos has chosen the OSU Star House. After expenses for the concert are paid for, all of the funds raised throughout the semester and that night will go to the charity, which assists homeless youths in the Columbus area.

“The cool thing about the honorary is it’s really up to each class of how they want to do it,” Baird said. “We had about three charities come in and talk to us, and OSU Star House is one we picked just because they have a lot of service opportunities as well as being a really good cause.”

The Spring Charity Concert is the group’s biggest event of the year, and Baird said many join the honorary because of a passion for music. Group members recommended local artists to feature in the show and the group voted on who would take the stage.

“We looked in the Columbus area, people that have pretty good followings, people that we knew who would like to do something like this,” Baird said. “A lot of the people in the organization, they apply because they love concerts and love music, so a lot of them are very informative about a lot of different bands.”

It will be dance-pop group Captain Kidd’s second time on the Newport stage, but its first time headlining. The band opened for Smallpools for another charity event back in 2014. The band is set to play songs from its first two EPs along with two unreleased songs from its upcoming album, which is set to be released in the fall. Captain Kidd will be supported by shoegaze group Flashback Humor and noise-pop outfit First Responder.

“It’s such a cool venue — one of the historic venues in the area, so it’s always super cool to play these kind of venues here … So many bands that you look up to and bands that you listen to have played it. It’s cool to play on the same stage,” said Nathan Baumgard, a 2015 alumnus in English and lead singer for Captain Kidd.

Tickets for the charity concert are $20 at the door and $15 in advance. They can be purchased through Romophos members or via Venmo. Doors open at 7 p.m.

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Thursday, March 23, 2017 | The Lantern | 5

OUAB FROM 1

-cert chair for OUAB, said in an email that he has received mostly positive feedback from students following the announcement of the Big Spring Concert headliner.

“Rae Sremmurd specifically have gotten extremely popular this year following the success of ‘Black Beatles,’ and they have a bunch of other hits that students will recognize,” Avdey said. “They put on an extremely energetic show, and we hope that they will be fun and enjoyable for all attendees.”

Josh Hubbard, a fourth-year in finance and president of OUAB, said he is also excited about student reactions to the announcement and said in an email that OUAB looks to have variety in their events.

“With Kesha & Brad Paisley as the other two big concerts this year, we wanted to continue fostering new and exciting experiences for students,” Hubbard said. “Rae Sremmurd is really hot right now, and we thought this was an awesome opportunity that students will enjoy.”

The Big Spring Concert will take place at the Northwest Stadium Lot, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are available now at the Ohio Union information desk, and are limited to one per student with a BuckID required for entry.

But there are other speakers to hear besides the visiting rappers.

Zack Miglich, fifth-year in mechanical engineering and lecture chair for OUAB, said he looks forward to hearing about Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman’s experience on Discovery Channel’s “Mythbusters.”

“A lot of us students grew up watching Adam and Jamie confirm and bust countless myths, and I have friends that have even mentioned that the duo helped to inspire them to enter the STEM field,” Mi-

COURTESY OF OUAB

Rae Sremmurd will perform at OSU on March 31 at the Northwest Stadium Lot. Doors open at 6 p.m. glich said in an email.

The event will include a discussion with Savage and Hyneman about the behind-thescenes aspects of their show and will conclude with a Q-and-A session. Tickets will be available at the Ohio Union information desk on March 27 at 5 p.m. and are limited to one per student with a BuckID required for entry.

In a collaborative event with Block O, OUAB will be hosting ESPN personality

Stephen A. Smith, who Miglich said will debate topics surrounding OSU sports as well as host a Q-and-A session.

“He is known for his eccentric debating style that is both entertaining and, to some, excessive,” Miglich said.

Tickets to see Smith are available now at the Ohio Union information desk and are limited to two per student with a BuckID required for entry to the event.

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6 | The Lantern | Thursday, March 23, 2017

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COLUMBUS’ OWN

Mistar Anderson has its eyes on the stars EMMA STEELE Lantern reporter steele.849@osu.edu

Every band has an origin story.

For Andre Walker and Eric Rollin — the creators of Mistar Anderson — it all started with a song over six years ago.

“We met at the Space Bar,” Walker said. “He was like ‘dude I’ve been digging on this music,’ so we went to his car and listened to it. I actually had the CD in my car, so I gave it to him.”

“The song was ‘Do the Astral Plane’ by Flying Lotus,’” Rollin said. “He gave me the CD and I uploaded it on my hard drive at work so every computer I was on, I could listen to it.”

The group Mistar Anderson didn’t get its start until a couple of years later, when Rollin called Walker to put together a cover band with some friends.

“It was my job to pick the drummer,” Rollin said. “(Walker) was my first call.”

Since then, Mistar Anderson has evolved into a larger, jazz/ hip-hop type ensemble. While the number of musicians sometimes changes, Rollin—who raps—and drummer Walker are permanent fixtures. The current lineup features Ryan Sullivan on guitar, Elaine Mylies on trombone and Ohio State student Jon Weisbrot on the saxophone.

“We started as a cover band, but I brought a couple of beats to the band and everyone was like ‘let’s start doing some of these (beats),’” Walker said of the bands evolution. “The beats are really raw, they come from records, samples of records, some YouTubes—it’s a collaboration of everything incorporated with media.”

Walker and Rollin both believe that while they consider themselves hip-hop, Rollin said they make sure their lyrics focus on positivity and love instead of stereotypical rap themes.

“I try to be truthful and honest about my environment in a positive way,” Rollin said. “I’ve realized that what you say and the message you convey can either be used as a weapon or to better your surroundings. I choose to use it in a way to benefit others.”

Aside from the message Mistar Anderson looks to spread, Walker explains they are also different in the way they perform—the majority of hip-hop artists rap to a prerecorded background track, but Mistar Anderson does it all live on stage.

“Most of the beats (in hip-hop) are programmed,” Walker said.

“What we bring to the table is acoustic instruments for everything, but we try to keep the same dynamic of a programmed beat, just with a live band as the focus.”

Rollin feels it is this element

COURTESY OF STAGE MEDIA

Mistar Anderson performs on stage at the Newport. The band has played close to 100 gigs since it started. that truly sets Mistar Anderson apart from other current artists.

“The live shows make all the difference because people get to see the chemistry by watching everything happen,” Rollin said.

“It’s like going to a Japanese Steakhouse, you pay for the experience.”

This style of performing has garnered a lot of attention—Mistar Anderson has played close to 100 gigs in the few years the group has been active. Rollin said the group has appeared at the

Newport, the Rehab Tavern and will soon be heading out on tour.

“The tour will just be eight of us plus a light guy,” Rollin said.

“We’ll be going to Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and cities around Ohio.”

In addition to the upcoming tour, new music is also in the works.

“Within the next three months, we’ll have 10 tracks available online for streaming on iTunes, SoundCloud, Bandcamp and Spotify,” Rollin said.

‘Spamalot’ ventures to the Garden Theater COURTNEY WARD For the Lantern ward.1191@osu.edu Audiences can see a comedic take on King Arthur’s medieval England in the Short North Stage’s production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot.”

The Tony award winning musical parody “Spamalot” is based on the 1975 comedy film, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” both of which follow similar plots. The story follows King Arthur searching for his Knights of the Round Table to help him in his search for the Holy Grail. Throughout their quest, King Arthur and his knights encounter a host of characters including taunting French soldiers, killer rabbits and antagonistic knights.

“Spamalot” is directed and choreographed by Edward Carignan.

He began his career in New York City as an actor, dancer and singer, but transitioned into the director’s chair in Columbus.

“I am drawn to the director’s job of keeping it all cohesive,” Carignan said. “You have many moving parts like tech, artists, actors and musicians that you create into one consistent look.”

Carignan said he is looking forward to the jabs at modern pop culture that this musical has as he said “Spamalot” is more universal and has a broader audience appeal than the original film.

“The most exciting part is seeing people that don’t normally come to the theater,” he said.

COURTESY OF JASON ALLEN.

Left to right: Aaron Choi as the royal servant Patsy imitates trotting sounds with coconuts as Tim Browning as King Arthur imagines riding on a quest in the Short North Stage production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot.”

Carignan invited guest actors and designers from New York City to join the production, but Short North Stage also hosts local auditions for all productions.

Ohio State alumnus Ryan Kopycinski will be portraying three characters: Sir Bedivere, Sir Galahad’s mom and Concorde. He said his time at OSU has helped him build an understanding of theater as a whole, with technical classes like script analysis, movement and design.

“Knowing my roles are key pieces that help bring this produc-

tion together,” Kopycinski said.

“I work with the cast to perform a piece of art that is to entertain, make people think and bring out emotion.”

Carignan said he tries to host auditions completely open-minded to whoever walks through the door. The “Spamalot” production features many levels of performers, from high school and college students to professional performers.

For her second show with Short North Stage, Olivia Ward, a second-year in theatre and dance, will

be a part of the ensemble. Ward said she looks forward to this production where she can dance, sing, and act.

“You need to own who you are as a mover and an artist,” Olivia said. “Diversify yourself and utilize your background to make you a strong performer and unique dancer.”

“Monty Python’s Spamalot” will be live on stage from March 23 to April 15. Ticket prices range from $25 to $42 and can be purchased online or at Short North Stage’s Garden Theatre.

As for where Mistar Anderson wants these next big steps to take them, they are nothing if not ambitious—and direct.

“Are you kidding me? (I want) a Grammy,” Walker said. “They don’t even have to invite us, just give us one!”

Mistar Anderson’s next show will be Saturday, April 1 at the Vanderelli Room. The event starts at 5 p.m. and admission is $5 at the door.

BASKETBALL FROM 8

and coach have for me. I want to continue to have that confidence, I think that should be fine. Then defensively make sure I’m on my P’s and Q’s as far as not fouling, staying out of foul trouble as much as possible, small stuff like that.”

The Scarlet and Gray will have the advantage of familiarity as they head back to Lexington for their third straight game. OSU traveled to Lexington, Kentucky — the location of the first two rounds. However, the venue is different.

“Even though it’s a different arena — we’re going to play in Rupp (Arena) now — I think being in the same place will bring some comfort to our team,” OSU coach Kevin McGuff said.

Although some might’ve seen playing in Lexington against the hometown Kentucky Wildcats as a disadvantage, McGuff believes it might’ve been for the best.

“I think that tested our resolve a little bit, that Kentucky game, in a tough environment. So we had to show a lot of fortitude, and now you’re going up against one of the best teams in the country, and they’re going to test us in many ways,” he said. “We’re going to have moments where we face adversity, we have to stick together and have to execute. As hard as it was to go on the road, we’re better for it than we would’ve been if we played at home.”

OSU will tipoff against Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Friday.

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Thursday, March 23, 2017 | The Lantern | 7

MEN’S HOCKEY

Buckeyes open NCAA tournament with No. 2 overall seed Minnesota-Duluth NICK CLARKSON Lantern reporter clarkson.38@osu.edu After locking up its first NCAA tournament appearance in eight years, the Ohio State men’s hockey team — the No. 4 seed in the West region — travels to Fargo, North Dakota, to take on the No. 2 overall seed Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in the first round.

For a third time this season, the Buckeyes will be without senior defenseman Josh Healey, who was suspended for two games by the Big Ten conference Monday as a result of a game misconduct penalty that occurred against Wisconsin on March 17 in the Big Ten tournament.

Although Healey is a key piece to his defense, OSU coach Steve Rohlik said the Scarlet and Gray continue to hold a “next man up” mentality in these types of situations. Despite their lack of experience, Rohlik said that younger defensemen, such as freshmen Gordi Meyer and Kevin Miller, will be vital in the absence of his skillful senior on the backline.

“These guys have played all

year with us. They know what we want to do and how we want to play,” Rohlik said. “At the end of the day, these two guys have played a lot of minutes for us this year, and I have all the confidence in the world that they’re going to go up there and do their job.”

With a poised Healey out of the lineup, senior forward and captain Nick Schilkey emphasized that the Buckeye forwards will have to occasionally backtrack to help out the OSU backline — and echoed his coach’s belief in the younger members of the Scarlet and Gray to step up when needed on defense against the Bulldogs’ impressive offense.

“I think the biggest thing is making sure that us as forwards, we focus on getting back and helping (the defense) out,” Schilkey said. “It’s a good opportunity for some other (defensemen) to step up, too, and I think some guys are going to relish in that opportunity.”

Minnesota-Duluth enters this matchup behind a strong core that has made the NCAA tournament for a third-straight year, and ranks as the No. 8 scoring offense in the

COURTESY OF OSU ATHLETICS

Ohio State senior forward Nick Schilkey fights Arizona State defenders in the offensive zone. nation at more than 3.42 goals per game. Senior winger Alex Iafallo and sophomore forward Adam Johnson have each registered 45 and 36 points this season, respectively.

Additionally, the Bulldogs’ defense also ranks among the best in the nation at No. 11 in the USCHO.com statistics, mainly behind the play of freshman goaltender Hunter Miska and sophomore defenseman Neal Pionk — who

Rohlik calls a “difference maker” on the ice.

Despite Minnesota-Duluth’s overall depth and abilities in all facets of the game, Rohlik said his team isn’t looking to make any changes to its game plan, and is trying to stick to what propelled the Buckeyes to their first 20-win season since 2009.

“You wouldn’t say they’ve got a lot of weaknesses looking at them, but they’re as beatable as anybody

else,” Rohlik said. “They’ve got to go out and play the game, and we’ve got to go out and play the game for 60 minutes — and we’re going to go empty the tanks and go in there with confidence.”

With this being the first NCAA tournament appearance for the players on his roster, and possibly the final game in an OSU jersey for his seven seniors, Rohlik said his biggest message to his team this week has been to appreciate what they have accomplished this season and what they have done for the program during their time in Columbus.

Ultimately, however, the collective goal of the Buckeyes is to survive and advance.

“We’re not satisfied with just going up there and being a part of it, but it’s also a big reason why you work this hard to have this experience and enjoy it,” Rohlik said. “We’re going to enjoy it, but to enjoy it, you’ve got to go up there and try to win hockey games.”

Puck drop for the first round Friday night is set for 6:30 p.m at Scheels Arena.

MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

No. 2 OSU takes on IPFW and Ball State for second time ALIYYAH JACKSON Lantern reporter jackson.2674@osu.edu The No. 2 Ohio State men’s volleyball team (21-1, 10-0 MIVA) takes on Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (5-17, 2-8 MIVA) and No. 11 Ball State University (15-6, 6-4 MIVA) for the second time this season on Thursday and Saturday at St. John Arena.

OSU comes into the weekend following a dramatic five-set win against Lewis University during coach Pete Hanson’s 1,000th career match in more than three decades with the Buckeyes. After dropping a match to No. 5 University of California, Irvine on March 11 and ending its historic 42-match win streak, the Buckeyes will look to extend its 25-match Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) win streak with wins against Fort Wayne and Ball State.

“Everyone learns more after you play your opponent once,” Hanson said. “To defeat them, we just have to play clean volleyball.

We have to serve the ball well and

COURTESY OF OSU ATHLETICS

The Ohio State men’s volleyball team defeats UCLA in 3 sets to 1 on Jan. 7. kind of get our offense back on track.”

Fort Wayne On Thursday, OSU will first face the Fort Wayne Mastodons.

The last time the teams met was Feb. 4, when the Buckeyes handled business to sweep the Mastodons in straight sets. In their 112-match history, the Buckeyes have come on top on 75 occasions.

Fort Wayne comes to Columbus after traveling to Phoenix to face

fellow-MIVA opponent Grand Canyon University for a pair of matches, losing both 0-3 and 2-3.

Fort Wayne outside hitter Nick Smalter earned MIVA Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors on March 21 after his performance against Grand Canyon. During the match, he tallied 29 kills — a MIVA season high — on a .451 attacking rate.

In his first match back home since hitting the millennial mark,

FOOTBALL FROM 8

McMillan has left for the NFL. Associate head coach and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano feels that Worley will fill those shoes nicely.

“We lost what I think is a man’s man in Raekwon McMillan,” Schiano said. “Just a really fine football player and a smart football player. We needed to make sure that we could try and replace him with a guy that has that kind of presence about him. I really am impressed with (Worley) in two days.”

Hanson will be looking to improve his overall career record to 667-334 and MIVA record to 29190.

Ball State On Saturday, the Buckeyes will clash with the Ball State Cardinals. With the Cardinals sitting at the fifth spot in the MIVA standings, Ball State will hope to put another match in the conference win column to help secure homecourt advantage in the MIVA tournament as the No. 4 seed.

The last time OSU and Ball State faced each other was Feb. 2, when the Buckeyes swept the Cardinals in straight sets. The win helped OSU extend its win streak to 33 matches and break the school record. Ball State, Hanson’s alma mater, has faced OSU more than any other opponent with 178 meetings.

“I think both teams are very good on defense and they’re pretty tenacious in each point, so they’re going to extend rallies and make it difficult mentally for us,” said redshirt junior libero Josh Tublin. “If we can focus point-to-point and realize that they’re going to make some incredible digs, we can beat

them if we just play our game.”

Statistically, Ball State ranks in the top six nationally in two defensive categories. As the No. 4 blocking team in the nation, the Cardinals are averaging 2.55 blocks per set, and as the No. 6 digging team in the country, the Cardinals are digging 9.14 balls per set.

With the end of the regular season in sight, OSU still has goals it wants to accomplish in its next seven matches. With three more MIVA wins, OSU will secure the top seed in the MIVA tournament and if the Buckeyes are able to maintain ranked in the top-two nationally, it will secure a bye in the NCAA tournament.

“I think there’s a lot to play for.

We’ve got a lot things that we can accomplish and set up nicely if we can just continue to play well and win,” Hanson said. “Play hard now to make your life a little bit easier in three or four weeks when the playoffs begin.”

The Buckeyes face Fort Wayne on Thursday at 7 p.m. and Ball State on Saturday at 7 p.m., both at St. John Arena.

BAKER FROM 8

Junior linebacker Jerome Baker is not worried about Worley being the unquestioned leader of the defense.

“Worley’s going to do his job,” Baker said. “I just gotta do my job, and make sure he can trust me the same way I trust him.”

The expectations are high for the Cleveland native. However, this is the opportunity that Worley has been waiting on for a long time.

“It’s something that I’ve always wanted,” Worley said. “I’m

a grinder. I like to hit people. So just to give me that more ammunition in my toolbox to just go kind of hurt some people, that’s what I like to do. It’s a blessing to be in this position and it’s up to me to sort of live up to expectations.”

Worley might have high expectations for next season. However, his confidence is not going anywhere.

“I feel like I’m one of the most dynamic players in the country,” he said.

lets. Nonetheless, Baker’s role as a leader on the gridiron and in the locker room is expected to expand into becoming the teacher instead of the disciple.

“Last year, in the beginning, I was a young guy, learning from Raekwon, learning from Worley, learning from Book,” Baker said.

“And this year, it’s only Worley and Book. As far as looking up to, I have to try and lead by example for the younger guys. That’s the one thing that really changed.

You gotta lead by example. And

just try to continue to do the right thing.”

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MEN’S HOCKEY The Buckeyes face off against University of Minnesota-Duluth in OSU’s first NCAA bid in eight years. | ON PAGE 7

FOOTBALL

Redshirt senior Chris Worley leads confident Ohio State defense COLIN GAY Lantern reporter gay.125@osu.edu Ohio State redshirt senior linebacker Chris Worley is filled with confidence. Moving to the middle linebacker spot, Worley now has the opportunity to lead the Buckeye defense after a very successful 2016 season.

Worley was a big part of the record-breaking OSU defense a season ago. In 2016, as the Buckeyes’ weak-side, or WILL, linebacker Worley was fourth on the team with 70 tackles, recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and had an interception.

A former three-star recruit out of Glenville High School in Cleveland, Worley is used to moving around to different defensive positions throughout his college career.

“I moved to SAM (strong-side linebacker) and battled with a first-rounder until the end of the first game honestly,” Worley said.

“That speaks a lot about Darron (Lee), but it also speaks a lot about myself. That was a battle that I’ll never forget because it made us both better. That’s two positions right there, then I can also play Mike (middle linebacker) or WILL (weak-side linebacker) and play it as well as the best of them.”

Worley said the versatility is what it took to get him on the football field.

“The only thing I did was put

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Notre Dame up next for OSU MACKENZIE GIGNAC Lantern reporter gignac.2@osu.edu

ALEXA MAVROGIANIS | PHOTO EDITOR

OSU then-redshirt junior linebacker Chris Worley (35) flexes after a tackle during the Buckeyes’ 31-0 loss against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31. my head down and just went as hard as I could and coach Meyer told me, ‘I don’t know what you’re going to play, but if you just keep going, next year you’ll find a way.’

And that’s what I did,” Worley said. “That’s where I’m at right now. It was a struggle, but at the end of the day, it made me better.”

With the amount of experience Worley has at multiple positions on the defensive side, OSU linebacker coach Bill Davis had no hesitation at putting him in the middle.

“That Mike ‘backer’ is our quarterback,” Davis said. “He has to understand everybody’s job, he has to line them up. One of the things about a Mike ‘backer is you not only have to line up others, you have to be able to do your own job after, and not everybody can do that. Chris is outstanding

and getting everybody and himself lined up.”

The role of the defensive “quarterback” is much more than getting his teammates lined up in the game. It defines Worley’s role as a leader of the defense. The vocal aspect of being a leader is something that Worley has always had, but did not want to bring out in the past.

“I didn’t want to be the biggest loudmouth and wasn’t even really touching the field in the ways that I wanted to,” Worley said. “But sometimes it’s better to go under the radar and help the team in any way they need you. But, I feel like now I’m in a position to be more vocal.”

Worley’s responsibility of leading the defense is especially critical now that linebacker Raekwon FOOTBALL CONTINUES ON 7

The No. 5 seed Ohio State women’s basketball team heads back to Lexington, Kentucky, for its second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, after ending the seasons of No. 12 seed Western Kentucky and No. 4 seed Kentucky in the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament.

The Buckeyes lost last season in the round of 16 to No. 6 Tennessee. This year, OSU squares off against No. 1 seed Notre Dame, which is dealing with the recent season-ending ACL injury of its leading scorer and rebounder, Brianna Turner.

OSU freshman forward Tori McCoy was due to match up with Turner, and said she will make the best of the situation.

“She’s a great post player, but if she’s not playing, I’m going to use that to my advantage,” McCoy said.

This news comes at a time when the Buckeyes’ post players are hitting their stride. Senior forward Shayla Cooper has averaged 14 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in the eight games since redshirt junior forward Stephanie Mavunga left the lineup with a right foot injury.

McCoy has also found her groove recently. She is 11 of 12 from the field and averaging 13

ASHLEY NELSON | SPORTS DIRECTOR

Ohio State junior guard Kelsey Mitchell attempts a layup against Purdue in Indianapolis on March 4.

points, 7.5 rebounds and four blocks in the past two tournament games.

“I had to come alive,” McCoy said. “It was kind of weird a little bit, being able to take that role and being able to score like that. I know that it was meant for me to come out and try to do something and contribute a little bit.”

OSU’s leading scorer and Big Ten Player of the Year, junior guard Kelsey Mitchell, got off to a slow start in the first round versus Western Kentucky, but ended the game with 15 points. In the second round, she scored a more characteristic 21 points, and said she will look to carry that confidence over to Friday’s game. “(I will) try to stay confident in my game,” she said. “Trying to stay confident in my play and the confidence my teammates BASKETBALL CONTINUES ON 6

Jerome Baker’s role expanding in 2017 JACOB MYERS Assistant Sports Editor myers.1669@osu.edu Ohio State junior linebacker Jerome Baker first came on the scene as a sophomore in the 2016 annual spring game where he lept and intercepted a ball, fully extended, with one hand. That was just a glimpse of Baker’s potential.

In 2016, after now-redshirt junior linebacker Dante Booker went down with a sprained MCL in the first game of the season, Baker’s true talent showed in his ascension to becoming an integral part of the Buckeyes’ defense.

Playing alongside eventual 2017 NFL Draft pick Raekwon McMillan, it’s not hard to see how Baker flew under the radar as a playmaker on the defense. But when considering Baker finished second on the team in tackles (83) and tackles for loss (9.5), and had 3.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and two interceptions, including a touchdown, Baker is perhaps the most talented returning player on the defense.

“I just took advantage of the

opportunity I was given,” Baker said. “It’s funny how it worked out, but, like coach (Urban) Meyer said, there’s so many examples of guys who went down, and guys came up and got their shot and took advantage of it. I’m just happy I was one of those guys. This year is definitely the same: Just take advantage of the opportunity I’ve given, and make the best out of it.”

After his upstart sophomore campaign, Baker is guaranteed a spot in the starting 11. Last year, he was competing with Booker for the SAM (strong side) linebacker position. In spring practice ahead of the 2017 season, he said his approach remains the same.

“Same thing. Get the whole linebacker room better,” Baker said. “I still play (like) I’m not a starter or anything like that. It’s the same mindset. It’s go hard, make everyone better and help our team win.”

The OSU defense is undergoing a transition from 2016 to 2017.

Defensive backs Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Malik Hooker are off to the NFL, along

MASON SWIRES | ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR

OSU then-sophomore linebacker Jerome Baker (17) and then redshirt junior linebacker Chris Worley (35) combine for a sack against Michigan junior quarterback Wilton Speight (3) during the game on Nov. 26 at Ohio Stadium. with the aforementioned McMillan. Coming in is a new group of cornerbacks and a new safety who are responsible for replacing the production that led OSU to its No. 6 ranking in total defense.

Another change is in the defensive coaching staff. Bill Davis has assumed the duties of linebackers coach from Luke Fickell, who is

the head coach at the University of Cincinnati.

Davis currently has Booker practicing at the SAM linebacker position, while Baker has moved over to the WILL (weak side) and redshirt senior linebacker Chris Worley — the other returning starter at linebacker — will play Mike (middle) linebacker. Baker

said that Davis is making sure all the linebackers know how to play each position. To have that knowledge of each position takes playing experience and potential, both of which Davis values in Baker.

“Jerome’s a very talented young man and I think he’s got a big upside,” Davis said. “But again, he’s got a lot of work in front of him too. The potential is there, but potential is a very dangerous word.

It’s got to be backed up by work, and he’s working hard right now.”

As a first-year starter and a sophomore last season, Baker was lucky enough to play with players who already had significant playing experience in Worley and McMillan. Baker said that even Booker was a big influence on him from the sidelines.

“Even when Book was out, he still helped me out. He still helped the guys out,” he said. “Nothing really changed as far as his mind.

It’s Book.”

With the amount of players returning, the linebackers and the defensive line are expected to be the stronghold of the Silver Bul-

BAKER CONTINUES ON 7