The Colgate Maroon-News The Oldest College Weekly in America
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Population Concerns in Green ’Gate. A-2
Founded 1868
Riding the Allergy Struggle Bus. B-1
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Andy Rooney ’42 Dies at Age 92 By Nate Lynch News Editor
Andy Rooney, known nationwide for his 60 Minutes segment “A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney” in which he commented on topics as diverse as war, popular culture and the frustrations of prescription pill bottles, passed away on Friday, November 4 following complications from a recent surgery. Arguably Colgate’s most famous alumnus, Rooney was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and attended Colgate until 1941 when he was drafted into the Army. He began his career in journalism during World War II, reporting on bombing raids and concentration camps for the GI newspaper Stars and Stripes. After the war, Rooney joined CBS and wrote essays and network specials until he was offered his own segment on 60 Minutes. On his weekly segment, Rooney took slices of American life and alternatively dissected, criticized, satirized and praised them. His informal format and conversational tone drew comparisons with Will Rogers and Mark Twain, and he became beloved by American
‘GATE LEGEND: Andy Rooney recently passed away at 92. mediabistro.org
viewers for his down-to-earth, no-nonsense style. “If there’s one thing about Andy Rooney, it’s that he’s an American original – there’s never been anyone one on television like Andy Rooney and there never will be,” CBS News Chairman and Executive Producer of 60 Minutes Jeff Fager ’77 said. Rooney’s frank assessments occasionally ran him into trouble. In a number of productions, Rooney’s observations prompted critical reactions from viewers and organizations. But he always tried to
accurately describe the situation as he saw it, and pulled few punches. “Young people liked him because he challenged authority and I think that was when he was at his best. He was someone who spoke his mind – even on national television…I remember once I introduced him to the Chief Financial Officer at CBS and he wasn’t the least bit afraid to say ‘well, nobody’s perfect.’ That’s what’s refreshing about him,” Fager said about Rooney’s distaste for evasiveness. Rooney had a strong connection to Colgate, and made many visits to campus over the years. Recently, hundreds of Colgate alumni put together an event in New York City to commemorate Rooney’s legacy in television and media with a “roast” conducted by fellow Colgate alumni with important positions in the media. “Colgate meant the world to him,” Fager said. “He went to the reunions; he liked to blend in.” President Herbst released a statement lauding Rooney for his achievements and offering his condolences to the Rooney family. Continued on page A-2
Volume CXLIV, Number 10
El Grito de Poetas Performs at Colgate. C-1
November 10, 2011
Volleyball Revs Up for PL Tournament. D-5
Students, Faculty Celebrate Diwali
THE NIGHT OF LIGHTS: Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, was celebrated in the Hall of Presidents last Friday. Simone Schenkel
By Morgan Giordano Maroon-News Staff
On Saturday, November 5, students and faculty of all ethnicities, beliefs and religions went to the Hall of Presidents (HOP) to celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali (or Deepavali). The celebration was organized by the Hindu Student Association (HSA) and catered by Hamilton’s very own Royal India Grill. Guests were treated to a delicious cultural experience. The turnout for the celebration was enormous. Among the guests were President Jeffrey Herbst, Interim Vice President
and Dean of the College Scott Brown and Associate Professor of History and Africana & Latin American Studies (ALST), Director of ALST and Coordinator of Latin American Studies Professor Antonio Barrera. Although seating became limited, students did not let that keep them from celebrating, and sat in the windowsills to take part in the event. While guests were enjoying an appetizer at their tables, a brief PowerPoint presentation by representatives from the HSA was given to explain the significance of Diwali and how it is celebrated in India and other parts of Asia. Continued on page A-3
Monks Bless Colgate Author Kempe Discusses Book on the Berlin Crisis of 1961 By Maddie Tennis Maroon-News Staff
On Tuesday, November 8, students and faculty gathered in the Robert H.N. Ho Lecture Room in Lawrence to witness Sri Lankan Monks perform a Pirith Ceremony: a chant extending protection and blessings. Four monks traveled from the New York Buddhist Vihara to perform this ceremony. The ceremony started with a yellow string circling the audience with the four Monks dressed in orange robes sitting at a table in the front facing the rest of the room. Once everyone sat down and had satisfied themselves with the appetizers offered, the Monks began to chant the Maha-mangala Sutta. After they chanted it once, they encouraged the rest of the audience to participate and taught the rest of the room the chant. The monks proceeded to chant the Five Precepts, and again the audience followed along but in English. Once the room fell silent, the monks began a chant offering Colgate University protection. The chant also encouraged the audience to be virtuous and to refrain from wishing others to suffer. Once the chant ended, the attendees were asked to focus on
By Stephanie Jenks News Editor
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loved ones in need of help or of a spiritual being. “This part of the ceremony was my favorite because the sincerity of the monks and the silence in the room really moved me, especially knowing that everyone was focusing on a person they are concerned for and truly care about,” sophomore Liz Penberthy said. After a few moments of silence, a monk circulated the room, dipping a leaf into a pot of water and flicking it at each person. Finally, the ceremony was concluded with each person getting a bracelet tied around his right wrist, known as the “stitching of the century,” to bring well-being. Contact Maddie Tennis at mtennis@colgate
On Thursday, November 3, Colgate welcomed author and former Wall Street Journal editor Frederick Kempe, who came to host a discussion in the Persson Auditorium regarding his latest book Berlin 1961: Kennedy, Krushchev, and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth. Currently, Kempe is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlantic Council, a foreign policy think tank. In his recently published book, Kempe focuses on how the Berlin crisis of 1961 proved to be a pivotal time in history. Kempe explores whether the construction of the Berlin Wall could have been avoided. With a large crowd in attendance, Colgate alumnus Scott C. Williams ’80, who helped make Kempe’s visit possible, introduced his long-time friend. Once Kempe took the stage, he humored the audience with a few jokes before he got into the
discussion of his book. Kempe began by explaining the reasons behind writing his historical narrative. He noted that he wanted to preserve the importance of Cold War history. As a child, student and chronicler of the Cold War, Kempe wants others to understand the importance of this crucial event in history, a time that he personally refers to as World War III. “The war caused the end of the Soviet Union – the end of an entire country, the end of Communism, and it set the stage for everything we’re going through now,” Kempe said. The Cold War remains a highly personal matter for Kempe, considering both of his parents were born in East Germany and parts of his family continued to live there during the war. Kempe visited his family in Germany during his college years and he recounted how the trip was a powerful experience at such a young age. The discussion then focused on Kempe’s life as a journalist, which
he explained is the source of his love for a great story. Kempe argued that the Berlin Crisis tells one of the greatest stories in history, with Kennedy and Kruschev playing the roles of unique characters that help create a great narrative. “Hollywood scriptwriters could not have given [us] more interesting characters,” Kempe said. Kempe later turned his attention to his idea of the most important and most controversial issue of the Berlin Crisis: the inauguration and Presidency of John F. Kennedy. In Kempe’s perspective, the Berlin Wall could have been avoidable, yet Kennedy failed and let the construction occur. Kempe even titled a chapter of his book “Kennedy’s First Mistake.” “There’s nothing more dangerous than a young, inexperienced president holding the most important job in the world,” Kempe said. The large audience comprised of students and faculty in Persson Auditorium enjoyed the book discussion overall. Continued on page A-2