the review washburn university
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Find out which former Ichabods are making an impact for the Kansas Koyotes. Page A5 Serving Washburn University since 1897
volume 136, Issue 25 • wednesday, April 28, 2010
Dick Vitale: final WSGA guest lecturer Lauren Eckert WASHBURN REVIEW
Hundreds of students, faculty and members of the community had the opportunity this year to participate in the Washburn Student Government Association’s lecture series. “Super Size Me” documentary film writer and star Morgan Spurlock and Fortune 500 company executive turned whistle blower Mark Whitacre drew large crowds when they guest lectured as part of the series during the fall semester. But there’s nothing like going out with a bang as Washburn University prepares for the arrival of the final lecture series speaker, sports analyst Dick Vitale, who will be speaking in Lee Arena tonight. “The Washburn lecture series is something that began through WSGA that was for Washburn students, as well as faculty and staff. But the students were our primary focus,” said Caley Onek, newly elected president for WSGA. Onek said the organization had high expectations and goals to bring in high-profile speakers as part of the lecture series. Former WSGA president Garrett Love agreed, saying the expectation of the program was to give unique opportunities to see big names here on campus.
But the biggest name in the lecture series is scheduled to wrap up this year’s program. A collaborative effort between WSGA and several other organizations and groups across campus and the community have made it possible to bring Vitale to campus. “The coolest thing about Dick Vitale is that he is a fun personality. He’s enthusiastic, motivational and gets people excited about what he’s talking about,” Onek said, adding that even those unfamiliar with Vitale will find him a captivating speaker. Bringing a high-profile speaker such as Vitale to campus is no easy feat. Big names mean big prices, and Onek said the opportunity to bring in Vitale would be impossible without additional sponsors and partnerships. “We had to have sponsors to make this happen,” Onek said. “But the neat thing is that something like this really brings everybody together, from student organizations to the Washburn Endowment Association and all our partners to the Topeka community. It will put Washburn on the map.” While there may be some concern regarding the expense involved with bringing Vitale to campus, the fundraising and sponsorship involved has helped significantly, allowing WSGA to pay only spend a small percentage of the total.
WSGA is only paying between Women’s Venture Partners and the $5,000 and $7,000 from its lecture Leadership Institute to name a few. series fund and student activity fee Jessica Bremer, student director of money, which the Program Love said was Committee in the smallest the Leaderamount the ship Institute organizahelped make tion has put the decision toward any to become lecture. Love a partial also said this sponsor of was the first the event. time a WSGA “I think administrait has been a tion went out great opporto fundraise tunity for the and seriLeadership ously raise Institute to be the value of able to help its dollar. sponsor and “ W e get involved have raised with bringing more than Dick Vitale to what our Washburn,” salaries are Bremer said. as WSGA,” “Mr. Vitale Love said. has shown exSponcellent leaderPhoto provided by Washington Speakers Bureau sors for this ship throughevent include organizations like the out his career and I’m excited to have Washburn Endowment Association, this experience to hear him speak.” Campus Activities Board, Student But Vitale isn’t the only draw to Activities and Greek Life, Vice Presi- the event. In addition to the ESPN dent of Academic Affairs, Washburn sports analyst, Kansas State Univer-
The wheels on the bus... Go round and round, now with concerns of Topekans in mind
Photo by Heather Ramsdell, Washburn Review
Keep on Turning: Topekans in Support of Public Transportation hosted a public meeting April 13 to discuss the future of the Topeka Transit. Citizens were invited to share concerns about the Transit so that it can more adequately meet the needs of Topekans.
Jeff Dailey WASHBURN REVIEW Public transportation in the city of Topeka is being motivated by a coalition of members of the community that are voicing their opinions. The grassroots coalition, Topekans In Support of Public Transportation, formed about a year ago in response to the looming threat of job cuts within Topeka Transit. The motivation came from community members realizing job cuts meant there would be less drivers, which would lead to less bus routes. This would leave many people without the means to go to or from work or school. The coalition is made up of a variety of members, including small business owners, private citizens, social service agencies, students and professionals throughout the community. With the help of the coalition members, the job cuts were less
severe than what were threatened. April 13, the coalition held an open meeting to discuss future plans and to discuss the transportation needs of Topekans. “We wanted to get community input on what type of public transportation and how it fits in with other forms and modes of transportation including the ever growing cycling community in Topeka,” said Kevin Siek, a volunteer and member of the coalition. At the meeting, there were a number of speakers that represented different facets of the community including members from different school districts, the Sierra Club, cyclists from around town, seniors and people with disabilities. People from these groups talked about what they would like to see happen with Topeka Transit and how the changes would benefit the city as a whole. Once the speakers were finished, audience members were allowed to ask questions and express their views
Jeff Dailey is a member of the advanced news writing class. Reach him at jeffrey. dailey@washburn.edu.
Bryan Schmutz WASHBURN REVIEW
through the roof during finals week. Another establishment that sees more visitors during finals is Mabee Library, which keeps its doors open for five Energy drink and liquor sales days of 24-hour operation. Availability are skyrocketing, parties are being of library hours and WSGA-supported planned and late nights are becom- activities ensure students all have oping the norm. This can only mean portunities for success during finals. one thing in the academic year: finals. For senior Brian Clark, finals are Finals is that last marathon of spread out enough to allow for some fun. studying, drinking, then more study“You can drink more during the ing and drinking before friends move week if there is no final the next day,” home for the summer. Some students said Clark whose finals strategy is simstudy less than normal, some study ple and last-minute. “Cram the night more, depending before, wake up on their outlook. early and cram “Some study “ some more.” more to ensure The increase Finals drives they know evin alcohol conerything they sumption versus students to drink. need to for each campus activiclass,” said Juties makes one - Jeff Grace nior Ross Wilke wonder how stuOwner, Grace’s Liquor of the Art Instidents are prepartutes Internationfor the most ” ing al Kansas City. important tests “Some study less of their semester. because they don’t believe they are go“It seems to be a theme across the ing to become any smarter than they Midwest that partying is the best prep already are in a couple days.” Wilke for finals,” said Junior Molly Doughsaid he doesn’t drink during finals erty of William Woods University. and his nights are extended from doWashburn senior Katie Duning projects and studying for exams. can said the increase in alcohol conBut this isn’t the case for sumption helps students relax and all students. For some there is unwind between studying, all while no reason to eliminate all fun. celebrating the end of the semester. “Get everything done in one night, While drinking may not be the and the next night I go out and have best way to prepare for finals, it seems fun,” said Washburn senior Dustin Yea- to be the best solution for a majorger. He said his philosophy keeps him ity of college students around the from getting too stressed out. He thinks area. So whatever the philosophy, the best plan is to study for awhile, take every student must come up with the a break and later come back to it. The best solution to fit their study habits. end goal is retaining the information. “Finals drives students to drink,” Bryan Schmutz is a member of the adsaid Jeff Grace, owner of Grace’s Li- vanced news writing class. Reach him at quor. Grace said he sees his sales shoot bryan.schmutz@washburn.edu.
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SCORCH ON THE PORCH CINCO DE MAYO
We dn e sday, May 5th • 11:0 0am - 1:30pm • On the No rth Law n
Fu n & Gam e s Si dewalk Sale
$5.0 0 Meal Deal Live Ente rtainm ent
Find out why Dick Vitale will be at Washburn tonight.
sports
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Lauren Eckert is a junior mass media major. Reach her at lauren.eckert@ washburn.edu.
Finals week increases alcohol consumption among students
Chicago band Model Strangers performed at the Boobie Trap.
Find out what the future holds for College Hill.
news & opinion
and concerns about the Topeka Transit. Cyclists and students who attended the meeting voiced concerns about conflicting bus route schedules. One solution proposed by cyclists is to have bike racks attached to them to allow cyclists to board the bus and have a safe place to haul their bike. These concerns, along with others, have been heard and met with the designing of the newer buses. The new buses that the city of Topeka proposes to replace the old ones will include some newer features to appeal to the concerned public. Some of the new features will include bike racks that will be mounted on the new buses to insure that everyone can ride. Another feature will include interior LED lighting that will save on the overall cost and expenditure of energy, in the Topeka Transit’s move to go green.
sity basketball coaches Frank Martin and Deb Patterson and athletic director John Currie, Kansas University basketball coaches Bill Self and Bonnie Henrickson, Washburn basketball coaches Bob Chipman and Ron McHenry and “Survivor: Guatemala” winner Danni Boatwright will also be in attendance to show their support and help raise money for the Coaches vs. Cancer charity. A banquet will take place before the program, and all proceeds from ticket sales to both events will go directly to the Coaches vs. Cancer fund. Tickets will be available at the door, but are available for pre-sale in the Student Activities and Greek Life office in the Memorial Union, or in the athletic department. Tickets are $1 for students, $5 for faculty and staff, and $10 for community members. Those interested in purchasing VIP seating and a seat at the banquet will pay $100. Onek and the rest of WSGA are eager to see the event succeed and to be able to help raise money for a charitable cause. “I think it’s really cool that we can do this, and give this to Washburn students and the community,” said Onek.
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