Crescent Magazine March 2011

crescent College Culture Upfront

March 2011 w uecrescentmagazine.com

University of Evansville

magazine

Major,

MAJOR

Problems

Why all departments aren’t created equal

The

POWER

of Multi-tasking Atlas Allen carries his world on broad, steady shoulders

Bookworm Central Central provides an alternative to the stuffy libraries of old

Beyond the MIRROR

Can you learn to love the skin you’re in?

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?

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[ October 2010 ] Crescent Magazine

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T R E A S U R E T R A D

I

Every year on Founders Day, the Alumni Association recognizes alumni for their continuing commitment to the University of Evansville.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees: Distinguished Alumnus Award – Steve Harkness ‘70, retired president of Duke Energy Generation Services of Indianapolis, who endowed five scholarships, currently serves as a University trustee and chaired the presidential search committee.

Young Alumna Award – Melissa A. (Guthrie) Wagler ‘04, Federal Government employee from

&

T

I

O N S

e t a r eleb

C

the Founding of

February 10, 1854

The University’s founders filed a certificate of incorporation with the State of Indiana establishing Moores Hill Male and Female Collegiate Institute.

The name was shortened to Moores Hill College.

Vienna, VA, who serves UE as a LEAGUE volunteer and mentor and numerous other worthy groups in her community ranging from Race for the Cure to Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

February 17, 1919

Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award – Barbara Price ‘66, retired

February 17, 1967

vice president of Health, Environment and Safety for Phillips Petroleum Company, who is a current trustee, mentor and past president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. She endowed a scholarship and served as vicechair for the presidential search committee.

Samuel Orr Honorary Alumna Award – Laurel Vaughn, a retired teacher from Evansville. She is following in her parents’ footsteps with her incredible service to UE. She serves on Friends of UE Music board, Neu Chapel Society, Theatre Society and Purple Aces Club.

UE !

The school was chartered as Evansville College and the move to Evansville began.

With the signature of the Governor on this date, the name of the institution was changed to the University of Evansville.

Upcoming Events to Remember UE Birthday Party •

Feb. 18

Founders Day Convo ca Awards Luncheon • tion and Feb. 20

University of Evansville Alumni Association • www.evansville.edu/alumni [ February 2011 ] Crescent Magazine 1

[ THIS MONTH’S ]

directors’

There’s an App for That Technology does everything for us these days. It helps with homework, gives directions and can even blow out candles — are you comfortable with that?

I

t seems that nothing is private anymore. As technology advances, the world becomes smaller — and there is no place to hide. But where do we draw the line? Why shouldn’t you inform all of your friends on Facebook what you are doing every moment of the day or night? You just made a peanut butter sandwich. Good for you, champ.

In this issue of Crescent Magazine, we will explore just how candid we’re being via websites like Facebook and Twitter, as outlets for our self-expression. How dependent we have become on technology as a whole, and how has that affected our need to express ourselves?

As more and more students are investing in laptops and smart phones, more of us are taking to the Internet to share every intimate — or mind-numbingly mundane — detail of our lives. We inform the social networking world of every move we make. You changed rooms? Time to change your status. But what happens when we share too much?

Most of us already know that parents, professors and potential employers can see everything we put out into the public domain, just by typing our names into Google. Some people make their social networking pages private — but is that enough? Why take the extra effort to block someone or make a limited view profile, set just for them, when you could just censor yourself in the first place and avoid troublesome posts?

We are drawn to technology because it simplifies our lives. An app exists for almost everything, so we can do most anything we did before and expend only half the effort. The phones and laptops keep getting smaller and more portable, which makes it that much easier for us to be attached to technology at all times. We don’t have to wait until we get back to our rooms to update our statuses. All we have to do is whip out our phones and update them right in class. And if we’re all doing it — if we all use our phones to calculate tips and look up driving directions — then what’s the problem?

The problem is figuring out what is too much. Once you have downloaded an app that will allow your phone to direct a gust of air at your birthday candles or blow the dust off your keyboard, have you become tech-savvy or just plain lazy?

At the same time, sites such as Facebook and Twitter feed on our need to be the center of attention, and it seems these outlets have moved from being a marginal part of our lives to being the center around which they revolve. Often we can’t even have a conversation without bringing up a friend’s funny post or status or the latest YouTube video. If all mention of technology was taken out of our conversations, what would be left? Anything?

Let’s face it, our generation is about two things: spilling our guts and doing it the easy way. Certainly, the instant access to information provided by social networking and other parts of the Internet has the potential to improve our lives, and the drawbacks do not yet seem to outweigh the benefit of convenience. Despite whatever concerns we may have, we continue to suck on the cold, robotic teat of mother technology — it tastes so bittersweet. w Wondering about Campus Crime and what’s happening with Student Congress? visit uecrescentmagazine.com every week for updates

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Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

The award-winning LinC yearbook is accepting applications for the 2011–12 academic year.

•Editor-in-Chief •Writing Editor •Photo Editor •Copy Editor •Designer •Section Assistants •Photographers Pick up an application in Student Publications, second floor Ridgway or download an application from: uecrecentmagazine.com Applications due April 4 in Student Publications Questions?

Contact tm2@evansville.edu

Still haven’t picked up your FREE copy of the 2009–10 LinC? Now’s the time.

Students eligible for a FREE book are those who were full time for both semesters of the 2009–10 academic year.

crescent MAGAZINE w w w

EDITORIAL Writing Director: Rachel Solava Writing Editor: Brennan Girdler Assignment Editor: Kristin Benzinger Columnists: Regan Campbell, Jon Harvey Contributing Writers: Elizabeth Crozier, Joshua Garrett, Cassie Gutman, Jonathan Hall, Mindy Kurtz, Abby Sperry, Kate Wood CREATIVE Assistant Creative Director: Amanda Topper Photo Editor: Sunny Johnson Designer: Amanda Squire Advertising Designers: Yolanda Alvarado, Ryan Cramer, Andrew Schulingkamp Web Designers: Alyssa Key, Kristin Toney Contributing Photographers: Jessica Crihfeld, Amy Rabenberg Website Consultant: James Will Advertising Design Consultant: Melissa Weisman EDITING Editing Director: Lacey Conley Copy Editor: Miranda Stinson MARKETING & SALES Marketing & Sales Director: David Riedford Marketing Liaison: Taylor Paquette HOW TO CONTACT US: Address: 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, Ind. 47722 Phone: (812) 488–2846 FAX: (812) 488–2224 E-mail: crescentmagazine@evansville.edu Marketing & Sales: (812) 488–2221 and 488–2223 Advertising E-mail: crescentadvertising@evansville.edu Printer: Mar-Kel Quick Print, Newburgh, Ind. CRESCENT MAGAZINE is UE’s student magazine. It is written, edited and designed by and for students, and distributed seven times during the academic year. The magazine is funded through advertising revenue and a subscription fee paid on behalf of students by SGA. Circulation is 1,700. © 2011 Student Publications, University of Evansville.

Editorial Policy. Commentary expressed in unsigned editorial pieces represent a consensus opinion of Crescent Magazine’s Editorial Board. All other columns, articles and advertising are not necessarily the opinion of the Editorial Board or other members of the magazine’s staff.

Letter Submissions. E-mail your letters to crescentmagazine@evansville.edu and write “letter” in the subject line. Crescent Magazine welcomes letters from UE students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni, but material the Editorial Board regards as libelous, malicious and/or obscene will not be published.

Letters should not exceed 400 words. For verification, letters must include the author’s name, year in school or title and e-mail address. Crescent Magazine will not print anonymous letters or those letters that cannot be verified. Letters may be edited for length, style, grammar and spelling. They may also appear on uecrescentmagazine.com.

contents

uecrescentmagazine.com

MARCH 2011

4 Sports 6 In the Know 8 Schitzengiggles 9 Through the Lens 10 Off the Wall 11 Janky vs. Juicy 12 Entertainment: Central Library 14 Beyond the Mirror 16 What’s on Your Mind?

19 Major, Major Problem 23 Food 24 Health & Science 25 Read with Passion 26 Fascinating People: Atlas Allen 28 Sports in Action 29 Campus Comment 30 The Lists 31 A Closer Look 32 Just the Facts 32 Crossword

wwww SLICE of life

On the Cover: Studying isn’t the most exciting college pastime. Sophomore Caitlin Gilbert allows the time to pass a little quicker, making the task a little easier and more enjoyable by putting headphones in her ears to drown out the many sounds of the crowded Ridgway Center. Jessica Crihfield/Crescent Magazine

[ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

3

[ SPORTS ]

by Cassie Gutman

F

The whole program is great... I get out of it what I put into it.”

—Sean Behensky

the locker room,” she said.

In fact, the managers arrive at Roberts Stadium two hours before each game starts to ensure that everything is ready. Kepner said the position can be so much work, it’s almost like a fulltime job. And although the late-night laundry can intrude upon her schedule, she still has time to finish her homework and spend time with her friends.

“We divide the laundry,” Kepner said. “It lightens the load.”

Even though she is used to the workload — she also managed at her high school in Denver — Kepner had to learn new skills to continue the job in college.

“The upperclassmen have been really helpful, and we joke around a lot,” she said.

“There’s support there because we’re all friends.”

And while Kepner is the only female manager for the men’s basketball team, she said this does not affect how she interacts with the team or

did you know...

The 11 managers for the men’s and women’s basketball teams devote up to 35 hours a week to practices and games, traveling to away games as well.

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Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

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rom pregame warmups to time-outs to tallying the final scores, more happens on the basketball court than meets the eye. While the players warm up, managers make sure the locker room is clean, the water bottles are filled and everything else is ready to go for the game. In order for the players to focus on the game, these extraordinary managers take to the court before the clock even starts.

Sophomore Andy Hegeman, a manager for the men’s basketball team, said he likes the focus to remain on the players.

“We’re not supposed to be in the spotlight or the center of attention,” he said.

For the managers, it’s all about the team.

“We make sure everything is set up so the players don’t have to think about anything else,” Hegeman said.

From filming the practices to running the clock, the managers take care of it all. They ensure the tapes of practices and games are sent to opposing teams, they break down individual players’ statistics, they provide the players with towels and water on the sidelines and they even do the team’s laundry.

Freshman Carissa Kepner, another manager for the men’s team, explained that a manager’s job begins long before the game does.

“We have [warm-ups] in the morning, and after those I gather laundry and vacuum

the forces BEHIND the bench Managers behind the scenes get the Aces prepped, pumped and ready to play some serious hoops. her ability to perform tasks.

“It’s not a place where the guys make fun of me or treat me differently,” she said. “The team takes care of each other. I can’t do everything by myself, and neither can they.”

This feeling of unity echoes with all the managers. They work together to get the team ready for practices and games, helping whomever they can.

“There’s a sense of accomplishment and responsibility that I really enjoy,” Kepner said.

While freshmen like Kepner have been learning the ropes, senior Sean Behensky has held his position for three years.

“The whole program is great, and I get out of it what I put into it,” he said.

In his three years as a manager for the men’s team, he has established close relationships with both players and coaches.

Hegeman explained that the upperclass managers sit behind the bench during the games, getting water and towels ready for time-outs and making sure the activity on the sidelines runs smoothly.

Thankfully, all their hard work does not go unnoticed by the coaches.

“The coaching staff is very nice and cooperative.

They’ve helped me with class and given recommendations for jobs and scholarships,” Behensky said.

The managers see every opportunity as a learning experience, looking to the coaches for guidance and advice. Kepner said the coaches always stress the importance of being like a family.

With this mentality, managing the team is so much more than just an extracurricular activity. For some, it is even a step toward a career in coaching.

“Coaching is extremely important to me,” Hegeman said. “It’s my work, and it’s my future.” A sports management major, Hegeman hopes to someday be a head coach and knows that his job managing is critical to his plans.

“It’s definitely a fulltime job,” he said. “The older I get, the more hours I put in.”

For freshman Becca Lackey, a manager for the women’s team, it’s all

about the players’ improvement.

“I love seeing the women progress as players,” she said.

“We’re only halfway through [the season], and I can already see a big improvement.”

Lackey also played basketball in high school and enjoys seeing it played at the collegiate level.

But no matter how the managers began and no matter how they plan to use their managing experience in the future, they all understand the importance their roles play in the success of the team. The managers spend countless hours with their teams — at practice, on road trips and during meals — all of which bring them closer together.

“We’re all good friends,” Behensky said. “I’ve known some since my small group, freshman year.” He said that after some practices, the managers even like to shoot some hoops themselves.

Like any job, managing can prove to be difficult on top of homework and studying, but the managers all agree that their hard work pays off. And it shows in the high distinctions they have received.

Recently, Behensky was awarded an Athletic Equipment Managers Association scholarship, and he also received the Mark D. Kniese Scholarship as the top manager at UE. “I respect Sean so much,” Hegeman said. “He is able to juggle so much on top of managing, and I really look up to him for that.”

Mutual respect and countless hours together have created these ties among managers, which are visible on the court as well.

The managers get pumped up for the game just like the players do, and they love to watch a welldeserved victory after all their hard work.

“I love the competition,” Hegeman said. “The thrill of being with a collegiate athletic program is great, and we want to win just as much as the players. We’re hurt just as badly when we lose.” w

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[ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

5

[ IN THE KNOW ]

Cars 101 Tips and tricks for maintaining your car — aimed at amateur grease monkeys.

by Brennan Girdler, Cassie Gutman & Elizabeth Crozier

w w w w

With road trip season steadily approaching, it is important for drivers to be sure their cars are in good condition. Tires, gas, oil and coolant are four important parts of car care and wellbeing.

By keeping these in check, those on the road can be sure they have safe — and also affordable — trips.

TIRES When it comes to vehicle safety, most drivers do not realize that their biggest danger could be right beneath them. Tires are an essential part of every car — they spin, they make you go — and maintaining them is just as important as keeping your gas tank above “E.” Wet roads? Ice? Snow? Tires are designed to handle these conditions, but because they are rubber, their treads deteriorate with every mile. One trick of the trade for checking your treads is the penny test. Most states consider tires legally worn when less than 2/32 of an inch of tread remains. By putting a penny into the treads, drivers will know when their tires are too worn.

If Lincoln’s head is visible above the tread line, a driver can be at risk.

According to Tirerack.com, if less than 4/32 inches of tread is left, a vehicle is in danger of hydroplaning or floating across puddles of water and losing traction.

To minimize tread-wear, it is important drivers rotate their tires. According to Tiresafety.com, doing this shifts the wear spots on the tires. It is recommended that tires be rotated every 5,000 to 7,000 miles.

Tire pressure can also be a good danger indicator. If tires are underinflated, they can be overloaded by the weight of a car and can be ruined. Or if it is a hot day and they are overinflated, tires are at risk of exploding.

Every vehicle’s user manual has

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Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

information regarding the recommended pressure.

Kevin Bowen, owner of Bowen Auto Services, said tire pressure is vital because keeping tires full reduces rolling resistance. This can increase mileage, but may have a negative effect on the tires’ wear-expectancy.

Bowen also recommended rotating tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles or every other oil change.

Try to check each tire’s pressure every month. One quick, simple check can save a driver from a collision or decreased mileage — not to mention pricy new tires.

EFFICIENCY As gas prices continue to climb, students are becoming more concerned with saving money on long drives and trips. Before gearing up for a road trip to the beach, check out your vehicle to make sure you’re getting the best gas mileage you possibly can, so you get the most bang for your buck.

Tony Ricketts, D-Patrick general sales manager, suggests simply keeping your car maintained and updated — both of which relate to mileage.

“Anything can cause the fuel efficiency to drop, and good maintenance makes everything run smoothly,” he said.

Ricketts also said to keep the tires THE BOTTOM LINE

inflated and to drive the car at a steady speed. Accelerating too quickly can burn through gas much faster than driving at a consistent speed.

“Newer cars also have less of a chance for a mechanical breakdown,” Ricketts said.

When choosing a vehicle to take to the beach, it is advised to pick the newest make. According to fueleconomy. gov, traveling with luggage packed on the roof allows more space for passengers inside the car, permitting the vehicle to be of smaller size. Smaller vehicles mean better gas mileage, and better gas mileage means more money to spend on vacation.

Bowen gave three tips for efficiency.

The first is maintaining your cars’ ignition system, which includes spark plugs and other hardware. He also recommends keeping the air filter up-to-date and keeping your tire pressure high.

Anything can cause the fuel efficiency to drop, and good maintenance makes everything run smoothly.”

—Tony Ricketts Fueleconomy.gov suggests checking the air filter in your car before heading out on a long trip. A clogged air filter can cause the engine to work harder, using more gas and costing more.

OIL We all know the idea of doing your own oil change can sound a little scary.

While the process can be a messy one, it isn’t as difficult as you might think. It just takes three easy steps.

For this project, you’ll need an oil filter, an oil recycle container, a funnel, new oil and a clean rag. Before you start, make sure the engine is off and completely cooled down. Put something under the engine in case the oil spills.

The first step is to let the old oil out. w w w w

Keep you car in check. Knowing standard maintenance is vital to stretching a tank of gas, keeping your engine healthy and staying safe.

To do this, locate the drain plug on the bottom of the engine. Pull out the boltlooking plug, and let the oil drain into the oil recycle container. Be sure to replace the drain plug before moving on.

Next, you must replace the oil filter.

To do this, first remove the old oil filter using a wrench and turn the filter counterclockwise until it is free. Be careful, because there may still be oil in the filter, which could spill. Before putting in the new filter, lubricate the rubber gasket and fill the filter two-thirds of the way full with oil; then screw the filter back in place.

Finally, it’s time for the new oil.

Take off the oil cap, located under the hood, and insert the funnel. Your car manual will provide information about how much oil your car holds, and it is recommended you add only threefourths of that amount. Use the dipstick to check the oil and add more as needed until the tank is three-quarters full.

Oil changes should be done every 7,500 miles for cars that are handled well and receive regular maintenance.

But because anyone can get a license,

and most drivers don’t follow every rule of the road, it is best to change it every 3,000 miles.

COOLANT Coolant is an often-overlooked but essential part of keeping every car healthy. Before checking the coolant levels, make sure the engine is no longer hot. Then pop the hood and check the levels.

According to automedia.com, coolant, or antifreeze, is designed to circulate through the engine block to keep it from overheating. Bowen said it’s important to change the coolant at least once a year, to cover the temperature range your vehicle will encounter.

Coolant is located in a clear plastic container, with measurements on the side to show the high and low levels.

If it’s low, add more. Adding coolant is very easy.

Unscrew the cap on the coolant container, then add a 50/50 mix of coolant and water until it reaches the “full” line. You can combine the mixture yourself or buy a premixed jug. w

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[ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

7

[ SCHITZENGIGGLES ]

Sometimes the meaning of life is doing stuff that makes your mother threaten suicide. Sometimes it’s something as simple as getting a facial tattoo.

these questions THREE

w

It is fair to assume that each of us, at whichever level of education or life we may be stationed, was at some time prone to behaving stupidly.

As a freshman in college, certain thoughts start circulating in your head, spilling in like the voice of some alcoholsaturated god with only the best advice — things like “Oh man, I’m going to have so much sex!” and “Hey, let’s do some crazy shit this Spring Break!”

Though I may pretend to be the paragon of maturity, these thoughts were at the forefront of my mind four years ago, when some friends and I got it in our heads to depart on a “Counter-Intuitive Spring Break,” which had evolved into a road trip to Canada.

When something like this enters a young person’s head, the mind becomes like a shiny, bright marble, reflecting only the genius of all things. So, we departed the following morning — four of us, huddled together in a two-door Monte Carlo, which after six hours began to feel more like a giant, amphibious personnel carrier headed for the beaches of Normandy.

But our Private Ryan waited beyond the border of another land, and instead of Matt Damon, his name was Beer.

Windsor, the Canadian city across the river from Detroit, is a sluggish, colorless, probably cultureless imitation of American cities. We spent the day trying to figure out how to purchase alcohol, eating Kentucky Fried Chicken and watching “No Country for Old Men” at a movie theater.

With all our objectives met,

8

we decided it was time to make the long drive home in one go.

It was night when we approached the Can-American border, and the car in front of us passed through the queue in 10 seconds. “Easy,” somebody said.

We pulled up and presented all our forms of identification, and the guard began asking a series of questions about our stay, where we were from and the contents of the trunk.

Our driver was answering the questions quickly and honestly, but his nerves were catching him. We were a carful of college kids who had driven up from southern Indiana to spend one day in Canada. It looked bad. None of us realized it until we were preparing for the prospect of having gloved fingers searching under our eyelids for prescription pills.

We listened as he started to introduce false paradoxes into our story. Then he stopped.

“Who is he?” he said. “Why are you hiding his face?” He meant me. I was seated with my face concealed by a foggedup window. I leaned forward and said, “Hello, here I am.”

I locked eyes with this mustachioed man, and the intensity of his gaze indicated that he knew I was a Canadian trying to escape to America. It was so intense, I was convinced it must be true — and all my memories to date were artificial implants to keep the heat off my smugglers.

“You are in school?”

“Yes.” “What do you study?”

“C-creative writing…”

His eyes darkened. “What do you write?”

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

“Fiction?”

“How much would you charge to do some typing for a person who wanted to set up a website?”

“I’m… I’m sorry?”

He repeated himself slowly and grimly, with bold, fearsome eye contact, watching my French Canadian mouth imitate the sounds of American words.

He claimed he and his brother were opening a jewelry shop, and since English was his third language (“Think about that — I could really screw up your life right now”), he wanted someone with an understanding of the language to make diamonds easier to sell.

He wanted my e-mail address, and I sure as hell gave it to him. He chatted to us a while longer while he checked the validity of the address and then bid us adieu. We all breathed.

Somehow, this border-hopping Tom Clancy espionage was merely the beginning.

A blizzard descended upon the Midwest as we worked our way south. I best remember the world turning white, the windshield coated with ice.

The drive lasted well into the morning, and when we arrived back at UE, there was a drawn-out, explosive confrontation about the Cheez-Its I had accidentally ground into the floorboard.

It was one of the scenes from “Stand by Me” in which everyone starts screaming and crying for no real reason. Each of us could sense it — we were alive, we loved each other dearly and it was time for each of us to find and settle down with a nice girl. And that, as they say, was that. w

I locked eyes with this mustachioed man, and the intensity of his gaze indicated that he knew I was a Canadian trying to escape to America.

w Regan Campbell, a senior creative writing major from Vincennes, presents his special brand of humor on life’s lighter moments.

[ THROUGH THE LENS ] A monthly look at campus happenings

Sophomore Collin Jones sings about how he is losing a friend to an addiction as part of the Sigma Phi Epsilon and Zeta Tau Alpha skit. Sunny Johnson/Crescent Magazine

Simply Smashing Musical Madness Jan. 22–23

t Amid the crazy first practice of the Glee Club, freshman Kate McKnight sings along as she is sorted into a Harry Potter house during the Chi Omega and Phi Gamma Delta skit. Sunny Johnson/Crescent Magazine

he Beatles, Spice Girls and Amy Winehouse provided much of the inspiration for this year’s “British Invasion”-themed Musical Madness, where eight teams danced and sang to prove who was campus royalty.

Zeta Tau Alpha and Sigma Phi Epsilon were named the winners of the annual competition, with freshman Kenzie Sweeney of Zeta and sophomore Collin Jones of Sig Ep named best actress and actor. Sophomore Sam Rodriguez of Phi Gamma Delta and junior Cassandra Snelling of Alpha Omicron Pi were named outstanding directors.

Participants and audience alike had a smashing good time while raising money for the local Ronald McDonald House. w

Reconnecting with her boyfriend from England brings sheer excitement to Jeanie, played by freshman Bailey Wellspring, and her friends, senior Susan McKinley and freshman Liz Hoppensteadt. Amy Rabenberg/Crescent Magazine

[ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

9

[ OFF THE WALL ]

of the

Midori Melon Ball Drop

Next of Swim People take drastic measures to pay their bills, but when one English town decided to heat its swimming pool using the discharge from a crematorium.

Some agreed it made sense to be going green but that this case pushed the boundaries a bit far.

St. Patrick’s Day is nearly upon us, and what better way to honor the Irish than with a recipe for green cocktails? About.com says Midori melon liqueur is perfect for giving your beverage that rich emerald color without using other nonfood ingredients or dye. Start by rimming your glass with sugar.

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice, shake and then strain into your glass. Add a melon ball for a garnish, or if you want to I just got a citation for be festive, cut your melon into the shape of a shamrock. peeing in a flowerpot.

UE TFLN

Ingredients: 2 oz Midori melon liqueur 1 oz citrus vodka Splash of lemon juice

It’s going on my fridge.

Apparently Safety & Security doesn’t support my efforts to

FISHING FOR TROUBLE • Take a trip to your local pet store and pick out a fish that is vicious and gross. From there on, the prank mostly takes care of itself. Put the fish in its new porcelain home, and don’t forget to feed it. Wait for the restroom stall door to latch — then, a moment’s shuffling, a scream. (Note: We do not condone animal cruelty, fake fish work wonders, too.)

MACLEODVISION

(jokesprank.com)

by james macleod

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Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

beautify the campus.

Check Your Knot Adam Potter didn’t want to fly, but when he fell down the eastern slope of Sgurr Choinnich Mor, he didn’t have a choice. Miraculously, the slope slowed his fall enough that he survived, and when a rescue helicopter arrived they found him in shock, standing up and checking his map.

ak

Oddlaws Possession of Airguns

In Nome, it is illegal to carry or discharge an airgun, bow and arrow or slingshot within city limits.

co

Rolling or Throwing Rocks

In Boulder, ironically, no one shall roll, throw or move rocks on any public property unless authorized to do so.

ne

Airplane Operation

It is unlawful to have physical control of an aircraft if you have “500ths of 1 percent or more” alcohol in your body fluids.

la

Unauthorized Ordering

It is unlawful to place an order for goods to be delivered to another person without his or her consent.

ri

Overtaking on the Left

A driver passing on the left shall give a “timely, audible signal” before overtaking another vehicle at a safe distance.

md

Improper Language

In Cumberland, profane or indecent language or behavior in a park, playground or adjoining sidewalks is prohibited.

Information provided by dumblaws.com

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WE’RE CELEBRATING WHAT...

yvs. k n

a

Dolphin Awareness Month • While our “Glee” friend doesn’t have respect for them, we know they’re more than “just gay sharks.”

w

National Umbrella Month • As springtime showers start to fall, go singin’ in the rain with your umbrella and galoshes.

w

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J Honor Society Awareness Month • For all those moms with the “my child is an honor student” sticker on the backs of their vans.

Have an Affair According to a recent study, men are twice as likely to stay with girlfriends who cheated on them with other women than those who cheated with other men. Women, the study concluded, more frequently object to continuing a relationship after their partner’s homosexual affair.

Valentine’s Day Flop If your cheap roses and Hersey’s Kiss failed to please your Valentine, you may have set your sights a little low. A Japanese accessory company released a chocolate-themed, partially edible car. For only $28,871, you could have shown your date how sweet they really are.

Dolly for Dinner After a 20-year ban on haggis in the U.S., the Scots are begging for access to a potentially lucrative American market. The Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary said it’s time to allow imports to resume. This iconic lung-based food could be yours soon. compliments of telegraph.co.uk Just a few of our favorite things There’s nothing like a game of chess to make you feel sophisticated. And nothing shouts class like 186 carats of diamonds.

The Royal Diamond Chess Set, created by French artist Bernard Maquin, is truly a marvel.

And beauty like this is not made overnight; it is reported that Maquin spent over 4,500 hours working on this piece. The dazzling board game is crafted from 14-carat white gold and adorned with 9,900 black and white diamonds.

PROFTIFICATING

According to most-expensive. net, this set can be yours for $500,000. Good thing chess is more about brains than brawn — wouldn’t want to chip a rook.

least common multiple

t

70

percent of people driving on a highway this second are speeding.

150 .

calories an hour can be burned by banging your head against a wall.

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million tons of paper are used in the United States every year.

9

The billionth digit of pi.

8 1 /2 years.

The amount of time you would have to yell to produce enough sound energy to heat a cup of coffee.

w w w w

“Today, we’re going to talk about the Wheatstone Bridge.

It doesn’t have anything to do with wheat or stone — it’s just some dude that invented this thing.”

—David Fentress, physics lab supervisor

www.dumbfacts.com/facts/directoryof-facts/statistics/random/

Janky: Taco Bell “Beef” — Everyone is well aware of the scandal surrounding the contents of Taco Bell’s beef. While it is suspicious enough that the meat contains 88 percent USDA inspected, not approved, beef, it is even more troubling to hear of the other ingredients. Silicon dioxide — also known as sand — anyone?

Juicy: Ethically Treated Beef — Besides the peace of mind of knowing it is actually meat, you can do our animal brethren a little service.

This doesn’t mean you need go out and join the ranks of PETA, just that you like your meat products treated with some care.

Janky: Cougars and Panthers — These animals need to stay in the wild. Don’t try to say that love knows no age; a 50-year age gap is definitely something you will notice.

Juicy: Staying within a Decade — If you are looking for someone a little older or younger, then at least try and keep your prospects to an age no more than 10 years different from your own.

Don’t rob the cradle — or the grave, for that matter.

Janky: Bodily Fluid Inspired Fragrances — Lady Gaga’s new scent is in the making and is said to have been inspired by the wonderful scents of blood and semen. And Gaga isn’t the only one who finds inspiration from bodily fluids. Rad Hourani’s fragrance “Adolescence” is supposed to smell like a mix of baby powder and semen. Ah, the happy scents of our teenage years.

Juicy: Anything Else — To each their own, but still let’s avoid covering up our perspermation with spermfumes and pick any other scent in the world. What happened to the days of sandalwood and lavender?

[ December 2010 ]

[ ENTERTAINMENT ]

by Kate Wood A place that offers more than just fiction is raising the bar for libraries

B

ooks, movies, music, live performances, clubs and special-interest classes are all great means of entertainment. Yet even with advances in technology and growing multimedia sources, there is rarely ever a single place that can satisfy a city’s entertainment needs. Central Library is trying to change that.

“Our mission is to promote reading, lifelong learning, cultural initiatives and economic vitality,” said Amy Mangold, marketing and communications manager for the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library System. “We also want our libraries to be a public space for everyone to gather, an inviting space for just hanging out or for taking a class.”

The EVPLS has noticed that the 18– 30 age group tends to stay away from the library. Since this discovery, those at the library have been doing their best to capture more of that audience. As part of a business constantly searching for new ways to draw in a crowd, they must be doing something right.

Located in a new and up-to-date building just down Walnut from campus, Central offers students a chance to fall in love with their city library.

Senior Devin Chambers is a fan, and said UE’s library is useful for conduct-

ing scholarly research but that Central is the place for everything else.

She enjoys Central’s DVD rental section, which allows her to check out recently released movies without having to spend any money at all.

“There’s no need to pay however much at Blockbuster or Family Video for one night when you can get it free at the library for five nights,” Chambers said.

Mangold said this is one of Central’s best features because students on a tight budget can still get what they want of the media, not only DVDs, but also CDs, downloads and online databases as well.

But Central goes beyond just books and media and offers classes that appeal to a variety of interests. There are computer classes for everything from Flickr to photo editing. The Mesker Park Zoo Lecture Series brings in outside speakers from different organizations to talk about animals. And environmental classes are available for those interested in learning more about preserving the Earth.

Central also has a number of

groups. The Banned Books Club meets Sundays at Penny Lane to discuss banned books and why they were banned. There is also a classic film club that meets once a month on Thursdays.

Otona no Otaku, for anime and manga fans, meets Monday nights, and culture nights are Tuesdays. A full schedule of events is available on EVPL’s website.

“We now have a greater variety of programs to serve as many people as we can, and what people really like is our programs are free,” Mangold said.

Central’s aim to enhance the community has led to partnerships with the

Central Library • 200 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

9 a.m.–9 p.m. Mondays–Thursdays • 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Fridays–Saturdays • 1 p.m.–5 p.m. Sundays

12

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

Evansville Literacy Coalition, USI’s “The Big Read,” WNIN, Homeless Youth Coalition and homebound services for the disabled.

Perhaps the biggest event Central organizes is the “One Book, One Community” program, where one book is chosen for everyone in the community to read and then several discussion panels are held and finally the author is brought in to talk about the book.

The goal is to reach out to and provide for every member of the community, especially students. Central is accessible enough that students don’t even have to enter the building to find what they need. The library has a setup where students can be instant messaged, called, e-mailed or even texted

built with the customer in mind, and everything is in good condition because the facility has been used for only five years.

Central used to be located on S.E. Fifth Street, where the Children’s Museum of Evansville is now housed, but as attendance increased, things became cramped. The current location has doubled its square footage and its attendance. Daily visits to the library have increased each year. Last year alone, the EVPLS had 1.8 million visits.

Along with its growing patronage, the library has grown technologically. The library has increased wireless Internet access, added more public computSunny Johnson/Crescent ers and bulked up its From the shelves of neatly packed books, to the spacious lobby are-book collection. The eas of intricate art and even a quiet coffee shop for those who need a EVPLS is even taking quick pick-me-up, Central Library brings comfort and convenience tocare to keep up with gether in one building. the most recent upthrough the “Text a Librarian” feature. grades in digital formats.

Central has also made it easy for stuDespite all its offerings of digidents from outside the Evansville area talized media, Central breaks the steto get a library card. All students need reotype of the cold, impersonal to do is bring in their university ID and automated service with its inviting atfill out an application, and they will be mosphere. Mangold pointed out that issued student cards. The student card Central has a certain ambience, almost is good at any EVPL location and is ac- a Barnes & Noble feel, without the tive for the remainder of time the cardprice tag. holder is a student.

Junior Danielle Kegley recently obEven if you don’t want a library tained a library card and is incredicard, Central is still an inviting place to bly satisfied with the facility. She loves study, with the Cup & Chaucer Cafe, how the building is spacious, without free wireless, big comfy chairs, a large sacrificing comfort or a personal touch, selection of online resources and jourwhich she credits to the friendly and nals and plenty of experts to answer re- helpful staff. search questions.

Above all, she said she enjoys how Senior Nick Wenz said Central is exciting visiting a library can be — no one of the nicer things about Evanslonger a boring trip to a stuffy dungeon ville, much nicer than he ever expectof books housed in a cold environment, ed it to be. but an adventure in all areas of enterCentral was certainly a building tainment and learning. w [ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

13

BEYO

ND MIRROR [ BODY IMAGE ]

the

By Kristin Benzinger & Jon Hall

In a society focused on the aesthetic, how can you arrive at a clear image of yourself?

It’s time to break the chains of the ideal and learn to love your body.

A

s much as we’d like to think our physical appearance isn’t important, often how we look really does make a difference. With all the pressures from friends, family, peers and society, it’s no wonder we can get to be so insecure.

For junior Hatti Johnson, pressures concerning her size have played a significant role in shaping who she is today. When Johnson was in middle school, she was considered overweight.

Her parents were constantly after her, saying she should work out and lose the weight. Johnson said her father was concerned because diabetes runs in her family, and he wanted her to stay healthy. When it came to her mother, though, this did not seem to be the case.

“With my mom, it was more for looks,” Johnson said. “They (my parents) made me feel really bad.”

Today, Johnson is at a better place with her body and says she feels confident being the woman she is. But we are not all lucky enough to be comfortable in our own skin. We want our outer appearances to reflect who we are on the inside. We all want to be the people we are in our heads. “[Body image] really has to do with the way you view yourself,” said Jessica Zellers, health education coordinator. “It’s more how you feel, not so much what you see in the mirror.”

This is true for men and women.

And though body image seems to be more of a problem for women, many men struggle with it as well. In a 1997 survey conducted by “Psychology To-

14

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

day,” 43 percent of men indicated they were unhappy with their overall appearance. And these dissatisfactions have increased as the pressure to obtain an ideal body continues to bombard them.

Society tells men that they need to be tough and muscular, so it’s no surprise that more men are feeling inadequate.

“I’m jealous of the physiques I see in [movies like] ‘300,’” senior Wes Kirk said. “I think a lot of guys want the big biceps or the six-pack.”

He recalled feeling unhappy with his body near the end of high school.

Since then he has been striving to make his body perfect — by his standards, at least — keeping motivated with the help of a workout partner and strenuous hobbies like rock climbing.

“I’d like to impress,” Kirk said. “I think [my body is] adequate, but I still strive to make it better.”

Body image does not develop overnight, nor is it constant. Many things around us contribute to how we see ourselves. And while body image is something personal and is specific to each person and their own set of influences, no one is immune to the culture.

“I think as strong as you may be, [societal pressures are] very prominent,” freshman Shelby Phelps said.

“You’re going to want to follow a trend.”

On TV and in magazines we are shown models and actors who sport a specific body type. In her book “Body Image,” Sarah Grogan notes that these men are likely to be average-sized, but toned, and the women are underweight.

“I think our culture does us a huge disservice,” said John Felton, assistant professor of psychology. “The culture consumes people; they get sucked into it.”

He explained that this continual portrayal of unrealistic body types makes it hard for real people to feel as though they measure up. He explained that while some people may decide to change the way they look to live healthier lifestyles, the issue of appearance still comes into play. “‘Am I going to be attractive to other people?’” Felton asked. “Unfortunately I think that’s at the top of the list for many people. Look at how we’re raised and socialized in our culture.”

So how do we avoid this trap of becoming obsessed with the physical? We all want to attract potential partners, and an important part of a romantic relationship is appreciating a significant other’s appearance and features.

We all want to be healthy and to look good. In the end, developing a healthy body image is about balance and motivation.

For example, making changes because you choose to, rather than because you feel you should, is key. This, in of itself, should be liberating.

Johnson said that, despite the weight issues of her youth, she is happy with the way she looks now.

“Now that I’m older, I understand that I want to be a role model,” she said. “My brother is overweight, and maybe if he sees me living a healthy lifestyle, it will help out.”

By finding proper motivation — a healthier lifestyle and modeling for her brother — Johnson was able to become more self-secure. This sort of positive motivation can come from anywhere.

Phelps spoke about how important it is to find those who inspire you. She said Beyonce is an influence because she packs talent and intelligence inside a curvaceous, womanly body.

In addition, taking the time to reflect on how you feel in your body is paramount in developing a positive self-image. It is essential to rise above social and cultural pressures and sort out what your own goals entail.

“I think a lot of it can start with focusing on the things your body can do,” Zellers said. “The gift you have is a strong, healthy body. It does mean treating your body with a little respect.”

Developing a more positive body image will help you throughout your life. Zellers believes college is the time we have the luxury of being selfish. “[Take] this opportunity in college to make changes about how you feel,” she said. “This is a time where you can

be focused on yourself. This is the perfect time to do some of that self-exploration.”

And if you do set out to make physical changes, it is important that you really understand what is a healthy weight for your stature and body type.

While tools such as the Body Mass Index can be useful for telling you target weights for your height, there are a few things you need to consider.

First, according to the National Institutes of Health website, in order to be considered a healthy weight, a person’s BMI must be between 18.5 and 24.9. But for each height, there is a 30to 35-pound variation within the target BMI. What this means is that not everyone should shoot for a 18.5 BMI, because that might not be a healthy weight for every body as people vary in build and frame.

Another thing to consider is that change takes time. Hard-and-fast plans to alter your appearance are less likely to be successful than those focused on meeting long-term, attainable goals.

“It has everything to do with setting

small goals for yourself in the beginning,” Zellers said. “Once you are content with those, then you can start the bigger things.”

She explained that the result of smaller goals will be longer-lasting positive changes, which will then boost your confidence. And when you feel good about your body, that satisfaction will radiate to others.

Freshman Julie Clark believes the road to a positive body image begins with finding something you love about your body.

“I love the arches of my feet,” she said. “That nice curve at the bottom of my foot just makes me happy.”

Whenever she is feeling self-conscious, she just thinks of her arches and feels better immediately.

Everyone should be able to love the skin they’re in — whether that means a little self-sprucing is necessary or just a reality check and motivational reworking. Keep in mind a healthy body image is more than a number on a scale.

“Do something that makes you feel great about your body,” Clark said. w [ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

15

[ TECHNOLOGY ]

by Mindy Kurtz & Rachel Solava

What’s on Your Mind?

In a sea of status updates, who is reading yours? How Facebook and Twitter have become virtual billboards of personal information.

Y

ou are part of the third largest nation on the planet — an online nation composed of 600 million Facebook users, according to SocialBakers.com. And if you aren’t an active Facebook member, then on at least one occasion you’ve probably been left out, lost contact with a friend abroad or missed being invited to an event created on Facebook.

The surge of online users over the past few years has helped form a community where friends and family are just a click away. You can view photos of your aunt’s new dog, you can post an inside joke on your roommate’s wall even as she sits next to you and you can use your status updates to proclaim every emotion from the mundane to the intimate.

But with all these outlets of expression, we seem to be asking the question “Is there nothing I won’t share?” Amazingly, there does appear to be limits.

In a recent Crescent Magazine online poll, 65 percent of respondents said they are selective with the content they post.

But from your political orientation to the tagged party photos from Saturday night, everything is viewable. Facebook’s Friendship page enables us to view interactions between two users: photos in which they are both tagged, events they’ve attended together and the date their friendship became “Facebook official.”

And with more than 200 million users currently accessing Facebook via cell phones, keeping the world updated on everyone’s every move has become even easier. Going hand-in-hand with mobile updates is the Places application, which pinpoints your exact location using GPS satellites and posts it for everyone to read.

“Facebook is like Vegas,” said Mari Plikuhn, assistant professor of sociology. “What happens there

16

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

stays there; that stuff never goes away.”

It’s important to keep this in mind when you use Facebook, Twitter and other Internet outlets to express yourself.

“The technology made it possible and available to express ourselves and share,” Plikhun said. “It’s naturalized it.”

Margaret Stevenson, assistant professor of psychology, asserts that we’ve always had this innate need to share, but now we have new ways to express and channel it through technological outlets, making these personal thoughts, actions and reflections accessible to the entire Internet audience.

“You don’t need a notebook to journal anymore — just choose the note app,” sophomore Grace Yeary said.

It’s become more and more obvious how much we prefer our online communication to face-to-face interactions, and our obsession with self-disclosure has morphed into a dependency on Facebook and Twitter. What drives us to post confessional statuses or notify our friends that we’re eating a banana?

Anthony Beavers, professor of philosophy, attributes this urge to narcissism and says receiving responses is exciting because this need — for a smidgeon of spotlight — is affirmed.

“I’m the center of attention, and I get to control the conversation,” he said.

While some post and tweet for self-absorbed reasons, another desire is at work motivating us to spend hours online, increasing the popularity of Facebook.

“It’s the instant gratification of learning information about others and sharing our information in return,” Plikuhn said.

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She checks her Twitter once an hour for updates from CNN’s blog.

“I’m more likely to stay up on news because it pertains more to me,” she said. “It’s news I have a personal connection with.”

Stevenson said we all want individualized touches, while maintaining a sense of belonging.

We find value in knowing at least one friend will read our latest update, and our idea of community is affirmed when we can bond over common interest pages. For example, you might discover that you and 11 million others are fans of Michael Jackson, or you could join groups focusing on commonalities such as “I like sleeping in on the weekends” and “I will go out of my way to step on a leaf that looks particularly crunchy.” There’s no limit to the ridiculousness of your statement — someone out there feels the same.

We also like to let our online circle know when we’re in pain. From bad days to breakups to the death of a loved one, our Facebook and Twitter posts are saturated with emotion. Tamara Wandel, associate professor of communication, explained that Facebook isn’t just a way to express silliness or mundane information, but a way to reach out when we want to share sympathies.

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[ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

17

tual memory wall, which allowed peo“Sometimes you’re friends on Faceple to connect in shared sorrow.” book so you can creep on them,” Yeary Something as minor as a status upsaid. date can show the virtual world glimpsBut what causes us to make the tranes of a person’s real plight. sition from adding people we know “It’s almost sort of shocking what to adding as many people as we can people post — deeply perand then forgetting about sonal messages about bethem? Beavers believes ing depressed or bad it’s in the deception of the Right now, [more breakups,” Stevenson said. newsfeed. than] 700 billion Yeary believes some “It shows you what minutes a month are people share too much inyour most active friends formation, particularly if are doing, so you forget spent on Facebook. they are feeling passivewho all is in your friends Like it or not, and aggressive. list,” he said. as wild as it sounds, “They’ll put a quote Narrowing the scope of that type of online about how strong they are friends displayed in your if they’re in a fight,” she newsfeed creates a false communication said. “I don’t see the need. sense of security; maybe is only going Just say it to my face.” you’ve forgotten that a certo increase.”

But saying it to sometain professor, co-worker ­—Tamara Wandel one’s face poses risks that or boss can see all of your saying it online does not. content. This also redefines The anonymity the comthe word “private.” puter screen provides makes us bold“I would not trust anything I put on er, gives us feelings of invincibility and Facebook to be private anymore,” Beaself-confidence. It makes it easier to say vers said. something uncomfortable to a friend Due to the upgrades Facebook has and can give you the courage you were made, some of the settings you origlacking to talk to your crush. inally set as private may have been “The Internet allows you to be the changed back to public. As people are person you really are,” Plikuhn said. becoming increasingly aware of these “You share a lot of things that you privacy loopholes and the setbacks to wouldn’t stand up in a crowd and say.” posting truly personal information, the But with whom are we sharing all trend of double profiles has emerged. this information? We now measure One profile uses your real name, friendships and relationships according showing the sterilized version of yourto Facebook, something that has drasti- self to prospective employers or othcally altered our social culture. er prying eyes. The second one is under The definition of a friend is coman alias where you can share the real pletely different now, and the lines of you with only the closest of friends. closeness are blurred. Plikuhn point“This takes away from the initial ed out the irony that one can have 800 purpose of social networking,” Plikuhn Facebook friends but no one to hang said. out with on Friday night. For the avid But with everyone taking these exFacebook user, the distinction between tra measures and constantly covering “Facebook friends” and “real friends” their online tracks, is Facebook going is quite clear. to last?

“You have real friends who you eat “Regardless what the newest and lunch with,” Yeary said. “Then the next niftiest techy tool is, people around the layer are friends who you can text beworld are going to demand instant gratcause you’re close enough to have their ification when it comes to communicaphone numbers. Facebook friends are tion,” Wandel said. “Right now, [more sometimes legitimate friends.” than] 700 billion minutes a month are But most of us have accepted a spent on Facebook. Like it or not, and friend request from someone we rarely as wild as it sounds, that type of onspeak to on campus. Has the size of our line communication is only going to infriend list become a popularity contest? crease.” w

18

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

[ ACADEMICS ]

major

by Brennan Girdler & Joshua Garrett

problems Departments and majors are divided not just by their content, how and what they teach, but also by how UE supports them.

This is the first in a two-part series where Crescent Magazine examines academic departments on campus. It seems some areas receive a great deal of support from UE — and others, not as much. But why? By investigating what makes a major prominent and why certain ones are — what we are calling, alpha majors — CM learned from administrators, faculty and students that there are dozens of factors that go into making a department — or major — great, which could consequently work against other disciplines.

BIG QUESTIONS When you look at a college, program or department at UE — fine arts, for example — what comes to mind? Visual communication design, music therapy or theatre?

In December 2010, there were 29 visual communication design majors, 37 music therapy majors and 154 theatre majors. So does size make the program? Or is it all the bells and whistles a department has to offer? It is actually a combination of both, complicated by other factors, such as budget and demand.

But when it comes to students’ majors how fair can it be? There are several departments at UE that appear to be leveraged, turned into sell-

ing points for the university and allocated or given more resources and support. But not every student is a mechanical engineering or physical therapy major. So where does that leave those who don’t have an alpha major?

THE PECKING ORDER There are 22 different departments vying for university assistance, but these resources aren’t divided in 22 equal shares.

“There is a pecking order,” said department Chair Mark Shifflet, associate professor of communication. “Each department does what it can to take advantage of the school’s resources.”

Everybody wants the money, and one of the bigger factors in determining the budget is the demand of that particular department and which areas UE is looking to beef up to attract potential students. But enrollment across departments isn’t static (anything but). Students are interested in different things at different times, which makes allocating resources difficult.

Registrar Amy Brandebury said that interest in many of the niche departments is cyclical.

“Archeology is a unique program, and it spikes whenever a new Indiana Jones movie comes out,” she said. [ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

19

The same effect occurs within the business department — not many students want to go into marketing when the economy is tanked.

At times like these, instead of specialized fields, like marketing, students in these situations lean more towards generalized fields that offer versatile skill sets.

“Strong writing is going to be an important thing to have,” Shifflet said. “Writing skills are always in high demand.”

But majors like communication and psychology teach what Shifflet calls marketable skills, which offer a wide range of career opportunities. Though, it would appear that these majors are not getting the support they need for them to become primary majors.

Dianne Oliver, associate professor of religion and chair of the philosophy and religion department, said philosophy and religion are not majors that many prospective students know about, perhaps because they may immediately seem unmarketable. The 50 students in the department studying philosophy and religion are mostly those who transferred in from other departments.

Susan Kupisch, vice president for Academic Affairs, said UE tries to offer programs and majors that will be beneficial to current students, attractive to prospective students and lucrative to graduating students. After all, having a good alumni base is the goal of any university.

“Like library science, who thinks about [library science] when they’re a freshman?” she said.

“But there are lots of career options for it.”

Kupisch said UE leverages marketable areas that are in high demand in the job market. But by building up, or enhancing, these potentially hot majors, this leveraging creates a teeter-totter effect that forces others down.

20

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

Mechanical engineering, exercise science, psychology — these three areas are emphasized to entice potential freshmen with their prestigious faculty, wealth of resources and high university accreditation.

Shifflet said these departments have a lot to offer their students, but UE’s wallet isn’t bottomless, and having a few dominant majors with a higher allowance leaves only so much for the rest.

BELLS AND WHISTLES That said, more money doesn’t mean every faculty member in the theatre program has a Porsche in his or her garage — putting on productions isn’t cheap.

“UE as a whole runs very lean,” said Ray Lutgring, professor of chemistry. “Every university always needs more.”

The communication department has long been searching for a new faculty member who is aware of how social media and technology have changed journalism and are well-versed on the subjects. Brandebury said student demand is high for such a faculty member who can teach these areas, but finding and hiring one that fits this description can affect the entire department’s curriculum in the long term.

“At a school this size, the strength of your curriculum is directly related to the strengths and weaknesses of your individual faculty,” Shifflet said.

Having strong faculty in a department is important to students in that area. But art only has three full-time professors, one of whom focuses solely on the visual communication design curriculum. That leaves two professors to handle several general education courses and major specific ones.

Lots of departments run into similar problems when it comes to general education courses double dipping into their resources. But some departments have very little interaction with others.

Junior Nick Seibert, a music management major, said he felt the music department is a selling point for UE, but isn’t treated like one.

“We play at big events like inauguration, basketball games and graduation,” he said.

“Campus uses us a lot, but most of our funding comes from other endowments.”

The music department, for example, has to outsource to Friends of UE Music, a supporting network of parents and alumni. Seibert said the music department has

lost four or five professors over the past few years, who have yet to be replaced. The department also has a number of specialized adjuncts, but they are not the ones on the fliers that Admission sends to prospective students.

“Strong professors and private instructors are recruitment tools for music,” he said.

Shifflet said communication has about 90 majors with only four full-time faculty.

Like art, these four professors teach a slew of public speaking courses, communicationspecific courses and other general education courses.

Philosophy and religion, on the other hand, has six full-time professors and 50 students.

“We do serve [lots of] other students,” Oliver said. “We offer lots of gen eds.”

Departments like music, philosophy and religion and communication are important to UE because of what they offer, but it appears they aren’t getting the monetary support needed to become a part of UE’s main

“Each department does what it can to take advantage of the school’s resources.”

— Mark Shifflet selling points. A lot of these non-alpha majors are in departments most liberal arts colleges offer. Lutgring emphasized that one of the main reasons students come to UE for engineering is because of the liberal arts background, but not all majors can take advantage of that aspect.

These majors are rarely in the spotlight in the way that business, physical therapy or theatre often are, which causes some students to wonder how much their majors are actually worth to UE. ••• NOTE: The April issue of Crescent Magazine will feature more on this topic and will explore how students, faculty and adminstrators feel about the unbalanced nature of majors, and how and why some bells and whistles are more polished than others. w

Spring 2012 Application Deadline: March 4th, 2011 Contact us for updates on UE Summer Programs Abroad Study Abroad Office • SOBA 261 812–488–1085

96% of UE students say that alcohol is not very important to their campus social lives.

Fall 2009 UE Social Norms Survey Sponsored by UE Health Education

[ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

21

tful... h g i l e It’s d elicious...

It’s d It’s...

In hopes your cough won’t blow us away,

We’ve hoisted our sails & we’re headed your way!

Celebrating 25 Years Celebrating 25 years

FREE

Delivery to UE’s Campus!

1924 E. Morgan Ave. • Evansville, IN 47711 • 425–4422

Hungry?

A friendly welcome from Dan (UE ‘74) & Jovanni (UE ‘07) DiLegge

For home cooked food?

Open: Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m. • Sat. 4 p.m.

10

%

Daily Lunch & Soup Specials

Pasta, Beef, Chicken, Seafood 607 N. Main St. (six blocks north of the Lloyd Expwy.)

For Reservations or Carry Out (812) 428–3004

T

discount with student ID

Weinbach Shopping Center • corner of Weinbach and the Lloyd

A S U R E R E

&

T R A D I T

I

O N S

How Much Do YOU Know About UE? 1. Where do scholarships come 3. What does the Annual from?

Fund pay for on campus? a. A money tree a. Electricity b. Government funds b. Cable TV c. Alumni, friends and parents of c. Wireless Internet UE d. Financial Aid 2. How much money does it take e. Paper Towels to run UE for one minute? f. All of the Above a. $11.49 b. $127.58 c. $57.33

When YOU are an ALUM, your support of UE will be appreciated.

Have you thanked a donor?

Upcomin g Events to Reme mber Snyder Le cture Seri es: Max Wein berg • M arch 30 Internatio nal Spea ker Se Carlos Gu tierrez • A ries: pril 7 UE Africa n-Americ an Alumn Annual M i eeting • April 9 Harlaxton th 40 Anniv ersary Re union April 15–1 6

Answers: 1. C – Scholarships come from people -- people who love UE and are interested in the success of our students!

2. B – Yes, it takes over $127 per minute to run the University. Just one reason why it’s so important for people to GIVE to UE! 3. F – Among other things, the Annual Fund pays for many operating expenses on campus; imagine if these things were not paid for! Another reason for giving to UE!

University of Evansville Alumni Association • www.evansville.edu/alumni

22

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

[ FOOD ]

MOLTEN CHOCOLATE: Whether it’s for a special celebration or a pick-me-up after a bad day, chocolate cake is simply a staple when it comes to sweets.

by Abby Sperry

sweetTOOTH

When the urge for something dessert-like hits, it won’t go away. Here are some places that satisfy that sweet tooth.

GRAB A SLICE The Donut Bank is a local bakery with delicious treats, such as donuts, cookies and muffins. Their flavored coffees, including Peanut Butter Cup Mocha and the Snickers Latte, can be purchased hot or iced. • 1200 Lincoln and 1950 Washington Ave. • 812–402–4111 SWEETS ARE a staple in every culture — the very word originating from the Arabic “qandi,” meaning something made with sugar. Sweets have evolved from fruits and nuts rolled in sugar to the wide variety now found in convenience stores and confectionaries alike.

The Pie Pan is a family restaurant that offers 21 different types of pie, along with breakfast, lunch and dinner entrees. Nothing costs more than $10. Enjoy fresh-baked pie with whipped cream, ice cream or cheddar cheese. • 905 North Park Drive •812–425–2261

Lic’s Deli and Ice Cream offers homemade ice cream, as well as cakes, cookies and sandwiches served on freshly baked bread.

Customers are welcome to dine in or purchase a quart to take home. • 4501 Lincoln and 2001 Washington Ave. • 812–477–3131

Right around the corner, Jeanne’s Gelato serves a variety of flavors of gelato and sorbetto, as well as cakes, paninis, soups and coffee. Jeanne’s makes fresh gelato every day and will even mix your favorite flavors. • 2003 Lincoln Ave. • 812–479–8272

Offering a variety of candies for more than 50 years, Mike Libs is the place to be for the chocolate connoisseur. Available for purchase by the pound, their fudge, candy bars and pecan flipovers make the perfect snack or gift. • 864 S. Green River Rd. • 812–424–8750

You really don’t have to be member of the “Greek” community to enjoy this satisfying pizza.

• GREEK’S PIZZERIA • 240 S. Green River Road • 812–402–4733 With its soothing atmosphere and friendly service, Greek’s Pizzeria offers good times for all. There, each order is made fresh, and each pizza is rolled with handtossed dough and topped with a unique sauce that is neither too spicy nor sweet.

Greek’s crust is both light and crunchy, so that it does not detract from the flavorful sauce and the melty cheese. The restaurant offers a variety of toppings from the classic pepperoni to anchovies — with feta cheese for the more exotic palate — so that everyone can create a pizza they love. There is also very little grease on their pizza, so that you can taste and enjoy what toppings you have chosen.

Greek’s provides three different size options. Purchase a small, measuring nine inches, or a medium pizza at 12 inches. Splurge on an extra-large pie at a whopping 16 inches. For around $6, you can purchase a small cheese pizza, or add your favorite toppings for 96 cents each. The mouth-watering slices are good enough to share — if you’re willing — and the extra-large can feed up to five people.

In addition to pizza, the restaurant serves a variety of salads, sandwiches, calzones, soups, pasta and appetizers — the most popular of which being their garlicky cheese bread. And with their daily specials, Greek’s prices appeal to the penny-pincher in all of us. Whether it’s out with friends or dinner on the go, Greek’s is the place for some delicious food at a reasonable price. w [ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

23

health&science Remember your Vision This Month Everyone is aware that people who sit in front of a computer for long periods of time often encounter a variety of uncomfortable body aches. The American Optometric Association reports that headaches, neck strain, backaches and wrist pain are common ailments, but the most prevalent symptoms of prolonged computer use — eyestrain, blurred vision and dry eye — are often overlooked. In fact, eye and vision problems are the most frequently reported health problems among computer users.

Sitting at a computer generally causes a person to look straight ahead for long stretches of time, and working in a dry environment causes you to blink less often. These factors can lead to vision problems. Additionally, computer use requires specific vision skills, which add further demands to the visual system and contribute to eye and vision discomfort.

While decreasing time spent at a computer may not be an option, there are ways to maximize healthy vision for comfortable use of the computer. The AOA recommends that you have a regular comprehensive eye exam and wear glasses that are specifically designed to function comfortably at the computer. Rest the eyes, blink forcefully, use a humidifier or instill artificial tears.

Breast Implants May Cause Cancer Women with breast implants may have something other than plunging necklines to worry about, says CBS News. According to federal health officials, there may be a link between implants and an extremely rare form of cancer called anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The lymphoma is an aggressive form of cancer, and patients’ survival varies widely between different varieties of the disease. That’s the bad news. The good news is the chance of having this form of cancer is very slight, implants or not.

Physical Activity Linked to Politics How is going for a jog like voting for president? According to ScienceDaily.com, physical activity and political activity are two sides of the same coin, at least as far as our brains are concerned. Scientists found that people who live in more active states are also more likely to vote. And in an experiment, volunteers who were exposed to active words such as “go” and “move” said they were more likely to vote than did people who saw words like “relax” and “stop.”

Trans Fats Make You Depressed According to TIME Magazine, a study in Spain suggests that consuming trans fats can increase the risk of ones developing depression. The study tracked the lives of more than 12,000 college graduates who had not been diagnosed with depression in the past six years. Every two years, participants had to fill out a survey. By the end of the study, 657 students reported suffering from depression. It has also been found that increased consumption of trans fats increases one’s risk for heart disease. Patients with heart disease also report an increased incidence of depression. While a carton of chocolate ice cream may relieve sadness now, it may only increase our risk of developing depression later.

Hand Gestures Improve Problem Solving Many of us find that using our hands when we talk is natural. According to ScienceDaily. com, a recent study published by the American Psychological Association suggests that talking with our hands also helps us to solve complex problems. Subjects presented with problems actually used more hand gestures as those problems grew more complex, and sub-

24

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

jects who were encouraged to use hand gestures outperformed those who were forbidden to do so. According to the study, hand gestures actually increase our spatial visualization and problem solving skills. Just as gestures help to explain an idea or emphasize a story, they can be employed to help explain a problem in engineering or mathematics.

Alternative Energy Sources If someone told you there was a way you could save 2.5–3 million lives a year and simultaneously halt global warming, reduce both air and water pollution and develop secure, reliable energy sources — nearly all with existing technology and at costs comparable to what we spend on energy today — why wouldn’t you do it?

According to a new study coauthored

by Stanford researcher Mark Z. Jacobson, we could accomplish all that by converting the world to clean, renewable energy sources and forgoing fossil fuels, reports ScienceDaily.com.

“Based on our findings, there are no technological or economic barriers to converting the entire world to clean, renewable energy sources,” said Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering. “It is a question of whether we have the societal and political will.”

BIZARRITIES Google Maps has charted just about every traffic artery you could ever want to locate, but what if the thruway you’re looking for isn’t on any road atlas?

According to Popsci.com, in order to help you tell your auxiliary artery from your common carotid, Google has created a searchable guide for the human body that lets you zoom, scroll and search for every muscle, gland, nerve, bone or organ in our common physiology.

As far as handy online apps go, Body Browser is pretty neat; a sliding scroll bar allows you to peel away layers of the body, starting at the skin and moving down through the muscles, bone and organs to the cardiovascular and nervous systems. It allows you to zoom in tight, and with nice resolution, to get the name of a specific part. w

[ READ WITH PASSION ]

LIMELIGHT, LIMEWIRE

Once upon The Internet and other conveniences have brightened our lives with an influx of a time, new information. But this information has dammed up the flow of the live arts. movie rentThe Internet is here to stay. ing audience. Too often, we TV, contestants compete for We are saturated in it; we would rather search videos onmatches and strangers squabals at least can access it everywhere. line than leave the comfort of our ble in a house, true performThe tidal wave of inforhomes, travel to the opera house, ers leave their blood, sweat forced mation provided by the Internet arrive on time and hear only a few and tears on the stage. So why people to brings everything instantly to our songs we know. Millions of peoshould patrons abandon the fingertips and has inspired in us ple watch “live concerts” on Youease of their computers and drive their a need for immediacy — a need Tube, but only a handful follow TV sets? If a performer’s pasthat has become the silent killer and actively support the live arts sion is not enough to make us letharof the arts. in their communities. leave the comfort of our homes, gic selves Online, anyone can purchase, Those who avoid trips to the the economic benefit must be. and even steal, songs on an inditheater often claim they do so be“Every dollar spent on a perto the vidual basis. You no longer have cause they cannot afford the tickforming arts ticket in a commuto buy an entire album to hear ets. But in just the Tri-State area, nity generates $5 to $7 additionBlockthat one favorite. As a result, sales there are a dozen places where al dollars for the local economy,” buster. of albums — hard copy and digyou can see a show for no more said Ben Cameron, an arts admin-

w

ital — have dropped 14 percent, according to Billboard.com. In contrast, sales of the digital single have jumped 27 percent. If we as a generation refuse to purchase a Ke$ha album for more than $10, live music doesn’t stand a chance.

Thanks to the Internet, it is now much easier to access video content as well. Once upon a time, movie rentals at least forced people to drive their lethargic selves to the Blockbuster. Now, you don’t even have to leave your living room to get a movie. Netflix doesn’t just deliver to your mailbox; it streams straight to your computer as well.

And as the Internet offers numerous sources for free movie and music downloads, a growing number of people are shocked to hear their friends still pay for their entertainment at all. This attitude hurts more than the sales of DVDs and albums. Live entertainment suffers as well.

These days, those who perform in professional orchestras and choirs do so for a shrink-

than the cost of a movie. In most cities, ticket prices never increase by more than 1 percent, according to Danny Newman, writer of “Subscribe Now!” Decreasing interest in the arts is also likely a result of today’s obsession with reality TV. When we watch reality shows we are reminded that it does not take talent to become rich and famous. Those who go so far as to audition for spots on these shows stand a chance of winning thousands of dollars, if not a million.

Shows like “The Real World” offer no prize other than fame, but fame is enough to fascinate us. Thus it seems the lazy — those who favor convenience over value — have divided themselves into two sets: those who want fame and those who want to watch the famous.

And if entertainment has been reduced to watching the famous or taking part for the sake of personal gain, should those committed to creating real art just quit? While on

istrator in New York City. Babysitters, restaurants, gas stations, fabric stores and lumber and steel yards all thrive on the business generated by live entertainment.

Every night a show plays is a mini-stimulus for the community.

As citizens, we must promote the arts. It’s important that we speak out when government officials put them in danger, as Gov. Mitch Daniels did when he slashed $300 million from the Indiana arts budget.

I’m not saying you should do away with your Netflix subscription and throw your computer out the window; but if a musician is giving a concert or a play is running, you should go. You’re supporting not only the performers who have worked so hard to put it together but also the local economy. Keep in mind that what is most convenient is w Jon Harvey, a not always best. w senior theater management major from Chesapeake, Va., weighs in on the issues affecting students today. [ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

25

[ FASCINATING PEOPLE ]

by Elizabeth Crozier

the

POWER of Multitasking A

With a job and a family, it’s a wonder Atlas Allen ever found time to go back to school, but he manages to make it all work.

tlas Allen’s father first handed him a set of free weights when he was in the fifth grade. At the time, the Chicago native admits, he had no idea why. In high school, his peers used to kid that he would be a famous wrestler one day, but Allen knew that wasn’t really his destiny. Instead of following the path predicted by those friends, he went to ITT and graduated with his associate’s degree in electronic engineering.

For many years, Allen worked in his chosen profession, but his imposing size found him working nights as a bouncer at various nightclubs and bars.

And through it all, Allen retained his passion for physical excellence. In his early 20s, he and a few of his buddies participated in an amateur weightlifting portion of the Arnold Classic.

Though he never thought he would win, he beat the competition and wears his prize necklace — a small replica of his medal — every day as a reminder.

But electronic engineering and freelance weightlifting weren’t making him happy, so at 36, he decided to return to school. He started at Ivy Tech, taking night courses for three years.

After that, he attended USI for two years. He eventually applied to UE and was accepted as an exercise science major. His professors are certainly glad he did.

“Because of his experiences, he brings a different perspective,” said Donald Rodd, professor of exercise science. “He is both a student and a colleague.”

26

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

And Allen is passionate about his pursuits.

“I always knew this was what I wanted to do,” he said.

One way he demonstrates this passion is through the Spirit of Ultimate Liberation Empowerment program, where he coaches all kinds of people in different aspects of fitness. The gym is a nonprofit establishment geared toward low- to moderate-income families. Allen works with inner-city children, people with disabilities and anyone else who stands to benefit from his services.

In addition to being a full-time trainer and student, Allen, who hopes to gain entry into UE’s physical therapy program, has also found himself in the teacher role, mentoring junior Kelsey Hall, an intern at S.O.U.L. Empowerment.

“He is very good at what he does,” she said. “He is really motivated. I went [into the internship] knowing nothing.

Now I know 100 percent more.”

Allen shares his fitness knowledge and talents with a wide array of clien-

tele. One of the more unique things he does through S.O.U.L. is travel around the country setting up fitness retreats for Catholic priests and nuns.

These people, he said, are most likely to forget about their own needs because they spend all their time helping others. That’s where Allen comes in — he offers nutrition and fitness seminars.

Through the program, he has helped over 80 nuns and priests.

“When you help other people out, they help you,” he said.

After helping one woman to lose weight through S.O.U.L., Allen says she remarked that her husband couldn’t keep his hands off her. She was overjoyed. Allen later received a letter from this man, thanking him for what he had done.

Still, Allen finds that Saturdays, when he works with inner-city children, are the most rewarding days of the week. He interacts with youth from single-parent homes, many of whom lack positive male role models in their lives.

Because of their circumstances, these children are often at risk for ending up

in legal trouble. Allen talks to them and provides guidance and enjoys becoming their friend.

“I like being a mentor,” he said.

“That feeling you get when someone thanks you for the work you’ve done — I can’t even describe it. I will always work for the underdog.”

And the work he does is in no way about the paycheck. The career he followed with his electronic engineering degree earned him far more money than he’s earning now. But Allen finds his current work to be more rewarding than anything he has done before.

“I know I have a place in the world,” he said. “The key to life is to find your purpose and make money doing it — you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Allen said he draws inspiration from his mother, who works one full-time and two part-time jobs and is working toward her second degree. Even when Allen was young, he said, his mother led a similar lifestyle. She was always an outgoing person, and Allen tries to emulate her many positive qualities in his own actions.

He said that once, when he saw a sign that listed the attributes of a

Sunny Johnson/Crescent Magazine

Allen’s Best of the Best • Compliment

• Class at UE An international studies class was a huge eyeopener for Allen. He learned about the culture and social habits of many diverse groups of people.

• Gift The best present Allen said he ever received was a necklace his wife gave him for his birthday. She took his championship pendant from a weightlifting competition and had a gold replica made of it. He proudly wears it every day.

hero, he realized his mother embodied all of them.

“My mother is my hero,” Allen said. “That was a defining moment for me.”

This juggle of school, family and job may seem overwhelming to observers, but Allen knows how to handle it.

“There is no such thing as balance,” he said.

Instead, he believes, the way to stay on top of things is to prioritize and put the Lord first. Allen believes always putting his family before his education and his education before his job is the way to go. He and his wife enjoy date nights when they have time, and both enjoy spending time with their four children. Allen loves to talk about his children and grandchild, laughing as he recalls his excursions to the mall with two of his daughters.

“I like that I scare all the boys away, even though they (my daughters) complain,” he said. “They don’t want to hang out with me [there] — even though I have the money.”

Allen said if someone had told him when he was in high school that he would have so many opportunities later in life, he wouldn’t have believed it.

Now 30 years later, Allen knows why his father gave him those free weights.

They set the ball rolling for a future he had never expected or even imagined.

“I’m a blessed person,” he said. w

Once, when Allen was young, a girl approached him and told him he was gorgeous.

He was shocked because he had never been told that before, and because guys are not usually described as being beautiful.

• Piece of Advice Don’t be afraid to take chances. Allen took a risk pursuing his exercise science degree, but look at all he’s achieved. He believes life is about taking risks.

• Place you Want to Visit Allen has definite plans to go to Japan

someday because he has made many Japanese friends around campus. Also, he is eager to observe daily life in modern Tokyo.

• Vacation Allen loves visiting Chicago, his hometown.

When he does, he goes to Shed Aquarium and the Museum of Science and Industry.

• Way to Stay Fit Allen believes you should do the things you don’t want to do at the beginning of the day.

Work the weakest part of your body first. Also, he says, it is best to work out alone so that you aren’t always waiting on someone. [ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

27

[ SPORTS IN ACTION ] A monthly look at Aces athletics

Men’s Basketball

W

photos by Sunny Johnson

hile we can’t predict what will happen this weekend at the MVC Men’s Basketball Tournament, as Crescent Magazine went to press the Aces were 14–11, 8–7 in the MVC and sitting in the fifth spot in the league with four games to play in the regular season. Arch Madness, the nation’s second-longest running conference tournament held at a neutral site, starts Thursday at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. w

Bypassing Northern Iowa guard Kwadzo Ahelegbe, guard Troy Taylor goes all the way to the basket.

It is a rough momentary stretch for guard Kavon Lacey as he attempts to maneuver through an unrelenting pack of UNC players.

Everyone is up as guard Colt Ryan gets around Bradley forward Jordan Prosser and guards Walt Lemon Jr. and Jake Eastman and goes for the basket while forward Kenneth Harris and center Clint Hopf look to see if they can assist.

Height is an advantage for center Pieter van Tongeren who is up and over UNI forward Jake Koch for two points.

28

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

[ CAMPUS COMMENT ]

What would you do with a pot of gold?

“I would throw it up in the air so it would rain down on me and sing a happy song.”

• Matt Williams • Sophomore w

“Exchange it for cash and pay off my loans.”

w

• Katelyn Jones • Junior

“Bite it to make sure it is real.”

w

• Emily Collins • Senior

“I would pay for my schooling.”

• Andy Kohlmeyer • Freshman w [ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

29

[ THE LISTS ]

it came from the internet

t

great reads

as far as freshman Ian McQuinn, is concerned. This avid reader couldn’t choose just his top five, so instead revealed his favorite series of books. Here are his top five choices.

“Honor Harrington” by David Weber (Baen Books, 1992–2012) • I’m a big fan of sci-fi and of the Napoleonic wars. I like reading about spaceships fighting and blowing each other up. There are 12 books in the series so far, not counting four spin-off novels.

“The Dresden Files” by Jim Butcher (Penguin Books, 2000–11) • The humor and the lead character are the elements that really put this series into the top tier of fantasy novels. The series starts off slow, but it is well worth the effort.

1

2

“The Second Sons Trilogy” by Jennifer Fallon (Harper Collins, 2002–03) • These books really change the way you think, and it’s a rollercoaster ride more intense than any other book or series I’ve ever read. It pulls you in, and it is almost literally impossible to put down.

3

“Ring of Fire” by Eric Flint (Baen Books, 2000–06) • This series chronicles the adventures of the residents of a small town in West Virginia who suddenly find themselves transported back in time to Germany, circa 1631. With well-researched fictional and historical characters, the books have something for everyone.

“Timeline-191” by Harry Turtledove (Ballantine Books, 1997–2007) • Turtledove chronicles the consequences of a world where the South won the Civil War, with the narrative spanning all the way to the end of World War II. It has engaging characters and a well-developed progression, while still staying rooted in our real past.

4 5

30

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

Everyone has a little Irish in them on St. Patty’s Day. With the help of namenerds.com, break out these Celtic terms of endearment.

Alannah (ah-LON-a) My child ••• Aroon (ah-ROON) My love ••• Astoreen (ah-STORE-een) My little love ••• Creena (CREE-na) My heart ••• Milish (MILL-ish) Sweet ••• Catcheen (COT-een) Kitten ••• Colleen (CAHL-een) Little girl

joanna’s best road trip SONGS Sophomore Joanna Calahan picks her top songs to help with those long drives down the highway.

“Everything’s Right” A cheerful Matt Wertz song I usually listen to with my windows down, volume up and wind blowing in my hair.

“Say Hey” This is a fun Michael Franti song I like to sing along to as I drive down the highway. It just makes me smile.

“Divine Romance” Phil Wickham’s slow tempo reminds me to just enjoy the beauty around me. I also like the background banjo.

“Half Acre” With its nostalgic feel, this Hem song reminds me of the places I have been and the places I’m going.

w Amanda Oaks w freshman w “Radio” (2003) It has more to it than just sports; the plot is about more than just a team winning a game.”

Sunny Johnson/Crescent Magazine

Title: Intensive English Center Director Years at UE: 25 • Relationship Status: Married Crescent Magazine: What is the Intensive English Center and what do you do as its director?

Purcell: The Intensive English Center provides English instruction for those who want to improve their English skills, whether the goal is academic, professional or personal. IEC students become members of the campus community, participating in activities, events and clubs, and the IEC serves as a springboard for students to gain knowledge and confidence in English. My job is a combination of helping with recruitment, planning curriculum and testing new students.

CM: What types of things do you like to do away from work?

Purcell: I’m a puzzle addict. Puzzles are fun for me. I also dabble in music. I play guitar, and when I was teaching junior high school, I wanted to play piano, but I was working on my master’s degree. So I went to H&H Music and asked if there was a way for me to learn to play the piano just so I could play Christmas carols. In a few months, I had learned to

play “fake music” on the piano.

CM: What is the best part of coming to work each day?

Purcell: Without a doubt, being able to work with students and my coworkers.

I get a sense of joy when seeing the light of “I got it” in students.

CM: What is your best memory from your college days?

Purcell: Probably many of the philanthropic activities with my sorority, Kappa Delta. But educationally, I would have to say it was when my university asked me to tutor international students in English. I didn’t have much experience, but I thought it was really rewarding.

CM: If you could have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Purcell: Scallops, asparagus and something decadently chocolate. I would throw in a salad, too, but most of all, I just love chocolate.

CM: What color crayon would you be?

Purcell: I would be magenta because it’s kind of a happy color and it looks good on a lot of people. w

to

the

side... r e oth

in

best sports

mary kay

e

w Cameron Benson w junior w “Remember the Titans” (2000) It shows a lot of history about segregation and racial issues, while focusing on the camaraderie between the players.”

by Abby Sperry

t un

w Kevin Connor w junior w “The Mighty Ducks” (1992) It’s the first sports movie I ever watched. Taking a team from nothing to something is amazing, and Emilio Estevez, as Gordon Bombay, is a great coach.”

[ A CLOSER LOOK ]

PURCELL

w Jason Bielsker w senior w “Cool Runnings” (1993) ‘Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhyme! Get on up, it’s bobsled time!’

There’s nothing more inspirational than that.”

[ March 2011 ] Crescent Magazine

31

[ JUST THE FACTS ]

1919 1924 —

— With 104 students enrolled in classes, tuition for a year is set at $75.

Accused by a Louisville coach of having “five aces up their sleeves,” the Evansville College basketball team changes its nickname from the Pioneers to the Aces.

1926 —

Classes dismissed early in order for students and faculty to dig up the overgrown dandelions around campus, with awards for those who collected the most weeds.

1950

— Students playing cards before 2 p.m. is banned on campus, since many have been skipping class to play.

1964 —

Theatre professor Sam Smiley decides that a lead role in the play “Banners of Steel” is too difficult for a student and plays the part of John Brown himself.

1967 —

Female students are required to sign out of their residence halls when leaving, giving their exact destination and time of return. They are required to be home by 11 p.m., excluding Saturdays.

1969

— A speaker who analyzes personalities comes to campus to give a lecture about how women can look attractive while smoking and how men who wear ankle socks should shave their legs out of common courtesy.

[ CRESCENT CROSSWORD ] ACROSS 1 Cistern 4 Jap. palanquin 8 Blind 12 Unclose 13 Title of Athena 14 poetic foot 15 Beak 16 Friends (Scot.)

17 Grape syrup 18 Pac. island 20 Land west of Nod 22 Prod 25 Last of the Mohicans 28 Sage 31 Rubbish: Brit.

33 Wood sorrel 34 Revolutions per minute (abbr.)

35 Small flock 36 Luzon people 37 Father of Jehoshaphat 38 Pointed arch 39 And other: abbr. (2 words) (Lat.) 40 Caribbean volcano 42 Cuff 44 New sugarcane shoot 46 Female vampire 50 Pub fare 52 End 55 Aid to Dependent children (abbr.)

56 Victim of Cain 57 Frog genus 58 Council for Econ. Advisors (abbr.)

59 I ndicating, in a way (suf.)

60 Greenland town 61 Possessed

7 U.S. dam 8 Extend 9 Mack 10 Ambassador (abbr.)

11 Public Broadcasting Service 19 Wish undone 21 Fr. artist 23 Alcoholic drink 24 Roof edge 26 Things done 27 Hall (Ger.) 28 Swathe 29 _____ dixit 30 Grig (2 words) 32 Grope 35 Cavity (suf.)

39 Environmental Protection Agency (abbr.)

41 Ahead 43 Muslim deity 45 Monster 47 Speed-of-sound number 48 Academy (abbr.)

50 Sheep’s cry 51 Abate 53 Grain 54 Sayings (suf.)

ANSWERS

DOWN 1 Birth place of Beethoven 2 Samoan port 3 Phil. island 4 Barking deer 5 Caliph 6 Win

1970 1984 —

— Advertisements for beer are accepted by and printed in the Crescent.

The Student Association formulates a policy allowing alcohol in certain areas during supervised events. President Wallace Graves refuses to accept the policy because most students are under the 21 and believes it will contradict the values of UE.

1986 — 1988 —

Prince Charles visits Harlaxton.

Pitcher and future Major League Baseball player Andy Benes competes on the U.S. Olympic team, becoming UE’s first Olympian.

1991 —

The film “A League of Their Own” uses 147 UE students and community members as extras; for each participant, $1 is donated to the UE scholarship fund.

2001 —

SAB sponsors an event called “The Art of Kissing,” where 30 different kisses are part of the demonstration.

32

Crescent Magazine [ March 2011 ]

©2011 Satori Publishing

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