emYOU! The Magazine January 2010

emYOU www.emyouthemagazine.com

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january 2009

2ND YEAR ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Celebrate 2 Years of emYOU! A look back at our greatest hits President spotlight: President martin Professor spotlight: Dr. Heather Neff Alumni Spotlight: JUDGE MATHIS eNOUGH ALREADY, go green!

From tragedy, to triumph Rockband tour - TALKING WITH PWT’S, PANIC AND DASHBOARD Benj, of O.A.R., Promotes Being Green on Campus Consciousness Tour

+ 2nd Annual Ford

Lake Frozen Leap This year is sure to make a splash!

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Eugene Lundy

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January 2010 05 Letter from the editor 07 History of the Water Tower 08 President martin * 10 Student spotlight {eugenge lundy} 14 Professor Spotlight {Henry Hastings} {heather neff} * 19 Alumni spotlight {chris roberson} * {judge mathis} * 22 be green * 24 taste of the month * 26 around you 32 from tragedy to triumph * 36 Campus Safety * 39 travel log: malaysia 40 rockband tour- TALKING WITH PWT’S, PANIC AND DASHBOARD * 42 Benj, of O.A.R., Promotes Being Green on Campus Consciousness Tour * 45 horoscopes 57 the perfek storm

{nothing tests onces tolerence like a roommate} *

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Publisher:

Tim Adkins Editor in Chief:

Jason Idalski

jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com

Editorial Arts and Entertainment:

Amanda Slater

amanda.slater@emyouthemagazine.com

College Life:

Joe Stromski

joe.stromski@emyouthemagazine.com

Athletics: Jason Idalski

jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com

Staff Writers Jessica Brent, Marissa McNees, Marissa Staples, Art Graphic Design:

Ashley Santrock Special Guest and emYOU! Alumni-Kari Mcleod Photographer:

Raj Mehta Sales

Lily Duevel

lily@emyouthemagazine.com

or

ads@emyouthemagazine.com

*Marks an archived story

January 2010

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LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS

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LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS

As I look back on emYOU! The Magazine’s two years (hope you enjoy the retrospective in this issue), one thing sticks out to me as a copy editor at heart: The fact that student spotlight Jeff Klein’s name was misspelled on the cover of the first issue.

We’ve come a long way since then. But we’re not perfect, as last month reminded me.

In my article profiling Tau Kappa Epsilon as best student organization, I mentioned their “beer pong tournament” to benefit SOS. I was mortified when TKE Delta Pi chapter vice president Marc Carnacchi informed me that it’s a “root beer pong“ tournament. Listening to my interview with new member educator Jamie Linn again, he did indeed say “root beer.” For whatever reason, my ears missed the word live and while transcribing the interview. I offer my sincerest apologies. I know that my mistake was about a sensitive issue and helped feed the “party” stereotype about Greek organizations.

You should be able to trust emYOU! Please feel free to e-mail me with any comments, questions or concerns.

-Jason www.emyouthmagazine.com

It’s officially 2010, which means it’s a new year full of new beginnings. For emYOU!, it’s the beginning of our third year in print, which is why we decided to celebrate this issue by including some of our favorite stories that we have printed over the years. Before you begin yet another semester and another set of New Year’s resolutions, take some time to sit back and enjoy the best of emYOU! as we celebrate how far we have come and look forward to where we are going.

-Amanda

Welcome to the start of a new year and new semester. I hope winter break granted everybody plenty of rest and relaxation. Or, if you’re like me, you found yourself filling your days with video games, streaming movies and TV shows using Netflix (thanks, Chelsea) or sneaking around the woods hunting wild game.

Regardless of how you spent your break, the good news is that we’ve all just entered a new decade. Now, I’m not going to be cliche and tell you this is the best time for a fresh-start, because that’s not how I roll.

What I am going to tell you, however, is that whatever you decide to embark on, be sure to put 100 percent of yourself into it. There’s nothing worse than a slacker who gives up on himself or herself before completing a task; I’m looking at you, Ted Kennedy.

Anyway, best wishes to you all and welcome to 2010.

Stay classy, Eastern.

-Stromski

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January 2010

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a look back

Is That a Water Tower or Are You Just Happy to See Me?

By Jeremy Allen

Originally PUBLISHED JANUARY 2008 Printed in the first issue of the magazine, this piece takes a look at the world’s most phallic symbol: Ypsilanti’s own Brick Dick. It’s full of history and fun facts about the tower and city you can whip out whenever you’re with somebody who is laying their virgin eyes on the tower.

-Joseph Stromski

Some know it as “The Brick Dick,” while others refer to it as “The Penis Tower,” “The Block Cock,” or simply, “The Water Tower.”

Erected in 1889 (and completed the following year) on the highest point of land in Ypsilanti, the water tower stands 147 feet tall and holds more than 250,000 gallons of water. It also serves as a local and national landmark, having been declared an American Water Landmark in 1975 by the American Water Works Association.

However, depending on who you talk to, the AWWA’s tribute isn’t the most prestigious award the tower has received. After Cabinet magazine writer Jonathan Ames called New York’s Williamsburg Bank Building the most phallic symbol, the magazine set out on a worldwide task to either prove or disprove Ames’ claim. In doing so, they came across Ypsi’s water tower and abruptly crowned it “The World’s Most Phallic Symbol.” Ever since it got its title, people have been flocking to Ypsilanti to get a glimpse of the tower.

The stone water tower has been considered a symbol of Ypsilanti for many years. When it was constructed it had a duel purpose. Not only did it serve

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as the city’s only major water supply, but the falling water from the tower was also used to generate electricity for the city street lamps at night.

The exterior was designed in the popular Queen Anne style of the period.

The Queen Anne design was less formal than other popular styles at the time because it experimented with different shapes—particularly in towers—instead of making structures symmetrical.

In planning the design, William R. Coats, construction engineer, considered purpose as well as overall appearance. Resting on a foundation of concrete mortar six inches deep, the substructure walls, made of Joliet limestone, are 40 inches thick at the base and 24 inches thick at the top.

Constructed on top of the walls were l0-inch steel I-beams spaced two feet apart and crossing the walls at right angles. The steel reservoir tank rests on the beams and walls of the substructure.

Finally, at 147 feet above ground level, there is a cupola with glazed windows.

The total cost of construction was $21,368 (or approximately $18.7 million in today’s dollars*).

To maintain the solidity and beauty of the tower, the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority had the structure renovated in 1976. This involved reshingling the roof, replacing beams and barriers, repainting, and other general repairs. In 1987 YCUA also reconstructed the entry doors.

The marble bust in front of the water tower is of Demetrius Ypsilanti (1793– 1832), for whom the city is named.

Ypsilanti was a hero of the Greek War of Independence (1821–1829). The founders of the city saw Ypsilanti as an icon of the successful struggle for

democracy. The statue, presented to the city on August 29, 1928, was chiseled by Christopher Natsio and cost $30,000 (or approximately $4.06 million in today’s dollars*).

In 1988 the Ypsilanti water tower became a Registered Michigan Historic Site as listed by the Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State.

A large marker beside the tower reads: “Day laborers constructed this water tower, which was completed in 1890 at a cost of $21,435.63. The tower and the city waterworks supplied 471 customers in the first year. An ordinance passed on April 14, 1898 established a yearly rate schedule.

Rates were based on the number of faucets in use, the type of business that customers operated and the livestock they owned. A residence with one tap was charged $5.00; a private bathtub cost an extra $2.00. Saloon keepers paid $7.00 for one faucet, $3.00 for each additional faucet, and $1.00 for each billiard table. Each cow a person owned cost $1.00. People who failed to pay their bill were subject to a $50.00 fine and ninety days in the county jail. Until 1956, this structure was the only water tower in the Ypsilanti water system.”

So from now on, when you’re telling that joke (“Did you hear about the Brick Dick? It sprang a leak the other day and made a HUGE mess!!”), or giving directions (“Yeah, Ned’s is right across from the Penis Tower”), remember that the tower isn’t just the butt of a joke, but it’s also a landmark and has historical significance with Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University. *Numbers calculated using the relative share of GDP.

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I originally wrote this story as part of a larger Presidential Spotlight that also spotlighted Adam Slingwein, who was student body president at the time, and was featured as the cover story of our Welcome Back issue in September 2008. This article was written shortly after Susan Martin became president at EMU and highlighted not only her vision for the university, but some of the immediate changes she hoped to make.

Some of the changes discussed in this article have already taken place, such as the relocation of EMU’s police station. Others are currently well under way, such as the renovation of EMU’s Mark Jefferson building.

–Amanda Slater

President Spotlight:

Susan Martin

By Amanda Slater

Originally published September 2008

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“It’s raining today,” newly appointed EMU President Susan Martin said of the weather during a morning press conference on May 14 2008. “But there is no dark cloud over EMU anymore.”

And it appears that her statement may, in fact, be true. EMU is about to take its first steps into a new era -- an era led by its first woman president, a president that seeks to reinvest in the university and show EMU to be the outstanding school that it truly is.

“I think the whole campus is very excited to move on from the past and sort of embrace the future and celebrate

January 2010

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so many of the great stories at Eastern,” Martin says. “There’s so many really great things going on at EMU, and I think all of us just need to tell those stories and when we do, people will realize that this is really a wonderful university and they should come join us here.”

Many others are excited about Martin’s appointment and see it as the start of an exciting new chapter for the university.

Student body president Adam Slingwein says that he is one of those people.

“She came with very good reviews from where she’s been,” he says. “She was part of the big Grand Valley building up time where

they went from essentially nobody to a very good institution. She seems to be invested in the university. She really wants Eastern to be a community, not just a school. She seems that she has the tools and background necessary to improve on the things that we may have lacked in the past.”

Martin’s background in accounting is a welcome bonus to her experience in administration. After working four years as an auditor, she served as deputy state treasurer under governors William Milliken and James Blanchard. She was also asked to be the commissioner of revenue and run the tax system in addition to teaching tax.

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of Public Safety to a better facility at a location closer to the dorms.

“The Mark Jefferson building will be renovated and there will be a 60,000 square foot addition,” she says. “You’ll see ground breaking for that during this academic year, starting with the addition and then renovation of the existing building. It will be a really nice, new science complex that also includes psychology and geology along with all these other programs.”

Martin’s presidency does not come without some concerns from the student body, such as those regarding increasing tuition in light of this year’s increase of over seven percent. However, Martin says this economy combined with the necessary changes to the university’s infrastructure make such an increase unavoidable.

“I think all of public higher education, especially in Michigan, is facing budgetary challenges and fiscal challenges now,” says Martin. “We hate to increase tuition because it makes college less affordable for students, but at the same time we have less support from the state.”

Martin says that rather than the anticipated three percent, EMU only received state appropriation of one percent.

“A portion of the increase is for our infrastructure, for our classroom buildings and other areas that need improvement on campus, and we feel that we just can’t let that go much longer,” she says. “The other part of the increase is to cover our costs. The cost of utilities, the cost of gas has increased dramatically. We’re hoping that those prices will come down, but a lot of pressures that were out of our control forced us into a tuition increase. It’s a little higher than we’d like and hopefully we can do better next year.”

Martin expresses a great deal of optimism regarding the future of EMU. “I think the vision for EMU’s future is very bright,” says Martin. “We have a very good strategic plan and we have a very broad array of programs and committed faculty.” She says that she thinks that if the university simply is fiscally stable and experiences modest enrollment growth, EMU will be “a very successful place where everybody will want to come.”

She encourages students who may be considering EMU to come check it out, saying that it’s a great fit for those looking for a large university with a small university feel.

“The faculty are very accessible. All of the employees are very dedicated to student success and really care about

them,” she says. “People come here and they stay for their entire career.

They’re really committed to the institution and the students we serve, and they believe that it’s their mission to help students succeed.”

When asked what legacy she’d like to leave, Martin said she hoped to simply leave a positive impression on the university and be seen as a down to earth person who is just like everyone else.

“Students should know that even though I have the title of president, I’m just an ordinary person who grew up on a farm in Michigan,” Martin says. “My parents really didn’t have very much money. I just worked hard and had a lot of really great opportunities from going to public universities in Michigan and I had professors that cared about me.

I’m just an ordinary everyday person, so I would encourage students not to set their goals too low because I became the president of a great university – so you really can do anything.”

a look back

“I really had no plans to be a president, to be honest with you,” says Martin. “My goal was, first of all, to be a professor. Then I got interested in administration because I’d been an administrator in state government and had enjoyed it.”

Martin started as an assistant professor at Grand Valley State University, and by the time she left (18 years later) was an executive associate and vice president for academic affairs.

She then spent two years as the provost and vice chancellor of U of M Dearborn.

Martin’s experience both in accounting and in education make her the ideal fit for the position.

“I just love the fact that she has that kind of experience, especially in a time of a bad economy and declining state appropriations,” says Slingwein. “We need someone who can properly asses what’s going where and why. We need someone who knows how to maximize what we have.”

Slingwein also comments that although Martin has an accounting background, she isn’t “cold.”

“She’s a very nice person,” he says.

“And I was thrilled that during her first day on campus she had lunch with the student leader group. She seems student oriented. She seems like she wants a community and not just a business.”

One thing Martin’s presidency faces is the challenge of ditching the bad rap EMU has received as of late and showcasing EMU’s strengths as a university. But Martin says she thinks EMU is already changing its image to the public.

“There’s been a lot of really positive publicity, not just about my appointment, but about EMU as a whole,” she says.

There are so many successful graduates, and over 80% of our graduates are in Michigan. We’re seeing increased donations. Last year was one of our largest years for gifts ever.”

Martin herself announced that she was making a personal pledge of $10,000 to start an EMU excellence fund during her May 14 press conference and encouraged EMU supporters to contribute to the fund.

“If you love EMU, take a dollar and send it to the office of the president,” she said at the conference. “Send it to EMU and show the world we are proud of our university.”

Martin is interested in “reinvesting” in the university in a variety of ways.

One of the first projects Martin will oversee as president is the renovation of EMU’s Mark Jefferson building, followed by improvements on Pray Harrold and moving the Department

pres. martin fast facts Name: Susan Martin Position: Eastern Michigan University President Family: Married with three children (and one grandson) Education: Bachelor’s degree

in public speaking from Central Michigan University, MBA and Ph.D. in accounting from Michigan State University, CPA

Favorite thing to do in spare time: garden, read Favorite Music: classical, opera, all kinds of music

Favorite movies: classic movies

such as Gone With the Wind and all kinds of movies -- except horror

Favorite TV: the news, CNN, sports -- particularly college football Favorite Quote: “Whenever you

are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love.” – Gandhi

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? “Right here at EMU.”

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LEAPS & BOUNDS By: Jason Idalski

If you ever complain to Eugene Lundy about how things are going, don’t be surprised if he’s not very sympathetic.

He lost his mother when he was really young.

Lundy said a guy shot at her car apparently thinking it belonged to somebody he had an argument with earlier that night. Lundy’s mother was the only person of six in the car to get hit.

Lundy lost his father at “18 or 19” years old.

He went into the hospital for a seemingly routine Laser eye surgery. But Lundy said they gave him too much anesthesia and he never woke up.

“I didn’t know who to turn to, I didn’t know what to think,” Lundy said of his father’s death.

“That’s all I had left.”

While losing both parents was tough enough, it wasn’t the end. During the 2003-2004 school year, a close cousin was murdered by her exhusband. Also killed were both of her daughters, ages 10 and 8.

“I couldn’t sleep, having nightmares,” Lundy said. “I was visualizing how they got murdered and stuff like that. It really tore me apart.”

The following year, his sister, a model in New York, died of breast cancer. Shaken, Lundy took two years off of school, returning to EMU in the winter of 2008. His grades have improved after the downturn they took in the aftermath of his cousin’s death.

But his trials and tribulations weren’t over yet.

Playing semipro football for the Ypsilanti Yellowjackets of the North American Football League over the summer, Lundy tore his Achilles tendon in the first game, missing the rest of the season and still rehabbing as recently as mid-December.

Somebody who’d learned a lot of life’s lessons the hard way had to learn another.

“I had to learn how to be more patient. I was in a cast for 14 weeks. I was upset,” Lundy said.

“My whole summer was gone, just wiped out.”

It was a particularly crushing blow because it put on hold his dream of playing professionally in Europe. His friend who played basketball in Austria told some scouts to check him out, and Lundy said they wanted him.

Football is in Lundy’s blood. Lundy coaches kids at football camps and said his dream is to mentor youth; he thinks it’s his gift in life. It’s the reason his

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“I feel like Superman because every obstacle I’ve encountered, I leap in a single bound.”

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student spotlight

did you know?

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50 CENT POPCORN NIGHT!!!!

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Eugene Lundy fast facts Major: Elementary Education Minor: Theater and Art Year: Junior Favorite book: “The Fab Five” Favorite music: Real Hip-Hop Favorite movie: “Friday Night Lights” Favorite thing to do in spare time: Continue building my company Heavee Hitterz Entertainment Describe yourself in three words: Confident, Powerful, Serious Where do you see yourself in 5 years: Finishing up playing football overseas in Austria, begin teaching and coaching football and basketball at the high school level and have a mentor program for the youth. Plus have upscale events for my company Heavee Hitterz Entertainment.

major is elementary education.

Part of the reason he’s been able to persevere is because of his cousin, a former Eastern Michigan football player.

Lundy’s cousin and his roommate at EMU, Keyvon Barbee, helped Lundy deal with the loss of his father.

“They’re the reason I’m still here,” Lundy said.

In fact, the main reason Lundy decided to come to EMU was because of his cousin. Lundy visited him during the summer, liked the campus, and his cousin said “You should come here.”

Lundy did some research and eventually agreed.

Lundy and his cousin are so close they live together in a condo in Dearborn part of the year.

“I definitely want him to know,

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when he reads this interview, that he means a lot to me, I love him to death, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him.

And it’s vice versa,” Lundy said.

Who is Lundy’s cousin?

Chris Roberson, drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005 and recently signed to the Philadelphia Eagles‘ practice squad. Roberson also has spent time with the Detroit Lions.

Another member of Lundy’s support system is EMU journalism professor Charles Simmons, who has become a sort of mentor.

Of course, Lundy credits a different kind of mentor for how his life has been going recently.

Having a lot of time to himself this summer, Lundy had a lot of time to think.

“A lot of stuff became clear to me,” he said of his

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summer. “I look at life more differently now.”

Part of the reason is because of an experience shortly after his injury. Saying “I saw my life going in a direction I didn’t want it to go in,” he wheeled out to his balcony and called out to God to put him on the right path. Ever since, things have been going better.

That includes the entertainment company of which he’s CEO, Heavee Hitterz Entertainment. Heavee Hitterz promoted Ed Williams’ professional debut fight at the Convocation Center last year and is working on a couple concerts for next summer, including one with a rapper who‘s so famous Lundy couldn‘t divulge his name. It works handin-hand with Roberson’s

entertainment company, Playmakers, for which Lundy is a manager.

Small wonder among Lundy’s tattoos is one of the Superman logo.

“I feel like Superman because every obstacle I’ve encountered, I leap in a single bound,” Lundy said.

It’s given him some perspective on life, too.

“We seem to take life for granted sometimes. We don’t know how good we got it,” Lundy said. “I just try to live life to the fullest, because you never know when your time will come.”

As for advice to others, Lundy offers this: “No matter where you come from, no matter what you go through, you can make it,” he said. “I’m all about going forward. Never go backwards.”

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IT’S NOT PERSONAL, it’s business.

Professor spotlight: Henry Hastings By: Jason Idalski

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professor spotlight

henry hastings fast facts Department: Business Courses taught at EMU: Legal

Environment of Business; Real Estate Principles

Favorite book: “Patton” Favorite music: Classical Favorite movie: “The Accidental Tourist”

Favorite thing to do in spare time: When I have spare time I try to catch up on my reading.

Describe yourself in three words: Competent, caring, funny

Where do you see yourself in 5 years: Teaching somewhere Eastern Michigan business/law professor Henry Hastings may be a lawyer at heart, but he has a little bit of actor in him, as he tells his students.

“For me, these are like little plays.

Each class is a little play that I have designed and written and direct, and I star in interactively with my audience,” Hastings said. “I warn my students, I give them the line from ‘The Godfather’: ‘It’s not personal, it’s business.’”

Why does he feel the need to warn his students? Because he has a unique, combative teaching style. But don’t be dissuaded from taking his classes.

He’s almost universally praised on ratemyprofessors.com; as one student put it: “He only seems like a hard ass.”

Hastings admits he can come across as difficult.

“I have kind of a contentious way of teaching. My students engage with me and they’re willing to hold their ground,” he said. “They tell me I can be intimidating at times. I’m an old trial lawyer, and I know how to cross-examine people and change people’s mind.”

But don’t worry; his bark is worse than his bite, as he admits to loving EMU and its students.

“I am extraordinarily impressed with our students and how hard they work, with all the things that they have to juggle, not the least of which is the expense of school,” Hastings said. “I admire that. I’ve had ‘the good students’ at U-M, and they’re OK, but they’re not as fun to teach.” www.emyouthmagazine.com

Hastings has been involved in education since he was a student in college. In the 1970s he taught at Chadsey High School in Detroit.

“Teaching for me is a passion,” he said.

“Teaching in the Detroit Public Schools in 1973 framed my mind and that I probably learned more from my students then they did from me. But I was successful there.

And that was a success that was very meaningful to me. And in all my other successes, in lawyer, business, they’ve never quite been as meaningful as that smile you get from a student who’s arrived at an answer or has done their best.”

After stints at Oakland University and the University of Michigan (and a long stretch out of academia as a trial and real estate lawyer), he came to EMU in January of 2006 after a sudden retirement. He was recommended as somebody who could take care of the semester.

“Then it was next semester. And then they gave me a year contract, and then another year contract, so I think I’m up to four now.

And counting, I guess,” Hastings said.

Not that he’s minded. Eastern made a good first impression on him.

“It’s just the little things,” Hastings said of why he likes EMU. “On the first day I arrived … my parking tag was ready, my student ID was ready. Everything was done.”

Despite his long history of teaching, it wasn’t until he got to Eastern that he adopted his current style.

“I’m a little bit more flamboyant here.

That kind of even surprised me. But I try to teach to my audience,” Hastings said. “And

they seemed to respond, so I thought ‘Hey, works for me, works for them.’ So I kind of went with that style for here.”

Hastings said his teaching style is not just entertaining, but helps his students in the business world. It gives them confidence in arguing their beliefs and a guideline for how to behave regarding lawsuits.

“My cross-examination style, I think helps them because they’re somewhat set in their ways already,” he said. “And thinking new things and living in gray is frustrating for a lot of people.”

Hastings said this is especially true of those who are used to dealing in concrete facts, like engineers.

“Two plus two equals four,” he says of their attitude. “And I’m a five guy.”

Hastings’ attitude toward teaching can, perhaps surprisingly, be summed up by the movie “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.”

Ventura, played by Jim Carrey, has to find the Miami Dolphins’ mascot. When asked how he plans to find the animal, Ventura says he will “be the dolphin.” It’s a line designed for a laugh, but Hastings doesn’t.

In fact, he says he found it profound.

“If you want to be a good parent, you have to be the 10-year-old. If you want to be a good employer, you have to be the disgruntled employee. If you want to be a good professor, you have to be the student,” he said. “And you have to have that empathy and understanding of others.”

And even though Hastings may often disagree with his students -- in the classroom, anyway -- it’s a quality he possesses in spades.

{emYOU The Magazine}

January 2010

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When EMU began its “billboard campaign,” Heather Neff was an obvious choice. Similarly, Neff was an obvious choice for emYOU!’s first professor spotlight.

Jeremy Allen took a closer look at one of Eastern’s most popular professors.

-Jason Idalski

PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT

DR. HEATHER NEFF

BY JEREMY ALLEN

jeremyallen@emyouthemagazine.com

Originally PUBLISHED JANUARY 2008

16

There are differences between teachers and professors.

Professors assign reading material and then test you on that material the next day. Teachers assign reading material, have a discussion the next class to ensure you learned the material, and then test you on it.

January 2010

{emYOU The Magazine}

Professors give out syllabi and don’t provide room for anything outside of the planned lesson. Teachers plan to make it through the syllabus, but if other learning opportunities present themselves, they will stray the course to provide the maximum student/ teacher experience.

Professor’s lessons are applicable for one semester. Teachers, on the other hand, are educators who provide an interactive, life-long learning experience for all those who cross their paths.

Dr. Heather Neff, award winning poet, author and educator, has been a www.emyouthmagazine.com

www.emyouthmagazine.com

outstanding teaching, including earning EMU’s Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2001, and most recently, the 2007 Michigan Distinguished Faculty Award, which is the most prestigious teaching award for the state.

“Earning the 2007 Michigan Distinguished Faculty Award was an incredible “energy boost” for my next half century of teaching!” Neff exclaimed.

“I am immensely thankful to EMU for nominating me for this great honor and I was very proud to represent the University in this manner.”

“I’ve always looked at Dr. Neff as a revolutionary,” Jason added. “I admire her for the things she’s able to do. For example, the topics she teaches (namely African American and Women’s studies) are so overlooked in the general curriculum.

So to see something that’s been kept in shadows brought to light speaks volumes of her ability to teach.”

EMU alumnae Adrienne Bulger is another of the many students Neff has taught throughout her illustrious career. Bulger didn’t establish the mentor/mentee relationship with Neff, but she did say Neff was one of the best professors Eastern has to offer.

“I was actually referred to her class by a friend and it turned out to be a lesson about life and learning,” said Bulger.

“Dr. Neff doesn’t hold any punches.

She lets you know that what you put into something is what you’ll get out of it. She challenges her students to be great, and that’s what I really enjoyed about her and the class.”

Another of Neff’s attributes is that she loves being in the classroom and interacting with her students, and she looks for a learning experience from her students as well.

“Every class takes on a certain character, and it’s always a wonderful journey to see who that class becomes over the course of the semester,” said Neff. “I genuinely enjoy getting to know our students and feel that they’ve greatly enriched my life. Without question, the best part of teaching is meeting the students.

Neff is currently involved in many things. Aside from her various speaking engagements, teaching, mentoring and writing, she is also the mother, a wife and the owner of a calico cat named Amber.

“To this day I still get advice from Dr. Neff about everything ranging from my marriage to campus events I plan,” said Jason. “The relationship we developed was something that evolved as a result of her open door policy. She makes herself available to teach students in and out of the classroom. Great teachers bring things out that make people want to establish a connection. That’s the type of teacher Heather Neff is.”

To learn more about Dr. Heather Neff, visit her Web site: HYPERLINK “http://www.heatherneffbooks. com” www.heatherneffbooks.com.

Or simply ask someone on campus about her.

A LOOK BACK

teacher at Eastern for 15 years and has seen nearly 10,000 students cross her path.

One characteristic that distinguishes Neff as a teacher is that she feels personal accountability for the development of not only good students, but good people as well.

“I feel a sense of responsibility to prepare my students to be good citizens of our society,” said Neff. “I never forget that I am a teacher charged with teaching future teachers, so I try to model the attitudes and behaviors that will make them successful.”

It was in 1977, while doing her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, that she first decided she wanted to be a teacher.

“I had a teacher of medieval literature who both fascinated and inspired me,” Neff said. “I loved her teaching style, which was very informal and interactive, and I admired her knowledge of her area of specialization.

I secretly decided that I wanted to be a teacher, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity.”

Neff got that opportunity after completing her Ph.D. at the University of Zurich in Switzerland and moved to the Caribbean in 1990. Her first university teaching job was at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Croix where she taught English Literature. Only three years later, she was offered a position at Eastern.

“The offer to come to EMU was very exciting and even now, 15 years later, I love being a part of our university community,” she said.

Keith Jason, a current graduate student, took one of Dr. Neff’s African American Literature classes as an undergrad during the Winter 2002 semester and has been a student of hers ever since.

“It was the only class I took with her, but after that class, she became a mentor to me as we continued to speak through phone conversations and email,” said Jason, who said Neff was his inspiration for attending grad school. “As far as being a teacher: she’s one of the few who actually had me looking forward to going to class.

She turns lectures into discussions and has you sitting on the edge of your seat.”

Jason isn’t the only one who feels Neff is a standout teacher. Neff has received numerous awards for her

?

W O N K U O DID Y Sophomore Tavelyn James scored a school record

39 points against

Rochester College on December 9th?

For more information, visit www.emueagles.com

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January 2010

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FEBRUARY 2009

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

AN EAGLE AGAIN

Alumni spotlight: Chris Roberson By: Jason Idalski

jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com After about five years, Chris Roberson is an Eagle again.

The former Eastern Michigan (and Detroit Lions) football player was signed to the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad on Dec. 2, his return to the NFL after an upand-down career.

Roberson, a cornerback, was selected with the 237th pick of the 2005 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, ahead of players such as Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jason White of Oklahoma and Joshua Cribbs, the Kent State quarterback-turned-returner thriving for the Cleveland Browns.

Roberson had a decent rookie year for Jacksonville, appearing in the last six games. He says his best, most vivid memory in the NFL is making a tackle on the first play he got in his first regularseason game, against Arizona. In the preseason of his second year, he got injured. The ensuing collarbone and ankle injuries sidelined him for the next two seasons.

In 2008, the Detroit native and Farmington Hills Harrison graduate signed with the hometown Lions. He said he didn’t get to play as much as he wanted, appearing in one game. In the last preseason game this year, against Buffalo, he suffered another injury, tearing his hamstring. Instead of going on IR again, he took a settlement and www.emyouthmagazine.com

was out of the league until Philadelphia came calling.

In signing with Philadelphia, Roberson went from a historically bad team to one that will make the playoffs. He told emYOU! the difference is noticeable.

“It’s a different atmosphere. Things seem to go better when you’re winning,” Roberson said. “The locker room is very peaceful.”

Roberson is also affiliated with another winless team besides the 2008 Lions, as his alma mater completed an 0-12 season.

He said he followed the Eagles’ progress and called the team’s fate “unfortunate.”

“They had some close games,” Roberson said. “They have to keep grinding it out and everything will turn around.”

Roberson has another connection to EMU: his cousin Eugene Lundy (see this month’s student spotlight). Both are trying to overcome injuries and continue their careers.

“Our saying is: Nothing comes easy to us,” Roberson said. “Everything we‘ve done is because we‘ve worked very hard for it.

And we‘ll continue to work hard.”

Roberson said his cousin is a friend and inspiration.

“He’s always there for me to keep encouraging me. … Pumping me up, keeping me ready,” Roberson said of Lundy’s support.

“All the stuff he’s been through, he’s never given up no matter what,” Roberson continued. “He’s always persevered.”

Another similarity Roberson and Lundy share is that they’re both entrepreneurs.

In addition to his entertainment company Playmakers (which throws upscale parties, comedy shows and concerts, according to Roberson), he’s starting two tax offices, one in Ann Arbor and one in Dearborn. For more information, visit maximumtaxservice.com.

{emYOU The Magazine}

January 2010

19

I remember it like it was yesterday. The staff of emYOU! was sitting in its new office thinking of potential alumnus spotlights to feature in the March issue. As we talked about all the famous alums of Eastern, the name Judge Greg Mathis came up.

Some knew he had graduated from EMU, while many didn’t. At the time, it seemed like an impossible mission to get such an esteemed national figure to do an interview with a 2-month-old magazine run by a bunch of 20-somethings.

But I was up to the daunting task of tracking down the right people so we could interview a man we’ve seen on television since the end of the ’90s. After many phone calls and emails, I was finally able to have interview Judge Mathis. What was supposed to be a 20-minute interview, though, turned into a 90-minute conversation. For me, it was a great opportunity to get to know someone who had faced so many struggles in life before making it to where he wanted to be. It was learning the story of a man and establishing even more respect for him than I had previously.

For emYOU! The Magazine, it helped establish our legitimacy as a media outlet. It also helped the university reclaim one of its own. Mathis told me he had been contacted by the university in recent years only with requests for money, and that it was great to hear from someone representing Eastern who just wanted to have a conversation with him.

He told me my conversation with him would lead to more interaction with EMU. He honored that promise, making the address to the graduating class at the December 2009 Commencement Ceremony.

From the Gang to the Gavel: The Story of EMU grad Judge Greg Mathis

By Jeremy Allen

jeremyallen@emyouthemagazine.com

20

Originally PUBLISHED MARCH 2008

January 2010

{emYOU The Magazine}

www.emyouthmagazine.com

www.emyouthmagazine.com

student,” and said it wasn’t until his junior year that he realized he needed more discipline and structure in order to be successful.

“I would try to study in my room with the TV on, people would come by, I would talk on the phone and just study sporadically whenever I felt like it,” said the Judge. “But it was in my third year that I began going to the library Monday through Thursday from 8pm until 11pm or sometimes midnight. I kept that disciplined approach for the next two years and increased my grades enough to qualify for admission into law school.”

Judge Mathis’ advice to students is that it takes that type of structure and dedication, along with the real life application of skills through internships and work-study programs to be successful and become an accomplished professional.

And Mathis is surely one who knows of accomplishments. At the age of 35, he became the youngest elected judge in Michigan history, and still holds that prestigious honor today.

Despite that, Mathis sites something else as his greatest professional accomplishment.

“I managed the primary presidential campaign for Jesse Jackson in the state of Michigan when I was 28 years old,” he said “We had the only Northern victory he experienced in his either of his two races for the presidency. Michigan was the biggest victory in the nation at that time for a presidential candidate and I was the youngest delegate for the Democratic National Convention. That victory led to my managing of Detroit Mayor Coleman Young’s last election victory.”

He’s also proud of the way his life as served as proof that a person can change regardless of their upbringing or past.

“The beginning of my show shows the obstacle that I had to overcome and I’ve found that to be very inspirational as most of the comments I hear in public are of people telling me how my background has inspired them or their children to overcome their obstacles. Making a difference is what I enjoy most about my job.”

Not withstanding his prominence and success as a television persona (in which the show is in it’s 10th calendar year of production), Judge Mathis still holds true to his Alma Mater, EMU, as he is an active member of the Alumni Association and he makes appearances at various functions such as banquets and ceremonies, and he’s also donated money to different campus organizations.

The recent string of negative coverage that Eastern has garnered hasn’t caused Mathis to shy away from the university

that game his a chance at success.

“I’m keenly aware that throughout the country there are controversies and mistakes made my people in power and by everyday, ordinary citizens,” Mathis said.

“People should be held accountable for their mistakes, particularly if they hurt other people. However, what concerns me the most is that the media sensationalism can sometimes hurt the institution more than the action that they’re covering,” he added.

Judge Mathis graduated from Eastern with a Bachelor’s of Science in public administration before going on to receive his Law Degree at the University Of Detroit School Of Law. During his time as a Huron (the Eagles were known as Hurons before 1991 and Mathis graduated from Eastern in 1983), Mathis began his storied career of civil rights and public service by spearheading the “Free South Africa” and voter registration campaigns on campus. It was also during his time at Eastern that he would meet his eventual wife, Linda. The two have been together for 28 years and married for 23.

“Eastern has been really good to me,” Judge Mathis said in closing.

A LOOK BACK

They say “Once a guy’s gone bad, he’s gone forever.” Eastern Michigan University alum Judge Greg Mathis is a glaring exception to that cliché.

Having grown up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Detroit throughout the riotous and gang riddled 60s and 70s, Mathis found himself knee-deep in the street life that was glorified by so many of his peers.

He would spend most of his teenage years in and out of the county jail as a result of running with the notorious Errol Flynn’s street gang, but the life-altering news of his mother’s terminal illness served as a wakeup call for Mathis to turn over a new leaf.

At the time he learned of his mother’s illness, Mathis was incarcerated, but shortly thereafter, he was released from jail under the conditions that he would further his education and cease his run-ins with the police.

“I was in trouble with the law and was ordered by the judge to get my GED,” Judge Mathis said in a phone interview. “After I got my GED, I applied to the army, but was rejected because of my past.”

Because of Mathis’ criminal history, it was hard for him to abide by all the judge’s orders, but thanks to a close family member, things would change rather quickly in Mathis’ favor.

“My cousin was mentoring me and trying to straighten me out,” said Mathis.

“He was working on his Master’s degree at Eastern and he told me about an affirmative action program that could get me into the school if I tested high enough, despite my limited education.”

After meeting with Clarence Light, then Head of Minority Student Affairs and Minority Admissions at EMU, Mathis was given the opportunity to test into the university through the affirmative action policies. He convincingly passed all tests and was subsequently granted admission into Eastern.

As a freshman, Mathis commuted to Ypsilanti from Detroit so he could spend most of his time outside of the classroom caring for his sick mother, Alice Mathis.

Sadly, she passed away prior to her son’s second year of college, but Judge Mathis would return to Eastern the following Fall.

Living in Hill Hall as a sophomore, Mathis found that he was financially unable to maintain residency on campus so he later moved to a more cost efficient apartment in town.

“It got too expensive,” he said. “It was taking all my money from grants and loans, so I moved into subsidized housing in Ypsi. It was more or less similar to a housing project with a lot of crime and bug infestation, but it was all I could afford at the time.”

During his first two years at Eastern, Mathis was a self described “marginal

judge mathis fast facts FAV Foods: “Soul food.”

FAV Music/Musicians: “I

really like R&B and Hip Hop. Beyonce, Akon, T-Pain and Chris Brown are my favorites right now. I really like Chris Brown.

FAV Pastimes: “Swimming or reading a book near the water. Basically anything having to do with the water and the sun.”

FAV Movies: “Unfortunately to

say, I like gangster movies, hahaha.

Most recently American Gangster, then the Godfather Trilogy and Scarface. I’m ashamed to say it, but that’s what was most admired by people from m y neighborhood,” he said as he laughed. “I guess I’m a victim of my neighborhood.”

FAV Vacation Spot: “The Tampa/ St. Petersburg area in Florida. It’s my home away from home.”

{emYOU The Magazine}

January 2010

21

I’ve always been someone who cared a great deal about our world and looking after it. So when emYOU! The Magazine began talking about doing an entire issue in November 2008 dedicated to how “green” Eastern was and who on campus was making a difference, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to contribute.

One topic I found very interesting was how changing your diet to a more vegetarianfriendly one can play a huge role in bettering our environment.

-Jessica Brent

Enough already...

GO GREEN!

I was driving down Michigan Avenue headed to Ypsi last month on one of the first “amazingly nice days” we all had waited through winter for. The sun was shining, my windows were down, and I couldn’t help but sing whatever Panic at the Disco song was playing on my radio to the trucker next to me in traffic.

It was like I had forgotten the feeling of sunlight, the smell of warm air, and all of the shades and colors that were resting under those inches and inches of snow I had gotten used to.

With all of these good feelings and optimism towards the spring and summer bursting from me, I approached the downtown area to find clusters of purples, yellow and blue resting against budding trees above them. The closer my little Ford Escort got to the bright colors, however, the more I realized that my guess must have been the result of some sort of sunshine-high. None of the happiness I had felt towards the new season could cover up the true vision that was before me. Instead of chrysanthemums, azaleas and other buds sprouting around the tree bases, there were piles of trash and plastic bags stuck up against them. It made me realize that it wasn’t just the valued landscape of Michigan that winter had covered up during those long six months we dealt with but just how easy it is for us to trash the area in which so many of us take great pride.

Go to any of your favorite search engines and type in the word green.

Sure, you’ll get a couple of light spectrum-type answers that you thought you would never have to visit again after biology and that stupid chromatography lab (I still don’t know what I was supposed to get from

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January 2010

{emYOU The Magazine}

BY: JESSICA BRENT

jbrent1@emich.edu Originally PUBLISHED May 2008

watching some liquid crawl up a strip of paper). Mostly, however, you’ll see Web site after Web site dedicated to the idea of being a “greener” influence on the planet.

The “greenocracy” notion can be explained with words I remember learning in elementary school: reduce, reuse, and recycle. In recent years, however, there has been an explosion of these ideas as more than just childhood lessons of eating everything on your plate or helping your mom take the recyclable pop bottles back for their deposit. Being a more positive and protective member of the planet has become a necessity.

But if you filter through some of those Web sites, look for ideas that would accommodate your lifestyle while helping you become a more green-friendly person. I swear it’s not as bad as it sounds. Some sites are packed with information and others are just hilarious. One site I found had everything from “how to green your funeral” to “how to green your sex life.”

Another had tips on the easiest ways to green your home (or your parents home) that could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Of the dozens of sites I checked during my search, though, they all lacked one fundamental thing that is vital to promoting a better, greener environment. They all offered ways to green-up our lives, our well being, and our cities, but none of them said to simply QUIT LITTERING! The image I saw driving into our city last month was so upsetting that I couldn’t stop myself from telling everyone about the eye sore. I’ve been trying to really begin a personal journey

to use less, conserve and recycle more.

I can’t say I haven’t occasionally spit my gum out the window or tossed an apple core out while driving to school, work, or wherever else (they’re biodegradable right?), but it’s not an overnight transformation in becoming more conscious, and a little change does go a long way.

While these Web sites may overlook some of easiest ways we can contribute, what they do is highlight ways we can stop being so excessive when it comes to the resources overuse. Things like water use, energy consumption, and the effects carbon emissions may sound like too much to worry about when a paper is due, a presentation needs to be planned or a summer vacation is being mapped out.

But who will take care of our planet and our communities if we don’t make those issues high priorities as well?

I’m a firm believer in the notion of a little bit can go a long way. It’s not necessary for you to start a local chapter for the Recyclers of America (if there is such a group) or for you to tattoo the Chinese symbol for “tree” on your back. The real task is to become conscious of wasteful and damaging behavior, and attempting to make changes. If it’s walking to the store instead of driving, using a reusable bag to bring home your groceries or conserving water by showering with a friend, those are all things we can do that’ll make a positive impact on the environment. And, hey, if you want to start a neighborhood or campus recycling program, great! Just don’t forget that anything you do to better the world around you is a step in the right direction.

www.emyouthmagazine.com

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It’s January in Michigan, and that means it’s cold outside; very, very cold. I found myself spending a lot of my free time in coffee houses. Unbeknownst to most campus dwellers, downtown Ypsi and Depot Town offers several cafés that are serving up dozens of drinks, sandwiches, desserts, and side dishes.

My personal favorite is Bombadill’s, but they all have something special to offer.

Whether you want to wake up with a Psycho Monkey or finish your day with a delectable dessert, make the short walk to downtown Ypsi and try something new from January’s Taste of the Month.

TASTE OF THE MONTH

By Joseph Stromski II

jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com

Bombadill’s Psycho Monkey

Recommended by Tim, the Psycho Monkey is offered at Bombadill’s. Not knowing what I was getting myself into, I was expecting a yellow, fruity-looking drink, topped with whipped cream.

Created by Bombadill’s owner, Peter, the Psycho Monkey is anything but fruity.

Flavored with chocolate and banana and loaded with four shots of espresso, this drink perfectly blends every ingredient, while maintaining a smooth drinkability, similar to that of warm chocolate milk.

This unique coffee house, open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and located at 217 W. Michigan Ave., offers breakfast and lunch items, including pastries, bagels, wraps, salads, and more specialty drinks than you can shake a stick at.

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January 2010

Beezy’s Chicksilanti Salad Sandwich

Located at 20 N. Washington St., Beezy’s is a new addition to downtown Ypsi. Having only been there once so far, the only way I can describe Beezy’s is a hip hole-in-the-wall. It had the feel of an Ann Arbor café, without the pretentious Ann Arborites littering the joint; there were lots of bright colors and exposed brick, and everybody behind the counter was wearing a fashionable hat and was very cheerful.

With the sign above the door boasting “simple, honest food,” the Chicksilanti Salad Sandwich I ordered was just that. Made from whole roasted Amish chicken, tarragon, celery, red onion, and mayonnaise, and paired only with one slice of fresh fruit, this dish was very simple, yet very satisfying. The veggie bread I had it served on was pretty good, too. My entire meal left me feeling rejuvenated and brightened my day.

Open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except Sundays), and serving up soups, salads, sandwiches, and a variety of breakfast items, Beezy’s is a great new place to visit downtown for any meal of the day.

{emYOU The Magazine}

Café Luwak’s Luwak Sundae

To be blunt, this sundae is intimidating and large enough for two to share. This signature sundae starts off with a layer of banana, which is followed by a ridiculously large portion of Moose Tracks ice cream and more banana, and is topped with whipped cream, Spanish nuts, and a maraschino cherry. There were so many toppings on this behemoth that I was four bites in before I hit the Moose Tracks. Attempting this feat alone is something I don’t recommend anybody do. I spent about 20 minutes plowing through it before I finally gave up feeling defeated.

If you have never ever ventured to Depot Town, Café Luwak, located at 42 E. Cross St., is a great reason to go! After Luwak, take a short walk to Sidetrack, Sticks, or Aubree’s for some of the best drink specials in town. www.emyouthmagazine.com

COLLEGE NIGHTS

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Around You

January 2010

By Amanda Slater

1/8:

1/13:

On campus:

Around campus:

1/9:

1/14:

On campus:

On campus:

Last day to register for winter break study abroad programs

Family Film Series: Holes, noon, Student Center Auditorium

1/10:

Lady Gaga, 7:30pm, Fox Theatre, Detroit

Around campus:

Around campus: Nick Jonas & the Administration, 8 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit

“Contraposition” 58th annual faculty and guest art, 12:08 p.m., Quirk

Around campus:

Around campus:

The Music of Jimi Hendrix, 2 p.m., The Crofoot, Pontiac The Cribs, 8 p.m., Magic Bag, Ferndale

1/15:

Welcome Back Dinner, 4-8 p.m., The Commons

On campus:

Anti-Flag, 6:30 p.m., Magic Stick, Detroit Lady Gaga, 7:30 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit

Around campus:

Around campus:

Piano faculty recital, “A Chopin Celebration,” 8 p.m., Pease SkyLounge, 9 p.m., Student Center Room 300

On campus:

1/11:

On campus:

On campus:

1/17:

Elderquest: “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” noon, Student Center Auditorium

1/12:

1/21:

1/22:

Lyric Lounge, 7-9 p.m., Student Center Room 300

On campus:

Kid Cudi, 7:30 p.m., Michigan Theater, Ann Arbor Alejandro Escovedo, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin, 7 p.m., Joe Louis Arena, Detroit City and Colour, 8 p.m., The Fillmore, Detroit

“Contraposition” 58th annual faculty and guest art, 12:08 p.m., Quirk

1/18: On campus:

Reaching Dr. King’s Dream in the Obama Era, 10:30 a.m., Student Center Auditorium

1/19: Around campus:

Theory of a Deadman: Halestorm, 7 p.m., Headliners, Toledo, Ohio Yo La Tengo, 7:30 p.m., The Crofoot, Pontiac The MacPodz, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

1/23: Around campus:

The Best of Glam Rock, noon, The Crofoot, Pontiac Smile Empty Soul, 5 p.m., Harpo’s, Detroit

The Ragbirds, 8 p.m., The Ark, Ann Arbor

1/16: On campus:

“Contraposition” 58th annual faculty and guest art, 12:08 p.m., Quirk

Around campus:

The Verve Pipe: A Family Show, 11 a.m., The Ark The Music of Jimi Hendrix, noon, The Crofoot, Pontiac Metalfest 2010, 5 p.m., Harpo’s, Detroit

Joey McIntyre, 8 p.m., Magic Bag, Ferndale

1/20: On campus:

EcoArts, 5-7 p.m., Phelps/ Sellers Lounge

Between the Buried and Me, 8 p.m., Magic Stick, Detroit

1/24:

Around campus:

Around campus:

The Best of Glam Rock, 2 p.m., The Crofoot, Pontiac

CONVENIENTLY LOCATED ON THE EMU CAMPUS

Rascal Flatts, 8 p.m., Lucas County Arena, Toledo, Ohio Robert Gordon, 8 p.m., Magic Bag, Ferndale

Motion City Soundtrack, 6 p.m., Clutch Cargo’s, Pontiac Ann Arbor Folk Festival, 6:30 p.m., Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

1/25: On campus:

1/30:

Bowling League Registration begins, Rec/IM

Around campus:

Around campus:

Ann Arbor Folk Festival, 6:30 p.m., Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor

Looking Ahead:

PAY YOUR BILLS HERE! DTE, COMCAST, and more

Money Orders Check Cashing Lotto ATM Western Union

BEST KEG PRICES IN TOWN!

Mariah Carey, 7:30 p.m., Fox Theatre, Detroit

1/29: On campus:

Barry Manilow performance competition, 3 p.m., Alexander Recital Hall www.emyouthmagazine.com

Ford Lake Frozen Leap,

February 13, 11 a.m.

- 3 p.m., Lake Shore Apartments/Ford Lake, Ypsilanti: emYOU! The Magazine and Lake Shore Apartments are teaming up for the Second Annual Ford Lake Frozen Leap in an effort to raise money for the American Heart Association. Come either to jump or support the jumpers and to raise money for a good cause!

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January 2010

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Athletics Home Schedule

January 2010 Date Sport Opponent

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Location Time

1/6/2010

Women’s Basketball vs Central Michigan Convocation Center

7 p.m.

1/9/2010

M. Swim & Dive

vs Oakland

2 p.m.

1/9/2010

W. Swim & Dive

vs Oakland

2 p.m.

1/9/2010

Men’s Track

EMU Open

Bob Parks Track

All Day

1/9/2010

Women’s Track

EMU Open

Bob Parks Track

All Day

1/13/2010

Men’s Basketball

vs Toledo

Convocation Center

7 p.m.

1/15/2010

Wrestling

vs Clarion

Convocation Center

7 p.m.

1/15/2010

Men’s Track

vs Central Michigan Bob Parks Track

1/16/2010

Women’s Basketball vs Northern Illinois

Convocation Center

2 p.m.

1/20/2010

Women’s Basketball vs Ball State

Convocation Center

7 p.m.

1/21/2010

Wrestling

vs Central Michigan Bowen Field House

7 p.m.

1/22/2010

W. Swim & Dive

vs Wayne State

Jones Natatorium

6 p.m.

1/22/2010 M. Swim & Dive

vs Wayne State

Jones Natatorium

6 p.m.

1/23/2010

M. Swim & Dive

vs Ball State

Jones Natatorium

1 p.m.

1/23/2010

W. Swim & Dive

vs Ball State

Jones Natatorium

1 p.m.

1/23/2010

Wrestling

vs Indianapolis

Bowen Field House

1 p.m.

1/23/2010

Men’s Basketball

vs Ball State

Convocation Center

2 p.m.

1/23/2010

Wrestling

vs Thiel

Bowen Field House

3 p.m.

1/23/2010

Wrestling

vs Olivet College

Bowen Field House

5 p.m.

1/27/2010

Men’s Basketball

vs Bowling Green Convocation Center

7 p.m.

1/30/2010

Women’s Basketball vs Akron

1/30/2010

Gymnastics

January 2010

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TBA

Convocation Center

2 p.m.

vs Central Michigan Bowen Field House

7 p.m. www.emyouthmagazine.com

eagle nation

>> >> Win great prizes just for coming to games with the E-HOOPS CARD!

Attend 12 games and you could win a 2 year-car lease for a 2010 Ford Focus!

Here is How it Works: The E-Hoops Card and the rewards associated with it are for EMU STUDENTS ONLY

Pick-up your E-Hoops Card at any of the following locations on-campus: • Convocation Center Ticket Office • Rec/IM • Front desk of any residence hall • Student Center information desk • Home basketball games at the Convocation Center Be sure to fill-out your name and student number on your card.

Beginning with the Mid-American Conference schedule on Jan. 6th, bring your E-Hoops Card to every men’s and women’s basketball game.

At halftime of each game, listen to the announcement about

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when and where to get your card stamped.

The more games you attend, the bigger and better the prizes become!

Prizes Include: • 2 games: Eagle Nation basketball t-shirt • 4 games: Hot dog/drink combo from the concession stand • 6 games: Large pizza from Benito’s • 8 games: Free 2nd round MAC Tournament tickets - (1st round games are at campus sites) • 10 games: EMU Adidas hoodie • 12 games: Automatically entered into a raffle to win a 2-year car lease for a 2010 Ford Focus.

Winner will be announced at the final home game on Mar. 4.

Visit emueagles.com for more details!

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January 2010

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EMU and ABA/NBA Legend George “Iceman” Gervin

By Jeremy Allen

jeremyallen@emyouthemazine.com They call the Eastern Michigan men’s basketball legend the “Iceman” because his demeanor on the court was as cool as anyone before or since him. He made the game look easy, and teammates and other courtside observers swore he never broke a sweat. Players and fans alike began calling him “Iceman” because George Gervin was “just so cool.”

A Detroit native, Gervin came from an impoverished, singleparent home to become one of the all time greats of professional basketball; first in the American Basketball Association (ABA) and then in the NBA. Gervin, like his two older brothers Claude and Booker, was introduced to basketball as a teenager as a way to effectively channel his energies.

Despite a poor academic record at his alma mater Martin Luther King High School, he was given a scholarship to play for Long Beach State University. After one year there, homesickness drove him back to Detroit and then to Eastern Michigan University.

“I thought I wanted to go out and play on the coast at Long Beach State for (legendary college basketball coach) Jerry Tarkanian, but being from the Motor City and not really having been exposed to much I decided to come back here,” Gervin said in a one-onone interview after receiving his honorary baccalaureate at the Convocation Center on Dec. 20.

“Eastern had a lot of players I had either gone to high school with, or competed against in high school and I thought we would mesh really well together. So it was really a given for me to come back here and go to Eastern.”

Gervin played two seasons in Ypsilanti and in 39 games with EMU he averaged 26.8 points and 14.4 rebounds per game while shooting over 58 percent from the field.

Gervin established his legacy as arguably the greatest Eagle/Huron basketball player ever because of his ability to dominate on the court, averaging nearly 30 points and 15

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January 2010

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rebounds while shooting close to 60 percent from the field in his final season at Eastern.

opponent during a championship game.

Shortly thereafter he withdrew from school

This story about George Gervin, ranked by many as one of the top 50 NBA players of all time, was written by Jeremy Allen and published in the January 2009 issue.

Currently Allen is a staff writer for Heritage Newspapers and a graduate assistant in the Eastern Michigan Athletic Media Relations office while still occasionally contributing to emYOU! -Amanda Slater

“I had a good high school reputation on the court, but I definitely had to prove myself to a lot of guys here at Eastern,” Gervin said. “I played all the time up at the Rec/IM building and after a couple weeks those guys kind of came to the knowledge of ‘Ok, maybe he really can play.’”

His career at Eastern was cut short, however, when Gervin was suspended from the team for allegedly punching an

and began playing with a CBA team. It was there when he was spotted by scouts from Virginia Squires of the ABA. In 1972, at just 19 years of age, the “Iceman” signed his first contract to play professional basketball.

“I didn’t really have ambitions to be a basketball player when I was young,” Gervin said. “I wanted to be a police officer. I don’t know why I did, but I wanted to be a police officer. But I started shooting www.emyouthmagazine.com

A LOOK BACK some jumpers and basketball kind of took over. Again, my brothers Booker and Claude were really good basketball players before me, and I didn’t start playing until I was 14, but seeing as how I was a pro at 19, I think it was my calling to play professional basketball.”

Gervin started his pro career as a member of the Squires, but halfway into his second season he was sold to the San Antonio Spurs for $225,000 in a strange turn of events that required a federal court to resolve.

It was with the Spurs where the “Iceman” earned his Hall of Fame legacy.

He played more than 10 seasons in San Antonio. During that time he won four scoring titles (one of four players in NBA history along with Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Allen Iverson to do so), and went to 11 straight All-Star Games (12 straight overall in his career).

He also led his club to the playoffs in each of his 13 ABA/NBA seasons.

San Antonio was also the place where Gervin’s patented finger roll became wildly popular.

“I took a little bit of my game from Dr. J, a little bit from Connie Hawkins and a little bit from Wilt Chamberlain,” he said. “That’s www.emyouthmagazine.com

where I got my finger roll from. Connie had his own style, Doc had his smooth style, and Wilt would sort of roll the ball down into the rim off his finger. I got a little bit from all those then threw in my own touch and that’s where I got my finger roll from.”

Gervin’s versatility and excellence on the court led to many accolades other than All-Star Games and scoring titles. In 1996, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and later that year he was selected as one of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players.

“I really credit a lot of accolades to my coaches, including my coach when I was here at Eastern, Jim Dutcher,” Gervin said. “He believed in me and knew I loved the game. He gave me the green light and helped me build my confidence as a ball player. Without the foundation I got [here from Eastern] there’s no telling where I’d be.”

“I spent a lot of time at Dominos. I lived at Hoyt Hall and I remember going up that hill a lot. When it’s cold outside like it is right now, and freezing, that brings back a lot of memories. I played a lot of softball against the Ques and Alphas and other fraternities. They were always trying to get me to join. I respect those guys, but that wasn’t really my thing. So

they always challenged me and my guys.

We called ourselves the Independents,” Gervin said as he laughed.

“We’d play for a couple cases of beer, but we beat them so many times they were going broke so they just started paying us with ‘near beer.’ Those are some of my favorite memories of my time at Eastern.”

Gervin currently owns and operates a charter school in San Antonio (George Gervin Academy) that has graduated more than 800 students in its 14 years of existence. He also operates six other programs geared toward the education of young people “I’m proud to be a part of Eastern’s legacy,” he said. “I love the opportunity Eastern Michigan gave me by giving me my honorary degree. I want to thank Dr. Gragg, Robert Simms and President Martin and the rest of the administration.

I didn’t really know the value of education while I was in school, but now that I have the honorary degree to hang up on my wall it really makes me feel special. My message to young people is to take advantage of the opportunity you have here at EMU because it does go by very fast. I’m 56 years old and I can tell you that time waits for no one.”

{emYOU The Magazine}

January 2010

31

++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ ++++++++ BY:JEREMY ALLEN ++++++++ jeremyallen@emyouthemagzine.com

FROM TRAGEDY, TO TRIUMPH

This tearjerking tale covers the ups and downs had by Kivilcim Yamanoglu, a former EMU women’s basketball star.

The moral of the story: Even when times get tough, push through and don’t give up hope - life will always get better.

-Joseph Stromski

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Perseverance: a steady and continued action or belief, usually over a long period of time and especially despite difficulties or setbacks.

For Kivilcim Yamanoglu, the difference between the start of the 2007 Eastern Michigan women’s basketball season and any of her previous seasons suiting up for the Green and White, was that this time she carried a much heavier load on her back.

Literally.

Before 2007, the 5-foot-8-inch Turkish-born guard donned the jersey No. 11 during her first three years with the team, but after a series of tragic events, Yamanoglu, known as Spark by her teammates and friends, decided to change from the No. 11 to No. 24 as a dedication of sorts.

In previous seasons, it was former teammate Sarah VanMetre who wore

January 2010

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the number, and Spark had no issue with that because the jersey number had no sentimental value to her. But that all changed July 17, 2007.

Spark’s then-boyfriend, Melvin Jenkins, was a basketball player at Ann Arbor’s Concordia University. His jersey number: 24.

Jenkins was suffering through an ongoing battle with cancer and had to have his foot amputated a couple years earlier because of the disease. During the amputation and the longstanding battle with cancer, Spark stood by Jenkins and encouraged him to fight and continue to pursue his collegiate basketball career.

Jenkins did so until he eventually passed away from the disease last July.

“I really just wanted to quit playing basketball at that time,” Yamanoglu said.

“But I knew I couldn’t because I kept encouraging Melvin not to quit and, even

when he was still alive and I thought about quitting, he always told me that I need to stick it out no matter how hard it got.”

“Everything happens for a reason and I know by taking Melvin out of my life, it was just God testing me to make me stronger.”

Amazingly enough, this wasn’t the first tragedy Yamanoglu experienced during her time in the U.S. since leaving Turkey to join the EMU women’s basketball team.

Less than two years before Jenkins’ death, she received word from her family that her father suffered a fatal heart attack after seeming perfectly healthy in the years leading up to his untimely death.

“I had talked to my dad like all the time and even a couple days before he passed away,” said Yamanoglu. “Then a couple days later I called to talk to him and my brother answered the phone. He said my mom and dad were sleeping and I thought it was strange because it was a time that my parents were always awake. Another thing was that I was wondering why my brother was home because he was only usually home on the weekend.”

Her father had passed away the night before that phone call, but her family didn’t want to tell her the bad news from nearly 5,000 miles away.

“Nobody wanted to tell me,” she said.

“Everybody was just acting like everything was OK because it was the beginning of December, right before my semester was over, and they wanted me to stay focused www.emyouthmagazine.com

things got for me,” she said. “Even though my dad and Melvin were two people who gave me a lot of strength and inspiration, I really learned to control my pain and I finished basketball because it was something I said I would do. I did it more for me than anyone else.”

Despite losing two people she loved dearly, wanting to quit basketball on several occasions, and being unable to find comfort from being near her family, Yamanoglu found solace her coaches, teammates, Jenkins’ parents (whom she became closer to after Melvin’s death), and in the game of basketball that she once despised.

“It was something that helped me get through everything. I remember when my dad and brother started teaching me to play when I was nine years old,” she said.

“I hated it because I wasn’t good and I could never make a basket. But looking back, I’m glad they were there for me, and my brother really helped me get better because he would always spend time with me helping me learn.”

Her willingness to persevere paid dividends for her on the court. After returning for her senior campaign,

Yamanoglu aided the Eagles in capturing the Mid-American Conference West Title under first-year Coach AnnMarie Gilbert.

In doing so, Yamanoglu saw an acrossthe-board increase in her productivity, and was voted the team’s Defensive Player of the Year for her tough, aggressive, ballhawking style of play.

Yamanoglu came to play for EMU in 2004 after former Eagle and countrywoman Melis Ulker told her of Eastern’s program. It was Ulker who influenced Yamanoglu to send video packages to the EMU coaching staff, and once the staff saw the tapes they began actively pursuing her for a basketball scholarship.

Yamanoglu will be graduating with a business management degree after concluding the spring ‘08 semester. She then plans on pursuing a master’s degree while working as a graduate assistant with the women’s basketball team, and said she hopes to get a working visa to continue to live in the U.S. when her student visa expires after grad school.

A LOOK BACK

and finish the semester. So every time I called home, everyone would tell me my dad was sleeping or that he wasn’t feeling good. They told me that he was sick and he went to the hospital, but they said he was going to be better.”

Yamanoglu’s family had talked with her coaches and gave them the news of her dad’s passing, but they asked them not to share the news with Yamanoglu because they wanted to inform her once she made it home to Turkey.

“I knew before they told me,” Yamanoglu said. “It’s something that nobody has to tell you, but I knew because of how everybody was treating me. I understand they didn’t want me to break down during the long flight and when I had to be by myself, but I knew without them actually saying the words.”

During that trying time, Yamanoglu first thought about leaving the team and possibly returning to Turkey. But it was Jenkins who dissuaded her from doing so, encouraging her to continue not only for her dad, but for herself.

“I always promised my dad and Melvin that I would finish school and that I would finish out basketball no matter how hard

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January 2010

33

travelog>>> < BY: Jason Idalski

jason.idalski@emyouthemagazine.com

Over Thanksgiving, I went to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, to compete in the World Scrabble Championship. Here are snippets from my 11 entries, one for each of the 11 days I was gone. The complete travelog is available by visiting emyouthemagazine.com and viewing the “Blog” category. Enjoy.

Monday, November 23

I haven’t been out of North America ever, or out of the country in the past decade or so (no, not even Canada), I’m non-mechanical (Bil gave me his digital camera to use and I can’t even figure out how to delete the pictures I don’t want) and uncoordinated … so no doubt I’ll find myself in awkward situations almost entirely of my own doing, especially since I’ve barely learned any Malay. I’d also like to be funnier and wittier in these things, but I’m in the middle of pulling an allnighter and really f-ing tired.

Wednesday, November 25

(afternoon in Malaysia) I waited in line at immigration, only to be sent back because I forgot to fill out my Singapore disembarkation form. I picked a different line this time (unsatisfied with the progress it made) only to watch the line I was in zip along while mine crawled.

I then had to go to the bathroom: badly, and sadly, for quite a while. (As an aside: Automatic flushers should die. Three times it thought I was done when I wasn’t. I’ll decide when I’m finished, kapeesh?)

Wednesday, November 25

34

(evening in Malaysia) Tonight was the “Gala Dinner” for all participants. We were encouraged to wear national dress. After some deliberation, I came up with a way to represent both locally and nationally while not being underdressed: Wore my Red Wings polo with blue slacks. So, red, white (skin) and blue; plus a shout out to the Wings!

It may be one of the most interesting meals I’ve ever had. Interesting speeches, interesting “cultural performances,” interesting food, very interesting company in my friends from the U.S.

January 2010

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Thursday, November 26

1-7. I’m in 107th out of 108 players, ahead of some guy from Qatar. At 1-4, up by 98 a third of the way through game six, I felt OK. I then got outscored by 213 the rest of the way and lost, 536-421.

Then I lost 514-338. Then I lost 538-313. It was like a scene from “Family Guy” I saw recently, where Stewie bashes Brian over

the head (game six), then shoots him in the leg (game seven), then lights him on fire (game eight).

I don’t know what else to say. I’m just absolutely numb right now.

Friday, November 27

Thanks to everybody for their support, publicly and privately. On the advice of

www.emyouthmagazine.com

TRAVEL LOG

<<<Malaysia took a couple scoops and a few spoons back to the table. Nathan took a good video of Sam Rosin trying it (and the face he made afterward). Don’t think it made a great impression on anyone.

Tuesday, December 1

Then we went to the bowling alley (inside a mall!). I became the unofficial “WSC/Causeway bowling champ” with games of 154 and 168, besting 11 others, including five WSC participants. Not quite the 180-some average I carry at home, but given that I didn’t have my equipment, I’m satisfied. Romanians Adrian Tamas and Mihai Pantis each broke 140 in the second game.

I still maintain that if they create Scrabble Bowling (a la Chess Boxing), I could be World Champ.

Wednesday, December 2 mentor extraordinaire Frank Tangredi, I used the other side of my name tag to spell out a little message (“My name is Jason and I need a win … Can you help me?”) As the saying goes, if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?

Tony Leah got a kick out of it; a few others appreciated it, too. Near the end of my win against Michael Quao of Ghana, he noticed it and laughed. “I must’ve paid attention,” he said. “You owe me.”

Saturday, November 28

I’m happy, but a little frustrated. If I had a ringgit for every opponent who said “I drew better than you” (including people I beat), then I’d be able to buy my family’s Christmas gifts. I’m glad that my fellow Collins virgin, high-school student Sam Rosin, went 13-11 (and has a 1940 WESPA rating to my 1715), but I’m also a little jealous. I know that eventually all this immediate post-tourney negativity will go and I’ll only have the positives, but right now I’m not as happy as I should be. …

94th place out of 108 isn’t exactly filling me with pride.

www.emyouthmagazine.com

Sunday, November 29

For me, the disappointment of 9.514.5, while still there (and probably will be, to some degree, until I get a chance to redeem myself), was pushed to the backburner during a most enjoyable day watching the finals.

Game 1 may well be the most exciting game I’ve ever witnessed. … So fun to sit with the Americans, cracking jokes and hearing their thoughts/opinions on tough decisions as we watched Pakorn lead 2-0.

After lunch, Game 3 was a little boring.

Game 4 … well, when I said Game 1 was the most exciting game I’d ever seen, it was before Game 4.

Monday, November 30

Friday night at dinner there was a dessert called “ice kechang”, which can best be described as a snow cone with corn and beans in it. I know it sounds weird (I even took a few pictures); Nathan Benedict described it as “something a kid would eat on a dare.” It’s not that far off from how I came to try it: Cecilia Le mentioned it, Geoff said he’d try it, so I

I mentioned Nigel briefly before. 2007 Worlds champ, 2009 runner-up. 2008 Nationals champ, 2009 runner-up (to Dave Wiegand). Eight-time winner of the King’s Cup, a prestigious tournament in Bangkok. “Word Freak” author Stefan Fatsis wrote an unbelievably good profile of him (http://naspanews.com/index. php?id=41) that was unfortunately left out of the book, but that he later shared with the world. I knew annotating nine games of Nigel’s would be fun and interesting and I wasn’t disappointed.

Thursday, December 3

No doubt when I hear these seven songs (and there may be more I’m just forgetting about) I’ll think of my Asian adventure. And since “I Just Called To Say I Love You” is Mom’s ringtone for whenever Dad calls (his for her is “I Need A Lover Who Won’t Drive Me Crazy”) and these songs are often played on the radio stations I listen to, I’ll hear some of them a few times. …

And trust me, even though I would’ve liked to have won more games during the Worlds, every time I randomly start to think about this trip, I’ll smile.

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“lock your doors, lock your doors and lock your doors.”

It’s a Free-for-All The slumping economy could lead to higher crime rates

By Nate Stemen

nate.stemen@emyouthemagazine.com

36

As the economy comes closer and closer to a crashing cacophony of calamity and catastrophe, so does the fate of the good people of Ypsilanti. The turbulent and unpredictable economic climate has, in the past, led to higher crime rates and more good citizens injured or worse. When the black cloud of recession blows through this country, it’s swiftly followed by the painful and destructive force of desperation. In a recent New York Times article, a sociologist named Richard Rosenfeld at the University of Missouri stated, “Every recession since the late ‘50s has been associated with an increase in crime and, in particular, property crime and robbery, which would be most responsive to changes in economic conditions.” Of course, it’s impossible to say for sure whether these current conditions will cause the seedy underbelly of Ypsilanti to rise up and envelop the university, but as the old adage goes “it’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Though campus crime has yet to inflate, there are a number of things students can do to protect themselves against all facets of crime, actual or impending.

Many of the practices involving safety are as commonplace as locking your doors when you aren’t home or you’re sleeping and not walking to your car alone at night. However, there are some safety tactics that students may not be aware of.

Everything students need to know about protecting themselves and their property

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can be found at emich.edu/publicsafety.

The Web site, provided by the university, has everything from a daily crime log to up to the minute police advisories.

There are also a number of services that the university provides to help deter theft and protect students from being harmed, including a rape aggression defense class (RAD) for women. “Timely Warnings” go out via e-mail to students informing them of crimes taking place on campus and ways in which they can avoid being a victim. EMU has recently harnessed the technology of the cell phone to create a new text message-based emergency alert system.

The system has been in place for almost a year and has nearly 6,700 registered users, but campus police Chief Greg O’Dell would like to see that number double. “The text message alert system is used for more serious safety precautions, like if a tornado hit and harmful chemicals were to release from one of the buildings,” said Chief O’Dell.

The chief strongly recommended that students become aware of the dos and don’ts of living on campus and off. “My main theme during orientation for incoming students is lock your doors, lock your doors and lock your doors,” said Chief O’Dell. Most of the crimes that take place on campus are a result of students not locking their doors when they leave or are asleep. However, the chief said that so far the year has been pretty mild. “We’re having a very good year.

If you take from the start of the semester to

Jan. 31, burglary is down 40 percent,” said the chief. The chief stated that the lack of crime is a reflection on students being more aware and the services implemented at the university to provide the safest environment for students.

This is list of services provided to students to help keep them and their property safe.  Emergency Assistance Stations throughout campus.  Daily Crime Log for the last 60 days.  Text Message Alert System.  Timely Warnings stating developing criminal activity.  Night Watch, which helps keep on campus housing safe by checking IDs and making guests sign a log book.  Door checks performed by campus police, where officers will go from room to room between 4 and 7 a.m. checking to see if doors are locked as they should be.  SEEUS who has escorted over 16,000 students and kept them safe.  Metal and Gold engraving, provided by the university, to identify stolen items.  Rape aggression defense (RAD) classes for women.

More information can be found at emich. edu/publicsafety or by contacting the Department of Public Safety at (734) 4870892. Should you need to report an incident, you can call (734) 487-1222. As always, if you have an emergency, simply dial 911. www.emyouthmagazine.com

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LIVE TOUR AT THE CONVO

At the time this article was written, pop-punk music was at the top of its game. The video game giant Rock Band put on a country-wide tour featuring headliners The Plain White T’s, Panic! at the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, and The Cab. One of its stops was Eastern Michigan’s own Convocation Center. Nate Stemen got the chance to catch up with Tom Higgenson, guitarist and lead singer of Plain White T’s; Chris Carrabba, lead singer and guitarist of Dashboard Confessional; and Jon Walker, bassist of Panic! at the Disco, to find out how life on the road was going and what it was like to be playing a show at EMU. It seems some of these bands are now finding themselves playing at venues significantly smaller than the Convocation Center, and pop-punk may be slowly fading away into the distance, but, nonetheless, check out how these guys got their start and find out some of their keys to success in this October 2008 interview. -Marissa McNees

TALKING WITH PWT’S, PANIC AND DASHBOARD

BY NATE STEMEN

The music video game giant Rock Band Live is currently hosting a massive crosscountry tour with headlining bands Plain White T’s, Panic at the Disco, Dashboard Confessional, and The Cab. During the tour’s 29-shows-in-46-days, EMU’s Convocation Center will play host to the Oct. 23, concert date.

Recently, emYOU! The Magazine’s Nate Stemen got the chance to catch up with Tom Higgenson, guitarist and lead singer of Plain White T’s, Chris Carrabba, lead singer and guitarist of Dashboard Confessional, and Jon Walker, bassist of Panic at the Disco, about everything from the origins of their bands to inspirations for songs to their current cross-country tour. emYOU!: When did you guys form the group and how’d you come up with the name “Plain White T’s?”

Tom Higgenson: The band actually started in 1997. We formed right out of high school with friends from my school.

We would play songs in my basement and I started writing my own songs at about that time. We started playing those songs and realized that we were a band and we needed a name.

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{emYOU The Magazine}

We had a list of a bunch of names and Plain White T’s was something I thought sounded cool and we had a 50s and 60s influence on our songs. Back then what was cooler than a Plain White T? You think of The Fonz, James Dean and Marlon Brando.

Also, that style has always been around.

It was a throw back to those times, so we went with that name. emYOU!: This is something I’ve been curious about and maybe you can shed some light on it, Chris. I’ve noticed your Myspace categorizes your band as Acoustic/Rock/Indie, but most of the time you guys get thrown into this whole “emo” group. Why do you think the term “emo” has adopted a sort of negative connotation?

Chris Carrabba: I don’t know. It hasn’t for me. I think that it sort of became all encompassing or too much of a catchall. So when [people] would call us that it would stress me out because any time a band has any kind of emotional content, which every band does, they get categorized as that. I come from a period where that wasn’t a dirty word, but I think that that genre definition actually could turn

people off. I don’t think it describes what we do very well, so I was thinking if that term didn’t exist how I would describe our music. So I went with something different for our Myspace. emYOU!: Jon, what have you been doing to occupy your time before you go back out on the road for the Rock Band Tour?

Jon Walker: We’ve pretty much been off for the past six weeks. We were touring for the about six months and it’s been a nice little relaxing vacation. I painted my bathroom. I went to a few Cubs games. I had a barbeque and a birthday. emYOU!: I’ll be quite honest with you, Jon, that doesn’t really sound like a rock star lifestyle.

Jon: Well it’s time they’ve learned the truth. emYOU!: I’m sure you’ve heard this questions a million times, Tom, but who is Delilah and why did she merit such and amazing and heart felt song?

Tom: Why did she deserve it? I’m not sure. She’s gorgeous and she knocked my socks off. For a guy love-sick and in a band, that’s enough to inspire me to write a song

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the world. Where do you stand on comments like that?

Tom: Um, that’s awesome. They are my favorite band of course. I love to hear that. When we got signed to Hollywood Records a couple of years ago and we were meeting with all the staff and the guys office we were in had a bunch of Beatles vinyl albums laying on the desk and I picked one up and said “Ok, how do we get here?” When Delilah was No. 1 I said, “One down, twenty-six more to go.” Ya know, to try to match The Beatles’ success. emYOU!: How many Myspace friends do you have?

Tom: I think we have over 500,000 or 600,000. We were lucky. We were on Myspace when it first started before there were any advertising. It was two little boxes and you could click to go to your page and that was it. Then Tom

bands up on the site. He saw us at Warped Tour or something and he put us on the front page. We were one of the first bands ever to be on the front page of Myspace and that really helped explode the band. emYOU!: Did you ever expect you’d be this huge powerhouse that you are today?

Jon: We just try to be as normal as possible, ya know. We’re just lucky to be able to play music for a living. We just have to keep the music as our main focus and our main interest, and it’s not that hard to do. emYOU!: What can you say to all of our Eastern Michigan readers as far as becoming musicians?

Jon: Just practice and be patient and just be yourself. I feel there are a lot of people getting into music for the wrong reasons and if you’re not passionate about it then you might as well not do it.

A LOOK BACK

like that. Knock your socks off was kind of cheesy wasn’t it?

Delilah is a real girl, but nothing ever worked out between us. She had a boyfriend. I met her in Chicago one night through a friend and we all went to this concert together and I thought she was one of the prettiest girls I’d ever seen in my life. I told her I was in a band and played her some of our older stuff and she really liked the songs—this was like six years ago. I told her that I wanted to write a song about her, trying to be all smooth and she kinda played along even though she had a boyfriend.

The day after I met her she went back to school in New York and that’s where the line form the song came from. We chatted it up online for a little bit and she kept asking me when she was gonna hear her song. emYOU!: I’m sure she’s heard it by now.

Tom: Yeah she definitely has. I actually took her to The Grammys as my date.

That was our first and only date and it wasn’t even really a date. She still had a boyfriend. She’s a cool girl and cool to hang out with. emYOU!: So you mean to tell me you wrote her a No. 1 hit single on a platinum selling record and she didn’t leave her boyfriend for you?

Tom: Ya know, some girls are not shallow, unfortunately. It didn’t work out for me, but that song did get me some other girls so it was ok, I’m not complaining. emYOU!: You’ve been known for your audience participation. What does it feel like to have thousands of people sing your lyrics back to you?

Chris: It’s like drugs. It’s the greatest high, I think, over anything. I think it’s great to let the control of something that is so important to you go—the audience I mean, of course—and let them direct it. emYOU!: What do you say to the people who would rather just hear you and not the crowd?

Chris: (Laughing) I sing pretty loud. emYOU!: You’ve got a huge fan base here in Michigan. How do you feel about playing here and how do you like the fans?

Jon: Well I’m from Chicago and I like playing pretty much anywhere in the Midwest in general. They are kind of able to sift through a lot of the bullshit. Living in the Midwest especially it just makes me happy being out here. There’s just a completely different mentality here compared to being on one of the coasts. emYOU!: Plain White T’s has been compare to The Beatles—arguably the greatest band in the history of

Photo By: Jesse Frohman

(Tom from Myspace) started putting

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Benj, of O.A.R., Promotes Being Green on Campus Consciousness Tour

>> >>

BY AMANDA SLATER

amandaslater@emyouthemgazine.com

I conducted this interview and wrote this article for emYOU!’s “Green” issue, which was published in November 2008. The interview fit perfectly into the issue because at the time O.A.R. was in the middle of the “Campus Consciousness Tour,” which was a tour designed to raise college students’ level of awareness about environmental issues. The tour was scheduled to stop in Michigan at Michigan State University’s Breslin Center that month.

Currently, the band is preparing for the release of their latest album entitled “Rain or Shine,” which will be released in stores January 12.

–Amanda Slater

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{emYOU The Magazine}

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>

The tour was first launched by Reverb, a non-profit organization that educates and musicians and fans to promote environmental sustainability. Reverb was founded by Adam Gardner, frontrunner of the band Guster – the band that first launched the tour.

Gardner says he feels that the tour is important because he feels that how long we exist as a species will be determined by the actions we take right now and whether we can change the way we produce energy and manufacture materials so that we actually heal the planet.

“This year, we’re excited to have O.A.R. carry the tour to the next level,” says Gardner. They started their own greening program, ‘The Green Dream,’ this past summer which involved setting up recycling at each venue the band played.”

According to Reverb’s Development and Tour Coordinator, Elliott May, between the last two Campus Consciousness Tours combined which hit 51 campuses and reached over 200,000 students across the country, the tour has helped reduce over 800,000 pounds of carbon dioxide between the participation of the bands and students, fueled tour busses and trucks with over 6,700 gallons of biodiesel. emYOU: What do you think makes your band stand apart from other bands?

Benj: We’ve been at this so long; we have a strong following that we’ve built up almost independently. Over the years we’ve really become very tight knit through all the things we’ve been through. We’re definitely in it together. emYOU: Your band name stands for “Of A Revolution.” What kind of revolution did you have in mind?

Benj: It’s a phrase from a story that our lead singer wrote about all the change in our lives that came from our music. emYOU: Do you all take a part in the song writing process?

Benj: It goes a lot of different ways depending on the song and the situation.

We definitely collaborate on everything and work together. It just depends on what types of songs we’re trying to write. emYOU: What artists do you listen to personally? And what artists might influence your music?

Benj: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dave Matthews Band, Elvis Costello, Barry Manilow, a lot of people. I think [Marc is] inspired by things he experiences, everyday life. emYOU: What was one of the most exciting times for O.A.R. as a band?

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Benj: We signed our deal with Lava Atlantic records – that was a big deal for us.

We also sold out Madison Square Garden.

That was a big deal. There’s things I could point to, but I’m kind of modest and don’t like to say, “This is really cool.” I don’t really like to do that kind of thing. emYOU: Do you ever get nervous in front of people?

Benj: I get nervous around people all the time. I’m pretty good on stage because I don’t really talk to anybody. But besides that, if a big group of people comes up to me—yeah, I’m a little shy. emYOU: What is the coolest place you’ve traveled to?

Benj: Machu Picchu. It’s a city on top of a mountain. It’s really cool. There’s a lot of mystery to it. How the city got there is kind of a mystery. I like things that are unexplainable. You kind of have to go there to get why it’s so crazy. You have to see it to grasp the whole feel of it. There are no cars or trucks there or anything. emYOU: What do you do in your free time when you’re not doing bandrelated stuff?

Benj: I’m pretty active in an art community I started called lookatlife.com.

I’m an ambassador for Operation Smile. I help them with awareness and fundraising. emYOU: What is Operation Smile?

Benj: It’s a nonprofit organization that helps children who have various facial deformities [by repairing them.] The organization helps those in other countries that don’t have the technology and medical care to help these children, so they provide surgeons and medical missions to help the kids. emYOU: That sounds like a great organization. How did you get involved in that?

Benj: It’s something that I’ve always known about. My mom is a huge fan of it and had information about it when I was younger. I met the development director in New York City. She’s a friend of a friend.

She and I just started talking about what we do and helping out people. emYOU: Do you make any art other than music?

Benj: I’m a photographer as well. My art community came out of my passion for photography, and I created an online social community for people to share their art whether that would be photography, art, writing or video. They can add YouTube videos to their profile. emYOU: Can anyone participate?

Benj: Yes. It’s a free service for planet Earth. emYOU: What kind of photography do you create?

Benj: I shoot all kinds of stuff, people,

and band and music photography. I’ve done some advertising campaign stuff on the side just for fun. I just have fun with it. emYOU: What’s on the horizon for O.A.R. right now?

Benj: We have the Campus Consciousness Tour right now. We’re very excited to be going out and explaining [topics ranging from] greening facts to things going on in the world that have to do with improving the quality of our waste management habits and things like that. I’m pleased that it will be happening. It means a lot to me personally. That’s the next plan.

We’re [also] working on more song writing.

We want to put together more songs and try to keep releasing music. emYOU: What do you have to say about being green?

Benj: Greening is just important. If you’re not greening, you’re screwing the world up.

If you’re not greening, you’re not helping anything. There aren’t too many people out there who are perfectly green. The more people who move toward what is a sensible goal of being green, the better [we’ll be].

This whole movement is great, but it should have happened a long time ago.

We shouldn’t have to have scary movies about the earth dying and that kind of stuff in order to get everyone to go green all of a sudden. Recycling has been around for decades now and people are just starting to warm up to it. It’s good that it’s happening, but it’s about time. emYOU: Are there any specific things you try to do in your effort to be green?

Benj: I think being green is all about accountability and taking responsibility for what you’re accountable for, and doing the best that you can. I don’t think we live in a world where recycling options are always available. All the ways you can be green aren’t easy to do all the time, but just do the best you can and make more of an effort.

You can point at it and say “that’s me being green,” and that’s good; and it’s healthy for our planet. emYOU: In closing, what should audience members expect from your live performance, and what advice would you have for someone trying to pursue a career in music?

Benj: [People can expect] just a solid, energetic performance and a spontaneous show. We try to keep it fresh. Advice: just be careful and think things through.

O.A.R. will be at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. on Nov. 20 for the Campus Consciousness Tour and in Columbus, Ohio on Nov. 21 at Newport Music Hall. For more information, visit www.ofarevolution.com.

{emYOU The Magazine}

January 2010

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HOROS COPES HOROS COPES HOROS

COPES Aries

You are as tough as elephant tusks and are not going to change. There is one person who appreciates that, but is slightly annoyed with your antics. You are possessive of your lover but struggle when your lover is possessive over you. You might need to change your ways and soften up just a little.

Lucky Numbers: 3, 17, 18

Taurus

Just like a bull you are always getting ahead of yourself. You are taking the necessary steps for your relationship, but don’t forget about the goals you have for yourself. 2010 has a lot of promising things coming your way. Make sure your mate supports you in the decisions you make. Otherwise, it was time wasted…

Lucky Numbers: 2, 22, 30

Gemini

For some reason life seems to be getting harder and harder. Don’t worry. There is a solution to this problem. Stop limiting yourself to just one kind of lifestyle. Obviously it’s not working for you. Time to explore -- go on short journeys to find out what you want and what you long to be. Your New Year goal is a better self!

Lucky Numbers: 5, 9, 21

Cancer

Money is flowing your way, making the possibilities for this month endless. One problem: you’re spending it all now, which will make all of your resources very scarce in February -- even your friends.

At the same time, you are giving yourself some muchneeded pampering. However, be careful!

Lucky Numbers: 6, 14, 20

Leo

The image you have now is kind of boring. Let’s change it up a little bit. Change your hair and clothing style. Last but not least, change your personality.

Stop being childish and adding drama all the time. Do this and everyone will want a piece of you … down to the last crumb! Only spend your time on those who are most important to you.

Lucky Numbers: 7, 24, 33

Virgo

Most of the time you drink your liquor straight. Now it’s time to be straight with your dates. If it’s not going so well and the person across the table asks you for another outing, be straightforward and say “no.” You’ll feel better, and, although embarrassed, they will be glad you were honest.

Back to the hunt you go!

Lucky Numbers: 10, 15, 42

Libra

Out of your group of friends you are the star! Most of the time this would mean that you should let someone else have a turn, but you are doing such a good job that everyone wants you to keep it up! Your positive personality gives everyone the motivation to stay on the right track to meet their goals.

Stay sophisticated, balanced, opinionated and romantic!

Lucky Numbers: 11, 27, 28

Scorpio The sweating in the sheets

you’ve been doing is not because your body is breaking a fever!

Someone just doesn’t know when to quit. It’s okay -- you can’t say you are not a body-pleaser.

Change it up by adding a little more romance before darting for the finish line. Both of you will appreciate the extra time together.

Take Keri Hilson’s suggestion: start with a “Slow Dance.”

Lucky Numbers: 4, 23, 33

Sagittarius

Since you decided to bring in the New Year with someone special, you are starting to see that person in a new light.

It’s okay! Go with that feeling.

The feeling is mutual and the energy is positive. This new love will invite exciting and sexy experiences in your life. Don’t mess this up! This attention is more overdue than that library book you keep meaning to return!

Lucky Numbers: 4, 16, 26

Capricorn

Let’s be honest: every year you set your New Year’s resolutions and accomplish if not all, some.

Are you really challenging yourself to do anything out of your normal routine? This year, your goals should be more than to exercise three times a week.

Dig deep about what to really change about yourself. If you can accomplish those goals, then you truly are the person you portray yourself to be. Happy New Year!

Lucky Numbers: 1, 12, 25

Aquarius You made your bed, now lie in

it. You can’t have your cake and eat it too! These sayings have never made sense to you and probably never will. If you see nothing wrong with the choices you are making in your life, then continue without secondguessing yourself. But ask yourself how you would feel if the same things you’re doing to this person were done to you.

Lucky Numbers: 8, 19, 29

Pisces

You started the New Year off with a bang! Don’t lose your momentum just yet. This semester you want to start and finish strong. Take advantage of the library and all it has to offer. Your gift to yourself at the end of this semester will be your GPA. Haven’t seen it this high since … well, never! Stop slacking! Stay smart!

Lucky Numbers: 13, 23, 31

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When you pee in the shower, make a concerted effort not to make any of it down the drain.

Focus on the walls and the curtain. Also, never pee in the toilet. Always pee in the shower.

If, for some reason, you do have to pee in the toilet, try to make sure it’s a two-streamer so most of it splashes off the rim.

Your roommate might be your best friend of the last decade. Or, your roommate could be your arch-nemesis – you being perfect and he or she being a Republican.

No matter what, at some point in your wretched co-existence, you will refer to your roommate as a “fucking piece of shit” when speaking to others. Don’t fret, he or she will refer to you in kind.

Male, female, hermaphrodite, pre-op transsexual – it doesn’t matter, you’re all an F.P.O.S. to your co-inhabitant. The key is actually earning and embracing that title.

Wear it like a badge of honor. Wear it with the same pride as you wear your “Real Men Lick P****” t-shirt. Oh wait, that’s my t-shirt. Be as proud of your F.P.O.S. designation as you are of your fourth-place ribbon from the third grade science fair.

There’s nothing more American than making yourself happy at someone else’s expense. If you aren’t quite sure whether you’re living up to your end of the bargain as an F.P.O.S., I’m going to help ensure your status from here on in with a list of pointers and tried and true tactics.

Although there are winners and losers, being an F.P.O.S. isn’t a game. It’s a lifestyle.

Live it to the fullest.

Don’t throw your used condoms away. Place them under your roommate’s pillow. Every single time.

Eat and drink everything in the refrigerator. If it’s labeled with someone else’s name, say, “I thought it was like a Christmas tag – from you to my belly.”

Whenever they get excited about some profound subject they heard in class, quickly change the subject and start talking about your day – your trip to the bank, the ugly chick with the giant rack you stood behind at the student union – that sort of thing.

If you’re clearly stronger than your roommate, always start roughhousing when there are people around.

Nothing spells F.P.O.S. better than physical domination in front of a crowd.

Talk throughout their favorite television program.

Point out all the plot flaws and constantly ask, “What kind of idiot likes this shit?”

Anytime they have friends visiting from their hometown, act like the friends are a huge inconvenience to your time and space. Mumble under your breath anytime one of them speaks.

Don’t thank your roommate for anything. Act like every nice thing he or she does is owed to you.

If they’re studying for a test or writing a paper, have people over. When they complain, tell them to go to the library…especially if the temperature is sub-zero and they don’t have a car.

Constantly talk about how good of an athlete you were in high school. Spend at least 20 minutes a day regaling your roommate with tales of your supposed athletic prowess.

Sell their psychology book to buy pot.

Be intolerant of any and all their beliefs.

Never, ever wash your masturbation sock. Sneak up behind your roommate and use it to tickle his ear. When he finally gets fed up and grabs it, let it go and tell him what he’s holding.

Then, tell everyone on your floor the story.

Anytime you’re talking with a group of people, turn silent when your roommate walks up. It’ll make him or her insecure and very self-conscious.

Wake them up every morning by yelling in their face or blasting the stereo.

If you clog the toilet, let it be and leave for a few hours. If possible, return really drunk and go right to bed.

Make their parents uncomfortable when they visit by always laying on the couch eating cereal – no matter what time of day – in nothing but your underwear. Say “fuck” a lot, too.

When they share a deep secret with you, act like you care. The next day, use that information to create a nickname for them.

Be yourself.

Send hate mail, pictures of used condoms and your roommate’s Social Security number to: theperfekstorm@gmail.com.

OUTGAME

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