INFORMING THE BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY AND BEREA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1913
NOVEMBER 2, 2022
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vol. 108 no. iii
Ongoing Ritter Library series asks: what comes after we die?
By KATHRYN RAUBOLT Staff Writer
For centuries scientists, philosophers and theologians have posed the existential question: what happens to us once our physical bodies die? Do we move on to another existence altogether, or do we simply cease to exist? Since 2018, Ritter Library has put together series of events that explore topics designed to increase student interest in the library, and this year organizers are placing that age-old question at the forefront. “The library seeks to engage with the campus and the local community to educate and highlight the items in our holdings, but also [to] examine scholarly topics, to spark debate and discussion,” said Chuck Vesei, library director. This ye ar, Universit y archivist Kieth Peppers and John Curtis, director of rare books and special collections, decided to tackle the topic of life, death and the numerous possibilities of what the afterlife may hold.
The Hereafter series focuses A particularly haunting on different depictions of the tale told the story of the afterlife from various faiths hauntings at Kohler Hall, ranging from Christianity a building with a history to Native American religion, of b e i ng an or phan highlighting the history and asylum, an infirmary and beliefs found in each. even a morgue – which, “I find religion to be really according to legend, used interesting and we are trying the tunnel in the basement to showcas e s omet hing to take bodies to the chapel we have in our collection,” across the street. Peppers said. “John Curtis, (While Kohler Hall being a rare books librarian, was in fact an orphanage, has a lot of great resources in Peppers said in a 2017 his collection that has to do i nt e r v i e w w i t h T h e with the various religions.” Exponent, the many The annual event series is tales of Kohler’s uses – accompanied by a vast display particularly during the of books, artifacts and other Kathryn Raubolt, The Exponent American Civil War – materials which can be found The Adams Street Cemetery was opened at night for participants were “plausible” but likely throughout the first floor of of the ghost walk to walk through after the walking tour. exaggerated. Peppers said Ritter Library. that there was no definitive The series itself started as a One particularly popular stories about Coe Lake, Kohler evidence of the existence of a celebration of the Mary Shelley event that took place during Hall, Lang Hall and a vacant morgue.) novel “Frankenstein,” dubbed this year’s Hereafter series lot on Meecham Street where, Ghosts such as the blue as “Frankenfest,” in 2018. was a “haunted walking tour” as the story goes, a house with mist, a fog-like essence that the Due to the success of that around Berea. The tour drew an odd past once stood. performer said would sit on event, Ritter Library decided both Baldwin Wallace students “My favorite part of the residents’ chests in their sleep, to make it annual, exploring a and community members to experience was learning about and a friendly little girl named new topic each fall. learn about the purported the historical tragedies that Mable, who stands in female “‘Frankenfest’ just clicked, paranormal history in Berea have taken place here,” Casimir dorms, were claimed to have and I was very surprised and and on BW’s campus. said. “This opportunity was not been spotted by past students gratified with how well that Casey Casimir, a junior because of a BW program, but before Kohler Hall was closed went, so we just decided to B.F.A. acting major, led the rather an older acting student due to structural issues. keep the events going,” Curtis second tour of the night, who had done it previously “I loved being able to hear said. performing various ghost recommended me for the job.” about the history behind
Kohler Hall,” said Emma Shockley, first-year biology and zoology major. “I had no idea why no one was using it, so it was cool to see a different side to the history on campus.” The tour concluded at the Adams Street Cemetery, which was open for participants to stroll through and search for the headstones of people mentioned in the stories throughout the tour. “I enjoyed seeing the Adams Street Cemetery,” said Kylie Cianciolo, sophomore philosophy and sustainability m aj or. “It w a s a g re at opportunity to learn about the local citizens who shaped Berea. It was also cool to be able to examine the headstones in the dark with headlights.” While no reports of ghostly encounters were made by par ticipants during the walking tour, there are still three remaining events in the Hereafter series, including lectures and films exploring religion, immortality and the history behind Adams Street Cemetery. The full series schedule can be found on Ritter Library’s website.
Theatre & Dance students explore “Dread Gar & Mar brings taste of Jamaica to Berea Fascination” in latest dance project
By URSULA SAADEH Staff Writer
INSIDE
Baldwin Wallace students delved into what it means to be afraid with “Dread Fascination,” the fall edition of the dance project “Testing Ground,” in the Mainstage Theatre in Kleist Center for Art & Drama during Oct. 27-30. Directed by BW Assistant Professor of Dance Sara Whale, “Testing Ground” is a biennial dance show that is open to all students regardless of major and aims to explore and showcase movement pieces that are not fully completed for a major production. “It’s an opportunity for us to present movement in a way that perhaps is not ready for a
Austin Patterson, The Exponent
The dance production “Dread Fascination,” which ran Oct. 27-30, explored humans’ relationships with fear and dread through dance and literature-inspired narration. fully produced production, but in a more experimental way … trying out ideas that are really sketches,” Whale said. The fall edition of “Testing Ground” has evolved throughout the years to include a com-
bination of text and movement, and Whale said that this year, she decided to examine the idea of dread and the strange attraction that humans have towards it. “Dread Fascination” incor-
porates excerpts from stories and poems by various authors that evoke the emotion of dread, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, H.P. Lovecraft and H.G. Wells. “I think we all go through phases of having these moments of angst, whether they’re existential or the idea of dread fascination itself,” Whale said. “You’re sort of drawn to it – that strange unseen force that makes us have fear and yet be curious about it.” Nash Feiler, a sophomore B.F.A. acting major, said that this show examined the vulnerabilities of humanity and the common uncomfortableness that comes with the unknown. SEE DREAD >> PAGE 3
MIDTERM ELECTION GUIDE
DOES YOUR MAJOR MATTER?
A BOLD & GOLD WEEKEND
The Exponent takes a look at the major storylines motivating next week’s high-stakes midterm elections.
BW professors working in different disciplines from their undergraduate degrees speak on the importance of versatility and “core competencies.” PAGE 3
Missed the homecoming festival? Read a recap and see pictures from the celebratory weekend.
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By CHASE GILROY Staff Writer
It was just last year that Baldwin Wallace students and Berea residents said goodbye to local hot spot Campus Grill. But this July a new restaurant, Gar & Mar, took its place, serving authentic Jamaican cuisine. The restaurant, named after its owners, married couple Garry and Nadette “Maria” James-Lawson, opened on July 4 at 10 Seminary St., the building which formerly housed the Latin and Puerto Rican restaurant Campus Grill. Neveah Tshiwala, a junior exercise science major, said she would recommend Gar & Mar to other students because of the service and affordability.
“The food service is very quick, plus the food is very affordable for a big meal,” Tshiwala said. “I would absolutely recommend this to BW students.” Compared to Campus Grill, Tshiwala said Gar & Mar is a better deal. “I think Campus Grill was good, but it was a little pricey,” Tshiwala said. “However, both restaurants have brought a different culture of food to BW dining for students and the community.” Mr. Lawson previously cooked for Jamaican restaurants in Florida and Jamaica. He uses the recipes he learned during those experiences at Gar & Mar, while continuing to grow his SEE JAMAICAN >> PAGE 3
The Exponent THE BEREA COMMUNITY’S PAPER OF RECORD
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THE EXPONENT SPECIAL COVERAGE:
THE BEREA COMMUNIT Y’S PA P E R O F R E C O R D
ELECTION 2022
STUDENT EDITORIAL STAFF Executive Editor Justin McMullen exponent@bw.edu Senior Editor Sunaina Kabadkar Managing Editors Autumn Allan Hannah Wetmore Simon Skoutas Austin Patterson Emily Muench Art Director Alexis Watkins Business Manager Zachary Ottenweller exponentads@bw.edu Staff Photographers Jayanti Upadhayay Ursula Saadeh Paul Weber Staff Writers Chris Moran Dina Dakdouk Gloria Mireles-Barrera Kathryn Raubolt Rihab Shahin Mina Jabr Caitlin Bowshier Sophia Rossero Raejanae Martin FACULTY ADVISOR Huixin Deng hdeng@bw.edu
NEWSPAPER POLICIES The Exponent is the student-run newspaper of Baldwin Wallace University, which is intended for the entire college community. The Exponent is funded by the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences as well as advertisements. The Exponent is produced by the student staff on a bi-weekly basis during the academic year. Questions or concerns about the content of articles or other material published herein should be directed to student staff of The Exponent or the faculty advisor. The office of The Exponent is located in the basement of Strosacker Hall. It is the right of The Exponent to print all material deemed newsworthy and gathered in a fair and unconditional manner. No advance copies of stories will be shown, and reporters' notes are considered confidential. No "off the record" information will be accepted.
The Exponent’s Guide to the Miderm Elections STATE-WIDE RACES Governor of Ohio Candidates: Nan Whaley, Democrat vs. Mike DeWine*, Republican * Denotes incumbent
Republican Mike DeWine is so far slated to easily overcome Democrat Nan Whaley, former mayor of Dayton, in the Ohio governor’s race. DeWine has been Governor of Ohio since 2019 and notably supported gun control legislation that eases firearm restrictions, as well as signing a controversial law that allowed the arming of school employees. Whaley wants to repeal these laws and increase
Candidates: Rep. Tim Ryan, Democrat vs. J.D. Vance, Republican J.D. Vance, a Republican, and Rep. Tim Ryan, a Democrat, are running for a crucial Senate seat to replace current Republican Senator Rob Portman who will be retiring at the end of 2022. In a survey conducted by the Baldwin Wallace University Community Research Institute, while still within the margin of error, Ryan was in a 4-point lead over Vance. However, in a more recent poll conducted by Cygnal, Vance maintained a 5-point lead over Ryan. Vance said at a debate on Oct. 17 that he agrees with Senator Lindsey Graham’s proposal for a federal ban on abortions after 15 weeks, and has not explicitly said he supports any exceptions other than when the mother’s life is in danger. On the other hand, Ryan said he supports codifying the protections established under Roe v. Wade, which protected abortion access
Ohio Secretary of State
Articles and photographs in The Exponent, letters from readers, columns, cartoons and other elements within these pages do not necessarily reflect the position of B aldw in Wa l l a c e University.
The secretary of state is responsible for administering election laws, reviewing ballot initiatives and overseeing the election process. Two of the three candidates in the race, incumbent Republican Frank LaRose and independent Terpsehore Maras, have publicly questioned the legitimacy of President Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. (Former President Donald Trump’s own former Attorney General, Bill Barr, and other government authorities have repeatedly maintained that
Photos courtesy of the Ohio Office of the Governor and Nan Whaley for Ohio Mike DeWine, left, and Nan Whaley, right, 2022 gubernatorial candidates.
budget that included a clause allowing healthcare workers, hospitals and health insurance companies to refuse to cover or provide medical services to individuals based on personal or religious beliefs, including refusing service to LGBTQ+ individuals. –Hannah Wetmore
U.S. House of Representatives District 7
U.S. Senate
Candidates: Frank LaRose*, Republican; Terpsehore ADVERTISING POLICY Anyone wishing to adver- Maras, Independent; tise in The Exponent should Chelsea Clark, Democrat email the advertising director at ecmads@bw.edu. Ads must be submitted by the Monday before publication date and not conflict with the university mission.
background checks and other gun control measures. She has also made codifying abortion access a centerpiece of her campaign, in contrast with DeWine, who as governor signed a six-week abortion ban into law. Whaley has championed education reforms like increasing funding for Ohio’s colleges, supporting programs that provide universal schooling to young children and reducing the cost burden of childcare for parents. In addition to the law allowing school districts to optionally arm teachers, DeWine has increased spending for school security for the purposes of protection against attacks. Whaley has also criticized DeWine for signing a state
Candidates: Matthew Diemer, Democrat vs. Max Miller, Republican Courtesy of WJW-TV Fox 8
Rep. Tim Ryan, left, and J.D. Vance, right, squared off in an October debate in Cleveland. until viability. Vance also said he would not vote to codify samesex marriage, but said that gay marriage is “the law of the land,” which he does not want to change. However, Vance has made controversial comments on other LGBTQ+ issues, including transgender students in schools. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Vance argued that some young students are being indoctrinated and pushed into being transgender because – referring to teachers – a “crazy lunatic is pushing this on them.” –Simon Skoutas there was no widespread voter fraud.) Maras, a podcast host with ties to the QAnon conspiracy movement, endured a court battle over whether she had sufficient signatures to appear on the ballot, but was cleared to run by the Ohio Supreme Court. She has repeatedly pushed the premise that there was fraud in the 2020 election. LaRose himself, who has overseen Ohio’s voting processes as Secretary of State since 2019, claimed that he believes there were “shenanigans” in the 2020 election. The Democratic candidate, Chelsea Clark, says on her campaign donation website that she will “fight like hell against the G.O.P. who are actively sabotaging our voter rights.” She has vowed to end voter suppression, expand early voting, institute same-day voter registration and protect against foreign meddling in elections. –Chris Moran
Riding the wave of former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, Max Miller of Shaker Heights cruised to victory in the June Republican primary for Ohio’s 7th district in the U.S. House of Representatives. Trump casts a shadow over the race: Miller served in the former president’s White House administration and was subpoenaed by the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot – something Miller’s opponent, Democrat Matthew Diemer, has been quick to point out. Last July, Politico reported allegations that Miller was physically abusive to his ex-girlfriend and fellow former White House aid, Stephanie Grisham. Miller has denied the accusations. –Justin McMullen
THE LOCAL ANGLE Ohio House of Representatives District 17
Cuyahoga County Executive
Candidates: Troy Greenfield, Democrat vs. Tom Patton*, Republican
Candidates: Chris Ronayne, Democrat vs. Lee Weingart, Republican
Ohio House of Representatives District 17 encompasses Brook Park, Middleburg Heights, Fairview Park, Strongsville and a portion of Cleveland. The race in this newly drawn district pits incumbent Republican Tom Patton against Democrat Troy Greenfield to determine the district’s next representative for the state House. Patton has served two terms in the Ohio Senate and three terms in the Ohio House for a total of 12 years of experience in the statewide legislature. In an event hosted by Baldwin Wallace College Republicans, Patton efforted to set himself apart from other Republicans, boasting his endorsements from labor unions. He also highlighted that despite his anti-abortion views, he did not vote for the “heartbeat bill,” which restricted abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, even for those who are victims of rape or incest. Greenfield, an educator and business owner, has taken more liberal stances on abortion and gun rights on her campaign website. Greenfield has campaigned against abortion restrictions, and a section of her website regarding gun laws states, “We cannot allow our state to be overcome by guns in the hands of unsafe and untrained individuals.” –Moran
Republican Lee Weingart and Democrat Chris Ronayne are running for Cuyahoga County Executive. Cuyahoga County has been found by the Plain Dealer to be the most reliably Democratic of all Ohio counties in the past six presidential elections. Armond Buddish, a Democrat and current County Executive, has held the seat since 2015. The position, with a four-year term and no term limits, was created 12 years ago following a corruption scandal involving former county commissioner Jimmy Dimora. As part of Weingart’s campaign, he has advocated freezing all property taxes for senior citizens and instituting a new countywide municipality that would collect a unified income tax – which would shut down the Regional Income Tax Agency. At a debate hosted by the City Club of Cleveland, Weingart argued for his proposed Community Health Equity Fund that would be funded by a voluntary property tax on hospitals that currently do not pay property tax. Plans for Cuyahoga County’s new jail have recently been put on hold until a new executive is in place. Ronayne wants to renovate the existing jail and consider a new site for a facility, whereas Weingart is in favor of building smaller jails to replace the aging facility. –Skoutas
Issue 5: RENEWAL
Issue 2: NON-
CITIZENS AND LOCAL ELECTIONS
Issue 2 would amend the Ohio Constitution to bar nonU.S. citizens from voting in local elections if they are not legally approved to vote in state elections. The issue was proposed out of a joint resolution of the General Assembly following a 2019 referendum approved by the voters of the Village of Yellow Springs in Greene County allowing noncitizens to vote in their local elections so long as they were residents. (Ohio’s Republican Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, stopped the referendum from taking effect by ordering Greene County to deny voter registration forms from non-citizens and has been a proponent of Issue 2.) Berea’s charter already requires voters in municipal elections to be citizens. –Skoutas
Ballot Initiatives
2
CLEVELAND METROPARKS TAX LEVY
The Cleveland Metroparks tax levy, an increase of 27 cents for each $100 of property valuation, is a replacement tax to maintain the Cleveland Metropolitan Parks District including the Zoo. The purpose of the tax is to conserve the national resources of the parks. Funds would be allocated to maintain, repair and improve the parks as well as to plan, acquire, develop, protect and promote the use of existing and future lands for facilities. –Wetmore
Issue 22: BEREA TAX LEVY Issue 22 concerns a tax levy renewal to fund improvements to the Berea water plant, which processes the city’s drinking water, and updates to other areas of the city’s water system. Berea’s finance director Andrea Morris said to cleveland.com that “the current cost to a homeowner based on a home value of $100,000 is $42.80 and is expected to remain around the same amount with the renewal.” If approved, the tax will be renewed for five years. The last time the tax levy was on the ballot was in 2017 when voters approved its renewal by a 2,953 to 970 margin. The levy was first approved by voters in 2007. –Skoutas
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO MAKE YOUR PLANS TO VOTE IN THE MIDTERMS! Whether your’re voting absentee or in person, The Exponent has an online guide to all the last-minute steps you need to make your voice heard this November. Visit www.bwexponent.com/midterms
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WBWC 88.3 The Sting settles into new home JAMAICAN: Gar &
By GLORIA MIRELES-BARRERA Staff Writer
Communications students may have seen the new “On Air” sign hanging in a new window in the main hallway of Loomis Hall – that belongs to WBWC 88.3 “The Sting” radio station. During this past summer, Loomis underwent construction on the east side of its main hallway. Some computer labs and a study lounge were removed to make room for the student-run radio station’s new home. Joseph Tarantowski II, the director of broadcasting, said the radio station had been on the second floor of Strosacker Hall since the mid-1980s. After the University administration decided to reorganize the Union last year, Tarantowski and the station were asked to relocate. “I was never part of the decision,” Tarantowski said of the move. The next tenant of The Sting’s former space has yet to be determined as the University is still planning out the Union’s redesign.
Ta r a nt ow s k i s aw t h e relo c at ion as a way to mo d e r n i z e and f i x t he problems they faced while working out of a building that was designed before the advent
WBWC’s student operations director, Anthony Fusco, had mixed feelings when he heard the news of moving to Loomis after working for two years in the Union.
Austin Patterson, The Exponent
Radio station staff program a show in the Loomis Hall studio. of computers. “I was a little nervous “ I t r i e d t o p u t t h e because I was like ‘Man, we most positive spin on it.” gotta pack all this stuff up,’” Tarantowski said, “Although it Fusco said. “But at the same was, and still is, a huge amount time I thought it was cool of work.” because it’s like we get to D u r i n g t h e s u m m e r, start over and we really have members of the radio station a chance to make the space moved 60 years worth of ours.” material from the Union to In addition, Tarantowski Loomis. Members are still said he asked for rooms in unpacking and deciding what Loomis adjacent to the station to keep. to use as a recording studio,
something they did not have in the Union. Their goal is to create a recording studio for students in technology and audio production classes. It could even be available to the Conservatory of Music or the Department of Theater & Dance, Tarantowski said. “I’v e n e v e r s e e n t h e resources of the [Department of Communications Arts & Sciences] as strictly being Department resources, but they’re campus resources.” Tarantowski said. “I think it’s best when students from a wide variety of disciplines and backgrounds work together.” Tarantowski said Strosacker Hall was considered to be the center of student activity, and the station’s location helped them be part of campus life. However, as years passed and student habits changed, the Union has lost that essence. “So the neat thing now is we’re right here in the middle of Loomis where people are walking by all the time.” Tarantowski said. “I think … some of the people … might not have realized that they have a radio station that services not only the campus, but the community.”
Does your major matter? Not as much as the skills you learn in college, professors say By MICHELLE KHOURY Contributing Writer While many students agonize over their choice of undergraduate major, the decision may not be as important after graduation. Patrick Keebler, director of BW’s Career Center, said that employers are looking to see if candidates have attained “core competencies.” Core competencies are baseline skills in areas like self-development, communication, critical thinking, equity & inclusion, leadership, professionalism, teamwork and technology. According to Keebler, employers want to know if someone can apply these skills in the way that their job requires. Every major at BW provides students with these core competencies but have different ways of applying the skills within them, Keebler said. Because of the value of soft skills and core competencies,
many undergraduate majors at BW and other liberal arts institutions are versatile. The skills gained through their major can be applicable if people change their career or pursue further education in a different field. Andrew Dohanos, associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, received his undergraduate degree in business administration from BW. Dohanos attributed his decision to study business to not knowing what he wanted to do upon entering college. After taking a few business courses, he “slid into becoming a business major because it just made some sense,” he said. However, after taking a public speaking course in his third year, Dohanos realized what he was most interested in was how and why people communicate as they do. He completed the business degree and later received a master’s in communication theory and a doctorate in com-
munication studies. Despite the shift in his path, Dohanos feels his undergraduate degree is still useful. “I think just about anything you learn in any field is going to be beneficial to you in the long run,” Dohanos said. “When problems arise, everything people learn gives them tools to solve those problems with.” Susan Kuznik, professor and interim dean for the Carmel Boyer School of Business and director of the healthcare M.B.A. program at BW, received her undergraduate degree in computer information science at Cleveland State University to satisfy her interest in math and science. She later earned a master’s in organizational development and analysis because she wanted to understand how successful businesses function. She received a doctorate in business administration and went on to teach full-time at BW. While the specific knowledge gained from the comput-
er information science degree is now outdated, Kuznik said the skills she gained from the management, leadership and business aspects of that degree can be applied in any field. The admission process for BW’s graduate school programs do not place high importance on undergraduate majors in its admission process. Lauryn Rosinski, admissions counselor for graduate and professional studies, said that this is because graduate school is about exploring new opportunities and expanding one’s passions. Applicants are instead examined holistically, considering several factors including job experience, grades and volunteer work. “[Admissions counselors want to] learn about the student and their authentic selves … just seeing what else they can bring to their experience here,” Rosinski said. FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK @BWEXPONENT
Mar features affordable, authentic Jamaican food
Continued from page 1 passion for cooking. “My job caused me to move here to the area, so he would commute here from Florida for years,” Mrs. Lawson said. “One day, he was looking around the town and said ‘Hey, there’s not a lot of Jamaican restaurants in the area. Maybe we should open our own.’ And so here we are, Gar & Mar was born.” According to its owners, Berea has given the new restaurant a warm welcome. “We love it, everyone has been very welcoming and grateful,” Mrs. Lawson said. “The people here are awesome.” The main dining room is spacious and decorated in the colors of the Jamaican flag, with green, yellow and black paint across the walls. The restaurant has a sizable television so that patrons can watch sports while
they eat their food. “The atmosphere at Gar & Mar is very chill – not super crowded or overwhelming.” Tshiwala said. “The staff are amazing and happy to recommend their favorite meals.” Mrs. Lawson herself also recommends certain dishes. “New customers should definitely order the jerk chicken or the oxtail. They are Garry’s specialty,” she said. Along with the jerk chicken and oxtail, Gar & Mar serves foods like curried goat, other jerk style meats such as pork and beef patties wrapped in a crispy breading. They also serve various salads, stews, pasta and classic Jamaican breakfasts. Tshiwala ordered the dinner special of jerk chicken, cabbage and mixed rice with peas. “The food was absolutely delicious and filling,” she said.
Comedy tour tackles mental health issues
By CAITLIN BOWSHIER Staff Writer
On the evening of Oct. 19, the sorority community of Baldwin Wallace was presented a night of comedy from touring stand-up comedian Stephanie Foster and a mental health discussion in the BW Student Activity Center. Foster performed her touring show, “Without Rhyme Nor Reason,” a comedic act that aims to destigmatize talk of mental health among college students. “Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst college students, yet everyone is still whispering the word, ‘suicide,’” Foster said. “I want to make the topic less taboo and easier to talk about.” Foster said she believes talking openly about mental health issues is the way to prevent suicides. “I truly believe the easier it is to tell people about the thoughts in-between your ears, the less suicides we’ll experience,” Foster said. Foster got her start in comedy while living in Barcelona and has been pursuing the profession for nearly five years. The inspiration for “Without Rhyme Nor Reason,” however, did not come until she lost
her best friend Jaci to suicide roughly two years ago. Foster and her team have been traveling to college campuses across the United States since spring of 2022, performing exclusively for sororities. Sororities were chosen specifically because that is how Foster and Jaci met. The two were sisters in the Gamma Tau Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha during their time at Texas Tech University. The tour is hosted by comedian and actress Courtney Bee Bledsoe and features a guest comic at each stop. The featured comedian for the show at BW was writer and actress Xazmin Garza. Another figure that Foster said was instrumental in the process of creating “Without Rhyme Nor Reason” was the Society of Valued Minds, a charity that emphasizes creative expression and shared experiences to reduce stigma around mental health issues. Foster said the organization has been a supporter of the show since the tour originally began and has sponsored multiple stops, including Baldwin Wallace. More information about Stephanie Foster’s “Without Rhyme Nor Reason” tour can be found on the tour’s website www.wrnrcomedytour.com.
DREAD: Choreographed production interrogates fear through dance Continued from page 1 “‘Dread Fascination’ is a weird and wonderful dive into what it means to be afraid, and what the emotion of dread is,” Feiler said. “You’re going to sit there and be unnerved for an hour.” The company of “Dread Fascination” performs the movement pieces scene by scene with a story within each section, but there is no overall story arc. To aid in the audience’s understanding, members of the company narrate the texts.
Maya Norman, a sophomore acting and directing major, said that her major role in narrating was to “convey the story” by painting a picture in the audience’s minds through her speaking. “I’m just kind of a part of the many parts that move the story and let you know what’s going on,” Norman said. The making of “Dread Fascination” was a highly collaborative process. The dance company offered their own interpretation of the text with
their bodies as an instrument. “It’s a very collaborationdriven process where each of us is given the space to use our own imagination and use our bodies in a way that makes us comfortable,” Feiler said. Feiler said that this show did not attempt to alarm audiences through jump-scares but instill a “cosmic-scale terror” that urges the audience to think about their place in the world. “We may not have that much significance,” Feiler said. “The universe is so big [and] we only
have so much time, so we might as well do what we can while we’re here.” Whale spent the summer doing heavy research, compiling and editing various texts that speak on dread. All the text is in the public domain, so although the material is quite old, Whale said it is still relevant to the human condition today. “I’ve taken these works and edited them – most of them – so that I think they give the most bang for the buck without giving the stories away,” Whale
said. “It was just enough language for people to have their own imaginative ideas for what we were looking at.” “It’s not a story that will just come right into your grasp,” Norman said. “It’s one of those things where you will take from it what you’re willing to put into it.” Whale said that in order to evoke uncomfortableness, there was a trigger warning including words, gestures, sounds and effects that audiences may find troublesome, like ticking, flash-
ing lights and portrayal of panic attacks. “Dread Fascination” was centered around fear and general discomfort, but it was meant to evoke interest in the dreary through interesting movements, and connect members of the audience to a common human experience. “I love that we’re cultivating a chance to explore this part of the human experience all together,” Norman said, “[and] to embrace the things that make you uncomfortable.”
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BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY HOMECOMING 2022
Yellow Jacket alumni welcomed back to campus for annual Bold & Gold Homecoming Festival
“As an alum, it is important to stay connected to the BW community,” an attendee said.
By KATHRYN RAUBOLT Staff Writer
During the weekend of Oct. 22, Yellow Jackets past and present gathered at the Baldwin Wallace University campus for the annual Bold & Gold homecoming event, which welcomed alumni, current students, families and community members to celebrate their school pride. Madeline Wallace, director of alumni engagement, said the weekend’s events emphasized what it means to be part of the BW community. “Our goal for the Bold & Gold Homecoming Festival
was to provide an opportunity for alumni and the BW community to come back to campus and experience the YJ4L spirit during this day, celebrating what makes BW extraordinary,” Wallace said. Festivities encompassed several long-standing Baldwin Wallace traditions, including the annual homecoming parade, nomination of the homecoming court and a football game against Otterbein University. Also featured was a new event called Rewind Reunion, held for alumni of the 1980s and 1990s. “This was an opportunity for this era of alumni to re-
wind, reconnect and reengage with BW.” Wallace said. “We had 130 alumni in attendance representing the graduating classes of 1980-2000.” Several group celebrations occurred over the weekend, including the Black Cultural Center’s celebration of life, which commemorated two BW alumni who have recently passed, according to 2015 graduate Armand Rivers, who helped organize the commemoration. “Friday, we held ‘YJ4L: A Celebration of Life Celebrating the lives of Jordan Alexandria Daniels and Will Pearson’,” Rivers told The Exponent via email. “Jordan (Class of 2017)
and Will (Class of 2004) tragically lost their lives this year, and we wanted to assemble alumni to commemorate them.” The Black Cultural Center also held new meet-and-greet events before and after to encourage alumni engagement on campus and continue to create a community within the campus. “The overall purpose of the events was to reconnect alumni not only with each other but [also] with BW students,” Rivers said. “To be transparent, I believe BW can improve in their engagement of alumni and have made it a priority in their annual plan. As an active
alumnus, I have taken on the responsibility to engage Black alumni to come back and assist current students in any way possible.” An open house of the newly renovated North Hall was also featured in this year’s activities. Residence Life invited the Jacket community to visit the modernized transformation of North Hall. “We held the event in North because we wanted to show off our newly renovated building. In the past, we have held it in Heritage, where our office used to be located,” said Bob Beyers, senior director of residence life. “We had a great time, and people really seemed to enjoy
walking through the building, talking about their experiences as students.” Sandra McCord, a 2021 graduate, also found her way back onto campus to experience the new parts of campus, visit old friends and stay connected after graduation. “I decided to go back to campus mostly to participate in the alumni band activities, but I also wanted to see what had changed,” McCord said. “As an alum, it is important to stay connected to the BW community. Homecoming was a great excuse to get everyone together and reengage with the community and the friendships I had made.”
Paul Weber, The Exponent
North Campus was decked out in brown and gold to celebrate this year’s homecoming.
Paul Weber, The Exponent
Revelers gather around the BW Marching Band as they prepare to perform.
Paul Weber, The Exponent
President Bob Helmer gives a speech to the assembled crowd on north quad.
Paul Weber, The Exponent
The 2022 homecoming court members are presented with their sashes.