Entertainment
The Quickie
Health & Fitness
Sports
Buccaneers invade Bayshore
Club Spotlight
Sex on the Beach
Baseball preview
Eckerd students dress up and get bussed out for the Gasparilla pirate parade in Tampa. Aaargghhh!
Disney Pride club connects fans on campus through conversations, meetings and trips to Disney parks.
The popular sex column has moved to a new section. This issue, which foods improve (and impair) libido.
The baseball team hopes to rebuild and compete in the SCC after losing last year’s ace to graduation.
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Viewpoints
Religious experiences Byzantium
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Over winter term, students explored the Byzantine empire and marveled at the religious icons. Read their reactions here. page 9
The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College
Vol. 4, Issue 7—Feb. 1, 2013
James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences officially opens New building boasts state-of-the-art technology, energy-efficient design
By Aaron Levy Asst. News Editor
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he James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences, a highly advanced, green and sustainable building, is about to officially become one of the new staple features of Eckerd’s campus. The new 55,000-square-foot facility will host the Science Symposium Feb. 9, an event that Eckerd’s director of planning, development and construction, Bill McKenna, is excitedly anticipating. The JCMLS is divided into two wings. The north wing will hold classrooms and teaching labs for advanced classes, and the south wing will hold introductory class facilities, says Associate Professor of Marine Science Laura Wetzel, staff liaison to the construction team. From the moment you walk into the main lobby, which will be known as Wrenn Hall, you’ll notice all of the clear glass walls. In fact, these panels can be slid open to make an open-air gathering space capable of holding 400- 500 people. The lobby is kept cool with three Big Ass Fans, and that is their real name. There is also a lounge area with vending machines. Walking through one of the building’s several main corridors, you’ll notice that all labs and See JAMES, page 4
photo by Alex Zielinksi The entrance to the James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences.
EC alum’s donation to Athletics on hold Students study abroad By Elizabeth Tomaselli Editor-in-Chief Shortly after Eckerd alumnus Tony Menendez found out he was finally approved as a franchise operator for the St. Pete Beach Chick-fil-A location, his boss’s controversial comments made national headlines and caused some here to raise questions about a possible donation to Athletics. Chick-fil-A president and COO Dan Cathy caused a summer media frenzy when he told a Christian news outlet that his family-owned business supported “the biblical definition of the family unit.” Countless staged “kiss-in” protests and “show your support” days brought politics to the forefront, particularly once the media got wind of the company’s donations to pro-traditional marriage and family organizations, something the company has never tried to hide; the company’s charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, has openly supported Christian values, taking a Please Recycle
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particular interest in strengthening books for the semester at each home traditional marriages, for more than 30 game. years. “Anytime an alumnus chooses to The chain receives around 20,000 make a gift to his alma mater it is applications for franchise operators a deeply appreciated,” said Director of year. Of those, only 65 or 70 are actually Athletics Dr. Bob Fortosis. “Tony was a selected, according to their website. near 4.0 student, a tremendous athlete So when Menendez, a 2005 graduate, and was an exemplary campus citizen, was finally selected from thousands so I was especially thrilled when he to begin working with Chick-fil-A told me he wanted to reconnect with in October, he was thrilled to be in a Eckerd in this way.” See JAMES, page 4 position to give back to his alma mater. Exemplary indeed. During his time “[Eckerd] gave so much back to here, Menendez was also Scholar me over the time that I spent there,” Athlete of the Year his senior year Menendez said. “I truly believe that and was the recipient of the James R. I would not be in the position in Harley Award. business, or in my personal life with a However, the Chick-fil-A affiliation loving family, if it had not been for my led to some setbacks, even though, time that I spent at Eckerd College.” according to the St. Pete Beach ChickMenendez, captain of the EC fil-A website, the store is independently baseball team for both his junior and owned and operated. “From the very senior year, was hoping to contribute beginning of our discussions, Tony $2,000 annually to Eckerd Athletics made it crystal clear that his personal as well as a halftime promotion at all values matched up perfectly with men’s and women’s basketball games. Eckerd’s and that he fully intended to The promotion would have given See CHICK-FIL-A, page 8 students the opportunity to win free Viewpoints 9-12
Entertainment 13-16
for spring semester By Maria Mora Staff Writer
This spring, 61 students from Eckerd College are spending the semester abroad. These students feel both the excitement of living in a new country, and at the same time, the fear of a cultural shock and homesickness.. Junior Colton Thomas majoring in both international relations and Spanish, which influenced his decision to go to Nicaragua. “I’m a Spanish major and I want to live in a Spanish speaking country so I can become fluent,” Thomas said. “I’m going to be really excited when I get there. I might be a little homesick the first couple weeks, but then I think I will probably get complacent and enjoy myself and become fluent in Spanish.” The living situations in different countries vary. Some countries have more than one housing option. Thomas mentioned that he will be living with a host family, the only option available. Some other students that are traveling share Thomas’s goal of improving their languages skills abroad, while others seek a different learning experience. This is the case of Junior Seth Kelly, a biology major looking to study aquaculture in Bodø, Norway. Kelly is expecting to have a great experience. However, he knows that it will be different. “I’m going to be cold and it is only my second time leaving the country so I’m pretty nervous
The Quickie 17-18 Health & Fitness 19-20 Sports 21-24
See ABROAD, page 7 The Current is a free, biweekly student newspaper produced at Eckerd College. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers.
2 News
the current
Feb. 1, 2013
LET’S BE BRIEF By Kelly Coston & Aaron Levy Asst. News Editors
Global
National
Exxon passes Apple as world’s most valuable company
Barge spills thousands of gallons of crude oil into Mississippi River
AP Shares of Exxon Mobil climbed to $91.73 Jan. 27 for a total market value of $418 billion. This follows Apple Inc.’s quarterly earnings report, issued Jan. 23, that suggests Apple’s period of fast growth may be slowing dramatically. Consequently, the iPhone maker’s stock fell 12 percent Jan. 24, the biggest one-day drop in price for the company since 2008. Among only a half dozen American companies to ever have achieved a market value of $500 billion, Apple had led Exon since early 2012. The first 9 months of 2012 saw the Irving, Texas based Exxon earning nearly $35 billion.
Santa Maria, Brazil, nightclub fire kills over 230 Reuters A fire overtook a large nightclub in the southern Brazil city of Santa Maria, killing at least 232 people early Jan. 27. The fire started after a band member pointed a flare from the performance toward the ceiling, igniting the roof. Eyewitness reports say the fire spread “in seconds.” Most of the victims are believed to have died from smoke inhalation and being trampled while running toward the club’s exits. Local first responders say at least one exit was blocked and that club security initially kept club-goers from escaping, thinking they were trying to leave without paying bar tabs.
Egyptian president forced to declare state of emergency Reuters President Mohamed Mursi was forced to declare a month-long state of emergency in three Egyptian cities along The Suez Canal Jan. 27 after violent anti-government protests resulted in the deaths of 49 people. Mursi, who was elected in June as Egypt’s first freely elected leader, is accused by protesters of failing to carry out the democratic goals of the revolution. Backed by his Muslim Brotherhood Group, Mursi has been forced to deal with a deeply divided country and struggling economy. Violent protests erupted Saturday following a court ruling that sentenced 21 people to death for involvement in a deadly protest last year at a soccer match in the Mediterranean port.
Reuters
Two barges were damaged after being slammed into a railroad bridge over the Mississippi River in Vicksburg, Miss., causing oil to spill into the river reported the U.S. Coast Guard. The barge, one of two being pushed by a tugboat, was carrying 80,000 gallons of crude oil. Officials used devices called “absorbent booms” to contain the spilled oil. Water repellent, these devices are incredibly absorbent polypropylene filters that float even when fully saturated with oil. Though only one spilled oil, both barges were damaged in the accident. No one was injured in the accident, and local, state and federal officials responded to the scene. The companies involved in the accident have not yet been released.
Michael Bloomberg donates $350 million to Johns Hopkins, $1.1 billion over four decades NY Times
New York City Mayor and Johns Hopkins University alum Michael Bloomberg donated $350 million to his alma mater Jan. 27. Bloomberg’s gifts to the campus have been responsible for substantial improvements made to the school over the years, as his monetary gifts total $1.1 billion over the last four decades. University officials report that number makes the politician the most generous living donor to any educational institution in the United States. The 70-year-old mayor has pledged to give away all of his $25 billion fortune by the time he dies.
Thousands protest NRA, march for gun control in Washington AP
Thousands of people, including about 100 citizens from Sandy Hook, Conn., participated in a silent march to the Washington Monument Jan. 26. Many carried signs bearing slogans such as “Stop NRA” and the names of gun-violence victims. Upon reaching the monument, speakers called for a ban on high-capacity ammunition and assault rifles and for universal background checks on firearm sales. “This is about trying to create a climate in which our children can grow up free of fear,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan told the crowd. The protesters were said to stretch across two whole blocks on Constitution Avenue.
Government mandates equal athletic opportunities for disabled students
Dutch designer develops glowing road lanes to replace road lights
Reuters
Dutch designer Daan Roosengaarde has developed a new system of road lane stripes that could spell the end of expensive roadside lighting. The system uses photo-luminescent paint to cover lane stripes on the road, which then use the sun’s energy to charge during daylight hours. At night, the energy is released while glowing for up to 10 hours. In theory, the system will be more cost-efficient and safer. Roosengaarde also has several other road-improvement projects in the works, including a charging-lane for electric cars that would charge cars while driving.
The Department of Education issued directives Jan. 25 to clarify the opportunities that federally funded institutions must provide for disabled students. The directives aim to clarify the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination based on disabilities in federally funded programs, including public school athletics. This action follows a critical report by the Government Accountability Office, which disclosed that disabled students have not been given equal opportunities in school sports. Examples of possible changes include changing the “two-hand touch” finish at swim events so that one-armed athletes can compete alongside able bodied competitors.
Local
Campus
Mirror Lake to receive makeover
SafeRide returns
This spring, the city of St. Petersburg will be giving Mirror Lake Park a makeover. More than $500,000 will be invested into the park to make it safer and more enjoyable. The city’s architect, Raul Quintana, said the goal of the project is to make the park more user friendly, and integrated with the development that has happened around it. The biggest addition will be a new walking path around the park. Also, a ten-foot walkway will be added around the lake.
The Eckerd College SafeRide program through Bats Taxi returns for another semester this spring. The membership fee is $50 for a 24/7 service that expires May 19, 2013. The SafeRide card only works within the city of St. Pete and only provides free rides to Eckerd College or the home address on the SafeRide ID card. Remember that tips are not included in the SafeRide membership. The SafeRide is not for everyday use, and abuse of the service will result in contacting the cardholder.
Combining fitness with culture
Changes to front entrance begin
Reuters
ilovetheburg.com
tbo.com
The Tampa Downtown Partnership is now offering a program that combines fitness and community. “Do The Local Motion” consists of a free guided walking tour around the city, offered every other Friday from 12-1 p.m. A different route and theme will be assigned each time. No RSVP is required; participants meet in Lykes Gaslight Square and should be ready to walk. The tours feature different themes, featuring various related historical locations.
Another penny for Pinellas tbo.com
A proposition to increase sales taxes in Pinellas County will appear on the ballot come Nov. 2014. The additional penny per dollar will be put toward expanding the bus service and light rail in Pinellas. The county’s transportation agency unanimously voted to ask the Pinellas County Commission to put the question to voters on Nov. 4, 2014. According to PSTA Executive Director Brad Miller, the sales tax increase is needed. Without it, the agency will have to make deep cuts to busing and, by 2015, will have an $8 million budget gap. Pinellas County already has a higher sales tax rate than other counties in Florida, at seven percent versus six percent, the original “pennies for Pinellas” campaign.
Viva Florida 500 vivaflorida.org
This year, the state of Florida hits a significant milestone with the 500th anniversary of Juan Ponce de León’s arrival on Florida’s East Coast in 1513. Viva Florida 500 is a statewide initiative, led by the Florida Department of State, to recognize the 500 years of history and Ponce de León finding the great land he named “La Florida.” Special events will take place year-round, all over the state. Check out www.vivaflorida.org or follow @VivaFlorida500 on Twitter for more information on events.
photo by Alex Zielinski The front entrance has begun its redesign, with a temporary sign marking the campus on 54th Ave. South. While remodeling is expected to be completed by the summer, newly planted trees and bushes will take a few years to fill out.
Spring break service trip info session Service learning will hold an information session for spring break service trips Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. in Fox Hall. Applications can be picked up at that time.
Keystone XL pipeline protest: take two Students are organizing another trip to D.C. for the Keystone XL protest Feb. 17. There will be an information session Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Fox Hall.
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
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NEWS Epsilon on track for renovation this summer By Kelly Coston Asst. News Editor Though Beta was next to have its lounge renovated, it is going to have to get in line. Instead of continuing the renovations of the complex lounges, Eckerd plans to renovate the legacy dorms on Edmunson Ave., also known as “Dorm Drive,” beginning this summer. The provisional plan is to renovate two houses each summer until all of the legacy dorms are finished, beginning with Douglas and another unknown house from the Epsilon complex. According to Dean of Students James Annarelli, eventually the loop portion of dorm drive will be turned into a “pedestrian mall,” where vehicles would only be allowed during move-in, move-out and during emergency situations. “We are starting with the first dorm you come to in order to create a new sense of arrival on to Dorm Drive,” Annarelli said. The buildings of the dorms will remain the same because of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) “fifty percent rule.” The rule states, “Any building that is to be remodeled, renovated or improved – when that project cost is 50 percent or more of the building value – will have to be brought into compliance with the NFIP standards. This ordinance, as well as new flooding codes and regulations, would require all completely renovated dorms to be elevated higher. While the building itself will not change, significant changes will be made to it. While the details of the rennovations are not yet set in stone, there are mutliple projects in
photo by Alex Zielinski Epsilon Douglas as it currently stands. The complex is set to receive a facelift over the summer.
each house the adminsitration hopes to take on. They hope to transform the restrooms to allow for more privacy, similar to those in the newer Iota complex. New furnishing could be purchased, new windows may be installed, the mechanical system should be replaced and closets will likely be removed. The floors should be made of polished concrete, as seen in new Zeta and Delta lounges, and outside insulation may be installed for more energy efficient buildings.
“The dorms will be more energy efficient but still decorative. The exterior coat will look more like the smooth stucco on Iota,” Annarelli said. The projected cost is unknown at the moment, but funding permitting, accelerated progress will be made. The complex lounges will be renovated as well. “Our primary goal is to move forward as soon as possible in improving the residential side of the liberal arts college experience,” Annarelli said.
Students, faculty reflect on the effectiveness, popularity of service learning program
As Eckerd College begins its third year since beginning the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), its purpose and mission, providing meaning in service learning through reflection, needs its own reflection. How is the QEP going? Professor Olivier Debure, the director of international students, organizes the QEP at Eckerd. “The students realize they are actually doing service within their academic discipline, within their major, and they really like that. They feel committed,” she said. Eckerd’s QEP was selected in 2008 as a service-learning-based project. It provides the opportunity for full time students to partake in credit bearing service that would focus on reflection. The plan was implemented in Fall 2010. According to Eckerd’s website, the program should emphasize that, “service-learning outcomes could (and should) be significantly improved by emphasizing the reflective dimension of learning through service and introducing more rigorous assessment of service-learning outcomes.” Senior Katie Herklotz is one student who has participated in the QEP. “I took the Writing For Social Change QEP Class last semester and am enrolled in another for next semester,” she says. “The reflective aspect was particularly helpful, as we had class time dedicated to sharing our experiences. I think it’s really important to hear your peers’ point of view as it broadens
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James Center opens
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Sheen renovations
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Eckerd Edge
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Blast from the past
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President looks forward to new semester, events for students
Quality Enhancement Program enters third year By Amy Baxter Contributing Writer
INSIDE NEWS
the whole aspect of service and its definitions.” Herklotz also serves as one of two student representatives for the QEP advisory committee. Senior Katie McDonough is also a representative. This service learning reflection is influential because it gives young people a reason to embrace the role of a life dedicated to service. Moreover, it has long been a part of the Eckerd lifestyle. The Eckerd College History and Timeline, provided by the school’s website, quotes Dean of Students James Annarelli in 1999 as saying, “Volunteer community service has long been a dimension of the extracurricular experiences of college students in the United States through campus-based service clubs, ministry groups, national civic or service organizations. For the 2011-2012 academic year, Eckerd recorded 40,842 service hours, an increase of 7,563 from the previous year. This increase was brought on by QEP. Eckerd, by a national standard, is a much more active campus when it comes to service learning. In the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) 98 percent of Eckerd seniors were reported as having completed service learning in a community based project. This number is significantly higher than national counterparts, making Eckerd a prime place for service learning. Many classes at Eckerd incorporate service learning into the curriculum. For example, environmental studies students are required to do a certain number of service hours on campus. “As part of a class, [service]
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“...98 percent of Eckerd seniors were reported as having completed service learning in a community based project.” is more meaningful. It’s more consequential learning rather than planned learning,” he states. During the 2011-2012 academic year, six reflective self-learning courses were offered with 93 students enrolled and involving 23 community partners. Year two was a decisive one for QEP. All the plans had been executed on time in the first two years and the steps for improvement could begin to be outlined. As QEP develops, there are other pieces of the plan that need to take shape. The students, faculty and the agencies are the three physical components driving the program. Debure pinpointed the need for each component. Students are looking to learn what reflection actually means and how they can learn from reflection. This will require some sort of training in the future. The faculty will also need to have some sort of guide or material that can help shape curriculum to incorporate service learning and the emphasis on reflective learning. This will require classes to integrate a meaningful service component that links the academic and service areas. Finally, the agencies where students volunteer are in need of support in order to provide for the students quests for meaning in service learning. “The agencies are beyond just volunteering, because they are partners in learning,” says
Debure. The QEP Year Two Report, published in September 2012, analyzed the successes of the program, highlighting the satisfaction of the students. According to the report, “About 83 percent of respondents contributed more than 15 hours of service to their partnering agency, with mainly positive responses: 50 out of 55 respondents agreed they had an enjoyable experience working with their community partner.” The report proves that there is an enjoyable experience to be had in the QEP classes, with service learning done under one’s own academic interests. Eckerd’s website states the ultimate goal for the program on the section dedicated to the QEP. “By the end of the project, we anticipate that reflective service-learning will have had a transformational impact on student learning outcomes in the areas of critical thinking and problem-solving, civic engagement and leadership and openness to diversity.” The QEP is a five-year plan that will continue to educate young people about the importance and meaning of service learning and civic roles. Eckerd’s embrace of this type of integrated curriculum hopes to promote a dedicated and compassionate group of individuals.
By Rhemy Brezin ECOS President Welcome back for another semester, Eckerd students. I hope you had an educational, relaxing and eye-opening Winter Term. The Eckerd College Organization of Students (ECOS) is looking forward to an exciting Spring semester full of discounts, Spring Ball, the James Center Opening, Kappa Karnival, Executive Council elections and graduation. During Winter Term, ECOS released the Student Discount Card. It is free to Eckerd College students, has printed discounts for over 15 restaurants and a link to additional discounts online. All you have to do is display the discount card when making your purchase thus saving some money but also supporting local businesses. We encourage all students to come pick up a card in the ECOS Office or Campus Activities in Brown Hall. If you have any issues with or questions about the card please contact me at ecospres@eckerd. edu. The grand opening of the James Center will be from 3 - 5:30 p.m. Jan. 31. It will feature live music, free food, demonstrations by professors, prize giveaways and a ribbon cutting ceremony. We would like for all students to come out and join in this celebration of our scholastic community, as well as get a tour of the new building and its green technology and design. We in ECOS are here to serve you, the students. If you have questions, concerns, or ideas please do not hesitate to contact me or stop by our office in Brown Hall. I also encourage any students who have an interest in running for an Executive Council position or joining any branch of ECOS, this year or next, to also stop by and chat with us. Good luck with spring semester.
Contact ECOS President Rhemy Brezin at ecospres@eckerd.edu
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences boasts sustainable features, green technology JAMES, from front cover
photo by Alex Zielinski The new center’s water cooling system, featuring state of the art, environmentally friendly technology.
photo by Alex Zielinski A research lab in the James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences.
classrooms look out into the hallway. The heavy use of clear glass is part of what Wetzel calls “science on display,” a principle that the building’s design team took from several other college campuses. Those walking through the building can observe education in action. Gone are the days of struggling with projectors. Equipped with “One Touch” AV systems, pushing a single button from the computer desk turns on the projector, lowers the screen, dims the lights and lowers window blinds. Wetzel and McKenna were happy to show off the facility’s high tech capabilities, and they didn’t stop there. The first of its kind, The JCMLS uses Magnetic Bearing Chillers to cool down the building, fully circulating the air eight times every hour. While most buildings use cooling towers, Eckerd’s new top of the line system is 33 percent more efficient and was designed in cooperation with the City of St. Petersburg. It pulls water directly from the neighboring water treatment plant before sending it back after cooling the building. While touring the new facility, McKenna and Wetzel pointed out the “green” and “sustainable” features of The JCMLS. Classroom and lab tables, for example, are made from recycled bamboo. Carpets, chairs, tables and the other furniture in the lounge areas are made with only sustainable materials. There are also several “recycle stations” located throughout the building for food trash, paper, plastic and other materials. The JCMLS is first and foremost a science facility for biology and chemistry courses that will become the new home of the natural science collegium. However, Wetzel was very specific about pointing out it is a building for all students. There is one classroom reserved for nonscience courses, and many big and small conference rooms for students to make use of. Several of the conference rooms are even equipped with large, touchscreen monitors that can be attached to laptops and act as electronic whiteboards. Winter Term 2013 saw several courses making use of the facility, acting as a sort of “soft-opening,” but the building was still mostly empty when Current correspondents were given a tour. When asked if the building was designed to house a potential growth in Eckerd’s overall student population, McKenna said that it was planned for Eckerd’s current size. “The building master plan targeted a population of 1850 and is intended to maintain that population, but the building is capable of accepting a small growth. Labs are designed to hold a class size of 24 students.” With the new building absorbing many of the courses that were traditionally housed in the Sheen science facilities, there are several more changes in store. Behavioral Science courses will be moving from Sheen C to Sheen B, and computational sciences will be moved to Sheen C. There are currently plans for Sheen A and B to be renovated and those changes will be finished by fall 2013. The James Center for Molecular and Life Sciences is a big step for Eckerd. Inside, the roughly $1 million in new equipment keeps Eckerd’s science program on the cutting edge of technology. Outside, the landscaping solidifies Eckerd as one of the most natural and environmentally consistent campuses in Florida. 98 percent of the new plants are native, and all the water used to irrigate the many new trees is reclaimed.
photo by Alex Zielinski The lobby of the Molecular Science Center, featuring “Big Ass Fans.”
photo by Alex Zielinski One of the new classrooms, featuring “one touch” projectors.
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
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Seniors create proposals for Sheen renovation By Arielle Burger Director of PR/Advertising
involved in the renovations. They researched how much their projects would cost, keeping The James Center for Molecular within their allocated budget. and Life Sciences and the Eckerd The projects gave students a College front gate are not the only chance to practice conducting resources on campus getting a grant proposals and researching the facelift. The faculty and staff have cost of their plans. The projects can recently been busy putting together include tasks such as landscaping in plans for renovations, expected to front of the buildings, window films be completed by the fall of 2014, or weather stripping on the doors. for the Sheen Science Complex. Environmental studies major Not only are the faculty and staff Ethan Cooper took his comps working hard on the project plans, project in a different direction. some students are also involved. Cooper was able to develop a The environmental studies project that would incorporate all seniors have been hard at work majors for the Sheen renovations. this past semester, during He proposed a student art display their comprehensive class, that would showcase environmental working on grant proposals and art pieces around the complex. “It projects that could possibly would be a student competition aid the complex’s renovations. where his or her submitted art work Evan Bollier, Sustainability would be voted on by students and Fellow at Eckerd, stated that the faculty and an award would be given environmental studies seniors to the student,” Cooper said. “The were given the assignment to art would be displayed depending compose a grant proposal for on how much money would be put an environmental upgrade to a into the project.” Cooper described building. In this case, the Sheen this project as “eye opening” and renovations were on the minds of all it prepared him on how to do the environmental studies students grant proposals for the future. who received the assignment. Environmental studies Professor “Students like to see projects Allison Ormsby has been actively that they do research on working with her senior comps come to fruition,” he said. students through creating their The projects also have the proposals. Ormsby is the project potential to end up in the manager for the Sheen renovations building plans for Sheen. The and serves as the liaison between the students were given a budget faculty and administration. of up to $10,000 to work with She communicates the desired while they created these projects. changes that the faculty would like In turn, the students researched to see in Sheen and provides that environmentally friendly designs information to the contractors and that they thought would suit administration. “I keep the lines the complex well. Some projects of communication open,” she said. that have been mentioned in The James Center for Molecular the past were solar panels for and Life Sciences will be for dorms, composting systems chemistry and biology majors, and solar hot water systems. whereas Sheen A, B and C will The seniors were given grant hold environmental studies, proposal guidelines for the computational sciences and any projects they would like to see majors involved in the behavioral
sciences collegium. The buildings will give those majors a “cohesive identity,” as Ormsby proposed. Sheen B, which will begin seeing construction during Winter Term, will occupy the behavioral science collegium. Those majors will have a more “identifiable presence,” as Ormsby recalled. “The renovations may also inspire new directions for majors and minors.” Sheen A will be the next on the list, focusing on maintaining the Environmental Studies major and Sheen C will hold the computational labs and classes for physics, math and computer science. “I hope there will be more research collaborations between departments as a result of the rennovations,” as Ormsby stated. Ormsby paid close attention to how other campuses were renovating their buildings and outside courtyards. Bollier noted they examined how the University of Florida had remodeled their outside courtyards for the students, and that they were environmentally friendly and aided to students’ technological needs. Ormsby noted how they really want to make the three buildings open so that each department can work with one another. Professor Beth Forys is also excited to see the Sheen renovations underway. As an environmental studies representative, she stated that the grant proposals were “a good source of future ideas.” Forys said Sheen A will be a great place to showcase the major and the local environment. She hopes that it will educate the public and the surrounding area about what Eckerd has to offer. Forys mentioned that they could see some extensions of the palm hammock, as well as future developments of the garden and possible greenhouses.
photo by Alex Zielinski The back of Sheen ready for renovations.
photo by Alex Zielinski The walkway into Sheen.
photo by Alex Zielinski The Sheen Quad.
ECOS brings student discount cards to campus
Cards feature local businesses, offer students 10-20 percent discounts By Hailey Escobar Asst. News and Web Editor The Eckerd College Organization of students (ECOS) is now offering a new way for students to save money at local restaurants this year with the ECOS Discount Cards. These cards are a way for ECOS to give back to the Eckerd students in a way that’s never been done before. While many at ECOS had a hand in the creation of the product, Chief of Staff Langdon Perry Evans spearheaded the project. “We had sort of flirted with the idea for a while, but never had a real good direction or someone saying this is a good idea,” he explained. The project began taking shape earlier this school year when ECOS attended the American Student Government Association (ASGA) Conference in Boston. Evans explained how one of the improvements that was mentioned at the conference was a discount card. “A small change on campus or something that could really impact your students,” he recalled the cards being called. After returning from the conference, Evans, with ECOS, began to work on getting local businesses interested in giving
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discounts to Eckerd students, but without much luck. Then they sought out the help of collegediscountcards.com. The Internet-based company is endorsed by the ASGA. With the help of collegediscountcards.com, ECOS was able to narrow down their list 70 local businesses to the 21 that enrolled in the program. These businesses were selected because of to their popularity with students. Many are local businesses that ECOS felt would benefit greatly from the support of the Eckerd community. Each card costs ECOS about $2.50 per student to make, and enough were ordered for each enrolled student to have one. “ECOS decided to go forward with the implementation of the Student Discount Cards because we felt they would enable Eckerd students to save money while also supporting our local community and businesses,” said ECOS President Rhemy Brezin when asked about the student discount program. “We look forward to hearing students’ opinions about the effectiveness of this new program.” According to Evans, “Their cards are good for one year.”
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The discounts will be honored until the end of 2013, at which point ECOS will evaluate the popularity of the program. If ECOS decides to continue with the use of discount cards, the process will be easy. Collegediscountcards will retain a record of Eckerd’s design and can even replace infrequently visited businesses with new options for students. Despite the slow reception due to the decrease of student activity on campus for winter term, there has still been an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the new discount cards, which feature the logos of participating businesses printed on the back. “[Students] will look at it for a while when they first get it and point out what they like a lot themselves and it’s usually a range of them,” Evans describes. “I really like Waffle House, IHOP and Burrito Boarder,” Sophomore Trish Smithwick explained as she talked about her personal favorites on the card. Other businesses include The Hurricane Seafood Restaurant, Hooker Tea Company, Tijuana Flats, Skyway Jacks and The Brass Monkey.
Discount cards can be picked up at the ECOS office, located in Brown Hall, and can be presented at any of the listed businesses before placing an order. Discounts can be anywhere between 10 to 20 percent off the entire purchase.
photo by Hailey Escobar The ECOS Discount Card.
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Feb. 1, 2013
Eckerd gives students an ‘Edge’ Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Tomaselli thecurrent@eckerd.edu Managing Editor Jeralyn Darling News Editor Cait Duffy currentnews@eckerd.edu Asst. News Editors Aaron Levy Kelly Coston Political Consultant Ethan Packey Viewpoints Editor Ely Grinfeld currentviews@eckerd.edu Asst. Viewpoints Editor Alex Roberts Entertainment Editor Ian Lindsay currententertainment@eckerd.edu Asst. Entertainment Editor Hayden Johnson The Quickie Editor Hailey Escobar currentquickie@eckerd.edu Health & Fitness Editor Caroline Campbell currenthealth@eckerd.edu Asst. Health & Fitness Editor Lizzy Brophy Sports Editor Mike Geibel currentsports@eckerd.edu Asst. Sports Editors Colin Casey Will Creager Dominick Cuppetilli Graphic Design Editor Carver Elliot Lee Photo Editor Alex Zielinski currentphoto@eckerd.edu Asst. Photo Editor Dominick Cuppetilli Web Editor Greg Reilly Asst. Web Editors Hailey Escobar Web Master Vincent Lynch Faculty Adviser Tracy Crow Director of Finances Kevin Boyd Director of PR/Advertising Arielle Burger currentads@eckerd.edu
The Current is a free biweekly student newspaper at Eckerd College. Offices are located upstairs in Cobb at 4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL, 33711. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of EC students, staff, faculty and administration. The Current welcomes letters to the editor. Submissions should be typed and not exceed 400 words. Writers must include their full name, graduation year and contact number. Faculty and staff should include their title, department and contact number. All submissions are subject to editing for the purposes of clarity, style or length. The Current holds the right to reject any letters deemed inappropriate. Letters can be sent via email to thecurrent@eckerd.edu with subject “Letter to the editor.” _______________________________ The Current will run full-length articles covering any arrests that present a clear danger to the community. Charges that would be investigated under this policy include robberies, assaults, weapons charges or illicit drug manufacturing, such as methamphetamine. The Current will continue publishing a small police blotter for felony arrests, and misdemeanor charges against student government leaders, Residential Advisors and staff members of The Current. We learn of arrests through searching the police arrest database by entering Eckerd’s address, as well as from tips. Questions and comments can be emailed to thecurrent@eckerd.edu.
By Kelly Coston Asst. News Editor As the end of another academic year marches closer, post-graduation plans have begun creating knots in the stomachs of seniors. Yet those concerned about not attending graduate school or receiving any job offers should not lose sleep yet. The office of Career Resources is now introducing the Eckerd Edge, a program designed for recent Eckerd graduates who are not employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. It allows students to audit up to four Eckerd courses at no cost, and receive one-on-one coaching from an Eckerd Career Services professional. Those eligible to take advantage of the edge are those who entered Eckerd in the fall of 2011 or later, remained a full-time student with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or above and have never been on disciplinary or housing probation.
the current
Qualified graduates can then audit any undergraduate class offered on campus, given there is space available. Students may audit a class they have already taken, or a class that had nothing to do with their major. However, prerequisites must still be honored. President Donald Eastman and Dean of Students James Annarelli, with the help of Dean of Admissions John Sullivan, worked to put together a task force consisting of faculty, student life staff, a trustee who is also an alumna and a career coach, who came up with the Eckerd Edge program. “We started the initiative in summer 2010, when we agreed we needed to take a closer look at the career services program, and assess ways to enhance the center for career planning and applied learning,” Annarelli said. courtesy of Eckerd College As a result, Jessica Neander, the new executive director of the Center for Career Planning and The cover of the new Eckerd Edge brochure. Applied Learning, was hired in May. “Alumni can “A Liberal Arts education is the best preparation call us in a month, five years, or 20 years [after for life and a career,” Annarelli said. “The Eckerd graduation.] We are a forever resource,” Neander Edge is designed to enhance student success, said. and make students as marketable as possible.”
Writing center student staff offers compositional help By Carly Youssef Contributing Writer When students need help with a research paper, or a comrade to pacify their writing portfolio anxiety, the 10-student staff at the Eckerd College Writing Center is at their disposal. With majors ranging from religious studies and biology, these students can help you with any paper. They are not just human auto correctors. “Being a consultant is about helping students with the higher order problems with their papers, not just about checking grammar,” said Junior Jenna Levine, a veteran consultant. “Being a writing consultant is a lot more work than I originally assumed it would be,” said first-year consultant Michaella Paddock, a sophomore. Consultants look at citations, content flow, thesis construction and overall formatting of a paper. This doesn’t mean that they will mark up a paper in red pen and play teacher for 20 minutes. A consultant is a friendly guide who leads the student to appropriate formatting or language. First-year consultant and Sophomore Luke McKinnon said, “When you help people with their papers usually they know what they need to fix. You just remind them of that.” Conversation is the key to good consultations. The consultant will point out a certain passage of the paper and discuss possible ways of fixing it with the students, but they focus on helping the student discover and fix his or her own mistakes. “We’re there to really help
students work on their writing skills and help build their confidence about writing,” said Junior Roiya Amin-Arsala. “My best consultations always happen when a student comes in with specific questions and is interested in being involved with me as we actively work on their assignment,” Levine said. Writing consultants help students in the Program for Experienced Learners (PEL) and ELS along with residential Eckerd students. Different skills are needed in each different learning style. According to Levine, “Working with ELS students can be more challenging than working with regular Eckerd students, as they have less practice with the English language.” In these cases, grammar and minor problems usually require more attention; however, consultants still try to create a relatable and less teacher-like environment. Reading out loud proves to be useful because usually the students can hear their mistakes. Sometimes language or other learning obstacles are too difficult to conquer in a session. “I find myself less helpful with PEL and ELS students because they usually need a different kind of service than I can offer,” says McKinnon. However, according to AminArsala even these tough sessions are rewarding because the students are very grateful for help. “They are more enthusiastic and ready to learn than regular Eckerd students,” said Paddock. “I love coming to the writing center,” said Junior Maria Mora. “Everyone is always so nice and helpful.” Even though Mora
graduated from the ELS program and is a full-time Eckerd student, grammar is still troublesome. “I usually come for help on all of my papers so I’m there every week. I basically live there,” she joked. The busiest time of the semester for the consultants is when writing portfolios are due. Writing Center Director, Professor Erika Spohrer explains that the Writing Excellence program knows that the portfolio causes anxiety because it’s so highstakes. “Our aim is to reduce that anxiety by making the process as transparent as possible,” she said. The staff takes on extra shifts and sets up a room dedicated for students to complete the timedwriting portion of the portfolio. They conduct information sessions that explain each category and the annotations. In the Writing Center there are also books of past writing excellence winners, providing examples to learn from. Although the consultants can’t guarantee whether a paper will pass or fail they help to their best ability. “Be sure to get a head start so that you are not trying to write your entire portfolio in one week,” suggested Levine. Bringing one paper in at a time throughout the semester has proved to be most helpful. Don’t come in with all four papers a day before portfolios are due and expect to fix all of them. “It’s best to be confident in your own writing,” Paddock advised. “Strive to take pride in and improve your work,” said McKinnon.
Time and effort really do pay off when it comes to the portfolios. Spohrer, Assistant Professor of Rhetoric, has run the Writing Center since 2005, with a twoyear hiatus from fall 2010 to spring 2012. Over the years she has worked to build a community within the Writing Center staff. “What I love about this [current] group is that everyone has such a terrific attitude,” Spohrer said. “This group is also extremely reliable, sharp and kind.” The application process for a position at the center is more difficult than if students were applying to other on-campus jobs. Teachers recommend the students who can apply. All invited students interview with Spohrer, or, in previous years, Professor of Rhetoric Zachary Dobbins. Next, an application with the best examples of your writing is submitted. Good writing is an obvious requirement, but interpersonal skills and reliability are also essential. Spohrer tries to select a group with diverse majors. “It’s competitive,” said Spohrer. She typically goes from 20 interviewees to only 4 or 5 hires. “I applied because I enjoy writing and I believe that it’s something I’m good at,” said Paddock. “Helping others is also something that I like doing and that’s exactly what a job at the writing center is.” The writing center, located on the first floor of the Seibert Humanities building, is open Sunday through Thursday 6–10 p.m.
courtesy of Wikicommons
Student’s love of films becomes a career path By Samantha Hagar Contributing Writer
Senior David Font believes that every good movie needs to have a solid focus and the director must have a clear vision of the story. Font, the director of his own story, knows where his life is going and how to get it there. He is absolutely in love with the movies. Font sits in his Omega dorm room, observing his walls lined with movie posters. His CD collection is stocked with dozens of movie soundtracks. He has countless shelves filled with DVDs and Blu-rays. “I probably own 500 movies or more at home,” he says modestly. “It’s the equivalent to a hobby. My parents yell at me, tell me I’m wasting my money.” He laughs. “My mom collects spoons and my dad collects rare coins, so most of the time I don’t listen.” Font’s interest in movies goes way back. He can’t recall the moment it all began, but he does know that his love of films was evident even as a toddler. He was a serious “Peter Pan” enthusiast. “I was probably only three at the time I first saw it,” Font says. “My parents tell me that I watched the movie so many times that I eventually broke the video tape. I’ve never lost my love for Disney movies, if anything my adoration for them has probably only been strengthened over the years.” After starting college, Font’s love for films continued to grow. He had always dreamed of writing for his college newspaper and he found his niche at The Current as a film critic. The first film he reviewed as a certified film
critic was “The Social Network.”As one of the best films he’s seen in 10 years, his review has also become one of his favorites. His experience on The Current staff was his foot in the door with the online news site, The Examiner. He has been writing film reviews for the website for more than a year and, although he doesn’t mind that the gig provides some extra income, he says he would be doing it for free. “What I enjoy most about film criticism is the endeavor to sell or caution a movie to an audience better than it’s preview trailer,” he says. “It’s why I do what I do. I do it for myself and for others as well.” Font’s film fanaticism was not stopping there. He started the EC Film Aficionados club in fall 2011 and tries to screen one or two films each week. Not your traditional Eckerd club on campus, the EC Film Aficionados has no scheduled meetings or a member roster; rather those who choose to attend the screenings reap the reward. Although the club does cover a multitude of genres, Font does admit he chooses films that he has seen and enjoyed and/or those that have been newly released. “We have been very successful,” Font says, “but starting next semester I want to start showing either more obscure films or at least the ones that should not be missed.” David Font “lives and breathes cinema,” and no one could or would argue against it. He hopes to someday direct his own film. He sees movie watching as a highly enjoyable form of study. “I plan on going to film school after I finish up at Eckerd,” he says. “The more I watch, the more I’ll be able to bring into my own future films.”
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the current
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Spring semester sends students traveling abroad ABROAD from front cover
about it,” said Kelly. “It will be interesting to be on my own in a different country because I have never had to deal with that.” Nicole Kirchberg is the coordinator of overseas programs for Eckerd College. Since March 2011, Kirchberg has been sending Eckerd students abroad. “I have the best job. I love the students that I work with,” Kirchberg said. In all the jobs that Eckerd offers she considers hers the most fun. “How fun it is to tell people that they can go abroad, have new experiences and see them come back different people,” she said. One of the popular programs that Eckerd offers is the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). Students usually travel through this program because they pay room and board directly to Eckerd courtesy of Seth Kelly’s Facebook page and do not need to worry about spendKelly and a friend experience the Northern Lights in Norway. ing more money. Students also keep their scholarships through ISEP. Some students want to focus on a specific program when they go abroad. Junior Mary Kate McKenna is studying in Monte Verde, Costa Rica this spring. “The program that I’m doing is a sustainability program,” McKenna described. Costa Rica is one of the most ongoing countries in terms of sustainable development. People there are really into preserving the habitat. “I’m going to an institute and I will be taking classes that involve the natural history of Costa Rica and just sustainability issues. We will be meeting NGOs from green organizations and talking to locals.” The program that she is participating in is through the Council of International Educational Exchange (CIEE) study abroad. This CIEE program not only offers the opportunity of going abroad and photo by Maria Mora having a different experience but also a A corkboard in the International Studies office highlights various locations students can visit around the globe.
New water bottle filling stations installed By Evan Bollier Sustainability Fellow LEED Green Associate Have you noticed the new water bottle filling stations around campus? Over winter break, our facilities department installed five new bottle fillers, bringing the campus total to seven. Each has a counter on them that displays how many
16-ounce dispossible plastic water bottles have been displaced from the landfill. The bottle filler in the Fitness Center displays that it’s diverted over 27,500 plastic bottles, that’s nearly 3,500 gallons of water that have been dispensed from that bottle filler alone since March. Get into the habit of bringing a reusable coffee cup and water bottle wherever you go this spring semester. Can you find all seven bottle fillers on campus?
photo by Evan Bollier One of the new water bottle filling stations.
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courtesy of Philip MacDonald’s Facebook page Junior Phil MacDonald makes a primate friend upon arriving in Thailand.
chance to grow professionally though internships and meeting important organizations. Some students were looking for an exotic place to go. Junior Philip MacDonald is one of them. “I love going to foreign countries. After two years at Eckerd, I decided that I just wanted to do something exotic, and I decided to go to the most exotic place that I could find in the catalog of schools in the International Education office,” MacDonald says. MacDonald is in Thailand, through the ISEP program. Thailand is not one of the common places that Eckerd students pick to go for their semester abroad. However, MacDonald couldn’t resist the opportunity of traveling to a totally different environment. The study abroad program has been successful through the years. Hopefully, all 61 students going abroad will have an unforgettable experience.
Career Services gears up for new semester By Doug Izzo Contributing Writer Working to connect students with employers has been the primary objective of the Eckerd College Office of Career Services, but the opportunities available in the fish tank filled office don’t end with a handshake. “We are working hard to change the image of Career Services. We had this stigma on campus, that this is where you go if you want to put on a suit every day and work in an office,” said Krystle Fogarty, event coordinator. Fogarty went on to explain that Career Services offers much more. “If you want to work on a beach in South Africa, we have an internship for that. If you want an internship not listed, we will work with students to find one.” Fogarty can also help you search for available internships in a student’s hometown for summer or even winter terms. The opportunities are endless. “We went from having events once a month to having events at least once every week,” said Fogarty. The last event of the Fall semester was the annual Holiday Networking Social Workshop and Mocktail Hour. Akash Patel was the speaker for this event in 2012. Patel is the founder of Elevate Inc. in Tampa. Elevate Inc. is a strategic business development firm. Patel specializes in community relations, social media, target marketing, public relations and government affairs. During this mixer, students have the privilege to learn how to handle themselves in a job setting through hands-on experience. “A mixer is real-life social networking. During this cyber age, people forget how to interact face to face,” said Fogarty. There are job fairs, networking mixers, workshops, etiquette dinners and so many more opportunities for students to get involved in the events offered by Ca-
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reer Services. “We don’t want to give students a lecture. They get lectured all day in class. We want to engage the students and make them more comfortable with their surroundings,” explained Fogarty. There will be a Valentines Day speed dating CPS event where students will have an opportunity to practice their interview skills with several different faculty and staff members acting as hiring managers. This will give students the opportunities to use what they learned from the mixers. Students are told to come up with an elevator speech. Fogarty explained that “an elevator speech is a 30-second speech about who you are and what you do.” An elevator speech can give students something to say when they meet a potential employer, rather than standing in front of them with a blank stare. “An elevator speech is very important and everyone should have one,” said Fogarty. Career Services can also help you get everything you need organized and ready for your graduate school or scholarship application. Staff are willing to sit down with you and go over everything you have in your application. They will make sure it is well prepared as well as give you information on what you still need to complete and tips for improvement. Senior Alex Laton, a political science major, is getting ready to send in her application to graduate school. She took advantage of the benefits of The Office of Career Services. “They helped me tremendously with getting my application together in time to submit it. Every student should take advantage of the resources Career Services offer.” Mary Anderson, career counselor, is in charge of resume workshops. “She is the resume specialist,” said Fogarty. “If a student comes in who is just starting a resume or needs it updated, she’s incredible.” Junior Patrick Blanchard stated “Mary
Anderson helped me with my resume. I showed her a copy of my resume and she went through it with me line by line and told me how I could improve it. She also showed me examples of good resumes and gave me literature with tips on how to use specific wording and things.” The biggest problem Fogarty, Anderson and the rest of the team face is lack of time. “We need time. Don’t come in in November for a winter term internship. If you want a job right out of college, start coming to Career Services before you graduate. It makes graduation easier if you use the tools we offer. If you’re inexperienced, there are ways to get that first position and experience through internships.” The Team in The Office of Career Services are always busy working together. They even have three fish tanks to help make the office feel more inviting and open to students. The bigger, main fish tank is located in the sitting area of the office. One fish is named Kai which means ocean in Hawaiian. The other fish is named KuKui which is a Hawaiian nut. The Office of Career Services has two students who are currently working at the office. They are in charge of creating the posters, flyers and other promotional items for various events. Jessica S. Neander is the executive director of the office. She oversees operations throughout the office. Neander also spends a lot of time out of the office actually going to businesses around the bay area to set up internships and employment opportunities for students. John Ingram is in charge of internships, but has been on medical leave since August. Till Ingram’s return, Neander has taken over his role and has been assisting students with internship guidance.
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
B l a s t f r o m t h e pa s t Welcome to the blast from the past, where The Current features articles from Eckerd College’s earlier newspapers. This selection features an alumna’s depiction of the “Eck,” a curious creature that can be found running around a liberal arts campus, preparing to study abroad.
Campus evaluates proposed Chick-fil-A Athletics gift Tony Menendez courtesy Chick-fil-A
CHICK-FIL-A, from front cover
photo by Alex Zielinksi The Chick-fil-A in St. Pete Beach, owned by Eckerd alumnus Tony Menendez.
operate his restaurant in a way that was warmly welcoming to all people,” said Fortosis. After hearing about the possible donation to Athletics, ECOS President Rhemy Brezin requested a meeting with Fortosis, Menendez, Professor Tony Brunello, who is the faculty athletic representative, Associate Director of Campus Activities Lova Patterson and other representatives from the athletics department. Brezin said she was originally fond of the idea of the donation to Athletics, until she learned there was a tie to Chick-fil-A. “I had some reservations because we have such an active and vibrant LGBT community on campus,” Brezin said. Patterson also voiced her concerns with the contribution. “Personally, I could not support Chick-fil-A because of where the money goes, to the top of the corporation. It personally affects my life—I’m also a vegetarian,” Patterson said in a recent interview. “I want that money to be there for students. I’m just not sure how I feel about where it comes from.” The concerns were ultimately enough to cause Menendez to
rescind his offer. “In my opinion, as an alumnus that was looking to give back to the college that so graciously gave back to me over the years, there was much push back due to my affiliation with Chickfil-A,” he said. “Due to this push back, I thought it would be best to withdraw our offer and revisit this opportunity at a later date.” Though he was excited about the opportunity to work with an alum, Fortosis could sympathize with Menendez’s dilemma. “I understood this decision from his perspective, and I supported it,” he said. Brunello was also disappointed in the outcome. “I was very sorry that our former student Tony Menendez was unable to share his success with Eckerd College. The Athletic program is responsible to raise financial support from donors and sponsors, and this would have been most welcome. I know from talking to Mr. Menendez that he had the best of intentions, and as always, Eckerd College’s interests, at heart.” In the future, Menendez is open to revisiting his donation, as is Brezin. “ I am willing to keep it on the table and we can see if things change in the future,” she said.
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
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Viewpoints INSIDE VIEWPOINTS First Times
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Elie Wiesel experience
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QFM reflections
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Israel, Hamas conflict impacts EC community By Aaron Levy Asst. News Editor
sales. Similar thoughts were voiced by politically-involved Senior Brianna Dickinson. “For safety reasons I agree with the right to own a gun but with the revelations showing that that there aren’t adequate background checks on these individuals is worrisome. Yet I realize gun control is a great task, but obviously things around gun control need to be changed, but our view of guns needs to change too.” The second proposal that President Obama made was reinstating the now expired assault weapons ban. Such a ban was originally passed in 1994, but the initiative to renew it in 2004 failed. The ban’s renewal has been on the wishlist of many gun control advocates since that time, but I don’t think it
The Middle East has always been a polarizing issue. Religion, politics and violence are all rolled into one societal mess. America’s biggest ally in the Middle East, Israel, is dividing America down the middle. Violence between Jews and Muslims has caused public backlash toward the small country. But often times, people don’t know what’s really going on there. College students are trying to stay informed and at the same time, respectful. “The human component on both sides of the conflict is something that I feel goes unnoticed by a lot of Americans,” says Junior Colleen Rast, who spent the last several months studying in the middle east. In retaliation for some of the heaviest rocket fire into Israel from Gaza in months, Israel Defense Forces responded by launching Operation Pillar of Defense on Nov. 14, and assassinating Ahmed Jabari, chief of Hamas’s military wing. Hamas, which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and Israel, has been in control of Gaza since violently taking control in 2007. One aspect of the political conflict that isn’t clear to students is whether Hamas is representative of a common Arab-interest, and whether the organization has the support of it’s citizens. “A person is not a Hamas,” says Senior Ethan Cooper. “It isn’t an ethnicity, it’s a political party.” Junior Julia Levy feels that preconceived notions about Islamist groups can influence the way people think about the conflict. “Just because a group is Islamist does not mean that it is a terrorist organization,” explains Levy, “An Islamist group believes Islam should be incorporated in politics.” The popularity of Hamas among Arabs is a deeply complicated question. Professor Fait Muedini, assistant professor of political science, spoke on the topic. “A number of people do not agree with Hamas’ politics, but have some level of support for them because of the social services that they provide in Gaza,” he explained. Though many don’t support Hamas, Muedini believes, Gazans are happy with the concessions Hamas has achieved from Israel through indirect negotiations. Israel warned residents of Gaza about the planned strikes on Hamas military targets with leaflets and phone calls. Yet, 174 Palestinian casualties were nevertheless reported, including 100 civilians. Israel, which maintains a vastly more advanced defense system, reported six casualties including four civilians. Ed Rosenthal, rabbi to Eckerd and several other Suncoast-area colleges, feels that the casualty numbers can be deceiving. “Because more Palestinians were killed than Israelis, people think that Israel uses disproportionate force, is targeting civilians or views Palestinians as being worth less than Jews,” he says. “I often wonder if they would simply like to see more dead Israelis.” Cooper feels the casualty numbers don’t tell the whole story. “I think the number one misconception amongst students,”
see GUN, page 10
see CONFLICT, page 12
photo by Ethan Packey
Eckerd students marveling at the Rila Monastery.
Students get in touch with old roots in Byzantium By Ethan Packey Political Consultant
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or Winter Term, I chose the Sacred Byzantium trip. With me were the fifteen students in my group. By the time we reached Istanbul, we had already traveled through Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. Notably, all these countries were once part of the Byzantine Empire and continue to show remarkable signs of Byzantine cultural influence. The reason I chose this trip was quite simply that I was looking for my cultural roots. My parents come from two cultural traditions. My dad’s family is Pennsylvania Dutch; Germans and Austrians who have been in central Pennsylvania at least since the American Revolution, likely much longer. My mom’s family is Italian-Irish, full-blooded Roman Catholics, who came through Ellis Island into New York City a century ago. From my mom’s family, I inherited Roman Catholicism, which also claims to be a hallowed guardian of the Western tradition and Christianity. But as I grew older, I learned
more about the Church and grew unsettled by its theological innovations and political history. Notable among its historical errors was its endorsement of Charlemagne and his Holy Roman Empire, a usurper state claiming the Roman crown that still existed in Constantinople with the Byzantines. But I still stayed with the Romans because, until twelve months ago, I didn’t know of anything else. That’s when this journey to find my roots started, in January 2012, when I had the chance to take Byzantine Monasticism for my Winter Term with Professor Bruce Foltz. I learned a great deal about Eastern Orthodox Christianity at that time, both from the time the Byzantine Monasticism class spent at Eckerd and from the eight days we spent at an Eastern Orthodox Christian monastery in California. As a result, I decided that what I found was the truest and purest form of the Christian faith I already had. But Eastern Orthodoxy does not allow people to join overnight so I became a catechumen, or a convert with training in Christian doctrine, and thus have had time to
ponder my decision. And there were some nagging questions left by my decision. The Eastern Orthodox Church wasn’t just another Christian church among the hundreds that have proliferated across the Western world since the Protestant Reformation. It claims to be the Church, the unbroken line of apostolic succession from the Twelve Apostles, Mary and Jesus Christ himself. That ancient church is preserved today in Eastern Orthodoxy, at least according to Eastern Orthodoxy. I wasn’t ready to declare that last January, but now I’m coming to believe the veritable truth of that statement. But whatever my beliefs about its historical claims, such a church would properly bring more than just a new perspective on Christianity. It would bring incredible cultural and potentially philosophical knowledge, as well. This greatly appealed to me, the budding lover of philosophy, and I promptly decided to enroll in three philosophy classes that spring and became a philosophy major. My final philosophy class that semester was Introduction to Philosophy which has see ROOTS, page 11
Gun control debate at center of politics By Ethan Packey Political Consultant The election is over, Obama’s second inauguration has passed, but politics proceed as usual. President Obama reopened the gun control debate Jan. 16 by rolling out his package of reforms for increased gun control. Chairman of the Eckerd College Republicans Ryan Heffner expressed mixed sentiments about the reopening of debate. “The reconsideration of federal gun laws is a good thing. There has been no legislative action in 18 years, yet the firearms industry now sells more modern weapons and there have been two landmark Supreme Court cases about gun rights. So I would say that it’s time for an update of current regulations to fit the 21st
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century.” According to The Washington Post, the president’s package included four legislative proposals and a number of administrative and research initiatives that Obama can enact by executive order. I find that the legislative proposals are either genuinely bipartisan or stridently partisan. First among the proposals is the institution of universal background checks on gun purchasers. This would be an expansion of the Brady Bill enacted by President Clinton that required background checks for all of those buying from federally registered gun sellers. The expansion would involve those sellers not covered by the Brady Bill, normally sellers at gun shows as well as in private gun
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10 Viewpoints
the current
Feb. 1, 2013
Gun control: It’s time for an update
First Times Marriage and life after Eckerd By Jeralyn Darling Managing Editor
Managing Editor Jeralyn Darling shares her “first time” experiences during her final year at Eckerd. It’s been quite awhile since my last First Times column, so I’m going to have to play catch up. First and foremost, this has been hands-down the biggest first of my entire life: my boyfriend of five years (and best friend of ten years) is now my fiancé. Yes, faithful Current readers, this girl’s getting married. Matt Van Hook (‘12) has been my biggest fan throughout my career on The Current. He has endured innumerable frustrated phone calls, understood my strange newspaper layout hours and never batted an eye when I had to miss an anniversary dinner for a breaking news story. Many first times stemmed from the moment Matt got down on one knee — planning a wedding, figuring out what state I’m going to live in, sitting my parents down and reminding them that I’m not a little girl — all of this on top of finishing out my final semester at Eckerd. I have only three and a half months left here, the place I have called home for so long — and I’m going to make them count. There are so many life-changing things happening during this time that it’s tough to sit down and think of them all at once, but if there’s anything I can say to my fellow seniors, it’s this: enjoy Eckerd while it lasts. I’m having a more difficult time than I thought I would with slowly letting go. Instead, I’m holding on with a whiteknuckle grip to everything I care about here: the campus, the faculty, the classes, the newspaper and all of my closest friends. I can’t fathom leaving all of this behind. So, for the first time, I have to tell myself to loosen my grip on the reality I know and dive head first into the unknown (marriage and life after Eckerd). Whether next year finds me in a publishing internship, a job on a newspaper, or waiting tables and applying to grad school, at least I know that I’ll be with the one steady thing in my life — Matt. And that makes letting go just a little bit easier.
GUN CONTROL, from page 9
would have much effectiveness. Instead, I find it perfectly logical and decent to think that the strength of gun ownership regulations in the Brady Bill and in President Obama’s other proposals would effectively prevent the legal sale of firearms of any kind to criminals. As for illegal gun sales or gun theft, that gun control falls under the purview of crime prevention and cracking down on drug trafficking. Besides, an assault weapons ban within America would only export assault weapon production to other countries outside the United States. Such a move would facilitate a more extensive underground market for the reentry of assault weapons into America through existing criminal and drug-trafficking networks. Obama’s third initiative is a policy that was previously unheard of and in my opinion is blatantly partisan, limiting magazine sizes. The president proposes a limit of 10 bullets per magazine. The House and Senate have also scheduled hearings about magazine size and the potential effect of regulations on that particular issue. I think such regulations are the most plainly stupid of President Obama’s proposals. Allowing fewer bullets per magazine will simply mean that people will buy greater numbers of magazines. So sure, bullet sellers will experience a small economic boom. But when it comes to the ability to dispense bullets there will be no practical effect to the gun user. The fourth proposal is a bill that would further crack down on gun trafficking. I think that this proposal will also find bipartisan support. I also think that this proposal is the one that will have the most practical effect on mass shootings domestically since most mass shooters obtain their weapons illegally.
courtesy of Wikicommons
PerspECtives
“I went to London for the "History of Science" class. It was great because we had the chance to go to interesting museums and learn about the beginning of modern science.”
- Tina Napoli, sophomore
Congress’s reaction to the package of proposals was less than warm. The Washington Post reported that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said they were thoughtful recommendations but isn’t taking any specific action on the proposals. Instead, several of his subordinates in the Senate are bringing the issues up in committee hearings that could eventually lead to legislation. I find that this move makes a great deal of sense for Majority Leader Reid. He comes from a swing state, Nevada, and will face reelection in four years when President Obama will not be able to provide a wave of support for down-ticket candidates. Reid also has a large class of moderate Democrats from red states or swing states that are up for reelection in 2014. His hopes for retaining the majority at that time may hinge upon his rejection of the most partisan aspects of President Obama’s second term agenda. The House was also disappointed by President Obama’s proposals, noting the partisan nature of proposals such as the assault weapons ban and magazine limitations. However, the Washington Post did mention a statement from House Speaker John Boehner indicating that the House would act on any legislation that passed the Senate. I find such a stance is reasonable. President Obama preempted the Republicans with a major reform package that included many bipartisan measures. So instead of playing tag-along, they’re waiting for the legislative process to play out. Such a move lets them consider gun control measures that have passed the Senate on their own turf, The House, instead of through the media. And this is the way it should be done. We have not had serious gun control legislation since the law banning the carrying of firearms in public schools passed in 1995. That was 18 years ago; it’s time for an update.
#Amusing Musings For this special edition, these are some of the reactions for Eckerd students posted on Social Media sites Twitter and Facebook. Follow us on twitter: @TheECCurrent Visitng Professor It’s a humanities building, and there’s no bathroom. That’s not humane at all! #OhTheHumanity
Philosophy Professor And the airport we are flying out of is shared with migratory birdpopulations. #AirTraffic
Geology Professor You’re from Florida? We should just leave you here to die. #EmpatheticPedagogy
Spanish Professor Alcohol cures everything. #TalkingToMyCupOfWine
Sociology Professor We have beer. That’s why we are better than any other major. #TalkingToMyCupOfWine
Correction; In the Dec. 7 issue of The Current, there was an incorrect statement in an article entitled “Writing portfolio: Who is really benefitting.” The incorrect statement read, “My consolation prize is that I am able to ‘opt out’ of the composition requirement on the basis that my major is already writing-intensive.” Here is the revised portion: “My consolation prize is that I am able to petition to ‘opt out’ of the composition requirement on the basis that my major is already writing-intensive. Whether or not my petition is approved is up to Dean Sanfillipo.” We, at The Current, take factual accuracy seriously and strive for excellence in reporting.
How was your Winter Term and what did you take away from it?
“I knew that I'd become seriously antsy sitting on the couch for that long so I opted to take LSDP. Best decision ever!”
-Gabe Rosenthal, freshman
“Though working as an assistant naturalist at a state park I experienced environmental education in a fun new way and made connections with environmental law enforcement that will help me in the job search next year.”
- Ethan Cooper, senior
"I was incredibly lucky to attend the "Language and Culture in the South of France" Winter Term — especially as a freshman. It was a very eye-opening experience to be in such a different environment and it enabled me to learn in ways I wouldn't have been able to on campus!” - Molly Hurd, freshman
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
Student shares experience with Dr. Wiesel in WT By Hailey Escobar Asst. News, Web Editor I gained a new nickname over Winter Term this year: Gatekeeper. It wasn’t because of anything extraordinary that I did. I just held open the door. It’s the person who gave it to me that makes it important to me. I had the honor and pleasure to learn from and hold the door for Dr. Elie Wiesel this past Winter Term as a student of his class Madness, Tears, and Laughter and it was an experience that I will not soon forget. At first, while I was excited to learn from such an influential and inspiring man, I was very nervous about the workload for the class. The course was a philosophical look at different texts to understand the way madness, tears and laughter effects our lives. The reading list was made up of 10 texts including the book of Ezekiel from the Bible, selections from Franz Kafka and four of Wiesel’s own work. Eckerd is the only school where Dr. Wiesel teaches his own books. What was interesting was that while we were there to listen to him, he was there to listen to us. For most of class he would sit qui-
etly beside Professor Carolyn Johnston, who co-taught the class, and they would listen to our opinions, questions and, at times, arguments. When I was able to have my private conversation with him, it was the same. He asked me questions about my life, my family and my aspirations. He even offered to read some of my previous work and asked about what my sisters aspired to do in their lives. It was a strange experience to have someone like Dr. Wiesel be so interested in what I wanted to say, but it was greatly appreciated. In class, he called himself a witness, someone who told his story and the stories of those around him. He said that we were all witnesses and in those moments that he listened to us, he taught me what it means to be a witness. When he did speak, however, it was always with great insight or with an amazing story. He would discuss his conversations with President Obama whom he saw during Winter Term for the inauguration. He explained what he was thinking when he wrote certain books such as “A Beggar in Jerusalem.” I also learned a lot about my own beliefs and gained a new awareness to the world around me. I realized that indifference couldn’t be tolerated when there are so many
people in this world who need help. I discovered that I truly believe that life is mad and the way it affects a person depends on how he or she uses this madness. From Kafka, in particular, I learned that you waste your life away if you wait for permission and that we are all messengers in some way. One classmate, Sophomore Emily Lehew, said “I learned not only about the ideas discussed but about the omniscient silences, which began and ended in each idea. I gained a new appreciative awareness of stories untold by history and their potential to change preconceived ideas by society.” I learned a lot of things, perhaps too much to fit in this viewpoint and I’m sure that if you asked one of my classmates, his or her view might be a little different. We’re human, so it’s understandable that our views differ. All I know is that Dr. Wiesel was too right in his comment on the first day of class. He said “Life is not measured in years, but in moments.” The classes with Dr. Wiesel and Professor Johnston and the times they called me the Gatekeeper are moments that I will hold dear for the rest of my life.
courtesy of Hailey Escobar
Professor Johnston (2nd left, 2nd row), Elie Wiesel (center) with students.
Viewpoints 11
Experiences in QFM are not for everyone: a look into the senior capstone By Samantha Hagar Contributing Writer It’s a necessary and sometimes unwelcomed rite of passage for every Eckerd College student: QFM. It serves as Western Heritage’s opposite bookend and as the beginning of a collective Eckerd senior experience. It’s a quest not everyone wishes to embark on, though some still walk away with new appreciation for service and community. The journey in question is Quest for Meaning. According to the QFM website, the senior level course was “created to challenge [students] to ask and seek answers to questions of meaning and purpose in [their] own life within the context of the greater community.” The course presents thought-provoking questions for graduating students such as: “What do I really want to do with my life? Who do I really want to be in this world? What will make me truly happy? How can I serve the greater good and still fulfill my deepest yearning? What am I called to do with my life and how can I comprehend and follow that calling?” However, Eckerd alum Jackie Scott never wanted answers to those questions in the first place. “I wasn’t looking for anything when I went into QFM,” says Scott. “In fact, QFM took up space for another class that I’d really wanted to take.” Scott found that the class was more of a burden than a way to reflect on her world views. Having taken the class in fall 2011 and graduated the following May, Scott is not surprised that the class has had no lasting effect on her post-Eckerd life. “I never really had the chance to quest for my own meaning because I was too busy living in the confines of the class,” Scott said. Senior Angela Bird felt similarly about the goals of the course. “Who says that seniors are on a quest in the first place?” says Bird. “Sure, some students don’t know what they’re see QFM, page 12
Philosophy, fellowship, faith found in trip to Byzantium ROOTS from page 9
had the most practical relation to my journey into Orthodoxy. We read from one Orthodox theologian for the class, Dionysius the Areopagite, who dates to the first century A.D. His writings talked a great deal about a theology that is a unique, but central facet of Orthodoxy. This is the distinction between God’s essence and God’s energies. The distinction is quite simple and the basis for religion. To reconcile the transcendent nature of God with the immanent nature of an earthly church, Orthodoxy believes that God’s essence is self-fulfilling and unknowable to humans. However, God’s energies or actions in this world are distinct from from his essence and readily knowable to humans. Thus God’s energies explain how a person and a church can have a living faith rather than a blind faith according to Orthodox theology. The theology of energies also contributed to the theological soundness of iconography. Iconography is sacred art, created specifically by blessed members of the faith, that present the innumerable invisible, but holy realities in material form. Prior to the advent of the printing press, these icons also allowed the illiterate and poor to learn Church history and theology. So in Introduction to Philosophy, I did find the basics of what I expected philosophically from Orthodoxy: that, academically, Orthodoxy does contribute a great deal to the Western philosophical tradition. So I chose to come on the Sacred Byzantium Winter Term trip to more fully explore the culture as well as the philosophy. The trip has blown past all of my expectations. As a catechumen, I’d learned a great deal about the religion and its
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metaphysics already. But the great churches, the astounding iconography, the culture of these Eastern European countries, everything fit together. It was like I’d walked into the ancient Byzantine Empire, minus the emperor. There were also many ultimately useful modern amenities. And to speak of modernity, it seems much more effective here. Notable among these is that Orthodoxy’s current theological leader, Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch, has the nickname “the Green Patriarch” for his championing of environmental issues. But he has a traditional environmentalism, one motivated in a respect for the traditional view of Earth as God’s creation. The tradition on display in these places was overwhelming. Yet it wasn’t a hateful politicized cultural tradition. It was quite simply a way of living. America, it seems, has become such a melting pot that we’ve forgotten how to have any cultural roots in our everyday lives. But in the East, this is simply not so. Cultural history is alive, family history is alive, connection to place and to the world around them is alive. The Eastern Orthodox Church’s metaphysics of God’s energies being vested in the world, in nature, was no longer just an obscure theological position. It is real. I could see a collection of peoples that lived and breathed these energies, that found great meaning in the world around them, and in themselves, because they believed in something far greater than themselves. To see this form of human society vindicated effectively all the personal decisions that I’d made about joining the Eastern Orthodox Church and becoming a philosophy major over the past year. I now know that I will never turn away from my newfound faith. I know that I’m glad to be studying philosophy, especially political, social and religious philosophy.
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Temple of Hesphastion.
photo by Ethan Packey
Now that I’ve found Byzantium and the Eastern Orthodox Church, I have found a cultural, philosophical and religious tradition which I feel comfortable in. It doesn’t have the extreme legalism, nationalism and individualism of Western culture; instead Byzantium elevates the family and the continuity of cultural and historical experience. Yet I don’t feel that I’ve betrayed anything that I got from my parents. I’m still Christian, I’m still American, I’ve just found a way to imbue my life and the world around me with a great deal of meaning that isn’t based upon superficial feelings and/or transient political ideology. I went on the Sacred Byzantium trip in the hopes that I would discover where my cultural roots lie. I am glad to say that I have found them with the Christian Empire of Byzantium which looked to the East and the West, to the Jewish and Greek past and to the glorious future of Christendom.
12 Viewpoints
the current
Feb. 1, 2013
EC students have different takes on Middle Eastern conflict CONFLICT from page 9
promotional photo
QFM functions as hot topic for some seniors QFM from page 11
going to do post-graduation, but I think Eckerd would be better off making QFM a life experience or an entirely service learning-based class. Graduates could then have some firsthand, real-world experience in a chosen field and start to build a network.” Service is an integral and unique component that sets QFM apart from Western Heritage, though the texts in Bird’s opinion weigh down the course. “I didn’t find the texts especially useful,” says Bird. “The service learning hours were more useful in my opinion. It provides life experience.” Scott agrees: “Very few of my classmates ever opened their texts, but they all felt the need to have an opinion on the topic of discussion. People were making mortal enemies of each other over these things that they hadn’t even read.” “The service hours were the most interesting,” added Bird, “the time constraint of 40 hours in one semester made it more of a burden than an insightful experience.” Senior Rebecca Cassidy shared a similar opinion and found she had a difficult time dealing with the course
schedule: “I think QFM would be better spent spring semester when people aren’t applying to grad schools and whatnot.” She also had some concerns about the monetary situation. “There should be stipends for gas to your service learning project,” says Cassidy. “I think it’s unfair that I was limited in what I could do because I couldn’t afford to drive far.” Cassidy, like the others, did not come away with a new perspective. “I didn’t have too many expectations.” Alumnus William Skinner found the service hours to be of a benefit to him even after graduating Eckerd. For his QFM hours, Skinner began working with a hospice group, visiting terminally ill patients. “Meaning lies in doing good for others,” said Skinner. By visiting two elderly gentlemen, Skinner said he could help show them that their lives had meaning. “They had already lived a life that had meaning, that what they had done during their lifetimes validated that.” Skinner has visited the same hospice patient almost every week since the fall of his senior year and continues to visit him today. “I feel that, in addition to a friend, my service has given me the
“I think Eckerd would be better off making QFM a life experience or an entirely service learning-based class. Graduates could then have some firsthand, real-world experience in a chosen field and start to build a network.” - Angela Bird, senior ability to see myself more clearly in a nursing career some day,” says Skinner. “I’ve even thought about getting trained as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and working for Suncoast Hospice while I try to get my EMS career off the ground.” Skinner believes his QFM volunteering has not only touched the lives of others, but changed his own. “I feel like I needed the push, the impetus, to go out and volunteer. I had volunteered only once before, for Big Brothers Big Sisters in high school, and I needed to be reminded of how rewarding it can be.”
A student recalls her experiences in South Africa By Alex Roberts Asst. Viewpoints Editor Who am I kidding—I have always loved to travel. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t packing a suitcase and smiling at the adventure ahead. I didn’t care where I was going, only that I was on the move. It’s not that I don’t love where I am now. I do. And I do love coming home. But I also love going so I may return. Admittedly, I’m never quite sure what I’ll find—only that after having been there, I’ll be the better for it and something within me will have changed. Eckerd College’s list of travel abroad opportunities was an academic windfall of bucket list destinations, and there was something for everyone—as long as you met the eligibility requirements and could come up with the cash. Fortunately I did, and for me
Winter Term was a chance to fulfill a dream… a chance to study eco-systems, wild game and great white sharks in South Africa. I had saved for years to pay for an experience like this, but in the end my memories from the trip were priceless. I don’t know what I expected to find in South Africa, but common misconceptions were foreshadowed long before I stepped on the plane. At the insistence of a travel doc, I had four typhoid pills, three rabies shots, one yellow fever shot, one Hep B booster and I was thrown a tube of malaria tablets for good measure. In exchange for becoming a human pin cushion, I got an official looking yellow paper that would supposedly save me from more shots if my plane made an emergency landing. (It didn’t.) Upon State Department advice, I registered with the American Embassy in case our group was taken hostage by
rioting South African miners and later held for ransom. (We weren’t.) About the only advice I didn’t follow was to carry a list of snakebite clinics in case one of South Africa’s deadly snakes bit me. (I wasn’t.) Despite everyone’s advice, nothing prepared me for what I would find in South Africa. For me, South Africa was warm and inviting and it felt like coming home. I was reminded that South Africa is different for everyone, and no two experiences will be exactly alike. I suppose it is because nobody is exactly alike. We all have our own prejudices, fears, and misconceptions to deal with; our own lessons to be learned; and, our own defining moments to be embraced—or forgotten. South Africa has forever changed the way I will see things. Time will tell if it has changed the way people will see me too.
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Cooper says, “is that the ratio of casualties is representative of how much military action is actually being taken on each side. Students don’t consider the fact that there’s a better defense system in Israel. If there wasn’t that, the casualties would be much higher on the Israeli side.” Israel’s “Iron Dome” defense system, which aims to destroy Israelbound rockets from Gaza before they reach populated areas, had an 84 percent success rate and blasted 421 rockets out of the sky during this most recent, seven-day escalation in violence. Since 2010, President Obama has given $275 million to the expensive yet effective system. Gaza, which shares a southern border with Egypt, a western border with the Mediterranean Ocean and both northern and eastern borders with Israel, has been in constant conflict with the jewish state since the IDF withdrew occupying troops in 2005. The conflict is recognized as a part of the larger Palestinian and Jewish conflict that has been ongoing since the early 20th century when Arab and Zionist nationalist movements started to emerge and clash in the region. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of understanding the violence, for those not directly affected, is finding reliable, unbiased news sources. The Israeli government and Hamas, which runs it’s own television station Al-Asqa TV, have both been accused of distributing false propaganda about the opposing side. In at least one confirmed example, Hamas released a photo of a bloodied girl that was originally published by Reuters in 2006. They claimed it to be an example of Israeli war crimes even though it was from an incident unrelated to Israel. “I turn to CNN for the most
unbiased news,” says junior Julia Levy. “They do a great job of finding members of the whole political spectrum.” Progressively more, students are turning to social networks to stay updated and informed as best they can. However, some grow tired and cynical about seeing biased articles and people engaging in discourse that relies mostly on blanket statements and “bumper sticker politics.” “I think it’s mainly just a bunch of people who don’t know what they’re talking about starting arguments,” says senior Katherine Raker who spent a semester in Israel. Facebook and Twitter can easily become platforms for broadcasting anti-semitic and anti-arab sentiment. Levy feels similarly. “I don’t think it is productive if people who are posting about it (on social networks) are uneducated on the subject,” she says. Junior Colleen Rast has spent the semester studying abroad in Jordan. Being in a Palestinian hub where 90% of the population is muslim has drastically changed her opinion. “The perception that all Palestinians are affiliated with Hamas or the PLO is like saying all Afghans were part of the Taliban,”she elaborates. Rast thinks social networks are “an interesting tool,” for discussing and debating the issue. “I think it depends on how the topic is being discussed that determines if the conversation is productive or not.” “It is the responsibility of the reader to consider what angle their news is coming from,” states Rast. “My best recommendation would be to compare news sources like CNN, The Huffington Post, and BBC Middle East to other news sources like Al Jazeera and The Jordan Times.” Though a ceasefire was reached November 20th, tensions along the Israel / Gaza border remain tense.
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
Entertainment 13
ENTERTAINMENT
Hip-Hop Triton “kills it” By Dominick Cuppetilli Asst. Sports Editor Sophomore Luke Burton performed at the “New Year Hip Hop 2013” show held at the State Theater in St. Petersburg Jan. 19. Burton has aspirations to make a name for himself in the world of Hip-Hop, and this show was a great jumpstart to that dream. Burton said, “I want to be the best artist I can be, and have as many people listen to me as possible.” The Hip-Hop artist stylized his name as “lukeBurton” (fully “lukeBurton Muzik”). Burton has been a lyricist for seven years, ever since his dad took him to see Eminem at age 13. Burton
looked back at it saying, “If this white guy can do it, so can I.” Although lukeBurton has had other minor Hip-Hop showcases and gigs, he considered this to be his first big performance. Burton was feeling confident enough in his music to invite his parents to the show. He explained that his father had not seen him perform in three years, and he was really anxious to make him proud. Next to this goal, Burton’s major plan was to get more listeners. “I’m stoked to see my friend’s faces, but more excited to see new faces,” said Burton. “I hope people see me tonight and say, ‘This guy is kinda dope.” Just as with any major life event, Burton felt the “pre-game jitters” before going on stage. “I feel like I have to throw up and pee at the same time.” He continued to say, “If this doesn’t go well, this may be my final statement [as lukeBurton].” Burton held the third act of the night in a line-up of about 10 artists. Being so early in the night, the crowd was not very large in number yet, and were casually scattered in the small venue. That didn’t stop Burton. Before the first song had ended, Burton had called out to the crowd to step up to the stage and put their hands in the air. In fact, Burton’s interaction with the crowd was one of the most distinguishing things that set him apart from the other performers. SPC Sophomore Tyler Spencer said, “For the lack of people it was still a good time and the crowd was into it.” Eckerd Sophomore Holly Buresh had the same to say about the crowd’s involvement, and added, “He was a really fun performer.” Burton actually jumped down from the stage and walked in the crowd, without ever missing a beat. On top of the
crowd interaction, lukeBurton was also the most pronounced in his lyrics. In many of the other live performances of the night, artists were not understood as clearly, and some were just lip syncing. Burton, on the other hand, left a lasting impression. Buresh said that she thought he was rapping about being “real” and not listening to all of the haters in the world. This was a theme that several others in the crowd took away as well. The set list was short and sweet, comprised of five songs, all written by Burton. Fortunately for him, the set did go well, and his comment about having the final statement was thrown out the window. “I live to fight another day.” “It went better than I expected,” said Burton. “I performed well by my standards, and by the end of it I feel like everyone was into my set.” He said that he felt a lot of support from the crowd, and a lot of love from the Eckerd community. “People didn’t know what to expect when I came out in a button down shirt and tie, but I like making people say, ‘You can actually do this.” Burton’s attire was certainly different than the rest of the performers, but he also walked away with more crowd recognition, so maybe there really is something to be said about a sharp dressed man. Burton will use the success of the show to fuel the progress of his E.P. set to release in the next month or so, followed by the full mixtape, self-titled, “lukeBurton Muzik.” The mixtape will revolve around the single “Rabbit Hole,” which Burton considers to be his most promising track. With the night being a hit in both the Eckerd community and to St. Pete locals, Burton was able to smile in satisfaction leaving the show. He concluded, “All I know how to do is just kill it, and I did.”
photo by Dominick Cuppetilli
The “D” is silent; New Tarantino movie is unchained By Jennifer Lincoln Staff Writer From the first shot of Christoph Waltz’s pistol into two intolerable slave-traders, I fell in love with “Django Unchained” and so, it seems, did everybody else. The absurdly powerful film stars Jamie Foxx as Django, a slave in the pre-Civil War South, who meets Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a peripatetic dentist turned bounty hunter who kills with a sense of flair and speaks with no fear of retribution. Dr. Schultz transports his corpses in a wagon topped by a large fake tooth attached by a spring that perpetually swings side to side, and rides a horse named Fritz who whinnies at the sound of his name. The two pair up in respects to rescuing Django’s wife Broomhilda (Kerry Washington) from the malicious “Monsieur” Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio), the infamous Francophile and owner of “Candyland,” a plantation known for it’s awful treatment of slaves and number of “Mandingo fighters” (two slaves pitched against each other in a brutal fight to the death for the sport of their owners). The beautiful love story based on a German fairy tale should be noted here, because, apart from the rest of the blood and violence surrounding the couple during the movie, they stay focused only on returning to each other throughout the length of the story. Leonardo DiCaprio performed quintessentially as the vile plantation owner and “Mandingo fighting” expert who at one point in the film ordered a runaway slave to be torn apart by dogs in front of a multitude of other people, and in another scene, cheered on his “Mandingo fighter” Big Fred.
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Another actor’s phenomenal portrayal of a difficult character was Samuel L. Jackson’s characterization of Stephen, the head slave of the house who is just about as cunning and vicious in his own right as anyone could imagine. Tarantino, keeping with his usual style, welds genres together throughout the film. The director’s flamboyant show of blood and gore and specific style of humor is just as present in this movie as in his others. Tarantino’s lurid scenes of blood rapidly spurting out of wounds interrupts the dialogue as in his signature manner of making movies. As exaggerated as the gore scenes in the film were, they propelled the ugly truths of pre-Civil War South to the forefront of everyone’s minds. The very first scene of the movie showed a group of male slaves in shackles walking away from the camera, backs brandishing horrific scars from being whipped and beaten. Tarantino’s disregard for softening any aspects in his movie is just what excites people about Django. However, his humor does somewhat offset the raw violence. One illustration of this is when the Ku Klux Klan sat on their horses awaiting their attack on Django and Dr. King Schultz, and they began bickering over the eyeholes in their white hoods being too small to see out of. This is also when Jonah Hill makes an impromptu and comical appearance as a younger member of the Ku Klux Klan. Another humorous aspect of the film happened when Dr. Schultz gave Django the opportunity to pick out his own clothing and he chose a gaudy blue suit with white ruffles. When Django was being shown around a plantation
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by a slave named Betina and he revealed to her that he was a free man she exclaimed, “You mean you wanna dress like that?” Jocular dialect and ad nauseum gore scenes aside, Django can easily be considered Quentin Tarantino’s greatest film thus far, rivaling Pulp Fiction. On Rotten Tomatoes, Django scored a 94 percent approval rating from the audience and 88 percent for critics. Also according to Rotten Tomatoes, it earned $138 million in the box office as of Jan. 20. The only aspect of the film I would change would be the length. Throughout the third hour of the movie my body began to get sore and my mind started to wander toward other things.
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Sunken Gardens
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Breach the EC bubble; St. Pete’s finest excursions By Mike Geibel Sports Editor Students should take some time to step out of the Eckerd bubble and experience something new in order to break the monotony that can set in during the last push before the end of each semester. Eckerd is too small a school to stay on campus all the time. By finals week each semester, students can feel trapped by the mundane and repetitive schedules that they plod through. The same meals, the same people, the same classes and the same weekend activities in the same complexes change Eckerd from the place that we all love into something much more boring. Below are five things to do around St. Petersburg and the surrounding area in the next few weeks to breathe a bit of fresh air into your daily grind. 1. Painting with a Twist Located in downtown St. Pete, this art studio features guided classes in which students can paint their own piece of art to keep for themselves or give as a gift. Classes are taught several times a week and range from paintings of animals and nature to still life and more abstract ideas. To join a class, simply go to the calendar on the studio website, choose which painting or day you would like to attend, and sign up. An interesting facet of this studio is that those guests who are above the legal drinking age are permitted to bring their own wine or beverages. The two and three hour classes are a great way to have a new experience with friends and create something that can be kept as a memory of the occasion. ($35-45, www.paintingwithatwist. com/stpetersburg)
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2. Sunken Gardens The more than 100-year-old Sunken Gardens are a relaxing way to take in the beauty of nature. Located very close to downtown St. Pete, the gardens feature thousands of tropical plants along with waterfalls and other natural displays. The location is only $8 for adult entry and features many different paths and sights to relax and enjoy. The Sunken Gardens also offer yoga classes, hoop dance sessions and tons of workshops and seminars. Located just off 4th street, the Sunken Gardens are one of St. Pete’s hidden gems. ($8, www.sunkengardens.org) promotional photo
see Bubble, page 15
14 Entertainment
the current
Feb.1, 2013
Events
Feb. 1 - 14
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
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First Friday
1 p.m. 1 p.m. Womens’ Basketball vs. Super Store Shopping Rollins Shuttle 4 p.m. Men’s Basketball Rollins
7:30 p.m. “Justification by Doubt”
7:30 p.m. “Funny Bones”
7:30 p.m. Swing Dance Lessons
6 p.m. vs. Superbowl Party
6 p.m. Film Aficionados Movie Night
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5 p.m. Valentines Dinner
4:30 p.m. 9 a.m. 7:30 p.m. CPS 1 p.m. Pitchers with Professors Fourth Annual Eckerd Super Store Shopping Walt Musical College Symposium Shuttle 9 p.m. 11 a.m. Chinese New Year Saturday Morning Mar- 3 p.m. CPS ket Shuttle Kaplan Piano Duo 1 p.m. Men’s Rugby Game 6 p.m. The Role of Buildings in Scientific Collaboration Film Aficionados Movie Night 9 p.m. Speed Dating
7 p.m. “Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter” 7:30 p.m. Swing Dance
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6 p.m. CPS Interview Speed Dating
10 p.m. Rockband in the Pub!
8 p.m. Palmetto Stuff A Bear Valentines Event
Lessons
To advertise your event with The Current, contact Current Entertainment at currententertainment@eckerd.edu
The St. Pete Sampler: Local Fun & Fine Dining Looking to keep up your New Year’s Resolutions for eatting healthier and organic? Get green with these local vegitarian cuisine spots round the ‘burg.
The Tipsy Triton: Cocktails & Mixed Drinks Harvest HighBall 1.5 oz Ketel One Citroen Vodka .5 oz Lime juice .5 oz Simple syrup (one part sugar, one part water) 2 oz Chilled ginger beer Mix and garnish with lime wedge then enjoy.
2 fluid ounces whiskey 1/2 fluid ounce sweet vermouth 1 dash bitters (optional) 1 cup ice cubes 1 maraschino cherry for garnish Mix and enjoy. Note: The beverages and recipes on this page are intended for consumption only by individuals who are 21 or older. The Current does not promote underage drinking. When combining alcoholic beverages with caffeinated beverages, it is important to be aware of the potential side-effects and limit your consumption accordingly. Drink responsibly, our friends.
photos courtesy of wikicommons
True Manhattan
A. Mezze 119 119 2nd St. N 33701 13 mins from campus Mon.-Thu. , Sun. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. 3 ½ stars $$ Beer & Wine Only
B. Leafy Greens Cafe 1431 Central Ave 33701 14 mins from campus Mon. - Tu. 11 a.m. - 7p.m. Fri. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 3 ½ stars $$ No Alcohol Served
C. Central Cafe & Organics 243 Central Ave 33701 13 mins from campus Mon.-Thu. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fri.- Sat. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 4 stars $ Beer & Wine
D. Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant 6575 Park Blvd 33781 22 mins from campus Mon. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 4 a.m. 4 ½ stars $ No alcohol served
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
Out of the EC bubble, into the world Bubble, from page 13
3. Sports league
Tampa Bay Club Sport offers leagues in many different sports for a fairly affordable price. Leagues in all of the major recreational sports are available throughout the year and the organization even offers leagues in alternative activities like bowling, cornhole and water polo. Participants can sign up as an entire team or join as a “free agent” to be placed on a team. Most leagues run weekly and are available for the St. Pete area as well as other cities like Clearwater and Tampa. Joining a recreational sport is a fun way to meet new people and have a lot of fun. ($40-110 per season, www.tampabayclubsport.com) 4. Saturday Morning Market A popular destination for Eckerd students since it began in 2002, the
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St. Pete staple has become the largest once-weekly fresh market in the southeast. Located in the Al Lang Field parking lot at the corner of 1st Street and 1st Avenue South, the market features food, produce and craft vendors along with the added entertainment value of live music during the market. Customers can expect to find the normal produce options but can also find interesting items such as handmade candy and buffalo milk cheese. (free entry, parking price varies,
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www.saturdaymorningmarket.com) 5. Science + Technology Education Innovation Center This interesting attraction is a fun place to experience science without opening a textbook. Students can enjoy many of the exhibits including a 600-gallon marine touch tank, an animal room with many different species, a planetarium and an observatory. One main attraction is the ongoing exhibit on American alligators. Students can view the animals in their plexiglass habitat and learn more about the alligator’s contributions to nature. The center offers many classes and special exhibits throughout the year as well, including movie nights, yard sales and guest speakers. ($3, www.sciencecenterofpinellas. org) No matter what your preference in activities, there are many options that can fit any budget and any personality around the St. Pete area. There are so many benefits to expanding your horizons, so venture forth and get out of the Eckerd bubble.
Entertainment 15
The dude abides; new script of cult classic By Hayden Johnson
ness, or mayhap Knaver, or mayhap El Knaverino, in the manner of the Spaniard, if brevity be not in thy soul nor wit.” He is joined by his friends Sir Walter of Poland and Sir Donald of Greece as he gets caught up in a ransom plot that started off with the soiling of his rug that really tied the room together. The script gives a new life to a film that fans have seen many times again and again. The plot will hold no new surprises for those who have seen the film, but the way in which the time, setting and language have changed will keep you occupied and intrigued. One of the best parts of “The Big Lebowski” is the many memorable lines in the film and they all translate well in this homage. The piece takes some libpromotional photo erties with adapting the story for a different time but it never steps over the line. The Knave is still a man for his I remember the first time I saw time and place who enjoys white “The Big Lebowski.” It was at a Russians and “the smoking of the cult classics night at a small non- pipe.” Sir Walter still brings up the profit theater near my hometown. war in the jungles of the Orient From that night on, the Dude’s whenever he can and Sir Donald, is ways have stuck with me in some still “as a child wandering and strutform or another. Since its success ting amidst the groundlings as a play as a cult film, The Big Lebowski is in session.” Brother Seamus this has achieved a wide range of fans. time is an actual Irish Monk, but Events such as Lebowski Fest, a Joshua Quince remains a peaderast. showing of the film along with cos “Two Gentlemen of Lebowski” tumes and bowling, as well as the religion of Dudism have shown the is a reading that I would recomDude’s influence on pop-culture. mend every fan of the original film Just like the film, I stumbled upon to sit down and take it easy with. “The Two Gentlemen of Lebows- Before reading I would definitely ki.” recommend watching the 1998 CoThe premise of Bertocci’s script hen brothers’ film. If you’ve seen it is one that any Lebowski fan can and didn’t like well, that’s like, your abide by: what if Shakespeare had opinion man. As a fun light read, written “The Big Lebowski?” What you get is your favorite famous lines the script will keep make you laugh given new life in the most perfect and find what condition your condihomage to one of the biggest cult tion is in. Even for those of you who movies of all time. The main focus believe in nothing, there is only one in the play is a character who goes thing to say about this script. The by the title of the Knave. However, Dude abides. he can also be called “His KnaveAsst. Entertainment Editor Sometimes there is a script and it’s the script for its time and place, and that’s, “Two Gentlemen of Lebowski” by Adam Bertocci.
Taking home the golden man: Oscar 2013 predictions By Hailey Escobar Quickie Editor Only a few more weeks until one of the biggest nights in Hollywood and the question on movie lovers’ minds is who will win the Oscar? Will the foreign film “Amour” sweep the awards? Or will Spielberg reign supreme? We won’t know for sure until the Awards air on Feb. 24, but The Current Staff can guess who might be screaming “Oscar” in some of the most talked about categories. Best Supporting Actress Who will probably win: Anne Hathaway in “Les Misérables” After her win at the Golden Globes for stunning, emotional portrayal of Fantine in the musical film “Les Misérables,” there has been a lot of buzz that Hathaway might be the one walking away with the Oscar. Her main competition might be Sally Field for her role in “Lincoln,” but the attention Hathaway has received for the role hints at a win. Best Supporting Actor Who will probably win: Christopher Waltz in “Django Unchained” An extremely tough category to predict since so many of its nominees are masters
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of their craft and had extraordinary performances this past year. However, of all of them, Waltz has stood out among the rest. Waltz has also won the 2010 Oscar for best supporting actor in 2010 for his role as Hans Landa in “Inglourious Basterds.” He has already snagged the Golden Globe as well for the role and it’s a good bet that he might win the Oscar as well. Best Actress Who will probably win: Jessica Chastain in “Zero Dark Thirty” Another difficult category to predict. This year’s nominees for Best Actress was talent of all ages and genres. Jessica Chastain, who made a splash in the controversial film “Zero Dark Thirty” as CIA agent Maya, has become the favorite to win. However, this category could be anyone’s game with Jennifer Lawrence being nominated a second time and newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis, the youngest nominee in Oscar history at nine, being hailed for her power house performance in “Beasts of the Southern Wild” despite her young age. Best Actor Who will probably win: Daniel Day-Lewis in “Lincoln”
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There is almost no doubt that Daniel DayLewis will walk away with the Oscar for his portrayal of President Lincoln. Lewis is nearly unrecognizable in the role and his powerful performance is what the Academy is looking for.
.Bigelow’s “Zero Dark Thirty” and Spielberg’s “Lincoln.” However, any of the films have a good chance of taking home the gold.
Best Director Who will probably win: Stephen Spielberg for “Lincoln” Despite the controversy of certain directors snubbed for this year’s awards, the question still remains. Which of the nominees the made the cut will triumph in the end? Seeing that Spielberg has received so many critical acclaims for the film, he has a really good chance at winning. However, Ang Lee’s “Life of Pi” with it’s beautiful cinematography and CGI and Benh Zeitlin’s indie favorite“Beasts of the Southern Wild” could also be major contenders. Best Picture Who will probably win: “Zero Dark Thirty” or “Lincoln” This is probably the most difficult category to predict, only rivaled by Best Actress this year. All ten films are stunning and deserve to be nominated. It’s anyone’s game, but the favorites among predictors seem to be Kathryn
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16 Entertainment
the current
Feb. 1, 2013
Gents & wenches: Gasparilla pirate fashion
By Caroline Campbell Health & Fitness Editor
Pirates invaded Gasparilla Jan. 26 for the Gasparilla Day Parade. Though the most popular fashion was inebriation, many different forms of pirate garb were seen. I have been attending this pirate festival and parade since 2006. My costumes, year after year become more detailed and authentic. This most recent Gasparilla, for inspiration, I got ready with a gaggle of other pirate wenches listening to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack while drinking rum. We snipped, layered, tore and fixed different fabrics of red and black colors. I chose to go for the pirate zombie look with sunken eyes and cheeks. To master this look, use brown, black or gray eye shadow and a blush brush. Sweep the dark eye shadow under your eyes and across your eyelids. Next, sweep the eye shadow below your cheekbones and blend. Add some more eye shadow below your jawline to create a skeletan look. I saw men and women with different variations of this creepy pirate makeup. There were some Captain Jack Sparrow look-alikes with heavy eyeliner drawn across their lower lids and out into a cat-eye line. Pirates are all about getting creative with their headgear and hairstyles. Random dreads, braids or beads in the hair add authenticity to any pirate look. Dawning your head with frayed wraps, or pirate hats help protect
the scalp from the sun. Not everyone at the Gasparilla Pirate Festival were in full pirate costume, but most people rocked some sort of skull or pirate clothing. I saw bustiers, fishnets, skull suspenders, pirate boots, scars, hooks and eye courtesy of Dominick Cuppetilli patches. Sophomores Dominick CupFor any of petilli and Tyler Tocchio collect those that boat loads of beads from floats missed this Gasduring the Gasparilla parade in parilla, there is Tampa Jan. 26. plenty of time to prepare for next year. Just remember to bring sunblock, water, your pirate attitude and your walking shoes as the full parade extends all of Bayshore Blvd. in South Tampa.
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Sunken Gardens offers tropical place to meditate By Natasha Wade-Lowis Contributing Writer
photo by Caroline Campbell
Senior Caroline Campbell uses make-up and costume pieces to achieve the perfect pirate-zombie
photo by Joe Whalen
Students wait to board the bus to Gasparilla. Buccaneers on the Skeleton Cove float throw pink beads and launch faux cannons to keep the crowd’s energy going. photo by Elizabeth Tomaselli
Viral video update: dramatic moments “A dramatic surprise on an ice-cold day” uploaded Jan. 24 by turnerbenelux
“Dramatic moment Prince Harry runs for an ice cream van during Afghanistan interview” uploaded Jan. 22 by producertom85
Tucked into a corner of downtown St. Petersburg, the lush and exotic Sunken Gardens are a gem not to be missed. Although it doesn’t seem like much from the outside, this roadside attraction has been enticing visitors like me since 1935. Immediately upon entering, I began to understand why. The moment you step through the doors you are transported to another world. The aroma of rich earth and sight of sunlight trickling through the dense canopy onto the winding walkways creates a meditative calm. As the outside world faded away to the sound of tinkling fountains, I was entranced by the jewel-like colors of tropical flowers, friendly Koi that swim up to the edge of their ponds to greet visitors, talkative Macaws and cool flamingos tanning themselves on a sandy knoll. Next, I stumbled upon the orchid arbor, which is notable because it is the only permanent display of orchids in the country. The Sunken Gardens also has accommodations for weddings and other events. As I strolled through the bougainvillea and sunflower flanked north lawn I couldn’t help but sense the aura of warmth and happiness exuded by this wonderful location. This venue would be perfect for any couple looking to tie the knot. For other events there is an Amphitheater and Oak Pavilion, as well. There are also yoga classes for $15 per class and a children’s museum called Great Expectations, making this a destination for visitors of all ages. The employees are just as happy here too. I had the opportunity to chat with Courtney Phillips, an employee of the Sunken Gardens for the past two years. “I like going out to meditate in the garden,” says Philips,”It’s a great place to unwind.” With operating hours, MondayFriday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday noon. to 4:30 p.m. and an admission fee of $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $4 for children, this is a convenient and economical way to enjoy a beautiful and memorable experience with the whole family. Sunken Gardens also has memberships available for those who fall in love with the gardens (which isn’t difficult). These annual passes are available for $35 for seniors, $40 for individuals and $50 for the whole family. The gardens are located at 1825 4th St. N.St. Petersburg, FL 33704 and the phone number is (727) 551-3102 also, rental information can be reached at (727) 5513106.
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Feb. 1, 2013
The Quickie 17
THE QUICKIE ACROSS 1 Islam’s head 6 Famous cookies 10 Not women’s 14 Protein part, with ‘acid’ 15 “The Truth About Love” 16 Skip 17 Lizard 18 Guilty or not 19 Costa __ 20 Vane direction 21 Sermon 23 Move unsteadily 25 Off-Broadway award 26 Possessive pronoun 27 Oven mitt (2 wds.) 30 New Spielburg Film 34 Relating to the ear 35 Dracula’s tooth 36 Downwind 38 Pacify 39 American Kennel Club (abbr.) 40 Texan accent 42 Kitten 43 Animal insect 44 Molecular Life and Science Center 45 Remembers 48 Last act 49 Past 50 Liability 51 Pencil remover 54 Antic 55 Professional 58 Flee 59 Persia 61 “The Jungle” author Sinclair 63 Seed pod 64 Vale 65 Palatable 66 Eye infection 67 Among 68 Forefinger Crossword by: Hailey Escobar
By
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Club Spotlight: EC Disney Pride
Hailey Escobar Quickie Editor Living at Eckerd means living only two hours from one of the happiest places on Earth: Disney World. It’s no wonder there’s a club for students with a love for Walt Disney and the magic of his parks and movies. EC Pride is a home for all Disney lovers on campus. Started by Junior Alice Frye in fall 2011, the club quickly gained the attention of students and they have already had trips to Disney World. Frye was kind enough to answer a few questions about her love of Disney and what’s to come EC Disney Pride this semester. How did the Disney club start? The Disney club started, because I have an obsession with Disney, and wanted to give people a club to share this obsession with and get to take Disney World trips and just have fun and watch
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DOWN 1 Animal house 2 Prayer ending 3 Head bug 4 Writing liquid 5 Soccer 6 New York City 7 White drink 8 Only 9 Hockey player’s skill 10 Overly (2 wds.) 11 Shine 12 Naughty or __ (what Santa checks) 13 Celebrity 22 Succor 24 And so forth 25 Opaque gem 27 Fastener 28 Outside layer 29 Corny 30 Large ponds 31 Ancient Indian 32 South American animal 33 Stairway post 35 Topple 37 Otherwise 40 East African country 41 Scold 43 Viva _______ 500 46 ABC Crime Drama 47 Maturity 48 ___ up 50 Ate 51 Tides 52 Underground part of plants 53 Unite 54 Surrealist artist 55 Posttraumatic stress disorder 56 Memorization 57 Black gem 60 Cram 62 Cooking tool
some of my favorite classic Disney movies. I basically came up with the idea that I wanted to start a club, and I was not sure it would be as popular as it has been, and was completely nervous to start the club, but it has definitely been worth it. What does the club do? In the club, we take Disneyworld [sic]trips to all Disney parks or one specific park. We have fun meetings where we talk about Disney news, movies that are coming out, and plan out events. We also, watch classic Disney movies on weekends and possibly weekdays at Eckerd, and go see Disney movies that are new. Why should students join? Students should join this club, because it is a relaxed and fun club to hang out and meet new people, go to Disney World, and also to reminisce and watch classic Disney films,
and also participate in fun events. What are some upcoming plans? Upcoming plans for this semester are to participate in Relay for Life, go to Magic Kingdom and other parks, watch a few Disney movies such as “Brave,” and possibly have a high tea like Disney princesses, and have some Disney dress-up days. Why do you think Disney is still in the hearts of so many people? I think Disney is still in the hearts of many people, because it allows us to have an escape from reality and reminisce about our childhood. Also, I kind of think that everyone still is a kid somewhere inside, and bringing that back out to the surface really allows people to just have fun without worrying about all the bad stuff that is happening in the world and whatever they are stressed about.
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The club meets once a monthWednesdays at 8 p.m. If interested, contact Alice Frye at aefrye@ eckerd.edu or visit the EC Disney Pride page on Facebook. courtesy of EC Disney Pride Above: Sarah Cannady and Danielle Buchanan enjoy a ride on It’s a Small World. Below: Sarah Cannady, Danielle Buchanan, Alice Frye, Cassandra Lyon and Benjamin Frazier meet Micky and Minnie at Disney World.
18 The Quickie
Feb. 1, 2013
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courtesy of dailyinfographic.com
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Feb. 1, 2013
Health & Fitness 19
HEALTH & FITNESS Spring into race season By Alex Zielinski Photo Editor Whether it was a New Year’s resolution, or you’re already an avid runner, finding a race to train for this spring will not be difficult. There are many Florida races coming up this semester: Feb. 10: The Rock n’ Roll Marathon Series is coming to St. Petersburg. After this half marathon, you can hang out downtown and take in music by Sean Kingston and other artists. Feb. 23: The Gasparilla Race in Tampa, includes a 5K, 8K, 15K or half marathon. The races will take place on Saturday and Sunday. After your race, you can become your inner pirate and enjoy entertainment all day. If pirates aren’t your fancy, there’s always princesses. The same weekend as The Gasparilla Race is Walt Disney World’s 5th annual Princess Half Marathon weekend. The Princess Half is a RunDisney East Coast race that’s all about the power of women. March 2: The Suncoast Classic 5K and 10K will be happening in St. Petersburg. All proceeds from the event go toward the Ronald McDonald House in Tampa. This race is good for those who like running but haven’t trained for the longer runs yet. Plus, it’s for a good cause. April 6: Eckerd College sports teams will be hosting the annual Triton Trot 5K. If you don’t feel like traveling far, this race is just steps from your dorm. Be sure to check out Eckerd’s Health Promotions office in the gym for a training schedule.
Mix it up
Devon’s Workout
Toxic
Britney Spears
Fruit, spinach and protein smoothie
Countdown Beyonce
What the Hell
By Caroline Campbell Health & Fitness Editor
Avril Levine
Milkshake Kelis
Why Don’t you Love Me Beyonce
If you’re looking for a way to eat all of your daily fruit in one quick delicious meal, try this smoothie with spinach to help maintain healthy iron levels, and plain Greek yogurt for a healthy protein supplement. Raw local honey will help reduce your seasonal allergy symptoms. Honey is also antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal.
The Archers’ Bows have Broken Brand New
Shipping up to Boston Dropkick Murphy’s
Kids
MGMT remix by Chiddy Bang
Hot n Cold Katy Perry
Upgrade Beyonce
Add ingredients to taste and throw them all into a blender (if you fill the whole blender it makes about 2 servings). • • • • • • • • • • •
Plain Greek yogurt honey pineapples blackberries mango strawberries blueberries tangerines raspberries orange juice spinach
MENU
Fruit and spinach smoothie.
Students work their way from couch to Triton Trot 5k
Good luck runners!
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From the iPod of Devon Williams
Sex on the Beach
By Caroline Campbell Health & Fitness Editor The new year means new challenges. Taking advantage of everything Eckerd has to offer should be a priority on everyone’s to-do list. Eckerd and Fit2Run-Saint Petersburg are working together to provide students with a free 5k training program beginning 5:30 p.m., Jan. 31, at the local Fit2Run at 256 2nd St. North. Students who attend the kickoff will receive a discount that evening on any Fit2Run purchases. The actual 5k training will begin at the GO Pavilion Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. The training will continue every Tuesday and Thursday until the Triton Trot 5k on Saturday, April 6. The workouts at the GO Pavillion will last about 30 minutes and the coaches will encourage you to do a third workout on your own time. A training schedule will be provided. It is not necessary to attend every meeting over the nine weeks, but you are encouraged to train as much as possible.
Libido blues By Caroline Campbell Health & Fitness Editor Male and female sexual impotence is not a common problem among college students, but external and internal influences can still have a negative effect on your sex drive. Here are four foes of the libido according to www.bodyandsoul.com.au: 1. Alcohol: apparently, drinking more than four glasses of alcohol per week can suppress a woman’s libido because alcohol mimics estrogen. This mimic can hinder ovulation, which is the period in which a woman’s sex drive peaks.
April 14: Iron Girl Event Series by Athleta will be hosting a half marathon and 5K in Clearwater. Just like the Princess Half, Iron Girl’s mission is to empower women and encourage a healthy lifestyle. May 4: RunDisney’s Expedition Everest Challenge will lead teams of two a through a 5k course filled with obstacles in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, followed by a scavenger hunt with clues collected during the race. In total, the race is more around a 10K. After this night race, finishers are allowed to party in the park until 3 a.m. Fun Fact: This race will be the second night race I have done with Disney, and will help push me one step closer to completing all the RunDisney night races. But more on that later.
photo by Caroline Campbell
courtesy of Triton Trot Facebook Runners at Triton Trot 2011.
CEC schedule change The CEC is changing its schedule beginning Friday, Feb. 1. It will now close Fridays after lunch and reopen Sunday evenings for dinner. Bon Appetit assessed student usage during the weekend of the CEC last semester and the number was very low.
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2. Television and other distractions or detractors in the bedroom: having the TV on during foreplay or sex hardly sets a romantic mood. A bedroom full of dirty laundry, dirty bed linens, computers, exercise equipment and harsh lighting can all distract your sexual partner, or you from the passionate action at hand. 3. A poor diet, including sugary or processed foods, negatively affects your hormones, glands and organs. 4. Lack of exercise: by not working out regularly, serotonin (happy chemical) levels decrease. Exercise encourages healthy blood flow in the body which helps pump blood through our happy places, increasing sexual performance.
Many healthy foods are not only good for your heart and future wellbeing, but they are also friends of your libido. Here are some libido friendly foods: 1. Green Leafy Vegetables: the vitamin E in these vegetables helps boost the release of the major sex hormones. The manganese helps produce estrogen for women, and zinc helps sperm production for men. 2. Seafood: fish is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids which helps boost your metabolism. Seafood also helps increase dopamine levels (another happy hormone). The Vitamin B in sea creatures is responsible for fertility. Oysters are the richest source of zinc. 3. Dark chocolate: the phenethylamine present in dark chocolate helps keep your body relaxed and happy, increasing your serotonin levels. 4. Bananas: an enzyme named Bromelain helps boost the male libido, while the present B vitamins help increase your body’s energy level and sex hormones. 5. Celery: a present substance in celery is called andosterone, which is an aphrodisiac in male perspiration (odorless). 6. Avocados: the high levels of folic acid in avocados help increase male and female libido. The vitamin B6 present is also a powerful hormone regulator. **Sex on the Beach has moved to Health and Fitness. Please sumbit any ideas to currenthealth@eckerd.edu
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
Hardcore parkour By Giuliana Grossi Contributing Writer
freerun because it’s the way I release stress and clear my mind,” he said. “It’s also a great workout. Running is boring and I hate lifting weights. Freerunning changes every day. You can go to the same place every day and have a different experience.” Parkour was initially developed as a training program for the French military. When the body performs a sequence of physical obstacles, the brain stores the motor movements. Each time a person repeats the course, muscle memory advances, which improves spatial skills. The activity gained a following with civilians when two men from France, Sebastien Foucan and David Belle, began imitating
If walking or running gets boring, maybe you should look into the sport of freerunning. Freerunning and parkour may be based on the body’s fundamental abilities and physical growth, but many participants believe in these sports’ abilities to transform one’s life. Senior Joel Barnes said, “Freerunning made me see the world differently. I see all obstacles as new pathways. There are no obstacles.” This isn’t just a hobby for many freerunners or traceurs (those who partake in parkour), it’s a way of life. Parkour and freerunning are sports that have been growing in popularity for the past 20 years. The idea of parkour is to move your body from one point to another in the quickest way possible. In contrast, the goal of a freerunner is to move creatively along a path, rather than a direct route. Barnes is a freerunner who flips his way across campus in his spare time. During his sophomore year, Barnes started a group on campus to practice his techniques and get together with other students who shared an interest in the hobby. Barnes takes time to train freerunners and traceurs at any skill level. Barnes came to Eckerd to study marine biology, but his love for adventure extended further than his studies. “I Joel Barnes at National Jam in Denver, 2009.
country shenanigans were an established sport until an onlooker mentioned the terminology while he and his friends were doing acrobatics at a local park. Barnes began practicing the sport using freerunning tutorials on YouTube. His friends would get together, exchange techniques and teach each other their newfound moves. Freerunning is an activity that can be experienced with others but it’s also very personal. The sport can serve a different purpose for each person. Whether you freerun for exercise, endurance, discipline, creativity, entertainment or something else, it’s a sport that is physically and mentally beneficial. In an out of control world, total control of your own body and its movements provokes to some, a sense of peace. The life lessons instilled in freerunners and traceurs might be subjective to each individual, but it’s bound together by a common thread of overcoming obstacles. “That’s part of the philosophy of freerunning,” said Barnes. “Everything has its own interesting part about it. It’s the ultimate form of true expression and freedom.” If you are interested in learning more about parkour contact Joel Barnes courtesy of Joel Barnes at jabarnes@eckerd.edu.
the training programs. Foucan and Belle became the founders of freerunning and parkour. These sports are now practiced internationally. “The academy aims to convey my experience of movement and instill in you the confidence that comes with selfdevelopment,” Foucan said on his freerunning webpage (foucan. com). “The fitter and more able you become physically, the more well-being you will experience.” Barnes got into freerunning while doing high school crosscountry. He and his friends would turn a three-mile practice run into a one-mile obstacle course, jumping over fences or anything in their path. Barnes didn’t realize his cross-
Snack savvy for the Super Bowl By Elizabeth Brophy Asst. Health & Fitness Editor
The Super Bowl offers a great opportunity to get together with friends and family, cook some great food and watch football. Typical Super Bowl food is all American: wings, chips and dip, nachos, etc. Unfortunately, although junk food is a tradition, your body treats it just like it would any other day. For those trying to eat healthy, that means possibly havphoto courtesy flickr/ Bitslammer ing to pass on some of those goodies. We’ve dug up some great healthy versions of classic Hot wings. Super Bowl recipes that taste delicious but Directions: won’t leave you with a junk food hangover the Make the dip: next day. 1. Pulse the yogurt, blue cheese, mayonnaise, garlic, milk and lemon juice in a food Baked buffalo wings with blue cheese processor until combined but still chunky. yogurt dip (via the Food Network/ Mi2. Season with salt and pepper. chelle Buffardi) 3. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Ingredients: Make the wings: 1 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. For the dip: 2. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cook3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt ing spray. 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese 3. Put the chicken wings in a deep skillet; 2 tbsp mayonnaise add 3 pieces of celery, 3 pieces of carrot, bay 1 small clove garlic, chopped leaves, chicken broth, hot sauce, paprika, but1 tbsp skim milk or buttermilk ter, honey and 1/2 cup water and bring to a Juice of 1/2 lemon simmer over medium heat. Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 4. Simmer until the chicken is almost For the wings: cooked through, about 18 minutes. Cooking spray, for the baking sheet 5. Transfer the wings to the prepared bak3 pounds chicken wings, split at the joints, ing sheet and arrange in a single layer; reserve tips removed the sauce in the skillet. 4 stalks celery, cut into thirds 6. Bake the wings, turning once, until the 4 carrots, cut in half skin is golden and crisp, 30 to 35 minutes. 2 bay leaves 7. Meanwhile, simmer the reserved sauce 1 cup fat-free low-sodium chicken broth over medium-low heat until slightly thick1 cup Frank’s Red Hot sauce (or 1/2 cup ened, about 15 minutes. other hot sauce) 8. Discard the celery, carrot and bay leaves. 2 tbsp paprika Reserve one-quarter of the sauce for serving. 2 tbsp unsalted butter 9. Return the wings to the skillet and toss 1 tbsp honey with the remaining sauce.
10. Serve the wings with the blue cheese dip and reserved sauce; cut the remaining celery and carrot into sticks to serve on the side. Baked mozzarella sticks (via SkinnyTaste) Ingredients: 12 sticks part-skim, reduced sodium mozzarella string cheese 1 large egg, beaten 2 tbsp flour 5 tbsp Italian seasoned breadcrumbs 5 tbsp panko crumbs 2 tsp parmesan cheese 1 tbsp dried parsley olive oil cooking spray Directions: 1. Cut cheese in half to give you 24 pieces. Place cheese in the freezer until cheese is frozen. 2. In small bowl, whisk the egg. Place the flour on another small dish. 3. In separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, panko, parmesan cheese and dried parsley. 4. Dip the frozen sticks in flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg, then coat with the crumbs. Repeat this process with the remaining cheese placing them on a tray with wax paper. 5. Place cheese back into the freezer until ready to bake (this is a must or they will melt before the crumbs get golden. 6. When ready to bake preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray with oil. 7. Place frozen cheese sticks on baking sheet. Spray the tops of the mozzarella sticks with a little more oil and bake in the bottom third of your oven until crisp, about 4 to 5 minutes. 8. Turn and bake an additional 4 to 5 minutes, watching them closely so they don’t
Cait’s Cookin’: Deviled Eggs
By Cait Duffy News Editor When I was in high school, I loved to say that patience was a virtue, and one I didn’t have. Whether it was sitting down to complete research for projects or taking time to practice my violin, I was frustrated by the inability to see the end result immediately. As a result, McDonald’s and microwaves made my life a dream when I got to college. I could have almost any delicious meal prepared instantly, so long as it was freeze dried, pre-packaged or pre-made. Of course, most foods meeting those merits are stuffed full of preservatives and chemicals, or heavily grain based. Patience was a virtue that I began to learn with my introduction to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet following a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis, then Crohn’s disease, just months after my junior year. Suddenly, every meal was made from scratch, and it took patience and practice to make it taste good. One of the benefits of cooking for yourself is controlling the quantity you prepare, and this can be especially beneficial with finger foods. Though they take a bit of time to prepare, deviled eggs can be an exotic and luxurious afternoon snack, providing energy from natural protein. Ingredients: 6 eggs 1 tbsp dijon mustard 3 tbsp mayonnaise 3 stalks of celery 1/2 tsp creamy horseradish Ground black pepper Salt Paprika Directions: 1. Place eggs in a medium sized pot, covering with 2 inches of cold water. 2. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and slowly bring water to a boil. 3. Let boil for one minute, then remove pot from heat and let sit, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes. 4. Remove eggs from pot, let cool for 30 minutes, then place in fridge overnight. 5. Slice eggs in half vertically. 6. Carefully scoop yolks into a mixing bowl and place whites on a plate. 7. Add Mayonnaise, mustard and horseradish to yolks. 8. Mix together, then add salt and pepper to taste. 9. Scoop yolk mixture into the egg whites. 10. Sprinkle with paprika. 11. Use the celery for leftover yolk mixture; chop stalks into small chutes and spread the mixture on. 12. Place on a plate, and enjoy! If refrigerated, these snacks should stay good for up to 5 days. Makes 12 deviled eggs.
photo by Cait Duffy Deviled eggs and celery.
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the current
Feb. 1, 2013
Sports 21
SPORTS INSIDE SPORTS
Students look to hook catch of a lifetime
Good Vibes
By Davis Nunnely Contributing Writer
Coach Mathews Back Cover
With so many on-campus activities such as renting kayaks or paddle boards, going wakeboarding or swimming off of the Waterfront dock, it’s easy to forget about fishing. But Senior Michael Gabriele, who has been fishing here since 2009, believes that’s a mistake. “Eckerd College is situated on a world renown fishery, Tampa Bay,” Gabriele said. “From a fisherman’s perspective, we are so blessed to be right where we are. We are near the mouth of the Bay, and that makes this location even better. We have grass beds, docks, oyster beds, a deep channel and sea walls, which all attract fish. There is no need to leave Eckerd campus to catch a variety of fish, big fish or even the fish of a lifetime.” With water touching our campus from the Waterfront all the way to Lewis House, Eckerd has plenty of good fishing spots like the seawall, the Waterfront dock, and the pier at Galbraith. “In my opinion the best spots are the pier, The waterfront and the grass beds between the south beach pavilion and Zeta beach,” Gabriele explains. Another one of Eckerd’s star
fishermen, Ben McCarron, finds the obscure fishing spots. “You can even catch some nice fish in the ponds. Where to go really depends on the conditions of the day. If you want you can get a kayak from the waterfront and paddle out to the flats around Indian Key or to the first Skyway.” Kayaks and fishing poles are available for rent at the Waterfront, but you must be able to present a Florida State Fishing License that you can buy from any Walmart in Florida. Students have reported catching many different species on campus including trout, redfish, snook, cobia, Spanish mackerel, lizardfish, ladyfish, catfish and even sharks and stingrays. McCarron has caught them all, including plenty of sharks. “I’ve caught sharks. Atlantic
sharpnose, black tips, bonnet heads, hammerheads, these are usually 2 to 4 feet. I’ve seen bull sharks pushing 7 feet in places where kids swim, but I’ve never caught one.” What’s the best way to learn how to catch the big fish around cam-
To get started, however, you’ll need a few things. Obviously, you’ll need a pole, which can be rented at the Waterfront, and you’ll need to decide whether you want to use bait or lures. With a cast net you can catch mullet, greenbacks, or pinfish off the Galbraith pier or the sea wall. Eckerd students have caught several different types of fish using many variations of bait near the pier and Lewis House. If you don’t want to fish with bait, you can buy a lure from Walmart, which seems to work just as well if not better. “There is a time and place for lures,” Gabriele said. “If you want the best results from those top waters and subsurface lures, then fish morning and late evening when fish are more active on the surface. Wade in between Zeta Beach and South Beach and try to find some pockets of trout, reds, or an occasional snook.” McCarron says the simplest way to catch fish is to use shrimp on a plain hook. “Just cast them off the sea wall or the docks and let them sink naturally. Sunrise and sunset are good courtesy of Michael Gabriele but you can catch fish just Gabriele shows off a catch. as easy during the day.” pus? Ask some of your friends who fish, or the people you see walking around campus with a pole, and they will almost always have some helpful tips. “The guys that you should ask for advice are the ones that you see fishing on a regular basis. Those guys have put time in on the water, and they know a thing or two. Ask me for advice and I’ll help in any way that I can,” offers Gabriele. The senior is often on the pier, and always willing to help.
Baseball season brings high expectations for Tritons By Will Creager Asst. Sports Editor The Eckerd baseball team is looking to improve upon a disappointing year in the upcoming 2013 season. The team started the 2012 season well, rolling to a seven-game winning streak from Feb. 16 to March 3, improving their record to a seasonbest 11-4. However, as they quickly cooled off and lost their next six
2013 Eckerd baseball conference schedule 2/22 v. Florida Tech 7 p.m. 2/23 v. Florida Tech (DH) 1 p.m. 3/8 @ Fla. Southern 6 p.m. 3/9 @ Fla. Southern (DH) 1 p.m. 3/15 v. NSU 7 p.m. 3/16 v. NSU (DH) 1 p.m. 3/28 @ Rollins College 6 p.m. 3/29 @ Rollins College (DH) noon 4/5 @ Lynn University 3 p.m. 4/6 @ Lynn University (DH) noon 4/12 v. Saint Leo 7 p.m. 4/13 v. Saint Leo (DH) 1 p.m. 4/19 @ Tampa 6 p.m. 4/20 @ Tampa (DH) noon 5/5 v. Barry University (DH) 5 p.m. 5/6 v. Barry University 6 p.m. Games denoted with (DH) are doubleheader contests
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games, including getting swept in a tightly matched three-game series at Barry University, their first conference games of the season. The series at Barry, which took place March 9 and 10, was a frustrating one for the Tritons, who were trying to make a message to the rest of the conference after the preseason poll had them predicted to finish in last place. They lost all three games by a combined four runs. Eckerd had the lead in the 7th inning or later in each of the first two games. Eckerd finished the season with a 19-28 record, including a 3-18 mark in Sunshine State Conference play. It was yet another last place season for the Tritons in one of the toughest conferences in Division II. However, the season wasn’t all bad. According to Head Coach Bill Mathews, the Tritons’ strengths last season were their starting pitching and their experience. The one player who contributed the most to both of those aspects was Joe Cuda. Cuda entered the 2012 season as a bona fide ace, having won the 2011 Sunshine State Conference Pitcher of the Year as a junior. He had yet another great season this past year, leading the Tritons’ staff with six wins, 86.1 innings pitched, 114 K’s and a 2.92 ERA while walking just 14 batters.
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His consistent excellence over the past two years was rewarded in June, when he was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals organization in the 27th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Cuda then went on to make 13 starts for the Batavia Muckdogs, the Cardinals’ Class Short-Season A minor league team. He went 7-1 in 60.2 innings, striking out 53 batters while walking just 11. “Personally, I feel that the transition was a wonderful new experience,” Cuda said. “Like any new transition there was an adjustment period, but overall I couldn’t have imagined a better first year. I am really lucky to be a part of a great organization with so many quality people.” The Tritons are definitely going to miss both Cuda’s talents on the mound and his leadership this season. Said Mathews “You don’t replace Joe Cuda, you just try to get better without his presence and leadership.” Cuda isn’t the only talented player that the Tritons will be losing. In addition, there were 12 other seniors on the team last year. According to Mathews, “It was the largest group we ever graduated and the deepest class in terms of overall talent.” To help soften the blow, the Tritons added 12 new freshman to the roster this season. Seven of
them are pitchers while the other five are position players, and Mathews has high expectations from them and thinks they will all be key contributors this season. Mathews also expects two returning players to have breakout seasons this year: starting pitcher Jordan Huchro and infielder/ designated hitter Lee Spinelle. Huchro appeared in 16 games and made 11 starts in 2012, his junior season. He posted a 3-5 record with a 4.58 ERA, striking out 45 batters in 57 innings pitched. Spinelle, who was also in his junior season last year, hit .283 with 14 doubles, three homers and 25 RBI. He started all 47 of Eckerd’s games, getting playing time at first base, third base and designated hitter. Eckerd’s 2013 season gets started on Feb. 2, with a home double header against Warner University. They start conference play on Feb. 22-23 with a three-game home series against Florida Tech. This should be an exciting season for the Tritons. Mathews sees the team being better this season with a deeper roster. “The improvements will be with better depth throughout the pitching staff and our ability to hit from 1 through 9... the lineup will be dramatically improved.”
Basketball
23 Back Cover
Barrows’s success drives sailing team in bid for water supremacy By Davis Nunnely Contributing Writer For years, the sailing team has been known as one of the most prestigious sports on campus. Of all the sailors that the team recruits, it was lucky to land Sophomore Seth Barrows. At only 12, Barrows learned how to sail at East Hampton Town Sailing Program. “I started on a JY 15;. It stands for a 15 foot boat,” Barrows says. As he gained years in his life, and experience in the boat, Barrows began working at the East Hampton Town Sailing Program five years ago, and is now an instructor, teaching the classes that he learned how to sail in not eight years ago. Before coming to Eckerd, Barrows had never sailed competitively, and soon found out that the new form of sailing came with a learning curve. “[Seth] is constantly asking questions and trying to improve,” says sailing team Captain Emily Mitchell. “The biggest thing I have learned is there are so many little parts to sailing that it can really effect your race. It’s not just about trimming the mane, its about the little details.” The sailing season is divided into two different kinds of racing. The fall is fleet sailing, or individual racing, and the spring is team racing. “I like fleet racing, but team racing is fun because I’m still learning.” And learning seems to be what Seth enjoys most about the sport. In early September, the sailing team went to Rollins College for a Southpoint Series. “I placed second over all out of twelve boats, and as a team we won all of the South Point Series.” Barrows’s impressive racing earned him the title of Athlete of the Week. It is no doubt that Barrows is a force on the Eckerd College sailing team, and he doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon. After college, he plans on continuing to teach sailing and sail competitively.
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22 Sports
the current
Feb. 1, 2013
Eckerd Scoreboard Men’s Basketball
(EC) Mack 24 points, 7 rebounds (EC) Brunner 17 points, 12 rebounds
1/12 @ Florida Tech W 80-76 (EC) Mack 21 points, 6 steals (EC) Taylor 14 points, 6 assists
1/23 v. Saint Leo University W 61-57 (OT) (EC) Mack 22 points, 9 rebounds (EC) Stevenson 14 points, 9 rebounds
1/16 @ #20 Florida Southern L 93-82 (EC) Mack 24 points, 16 rebounds (EC) Bodney 14 points, 4 rebounds
1/26 @ Palm Beach Atlantic Uni. W 68-60 (EC) Moody 16 points, 2 steals (EC) Brunner 12 points, 2 blocks
1/19 v. Barry University W 75-63
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Friday
Women’s Basketball 1/12 @ Florida Tech L 62-48 (EC) Vente 16 points, 4 rebounds (EC) Bestry 12 points, 3 rebounds 1/16 @ Florida Southern W 54-39 (EC) Vente 12 points, 10 rebounds (EC) Thomas 12 points, 5 rebounds 1/19 v. Barry University W 72-68
2
Saturday
3
Sunday
4
Monday
1/26 @ Palm Beach Atlantic Uni. W 62-51 (EC) Charles 18 points, 11 rebounds (EC) Buccilla 15 points, 3 steals
5
Tuesday
6
Wednesday
7
Thursday
Softball v. Southeastern Women’s and men’s University (DH) 5 p.m. basketball @ Nova Southeastern UniverBaseball v. Clearwater sity 5:30/7:30 p.m. Christian College 7 p.m. Baseball @ Webber International University 6 p.m.
Softball @ Ave Maria University (DH) 1 p.m.
Women’s and men’s basketball v. Rollins College 2/4 p.m.
Softball v. Georgia College & State University/ Colorado Christian University 3/5:30 p.m.
1/23 v. Saint Leo University L 53-47 (EC) Thomas 20 points, 5 rebounds (EC) Charles 4 points, 6 rebounds
Sunshine State Conference opponents in bold
Sports Calendar Baseball v. Warner University noon
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(EC) Bestry 19 points, 3 assists (EC) Charles 16 points, 15 rebounds
9
10
Softball v. Columbus State University/Palm Beach Atlantic University 11 a.m./1:30 p.m.
Softball v. Lindenwood University/Lynn University 9/11:30 a.m.
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12
13
Baseball @ Saint Leo University 6 p.m.
Women’s basketball @ University of Tampa 5:30 p.m.
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Men’s basketball @ Univeristy of Tampa 7:30 p.m.
Women’s and men’s basketball v. Florida Tech 2/4 p.m.
Sports Briefly
Eckerd
National
Sunshine State tops in Academic Success Rate
Braves solidify outfield through free agency
Division II College Athletics often finds itself unheralded and ignored by most recruits. Even so, a study by the NCAA recently found that in terms of academic success, the Sunshine State Conference, of which Eckerd is a part, topped the list of Division II conferences with an 86 percent student success rate. Each member school also had one more benefit, at least one sport from each of the SSC’s 10 member schools held a perfect academic success rate. Softball was that sport at Eckerd.
Before the start of Spring Training, the Atlanta Braves have improved their outfield by adding the Upton brothers. The two Uptons have not played on the same team in the majors and were in different leagues last year. The Uptons solidify what has been called the best outfield in the National League along with 2010 Rookie of the Year, Gold Glove winner Jason Heyward. The Braves look to improve upon a season that saw them bow out of the playoffs after losing a play-in game to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Alum re-signs with Rays farm team
Super Bowl XLVII set for New Orleans
Eckerd graduate Craig Albernaz (‘05) has been re-signed by the Tampa Bay Rays. Since 2006, Albernaz has worked through the system ascending to AAA Durham, one level below the majors. He has an average success rate in throwing out baserunners averaging a 41 percent success rate over seven seasons. Accompanying his new deal is an invite to Major League Spring Training in Charlotte County, Fla. The Rays first spring training game is Feb. 23 against Pittsburgh.
The NFL’s championship game is set to pit the John Harbough led Baltimore Ravens against his brother Jim’s San Francisco 49ers. The Ravens are led by a balanced offensive attack featuring quarterback Joe Flacco and All-Pro runningback Ray Rice. The 49ers have adapted well this season after the benching of starting quarterback Alex Smith in favor of Colin Kaepernick. Kaepernick has led the offense since a Monday night matchup against the Chicago Bears in November, defeating the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons en route to the franchise’s Super Bowl appearance.
Darren Mack repeats as Player of the Week While students were at home or traveling over Winter Term, the men’s basketball team did not rest. The best of the team was Senior Darren Mack, who was named the Sunshine State Conference’s Player of the Week in back to back weeks early in January. Mack clinched the honor by shooting 65 percent against then 20th ranked University of Tampa. Since his honors, Mack has led the Tritons in scoring by a margin of 30 points over his nearest teammate.
photo by Bill Stickley Junior Amy Buccilla finds a hole in the defense during the Tritons win over Barry, Jan. 19.
Winning Shots Submit your fan photos to currentsports@eckerd.edu for a chance to see them featured in future issues of The Current.
Duke struggling in ACC play After beating 3 of the preseason top 5 teams and quickly ascending to a number 1 national ranking, the Duke Blue Devils have fallen onto hard times with the start of conference play. Coach K’s squad first fell to the Wolfpack of North Carolina State. The Blue Devils lost again to the Miami Hurricanes in a blowout. At press time, Duke had fallen to fifth in the rankings. photo by Alex Zielinski Senior Woody Taylor (10) helped lead the Triton men to an overtime win over St.Leo, Jan. 23.
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the current
Feb 1, 2013
Sports 23
Good vibes: your action sports source By Dominick Cuppetilli Asst. Sports Editor
Putting down the ball, picking up the mic for a good cause By Mike Geibel Sports Editor With so many students abroad or home for Winter Term, I didn’t have much of a chance to join up with a specific team on campus for this issue’s column. While that seems like it could be a bad thing for a column that relies on telling the tale of my experiences in each sport, I think of it another way. I get an opportunity this issue to talk about an event that I had the chance to be a part of which means much more than the sports we love. Back in December, before finals week began, I got the chance to MC for the “Pause for a Cause” fundraiser event to benefit the Cesar Odio Leukemia Fund. I’ve worked on a microphone before, performing at comedy nights on campus, MC at events and even spending a few years hosting bar trivia nights back home. I felt comfortable speaking in front of crowds and that feeling was only made easier by the excellent cast of help that I had around me. The athletics department, and specifically the terrific guidance of Coach Tom Ryan helped me with an idea of things to announce and a general schedule. ECOS executive vice president Eliza Van Dissel was instrumental in planning and executing the event, as well. The event raised money for
Barry basketball head coach Cesar Odio who was diagnosed with leukemia. It was truly a great sight to witness so many Eckerd athletes, coaches, students and other members of the community come out to support the event. The games were all fun and the giveaways were great, but in the end it was all out of support for another human being that the event went so well. Odio is a friend of several members of the Eckerd community, including Ryan. The show of support for a coach that many had only seen as an opponent during basketball games against Barry was extraordinary and the event featured several opportunities to donate to the cause. Several more events are already being planned including the Spring Fun-lympics which will put clubs and organizations of Eckerd against each other in modified, Olympicstyle events. Proceeds from these events will also benefit the cause. As far as my involvement in the “Pause for a Cause,” it was a great experience and one that I can be proud to be involved in. It is always fun to be handed a microphone and given the freedom to walk into the stands and chat with the attendees while announcing the games. Be sure to look out for any future events and get involved in this great cause.
The Mavericks Invitational, one of the most extreme competitions in the athletic world, concluded with Peter Mel standing atop the podium. The competition began back in late December and continued on until mid January. This surf competition is an invitation only contest in which only the most elite surfers ride the Mavericks. Mavericks is the series of waves that occur in winter off the shore of Half Moon Bay, mid-way up the California coastline. According to mavericksinvitational.com, the name “Mavericks” came from the dog of one of the original riders to surf the waves. Typically Maverick (the dog) would swim out with his owner, but the surf was so big that the dog had to be tied up to the car on shore. Thus the waves were dubbed Mavericks. Back then, only a small group of pioneer surfers knew about Mavericks and of those who knew, only a select few dared to ride them. Now they are an internationally known surf spot. Still only those experienced enough in big wave surfing try to attempt these monsters. Although Mavericks is not consistent every winter in the way they act, waves have been measured to be in between 50-60 feet in their crest height according to mavericksinvitational.com. No matter if the waves are 15 feet or 50, they are always an intense ride, and have taken many lives. One of the earliest deaths, and most famous, came to Mark Foo in 1994.
Because of the inconsistency of these massive waves, the Mavericks Invitational cannot be competed in every year. Sometimes the waves don’t show up, and sometimes conditions are just too monstrous to ride in. So, Mavericks riders must be ready to travel at the drop of a hat to compete. The first competition was held in 1999, although the contest has not been completed every year. Fortunately, 2012/2013 brought a steady enough swell of moderate waves for the competition to happen. Mel finished at the top of each of his heats in the bracket, before finishing first in the whole thing. Behind him came Zach Wormhoudt, followed by Greg Long. Just off the podium was Alex Martins in fourth, Mark Healey in fifth, and Shawn Dollar in sixth. According to surfermag.com, before the final heat started, the competitors all agreed to split the $50,000 purse. Australia’s largest cable wakeboard and wakeskate contest, Liquid Force Boardstock, also happened mid January at Cables Wake Park Penrith. The weekend event was packed full of events in both wakeboard and wakeskate areas, divided into many age brackets as well. The first event was the Wakelife Riders Cup, where many of the major wakeboard brands competed as teams where riders accumulate points for their respective team. Brands included CWB, Slingshot, Ronix, Byerly, CTRL, and of course Liquid Force. Team Liquid Force International came in first, followed by Liquid Force Australia and Byerly behind them. In the rest of the competition,
15-year-old Liquid Force Rider Daniel Grant dominated in both wakeskate and wakeboard events. He stood on top of the podium in all four wakeskate events (King of Kicker, Double Up 2 Tower Challenge, Rail Jam, and the Triple 1), and in the wakeboard division also took first in the Double Up 2 Tower Challenge, second in the Triple 1 Challenge, and third in the Rail Jam. The Double Up 2 Tower Challenge was centered around a quarter pipe along with a double sided kicker and flat bar. The King of Kicker was simply best trick on the kicker, as well as the Rail Jam being best trick on the rail setup. The Triple 1 was an all around competition at the park. Besides Grant hogging most spots on the podium, other highlights included Mitch Langfield landing a new trick called the strait jacket winning the King of Kicker and taking the top spots in the Rail Jam and Quarter Pipe Challenge, Sophie Hogben killing the women’s pro division of the Double Up 2 Tower to take first, and Guy Carter scoring first in the amateur men’s Rail Jam. In other wakeboarding news, Liquid Force’s star rider Phil Soven has removed himself from the team. Soven announced on Twitter and Instagram that he has decided to part ways from his long time supporter. His twitter read, “After 17 years I have decided to part ways from Liquid Force to pursue other future ventures. Thanks for everything Tony and Jimmy.” He has not released anything about future plans, but intends to announce his next aims in the weeks to come.
courtesy of Wikicommons/ Shalom Jacobovitz Big wave surfing at Mavericks.
Swedish influence adds diversity of talent to men’s golf team By Bobby Taggart Contributing Writer Another season of golf has passed, with veterans graduating and new faces to the Eckerd men’s golf team. One face that stands out in particular is Freshman Johan Wahlberg from Stockholm, Sweden. Wahlberg, the son of Mats and Anita Wahlberg, also has an older sister, Rosanna, and an older brother, Fredrik. Wahlberg helped his high school golf squad, Fredrika Bremergymnasiet, place fifth at the Swedish National Championship, coached by Viktor Gustausson. His career-low is a round of 64 at the Tyreso Golf Course in 2011. “I heard about Eckerd College through an agency for students who wanted to study abroad. They helped me contact all the schools and golf coaches for me,” said Wahl-
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berg. Wahlberg was just another European kid who wanted to come to America to play golf and study as an international business major. “I had been to America once prior to coming to Eckerd. My family and me went on vacation to Orlando and also visited Ft. Lauderdale in the same trip,” said Wahlberg. It seems the weather may have played a big factor in his decision to attend college in the sunshine state. “Well it’s a big difference from back home, it’s a lot warmer and doesn’t snow here, enough said. The weather was definitely a big reason why I chose Florida.” Wahlberg’s decision to come to Eckerd was a late choice. “I made my final decision to come here pretty late, so it didn’t really cross my mind on what I was going to expect.” Johan chose Eckerd over North Carolina, Wesleyan University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. The towering 6-foot-5 freshman wasted no time making a name for himself in the fall. Wahlberg played in all four tour-
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naments this fall for the Tritons and has put on a heck of a performance so far. His 75.83 scoring average so far this year is nothing to overlook, especially for a freshman with no college golf experience. “I enjoy it so far, there are a couple minor differences from what I’m used to. Here in the U.S., we play thirty-six holes without a break, back home we get an hour between the 18 holes. I enjoy every single one of the guys on the team. The boys are a lot of fun to be around; we got a good group of guys and great team chemistry.” Wahlberg is one of two students on the golf team from another country. Lewis Bickerton is from the Canary Islands, Spain. Another person who has had the opportunity to get to know Wahlberg is veteran teammate Junior Jeff Evanier. Evanier has been one of Wahlberg’s roommates when the team has been on the road for tournaments. “He’s adjusted to living in the states on his own pretty well. He’s got the poten-
tial to be a great player. Johan’s a quiet kid, great golfer and a nice guy,” said Evanier. His golf game has clearly shown so far that nerves don’t seem to faze him at all. “Yeah I used to get nervous in the beginning, but I’ve learned that the more tournaments you play in, the easier it gets to relax on the course.” Wahlberg’s best performance throughout his campaign was at the Guy Harvey Invitational hosted by NSU (Nova Southeastern University) in Palm Beach Gardens, the most competitive tournament of the fall. The Swede fired a 72, 76 and a final round of one under par (71), leaving the tournament finishing tied for 15. His performance also helped the Tritons place in the top five for the tournament. Wahlfberg is already making noise in arguably the best conference in Division II golf and it is only his first year. The focus level will be the key for the Swede’s success throughout his career at Eckerd. The talent is clearly there.
The Official Student Newspaper of Eckerd College
Sports
Feb. 1, 2013
Men's, women's basketball get key wins in January games By Mike Geibel Sports Editor
W
hile much of the Eckerd population was scattered across the globe or spending time at home, the men's and women's basketball teams were busy battling conference foes around the Sunshine State Conference. Both teams navigated through the past month of games with records of .500 or better and continue to push toward the top of their conference rankings. From the end of December until the beginning of February, the Eckerd men have tallied a 7-2 record including a current 3 game win streak. The men have not lost at home since a five point fall to Nova Southeastern Jan. 5. The current streak includes key wins over Barry and St. Leo at home and a road victory at Palm Beach Atlantic. Before the streak, the Tritons also notched a big victory over then-ranked
Tampa in the McArthur Center. The men have about a month remaining in the regular season consisting of all SSC games leading up to the conference and national tournaments. The Triton men have been getting support and contributions on the court from many different sides, including a strong class of freshmen who have recently found their stride and helped the team in their win streak. The recent home game against St. Leo drew a strong fan base to the McArthur center to see the Tritons compete against a team who beat the University of Miami in an exhibition game earlier in the year. Miami recently beat then No. 1 Duke by 27 points. The overtime finish was highly contested by both teams, with the Tritons pulling out the victory in the final seconds with clutch free throw shooting. On the women's side, the Tritons have rattled off some thrilling victories both at home and away. Most notably, the women took down the University of Tampa just before the men completed the
sweep of the team. In an impressive offensive show againt Barry, the women knocked down eight three pointers before halftime. The women shot close to fifty percent from the field on the night and four Tritons were perfect from the free throw line. Recently, the women boasted a free throw percentage that earned them sixth rank nationally in the statistic. The men and the women combined for two thrilling sweeps during winter term in front of the home crowd. Both Barry University and the University of Tampa were swept at the McArthur Center only ten days apart. Both the men's and women's Tampa teams were nationally ranked at the time, making the sweep even more exciting when considering the conference standing stipulatios. As of Jan. 28, the men held an overall record of 11-4 and were in fourth place in the conference with an SSC record of 4-3. The women also have a 4-3 conference record, good enough for fifth place, and hold an overall record of 8-7.
photo by Bill Stickley Junior McLeod (33) dominates the rim against Nova Southeastern.
What you may have missed Men's
Women's
2012 12/29- Paine College 12/30- Miles College
2013
1/5- NSU 1/9- Tampa 1/12- Florida Tech 1/16- FSC 1/19- Barry 1/23- St. Leo 1/26- PBAU
W75-61 W65-62 L74-79 W73-70 W80-76 L82-93 W75-63 W61-57 W68-60
2012 12/30- Adelphi
2013
1/5- NSU 1/9- Tampa 1/12- Florida Tech 1/16- FSC 1/19- Barry 1/23- St. Leo 1/26- PBAU
L63-80
L58-84 W63-53 L48-62 W54-39 W72-68 L47-53 W62-51
photo by Alex Zielinski Freshman Kaitlin Jackson fires a shot from the corner.
Coach Mathews's personal approach gives guidance to student athletes Will Creager Asst. Sports Editor
Bill Mathews is more than just the baseball coach here. For those who know him, he is also a teacher, mentor, friend and much more. Mathews, a Rhode Island native, will be entering his 23rd season as the head coach of the Eckerd baseball team this upcoming season. He is also the assistant director of athletics, the official scorer for the Tampa Bay Rays, and spent six years as a member of the NCAA Baseball Committee. He has led the Tritons to 462 victories in his tenure as head coach, making him the winningest coach in Eckerd baseball history. He was also honored as the Sunshine State Conference Coach of the Year in 1999. Mathews’s path to Eckerd began when he started playing organized baseball in the 5th Ward Little League when he was 8. He played shortstop and pitcher, preferring shortstop. His favorite players were Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. His middle school coaches played a huge role in him wanting to become a coach, as he learned a lot from them and they helped guide him through his younger years.
Mathews enrolled in Eckerd in the fall of 1975. He found out about Eckerd through other people from his hometown going there. He chose Eckerd over both Notre Dame and Princeton, both of which he received aid from for a combination of athletic and academic reasons. “Eckerd afforded me the perfect combination of academics and athletics so that I could really see how best I could maximize both avenues,” he said. “Balancing your workload as a student-athlete is simply a matter of prioritizing your free time. Work has to get done ahead of socializing.” Mathews played on the 1977 Triton squad that lost 4-1 to UC Riverside in the Division II NCAA Championship game. He was teammates with Steve Balboni and Joe Lefebvre, both of whom made it to the Major Leagues, and Brian Sabean, who is currently the General Manager for the San Francisco Giants. Lefebvre also currently works for the Giants as a Senior Scouting Advisor and the Assistant Hitting Coach. Mathews said, “The keys to the team's success were pitching, timely hitting and a very solid lineup that survived without injury for the entire season.
Joe Lefebvre and Steve Balboni definitely carried the club on their shoulders.” Mathews majored in management with a psychology minor. His favorite Eckerd memory was the day he graduated, becoming the first member of his family to earn a degree. He received his master's in educational administration from USF in 1989. After graduating, he worked as an assistant coach for Eckerd for four years. He then worked as a high school teacher and administrator until 1990, when he returned to Eckerd as the head coach. According to Mathews, the key to his success as Eckerd’s head coach “lies in the hundreds of graduates who are working successfully in the real world right now... without good people around them, coaches would all be very average.” He loves waking up every morning knowing that he is excited to go to work, and the best part of his job is being able to guide his players and students through their college years and watching them earn their degrees. However, Mathews does wish he was able to commit more time to the team and his players, as the NCAA limits the number
of hours a student can spend on athletics to 20 hours a week. “College athletes need contact time with their peers and coaches in an athletic setting and the 20 hour rule makes it very difficult to get as much accomplished as we would like with each athlete.”
photo by Dominick Cuppetilli Coach Bill Mathews at a baseball practice.
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