TUESDAY | MARCH 19 | 2019
Link Up, Cougars! Cougar Link is a gateway to student involvement
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African Art & Origins: The Creative and Spiritual World of George Nelson Preston An African Arts & Origins exhibit is open until May 15, 2019 for all to view Kieffer Braisted
K
Staff Writer
ean University is proud to present "The Creative and Spiritual World of George Preston", African Art & Origins exhibit from now until May 15. The exhibition is on display in the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery, located on the first floor of the Center for Academic Success (CAS) on Main Campus. Featuring only three select exhibitions a year, the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery is both the largest and most prestigious of the galleries featured at Kean University. The gallery focuses on providing opportunities for students, faculty and the public alike to better understand the diversity of society through art and their multicultural initiative. Noah Dobson | The Cougar's Byte
Involvement Specialist Sarah Otero delves into detail concerning the "News" section of Cougar Link.
Shannon Sheehan
C
Staff Writer
ougar Link is a hub of information relating to the student groups and events that transpire here at Kean University. This is a great tool for students to use to learn more about the events that happen every day on campus and the groups that host them. Students utilize Cougar Link to see which clubs best fits them, in order for them to become as involved as they possibly can.
Fostering the aforementioned values through a celebration of his life and many accomplishments, George Nelson Preston features pieces that represent all aspects of his well-traveled and diverse career. Preston's career is nothing short of both fascinating and extremely varied, having contributed to several areas of society during his travels.
George Nelson Preston greets a colleague at his "African Art & Origins: The Creative and Spiritual World of George Nelson Preston" exhibition in the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019.
Preston is an "artist, scholar, writer, critic, collector, professor, world-traveler, baseball enthusiast, inventor, poet of the Beat Generation and an honored Akan chief in Ghana," according to the Burger Gallery's exhibition description. "George Nelson
Preston is a renaissance man, a cultural visionary with a unique outlook on the world as he has lived it."
Preston has traveled to Asia, Europe, South America and Africa on multiple occasions. In 1966, he entered himself into the Program in Primitive and PreColombian Art in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Colombia University, where he later garnered both a master's and doctorate in the subject.
Groups are also able to post their events and flyers on Cougar Link. To view all of the events, simply click the "Events" tab at the top of the screen. This will bring one to a page where every single event is listed in chronological order. It is possible to search and narrow down the results to what one is specifically looking for, such as by date, theme, categories and perks.
In his time, Preston has advocated heavily for the recognition of the fusion of cultures and the overall impact Africa has on modern society. His focus remains to explain the birth of modern cultures and their struggle for identity after centuries of European oppression.
If one is in a student group and is trying to advertise their events, make sure to post about it in the "news" tab.
Kieffer Braisted | The Cougar's Byte
The "News" section allows student groups to post about upcoming events or just news in general relating to their organization. This tab allows students to see what is happening now or in the near future.
Fostering the aforementioned values through a celebration of his life and many accomplishments, George Nelson Preston features pieces that represent all aspects of his well-traveled and diverse career.
1. Click on the organization. 2. Go to the top right corner and click the gear icon that says "Manage Organization." 3. Go to the top left of the page that states the organization's name. 4. A menu will appear on the left. Click "News," and then "Create Article." This is where student groups will be able to post flyers and articles pertaining to their upcoming events, donations they are accepting for service events, upcoming meetings and more. It will then appear on the "News" page in chronological order, making it more visible and accessible to the Kean community. Involvement Specialist Sarah Otero said, "[The 'News' tab] keeps students up to date on what's going on at Kean, and it helps them know what organizations are doing what." If one has any questions regarding Cougar Link, do not hesitate to reach out to the Involvement Center, located in the Miron Student Center (MSC), Room 303 by emailing groups@kean. edu or calling (908) 737-5270. Shannon Sheehan, sophomore communication journalism major, is a member of The Cougar’s Byte staff.
Born in New York City in 1938, Preston grew up in a family heavily involved in the art and music movement in Harlem at the time. After attending the High School of Music and Art and then City College of New York, Preston graduated with a Bachelor of Arts. Directly after college, he began writing political stories in Cuba, which began his seemingly endless travels throughout his illustrious journey.
For each student group on campus, there is a corresponding Cougar Link page. This page includes a description of the group, its mission, photos and more. Also, there is a section that lists the executive board of each organization with their email, in case one wants to reach out to a member with questions regarding the group.
For a group to post in the "News" tab, simply follow these instructions:
Kieffer Braisted | The Cougar's Byte
Continuing his dedication to his ancestors and passion, Preston founded the Museum of Art & Origins, located on 162nd Street in New York City. This museum houses hundreds of African artworks and pieces, antique photographs and even some of Preston's personal collection.
Taking all of this into account, Preston aims to display a little bit of everything in his showing at Kean University. Additionally, Preston's pieces urge one to explore and expand the depths of their mind and imagination. "What if I could give you visual cues to the experience of the painting as layers of consciousness beyond the image and between the consciousness of the viewer and the consciousness of the painting?" Preston asks of his viewers. Using the installation as a capsule of all the unique elements and philosophy of his life, Preston interconnects each piece within the gallery and in turn relates it to the past, present and future. Attendance is free of charge, but hours vary. Those interested in obtaining more information about the Karl and Helen Burger Gallery, visit Kean's official site. Free educational group tours lead by trained docents are also available upon request. For more information, contact galleries@kean.edu or call (908) 737-0392.
Kieffer Braisted, junior communication major, is a member of The Cougar’s Byte staff.
Women (Continued from page 1) inspirational quote about empowerment. Many of the other tables wanted students to express their creativity and reflect on their lives. Students could plant their own flower at the You Grow Girl table. They could write down the name of someone who inspires them on a colorful rock at the Who's Your Rock table. The Women's History Month Kickoff is only the beginning of a plethora of different events designed to acknowledge the contributions women have made in history and empower the women of today to shatter the societal expectations placed on them. Keep an eye out for all of the exciting events happening this Women's History Month!
Brandon Gervais, sophomore English education double major, is a member of The Cougar's Byte staff.
Danielle Thomas | The Cougar's Byte
This event was designed to acknowledge the contributions women have made in history and empower the women of today.
A Leadership and Service Publication for the Kean University Student Community