Explore the dilema of being a do-gooder in an online society
Take a trip down memory lane featuring Bob Ross Page 6
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October 7, 2021 — Vol. 100, Issue 1
A turn of the century
The Lorian turns 100 this year! Executive Copy Editor Avery Wickersham interviews Lorian staff members to showcase their excitement for 100 years by AVERY WICKERSHAM executive copy editor
The fall semester of 2021 isn’t just the start of another school year; in fact, it’s a monumental year for “The Lorian.” This edition marks 100 years of news publications at Loras College. While a school newspaper doesn’t seem like much to celebrate, it’s a mark of resilience of printed news in a world taken over by technological media. Limited attention spans, busy schedules, and an aversion to reading prevent students today from even picking up the paper. Unfortunately, extra copies are left in piles around campus more often than not. This year, “The Lorian” staff plan to change that. According to Scot Scoop: “newspapers have been an The tradition abiding tradition dating back of college to the early 18th century.” media is that 300 years later, media has it is a product all but consumed different of learning for demographics of multiple those who read g e n e r a t i o n s , b u t m o s t it and those specifically, Generation Z. who create it. Jason Dorsey, a generations Mark Mederson r e s e a r c h e r, p r e s e nt s t h e Faculty Advisor f o l l o w i n g s t a t i s t i c s o n to the Lorian technology use by Gen Z: “95 percent own a smartphone, 83
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percent own a laptop, 78 percent own an advanced gaming console, and 57 percent have a desktop computer. 29 percent use their smartphone past midnight on a nightly basis.” With these findings, it’s not hard to see why newspapers are neglected by Gen Z students. However, some students—and many staff—are excited to be a part of “The Lorian” staff and continue the centurylong tradition. Mark Mederson, the student supervisor, and Keegan Godwin, the executive editor, share their thoughts on both the tradition of “The Lorian” and their excitement of the 100-year mark. What does the Lorian tradition mean to you? Mederson: College media, like the newspaper, radio station, or television channel, have been influential on campuses across the country for decades. Even in this “digital” age, students who work on “The Lorian” prefer to publish a paper that is printed. The tradition of college media is that it is a product of learning for those who read it and those who create it. I am merely an advisor. “The Lorian” is completely developed and managed by students. It’s just a great experience. Godwin: To me, “The Lorian” tradition is a very special one. It’s difficult in this day and age for newspapers against technology, but that does not mean we give up. To me, it is about preserving a sacred way of communication that has been the core of our foundation as a society here in our world. How excited are you that this year marks year 100? Mederson: I recently saw some copies of the paper from decades ago. It was fascinating to see what was happening on the campus 30 or 40 years ago! It’s a little intimidating to think that “The Lorian” has been a part of Loras College for a century. That puts a lot of pressure on the current team
Fellowship of the “One-Acts”
by AVERY WICKERSHAM executive copy editor
The heat of the lights. Full hair and makeup. The entrancing darkness of the house seats. Performance season is upon us. Instead of a traditional Loras Players play for the Fall 2021 semester, the Loras Players decide to team up with the Dubuque OneActs Festival to present three winning plays: “Lighted Fools” by Bridget Grace Sheaff; “A Lovely Day for a Boating Trip (And to Kill your Spouse)” by Lindsey Brown; and “Grey” by Kristen Benjamin Millsboro. Usually, the Loras Players group produces a play with the full group; however, the entire players’ group is split among the three plays. “Lighted Fools” is a group play, while “A Lovely Day for a Boating Trip (And to Kill your Spouse)” and “Grey” have two actors apiece. COVID-19, as everyone knows, interrupted the normal world, including performing. The Loras Players are finally getting back into the swing of theater and so is the Dubuque One-Acts Festival. The Dubuque One-Acts Festival is under the Dubuque County Fine Arts Society organization, according to the Dubuque One-Acts website. The Society “has served the Dubuque community providing free or low-cost arts
experiences to both artists and audiences.” This organization has been operating for over 30 years, providing an artistic outlet for the Dubuque community, and beyond. Their motto is “’to encourage, promote, and present local and regional arts including music, writing, theater, and fine arts.’” As a bit of a trigger warning for anyone
to maintain the tradition. I think it is probably the best example of an archive that future generations can reference to discover what was happening on the campus. Especially in the last two years during the pandemic.
Godwin: The 100th volume of the paper is an amazing opportunity to show respect and recognition to all those who came before us. I expect to see a lot of throwback designs and images that pay homage to our early years as a paper. Hopefully, if all goes well, we can use this year to help grow our newspaper and family. There are many things to come with “The Lorian” this year, so readers should pay attention to every edition to see amazing content from their fellow students and staff. Not only that but “The Lorian” is moving more content online and introducing a Patreon account to bring in more outside readership. “The Lorian” staff is working to keep the print tradition alive, while also moving ahead with the times. Here’s to the 100th volume!
interested in seeing the plays, “Grey” is a play based on sexual assault. Please keep this in mind if attending. Come see the Loras Players and the Dubuque One-Acts perform Oct. 7, 8, and 9 at 7:00 p.m. in St. Joesph’s auditorium in Hoffmann Hall!
Attention all majors! Want to get paid?? Are you looking for work opportunities? The Lorian is looking for staff writers who are interested in exploring their writing talents! The Lorian is a great way to expand your resume and improve your writing skills, all while getting PAID!
Billboard Review Cam Arvidson reviews the hottest new songs and albums on today’s charts by CAM ARVIDSON news editor
Because artists tend to care about chart numbers, they typically release new music on Fridays or Thursday nights at 11 P.M. CST, to be included in Billboard’s charts and statistics. This past Thursday, Sept. 30, marked the end of another week of stats for the Billboard music charts and the beginning of a week of new sounds from various artists. Starting with new music that came out on Friday, Oct. 1, we were in for a relatively dry week. Most notably, legends Elton John and Stevie Wonder released a song titled “Finish Line” that comes off of John’s forthcoming album “The Lockdown Sessions.” The song is an uplifting, Gospelsounding song that plays well to both John’s and Wonder’s skill sets while delivering yet another fresh sound in their storied careers. The last time the two worked together was in 1985 when they penned a charity song, “That’s What Friends Are For.” The song is produced by Andrew Watt, a producer who has worked with much of pop music’s biggest stars today, including Post Malone, Lana Del Rey, and Kanye West. It’s a nod to both John’s and Wonder’s creative drive in working with a young producer while creating sounds that fit their style. continued on Page 2