INFORMING THE BALDWIN WALLACE UNIVERSITY AND BEREA COMMUNITIES SINCE 1913
NOVEMBER 2, 2022
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since 1913
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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