The Exponent Print Edition: April 25, 2024

1913

Kyle Rittenhouse speech at Kent State sparks student protest

By ISRAEL GOLE Managing Editor

On April 16, the Kent State University chapter of Turning Point USA hosted Kyle Rittenhouse to give a speech on campus, drawing crowds of both protesters and his ardent supporters into the same arena.

Turning Point USA, a nonprofit organization that advocates for conservative causes on college campuses, invited Rittenhouse to share his perspective on the importance of self-defense and to give his personal testimony in an auditorium of over 400 people.

Rittenhouse became a controversial figure at age 17 after shooting three men, two fatally, in Kenosha, Wisc. during the 2020 civil unrest following the police shooting

of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse was later acquitted by a jury on claims of self-defense.

Many protesters at the event felt that Rittenhouse did not act in self-defense and some displayed signs with messages such as “Killer House” and “F-- You Kyle Go Home.”

One protester, KSU student Ajane Eason, said she turned out to protest because Rittenhouse discussing the second amendment and selfdefense did not sit well with her, and she said she is almost positive he was not acting in self-defense.

“I always try to give someone the benefit of the doubt…but just the area he was in, the demographic of Black, African American people there, it just doesn’t really sit well with us,” Eason said.

apathetic of anyone to not give a s--- about the hate that’s pouring out of these people, so I felt compelled to be here,” Cannon said.

“Nothing that comes out of his [Rittenhouse’s] mouth is kind to anyone.”

When asked by The Exponent how he would respond to protesters who said he was spreading hate, Rittenhouse said: “Me giving a pro-life speech saying everybody here has the right to defend themselves and the right to live... I don’t know how that’s spreading hate.”

since 1913 vol. 109 no. x

building, where the event was held.

While giving his account of the Kenosha incident, Rittenhouse said that while he initially went to Kenosha to provide medical aid, him being a former lifeguard, and to clean off graffiti, the situation quickly escalated.

Chrystina Cannon, a resident of Ravenna whose son graduated from KSU, said that she was protesting Rittenhouse speaking on a university like KSU, with its history of gun violence, calling the event “ugly.”

“There’s still survivors of the kids that got killed here in 1970. I was five. I remember that, and the university should.”

“Of all places, all universities, Kent State is especially ugly,” Cannon said.

Cannon also said that she thinks these events are often hateful.

“I think it’s ugly and

Throughout his speech, the crowd cheered and applauded, including praises and shouts such as “We love you, Kyle.”

In contrast, during the quiet moments of the speech, the muffled chants of the protesters could be heard from outside the Student Center

“We went there, about five, six o’clock, provided first aid, and there was this guy who threatened to kill me. His name was Joseph Rosenbaum,” Rittenhouse said. “He said ‘If I catch you alone, I’m going to f---ing kill you.’ He caught me alone.”

Rittenhouse said he was cornered by Rosenbaum, and once Rosenbaum tried to take his gun, he shot Rosenbaum four times.

“Mr. Rosenbaum was a

Board of Trustees to compile list of proposed program cuts by September

By MEREDITH MCCORD Managing Editor

Earlier this month, a member of the Baldwin Wallace University administration sent an email to some faculty and staff announcing that the Board of Trustees will compile a

second round of proposed academic program cuts and mergers.

The decision came after months of administrative deliberation, and the email largely attributed the plan to budgeting issues, the expected nationwide enrollment cliff, rising costs of college and the value of college degrees.

According to the email, another factor for the program cuts involves class sizes. Majors that have lower enrollment are more likely to be cut than majors with higher enrollment.

A decision has yet to be made regarding these academic programs; however, further recommendations

about the programs in question will be presented to President Bob Helmer on Sept. 15.

As students and staff wait for further information, some faculty expressed concern over the effects of unclear communication surrounding these issues.

“I came to campus, and

We asked our graduating seniors and other Exponent staff members to list off the 24 things every Yellow Jacket should do before they graduate. APRIL 24, 2024

A toast to the town The Exponent's second annual Best of Berea Awards celebrate everything our readers love about the Berea and BW communities.

my department was down, as in everyone was mentally down. A couple of professors said that they hadn’t slept the previous night. Two professors I know have prepared to clean out their offices ... and don’t expect to be here [much longer],” said Paul Peters, an adjunct film studies professor.

More information about the proposed academic cuts to come over the summer and early into the 2024-25 academic year as details become available.

WE'RE AN AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION – AGAIN!

On April 13, The Exponent received the Corbin Gwaltney Award for Best All-Around Student Newspaper from the Society of Professional Journalists (Region 4) in recognition of our outstanding accomplishments in collegiate journalism.

As the winner of this award, The Exponent will represent the states of Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and the western part of Pennsylvania to compete against other first-ranked college newspapers from other regions at the national level for the Mark of Excellence Awards. As student journalists, we would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to all our beloved readers in Northeast Ohio and beyond. Without any of you, we would not have made it here.

The 2024 BW Bucket List

Israel Gole, The Exponent

Protesters gather outside the KSU Student Center.

Illustration by Halle Vargo

STUDENT EDITORIAL STAFF

Executive Print Editor

Simon Skoutas exponent@bw.edu

Executive Multimedia Editor

Hannah Wetmore

Exec. Business Coordinator

Sunaina Kabadkar

Executive Art Director

Alexis Watkins

Managing Editors

Israel Gole

Benjamin Michael Hall

Nick Irelan

Meredith McCord

Ursula Saadeh

Ella York

Staff Writers

Ryan Acevedo

Bailey Croft

Bryanna Feagler

Jason Heisler

Simon Jones

Emma Lambert

Madelyn Liberati

Annie Lindley

Kristen Miller

Sage Mullins

Isabel Rivera

Sophia Rossero

Justin Verhosek

Maria Vurbic

Mae Werstler

Layout Editors

Elise Coble

Hailey Noszek

Photographers

Ethan Kish

Allison Reed

Gabriel Hill

Cartoonist

Halle Vargo

FACULTY ADVISOR

Huixin Deng, Ph.D. hdeng@bw.edu

NEWSPAPER POLICIES

The Exponent is the studentrun 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 biweekly 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 Loomis Room 185. 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.

ADVERTISING POLICY

Anyone wishing to advertise in The Exponent should email the advertising director at exponentads@bw.edu. Ads must be submitted by the Monday before publication date and not conflict with the university mission.

Articles and photographs in The Exponent, letters from readers, columns, cartoons and other elements within these pages do not necessarily reflect the position of Baldwin Wallace University.

RITTENHOUSE: Presence ignites discourse over political division on college campuses

Continued from page 1

deadly threat…I was alone, and he was trying to take my gun from me,” Rittenhouse said. “And I exercised my right to defend myself.”

Danielle Jackson, a protester and KSU student, disagreed with Kyle’s actions in Kenosha, and said that Rittenhouse was asking for a conflict.

“…The dude drove across two different state lines with an illegal firearm,” Jackson said. “That would be like if I went to a room of a bunch of unarmed people with a gun and then one of them charged me, so I shot them. Technically, yes, it was self-defense, but I went in that room asking for trouble.”

During the Q&A session, one audience member asked a question regarding this issue. The auidence member asked why Rittenhouse thought it was a good idea to enter into a group of people who were already riled up, and rile them up even more by waving his rifle around, “knowing that there’s already chaos going on.”

Rittenhouse responded by saying: “Well, what about all of BLM that was there with rifles?” He also asked: “What riled people up about [me] providing first aid?”

A student officer for Turning Point USA from a local university, who wished to remain anonymous, said he

believes Rittenhouse’s story is important to share because he said it can be used to help other people who have gone through similar situations.

“A lot of people don’t understand this: Kyle can use his story, even though it involves killing somebody, to reach people,” the student said.

The student then referenced a woman in the crowd who spoke up during the Q&A session, asking Kyle for advice about dealing with traumatic events.

“There was a woman in the crowd who had a similar incident, and this story could help her,” the student said. “It just can help anybody that’s going through the court system to have faith and peace in their situation.”

Angel Sobolewski, a general studies major on the political science track from Akron University who attended the event, said that she believes it is important for speakers such as Rittenhouse to be invited to college campuses.

“College campuses are generally more liberal, and whether these students like it or not, they need to hear another side other than their own,” Sobolewski said.

However, Jackson said that Turning Point USA bringing a speaker like Rittenhouse increases political division on college campuses.

“There’s already a big

political divide on this campus,” Jackson said. “I feel that bringing Kyle here just makes that even bigger.”

Rittenhouse also advocated for legalizing campus carry, which he said could help young women protect themselves from sexual assault and kidnappings.

“Join groups like Turning Point USA, Young Americans for Liberty, and put pressure on your lawmakers,” Rittenhouse said. “Tell them this is not okay, and I have a right to the second amendment, and you saying I can’t own a firearm and bring it into the dormitories or carry my firearm in class is unconstitutional.”

However, the Turning Point USA student officer from a local university said he was unsure about students carrying firearms on campus.

“Let’s think logically. If students would be able to have guns, and let’s say a student would disagree with another student, him or her could pull out a gun, and now we have a bigger issue,” the student said.

Rotaract Club hosts aluminum

can drive to benefit Berea Animal

Rescue Friends

By MADELYN LIBERATI Staff Writer

Baldwin Wallace University Rotaract Club hosted an aluminum can drive from April 7-14 to raise funds for the Berea Animal Rescue Friends.

Berea ARF is a no-kill animal welfare organization serving the Greater Cleveland community since 1999. Through adoption services, low-cost clinics, educational outreach and various other programs, Berea ARF works to enhance the lives of companion animals and strengthen the human-animal bond.

The can drive allowed BW’s community to participate in a service project benefitting animal welfare and environmental sustainability

By donating used aluminum cans for recycling, participants helped generate financial support for Berea ARF while also reducing waste.

"Berea ARF is a local nonprofit that always appreciates and needs volunteers, so we thought this program was a great opportunity to dedicate our time, efforts and resources," said Geneviéve Carreño, a music and theater management student and president of Rotaract Club.

Earth Week festivities held in partnership with Berea Sustainability Committee

By JULIA MARTINEZ Contributing Writer

Baldwin Wallace University hosted Earth Week events that were open to students, faculty and others interested in learning more about sustainability and raising environmental awareness.

While planning the festivities, Bailee Fitzsimmons, the 2024 student coordinator for Earth Week, said they were excited for the events.

“I’m excited to see how everything plays out,” Fitzsimmons said. "We need to be more environmentally friendly and open our eyes to

how much we are impacting it.”

Fitzsimmons actively tried to engage other organizations and clubs on campus to improve the Earth Week experience, collaborating with the Berea Sustainability Committee to organize events. Events planned for Earth Week included rock painting, a sunrise and sunset event, a movie viewing and other activities. More environmentally focused activities included a cleanup at Coe Lake Park with vendors promoting products and information about sustainability.

“We have found that

students majoring in sustainability tend to be pretty active in campus life trying to push and nudge sustainability projects and practices,” said David Krueger, professor and Charles E. Spahr chair for the sustainability program.

This is not the first BW Earth Week, and Fitzsimmons said he was happy to be able to work with others to keep it going.

“I hope everyone can just learn more information about the environment and be aware that we need the environment to live, and we should take care of it,” Fitzsimmons said.

To participate, individuals and campus organizations were encouraged to collect aluminum cans of any size, rinse them out, crush them and bring them in plastic bags to the designated drop-off location in the Strosacker Hall Student Union. The collection occurred daily from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. during the drive period, except for April 9 and April 13.

As an added incentive, the organization that collected the most cans received a $100 donation from Rotaract to the charity of their choice.

"The funds raised through this program are used for operations, food, toys, supplies and veterinary care for rescues at the shelter," Carreño said. Cassie Foster, a business administration and management student, said she enjoyed taking part in the aluminum can drive.

“It felt like being a part of something bigger than myself, a small but significant step towards creating a stronger, more supportive community," Foster said.

The BW Rotaract Club belongs to a global network of over 10,000 Rotaract clubs that aim to develop leadership skills, promote integrity and advance international understanding through service and friendship.

THE EXPONENT AWARDS CEREMONY

RSVP for our 2024 Exponent Awards Ceremony to support your community leaders, businesses and our students' work. All are welcome to attend!

The ceremony will take place on Saturday from 5:30-8:15 p.m. in the Student Activity Center on 96 Beech St.

Chinese language classes return to campus

By HANNAH SIM Contributing Writer

On-campus Chinese language courses were cut for the Spring 2024 semester due to budget deficits. Now, these classes are coming back. In Fall 2023, Elanna Su, a sophomore history student, and Kahle Alford, an adult student continuing her education with an undecided major, had emailed faculty and asked Chinese 102 to be offered in Spring 2024. At that time, Karen Barahona, the chair of the Department of Languages, had also reached out to students enrolled in

Chinese 101 via email and inperson discussions to see how many of them would be able to take Chinese 102 in Spring 2024. Despite their advocacy, Chinese 102 was ultimately moved online, to be offered at Austin Community College.

Alford said she felt that this way of surveying the students was “time-limited and inefficient” and that she felt the school did not care about the students’ opinions.

“I also felt like they made the decision and pretended they were asking everyones' opinions or the students’ opinions,” Alford said. At the request of Barahona,

Elanna Su created petitions to reflect student interest in Chinese 101 and 102 classes. With students’ petitions, Chinese 101 has been put back on the list of in-person classes for Fall 2024.

“It’s important to not let the class fade away,” Su said, “We can’t just let it— something that’s so pivotal to diversity, to understanding other people— disappear. Without a word, without a fight.”

In an email to The Exponent, BW’s Director of Core Curriculum Indira Gesink said that Chinese language classes had already struggled to maintain

enrollment.

“This year there were a significant number of students who wanted to take the language ... when there were students who wanted to take the language, we decided not to offer it,” Gesink said.

“So many Americans have a negative association with anything Chinese is one of the reasons that this class needs to be here… People need to be educated and have positive associations with the language, with the culture,” Alford said, following a statement on how COVID-19 negatively affected the Asian populations in the United

States.

Alford said she highly recommends students take Chinese 102 in-person at BW because the online Chineselanguage classes offered at Austin Community College were “no way equal on any level” to her experience with in-person classes.

Chinese 101 is available inperson for students to sign up for the Fall 2024 semester.

Treehouse project to bring refreshing look to Coe Lake

By ISRAEL GOLE Managing Editor

The treehouse project, initiated by Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem, has officially begun construction at Coe Lake Park.

Kleem said the treehouse will consist of a main platform that is about 660 square feet, with two separate platforms that are connected by bridges.

The total footprint of the treehouse, which is being constructed in front of the pool house, is around 1500 square feet.

Kleem said that the city has been considering the treehouse for a long time, and despite adding improvements such as the pavilion, amphitheater and playground, he wanted to create something that would distinguish Berea from other cities.

“I wanted to add a feature that maybe nobody around here had, no other city, and the treehouse came to mind,” Kleem said. “We try to add

some interesting things now and then, and this is the latest.” Kleem said that he wanted to address the Coe Lake area specifically because of its role in bringing the City of Berea together.

“Coe Lake to me…I always envisioned it to be like the community living room where people got together and just hung out, and this is something to help do that,” Kleem said.

Jacob Reed, a first-year criminal justice student, said that he agrees that Coe Lake is a community center for Berea.

“The amphitheater is pretty cool, it definitely complements the lake,” Reed said. “I always have friends walking up here, just by themselves, just to enjoy it. It’s just beautiful nature, you know? It’s relaxing.”

According to Kleem, the treehouse is meant to be a multifunctional attraction, to serve anyone and everyone who wants to use it.

“This one [the treehouse]

has a multi-purpose,” Kleem said. “It could be used by kids to go up and have fun, but it could also be like a pavilion up in the trees where you can maybe have a party or reception or something like that.”

When shown a photo rendering of the treehouse design, Reed said: “That’s a great idea. I think a lot of people would come just for that. [It will] just add beauty.”

In order to fund the treehouse, the City of Berea received grants from both Cuyahoga County and the Berea Kiwanis Club, funding nearly the entire project.

“Cuyahoga County, over the years, has had some grant money for special projects,” Kleem said. “Normally, they fund things like roads and sewers and stuff like that, but then they always set aside some money for cooler projects.”

U.S. House of Representatives candidate holds meet and greet at Café Ah-Roma

By SIMON SKOUTAS Executive Print Editor

Two residents of Berea invited Matthew Diemer, a Democrat running for the United States House of Representatives for Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, to Café Ah-Roma on April 13 for a meet and greet with members of the community.

Diemer is set to face off against Republican incumbent U.S. Representative Max Miller and independent candidate Dennis Kucinich, a former Democratic U.S. House Representative who previously represented some of the district. Ohio’s 7th Congressional District covers Southern and Western Cuyahoga County, all of Medina and Wayne Counties and a sliver of Northern Holmes County.

Patricia Bradley, a Berea resident who organized the meet and greet, said she wanted him to come out to Café Ah-Roma because of the students in the area.

“Here we have all these young people, right?” Bradley said. “Right here in Berea. That was absolutely our hope [to attract students], especially because Matt is also very young.”

While Diemer said that he was not sure if he interacted with any students at the event, he wanted to be out in the community since it signals the way he wants to represent his constituents.

“I want to make sure that we’re working with the people in the community because they know their communities better than we do,” Diemer said. “I’ll go to Washington, represent them there and see what we can do together.”

Diemer said he hopes to work with local community leaders throughout his time in office.

“When I get into office, I really want to work with the mayors, city council members, and everybody here to make sure that we are building up Northeast Ohio,” Diemer said.

While Bradley said that she has never strongly supported many political candidates, her and fellow Berea resident, Sharon Groh-Wargo, wanted to invite Diemer out after hearing his story.

“He impressed us immediately with both his background and the history he knows,” Bradley said.

While Diemer grew up in the Cleveland area, he attended college at the University of Hawaii, before he went to

China and Taiwan for 17 years where he started a business.

“It gives me a very big perspective about people,” Diemer said. “I think that’s important because it’s very easy to make a lot of people the bad guy and here in politics, it’s like your neighbor.”

Bradley said that while Diemer’s story is what drew in their support, they also stand by his support of reproductive rights and other democratic policies.

Diemer said that his main policy goal is to “make congress work again.”

“We need people to go into congress that want to make congress work again,” Diemer said. “Congress has a 12 percent approval rating right now. They’re not passing bills.”

Bradley said she walked around her own neighborhood inviting people out to the event.

“I went up and down the street here, leaving fliers about the meet and greet,” Bradley said.

The treehouse was originally scheduled to be completed in fall of 2023 but was delayed due to lack of contractor availability. However, the city eventually hired Zerbe Construction, who Kleem said also built the pavilion and the amphitheater at Coe

Lake Park. Kleem is optimistic that it will be finished in time for Coe Lake’s first concert on June 15.

Kleem said that overall, the goal of the treehouse project is to improve the quality of life for Berea citizens and to create something fun for everyone to use.

“I think towns need to reinvent themselves on a regular basis or you get stagnant, you know?” Kleem said. “Doing little projects like this helps do that, it just adds a cool little feature to your town.”

CELEBRATING OUR SENIORS

"I am grateful to have expanded my professional portfolio while working with a talented team. Oh, and it helped fund my 'weekend endeavors.'” - Anthony Fusco, Social Media Editor

"The Exponent has been the most challenging and engaging endeavor of my life. It has provided me with friends, experience and a community of people who feel so passionate about their work."

- Sunaina Kabadkar, Executive Business Coordinator

"The Exponent was by far my favorite part of my time at BW. I learned skills that will last me a lifetime such as maturity, time management and social skills." - Simon Skoutas, Executive Print Editor

"Aside from gaining professional skills, working for The Exponent has helped me develop a passion for design and journalism."

- Alexis Watkins, Executive Art Director

"My experience with The Exponent has shaped me, I am excited to take what I have learned and build upon it as I start my professional career."

- Hannah Wetmore, Executive Multimedia Editor

Men’s volleyball seniors finish out careers as first varsity class

By NICK IRELAN Sports Editor

In fall of 2020, Baldwin Wallace University introduced its first varsity men's volleyball team to campus, transitioning from the previously offered Men's Volleyball Club program that allowed anyone to compete at a competitive level.

Kyle Mars, the inaugural head coach, recruited 13 players, but by senior night of 2024, only four remained to walk across the court.

Because the varsity program started at the height of COVID-19, senior athletes such as setter Brandon Long and outside hitter Michael Beard said that limited practice times and the inability to bond with the other players outside the court brought difficulty.

“It was tough not being able to practice with the entire team at once,” Beard said. “We also couldn’t hang out as much outside of volleyball which hurt our team chemistry.”

Even though the team posted a 6-10 record in its opening season, Mars said he was confident in the team's capabilities to become a nationally relevant program.

After a few years of

recruiting new talent and building the team on and off the court, the Yellow Jackets found some light at the end of the tunnel last season by winning the conference championship.

"Winning the conference championship was a satisfying experience," Long said. "Seeing all the hard work our team has put in and finally paying off in such a short amount of time was a great feeling."

Entering the 2024 season, BW ranked No. 9 in the nation, after the program launched only three years prior.

Mars said he planned a challenging schedule for the 2024 season to test his team.

BW started their season against No. 5 St. John Fisher and later faced other nationally ranked teams, including No.1 Wentworth, No. 9 Nazareth, No. 9 North Central and No.

6 Cal Lutheran.

The Yellow Jackets ended their season at 13-13, but went 7-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, ranking No. 3 in the conference and advancing to the playoffs.

On April 12, the team headed to Wittenburg University to play Trine University in the conference semi-finals. After a hard-fought match, BW fell

to Trine in the fifth set, 8-15.

This marked the final time Long would take to the court in his collegiate career. However, despite his career coming to an end, Long said that he takes pride in the significant growth he and the team have achieved over the years.

"The biggest achievement is the strides of growth we've made for the program as a whole," Long said. "The first two years, we were chasing others to be at the top. And for the past two years, we've reached the top, and now it's about staying there".

Beard said that he is proud of the legacy he has established with the inaugural team and knows the underclassmen will carry it forward.

"Trust yourself, trust your teammates and trust your coach," Beard said. "Volleyball is and always will be a team sport that requires everyone to be their best. As long as the guys trust our coach and the training, there's no doubt we will have another NCAA appearance in the next couple of years."

Courtesy of the City of Berea

Photo rendering of the treehouse, consisting of one main platform and two separate tree platforms accessible by bridges.

The Expression

Arts and Culture Coverage from The Exponent

AT THE MOVIES

‘Immaculate’ delivers intense horror months before spooky season

SAGE MULLINS Staff Writer

“Immaculate” is one of the earliest horror movie releases of the year, coming in as a gruesome film with an intriguing plot.

With the horror season several months away, it is easy to feel skeptical about the film. As the genre tends to be hit or miss, “Immaculate” is a pleasant surprise that stands apart and keeps audiences on their toes.

The story focuses on an American nun who was recruited to join a convent in Italy after her local parish burned down. After she takes her oath and pledges her life to God, her time at the church

quickly turns sinister. The plot approaches religion unlike many horror movies before. This specific topic within the genre usually features the expected villain: the devil. However, “Immaculate” takes a different approach. This film villainizes the lengths to which people follow religion and how the characters take the divine right to the extreme.

Not only is the concept original, but the approach to the story is refreshing. The directing, by Michael Mohan, makes sure of this. He keeps the pacing fast so that we are constantly entertained. The revealing of information is perfectly timed to keep the viewers guessing. The audience is fed an amazing

plot twist that is not only shocking, but memorable. The film relies heavily on gore for the “horror” element. While this is a fine approach that has been used for decades, the heavy violence does not really align with the themes of the film.

“Immaculate” is not branded as a slasher, so the outrageous blood and violence feels out of place. It may even leave some audiences feeling sick or not able to finish the movie. While it does not stand out as particularly brutal compared to other films, it feels contradictory to what is advertised.

The film stars Sydney Sweeney as the main character, Cecilia. A completely different character than the others on

her repertoire, Cecilia is a woman of devout faith, and the majority of her character is centered around her religion, not her sexuality.

There are few scenes where nudity is highlighted. In these scenes we can see glimpses of Sweeney’s chest. The circumstances for the nudity are not abnormal since they are bathing and not extensive. However, these moments cannot help but raise questions regarding the purpose behind the scenes.

The film makers had the perfect opportunity for Sweeney to break away from her typical typecast that revolves around her body, but the producers failed to push her boundaries and clearly felt they had to capitalize on her

figure.

Despite this, Sweeney’s performance sends her into the status of a scream queen. As a central character in the movie, featured in most scenes, an off-putting portrayal from her would have ruined the film. Sydney took the assignment and made it the horror performance to beat this year.

For a film so gruesome, the visuals are a pleasant juxtaposition to the other elements. The film takes place in the Italian countryside, so the landscapes are incredible, featuring stunning greenery with old stone roads leading to the churches.

The church that is used as the main setting has architecture and design that beautifully

reflects Italian history. The cinematographers grabbed the chance to incorporate beauty and culture into their bloodbath of a film and made it aesthetically entrancing.

Though the gore seems too extreme for the concept, “Immaculate” is a horror film with an original plot that keeps you intrigued for its whole runtime.

“Immaculate” is now playing in select theaters.

BFA acting seniors demonstrate skills in digital Senior Showcase

By URSULA SAADEH Staff Writer

Baldwin Wallace University's senior BFA acting students will dazzle BW and Berea audiences with the world premiere of their filmed showcase Saturday in Kleist’s Mainstage Theatre.

The BFA Acting Senior Showcase encapsulates the seniors’ experience at BW and requires them to use all the acting training and work done in the past four years to create a filmed product that will be sent to talent agents, managers and other professionals in the acting industry.

Assistant professor of theatre Matt Koenig produced and co-directed this digital showcase with the students. He said that creating a filmed showcase is a beneficial way for students to send out their work to multiple industry professionals in different parts of the country.

“I have been in communication with various agents and artistic directors and managers that I know throughout my career,” Koenig said. “The hope is that my students get work … and to get something for a reel, so that in the future they are able to — year after year — send this in to agents.”

The digital showcase provides a tangible representation of all the work that the students have put into their undergraduate degree. And, by sending the showcase to industry professionals across the country, they will have the opportunity to build connections.

“Sometimes showcase lives on a singular scale where it ends as soon as the showcase is over,” Koenig said. “The issue with a lot of training programs is that people leave

better performers … but what they don’t leave with are connections to the industry and the understanding of how to network. … If we can’t do that, I think we’re failing as an institution.”

The students will each show two scenes that highlight their strengths as actors and play to their most marketable talents.

BFA acting senior Ruah Uhlman said that the students had to pinpoint their “type,” describing the concept as “how agents or managers or casting directors would see us just at first glance.”

“In our acting classes, it's all about exploring your range and how far you can go,” Uhlman said. “But when we're doing our showcase and specifically marketing ourselves to … people in the

industry, you have to be more specific about who you are and what the best qualities you can give.”

However, Uhlman said the process of finding her type was challenging, and she felt a bit restricted after exploring different styles for four years.

“I sometimes felt like by doing that, I was letting go of other parts of myself … but I'm proud and excited about the things that I have found,” Uhlman said.

The students each did one scene that focuses on stage acting, which highlights their technical training and connection with the other actors in the scenes. The other scene focuses on film acting, which is better suited to the digital medium of the showcase. These two scenes

further showcase the students’ acting range.

Students collaborated with each other in the scenes, ensuring that the characters they were portraying accurately fit the type they wanted to show off to the industry. In order to do this, many of the scenes were either completely written by students or adapted from existing sources.

“We didn't want to take really well known plays or material … so we took the ideas from actors or things that are already out there, and then rewrote them for ourselves,” Uhlman said. “They're very specific to us, so it's really showcasing the best parts of ourselves.”

Though students entered filming with well-rehearsed

scenes, Koenig said he wanted to leave room for spontaneity and let the actors step out of the exact text because he finds value in improvisation.

“Once we got the scene the way that we wanted it, I said, ‘We're gonna do one more and now play around, say whatever you want. Do the thing that you're secretly wanting to do.’” Koenig said. “Those were the takes that, as we're editing, we're gonna use much more frequently.”

Now nearing graduation, Uhlman said she is very grateful for the education and opportunities that BW has given her. She said she is able to leave the program with a “new deep knowledge” of acting and confidence in her skills.

“I can see such a difference

in myself as an actor from freshman year when I came here to now,” Uhlman said. “Now, as I graduate, I definitely consider myself a professional actor. I know and have the skills to go out and audition and work with people and perform on the stage or the screen.”

Koenig said he is very grateful to have worked with this group of students and that they have trusted him in leading their group to the next stage of their careers.

Uhlman said she wants to thank the other BFA acting students for making her BW experience one that she will fondly look back upon, and she is excited to see what the future has in store for them.

“I'm just really proud of my class,” Uhlman said. “Everyone in my class really cares about each other, and that's made the world of difference going through a really hard four-year program. It's been very special, and I think our BFA class has something really special.”

The BW BFA Acting Senior Showcase premieres on campus for a one-night-only event on April 27 at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in Kleist Center for Art & Drama. Video access of the showcase will go live on April 29. For more information on the event, visit bwbfashowcase.com

Courtesy of Bjorn Bolinder

BFA Acting 2024 graduating class, who will premiere their digital showcase on Saturday in Kleist's Mainstage Theatre for the BW and Berea Community

BW Beatles perform ‘Abbey Road’ for 2024 run

By KRISTIN MILLER Staff Writer

On April 27, the studentrun BW Beatles will return for their annual spring performance with their rendition of “Abbey Road.”

The BW Beatles are a Beatles cover band comprised of Baldwin Wallace University students. They hold a large annual performance in the spring semester and cover a different Beatles album each year.

According to members of the band, the goal is to perform as similarly as possible to the original track in each of their performances.

“We’re trying to retain the original essence of the Beatles,” said Sasha Geisser, a baby Beatle. “We want to replicate music that used to be this big, fun moment.”

Chase Kessler, one of the group’s bandleaders, agreed that they were trying to stay true to the original music while still branching out.

“We want to celebrate the music of the Beatles and do something different from the typical conservatory in a style not normally done," Kessler said.

This year, the BW Beatles are performing “Abbey Road."It is one of the Beatles’ more popular albums and appeals to everyone, said Kessler: “The album is so iconic; our job is making sure we’re staying true to what the original recording was while also making it true to ourselves.”

The second half of “Abbey Road” is a medley, which will

be performed continuously with no song breaks.

Many members of the band expressed excitement over this part of the show.

“You’ve got to keep thinking on your feet,” said Ryan Sweeney, one of the four Beatles. “It feels like a bunch of people sailing a big ship.”

The band started around the late 2000s with some students who really loved the Beatles and wanted to make a cover band.

“It was really popular and continued to be really popular,” said Kessler.

Somewhat unique to this group is the presence of female singers as opposed to the traditional four male vocalists. Hailey Elberg is one of the four Beatles, and Sasha Geisser is a baby Beatle. The baby Beatles are those who sing mostly backing vocals with a few lead songs, and are essentially “in training” to become Beatles in the future.

“It’s super interesting to learn how to create this kind of music as a female artist,” said Geisser. “When it comes to blending, I’m more used to higher range, and it’s interesting because I have to find a way to blend with them.”

Incorporating different voices is not far off from the band’s purpose, said Kessler. “Our mission is to kind of bring parts of the conservatory together.”

Sweeney said that being a part of the BW Beatles was also a great way to branch outside of his music theatre major.

“Music theatre feels a lot more regimented — this is what you have to do, this is the

The Department of Theatre and Dance brought Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” to the Mainstage Theatre from Wednesday to Sunday, exploring themes of sexual politics through a gendered lens.

The main plotline in “Measure for Measure” revolves around the Duke of Vienna leaving and appointing a deputy named Angelo to take over his role, who was extremely strict and harshly followed the laws, which entailed cracking down on luxury crimes of sexual nature.

Act One and Act Two take place in two different time periods, with gender roles swapped in the second act.

Read more at bwexponent.com/measureformeasure/

New Works Festival features short plays to replace annual 10-minute Play Festival

right way to do it," Sweeney said. "With this [BW Beatles], it’s more about the vibes, the energy, having a good time onstage so that the audience has a good time too.”

Kessler said that the Beatles stopped touring before “Abbey Road” was released, so audiences will be able to see something that they would have never gotten the chance to see. They have a lot of older members from the Berea community come to these performances, and it might be their first time getting to hear this music live.

“It’s a gift that we get to do… it’s something that you won’t really get to see anywhere else, especially at the college level," Kessler said. "There’s a lot of joy onstage and a lot of fun happening, it’s different from the kind that is normally experienced in the conservatory.”

Sweeney said that the performance really had an effect on him when he was an audience member last year, and it prompted him to audition for this year’s band. He also said that the energy in both the musicians and the crowd was really great, and it made it really easy to let go of the outside world.

“It’s going to be a great time. If you like the Beatles, if you hate the Beatles, no matter who you are, you are going to have a good time.”

The BW Beatles will perform two shows on April 27, one at 7 p.m. and one at 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at bw.edu/ events/2024/04/bw-beatles.

By BAILEY CROFT Assistant Managing Editor

Student-run New Works Festival will feature five student-written and directed original plays on the Kleist Mainstage at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The performances will range from 15-minute plays to complete one-acts.

The initiative for the festival sparked when the Advanced Directing course, THE-490, was not offered for spring 2024, resulting in the absence of the annual 10-Minute Play Festival.

“Losing that class means that there’s no good capstone for acting and directing majors who want to go into directing,” said Nash Feiler, junior BFA acting student and the administrator of The New Works Festival. “That’s an important capstone we lost.”

This is not the first time a New Works Festival has taken Baldwin Wallace’s center stage. In 2022, current BFA acting seniors Michael Shoultz, Jake Diller and Evan Vay organized The New Works Festival after recognizing a lack of studentrun productions on campus.

“Me and Jake had talked about putting something out again, but we also had a lot of things going on,” Shoultz said, “and then Nash had separately had the idea to make their own New Works festival… it’s awesome to see the torch passing.”

“It’s kind of a substitute that allows more freedom for students who haven’t taken that class yet,” said Troian Butler, senior acting and directing student and director

of “Damn Straight.”

Shoultz, who is also the writer and director of the play, “Waiting for Tito’s,” said she believes the New Works Festival allows students to strengthen their fundamentals of theatre production on a small scale.

“In all our classes we get an education on the broadest sense of theatre, but it’s hard to learn those specifics if you’re not doing the thing,” Shoultz said.

Shoultz said experiencing the work is what matters.

“Maybe you do the time, and you start to get a sense of things, that might be the thing that you love and that you’re best at in the world. But you’ll never know until you try,” Shoultz said.

All students had the opportunity to audition for the festival, and Feiler personally selected plays by fellow students to put on the Mainstage. Student directors could choose which play they wanted to direct out of the selection. All festival elements allowed BW theatre students a hands-on, original theatre experience, in whichever realm they wanted to try.

Feiler wants The New Works Festival to be an opportunity for viewers to acknowledge the directing work of the graduating acting and directing majors. In addition to the festival’s Mainstage performance, The New Works Festival will also have an Ovation exhibit to discuss the project and promote attendance.

“It is rare that we see purely student-driven pieces. Usually, we’re performing in a play that

was written by a professional, directed by a professional instructor,” Feiler said. “This is your chance to see the work of student playwrights, student directors and student actors.”

“With something like this, we’re able to see theatre made for young people, which is something we’re not able to see very often in professional theatre,” Shoultz said.

As student-run works are uncommon compared to BW's typical faculty-led productions, Feiler, Shoultz and Butler encourage all students to attend the festival.

After seeing Feiler organize the festival two years after Shoultz premiered the concept, the graduating senior described this year’s process as giving him hope.

“It feels like the end of a coming-of-age movie when you realize that the world is going to continue to move on,” Shoultz said. “It’s really cool to see. It gives me hope for the future of art and things generally, which is awesome.”

The New Works Festival features “Damn Straight” written by Nash Feiler and directed by Troian Butler; “Familiar Spirits” by Cole Tarantowski and directed by Alex Minyard; “Waiting for Tito’s” written and directed by Michael Shoultz; “The Manhattan Project by Moonlight” by Calvin Cavagnaro and directed by Nelia Rose Holley and assistant directed by Ava Spinelli Mastrone and “Enjoy the Silence” by Greta Bedell and directed by Bella Issa.

Ethan Kish, The Exponent

Design by Alexis Watkins

Best of Berea

The Exponent is proud to present our second annual Best of Berea Awards. These awards were voted on by our readers and are designed to celebrate our favorite things about living in Berea and attending Baldwin Wallace University. Italics indicate the winners. Winners and nominees will be celebrated at The Exponent Awards Ceremony on April 27 — see page 2 for more details.

Celebrating Student Work

Best BW Sports Team

Best

Rocky Horror

Best

Best

We Believe You Misfits: Twilight Zone

Celebrating Academic Excellence

Campus Life Highlights

Favorite Berea Festival

Grindstone Festival

Berea Arts Fest

Jack Frost Festival

Lake Concert Series

Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival

Movie of the Year

Poor Things

Spider-Man: Across the SpiderVerse

Barbie

Oppenheimer

Anyone but You

Best Place to Celebrate the End of Finals

Coe Lake

El Orito Tacos

Front St Social

Boss ChickNBeer

Eastland Inn

Celebrating Local Business

Best Local Business

Café Ah-Roma

The Shoppe In Berea

Sweet Mango

El Orito Tacos

Kidforce Collectibles

Dick's Bakery

Best Place to Satisfy a Sweet Tooth

La Crepe Bakery & Café

Igloo Frozen Yogurt and Treats

Mootown Creamery

Starbucks

Dick's Bakery

Best Berea Café

Café Ah-Roma

La Crepe Bakery & Café

First Watch

Starbucks

Perk Cup Café

Best Berea Bar

Eastland Inn

Front St Social

Mike's Bar and Grill

The Oriole Cafe

Polish Village

Celebrating Community Leaders

Favorite Member of the Administration

Timeka Rashid

Marc West

Bob Helmer

Tom Sutton

Dan Karp

Best Ohio Politician

Bride Rose Sweeney

Sherrod Brown

J. D. Vance

Jerry Cirino

Tom Patton

Best Berea Politician

Erika Coble

Mary K. Brown

Cyril Kleem

Jim Maxwell

Leon R. Dozier Sr.

Life & Styles

BW's trailblazing alumnae

By HAILEY DEVNEY Historian

Baldwin Wallace University has a long history of providing education to all, even in times when that was unconventional. A University Relations article, “Women thrived as BW took a stand for inclusion at 1845 founding," discusses this very interest.

John Baldwin founded Baldwin Institute in 1845 on the premise that school was open to all who, “desired to do good and get good.” To that end, Baldwin Institute was open to both men and women.

Baldwin Institute constructed two women’s boarding halls to accommodate their student population. One of these boarding halls was located on North Campus and is now a part of the Malicky Center. In 1846, the school’s enrollment list was posted: 39 out of the total 100 students were women. “In June 1850, the Baldwin Institute took pride in announcing its very first graduate, a woman: Maria Myra Poe.”

“Some of the most notable female graduates

from the first 75 years of BW's 175-year history include:

Julia E. Wisner, Class of 1884 - Missionary to India working in schools for girls; one of three women chosen to serve on a commission appointed to consider English education in India

Philura Gould Baldwin, Class of 1886 - BW's first librarian

Harriet Granger Hulet Walker, Class of 1886 - American hospital administrator and leader in the temperance movement

Hazel Mountain Walker, Class of 1919 - One of the first black women admitted to the practice of law in Ohio and the first Black principal in the Cleveland Public Schools

Judge Genevieve R. Cline, Class of 1921 - First woman appointed to a federal judgeship; served for 25 years after U.S. President Calvin Coolidge named her to the Customs Court in 1928

Jane Edna Hunter, Class of 1925 - Founder of the Phyllis Wheatley Association, a Cleveland settlement house for poor, single women who migrated North for work and a model for organizations nationwide.”

Class officers seek an inclusive April Reign

By SOPHIA ROSSERO Staff Writer

April Reign, an annual event for the Baldwin Wallace University community, took place on April 13 for any students that wanted to participate. Prior to the event, the junior class officers sought to find ways to involve as many organizations as possible.

“April Reign is a fun, campus-wide event that students can create teams for and participate in friendly competition,” said Brenna Holliday, music education student and junior class president.

Some of the events included a t-shirt competition, a scavenger hunt and lunch served by Lang Dining Hall. Holliday said that it is a common misperception that April Reign is only for sororities and fraternities.

Bailey Wall, a creative

writing student and member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, said the first time they attended April Reign, they were surprised to see other groups participating because they had thought it was a fraternity and sorority event.

Holliday said she believes this rumor has circulated because of numerous fraternity and sorority teams wearing t-shirts alongside cheering audiences, making it look like an FSL event to those who do not know about April Reign.

Holliday said that April Reign has never been exclusive to just fraternities and sororities.

“One of our main goals is to make it available to everyone on campus,” Holliday said.

With a goal to engage all of BW’s community, the junior class officers had meetings about April Reign and how to involve more groups in the event.

April Reign is also available

for individual student participation.

Students did not have to be affiliated with a specific group to participate as a team. This year, there were two groups of friends participating that were not affiliated with an organization.

After attending last year’s April Reign, Wall said there was enthusiasm, entertainment and good vibes.

Wall said it is nice to have an outdoor field day in college. Additionally, Wall said she believes this event helps encourage students to become more involved on campus.

“I think it brings people together to have a fun time,” Wall said. “I think we need more of that.”

Beyoncé makes country debut, sparks conversation over ‘Cowboy Carter’

By KONNER HINES Staff Writer

On March 29, Beyoncé made her country debut with her 8th studio album “Cowboy Carter,” sparking conversation among students about their knowledge of country music.

Feb. 11 marked the release of the first two singles of “Cowboy Carter.” “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “16 CARRIAGES” were teased in a collaboration with Verizon’s Superbowl advertisement where she closed Act I of Renaissance and said, “Drop the new music.”

The songs were met with great enthusiasm from her fanbase the BeyHive, many anticipating that the next act of her three-act project would be country.

“When I heard speculation over country, I was like, 'Okay, she's coming to make her space in genres where she feels like she hasn't been welcomed and that our community hasn't

been represented despite its origin,'” said Jordan MooreStone, a sophomore music industry student.

However, while the BeyHive and other surrounding fans welcomed her change in genres, some radio stations reacted differently.

“We do not play Beyoncé on KYKC as we are a country radio station,” said Oklahoma’s KYKC-FM.

This caused major backlash from fans and non-fans of the singer such as Chris Uzor, a first-year cybersecurity student, who said it’s “outright racism.”

“What she's singing about isn't much different than what other white artists would think about in country and so on,” Uzor said.

Courtney Robinson, associate director of Cultural Programming, Inclusion and Belonging in the Center of Inclusion, said she is “simply not surprised.”

“Country music has been whitewashed, and who's

allowed to do what genre and who's allowed to show up in what spaces. So, I wasn't surprised at all," Robinson said. “I'm excited to see us taking those spaces, taking up space in spaces that didn't want us and didn't want to welcome us and now they have no choice but to open the doors and let us in.”

Despite withholdings of airplay, Beyoncé still claimed her No. 1 hit with “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM.”

Most consider the singer's first country song to be “Daddy Lessons” from her 6th studio album, 'Lemonade.' The album not only faced controversy due to her political stance on police brutality against Black people, but also her first performance crossover into the country genre at the Country Music Awards.

The 2016 awards featured a performance of “Daddy Lessons” alongside country royalty, The Chicks. Many viewers and country stars were shocked by the singer’s

performance, causing an abundance of backlash and ultimately ending with the performance being taken down from the Country Music Association website, with many speculations over whether the action was racially motivated.

“I think that that's incredibly telling for the CMA to take the video down or you know, try to disassociate themselves from the fact that that song was performed on their stage,” Moore-Stone said.

However, Beyoncé has pushed through challenges earlier in her career. After the release of her 2018 collaboration with her husband Jay-Z, “Everything is Love,” she revealed she was gathering her lyrical lasso for "Cowboy Carter.”

The album was hinted at by the singer and featured recording artist Miley Cyrus through social media and an Ivy Park x Adidas Rodeo Campaign. The album was then shelved to pursue

her 7th studio album and what we know as Act I, Renaissance, where she said she felt compelled to release something more uplifting after the dark times of the pandemic.

“Cowboy Carter” was soon released as Act II.

“I feel like her first albums were very much like a template. They were all kind of the same format,” Robinson said. “And I really appreciate how her last album she's kind of just given us art, not what she thinks we want, but what she wants to create. It showed us her true artistry.”

While the album follows predominantly generalized country instrumental elements, Beyoncé made it clear when she said: “This ain’t a country album, it’s a Beyoncé album.”

Both the Black origin of country music and the singer's personal stake in the album were key elements of “Cowboy Carter.”

Paying tribute to the greats,

Beyoncé covers “Jolene” with Dolly Parton listed as the head songwriter. Miley Cyrus, Post Malone and Willie Jones were also featured on the heavy country tracks.

Additionally, she features newer Black country artists such as Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts in her cover of “BLACKBIIRD.” This Beatles classic was recorded with inspiration from young Black women during the civil rights movement. Beyoncé’s daughter, Rumi Carter, also made a feature on “PROTECTOR.”

The singer still left room for Funk with her track “YAYA,” and showed off an R&B and country mix on “TYRANT.”

Spotify announced Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” as the most streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far, with the album projecting to chart No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Courtesy of Bailey Wall

Students participating in the April Reign festivities at Wallace Lake.

Courtesy of University Archives

An early physical education class for women at Baldwin Wallace.

Thursday,

April 25

2024 Ovation Schedule

Opening Ceremony

10:45 a.m.

Knowlton Center Atrium

Featuring music from "Star Machine" and remarks by Kayla Starta '16, digital marketing entrepreneur.

Student Project Presentations

11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Knowlton Center and the Center for Innovation & Growth (CIG)

House Plant Hero Presentation and Demo

11:40 a.m.

Data Visualization Lab

A short puzzle video game that features a few levels. The player is given a set of goals for each level, including watering or rescuing houseplants. The game is coded in Unity Engine, and all art assets are created with the Aseprite program.

Lunch

Noon - 2 p.m.

Parking lot between the Center for Innovation & Growth (CIG) and Knowlton Center

American Grill lunch tent between Knowlton and Center for Innovation & Growth. FREE for participants and attendees.

Coffee House

Noon - 3 p.m.

Center for Innovation & Growth (CIG) Sponsored by the Center for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Enjoy a good cup of coffee while BW students present original readings and musical performances.

Ovation Soapbox

Noon - 2 p.m.

Knowlton Center Patio BW students advocate for the issues they are most passionate about.

12:00-12:15 p.m.: Aniya Qualls - "Apple Juice or Orange Juice: A look into our Government's Voting System"

12:15-12:30 p.m.: Achilles Cross and Brendan Sarbach - "Anti-Trans Policy in the U.S. and What You Can Do To Advocate Against It"

12:30-12:45 p.m.: Sofi Mendez - "One Person Can Make a Difference"

12:45-1:00 p.m.: Annie Lindley (Staff Writer, The Exponent) - "It Happens Here Too: The Intersection of Human Trafficking and Higher Education"

1:00-1:15 p.m.: BW's First Generation Advisory Council - "I'm First at Baldwin Wallace"

Photo Voice Project

Noon - 3 p.m.

Center for Innovation and Growth (CIG)

Marketing Entrepreneur Launchpad

Series Speaker

1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Center for Innovation and Growth (CIG) Room 106/107

"Study, Hustle, Succeed: Launching a Biz While Acing Your Classes" Led by BW alumna and agency owner, Kayla Starta, we'll discuss topics from landing your first 10 clients to writing contracts to pricing strategies and everything in between!

The Lauria STEM Research Competition

2 - 3:30 p.m.

Telfer Hall Room 330

Students will present their proposals in hopes of winning a $5,000 summer research fellowship, generously funded by Tony and Pat Lauria.

Engineering Capstone Presentations

3 - 5 p.m.

Telfer Auditorium

Environmental Senior Capstone Presentations

4:10 - 5:10 p.m.

Telfer 330

Bach Festival concludes 92nd season with ‘Invention No. 3’

By RYAN ACEVEDO Assistant Managing Editor

Coming close to the end of the semester, the Conservatory of Performing Arts hosted its 92nd annual Bach Festival’s Third Invention, marking the end of the year’s festivities.

The Third Invention that spanned April 12-14 featured performances from Star Machine and BW Beatles, presentations from the Bach Library, masterclasses and the closing ceremony with the performance of Bach’s “St John Passion.”

As an opening to the Sunday performance, the BW Brass Choir performed on top of the bell tower and in front of the Boesel Musical Arts Center.

"It felt good," said Ricky Yoder, a third-year horn performance student. "We

wish Brass Choir had their own concert because we're almost like a level below everything else."

Alongside the classical repertoire being performed, various student groups performed their works for the spectators. One such group was the cast of Star Machine.

Star Machine is a musical written by two brothers, Gideon Temple, a junior music theatre directing student and Hank Temple, a second-year music composition student. The musical highlights the struggles of finding work in the music industry and battling the system of commerce. The brothers, alongside orchestrator Chase Kessler and the cast of Star Machine, performed snippets of the musical during all three days of the Bach Festival. Initially pitched to Susan

Van Vorst, the dean of the Conservatory of Performing Arts, the concept of performing Star Machine was quickly brought to the attention of Dirk Garner, the artistic director of Bach Festival.

"We went and met with Dr. Garner after our meeting with Dean Van Vorst, and he was just as enthusiastic as possible about giving us the opportunity to perform,” Gideon Temple said. "He came up with the whole idea for us to perform at the Sunday brunch as well as the two interlude sets in the BMAC lobby."

The experience not only provided publicity for the performers, but the Temple brothers also said that it served as a good learning experience for the cast and crew.

"It was a thrilling time for our cast and to have so much

support from faculty and students," Gideon Temple said. "It was definitely a great practice for our band and our singers to kind of get prepared for the staged concert at Ovation.”

The Motet Choir and BWV: Cleveland’s Bach Choir performed “St John Passion,” a Bach piece that tells the events of the betrayal, trial and death of Jesus Christ to round out the weekend. Not only was this an opportunity for student vocalists to perform a Bach piece, but it also gave instrumentalists a chance to play a highly regarded repertoire, said Declan Messner, a third-year bassoonist.

"It was amazing," Messner said. "I loved every second of it. Yes, I rested a lot, but it is still a lot of playing because I

played the continuum part."

Messner said watching the story take place added to the performance.

"Being able to sit there and be able to see how the story is going on, it was awesome," Messner said.

However, “St John Passion” has raised some controversy due to its representation of Jewish people.

Garner responded to the concerns surrounding the controversy in the event’s program.

"As our world changes and we change, our understanding of and relationship to art and culture develop,” Garner said in the program. “We don't perform music as we did in 1937, and we have experiences now that we didn't have then — musically, socially and politically."

In an effort to address the

antisemitic issues within the piece, Garner and students in the Motet Choir have discussed ways of mitigating the issues in the performance.

"We respond to 'problematic' texts in a variety of ways depending on their musical and dramatic context," Garner said in the program.

THE PONY

Once used as a term of endearment for Baldwin Wallace University's student newspaper (The Exponent), The Pony is the first iteration of a yearly magazine to be produced by The Exponent. Whereas the paper focuses on journalism, The Pony focuses on art, opinion, culture and more! Hoping to bridge the gap between creativity, cultural relevance and BW students, The Pony will feature student works like these:

Consumption is Not Self Care

When you hear “self-care,” what comes to mind? Meditating, working out or journaling? How about going to Sephora? Face masks? Glow Recipe toner? Or Drunk Elephant? Maybe the Gisou hair oil or carefully curated pink bathroom counter organizers stocked with perfect products. In a world so obsessed with consumption, it’s no wonder that self-care has become associated with buying rather than being.

While it’s fun to buy, and I myself am a big spender on everything I just criticized...something about it doesn’t feel quite right. What makes us want to buy, buy, buy? And now that brands know we think buying their sh*t is an act of self-care, they’ve started to market it as such, perpetuating the cycle. Self-care is almost exclusively equivalent to hygiene— better stated as making yourself conventionally beautiful and signaling status with your purchases. It’s quite the combo. Even young girls slather their faces in antiaging retinol while viciously battling over lip oils at Sephora.

This is not self-care. This is participation in a capitalistic agenda, thinly veiled as “feel good activities.” This article is a reminder that you do not need that thing if you already have it, which doesn’t sound revolutionary, but I’m being led to think it is.

One fearsome TikTok begins with a woman opening her shower curtain, revealing burdened shelves holding around 50 tubs of Tree Hut Sugar Scrubs. And next to that are rows and rows of Native body wash, in every possible scent, lined up like little beauty soldiers ready to battle. She’s proud— and wouldn’t you be too? That’s probably a thousand dollars of fun, yummy vanilla strawberry tropical sugar scented fun in her shower. Wouldn’t you also make a Tiktok? This must be her life’s work. And the comments cheer, “I wish I had that! What a dream!”

Under the uproarious voices celebrating her citrus-scented castle of cleanliness, a few commenters write, “This is just overconsumption.” But who are they to tell her how to consume? How to use her purchasing power? How to participate in the economy? They’re likely just jealous poors that do NOT smell like vanilla-cherry-caramel-fudge, bitter that they don’t have a sweetsmelling shower, too. When they comment in anger at massive makeup collections, stating, “Do you know this all expires?” They’re barely hiding their envy. They also want a whole room to store their skincare, they want every product from every line, just like you. They want PR packages and racks and racks of body scrub.

Right? But that’s the problem. Collecting products, even those that do expire, is a hobby. And that’s cool! Let people enjoy themselves. But it’s being turned from a hobby for some, to an ideal for all. Having an excess of products is now equivalent to selfcare. Overconsumption is now a feel-good activity, a moral good.

It’s feel-good fun! So what if you don’t feel good after buying, after looking at your bank account or thinking about where the plastic from all those items is going? I’m not trying to act like this is something new — because it’s not — but it’s been exacerbated by the online cult of so-called self-care. It feels nice to have a cute bathroom and treat yourself to an expensive leave-in conditioner. But we need to be careful that the joy from those purchases isn't weaponized to make us want more.

So on my next Sephora trip, I know I’ll remind myself that I should be doing something truly good for my self-care along with my purchase, kind of like a buy-one-get-one-free. Buy a product, but also remember to treat yourself to positive self talk, quiet time and reflection. You deserve it!

- Emma Lambert, Staff Writer

This word search features the word "change" in multiple different languages to reflect the fact that change occurs all around the world.

-Meredith McCord, Managing Editor

What dinosaur are you?

1. What's your ideal activity for a day off?

a) Relaxing and lounging around (1 point)

b) Intensely focused work or study (2 points)

c) Socializing with friends and family (3 points)

d) Going on an adventure and exploring new places (4 points)

2. How would your friends describe your personality?

a) Calm, gentle and easygoing (1 point)

b) Analytical, driven and perfectionistic (2 points)

c) Loyal, social and affectionate (3 points)

d) Curious, energetic and bold (4 points)

3. If you could time travel, would you rather visit:

a) The Triassic period to see the earliest dinosaurs (1 point)

b) The future to see what lies ahead for humanity (2 points)

c) The Cretaceous period to see the final dinosaurs (3 points)

d) The Jurassic period during the dinosaur heyday (4 points)

4. What's your ideal vacation?

a) A peaceful retreat in nature (1 point)

b) An educational tour of museums and historical sites (2 points)

c) A fun-filled trip with loved ones (3 points)

d) An adrenaline-filled expedition (4 points)

Tally your points to find your dino!

5. If you could have one dinosaur superpower, what would it be?

a) Tough armor plating for protection (1 point)

b) Intricate problem solving abilities (2 points)

c) Keen senses and social intelligence (3 points)

d) Massive strength and speed (4 points)

6. What's your favorite dinosaur themed movie or TV show?

a) "The Land Before Time" (1 point)

b) "Walking with Dinosaurs" (2 points)

c) "The Good Dinosaur" (3 points)

d) "Jurassic Park" (4 points)

7. You're stranded on a desert island — which dinosaur would you want as a companion?

a) A gentle herbivore to calmly coexist with (1 point)

b) An intelligent dinosaur to help you problem solve (2 points)

c) A social dinosaur to keep you company (3 points)

d) A fierce carnivore to protect you (4 points)

8. If you could design your own dinosaur, what features would it have?

a) Sturdy build and defensive capabilities (1 point)

b) Enhanced brain power and problem solving abilities (2 points)

c) Advanced senses and social skills (3 points)

d) Powerful muscles and lightning fast reflexes (4 points)

8 - 14 points: You're a Stegosaurus! You're a gentle, easy-going soul who prefers to take life at a relaxed pace. Your calm and grounded nature puts those around you at ease. You find comfort in the simple pleasures of life, like lounging in nature or spending quality time with close friends and family. Though you may not be the most adventurous, your steadfast loyalty and protective instincts make you a reliable companion. You have a natural affinity for harmonious coexistence, preferring to avoid confrontation when possible. Your thick armor plating and spiked tail ensure you can defend yourself when necessary, but your first instinct is to diffuse tension through your gentle presence.

15 - 20 points: You're a Velociraptor! You're an adventurous, bold explorer always seeking new thrills and discoveries. With your boundless curiosity and quick reflexes, you're a natural born leader unafraid to take risks. You thrive on adrenaline-fueled expeditions, whether it's scaling rugged terrain or embarking on daring quests. Your friends and loved ones likely describe you as energetic, fearless and always up for a challenge. You have a keen intellect and an insatiable appetite for learning, whether it's studying the distant past or envisioning the future. Your sharp senses and agile movements give you a distinct competitive edge, but you also possess a fiercely protective nature towards your trusted pack.

21 - 26 points: You're a Triceratops! You're a loyal, social creature who cherishes time with friends and family. Your affectionate nature and protective instincts make you a trusted companion. You find joy in connecting with others and creating close-knit bonds. Your loved ones likely describe you as caring, empathetic and always there when they need you most. You have a strong moral compass and a deep sense of justice, willing to courageously defend those you hold dear. While you enjoy lighthearted fun and festivities, you also possess a thoughtful, introspective side. Your keen senses and social intelligence allow you to navigate relationships with wisdom and grace.

27 - 32 points: You're a Tyrannosaurus Rex! You're an analytical, driven individual who thrives on challenges and achievements. Your sharp mind and relentless focus allow you to tackle any obstacle that stands in your way. You have an insatiable appetite for knowledge and an unwavering determination to excel. Your friends and colleagues likely describe you as intense, ambitious and laser-focused on your goals. You approach life with a strategic mindset, meticulously planning and problem-solving your way to success. While you may come across as intense at times, your keen intellect and problem solving abilities make you a valuable asset. You possess the confidence and prowess to overcome even the most daunting hurdles.

-Jason Heisler, Staff Writer

THE BW BUCKET LIST

To the class of 2024: We did it! To the rest of you...good luck. In the meantime, make the most out of the time you have left. We polled our graduating seniors and some other folks around the newsroom and asked them: what should every Baldwin Wallace student do before they graduate? Some answers were given from the heart, others in jest, but they are all examples of tried-and-true BW rites of passage. So here’s our little BW bucket list — see how many you can tick off before you become a Yellow Jacket 4 Life.

–The Exponent Executive Board

1. Join The Exponent. Duh.

2. Take a walk around campus in the fall before all of the leaves get soggy and fill the sidewalks. And, prepare yourself for the winter blues.

3. Eat a union grilled cheese. You really can't beat white bread and American cheese.

4. Visit the Cleveland Art Museum. It's free and so worth it!

5. Join a club. Then quit after you realize you've joined too many...and endure the struggles of never getting off of the email list.

6. Invest in a good umbrella. When it rains, it really does pour. Make sure it's sturdy enough that the wind won't turn it inside out.

7. Take advantage of the first-year meal plan. BW's partnership with Boss ChickNBeer is a great escape from the repetitve union menus.

8. Go to Front St Social for Thursday night karaoke. And maybe even sing something this time.

9. See a touring show at Playhouse Square. They’re almost as good as our BWMT performances.

10. Go to the Bold & Gold football game. You might even witness a proposal or two.

11. Determine who your campus celebrities are. We all have at least one.

12. Get a library card from the Cuyahoga County Public Library. It's the number one public library in the nation.

13. Prioritize your mental health! No, really.

14. Get a parking ticket. It's a BW rite of passage.

15. Go see a UDA performance. You knowwww.

16. Don't skip out on Lang. Especially Thursday burgers and Friday chicken wraps.

17. Do some homework in Ritter. Bonus points if you're there later than the staff.

18. Confuse "due date" with "do date." And then make the same mistake again after you swore you wouldn't.

19. Break at least one ResLife rule. Your RA will happily confiscate your candles. 20. Get into a war over your seat in class. Class time just gets earlier and earlier.

Go for a late night Sheetz run. Bonus points if you can avoid running into other BW students while you're there.

Avoid your freshman year roommate. Those were dark times...

23. Have an IT emergency. The trip to 20 Beech St. is humbling.

24. Get locked out of your room. Safety and Security will be there in what feels like four hours. Cover design by Alexis Watkins. The Grindstone