Vol. 5 Issue 1 Fall 2017

Vol. 5 Issue 1 Fall 2017

W

ESLEYNOTES

Connecting you with the School of Arts and Letters

Artists, Authors, Scholars: A journey of student accomplishment Inside: The Bernice Coulter Templeton Art Studio opened in October 2015 and is where Wesleyan students and faculty are using art to cultivate learning experiences.

GALLERY: Page 6

Letter from the Dean On these pages, we have sought to tell the story of our students. This story is one of accomplishment and trial. It is a story of perseverance. Perhaps, most of all, it is a story fueled by the unwavering and limitless imaginations of those who choose to pursue their educational goals at our university.

Here, you will read about some of the exciting things our students are doing. These endeavors range from global engagement to service learning. I had the wonderful opportunity to join a group of students, as we traveled together through Eastern Europe. These students sought to gain a better understanding of the events that led to the rise of Nazism and the lessons that we can draw from the tragedy of World War II. They will use the lessons learned in their own communities.

All over the globe, we have seen that students can change our world. From the student protests in Tiananmen Square, in China, in 1989, to student activism in this country during the 1960s and 1970s, students have prompted changes at the highest levels. Yet, students do not prompt change merely through protest. As a group, students are the most service-oriented subset of our population. And I think that the greatest change comes through such service. Throughout this volume, you will see examples of how our students are changing the world, one small act at a time, through service and experiential learning.

As I reflect upon the accomplishments covered here, I must applaud our students for their passion and compassion. As the Nazi concentration camp survivor, Elie Wiesel, reminded us all, “The opposite of love is not hate; it’s indifference… And the opposite of life is not death; it’s indifference.”

It is my pleasure to witness our students, as they change our world!

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School of Arts & Letters

Ford awarded music scholarship

Photo by Krystian Fairchild

Jamie Ford, a sophomore music education major, has been awarded the Clara Freshour Nelson Scholarship through the Texas Association of Music Schools. The scholarship is worth an annual amount of $6,000, and is renewable until she graduates.

“After I found out I️ had received the scholarship, I️ was extremely happy,” Ford said. “I had worked very hard in preparing for it and grew as a musician through that process. It was reassuring to know that even if I hadn’t have gotten the scholarship, the work I had done had paid off in my improvement.”

Ford had to submit a performance tape and an essay describing her music ambitions and goals. The applications were sent to a scholarship selection committee, who reviewed the applications and ultimately selected a winner.

Ford, who plays the oboe under instructor Elise Belk, reflected on her career goals saying, “I️ am not sure what I would like to be in the future. My degree is focusing on music education, and I️ love teaching.”

Photo by Krystian Fairchild Jamie pictured with her oboe during her senior year at Chisolm Trail High School

In 2016, Alan Michael, another Wesleyan student, was also awarded the Clara Freshour Nelson Scholarship. Like Ford, Michael is a music education major at Wesleyan and studies voice under Professor Julie McCoy. Michael was the first

student from Texas Wesleyan University to ever receive the scholarship.

The Texas Association of Music Schools limits the applicants to one student from each university’s music department per year.

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Fall 2017

Onder wins Headliner scholarship Hannah Onder, sophomore mass communication major, became the first student from Texas Wesleyan to be awarded a scholarship from the Headliners Foundation of Texas. Onder was among 16 students awarded scholarships from the Foundationthis year. Onder applied for the scholarship in Spring 2017 after Dr. Kay Colley, chair and associate professor of mass communication, suggested she apply.

“I am grateful to Dr. Colley for suggesting it to me, and Dr. Ferman for writing me an excellent letter of recommendation,” Onder said.

Onder was invited to attend the 2017 Mike Quinn Awards Luncheon atthe Headliners Club in Austin on Sept. 16, where other scholarship winners were also honored. At the event she met with the student honorees and professional journalists.

“I felt very honored to be selected for this award after only working for a college newspaper for a year at that time,” she said.

“It was fun to meet and network with the other students and professionals at the Headliners Luncheon as well.”

Onder impressed the members of the Headliners Foundation with her application and at the Awards Luncheon.“ It is with great pride that we recognize students like Hannah with scholarships designed to assist them in reaching their journalistic goals,” said Patti C.Smith, Headliners Foundation Academic Excellence Chair and International Media Consultant.

“Their commitment to journalistic excellence across all disciplines is exemplary and worthy of this recognition.”

Onder is the incoming Editor-in-Chief of Rambler Media Group and has worked for The Rambler for three semesters.

Photo by Melanie Onder Hannah will be the new editor-in-chief of Rambler Media Group

Photo courtesy of Melanie Onder Hannah and Dr. Colley attend the Headliners Luncheon

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School of Arts & Letters

RMG wins collegiate award

Photo by Tina Huynh RMG students Tina Huynh, Hannah Onder, and Shaydi Paramore pose for a photo at the Collegiate Media Association Conference

Texas Wesleyan University student media outlets placed in the top 10 nationally at the Associated Collegiate Press and Collegiate Media Association conferences in Dallas in October.

Individuals from Rambler TV also placed in the inaugural film festival sponsored by CMA. The winners included: therambler.org, eighth place website small school category The Rambler, eighth place best in show for newspapers, four-year less than weekly category Tina Huynh, second place on-site promotional video Sachiko Jayaratne, first place video feature package Sachiko Jayaratne, third place video sports package Dr. Dave Ferman, faculty advisor for Rambler Media Group, said he is glad to see the student’s hard work over the past year pay off.

“I am so proud of our student journalists, and especially of Editor-in-Chief

Shaydi Paramore for her endless hard work and dedication to making The Rambler as good as it is, every day and every issue,” Ferman said.

Paramore, a senior mass communication major, is ecstatic about placing and even more excited that her staff was recognized for their exceptional work.

“After I graduate, my replacement will be getting a tremendous staff of eager writers,” Paramore said. “I’m sure the only direction the newspaper and website will go is up.”

Tina Huynh, sophomore mass communication major, said that she is grateful for being able to represent the University.

“I appreciate The Rambler for hiring me last year, and for the opportunity to compete in contests such as this,” Huynh said.

Senior mass communication major and Rambler TV Director Sachiko Jayaratne believes winning an award at the college level can only help her in her future.

“Winning an award is like stepping into a thousand other opportunities,” she said.

“I believe that the beginning part of your

work is the most important, and if you push yourself every day it will only weigh your work in the right direction.”

Dr. Ngozi Akinro, the Rambler TV faculty adviser, calls this a great win for Rambler Media Group and commends her TV staffers.

“Sachiko and Tina are hard workers and are very meticulous,” she said. “Once they set their mind to work, they go all the way.

I am proud of them and look forward to more wins and successes in Rambler TV’s future.”

Dr. Kay L. Colley, Rambler Media Group Director and Mass Communication Department Chair, attended the conference with Shaydi Paramore, Hannah Onder and Tina Huynh in addition to presenting at the conference and serving on the conference committee.

“This was such a great opportunity for our students to compete at the national level and excel,” she said. “I am very proud of them and look forward to seeing more great things in the future.”

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Fall 2017

Veterans call Wesleyan home “After visiting the campus, I knew that this little university was what I needed -” Felix Revilla

Texas Wesleyan University is known for its student-first approach, standing apart from larger universities with its emphasis on smaller class sizes.

Its Smaller. Smarter approach gives graduate and undergraduate students an enriched learning experience. With a strong foundation in liberal arts, Texas Wesleyan’s commitment to student success also accommodates working adults in a format accessible to their busy schedules.

This commitment extends to veterans as well, where Texas Wesleyan has a strong support system for those transitioning from the active duty to student life.

Felix Revilla and Christopher Macias are both veterans who are currently enrolled in the Liberal Studies program at Texas Wesleyan. They are set to graduate this December and credit the school’s Smaller. Smarter promise as a key component to their success.

Revilla is 34 and served 11 years in the Army. He says he chose Texas Wesleyan after a recommendation from his cousin who is an alumnus.

“Dealing with PTSD, I came to find out that the overcrowded classes of UT Arlington [were] not for me,” said Revilla. “After visiting the campus, I knew that this little university was what I needed.”

Macias, who is also an Army veteran after serving 22 years, was also drawn by the small scale environment.

“I chose Texas Wesleyan University because immediately I felt more than being a number, like I and so many other veterans have experienced” Macias said.

Revilla and Macias both credited the Liberal Arts program for granting them flexibility when choosing their career paths, which Master’s program to pursuer, and the ability to give them an overall well-rounded learning experience.

“Everyone from Kadedra Miller, our on campus VA representative, to the Liberal Arts advisors helped make sure we could move on to bigger and better things,” Macias said.

Texas Wesleyan University is ranked #29 in Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News 2018 rankings, making it the perfect place

Photo courtesy of Christopher Macias Macias is pictured during his serivce in the Army.

for men and women like Revilla and Macias to further their education after their service.

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School of Arts & Letters

Art gallery showcases work from From dream to reality

The Bernice Coulter Templeton Art Studio gallery is officially open.

The Gallery works actively to establish the importance and significance of the visual arts relative to the environment that is present around our Wesleyan community.

Already, the new Gallery has hosted three successful shows. These will be followed by an Art Bash next spring, where students, staff and faculty get to participate.

Professor Kit Hall, also known as the guru of art, said that Wesleyan had lost the element of visual arts in so many years, and it is time to bring that back.

“Over the years, art has evolved outside of the consciousness of Wesleyan,” She said. “And, as an artist I find that awful.”

Now with the Bernice Coulter Templeton Studio, Hall has brought Wesleyan back into the art community.

“In this way, the community at Wesleyan will have the option to pay a visit to the Art Gallery given any Photo by Sachiko Jayaratne Professor Kit Hall addresses visitors at the Bernice Coulter Templeton Art Studio Gallery

possible day,” Hall said.

The Fall exhibition was composed of various artwork from two main up-and-coming artists Juan Cruz and Genevieve Armstrong. Their artwork contains two different concepts, and they have built their own ballad for their masterpieces.

“Armstrong’s artwork is, of her, and what it is like to be a 28-yearold female in this world,” Hall said.

“Juan presents his art based also on identity but also considering the challenges of culture.”

Hall said both artists have the ability to include large content of work with just paper that are reflective and challenge the viewers personally and also socially. With the use of exhibitions, the Gallery provides a central place for visitors to see these works of art.

Fall 2017

m students and other artists

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Photo by Sachiko Jayaratne Artwork done by students is displayed for guests to enjoy

The Gallery encourages Wesleyan students to be a part of the community that is growing in the sense of good visual art.

“One of the goals of the Gallery is to use it as a teaching tool,” Professor Hall said. “Because this Gallery is for Wesleyan students.”

The Gallery appreciates any person with the skill to create.

Today, art is seen in almost every aspect of many events.

“With the use of art, the knowledge of the individual expands, and the question leads on to, how can art fit into everything,” she said. “The truth is, it does.”

Hall said the university has provided great support in making this gallery a success and a great learning experience for the visitors.

“I hope Wesleyan treats this gallery as a secondary class room,” she said. “Not just to appreciate the art, but to learn from it.”

Upcoming Art Exhibitions 2018: Jan. 16, 2018: Art Exhibition: “Fluid Dialog” Feb. 1, 2018: Art Bash Workshop Feb. 3, 2018: Art Exhibition: “Fluid Dialog”

The Bernice Coulter Templeton Art Studio is open to the public Monday - Thursday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

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School of Arts & Letters

Ram Band makes noise

The resurrection of the Texas Wesleyan football program brought with it a few new programs—one of those was a Pep Band.

Tyler Simpson, senior music education major, was the first person who mentioned the idea of beginning a Pep Band at Wesleyan.

“Originally, I aided in sparking the idea for the initial Pep Band in the Spring of 2015,” Simpson said.

“I formulated price estimates for the instruments needed to start the band and attended the first few meetings between the Chairman of the Music Department/ Director of Bands as the student representative.” Simpson said he has taken on an important leadership role within the band. “I have accepted the position of the Drum Captain of the Pep Band,” he said. “I have composed many cadences, wrote all percussive parts for our school fight song, and continue in leading specific rehearsals for both the Pep Band and drumline.”

Simpson said he believes the band had a great first year despite some challenges the group faced. “There were of course challenges throughout the semester that we had to overcome,” he said. “Instrumental limitations, lack of initial program foundation and etcetera--with this, the Pep Band surpassed expectations and united as a band to share ideas, creating the most ideal first season possible.”

Simpson said he enjoyed getting to finally participate in playing for a band again.

“The amount of collaboration between the Pep Band and other essential groups wasby far the most interactive part of the Ram Band experience,” he said. “The openness to student input allowed the entire season to truly have student interaction.”

Simpson said that each member of the band contributed equally to the Pep Band’s success.

“Each member attempted to contribute something new to Texas Wesleyan University,” Simpson said. “The band members demonstrated a substantial amount of patience, perception, open-mindedness and unity from the start of the season to its conclusion.”

With the excitement for next year, Simpson hopes the organization will grow even more.

Photo by Chuck Greeson/Marketing & Communications Ram Band performs at Wesleyan home football game at Farrington Field in Fort Worth.

“We hope that in the future more students across campus will join the Pep Band as it is open to all,” he said. “We will continue to solidify newfound traditions by collaborating with each other, expand repertoire, and will continue to reach out.”

Simpson said the greatest part of all was getting to be on the entire field again playing.

“Playing at the Wesleyan football games induced a sense of nostalgia,” Simpson said. “Performing with a drumline again is the equivalent to an athlete finally being able to participate in their respective sport or a science major to re-enter a lab for the first time in years.”

For Simpson, being an active member of the Pep Band was something special.

“There was nothing else like it,” he said.

“Being a part of the Pep Band was beyond gratifying in the sense that we all helped establish traditions that will hopefully last for years to come.”

Want to join?

Ram Band is open to any student who is interested in joining. For more information, visit txwes.edu or contact Paul Sikes at psikes@txwes.edu

Fall 2017

MCO student travels to D.C.

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Gracie WegerColeman and Dalise DeVos, mass communication graduates in May, were finalists for the Washington Media Fellows Scholarship this summer in Washington, D.C.The two were the first team from Wesleyan to become finalists for the national competition.

The Washington Media Fellows Scholarship Foundation, which sponsors the competition, connects deserving young people with senior level executives from major media companies and provides academic scholarships to students pursuing degrees in a variety of disciplines.

The duo began the contest in Fall 2017 and submitted a media plans in early Spring 2018 as the first part of the three-part contest.

Their plan was Photo courtesy of Gracie Weger Coleman selected as one of Coleman visiting Washington D.C. for the Washington Media Fellows Scholarship this summer the top plans in “I was pretty upset that Dalise could variables and ways to go about prethe nation, moving not go because we worked so hard tosenting. I used everything I had them to the second round, where they gether,” Coleman said. “I really want- learned prior, and that was the reason created a communications plan. This my presentation was a success.” plan was selected as one of the top six ed to experience this trip with her.”

As the only member of her team, Coleman said the trip was a total in the nation, earning Coleman and Coleman said she had to rework her success,and she learned so many DeVos the trip to Washington, D.C. campaign.”The first day I got there I intangible and tangible lessons. The “Balancing school work and trying connections she made were vital, and to prepare for the event was arduous,” took off on my own and explored the city a bit, then I got straight to work,” the knowledge she gained was irreDeVos said. “But Gracie and I put forth all our effort to making this great. she said.“I was staying up until around placeable.

“My advice to anyone who is interThe first aspect involved a media buy- 3 a.m.working on the campaign. I ested in the Foundation would be to ing project that we worked on together think that it turned out pretty sound and I cannot complain.The coolest just go for it because this was an amazand submitted,” DeVos said.

What was going to be the experience thing for me was the whole week lead- ing experience for me,” Coleman said. ing up to the presentation,” Coleman “You do not have to be into politics. of a lifetime for the two, spending a said.“We went to all sorts of different The connections made and the knowlweek in Washington, D.C. and complaces and learned about media buying edge I gained was truly awesome.” peting for the scholarship, turned out and learned about so many different to be a solo trip for Coleman.

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School of Arts & Letters

Wesleyan acquires Steinway grand piano

Texas Wesleyan University’s Music Department acquired a world-renowned Steinway grand piano, featured at the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Jerry Bierschenk, associate professor and Department of Music chair said the Department is excited to have the piano.

“Acquiring this beautiful instrument is equivalent to a museum receiving a fine work of art,” Bierschenk said.

“We are proud to have this gem adorn the stage of Martin Hall.”

Wesleyan’s new Steinway grand is a model D, which is the largest of all Steinway models. It is just under nine feet in length and 990 pounds in weight.

This instrument comes from the Steinway Hall Concert & Artist bank in New York. The piano has been specially maintained to make sure there was no sound quality lost. It is the best of the best when it comes to concert grand’s, and is the most sought after piano for the world’s greatest pianists.

Senior music education major Alex Lopez said the Department is lucky to have such a well-regarded instruPhoto by Tina Huynh ment for students to use.

The world-renowned Steinway grand piano can be seened at Martin Hall.

“It’s not about having an expensive piano in the department,” Lopez said. “This piano was hand said. “It brings the sound to life more than any other instrupicked by the best pianists in the world. They chose ment I’ve heard, and we are so incredibly lucky to have it in our to perform with it, and now we get to play with it also. department.”

“It isn’t every day we get an opportunity such as this one,” he

Photo by Tina Huynh

The piano was recently featured in the 2017 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and is most sought after for the world’s greatest piano.

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Fall 2017

Dawson writes PlayMarket script Junior theatre major Kevin Dawson had an idea from reading one sentence on a piece of paper, and from that idea, he made a script, Empathy for the Anomie.

Dawson said the story idea came from a springboard. A springboard is pictures or text that sparks an idea in writing. The springboard was one sentence: “A character’s environment is affected by their mood.”

“So that sentence helped me come up with the idea of a weird futuristic design for a room --how a 1960s TV show would see the future,” Dawson said.

Dawson has taken inspiration from the works of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, and that sparked his idea of doing his own form of pseudo-absurdism.

“It’s big absurdist comedy with drama that is very personal,” Dawson said. “I came up with the idea of creating a unique look at emotional abuse and disguising it as absurdist comedy.

That way it can reach more people with their guards down so that they are more receptive to the message.”

When writing the script, Dawson faced a few challenges.

“The challenges with this piece have always been finding the right balance with the absurdist comedy and the personal drama,” he said. “I am constantly tweaking things so that the characters are consistent in what I want them to be and they never do anything that is out of character.”

Despite the challenges that he has faced, Dawson still finds motivation to keep working on the script, making it better.

“I’m motivated by the fact that I believe this to be an important message for a lot of people,” he said. “Maybe it can help them in some small way, be it through the comedy or the drama. I’m just very motivated by the desire to reach people.”

Dawson has also received the support from family, friends and professors in his endeavor.

“The people supporting me are phenomenal,” he said. “Jeanne Everton, [associate professor of theatre] has been so instrumental in helping me see the way people behave in certain situations, which is an important part of this show. My mother has always been a huge support to me and never doubted me when I told her I wanted a life in theatre or film.”

Dawson said Connie Whitt-Lambert, professor of theatre, kept encouraging him to keep working on the piece. When she chose it for this Playmarket, it was a sensational experience.

Dawson started writing this script two years ago. He never thought it would come this far.

“I just thought I was writing something kind of nice,” he said.

“But as I kept coming back to it, I began to see all the opportunities there were to turn this into something kind of interesting.”

Photo courtesy of Jacob Sanchez

About PlayMarket:

PlayMarket has been part of the regular season since 1999 and has showcased more than 20 original scripts both on campus and in New York. The selection procedure for the Wesleyan PlayMarket for 2017 is a six- month process.

Recipients had until Oct. 15 to complete entries and email them to Connie Whitt-Lambert. Whitt-Lambert is also the creator and producer of the Wesleyan PlayMarket, a venue for the works of Wesleyan students.

For more information, contact Connie Whitt-Lambert at cwhittlambert@txwes.edu

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School of Arts & Letters

The Dean’s List Spring 2017

Edon Ademaj Andrew Anderson Debra Barrick Elaine Barron Rachel Bradford Luis Calderon Britany Clark Lauren Dixon Edward Fitzhugh Katherine Frankel Ashley Frazier Sophia Gordon Kaitlin Hatton Daniel Hernandez Julian Hobdy Benjamin Huebner Jan Lassker Dylan Luster Larasue Merritt Jasmine Mesre Isabel Olmedo Hannah Onder Kimberly Owen Sarah Owens Kayla Prachyl Natalie Prieto Zahraa Saheb Richard Salazar Kimberlee Sims Kelee Teague Tammy Titlow Victoria Vera-Zamora Casey Williams

Elizabeth Allen Chalon Anderson Mercedes Arevalo Miguel Arreguin Dulce Benitez Tristen Brown Yasmin Cazares Maria Collazo de Sandoval Dexter Collins Trezjon Cothran Torris Curry Misty Dedman Jamie Ford Gary Girard Richard Givans Mary Grim Isabel Guereca Abbie Hancock Kane Hardin Enriqueta Hernandez Bria Huckaby Chanel Hurd Han Mai Huynh Calvin Johnson Akeel Johnson Mariah Kuhn Rachel Levy Siying Liang Jorge Lopez Christopher Macias Celeste Marek Charlotte Marti

Kaitlin McGehee Amber McIntyre Emily Messenger Karan Muns Clarissa Murillo Lindsey Nance Eric Nunez Malik Offor Shaydi Paramore Joann Petry Carolyn Phillips Clayton Phillips Jaclyn Puga Antonio Quinones Jared Rabye Amanda Roach Steven Roberts Crystal Salazar Samantha Sells Willie Smith Alberto Solis Kasey Szamatulski Alfredo Tamayo Jose Torres John Traxler Devon Tunnell Kimberly Vankirk Brittany Wade Alan Whetsel Setford Jasmin White Sarah Williams Ashton Willis

Wesleynotes is the official newsletter for the School of Arts and Letters at Texas Wesleyan University. It was produced, designed and edited by students in MCO 3351 Survey of Public Relations at Wesleyan.

Contributors: Sam Bastien Editor Shaydi Paramore Designer Ashton Willis Michael Wolfe Jennifer Watson Sachiko Jayaratne Jared Rabye Jose Najar Kane Hardin Jeremy Crane Peyton Prudhomme For more information, contact the Dean of Arts and Letters office at 817531-4900, or stop by the Polytechnic United Methodist Church, Room 256 Got a story idea you would like featured in the spring 2018 edition of Wesleynotes? Contact Dr. Kay Colley at kcolley@txwes.edu

CONGRATULATIONS!