Art student creates taxidermy business Story by Josh Rouse
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rt is often used to immortalize moments in “I usually ask for a 50 percent down payment to time, from a painting of George Washington’s cover supplies,” said Wayner. “My price on a deer crossing of the Potomac River to photographs shoulder mount is $400, my price on fish is $9 an inch taken by astronauts on the moon. For senior art major and a pheasant mount is $225.” Joe Wayner, art is just another way of remembering The process of taxidermy itself is complex and great hunting and fishing trips, and he loves helping time-consuming. The animal must first be gutted, then others to do so. the skin must be dried and put on a foam mannequin, Wayner owns his own taxidermy business, which using clay to form parts of the animal and epoxy to began as a hobby and blossomed into a passion that create eyes. Fish must be painted since they lose their he could make a profit off of. He says the craft is just color during the drying process. To help recreate the another form of art. fish’s true tones, Wayner takes a “In fifth grade on a field trip, photo of the fish before drying to I met a local taxidermist and was use as a reference. The goal is to hooked,” said Wayner. “I kept make the fish look the same as it asking if he would teach me. He did while alive. finally agreed and that’s where “I’m interested in taxidermy I learned to do my first bird and because I get to preserve fish. From the knowledge I got something from nature and from him, I started expanding and allow others that don’t get the teaching myself how to mount all opportunity to see different sorts of things like deer, squirrels, animals and what not. I love all et cetera.” the art in it, from the sculpting He began doing taxidermy in for deer and airbrushing for seventh grade and recently took fish,” said Wayner. “It’s great his skills to the next level recently hearing all the stories from each after receiving more instruction individual hunter. All these in his work. Many students brag about how smart on the craft from a professional. Pride things are why I love doing what their pets are—except for taxidermist Joe Wayner. Wayner He spent June 2011 in Wisconsin, is more likely to brag about how dead his pets are. I do.” studying at Dan Rinehart’s School However, don’t let his occupation fool you, Wayner has Aside from being an art form, always had a love for wildlife. of Taxidermy. it also provides a challenge. “It was a great month where I Wayner is constantly learning Photos courtesy of Joe Wayner new ways to do things and trying was able to learn some new things and better myself as a taxidermist,” said Wayner. to improve his skills. Others have noticed his passion for the outdoors, “I’d have to say the most challenging thing I’ve as well. Larry Longhofer, the taxidermist who taught done so far was a alligator rug,” said Wayner. him the craft, noticed the care he takes when working Aside from taxidermy, Wayner also recounts his on a new project. memories from the field through the medium of painting. “Joe just has a real love for wildlife,” said Longhofer Most of his pieces are wildlife scenes inspired by his in the Washburn Review. “He enjoys each specimen own experiences with animals. He has been hunting he works on and when he finishes it, he’s proud of it. and fishing since he was 11 years old and loves using Rightfully so.” his talents to immortalize his experiences. Aside from Wayner’s passion for the outdoors “I just love life and love doing what I do,” said and the art behind it, he also knows there is plenty Wayner. “God gave me talent and I intend on using of money to be made as a taxidermist. Hunters and it.” anglers are often willing to pay thousands of dollars for a quality mount, while his own mounts are not as expensive.
Entrepreneurial 47
Chris Marshall
WU graduate, cartoonist, launches website
Sto Story by Josh Rouse and Matthew Kelly
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hris Marshall is used to being told he’s not an artist, but he’s never let that stop him. Even as a child, Marshall struggled with mixed signals. He was encouraged by his parents, but discouraged by others, especially his teachers. He had friends who made cartoons of their own, but lost interest and moved on to other, more “grown up” pursuits—but Marshall didn’t stop. He made more, hundreds more. Today, Marshall is a copy editor for the Topeka Capital-Journal with a B.A. in mass media from Washburn—and yes, he’s still a cartoonist. Marshall is the owner of themarshallartist.com, a website displaying many of his cartoons and graphic illustrations—most of which are sports-related and contain his unique and often blunt sense of humor. The site, which launched Aug. 17, 2011, is just one of many websites that are owned and operated by Washburn graduates. With an already loyal fan base of Washburn students and alums, he now looks to expand his following worldwide. While at Washburn, Marshall was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity, and worked for The Review (his college newspaper). Marshall became more comfortable with his self-image, and his cartoons began to gain notoriety. “When I first met Marshall, I thought he was a little shy and reserved,” said Eric Smith, fraternity brother and co-worker at the TCJ. “It didn’t take long for him to open up and be the jokester that I know today.” Despite his award-winning writing, it was his cartoons that drew the attention of The Review’s readership. Each week, “Marshall Arts” was published in the sports section, and soon his cartoons drew praise even from collegiate judges. “When I was on The Review, we were named the best college newspaper for four-year colleges in Kansas,” said Marshall, who earned third place and honorable mention awards for sports writing from the Kansas Association of Collegiate Press. “That same year, I think I won first, second and honorable mention for best cartoons. That was pretty exciting for the paper and for me.” Outside of The Review and his fraternity obligations,
Marshall also worked for the Campus Activities Board and often made posters for the Washburn Student Government Association. While in college, he also interned and eventually got a part-time job as a sports clerk for the TCJ. His drawings eventually made their way to the TCJ, as well, though after a few controversial cartoons he was asked not to draw anymore. “My favorite cartoon is probably one I drew for the Capital-Journal during the 2008 Olympics,” he said. “It was a picture of Michael Phelps swimming, and it said his motivation to win races was his father, Fred. Then I drew Fred Phelps running alongside the pool with a sign that said ‘God Hates Silver.’ I got a lot of angry letters for it, saying things like ‘Michael Phelps is never coming to Topeka now,’ as if he would ever come here in the first place. But I thought it was a good way to relate the biggest athlete in the world at the time to things that were happening locally.” Currently, Marshall has been allowed to draw an occasional cartoon, though editorial supervision is required. Along the way, he has made memories and friends while illustrating his unique perspective on life through art and writing. “Marshall has inspired me to laugh...a lot,” said Smith. “He is one of the funniest people I know. Also, I guess you could say he has inspired me to love sports more. We both enjoy going to pretty much any sporting event, and without Marshall, I would not have attended KU bowl games, Sporting KC games or the College World Series.” Now, Marshall looks to prove those who questioned his art wrong, and to take his talents to South Beach... and the rest of the world, via the Internet. “After leaving Washburn, I didn’t really have a place to put the cartoons where people could see them,” said Marshall. “The website is just a way for me to keep drawing sports cartoons and give people an easy way to see them. Hopefully someone will eventually give me a chance to draw them again, where they can be published and more people can see them, but for now it’s been fun just throwing them all online whenever I draw something.”
Defining art. Even as a child, Chris Marshall expressed himself through cartoons. Now Marshall has launched his own website called themarshallartist.com, and publishes cartoons occasionally for the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Graphics courtesy of Chris Marshall
Talents
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Religion Collision
Jed 3:16. Jed Smock, of Campus Ministry USA, visited campus in October 2011 to preach about God and the temptations of college. However, many students took offense to his methods and interpretations of the Bible and decided to protest his messages with signs. Among other things, many students reported being called “whores” or “sluts,” and some were told by Smock that they were going to Hell. As his diatribes continued, students gathered around to watch, some even arguing or shouting at him.
Photos by Josh Rouse
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Out with the old, in with the new Story by Nathan Hargis and Michelle Boltz
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n times of economic hardship, it’s common for city. businesses to close their doors. But something The Burger Stand is an idea brought to life by new is always sure to spring up in their places. owner Robert Krause, who opened New City Cafe, In 2011, Topeka saw numerous changes, including one of the trendiest new-age eateries in town. The several long-time establishments closing: Hastings, Burger Stand is not a typical burger bunker, offering Macy’s, O’Dooley’s Irish Pub and Lucky Dogs Sports gourmet burgers and fries, unlike any Topeka has ever Bar. experienced. This new restaurant also has two full Many Topekans will dearly miss these businesses service bars, featuring many classic, as well as exciting due to traditional ties. new microbrews to enjoy Every year, O’Dooley’s on a Friday night. had a massive St. “The Burger Stand Patricks Day party, which has been established as had become a tradition a lunch place, but Friday among Topekans. nights are our busiest,” “I’m going to miss all said Pedro Concepcion, of the great customers executive chef. we had everyday, but Speaking of exciting it’s going to be so weird new brews, whether it’s when St. Patty’s comes beer you seek or fine around and there’s no coffee, Flying Monkey is O’Dooleys,” said Lindsey a great place for a new Weissbeck, former server taste, and has a fresh at O’Dooleys. “I’ve been a quality about it as soon part of those celebrations Going under. After just over five years of service, Macy’s Group Inc. closed its as one walks in the door. for years.” Topeka West Ridge Mall location, as well as four other under-performing Macy’s Offering PT’s coffee, a The changing face locations, in the fall of 2012. gourmet food menu, and of the Topeka business select craft beers, Flying community is sure to Photo by Linnzi Fusco Monkey brings a worldly bring about new and taste to Topeka. exciting things for the “We want to give a people of green and gold. The Burger Stand and Flying taste of what’s going on outside of Topeka,” said Holly Monkey recently opened their doors for business and Bastin, manager and director of retail for PT’s Coffee. have been receiving great support from the community. “We serve everything by the cup, which isn’t common Both of these businesses are aimed at bringing a sense around here. We’re all about experiencing flavors.” of style, urban sophistication and flavor to the capital
Brewing up innovation. Since the fall of 2011, the Flying Monkey has brought new beer and coffee blends to Topeka, one cup at a time, just across 17th street from Washburn.
Photo by Jordan Loomis
Multiple personalities. Many Topekans have visited the Burger Stand in the afternoon and found it to be one of the best tasting burger joints in town. However, it has more of a bar feel after dark, which is why many Washburn students have dubbed the The Burger Stand their go-to Friday night hangout.
Photo by Ryan Burge
Topeka Changes es 55
Travis Perry WU alumnus lives reporters dream Story by Matt Kelly
Living the dream. Wearing the same press pass as White House officials, Travis Perry, news editor for the Osawatomie Graphic, stood in the Osawatomie High School to photograph President Barack Obama. Obama visited Osawatomie to speak to ordinary Americans about, among other things, his beliefs concerning the country’s economical situation. Perry was granted higher security clearance than even reporters from major news outlets allowing him to stand near the podium during the speech.
Photos courtesy Travis Perry
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any local newspaper reporters would love a chance to stand within 10 feet of the President of the United States during a globally significant speech. Washburn alumnus, Travis Perry, is one of the few who can say he has. President Barack Obama came to Osawatomie, Kan, to speak to the ideologically gridlocked American public about, among other things, how some of the proposed economical strategies could affect ordinary middleclass Americans. White House officials gave Perry, news editor for the Osawatomie Graphic, a specialized press pass allowing him to stand just a few feet away from the president’s podium during his speech. They did this to ensure that Osawatomie’s local newspaper could cover the event properly. “I was right up there—right up close,” said Perry. “I was so close I could see the hem of his pants. It was pretty surreal.” The speech took place in a high school gymnasium, where a podium was set up on one side with 10 to 12 feet of empty space surrounding it. A barrier divided the empty space from the audience. Within that empty space, Perry was allowed to roam as he pleased; a privilege that wasn’t given lightly. Along with everyone who received a standard press pass, Perry was asked for personal information; however, unlike the other reporters, he was also asked to go through a very comprehensive background check before he would be allowed to stand so closely to the president. In fact, with possibly hundreds of reporters in attendance, only Perry and White House officials were allowed to stand so close. Even reporters from national news organizations were given standard
press passes. “The press passes were fairly open,” said Perry. “There were about 100 to 200 members of the press at this event, ranging from small town newspaper staff like myself to the Kansas City Star, the Topeka Capital Journal, and then of course the major news outlets. However, they were all given normal passes that were kind of relegated to an area off to the side of the gym, or at least a decent ways back from the president.” While many go to work every morning only to experience the exact same routine as the workday before, every day Perry spends as a reporter brings a new story, and a new change of scenery. “Being a newspaper reporter is almost never boring,” said Perry. “One day you’re out covering the President of the United States speaking in your town, and the very next evening you’re out getting photos at a kindergarten music concert. It’s one thing after another, but there’s a lot of variety. That’s what I like best about it.” Perry only had one semester worth of journalism experience from high school when he enrolled at Washburn in 2005. However, his four college years were spent working at The Review as a staff writer—and eventually as news editor. “I met some very unique people, and had the privilege of meeting, talking with and being taught by many unique and talented professors,” said Perry. “It was something that definitely shaped who I am today. I strongly believe it was because of the small environment at Washburn that I was able to get my hands on so many aspects of the news producing environment.”
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Mayor proposes “hoodie” ban Story by Tanner Ballengee
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ocal media and social networks were buzzing with work for a living, since many outdoor workers wear stories of Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten suggesting hoodies as part of their uniform. the ban of wearing hooded sweatshirts and Manspeaker, who graduated from Washburn baseball caps inside of businesses throughout the city University in 2002 with a degree in political science, in the spring of 2012. was present at the council meeting where Mayor In response to the waves of Bunten suggested the ban. crime seen throughout recent Councilman Manspeaker was months, the mayor and the city quick to show his disapproval, council met to discuss ways to speaking his mind about the issue deter criminal behavior in the via Twitter. Manspeaker’s tweets city. The mayor put forth 22 about the hoodie ban sparked new ideas—including the ban an online frenzy, and he was on hooded sweatshirts and ball soon contacted from five news caps. agencies wanting more details. Hooded sweatshirts, more “The reason this is a story is popularly known as “hoodies,” because I wouldn’t shut my mouth are undoubtedly one of the most about it,” said Manspeaker. popular winter wear items and Over the following days, are quite commonly seen being Manspeaker continued to tweet worn in public, especially on about the hoodie ban, and many Washburn’s campus. Although a other Topekans joined in. Friday, comfortable and warm accessory, Feb. 3 was then dubbed “Hoodie hoodies are being used again and Friday” by numerous Twitter again to hide the faces of criminals users, even some from out of from security cameras during state, as they posted tweets and robberies of local convenience pictures of themselves in hoodies stores and gas stations. with the hashtag “#hoodiefriday” “The issue of crime in Topeka to show their opposition of the is not one solved by attire,” suggested ban—which, it seems, Risky thinking. Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten suggesteed said Chad Manspeaker, a 6th the city ban hooded sweatshirts and baseball caps inn paid off in the end. The ban was District Topeka City councilman, select local businesses in the spring of 2012. never passed. representing the Washburn Bunten cannot pass the ban Photo by Anthony Richardso on district. “Poverty is the real root as a city ordinance because he of the issue.” does not have a vote; only the The ban suggestion did not sit right with city council can pass policy. Since the council was so Manspeaker, who stated he is “a big fan of hoodies.” disapproving of the suggestion, it is unlikely that the Being a union organizer for companies such as Westar ban will get any farther than a suggestion. and Kansas Gas, he also stated that he felt the But it wasn’t just Bunten who supported the ban. suggested ban was a bit classist against people who Ron Miller, chief of the Topeka Police Department, was
first to suggest the ban to the mayor, and believed the stories buzzing in the media were slightly misconstrued. “This is a crime prevention strategy,” said Miller. “This is not a ban on wearing hooded sweatshirts.” Miller said that the stories involving the ban somehow got warped from what he really had suggested. “The request is the removal of the hooded part from the head,” said Miller. The ban would have been mandated in only stores that are easy targets for robberies. Miller said that several businesses around Topeka already have administrative rules and signs posted that customers must remove hoods and hats before entering the building. “It isn’t a question of wearing it at school, in your car or other public places,” said Miller.
The problem with administrative rules that businesses post, says Miller, is that the police cannot enforce them. If the suggested ban of hoods were actually put into city ordinance, then the police could then enforce those rules by surveying any stores notorious for being robbed and stop and question anyone who entered and refused to remove his or her hood. This would result in the surefire deterrent against premeditated robberies. “It’s designed as a robbery prevention strategy to protect businesses and clerks,” said Miller. Miller also mentioned some recent robberies that had taken place in Topeka, including the killing of the liquor store clerk that occurred on Christmas Eve. The criminal who committed the robbery and murder was not wearing a hoodie but a stocking cap.
Let’s be reasonable. Students like their hooded sweatshirts. They’re a popular clothing item at Washburn, in Topeka, and all over the country. However, they tend to be less popular among members of the upper class, which is why many Topekans felt that Mayor Bill Bunten’s proposal to place restrictions on the wearing of hooded sweatshirts was classist and unacceptable.
Photo by Ryan Burge
CAB seeks change in allocation of WU funds
Striving for excellence. Executive members of the Campus Activities Board met in the Henderson Learning Center to discuss upcoming events. As one of the top eventplanning student organizations at Washburn, CAB has a long history of bringing guest speakers to the university, in addition to the many other services they provide.
Photo courtesy of Washburn Review archives
Story by Matt Kelly
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tudents may have found it strange that there were two student organizations arranging for guest speakers to make appearances at Washburn University. Both the Washburn Student Government Association and the Campus Activities Board were charged with the task of setting up events involving guest speakers. However, some felt this was not the most efficient way to get the job done, despite the fact that both organizations have been known to help the others with their respective events. Both organizations were granted funding for these events by the Washburn University Board of Regents, which was taken from student activity fees. It was in 2006 that the WUBOR met with representatives from several select student organizations, including WSGA and CAB, to agree on how the funds should be divided. Since then, WSGA received more funding than any other student organization on campus. “CAB is the programming board here on Washburn campus,” said Tengku Rizki Aljupri, CAB’s talks and topics director, in April 2011. “WSGA is student government, of course. Last year, WSGA allocated $30,000 for their speakers. On the other hand, CAB—we are only allocated $25,000, and we have to divide the $25,000 for speakers, providing entertainment, for live music and for marketing. They have $30,000 for speakers alone.” Among several other positions, Aljupri served as a senator for WSGA, in addition to working for CAB. Having worked for both organizations, he understood both sides of the issue. However, he believed the amount of funding allotted to each section of CAB is relatively small. “For talks and topics, which is my area in CAB, we only have $7,000 per semester,” said Aljupri. “That is our budget to bring speakers to campus. We want to bring at least two speakers every semester, so each of our speakers only costs between $3,000 and $4,000.” The WSGA Lecture Series was created in 2007 to bring big-name speakers to Washburn, and did so with a relatively-large amount of funding. CAB, on the other hand, had to work hard to find speakers that would attract students without exceeding their budget.
On the other hand, many members of WSGA believed there was plenty of room for both organizations to invite their own guest speakers, as this would lead to more high-quality speakers appearing at Washburn, and with hard work and determination, both organizations could be equally successful. “I think there is a place for both, and I don’t think that we should be limited to where CAB is the only one that gets to invite speakers and WSGA is the only one that gets to plan homecoming,” said Jenna Seematter, chief of staff for WSGA, in April 2011. “If CAB wants to bring a big-name speaker, and wants our help with it, then that would be fine. If they want to put as much work into it as we put into our lecture series, then I think there’s plenty of room. There’s nothing wrong with having more speakers of high quality at Washburn.” Since both organizations had different connections within the community, they ultimately brought speakers for different reasons. CAB had four sections that they focused on: Talks and Topics, Variety and Entertainment, Marketing and Technology, and Live Music. In other words, CAB was limited in the events they focused on, according to Seematter. Seematter believed that as long as the two organizations’ schedules were not conflicting with one another, there was no reason for there to be any conflict between them. “We have all these awesome leaders at Washburn, and if we can combine their forces and get them to work together, as opposed to conflicting, then that’s the best solution. That’s one of the reasons we have the university calendar, so that when you go out and plan your event, you can make sure there’s nothing else happening on that day.” At the end of the day, both organizations benefited Washburn by bringing speakers to the university, regardless of who organized the events. Although some members of CAB would have liked to see more name recognition for their organization, many members of WSGA believed that name recognition should not be the priority. “As a student, I don’t really care who the events are being planned by, as long as they’re doing a good job,” said Seematter.
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Illustration by Matt Kelly
WU struggles to remain competitive:
Faculty salaries fall short Story by Matt Kelly
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hen it comes to their salaries, Washburn faculty members have had more ups and downs over the last decade than a Wii remote in a retirement home. The Washburn University Board of Regents has been struggling to remain competitive with the faculty salaries of neighboring universities such as the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. But despite their efforts, Washburn fell short of the competition by about 10 percent—a problem President Jerry B. Farley described as unnerving in a WUBOR meeting held on Aug. 19, 2011. “If you go back to the year 2000, we were almost 12 percent behind the competition,” said Farley. “After that, you can see we’ve made progress. From 12 percent to 9 percent to 8 percent to 7 to 5 to 4—then the last three years we’ve fallen back down, and now we’re almost 10 percent behind again. That’s a real concern to us. This is our top priority and always will be.” Farley said even though these are “difficult times” throughout the United States, many secondary educational institutions continue to “reign in faculty,” and in the long run faculty are what make Washburn successful. “If we attract the right faculty, we will have a successful experience with students and will be successful as a university,” said Farley According to Jim Martin, Washburn School of Business Lecturer and former Chief Financial Officer of Westar Energy, Washburn must compete not only
with neighboring universities, but also the business community. Many Washburn faculty members are capable of making more money elsewhere, so there has to be another motivation for them to remain at Washburn, regardless of pay. “Many times faculty have the ability to move, but they don’t have the willingness to move,” said Martin. “They’ve got tenure here, they’ve got family here, and they enjoy the campus, and their colleagues. The market pressures from other universities are certainly there, but they would have to have the willingness and the ability to take advantage of it.” Martin said faculty members who were hired 20 years ago receive gradual pay increases. Therefore, their pay reflects that they were hired at the market price at that point in time. However, they remain comfortable in their position, having gone through the tenure process in many cases. New potential faculty members, on the other hand, experience a totally different supply and demand—in some cases finding three jobs for every one applicant with a PhD. “It all comes down to the quality of the education. You can buy a used Yugo, and you can probably drive it for a while and be happy,” said Martin. “You can get a second grade education from a second grade professor and be happy for a while perhaps, but in a competitive market you want to be the best prepared. You want the best professor in your classroom. You can always get a cheaper product, but you’re going to regret it later.”
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HJ Template
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McLeland moves to strike down WU funds Story by Matt Kelly
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he Kansas House of Representatives passed a budget involving a $5.5 million cut in Washburn funding. However, that same week the budget passed by the Kansas Senate still held that Washburn should receive the same amount as in 2010. The house and senate both work on the same budget, both typically starting at the governor’s recommended budget. Gov. Sam Brownback had recommended that Washburn maintain the $11 million in funding it was granted by the state in 2010. Needless to say, the 50 percent decrease in state funding proposed by the house was a surprising deviation from the governor’s recommendation. If the cut in Washburn’s funding had been approved by the senate, the changes would have taken effect in May of 2012, which would have been devastating to Washburn and would have inevitably forced the university to decrease its quality of service and increase tuition. Bob Storey, Washburn University board regent, argued that Washburn is a good use of state dollars and good for Kansas in general. The expense from the state per student is relatively small, and since most Washburn students remain in Kansas after college, in a way, the state is investing in itself. “The amount the state gives us—they’re getting a good deal. They’re getting people coming into the state of Kansas, and their getting people educated from the state of Kansas at Washburn University at a very small cost.” Storey said the repercussions would have been “complete chaos” if the bill was passed. Washburn would have been forced to consider laying employees off, furloughing employees and raising tuition to make up the $5.5 million dollars denied by the state. It was Rep. Joe McLeland, a Republican from Wichita, who initially proposed the cut to Washburn’s state funding. Storey, like many others, believed that McLeland did so as retaliation to a bill that cut funding to Wichita airports. Washburn was targeted because it receives state funding without being governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. This means that McLeland could propose cuts to Washburn without effecting Wichita State University.
“It’s happened before, particularly from Wichita legislators,” said Storey. “The Wichita legislator that did this had their airport funding cut. That’s kind of a personal matter. Now that Wichita State is in the Board of Regents system, they don’t anymore have the concern about state aid that Washburn does. This individual had done this before. He tried to cut funds out of Washburn before because Wichita had lost some money.” Storey had fought attempts to raise Washburn’s tuition in the past. Although, in 2010, he did give in to a vote for a Washburn tuition increase, he always tried to “hold tuition down.” Storey said that in losing half of its state funding, Washburn would have few reasonable solutions that would allow it to maintain its reputation as a relatively affordable school with a highly competitive class structure. “If you raise tuition to a certain point, then we aren’t as good a deal as we are now. Right now we’re a great deal as far as money for tuition, but if we had to lay people off, double classes up, and cut some of our classes, then the integrity of the university is lost, and the students do not get what they pay for.” The senate would not approve this bill, according to Storey. He had spoken with Kansas senators, and was confident they would support Washburn on this matter. Storey was certain that, in the end, Washburn’s state funding would be restored. “They understand what the problem is, and they understand how this happened, and I’m convinced in my own mind that would be inputting into the complete budgetary and final budgetary process and that money will be reinstated to Washburn,” said Storey. Storey felt that the senate would be much more objective in determining Washburn’s fate. “I think cooler heads and smarter minds will prevail in the end,” said Storey. Kansas senator, Garrett Love agreed that the senate would not allow the cut to Washburn’s funding, and was confident that they would support Washburn. “The house’s budget has the Washburn cut in there, but the senate has Washburn funded at the level it was funded at this past year. At this point, I
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feel cautiously confident that the funding will remain where it previously was.” Love had an interest in this bill not only as a Kansas senator, but also as a Washburn graduate and former president of the Washburn Student Government Association. Love believes that with Washburn, the state receives a relatively high return per dollar spent when comparing the number of student graduates alongside the amount spent by the state on the university, and that Washburn has been a good investment for the state in general. He never personally supported the proposal and felt that making such a drastic cut to one university would be unwise. “I am not a supporter of that decision, and don’t find it to be good policy. With the fiscal situation we are in, if we decided to cut higher education across the board as for a much smaller percentage, that would make more sense, but the way it would be, Washburn would lose 50 percent of its funding with the rest of higher education held harmless and that doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.” Love said none of the representatives that supported the cut gave any sort of explanation as to why the cuts would be good for the state of Kansas, and that was part of the frustration involved in his opposition to the bill.
Love encouraged students to advocate for Washburn through these challenges, and many students spoke out to restore Washburn’s funding, which, in the end, was fully restored. “Stay connected and involved. A lot of decisions being made are affecting a lot of folks in a lot of ways, and for young people, myself included, it’s going to be affecting us for the rest of our lives. This goes far beyond definitively involving Washburn, but what’s going on matters, and for college students, it’s important to be involved.”
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Building community. Many students and faculty have referred to the Memorial Union as the “heart� of the Washburn campus. It stands as a place for students to take part in both social and extracurricular activities and buzzes with a constant flow of students during a typical school day.
Photo by Matt Kelly
Memorial Union Improvements make students feel at home By Alex Schoenberger
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ashburn was a dynamic university, always During a small random poll, seven out of 10 students keeping its décor around campus fresh and said they were happy to see the university making such changing throughout the year. Massage additions, two of the students said it didn’t matter to chairs, new menus at the cafeteria and a revamped them if they were there or not and one student wasn’t Corner Store were just a few of the things added to the aware of the chairs beforehand. Memorial Union in 2012. Other improvements Kathy Reser, director made to the union in for the Memorial Union, 2012 were new plasma gave 30 loyal years to screens in each of the Washburn University, and upper floor meeting attended an annual Union rooms. Sixty-five inch Directors meeting in the monitors were installed spring to discuss potential in some of the larger improvements that could rooms, while the rest be made. In 2012, a few of the rooms were of the students were fully equipped with 50enjoying the first of the inch monitors. Ridding two new amenities that the rooms of outdated Washburn had claimed. projection screens Three full-body massage made getting meetings chairs were placed in the underway much quicker Union right across from the than before. iBod Center. Both students Reser said she was and faculty could freely Relax. Students enjoy the massage chairs in the Memorial Union that were happy with the way added in 2012. use them, when available, things turned out, and Photo by Cody Lohse but had to be quick. There was excited to hear was rarely a time when from the regent schools they were not being used for new improvement during the busy hours of 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. ideas in the future. Reser was always looking for ways to make the “We are doing our best to keep up with the Union more approachable and comfortable for everyone technological advances that other universities are who set foot on campus. going through,” said Reser. “We might even get a “Students who happen to be in the chairs as I pass laptop to rent out to the students to hook up to the have always said they enjoy them,” said Reser. “I screens if they don’t have access to one.” believe they are worth every penny.”
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Lessons from the past. Richard Pitts, author of “A Self-Guided Tour of the Underground Railroad,� gave a lecture at Washburn in the spring of 2012 bringing some of the darkest parts of American civil rights history to light.
Photo by Peter Seredkin
Richard Pitts Author spreads historical awareness Story by Cindy Rose
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ashburn students received a history lesson on the Kansas Underground Railroad in the spring of 2012 when Richard Pitts, author of the book “A Self-Guided Tour of the Underground Railroad in Kansas,” gave an impassioned lecture on the Underground Railroad and Black History. Pitts started off playing a drum before launching into his lecture. He said that “talking drums” were one of the things that were taken away from slaves when they arrived in the Americas “because it was a way for them to communicate over long distances.” “This part of the history was very significant to me,” said Pitts. “That’s why I picked up drums. I wanted to be like my ancestors.” Pitts dramatically brought to life stories of unthinkable slave conditions with visual aids, including a whip, giving vivid examples of the many and varied rebellions and wars along the Underground Railroad. Asking questions to involve the audience, he related the fighting between the Jayhawkers of Kansas and the Bushwhackers of Missouri. “People in Lawrence today probably don’t know about the history they walk by every day,” said Pitts. “There are still bullet holes and scars left on buildings from the raids and burnings of that town.” Pitts was often asked, “What did Africans do?” He has countless tales of the rich culture of Africans that go back thousands of years that he says most of
today’s children are unaware of. Pitts believes when African-Americans don’t know where they come from except that they descended from slaves, it’s impossible to have a proper perspective on their history. He also spoke candidly on his disappointment that very little is being done these days to celebrate Black History Month and AfricanAmerican culture like it was back in the 1960’s and 1970’s. “I think it’s important that once you know something, you share it, particularly about Black History,” said Pitts. “That’s the part that’s sad, because the stories aren’t being shared. And when the stories aren’t being shared, the history gets lost and often it gets whitewashed. What happened five minutes ago, 500 years ago or 5,000 years ago affects us right now. History is a current event. Black history is not just for Black Americans but all Americans.” Pitts’ lecture was sponsored by the on-campus organization Sistahood, the office of multicultural affairs, the department of education and the department of history. Sylvian Arceneaux, president of Sistahood, contacted Pitts about coming to speak at Washburn. “It was really eye opening, not only for AfricanAmericans, but for other cultures too,” said Arceneaux. “Schools are not educating our children and it’s important for us to know our culture.
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Capturing creativity. Visitors of Michael Allen’s senior art exhibit, “effect,” admired his amazing photographic creations in the fall of 2011 at the Washburn Art Building.
Photo courtesy Washburn Review archives
Rising from the ashes. Gracia stands with her son Zach after giving a speech in the White Concert Hall about her in time captivity in the Philippine jungle. After losing her husband in this terrible ordeal, Gracia shares about her struggle to forgive her former captures and show them love.
Photo by Robin Warren