Fall 2021 by Fisher Ink

fisher ink yearbook 2021 industry & entrepenuers business builder’s club ... 6 a spicy test for your tastebuds ... 7 reflections words to be wise ... 8/9 student experience the happiness campaign ... 13 one year later, fall 2021 update ... 18/19

FISHER INK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

community fisher frenzy ... 10/11 a slice worth savoring ... 12 the fabric of gen z ... 14/15 science & tech futuristic food delivery ... 16/17

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Letter from the Editor

ing! The sound of your alarm echoes in your ears. You open your eyes and slam the button on your clock, turning off your alarm and setting your day into motion. As you stretch the sleep away, the morning sun shines in your eyes. Your feet hit the floor, and you resign yourself to the fact that as unfortunate as it may be, you will not be going back to bed. You are awake, with your entire day ahead of you. As you get ready for the day, grabbing a bite of breakfast and brushing your teeth, you scramble to find your calculator and toss your bag over your shoulder. You watch the Ohio State University community merge and meld on your way to your first in-person class in nearly a year. Students are laughing and talking on their way to their classes, some skating, some biking, some on their own listening to music, others converging outside their last class, but all excited to set foot on campus again. There is a buzzing excitement to go out into the world. Real life has rushed back to us here at OSU, and there is no better time than now to be a part of it! Life is exceedingly returning to community, and the stress and anxiety surrounding in-person meetings have begun to subside with the advent of the COVID-19 vaccines. For life at Ohio State this means in-person classes and meetings. Talking with professors is much more personal now, and creating bonds with classmates can be a face-to-face experience rather than a virtual one. Football is back! Students can finally cheer on the Buckeyes in the Shoe again side by side with their fellow Buckeye fans, building community with every chant. Club meetings can foster communication and collaboration among members who are no longer glowing faces in tiny boxes on your computer screen. The chance to connect with your fellow students is ever increasing as more and more

opportunities begin to switch back to inperson participation. For your personal life, this may mean gathering at dinner parties with your friends, visiting coffee shops, going to concerts, and participating in so many more opportunities to see and feel the presence of real people. Take time to relish in the simple joy of meeting and celebrate it! Celebrate the ability to meet and form tight knit bonds, whether that be in class, with your family, or with friends old and new. Meet up to do homework with your classmates, join a new club, go to an Ohio State sponsored event, or get to know your professor after class to take full advantage of the opportunity to meet. There are plenty of opportunities to form a community in Columbus both through Ohio State and outside of it. Checking out local coffee shops and booksellers is a great way to learn about upcoming events such as poetry readings, book signings, talks from visiting speakers, pop-up events, and more. Pursuing events related to your interests will often lead you to like minded individuals who can expand your horizons and perspectives, and help you learn more about yourself outside of Ohio State. The Wexner Center for the Arts also offers many events to take advantage ofgallery openings, screenings, guest speakers, and new and exciting exhibits are nearly always available to attend. For a different approach to meeting, try checking out the group fitness classes and events available through the Recreational Physical Activity Center and the Adventure Recreation Center. Yoga, cycling, strength training classes are just a few of the opportunities to work toward wellness while forming friendships. While this wake-up call is exciting, it is well known that an early rise can lead to a midday slump. Make sure to take care of yourself and participate in self-care during

this newly busy time. For many, relaxing with friends is a form of self-care, which is great! However, there are many other forms of self care which still allow you to be a part of our newly buzzing society. Reading a new book allows you to relax, learn something new, and the act of choosing a book can lead you to a local library or bookseller, such as the Book Loft in German Village or one of the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries. Taking yourself to see a new documentary or movie is another way to expand your horizons while relaxing, and you can buy discounted tickets to Gateway through Ohio State’s D-Tix program. Take in the fresh air at one of many of Columbus’s parks by going for a renewing, invigorating hike! The Park of Roses, Tuttle Park, Blendon Woods Metropark, and Highbanks Metropark are all beautiful spots to relax and renew in nature. The act of cooking yourself a meal is one of the highest forms of self-care, as you are nourishing yourself mentally in order to nourish yourself physically. Visit the North Market or a local farmers market for fresh ingredients, and learn new cooking techniques when trying a new recipe! What matters most at a time like this is that you answer the call, however you see fit for yourself. Rise to the occasion, and get back out there! This is an exciting time for the Ohio State community, the opportunity to grow, change, explore and learn has come to us at its fullest potential. So get ready to go! There is lots to do, there are plenty of people to see, and places to go! It’s time to pick up, so answer the call! Here’s to a new day,

Lauren Marshall, VP of Production

INDUSTRY

Business Builders Club Annual Idea Pitch Competition “Connect, Educate, Inspire”

story alyssa holland design bella piazza photo jessie lee

Bennett Heyn: Founder and CEO of AisleSpot million dollar idea can begin with one pitch. For students who want to get a head start on their business ideas, they can take matters into their own hands thanks to on-campus events such as case competitions. One such opportunity is the Business Builders Club’s annual Idea Pitch, allowing students to present new business ideas for funding. The 2021 Idea Pitch was held on September 21 in the Ohio Union, where ten groups of student entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to a panel of judges made up of local entrepreneurs. The third-place winner was Kevin Niederpruem with InLine. InLine is an app that will tell people how long they will be waiting in line at fast-food restaurants and other fast-casual restaurants. “Our whole initiative is to save people time. On the homepage will be little pins with each logo … and you’ll be able to see the wait times of each of those locations, both the inside line and the drive thru line,” says Niederpruem. The pitch itself presented many challenges for Niederpruem. While InLine is a solo venture, one of the judging criteria was having a multi-faceted team. “The toughest part of the competition was proving the judges on my team. Right now it is just me,” says Niederpruem. Another one of his major challenges has been funding the business. “Every dollar I earned goes towards the funding of the app. I’ve talked to a lot of developers and their price ranges from $1,000 to $50,000, so the [prize] money will go towards the development of the actual app,” says Niederpruem. The second-place winner was a team of students pitching Third Wheel, a new spin on dating apps.

Kevin Niederpruem: Founder and CEO of InLine “We wanted it to be not just for romantic dates, but also something that groups of friends could do and have this app as a tool to help plan out those activities,” says co-founder and CFO Shreyas Rajkumar. While InLine’s initial focus was on college students, Third Wheel has several audiences in mind. “There’s three different groups [of target audiences] … Gen Z and young millennials who are couples as well as groups of friends who are active and want to get out more … Boomers and retired people who are good with tech and adventures and finally, Gen X,” says Rajkumar.

“Although OSU provides

countless opportunities for students to bring ideas to life, being a young entrepreneur still comes with challenges. ”

The team wants to hire an in-house developer to work on the app, and Rajkumar says their prize money will go towards funding that. Third Wheel has remained in the top 5 winners of three separate Ohio State competitions: BOSS, OSU Launchpad and the Business Builders Idea Pitch. Not only were they second place this time, but they won the People’s Choice award as well. The first-place winner was Bennett Heyn, CEO and co-founder of Aislespot. Aislespot is an app that will show the aisle locations of items in a grocery store and the quickest route to gather them. Heyn came up with this idea after his mother sent him FISHER INK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

Shreyas Rajkumar: Co-founder and CFO of Third Wheel to the store with a list and where he spent way too much time wandering around and looking for groceries. His biggest challenges in bringing the idea to fruition have been the technical aspect of creating the app and acquiring customers. He plans on using the prize money to pay for a template for the app. Although Ohio State provides countless opportunities for students to bring ideas to life, being a young entrepreneur still comes with challenges. This year’s winners have advice for students who may want to enter an idea pitch competition in the future and for young entrepreneurs in general. The winners of this year’s competition encourage other young entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life. Rajkumar says that if you have an idea, you should enter one of Ohio State’s idea competitions because they provide a “platform where you’re able to expand your idea with the help of judges, and formal mentorship, as well as find people to expand your team.”

INDUSTRY

A Spicy Test for Your Tastebuds New small business heats up Columbus with Carolina Reaper peanuts story allie fehr design lauren altemare

earching for a snack that has an extra kick? Look no further than Peter’s Peppered Peanuts, a new small business in Columbus putting a fiery twist on plain peanuts. Inside a bag of their leading product— the Original Carolina Reaper Nuts—one will find brown peanuts brushed with a dark red seasoning made from the infamous Carolina Reaper peppers. The man behind the hot creation is Peter Marino, a 31-yearold Columbus native and spice lover. “I’m Peter, they’re peanuts, and we use hot peppers,” Marino says, explaining the story behind the brand name for his business. “Somebody threw it out there as a joke, and we just kind of ran with it.” Similar to their name, the creation of the Peter’s Peppered Peanuts business was not originally created with serious intentions. When the idea came to him, Marino had simply been looking for a snack to hold him over while out on the water during fishing trips—specifically one that allowed him and his friends to decide “Who can eat the spicier stuff?” With over ten years of restaurant experience, Marino put his knowledge around the kitchen to work experimenting with his product, after learning how to make candied walnuts from one of the chefs at a restaurant where he had worked.

“At the time, me and my friends were starting to grow our own hot peppers, dehydrating them and trying to make seasonings ... so I took that knowledge and was messing around with peanuts and it kind of stuck.” Marino began handing out samples of his fiery peanuts to friends and family, who responded with overwhelmingly positive reviews and insisted that he started a business. “One day, I was tired of hearing it,” Marino says. “I was like alright, I’m going to do something about it, so I started Googling how to go about creating a business here in Ohio. It happened really fast.” In March of 2021, Marino established the Limited Liability Company (LLC) and began making sales a few months ago, with lots of paperwork and social media creation in between.

“Love the heat, fear the fire.

”

Originally growing his hot peppers at home, Marino later partnered with Daniel Smith, a 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University, who sells pumpkins grown on land that he owns, giving him the title of the “Clintonville Pumpkin Guy.” Marino’s brother, Michael Marino, a 2017 Ohio State graduate, also joined in on the operation, Marino says. “We went from just a small backyard garden with some peppers to now, [where] we have a plot of land where we’re growing our resources,” Marino says. Marino says he spotlighted their new product on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Reddit to promote Peter’s Peppered Peanuts. Marino particularly found success with his post in the r/Columbus subreddit, receiving great feedback and subsequent increases in sales.

“It took off real quick, and I have the Reddit community to thank for it,” Marino says. “It’s really cool that everybody wanted to take a chance on us, not knowing us.” Marino has emphasized positioning Peter’s Peppered Peanuts as a local business involved in the community, striking up casual conversations with Columbus residents about whether they enjoy spicy foods. When it comes to snacking on the Carolina Reaper peanuts, Marino says he enjoys eating them independently or with a beer to cool the heat. “I have friends that have said they’ve used the extra seasoning that’s in the bag to season their chicken or make Pad Thai,” Marino says. “We’ve talked about even just making the seasoning to sell by itself.” In the future, Marino hopes to expand the availability of his product to in-store locations as well as at local bars and farmer’s markets. Additionally, the business is in the process of expanding its product line to satisfy those who love sweets and cheese, with the hope of releasing the flavors around the holiday season. For now, spice lovers and those wanting to see if they can take the heat of the Carolina Reaper nuts can order a bag of Peter’s Peppered Peanuts online at www. peterspepperedpeanuts.com. As their tagline goes, “Love the heat, fear the fire.”

REFLECTION

Words to be Wise Expert advice for today’s student story kylie bell design delaney miller

e all define success differently. No matter your end goal, we all now find ourselves at The Ohio State University, working to achieve greatness. However, it can be overwhelming at times. What can we learn from our predecessors or educators that might help us make the most of our short time on this beautifully spirited campus? These are the insights from upperclassmen, alumni and professors to aid you in your Buckeye journey to success!

“It is kind of

amazing

to be able to say that you are able to make that kind of impact.

”

Pave your own unique path.

College is meant to be a learning experience. “Don’t think that [college] is a forever decision that you are making. If it’s not the right fit, you change it and move on to something else,” says Ohio State alumna Dawn Lyons, Vice President of Marketing and Program at Sandy Hook Promise. She advises that our path is everchanging and not likely to end up the way originally envisioned. Ohio State alumna Lily Wang, a Marketing Analyst at Victoria’s Secret Pink, says, “your time in college is limited, but as long as you feel like it is purposeful and you’re doing things that will help you grow as a person, then there is definitely no shame in trial and error.” Now is the time to ask questions, follow your instincts, try new experiences and allow yourself to make some mistakes. Give it your best shot and have faith in yourself that it will all work out.

Consider your own personal brand.

What do you stand for? You should think about how you might present yourself to future employers. As suggested by David McIntyre, professor for Media, Marketing and Communications Scholars, having a project portfolio is a concrete way to show employers what you bring to the table. Stand tall and tell them who you are, not how you can change for the company. Another experience to consider is internships. These are great opportunities to do a dry run so you can learn more about your career interests. Seek out internships that are more structured and have training built into the program. Grades are not everything, so be deliberate about what you’re working on and what it can add to your personal ‘brand’, to help build your story.

FISHER INK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

Seek skills that give you a glimpse of the “real world.”

The world is continuously changing. Being grounded on what stays constant while also understanding the value of change will be critical. “I am constantly trying to communicate and convey changes to our business model and I rely heavily on data to do that. So, I have to have a good understanding of those foundational statistical principles,” says Ohio State alumna Katy Rebernak, Manager of Retail Strategy and Planning at Michelin. Also, courses that will help you develop communication skills—making presentations or writing speeches—are highly recommended. Learning how to persuade and influence will set you up for success. Finally, think about how you can adapt to technological advances. Introduce yourself to digital design programs and build unique skills. “These are the skill sets that you need to accompany the knowledge [you gain from classes], you have to provide those on your own,” says McIntyre. It is essential to learn to be more independent and immerse yourself in new concepts.

Listen Up!

“I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do [after graduation],” says Lyons. “Then we had a speaker come from Procter and Gamble that did a case study on Pert Plus and I thought, ‘This is so cool.’” Learning about experiences from experts in your field of interest can guide you towards what you want to do. Industry immersion programs can give you exposure to companies and the opportunity for semester-long case study projects. Look for the chance to learn what excites you, even if that means you realize you dislike something; at least now you can cross it off your list and try something new.

Stick to your daily goals.

How will you contribute?

Be a proud Buckeye!

vid McI Da

BA Psychology/ Business at Otterbein College; Professor for Media Marketing and Communications Scholars

ily Sh Em a Current

upperclassmen, Fisher College of Business; Media Marketing and Communications Scholar

Lily Wang Fisher College of Business 2020; Marketing Analyst, Vicoria’s Secret Pink

t or Vic ia A

Current upperclassman, Fisher College of Business; Assurance Intern, EY

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You will come to find that there are Buckeyes everywhere who are happy to share in our pride. “I think that The Ohio State University is the greatest place in the world and my experience there really shaped the person that I am today, so just soak in as much as the university has to offer,” says Rebernak. You can access a vast network full of people willing to offer their help and wisdom. Find a leader who is willing to invest in you. And lastly, make Ohio State your home. Find those people and places that help you feel at ease: maybe it’s the architecture building with its floor-to-ceiling windows for studying or Oxley’s for a great sub, or Stauf ’s on Neil Avenue for coffee and relaxation. “Don’t be afraid to try things out, poke around, and make sure you have a lot of fun,” says Wang.

Fisher College of Business 2010, Business Scholar; Manager of Retail Strategy and Planning, Michelin

When asked about any regrets during her time at Ohio State, Wang says, “I wish I would have focused my energy on [the right] things better.” Over-filling your schedule with courses, clubs and organizations may seem like a good way to stand out to employees; however, being too overwhelmed won’t give you a chance to do well at any of them. “Follow where you are excited about the work,” says Lyons.“I don’t want to say follow your passion because that is not always the case … but see what types of work and projects get you excited. Those are the things that will help you navigate your career as you go.” Find the courses and clubs that really pique your interest. Even if you don’t hold a leadership position, clubs help you meet people and they allow you to be creative and apply your thinking in a different way outside of classes.

Prioritize your mental health by taking time for yourself. Figure out what you can do throughout the week that can help you relax and have fun. An upperclassman at Fisher College of Business, Emily Schaupp, utilizes the Recreational Physical Activity Center as a way to step back from the stresses of college life. This could even mean taking a class like “Geography of National Parks,” as suggested by Andreev, to help relieve the stress of your total course load. Make sure you take a few hours a day just enjoying being a college student.

Katy Rebe

p up

Find joy!

Defuse the stress.

Fisher College of Business 2001; Vice President Marketing and Program, Sandy Hook Promise

yre nt

Figuring out how to collaborate and influence your peers, particularly in the dreaded group projects, can be challenging. There will always be some who dominate and some who won’t pull their weight. This doesn’t change in the workforce, either. Learn how to tailor your message so you can motivate others based on their predisposition. The experts often say that project-based classes were the most useful outside of college because of the real-life application. Being able to develop relationships to work effectively in groups is a necessity.

Dawn Lyo

k rna

Learn to work in groups.

While certainly not a requirement, several alumni emphasized the importance of helping others in the community. Andreev found fulfillment through Brighter Futures, an organization that works with local Columbus high school students to apply to college and explore potential career paths. Explore your community and find ways to make your own positive impact. Some alumni have continued to find ways to volunteer their talents in non-profit and charitable organizations. The point is, taking the time to contribute to the broader community can help you find fulfillment beyond the classroom. “[Working at Sandy Hook Promise] really is saving lives and there is a weight to that. It is kind of amazing to be able to say that you are able to make that kind of impact,” says Lyons.

Getting into your new rhythm can be challenging, but you have to become a master of your own schedule. Do whatever it takes: whether that is getting a planner, setting multiple alarms or even scheduling time for naps. You have to set daily goals for yourself and force yourself to be accountable to them. Victoria Andreev, an upperclassman at the Fisher College of Business, says, “If you don’t get it done, then you can’t hang out with friends, which will keep you motivated to get it done.” Managing your time and understanding your study habits will allow you to feel more productive and organized.

Featured:

COMMUNITY

A Fisher Frenzy of Possibilities The unique and often unknown opportunities available to Fisher students story daniel rose design lauren marshall photo fisher.osu.edu

Mason Hall via https://fisher.osu.edu/ Fisher College of Business students often wonder which organizations to get involved with on campus and how to get a job without a clear starting point. When they contemplate these questions, though, they cannot seem to find the answers. However, multiple resources, which might be unfamiliar for many, exist to solve these problems. Jeff Rice, executive director of the Office of Career Management (OCM) and associate to the dean for staff professional development, understands how to develop students for future careers. He says OCM provides numerous services to students, including LinkedIn and resume reviews, career coach appointments, interview preparations and advising on majors, at their office in Gerlach Hall. There are also virtual meetings available, according to the office’s website.

QUIC Program

Additionally, OCM offers the Qualified Undergraduate Interview Candidate (QUIC) Program which prepares students for professional interviews through a series of modules and quizzes, says Rice. The

program concludes with a mock interview, and students are scored based on factors like attentiveness and appropriate responses. Those that pass the mock interview can then partake in real interviews with companies on campus. “What we can then say to our customer, customer being Ford or Huntington Bank or Procter &amp; Gamble, whoever that customer buyer is, we have a product and an investor that we have prepared to be successful in working for your company,” Rice says. “I really think that program [QUIC] is what, in students’ minds, we’re most known for.”

Fisher Futures

Other programs are offered through OCM that are tailored to specific business fields. According to Fisher’s website, Fisher Futures is an investment banking program that provides exposure to the industry and positions students for a summer internship. Cohorts take part in financial modeling training with Wall Street Prep and travel to both New York City and Chicago to visit investment banks. Fisher Futures is open to sophomores with specializations in either finance or accounting. FISHER INK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

Fisher Emerging Consultants Another program, Fisher Emerging Consultants (FEC), familiarizes students interested in consulting with case interviews and brings in speakers from numerous consulting firms, according to Fisher’s website. Admitted students enroll in an FEC-specific section of a job and internship preparation course. Both sophomores and juniors can apply, and juniors are encouraged to join a consulting immersion program that teaches more about the field. Professionalism, dining etiquette, and work behaviors are developed in addition to the program’s core mission. Rice explains that these curated programs were created to keep up with trends in the overall economy. “We are playing into the marketplace, what drives the economy, and I tell my team frequently, ‘We need to be economists as much as we are career coach professionals,’” Rice says. There are pockets in the labor market that OCM can help students leverage, Rice explains, but the state of the economy ultimately determines these gaps.

Honors Programs

Similar programs are offered to Fisher honors students going into their junior year. Honors Accounting and Honors Finance place students in the middle of their respective industries and teach them careeroriented skills, according to Fisher’s website. Each program requires a series of advanced courses led by professors highly experienced in their field. In addition, enrichment programs, such as Honors Cohort and Honors Contract, take a holistic approach to business and develop collaboration and leadership skills, among other traits. Honors Cohort focuses on action-based learning through multiple trips, both domestic and international, to experience business in different settings and provide students opportunities to give back. Conversely, Honors Contract encourages students to complete an individual experience that stimulates professional development.

Research Distinciton

However, honors students can also pursue a year-long research project that culminates in a thesis and oral defense

through the Denman Research Forum. Similar to a PhD dissertation and defense, successful students earn “with honors research distinction” on their diploma. Faculty advisors guide students along the way, according to the Research Distinction webpage, but independent work is emphasized as part of the process. 95% of Fisher students obtain at least one internship or project experience before graduation, and 85% are employed within 3 months after leaving. Rice says, though, that these experiences are earned through navigating the resources accessible to students. “If you want to be part of that 95%, if you want to be part of that success, then that success was generated by students who utilized what was available to them,” Rice says. “…You’ve made an investment, so why not provide yourself the opportunity to get a return on that investment in the best possible way?” Another part of standing out for jobs and other career opportunities is participating in campus activities, Rice explains. “In addition to just going and showing up to class, it is showing up in other ways,” Rice says. “It is showing up in student

organizations, the Career Management office, unique cohort groups. It is the participation for a student that is really going to dictate the value they get out of their experience.” According to FisherU, Fisher alone has 50 registered organizations, ranging from business fraternities to volunteer groups. A 2021 study by The Ohio State University’s Center for the Study of Student Life found 54.1% of undergraduate students are involved in a student organization, and involved students reported being 2.9 times as likely to be satisfied with their experience at Ohio State. Rice says the best part about his job is interacting with students everyday and helping them to succeed. “I am here because of the people walking by my window,” Rice says. “If you have never visited this office, you need to come. You need to make an appointment with somebody and learn what we have to offer.”

“

... involved students reported being 2.9 times as likely to be satisfied with their experience at Ohio State.

“

COMMUNITY

A Slice Worth Savoring: Sicilia Fine Italian Specialties A tried and true, quality over quantity, approach to pizza story grant powelson design lily bean photo gabby zambell & andrea hefferan

icilia Fine Italian Specialties, a restaurant capable of catering to various cravings, though known by many for their pizza, has been a staple of late-night dining on campus for over 15 years. The restaurant boasts a convenient north campus location just off Frambes Avenue, where it is attached to campus bar Out-R-Inn and across the street from PJ’s sandwiches. PJ’s is another popular, latenight-dining option which, as the owner of Sicilia’s, Ali Lakhdar, tells me, is not a competitor, but rather, a friend. Despite the multitude of dining options on High Street, students and local residents return to Sicilia’s week after week, despite especially long wait times on weekends. So, what is it about Sicilia’s that keeps its diners coming back for more? The initial draw for a prospective Sicilia’s customer might be their convenient location, a desire for greasy foods after a late night out or the simple fact that they are open late. However, to understand what really sells slices, the proof is in the pudding. Logically, this meant that I not only needed to taste their pizza but that it had to be timed appropriately as well. Since the restaurant is most popular on the weekends, it made sense to visit at this time, allowing me to experience the same quality level experienced by most customers. So, one late Friday night in October, I made my move. Despite a rather lengthy line, it progressed steadily, and I placed an order within 15 minutes of waiting.

The First Taste Upon my first bite into a slice of pepperoni, my expectations were high, my stomach was growling, and my mouth was watering. Unfortunately, though, I couldn’t help but feel a little underwhelmed after I was done, considering how much my friends had praised it. It was good pizza, but nothing special. It was greasy, floppy, and the crust was a little too crunchy for my liking. When

my friends and I left, I carried with me a full stomach, but also a head full of questions and confusion. Certainly, there was better pizza to be had on High Street, I thought. With Donatos and Papa John’s Pizza nearly next door, I couldn’t figure out what made Sicilia’s so popular. I knew there had to be some piece of the pizza puzzle missing, and there indeed was. When I purchased my pizza, I had made one crucial mistake. By ordering by the slice, I succeeded in satisfying my need for convenience, as I received the pizza in under five minutes. However, I failed to account for the freshness of the slice, which, as one might assume, was not ideal. By ordering a whole pie, rather than a slice at a time, this issue could be resolved.

of appetizers—all of which are available for both delivery and pickup. So, slide on down to Sicilia’s and snag something savory today!

Pizza Ranking: 9/10

Redemption, With a Side of Banana Peppers So, the next week, I decided to give it another chance. I ordered a large pepperoni pizza with banana peppers, and in approximately 20 minutes, I had a warm, freshly-made pizza in my hands. Upon the first bite, I realized where I had gone wrong before. Not only was this pizza far superior to my previous experience, but it was also unlike any I had ever savored before. Its dough was present and pronounced, its crust was firm and flavorful--not floppy or burnt-and its cheese was appropriately greasy. Suffice to say, I will be returning to Sicilia’s for another scrumptious encounter. Despite the restaurant’s massive success at its current and only location, Lakhdar tells me that he has no plans to expand anytime soon, allowing him to focus his efforts on ensuring continued quality and satisfaction. Additionally, for those who may be searching for something other than pizza, they also serve pasta, salad, subs, stromboli, sandwiches, chicken wings and a wide variety

FISHER INK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

Sicilia Fine Italian Specialties is a popular latenight dining spot for OSU students.

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

The Happiness Club and its Positive Influence “The Happiness Campaign” seeks to improve the mental health of students at The Ohio State University

story elika mowery design ailbhe brady photo alyssa resse

uicide is one of the leading causes of death for college students, according to the Mayo Clinic. A new student organization at The Ohio State University wants to help change this statistic. The Happiness Campaign, which started in Spring 2020, has a goal of improving students’ mental health by encouraging them to incorporate five basic, sustainable habits into their daily routine. These habits have been linked to long-term happiness for many individuals, and the members of the club have noticed huge improvements in their overall happiness.

How it Started

The idea for the club was introduced by members of the Fisher College of Business Honors Cohort Program. The Impact Challenge, one of the projects in the Honors Cohort Program, challenged groups of seven individuals to create something that would have a positive impact on the community. They received funding to help one specific cause, and this group chose to focus on mental health. After doing some research on healthy habits that could improve the overall well-being of students, they decided to focus on exercise, sleep, nutrition, mindfulness and social interaction. These habits have been proven to increase overall happiness through research, surveys, and statistics. The Happiness Campaign president Hudson Hall says, “This is such a formative time for people to create habits ... you’re in college, changing your position in life.”

The Big Idea Every time a student completes a habit, the club donates 10 cents to a mental health nonprofit. During the pilot program last spring, the Happiness Campaign worked with LifeAct, a Cleveland-based nonprofit that aims to bring awareness to teen suicide.

As part of their mission, they go to schools and offer resources to teenagers who are showing signs of depression or suicidal thoughts. The campaign ended up donating around $150 to LifeAct in the fall. Going forward, they plan on letting club members and organizational partners choose which nonprofit to donate to, as long as it relates to mental health. The organization has “a sense of dual-impact by encouraging the healthy habits of students, but also having a monetary impact on the nonprofits,” says Hall.

Creating a Sense of Community There are currently around 30 members actively participating in the Happiness Campaign. They plan on growing their membership through tabling on campus, collaborating with other Fisher organizations, and participating in involvement fairs, both in person and virtually. They also use Instagram and Twitter as a way to communicate with people by spreading their program across campus to bring long-term happiness to many different organizations.

“

We want to build a sense of COMMUNITY for the people that are in it. Our organization is one where our memebers feel INCLUDED and VALUED.

1, which consists of members logging their completed habits and donating to nonprofits. However, the campaigns are not the only aspect of the club. They also have yoga sessions, guest speakers, icebreaker activities and weekly meetings. They want to make sure they are implementing the habits into the club itself. Additionally, team members are given many leadership opportunities and responsibilities so they feel valued and can share their input.

Joining the Happiness Campaign Although the Happiness Campaign was created by business students, anyone on campus is welcome to join. They have members in a wide variety of majors, such as pre-health, human nutrition, english, psychology and journalism. When speaking about the range of members in the club, Hall says, “We really value that diversity of thought and opinion.” They enjoy collaborating with people of all different majors and backgrounds.

Words of Wisdom I asked Shannon McCalmont, Executive Vice President of the Happiness Campaign if she had any words of advice for those currently struggling with mental health. Her response was, “Take some time for yourself and prioritize you. It’s really hard as a student when other people are controlling your calendar, but taking ownership back and scheduling time to complete some of these habits can make a huge difference.”

- Hudson Hall

Their next big round of recruitment will be in the spring. However, they are not necessarily worried about the size of their organization. “We want to build a sense of community for the people that are in it,” says Hall. “Our organization is one where our members feel included and valued.”

An Active Club The organization started its first campaign, with Phi Chi Theta, on Nov.

Pictured are the founders of the Happiness Campaign.

COMMUNITY

The Fabric of Gen Z is from the Thrift Store Ohio State’s “Buckeye Bargains” changes the thrift game for students story sarah frankel design kriti chawla

o cut costs while staying stylish, many Americans have turned to thrifting. Facilitated by the rise of social media and the COVID-19 pandemic, thrifting has allowed many to express that sense of creative control over personal presentation, a control once longed for in the depths of a pandemic. As retail shopping prices rise, thrifting has remained relatively cost-effective and a popular alternative for all ages. According to the 2021 U.S. Census, one in five Americans will walk into a thrift store per year, where they are expected to save between 80 and 90 percent on new retail prices. The sort of worldwide washing machine that makes once dilapidated and forgotten clothing all the rage again.

Why would anyone want to buy someone else’s used clothes? First, it is incredibly cost-effective. Going to a thrift store may not feel like the most luxurious experience, but the feeling of spending less than 10 dollars to leave with a Goodwill bag stuffed to the brim is nothing short of euphoric. Aside from the costeffectiveness, thrifting has many hidden upsides, such as finding one-of-a-kind pieces, which exemplify the generations of which they were popular. Take, for example, the mass swell of bell-bottoms, go-go boots, and mod shift dresses common in almost every thrift spot. The broken Alf alarm clocks, 2000’s pet rocks and the complete Star Trek action series found in these stores create a timeline of the human experience as if you were walking through a purchasable history.

How does thrifting actually work? Can you make any money? Thrifting shops operate on the premise that “one person’s trash is another’s treasure” and that everything has some inherent value. Thrift stores often operate on donations, taking most—if not all—of someone’s gently used items off their hands and selling them at a profit. While many stores push to produce copious amounts of similar clothing, thrifting takes a unique leap towards sustainability by allowing clothes to be recycled—making it a popular option for the conscious consumer. This renaissance of goods and clothing feeds into the more significant idea of sustainability in a circular economy, where production is limited to necessity, and items are repurposed and recycled rather than disposed of in a landfill.

1 IN 5 PEOPLE

walk into a thrift store per year

FISHER INK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

according to the 2021 U.S. Census.

The Rise: While thrifting has been around for quite some time, it has recently gained traction due to social media apps such as TikTok, which increased significantly in popularity during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. While many users boasted their classic Hollister jeans and Target tops, what truly caught America’s eye was the boldness of new styles attributed to thrifting. Society needed something organic during the pandemic, as people wished for connection and vulnerability, and thrifting brought just that. The idea that clothing is not simply material, but fabric that connects to the past, a story of a person, felt rousingly biotic. Thrifting offers a lifeline to those experiencing financial hardship, unemployment and job uncertainty by providing an affordable selection of goods and clothing. This unparalleled selection of cheap, charismatic clothing gives hope to a new generation of faddish teens, a hopeful dichotomy between today’s youth and plain, boring clothes.

Thrifting on Campus: Buckeye Bargains, located off 53 West 11th Avenue, is the hot spot for fast bargains on campus. It is run by The Ohio State University’s Undergraduate Women’s Club, known as the UWC, to help raise money for their scholarship fund. This fund seeks to provide scholarships for future female Buckeyes through the Buckeye Link Office, and in 2020-2021 alone raised over 22,000 dollars. The entire shop is volunteer-run and is currently open for donations of dishes, jewelry, blankets, appliances and clothing. The store is only open on Wednesdays and is set up with different rooms based on items. The first room, dubbed “The Buckeye Room,” presents Ohio State as not just a school but rather as a lifestyle. Here one can find Ohio State ties, footballs, clothing, signs, specialty pieces, and much more. It truly feels as though one is stepping into the depths of a scarlet and gray rapture, complete with Brutus Buckeye bliss in the corner. After the psycho-spiritual Buckeye Room, the experience continues into the main room, where blouses, bags, t-shirts and plenty of jewelry can be found. Then, the room next door holds lots of dorm essentials like lamps and picture frames. The prices are very reasonable at Buckeye Bargains, and its convenience is a large part of its allure. Stop by on a Wednesday while walking back from High Street or class, and take a look and some of the inventory to help support the cause.

“

This fund seeks to provide scholarships for future female Buckeyes.

“w”

Futuristic Foo

SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY

story sachi sanghavi design & photo kirthana vasanth

obots haven’t taken over the world yet, but they are taking over campus food services. Starting in Autumn 2021, The Ohio State University has been testing a new method of food delivery: autonomous robots. They’re not the first to do so, though; over the past few years, other campuses, most notably Bowling Green State University, have successfully implemented this idea. At Ohio State, the eighty-eight-pound robots roam around campus, with their dominion limited to Lane Avenue, High Street, 9th Avenue, and Cannon Drive. They use four different technologies to navigate and sense their surroundings, two of which are radar and lidar. This combination of sensory technology allows the robots to operate wherever students can walk and withstand Ohio’s constantly changing weather. When students order food through the GrubHub app, they will see a notification saying “order delivery and a Rover might show up with your food.” If they order from Curl Market, 12th Avenue Bread Company, Mirror Lake Eatery, or Scott Connecting Grounds. Rover delivery is available for all residence halls, the Union, and Thompson Library. Upon arrival, there is a designated location for the rovers to stop, where they remain until the student arrives to retrieve the food. To open the rover and access the delivery, every customer is given a unique code, so there is no fear of their meal reaching the wrong hands.

According to Dave Isaacs, the communications and media relations manager for dining services at Ohio State’s Office of Student Life, the program has been a widespread success so far. Isaacs listed two main benefits of the bots: faster delivery times and lower delivery costs. Using a GrubHub food robot will cut a student’s delivery fee to only $2.50 per delivery, which is much cheaper than an actual human. The robots also require no tip because, well, they’re robots—they work for free. Additionally, other benefits listed by Isaacs include the ability to track the robots through the GrubHub app and contactless delivery, which is an important concern during the pandemic. While the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed other universities to utilize food delivery robots, Ohio State has been ahead of the game. “We’ve been considering the idea for around 5 years due to convenience and cost,” says Isaacs. The university has been looking for a suitable partner, and the GrubHub/Yandex combination has proved to be Mr. Right due to their possession of the right technology as well as Ohio State’s previous relationship with GrubHub from the university’s transition to mobile ordering. Currently, there are 50 rovers on campus, which average several hundred deliveries per day. The number of deliveries is projected to increase, though, once the program gets off its feet. For now, 50 rovers is a cautious purchase; eventually, the goal is to increase their number to 100 after learning more about the program’s usage and scale. FISHER INK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

Isaacs stressed the importance of expansion based on need and demand, both of which will require further observation and will take “months rather than weeks.” According to students, the overwhelming consensus is that the robots are “cute” and are viewed as pet-like, personified with traits such as being “huggable” or “sleepy” when they are charging in a facility on North Campus. Based on this response, it seems like the food robot program is a welcome prospect at Ohio State, and students are curious to see how it will develop in the future. Isaacs is optimistic about the program’s future, which so far has been “off to a really good start.”

od Delivery The food robots become a premier delivery service on campus

Pictured is a food robot on its way to deliver food in front of Ohio State’s North Campus dorms. These robots are hard at work even at night in order to ensure that our students get food. contact us at fisherinkmag@gmail.com or visit us at go.osu.edu/fisherink

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

One Year Later, Fall 2 02 1 Update Adjusting back to the in-person college experience story catherine shong design meghan steele

or many second years at The Ohio State University, it’s been a year of firsts.With starting in-person classes, extracurriculars and social events, second years finally have a typical college experience. Sabriya Zaman, a sophomore majoring in Business Economics, is one of many students that has experienced the transition from online college to on-campus learning. “It’s just so different because most of my classes are in person now … It’s so hard. You have to account for walking, mealtime, finding a place to study and having a roommate,” says Zaman. After all, Zaman spent her entire first year of college online. It all took place from her house in Solon, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. “There wasn’t much opportunity for me to make friends, go to my classes, go to club meetings and meet people,” says Zaman, “They [were] mostly on Zoom, so it felt a bit impersonal.” The disconnect of online classes was tough to manage for Zaman’s first year. She faced multiple challenges navigating through college during a global pandemic. “Sometimes I got FOMO [from] social activities on campus. In terms of getting rec letters, getting close to teachers and going to their office hours, there’s something more special about going to in-person office hours rather than Zoom,” says Zaman. “Online office hours were my least favorite thing because I wanted to get to know my professors, but I didn’t want to go sit in another Zoom meeting.”

Although Zaman had no options to attend in-person events, she still found a way to engage with college activities. “[Entering extracurriculars] was hard at first because I couldn’t meet with any of them in person. But I think joining the clubs really helped. It helped me become, and feel, less isolated.” Needless to say, Zaman’s sophomore year looked a lot different. With her second year came in-person meetings, but also new hardships hards hips from living on campus for the first time.

“It’s just so different because most of my classes are in person now. You have to account for walking, mealtime and finding a place to study.” “My first week was really bad because I was homesick [and] overwhelmed. At that point, I had spent an entire year that felt like an extension of high school: My senior year ended, and then I just did it online, and then my freshman year of college started,” says Zaman. “It’s just so different because most of my classes are in person now.” However, the early struggles Zaman faced have become easier to manage further into the semester. But while she is finally figuring out how to navigate campus, navigating her social life was more complicated than she anticipated.

FISHER INK MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2021

“From movies, we have certain expectations of college,” Zaman says. “I thought, ‘Oh I’ll just go to my dorm and make a bunch of friends.’ But it’s not necessarily like that unless you’re a super social person. I think the pandemic made me a bit more introverted, so at first, I was reluctant to socialize with people, but now I’m realizing, [that] you got to put yourself out there.” When coming to campus, Zaman was able to get involved with the communities of Ohio State. In her freshman year, she joined the Muslim Student Association online. “I met so many amazing people in that club,” Zaman says. When I came to campus [the Muslim Student Association] kept that same energy … It felt like we knew each other for much longer, so it was nice having them already when I came to campus.” Zaman is currently taking a couple of fundamental business core classes. All Fisher College of Business students take them, which means that she has several overlapping classes with classmates. Last year, “people were just names on a screen. But now, some of them are in my class[es],” says Zaman. “I’m finally putting a face to a name instead of it being a tiny box on my screen.” The hardships Zaman dealt with this year were difficult without any help, especially considering that she was dealing with the repercussions of a global pandemic: an online first year. “I think Ohio State should have helped the freshmen, like the freshmen of 2020, adjust more to sophomore year,” says Zaman. “I just wish Ohio State had helped the new sophomores acclimate and treat[ed] them more like freshmen.” At this point in the semester, many of Ohio State’s second-year students have gotten the chance to get face-to-face interactions. Although there was a bit of a learning curve, time has allowed Zaman to get the hang of life as a college student. “I think so many changes at once for me was super overwhelming,” says Zaman. “But now I’m getting used to [this semester] and now I like it.”

2021 EBOARD design lauren marshall photo jessie lee

Charlotte Geary, President

Megan Kozinski, VP of Design

Grant Powelson, VP of Writing

Andrea Hefferan, VP of Writing

Jessie Lee, VP of Photography and Promotions

Sean Finerty, Treasurer

Andrew Shehata, VP of Podcast

Lauren Marshall, VP of Productions

Kriti Chawla, VP of Operations