Vol. 113, Issue 11 • February 14, 2019
Every day is a reward
See Inside PAGE 3
‘Delizioso’ changes affecting SPIN! Pizza PAGE 8
Cuba trip benefits students at home
TRIO mentor working beyond her title Erin Wides Features Editor
Lacey Hites has been the assistant director of TRIO since the beginning of the semester. Prior to this role, she was the first person that director Chris Beggs hired in 2015 as a TRIO advisor. Hites acts as an academic advisor, life coach, counselor, mentor and just about any form of support students and co-workers need. She comes from a background that makes it easy for her to empathize with the students she works with.
“When I got my psychology degree my mom was beaming. She was so proud and she said, ‘That’s so wonderful, can you be a massage therapist now?’” Hites said. “That just epitomizes first generation students.” Her mom knew she was working hard but didn’t realize everything it took for her to get that degree. “The insomnia, the anxiety, the stress, the constant friction I was feeling between wanting to lean on my family for support in this huge undertaking. These years of my life I’ve invested into something that I really have no idea what it’s going to provide me, and then at the end of it she’s like, ‘Great.’”
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Jennies basketball unphased by recent streak-snapping loss
2 NEWS
Feb. 14–27
New Missouri law creates additional requirement to graduate Change only affects students enrolling for the first time in fall
Jason Brown Managing Editor
Incoming college students in Missouri this fall will have to check a new box in order to graduate with an associate or bachelor’s degree. Gov. Mike Parsons signed a bill in August 2018 that requires any student enrolling at a state college or university for the first time to pass an American civics exam with a score of 70 percent or better. The exam includes subject matter similar to a citizenship test administered to immigrants seeking permanent residence in the U.S. The new law sets loose parameters by which the exam can be developed, including the range of questions allowed and gives the state’s institutions the ability to collaborate with each other to create a similar test. Greg Streich, chair of the School of Social Science and Language, said interim Provost and Chief Learning Officer Mike Godard asked him to start laying out how the university would comply with the new state law. Streich said conversations between UCM administrators and other universities has led to a plan that includes Truman State University and Missouri State University coming together with UCM to create a common approach to administering the exam. “That’s where the Missouri Department of Higher Education could have adopted a common standard for all institutions in Missouri,” Streich said. “I don’t know exactly how many institutions there are, but theoretically we could have that many approaches.” The test is still in the early stages of development. Streich said he is working on the content side and said there will be resources to help students prepare. “There’s going to be study materials on Blackboard that students can use as well as
a link to other materials,” he said. The requirements of the new law state that the test must range between 50-100 questions. The plan being followed by UCM will stick to the minimum 50. “We’re developing a test bank of 150200 questions,” Streich said. “Provost Godard’s goal is to have a 50-question test worth two points each, so you’ll have to get 35 or more correct to pass.” Streich said UCM’s approach is aimed at making the test feel like less of a chore to students. “If there is a way to do this that is not intrusive or burdensome to students, then let’s figure out how to do it,” Streich said. The UCM Faculty Senate approved a motion by a vote of 11-2 in support of the new graduation requirement. Dissenting opinion from that vote centered on how the requirement might make UCM and other Missouri institutions less attractive to incoming students. “When you implement a test like that, a certain portion of the population is going to have trouble with it,” said Faculty Senate President Steve Price. “We have it with the GEA right now. Some people have struggled with it. Some of the classes end up teaching toward the test. Some of the international population we like to attract may be dissuaded from coming here because of these tests.” Streich said the creation of this test was likely born from the idea that citizens should be informed about how government functions and the importance of casting an informed vote. “With citizenship in the United States, often the first thing you think about is voting,” he said. “What you think about with voting is if we’re casting an informed vote. There’s an argument that at the very least, people who cast a vote should be able to
Photo by Jason Brown/Managing Editor Gregory Streich, department chair of the School of Social Sciences and Language is working closely with colleagues from UCM and other universities to create a civics exam to comply with the new law. pass the same type of civics exam that naturalized citizens take in order to become citizens.” Streich said a challenge is getting students to look at the exam as something more than a tedious requirement on their degree audit. “As a political scientist, I would love it
if we didn’t have to reduce it to an online test,” he said. “I don’t want students to look at it like it’s just one more box you have to check in order to graduate. I wish it could be part of a larger idea that at a university, you’re here to get a degree that will help you get a job. You’re also here to become a contributing citizen in our society.”
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NEWS 3
The Muleskinner
‘Delizioso’ changes affecting SPIN! Pizza Garrett Fuller Senior Writer
SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza has been undergoing transition - changing their menu and even their name. In addition to dropping the “Neapolitan” from their name, SPIN! Pizza has overhauled its menu by changing item names and adding new items. The pizzeria also started offering larger sizes and changed its wine program. The largest transition for the restaurant is converting their old, hard-to-pronounce Italian menu item names to easier English substitutes. For instance, instead of ordering a “formaggi semplice,” you can simply order a cheese pizza. SPIN! has also added some new menu items to complement their older items. The Double Pepperoni pizza features the restaurant’s new zesty red sauce, which is a mixture of their white and red sauces.
Additions to the menu also include two new sandwiches, which replace the sandwiches on the old menu. A new salad was also introduced. The wine program was also overhauled, with the introduction of the “Bring Your Own Vino” program. “We’re serving (wine) by the glass and the carafe,” said Sara Carhart, area director for SPIN! Pizza. “So we’ve kind of taken the bottles out of the restaurant.” Carhart said the BYOV program will allow customers to bring their own bottles of wine to the restaurant for a $5 corking fee. SPIN! is also offering larger sizes, with a 14-inch pizza and larger gelato offerings for parties and catering. SPIN! is located at The Crossing - South at Holden and is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More information, including their updated menu, is available at their website at www.spinpizza.com.
UCM leads Missouri universities in degree completion Madison Preston For the Muleskinner
Following a year of uneasiness and uncertainty centered around budget cuts and the restructuring, UCM’s 2013 Contract for Completion appears to be doing its job. The Missouri Department of Higher Education recently released its Performance Measure Results for fiscal years 20152017, showing that UCM leads the state in degree completions per full-time equivalent student. This is one of three priority measures for the Department of Higher Education and helps determine state funding for universities. Mike Godard, interim provost and chief learning officer, said the state provides more credit for degrees that are in the STEM or health related areas. “So, you get 50 percent more credit for
graduating students in those areas, and then the other area that’s weighted is the students that are Pell eligible, as well,” he said. “So, when you weight those two out, the University of Central Missouri was the highest completions per FTE for public universities across the state. And so that’s kind of what that means, is how good of a job are we doing making sure our students cross the finish line and graduate.” UCM saw a 7.6 percent increase in degree completions from fiscal years 20142016 to fiscal years 2015-2017, increasing from 42.9 to 50.5 percent with a state benchmark of 25 percent. UCM has its eyes set on a number even higher. “This means that we aren’t satisfied, even though the next closest institution to us is the University of Missouri System at 40.4 percent,” Godard said. “We need to continue building on our strengths and
making sure that we look at that pathway for success for our students and ensure that we take down as many barriers as we possibly can to ensure that even more students complete their degree, preferably within four years.” The Contract for Completion, better known as the Fifteen to Finish initiative, was created to help students graduate on time. “We’ve been very intentional on making sure that students stay on that path and that they’re taking those right 15 credit hours, and they’re meeting with their success adviser every semester, or at least encouraging students to do that,” Godard said. The university also received a $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education last fall to enhance student success initiatives across campus. “It’s a five-year grant to allow us to do an even better job of what we’re doing right
“We’ve been very intentional on making sure that students stay on that path and that they’re taking those right 15 credit hours, and they’re meeting with their success adviser every semester...”
-Mike Godard
now,” Godard said. “A lot of that is embedding even more peer coaching or mentoring into the Success Advising Center and other areas across campus, enhancing our tutoring services to ensure that those support services are there for our students. So, we want to continue to build on those, but certainly the redesigning of the student success continuum is key for us as move through the rest of this year and into the future years, as well.”
4 NEWS
Feb. 14–27
Unity Week features a variety of events Anaiyeh Smith
Social Media Coordinator The Office of Student Activities and The Spotlight is hosting its annual Unity Week from Feb. 18-21. Unity Week is designed to create awareness of social justice topics and unite the campus as well as celebrate the diversity in our UCM community through a week of events, according to a Student Activites news release. The week starts with Tunnel of Oppression on Monday and Tuesday. The tunnel will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days and starts in Union 234. Tunnel of Oppression is an interactive experience. Participants walk through different rooms designed to display oppression of marginalized groups. The topics this year includes racism, privilege, mental health, LGBTQ+, body image and domestic violence. The next event is Unity Pole on Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Union
Atrium. Unity Pole is designed to raise consciousness about the labels we give ourselves and others and explores how those labels support and limit building interconnected, interesting communities, according to a news release. The project consists of posts, each with identifiers such as, “I’m a parent,” “I speak English as a second language,” and “I identify as LGBTQ.” Participants tie colorful yarn to posts that reflect their identities. Their yarn intertwines with others to create a web of interconnectedness. In the end, we see that we are all connected by something, and it’s our diversity that builds a strong and vibrant community. The Unity Pole will be on display until 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21. There will be a spoken word artist Wednesday evening. Ashlee Haze performs at 7 p.m. in Union 237B. Haze is a two-time Women of the World Poetry Slam finalist and Southeast Regional Slam Champion. The last day of Unity Week will feature
‘August: Osage County’ comes to UCM Garrett Fuller Senior Writer
A tale of Midwestern family drama, the award-winning play “August: Osage County” is coming to the James L. Highlander Theatre Wednesday through Feb. 24. The play marks the directorial debut of theater and dance instructor Aaron Scully, according to a news release. “It is one of my favorite plays,” Scully said in the news release. “It is so well-written that it has been incredibly exciting to delve deep into the text and bring this funny, emotional and gut-wrenching masterpiece to life.” The play tells the tale of a Midwestern family filled with drama after the family reunites following the disappearance of the father. Violet Weston, portrayed by theatre and dance professor Julie Rae Mollen-
kamp, is the pill-popping matriarch of the family, according to the news release. “All of us possess good and bad inside, but Violet follows her worst instincts,” Mollenkamp said in the news release. “It’s terrible and frightening to admit, but it’s exhilarating to explore that dark side.” Tracy Letts’ “August: Osage County” received the Pulitzer Prize in 2008, according to the news release. The play was converted into a film in 2013, with Meryl Streep portraying the coveted role of Violet. Tickets for the play can be purchased from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Highlander Theatre Box Office and online at ucmo.edu/theatretickets or by calling 660543-8811. Tickets are $7 for students, $12 for faculty and staff and $15 for the general public. The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Feb. 23 and 2 p.m. Feb. 24.
Video by Erin Wides / Features Editor Native American Culture Appreciation on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Union Atrium. For this event, participants will create a dreamcatcher and learn about its Native American origin. Unity Week concludes with an American Democracy Speaker. Darryl Howard
will speak at 7 p.m. in the Morris Building, Room 200. Howard will share his work with the Innocence Project and how he was wrongly convicted and exonerated. For more information, contact Haydee Reyes at reyes-alvarado@ucmo.edu.
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NEWS 5
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UCM names new leader for the Foundation Kaitlin Brothers News Editor
The university chose one of its own to lead the UCM Alumni Foundation. Courtney Goddard was named vice president for advancement and external engagement, executive director of the Foundation. Her appointment is effective March 1. She previously served as associate vice president of advancement and director of Advancement Services at UCM. Before coming to UCM, Goddard worked as the vice president and general counsel at Park University for 11 years. “I’m a lawyer by training and profession,” Goddard said. “I was inside the practice at a large law firm in Kansas City and represented lots of colleges and universities at one point. In fact, UCM was one of them.” She said after she left Park University in June, she started at UCM in July 2018. “This kind of came to be because my law firm used to represent UCM and did a lot of work for Dr. Ambrose,” she said of UCM’s previous president. “And he contacted me in the spring of 2018 and just said that he thought I would be a good person to head up the Foundation at UCM.” Goddard said she is prepared for this transition because she has been fundraising throughout her career and has engaged in philanthropy in Kansas City, Missouri. “I chaired the Kemper Museum Gala, several events for the Hope House domestic violence shelter, several events for the Kansas City Repertory Theatre and St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School,” she said. “I sit on the St. Paul’s School Board and The Kansas City Rep Board. I have been a part of raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for these organizations and believe strongly in philanthropic giving.” She said as vice president of external engagement, she will be connecting with companies and people from all over. “Basically, that just means I will be doing everything I can to get UCM’s brand and their story in front of external people,”
Photo courtesy of Courtney Goddard Courtney Goddard and Houston Astros infielder and MLB All Star Alex Bregman pose for a photo at the 2019 First Pitch Banquet in the Elliott Student Union Ballroom. she said. She said there are a variety of ways to engage externally. “That really entails everything from being involved with Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, to sitting on different boards in Kansas City, to doing everything I can to get partnerships between UCM and different companies, businesses, look for opportunities to get more external parties on our campus,” she said. “I’ve been looking for a lot of ways to bring people through the Lee’s Summit campus.” President Roger Best said the person in this role is the university’s chief fundraiser. “We’ve added the external engagement to that because, particularly with Courtney, the connections she’s developed over her career in Kansas City are connections we want to ensure we have with the university as a whole,” he said. “So, we expect her to also facilitate engagement with civic organizations, (and) corporate partners. That’s the external engagement.”
Best said Goddard was the right person for this job for many reasons. “I was able to see her ability to engage and interact with the external constituencies,” he said. “I recognized she was very well respected in the Kansas City area and that her approach to helping the university make connections was the exact bridge we needed as an institution.” Bill Estes, interim vice president for university advancement, said he has been working with Goddard for eight months. “She is energetic, very knowledgeable,” he said. “She understands university administration. She meets people well. She understands the value of reaching out to alumni and raising funds.” Estes said her background will help her with this position since she has made good connections. “She has a lot of experience, different kinds of experience with fundraising,” he said. “She’s very well connected in Kansas City, and I think that will be beneficial to
UCM in the long run.” He said one plan for Goddard will be to create a new culture of philanthropy at UCM. “People will come to see the value of this university,” he said. “We’ll see a lot more alumni giving and we’ll see a lot more large gifts.” Goddard said she has big plans for her future in higher education. “Someday I’d love to be a university president to have an even greater ability to transform the lives of students,” Goddard said. Best said Goddard would make a good university president. “She brings a very strong commitment to student success and higher education in general and that’s first and foremost necessary to make a good university president,” he said. “Any number of people can be university president, but at the end of the day we serve students.”
6 FEATURES
Feb. 14–27
UCM Concert Choir to perform in China during summer Erin Wides Features Editor
A 21 ½-hour flight. That’s how long it will take for some of UCM’s Concert Choir members to make it to Xi’an (she-an), a city in central China, this summer. An invitation to perform at the 2019 Xi’an International Choral Festival, July 16-26, came to UCM’s music department after Thanksgiving. “One of their senior officials sent us the invitation,” said Adam Zrust, director of choral activities. Zrust says he’s not sure how they heard of UCM — maybe a reference. “It’s pretty reassuring to know that he (Zrust) is doing quite a lot right with his choral program for news of our chorus to travel all the way to China without us even knowing,” said Tristan Jordan, junior studying sport communication. Not many universities from the U.S. will be in attendance. “To my knowledge, we’re one of only three American choirs to be invited,” Zrust said. Zrust told students about the opportunity before they let out for winter break. While no numbers are set in stone, Zrust anticipates 30 students will be going on the trip. Michelle Forge-Jackson, vocal music education major, said she can’t wait to go. “I was immediately very excited to get to have this experience with so many amazing classmates,” she said. “Additionally, I was very excited to get to see other choirs from around the world.” Choir members were excited about the trip but the cost may limit who could go. “Being a college student getting ready to student teach, I knew that finances played a big role in my decision,” Forge-Jackson said. “It took around a month for me to come to terms with myself that I wanted to pay the money to get the chance of a lifetime.” During their time in China the group will have a few primary jobs. “Our responsibilities while we are there
Photo by Jason Brown / Managing Editor Adam Zrust, director of choral activities, is preparing to take an estimated 30 students to Xi’an (shean), China to perform in the 2019 Xi’an International Choral Festival July 16-26. UCM is one of only three American choirs to be invited to this year’s event. is to be part of the opening and closing ceremonies, and we’ll provide music for that. As well as, I believe, two 50-minute concerts, which is probably the biggest portion of what we’ll be doing,” Zrust said. “We’ll also do a couple of workshops with Chinese choral directors.” Zrust said the choir will be learning 1215 new pieces, which adds up to about 25 hours of additional rehearsals. “Our schedule this semester is pretty packed with other stuff so we don’t have a whole lot of time,” Zrust said. The group will do a few rehearsals this semester and meet more regularly in the summer. “It’ll probably be mostly American music and our different representative genres.
I haven’t finished programming yet,” Zrust said. “Maybe a couple jazz tunes. We’ll probably do some spirituals, some contemporary American composers that are currently living.” Zrust’s intention is to focus primarily on fun, upbeat music because he said that’s ultimately what they want to hear. When the students aren’t performing or in workshops they will be touring. Part of their tour takes them through Beijing. While both Jordan and Forge Jackson have toured with previous choirs, neither have performed overseas. “I am looking forward to being immersed in another culture and trying new things whether it be the food, different excursions, or something I’m not at all ex-
pecting,” Jordan said. “I am just pumped for the unexpected.” The feeling seems mutual between Zrust and the students. “Being picked to perform at this conference is a wonderful opportunity and is going to be something our choir can remember for a long time,” Forge-Jackson said. This trip has the ability to challenge the students as artists and help them grow as individuals. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for the students to experience a new culture and it’s an incredible honor to be invited to perform at an international choral festival,” Zrust said. “I know that our students are going to represent the university and UCM music very well.”
FEATURES 7
The Muleskinner
Polish professor lectures at UCM through professor exchange Jason Brown Managing Editor
The Erasmus + program is a study abroad initiative created by the European Union to allow students to study in foreign countries. Originally, the program only allowed students to travel to countries within Europe but now gives them the ability to visit countries like the U.S. That is how Marzanna Pogorzelska, assistant professor at Opole University in Opole, Poland was able to make her second visit to UCM over the past week and give guest lectures to the social work program. Pogorzelska’s work centers on human rights and social justice as well as tying together how oppression is felt across the world in different cultures. She also teaches English to students of varying competency levels. Jason Brown: What brings you to UCM? Marzanna Pogorzelska: I am here because of the Erasmus + program. That is the European program that makes it possible to exchange faculty and students between universities. I’m here to have some lectures and next month, Dr. (Marlys) Peck will come to my university to teach. I am always met with great responsiveness and reception. American students are so curious in asking questions and compare also what I say about Poland with what they have here. JB: How is teaching English as a foreign language different? MP: In Poland, English started to be taught commonly in 1989 after the fall of communism. Before, the language was Russian. English was always something people wanted to learn, but they didn’t have many opportunities. So, after the fall of communism, when English appeared, I think it was great to teach it because everyone had motivation. People wanted to
learn because they knew they could use it, that they, at last, could travel because that was difficult during communism. They perceived English as something they needed. So, I think it was different in a way that the student’s motivation was higher to learn English when you compare with other, non-communist countries. JB: How many times have you visited the States? MP: I’ve been quite a lot of times. I think it’s the fifth or sixth time. I have a connection with the Lowell Milken Center in Fort Scott, Kansas. That is the educational center that has very strong links with Poland because they do projects on Unsung Heroes — the people who did something important and are not recognized. They started the project on a Polish woman, Irena Sendler, who rescued Jewish people during the second World War in Warsaw. They brought this project performance to Poland, so we found out a lot about our hero from American students and their teacher. Now, they are doing projects on Unsung Heroes from different paths of life. I also visited Kansas State University for lectures as well as in Warrensburg. JB: Are your lectures here through the social work program? MP: My lectures are for the social work program, but they have different courses here. I try to adjust the course to their needs. For example, I speak about social issues and justice in Poland. How we understand it and what is challenging about it. I also teach about how we deal with difficult facts from history. It is so fascinating that Poland might seem far, but students find so many similarities and differences. They compare things and when they do that they realize that they understand their own country better when they see another country. It’s really interesting.
Photo by Jason Brown/Managing Editor From left, Marlys Peck, social work program director, and Marzanna Pogorzelska, guest professor from Opole University in Opole, Poland, are working together as part of the Erasmus + program. Pogorzelska spent the last week holding lectures with social work students. Peck will travel to Opole to teach later this month. JB: What kind of social justice do you research? MP: I do research on educational materials and how they present minorities. I also cooperate with a lot of organizations related to human rights and social justice, so I do projects with them. For example, it means working with students, doing performances related to social justice, doing exhibitions, debates and discussions with students. It’s not only academic work, but also related to activism, but I do it with students at universities. JB: What was your inspiration for working in social justice? MP: I think it all started when I was working in high school. It was a student
who was gay, and I was the first person that he came out to. I just didn’t realize what hell he had experienced and what hell these boys and girls experienced. He opened my eyes. So I thought that there is a big part of life that I didn’t realize that I wanted to do something about. If you look at different minorities — national, ethnic and religious — the oppression is the oppression. The mechanism is the same. JB: What was your inspiration to start teaching? MP: It came with English because I was going to school during communism. I had very little English during school, maybe two hours a week. It was fewer than I wanted but that’s how it was, we were supposed to learn Russian. Guest professor, continued on page 13
8 NEWS
Feb. 14–27
Cuba trip benefits students at home
Photos courtesy of Brian Compton The Cubanisms bow at the end of their performance on Jan. 19 at the Fabrica De Arte Cubano. From left James Isaac, Bruno Bessa, Forest Stewart, Miko Spears, Robert Beasley, John Curry and Michael McClintock.
Kaitlin Brothers News Editor
UCM jazz instructor James Isaac recently took his saxophone talent to a different country by performing with the Kansas City band Cubanisms at The Jazz Plaza International Festival in Havana, Cuba. “It was fantastic,” Isaac said. “(It was) definitely well-received. We will probably be back there next year.” The band was in Cuba Jan.15-22 and performed two jazz shows. Isaac said he brought this experience back to the classroom to share with his UCM students. “It’s definitely something that I discuss with my saxophone students and encourage them to explore opportunities and to travel, because travel is very important to understanding the world,” he said. “The way that music in the United States has traditionally worked is we draw from all of these influences from all around the world, and I think it’s very important to have exposure to the authentic forms of music and other countries and cities and really under-
stand where they come from and what it’s really intended to sound like.” Isaac said the festival not only features jazz but other varieties of musical performances. “It is labeled as a jazz festival, but it actually features all different kinds of music,” he said. “Some of it very definitely jazz, but we actually heard a couple of American groups that were almost more pop or R&B.” Before Isaac was a member of the Cubanisms, he had previously performed with several members of the group and was made an official member in April when a member had departed. The Cubanisms are a jazz band based in Kansas City and have been around since 2015. They were nominated by the Pitch newspaper in 2018 for “Best Local Band;” Micheal McClintock, director and founder of the Cubanisms, received a “Best Musician” nomination; and their vocalist, Fedra Cooper, received a nomination for “Best Vocalist.” McClintock founded the Cubanisms, and graduated with a degree in classical guitar
performance from UMKC with post studies in flamenco, jazz and Brazilian styles. Since 2013, he has been visiting Cuba to study their music and the Cuban Tres, the only native guitar of the island. He said he met his wife, Dálida McClintock, in Cuba and they moved to Kansas City together and started the band. “That’s how Cubanisms was born, as a Cuban cultural project, with the band performing different styles of Cuban music and directed by myself with the Cuban Tres; the project also includes organization of trips to Cuba to get deeply involved with Cuban culture, traditions and support Cubans and their private businesses,” McClintock said. “Dali organizes the trips to Cuba and helps with all the promotion and management of the band, and I’m in charge of the musical direction of the band.” Isaac said McClintock used his connections to book the tour. He said Dálida was the main reason they were able to perform at the festival. “While he was researching that instrument, he met his future wife in Cuba and she had been largely instrumental in mak-
ing all of this happen,” Isaac said. McClintock said the group released their debut album in 2017, “Acento Cubano,” or “Cuban Accent.” In January of 2018 while promoting the album in Cuba, he was invited to perform at the festival with the Cuban Tres instrument to accompany other big musicians. McClintock said his use of the Cuban Tres has drawn interest from other musicians. “The Cuban Tres is basically used to accompany traditional Cuban music,” he said. “The Cubans have found (it) very interesting that I’m performing the instrument in other many styles like jazz, flamenco, Brazilian and mixing it in with Afro-Cuban rhythms.” McClintock said the performance was a new experience for the group. “It was the first international performance for Cubanisms, and the first time for the band to be in Cuba,” he said. “Being invited to perform in one of the most important music festivals on the island was an honor.” Isaac said experiencing Cuba was an
NEWS 9
The Muleskinner
Micheal McClintock performs with his Cuban Tres during the festival. The Cubanisms perform at The Jazz Plaza International Festival in Havana, Cuba.
“We want that when people listen to our music, they can immediately identify us. I personally love the Cuban rhythms and love the fusion between them, and with other styles from other countries....”
interesting opportunity in a new environment. “I haven’t visited Cuba before. When you go there, it’s definitely a different country,” he said. “One thing it’s famous for is having really old cars. They drive cars from the 50s and 60s. That’s definitely something that’s pretty interesting about the place. (Havana) is a really nice place to visit because it’s very safe. There are no guns in Cuba and people walk around very freely during the night. It has a different atmosphere because of that.” McClintock said the band’s goals are to find their own style of music and mix it with the Cuban style. “We want that when people listen to our music they can immediately identify
us,” he said. “I personally love the Cuban rhythms and love the fusion between them, and with other styles from other countries, we are working hard on learning all these styles as much as we can to being able to respectfully create what we want.” Isaac said this festival exposed the group to future opportunities to perform in other countries. -Michael McClintock “It opens the door for performing at other international festivals around the world,” he said. “You always need the first one to get things going. We kind of got our foot in the door by playing more international festivals.” To learn more about the Cubanisms, visit their website at http://www.cubanismsband.com/. To hear their album “Acento Cubano,” go to their Spotify page.
The Cubanisms album cover, “Acento Cubano,” or “Cuban Accent.”
10 OPINION Valentine’s Day to me Lydia Damron For the Muleskinner
When it comes to Valentine’s Day, every woman is different. In my opinion, a box of Russel Stover chocolates would do, or a card or a handwritten note. Maybe even a single rose, kind of like in “The Bachelor”. Whatever it is, it definitely has to be unique, just like the woman who’s receiving it. Not everyone prefers the predictable box of chocolates and roses, though. Some may prefer a pan of their favorite cooked meal or a big plate of french fries with ketchup on the side. Little things like cookies or
cupcakes would do, too; guys can never go wrong with giving their girl food. But for those of you on a budget, a nice, inexpensive homemade meal or a card will do nicely. The key is — it’s the thought that counts. Girls want to know that the men in their lives care enough to put in the time and effort to make them happy. To show them that they pay attention and that they care about them, not the amount that is spent. Face-to-face compliments mean more to a girl than anything. The little things like
Feb. 14–27
remembering to say, “I love you,” or “How was your day,” and just listening can go a long way. Some other important things to keep in mind when planning an eventful Valentine’s Day are her quirks. Like if she loves to read, read a book or magazine beside her. Ask her what her favorite book is, and if you already know, try reading it, and then discuss it with her. Or if she loves movies, try watching one of her favorites with her and staying indoors. You don’t have to go above and beyond to try and make her happy. She will love just you being there with her. Or if she only eats the middles out of bread (guilty) make her some homemade bread. If your loved one has children or little people to take care of, try spending time with them. See what they like to do with
their mother and offer to help out. She will love that you do this because moms need a break every now and then. Chivalry never goes out of style, as well. Open the door for her, pull out the chair when she sits and push it back in for her. Listen to her favorite songs. Pay for the lady when you go out to eat. Or when you do go out to eat, order her favorite meal and try it. You may not like it, but at least you thought about trying something she likes. I love to go on walks, so if your lady likes to exercise, offer to take a walk outside and be out in nature. And always be nice to her family. If you are nice to her family, she will think you are a family man. If not, she will wonder how that will affect your relationship years later.
‘Lego Movie 2: The Second Part,’ more from a great franchise Ryan Sheehan For the Muleskinner
The “Lego Movie” series, or cinematic universe, as it has its own spinoffs, has done the impossible. It’s a film franchise based around Legos, basically full-feature commercials, that is entertaining and compelling. “The Lego Movie” was fantastic. “The Lego Batman Movie” was a clever parody/homage to superhero films. With the exception of maybe “The Lego Ninjago Movie,” which was somewhat forgettable, the “Lego” series has shown you can create a franchise around anything as long as it has heart and passion behind it. That’s why “The Emoji Movie” failed, which was inspired by “The Lego Movie’s” success. “The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part” is a proper continuation of the “Lego” franchise, both in story and quality. It’s doesn’t really matter if the “Lego Movie 2” is better than the original because it does such a good job of being a sequel, helping to make this franchise what it is. Filmmakers Christopher Miller and Phil Lord return as writers and producers, previously working on “The Lego Movie” and
“Lego Batman.” They are truly great filmmakers, able to make entertaining movies out of whatever they are given. Years back, they turned a pointless remake of a beloved TV show into a hilarious comedy. You may know this movie as “21 Jump Street,” and its sequel, “22 Jump Street.” “Lego Movie 2” has so many factors working for it. The animation is fantastic like it has been with the past movies. The amount of time and effort that was put into making this movie has to be recognized, with the animation made to look like real Legos moving in stop motion, as they do when you’re playing with them. The voice acting is great, especially with Chris Pratt, who knocks it out of the park as Emmet. Like before, the villains are compelling and they’re used in the story to tell an important lesson for children to learn, and adults for that matter. It’s also an effective parody, making fun of several things: action heroes, growing up, parenting, movie cliche, even the closing credits and the concept of being a sequel, as you can see with the title: “Lego Movie 2: The Second Part.” There is one great joke made about cliffhangers and it is so effective and funny. I won’t spoil it. The Lego cinematic franchise is a great
series and I mean that, regardless of being shameless commercials or aimed at younger audiences. While these movies are designed for children and their parents, and even though some jokes are aimed at younger viewers, or are cringeworthy or just don’t work, watching these movies is simply a fun experience. As a viewer, you just feel joy watching them. You feel like you’re tapping into your inner child. One of the reasons why this franchise created around Legos works is that it captures the feeling of being a kid again and playing with Legos as a kid, and the feeling of imagination that came with it. For the first movie, Miller and Lord purposely set out to create something that had a compelling story, but also felt like something an 8 year old would come up with. Take a look at the main characters of this movie for example. In “Lego Movie 2,” the main characters are Emmet, a regular construction builder, Wildstyle, whose a rebel with ninja abilities, an action hero named Rex Dangervest, who has spaceship run by a team of velociraptors (coolest thing ever, by the way). They’re supported by Batman, a magic cat princess, a pirate captain with no body (because you probably lost those pieces) and a random astronaut
character (who came from a set you can’t remember). Speaking from personal experience, this is exactly the kind of awesome lineup of heroes a kid would come up with. Like when you looked into your box full of Legos and you created your own fun, creative, imaginative story. The story in “Lego Movie 2” has a very clever portrayal of childhood, showing how kids can move through their “phases.” “The Lego Movie” was also about childhood, and the sequel is even more clever considering how it builds off of the events of the previous film. And while the “Lego Batman Movie” wasn’t about childhood, it instead made a point about Batman that no other film, even the “adult” ones, has really addressed: that Batman is lonely and deep down he wants to have a family. The real reason I love this series so much is that it’s so incredibly fun watching these movies. I can’t keep a straight face. I’m smiling the whole time. It’s just an experience that makes me feel overwhelmingly happy. And if a film series can capture that level of emotion, then it is truly worth all of the praise it gets.
NEWS 11
The Muleskinner
Songs of love at every stage It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. Despite the ice on the ground and the commercial exploitation of the holiday, this tradition taps into the sappy romantic in all of us. It would be remiss, then, for this reviewer to discuss anything but love songs. Love is a volatile thing though, and a good love song shouldn’t have to be about when things are perfect. Great love songs can be made about lost love, love from long ago, or even the possibility of a love that never developed. It would not be possible to cover a song for every relationship status, but, hopefully, this list hits some of the biggest bases. Single, but optimistically searching: “True Love Will Find You In the End” by Daniel Johnston. Johnston was famously a favorite of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, but the childlike naivete that makes his work so powerful to his fans can seem disingenuous to some listeners. Outsider music, or music made by those with little to no formal music experience, also runs the risk of being dismissed for the very real possibility that the artist just has no idea what they are doing. This song dispels the possibility of any of that being the case for Johnston, though. What he has crafted here is a simple but
might be happier elsewhere. It’s not clearcut enough to leave, and he’s still invested enough to stay, and even to still use the word love. “Sunday” features themes like fame, alcohol and drug use and LA weather, but all of those things tie into the central narrative of the relationships at hand. In the outro, Frank and Earl wonder if it might be better somewhere colder all the time (to be single), rather than where the weather might be unpredictable (the strained relationship.) The whole thing is tied together with a great hook, a fantastic flow from Earl, and one of my favorite Frank Ocean features to date.
Louie Sharp
For The Muleskinner incredibly effective ode to never giving up the search for love. See also: “Fourteen” by Beat Happening, “Book of Love” by The Magnetic Fields. In a relationship on the rocks: “Sunday” by Earl Sweatshirt (Feat. Frank Ocean.) “And loving you is different / I don’t like you a lot,” says it all. In this song, Earl is with someone, but wonders if he
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See also: “You and I” by Wilco. Love unrequited: “All I Need” by Radiohead. Radiohead has possibly one of the most famous songs about unrequited love with their hit single “Creep,” but “All I Need” is a more mature and elegant take on the same subject matter. Thom Yorke compares himself to both an “animal trapped in your hot car” and a “moth who just wants to share in your light,” because that’s how unrequited love can make you feel. It can make someone feel worthless to feel so strongly for someone and then
be ultimately ignored. Instrumentally, “All I Need” starts off cold and quiet, but builds into some incredible catharsis. The track is certainly a slow burn, but so is waiting for someone who means the world to you to share your feelings. See also: The whole “Pinkerton” LP by Weezer. Hopelessly in love: “Twin Human Highway Flares” by the Mountain Goats. “Twin Human Highway Flares” is the song that made me fall in love with love songs. John Darnielle is one of the premier lyricists alive today, and even this early in his career he was capable of doing so much with so little. The song works to tell the story of a relationship that seems too good to be true, even to the people involved in it. Darnielle even makes a stroll through a motel parking lot with his lover into a near-religious experience. All of this builds toward a declaration that sums up my idea of true love: “And on the day that I forget you / I hope my heart explodes.” See also: “Into My Arms” by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, “Lovesong” by the Cure.
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12 SPORTS
Feb. 14–27
Jennies unphased by streak-snapping loss Jason Brown Managing Editor
The final stretch of the college basketball season has begun with six games remaining on the schedule for the No. 24 Jennies (16-5, 9-4 MIAA) as the team attempts to move past a 65-62 loss to Emporia State Saturday that snapped a six-game winning streak. The Jennies led the Hornets for the majority of the game, but a 12-0 run in the fourth quarter erased their seven-point lead and ended the longest winning streak of the season. “In a great game like we played on Saturday, we just didn’t make plays in the end and that was a huge game we wanted to win,” junior forward Morgan Fleming said. “It prepares us for March and gives us that feeling that we don’t want to have again.” The recent string of wins was the longest for the Jennies since they began the season 4-0. The loss, if anything, showed them what they need to do to make another postseason run. “Obviously when you have momentum, you’re feeling good about yourself,” Fleming said. “Losing one makes you take a step back and look in the mirror and realize we still have a lot of things to work on for March.” Fleming said the Jennies tend to not dwell on games, win or lose. “With win streaks, we just try to move on,” she said. “We call it ‘putting games to bed.’ We watch the film on it then move onto the next opponent. It’s kind of like a next game mentality. Try not to think about the past or the future and just focus on our very next opponent.” “I think that’s just a part of motion offense,” Fleming said. “We have a lot of people touching the ball and different players can step up every game. I feel like we’ve had more people getting involved and confident as the season has gone on.” Those contributions are coming from the bench as well since an injury to junior forward Kim Crown has opened the door for
Photo by Jason Brown/Managing Editor Junior forward Morgan Flemming spins past a defender for a layup in the Jennies 86-74 win over Westminster Nov. 20. Fleming is averaging a career high 13 points and six rebounds per game this season. senior guard Sydney Crockett and junior guard Peyton Taylor to make an impact. “With Kim being injured, Sydney is back in the starting lineup,” Fleming said. “Sydney and Peyton did a great job coming off the bench and contributing lately.” Fleming is having a career year, averaging just over 13 points per game with six rebounds and three assists. Senior guard Paige Redmond is building another All-American campaign with 16 points, four rebounds and four assists per game. Junior forward Megan Skaggs is averaging
a career-high 14 points per game while also averaging six rebounds. The Jennies will hit the road this week with two matchups against teams below them in the MIAA standings. First up is Northwest Missouri State (7-15, 3-10 MIAA), followed by Missouri Western (11-11, 6-7 MIAA). “At this point, we can’t afford to lose games like this going into March and we should be taking care of business against teams like that,” Fleming said. “In the MIAA, if you don’t bring it, you can lose
to anyone 1 through 14. So we really need to focus on Northwest and Mo Western this week.” The Jennies matchup with Northwest is scheduled to tip at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Bearcat Arena in Maryville, Missouri. Saturday, the Jennies will face Missouri Western with tip scheduled for 2 p.m. at MWSU Fieldhouse in St. Joseph, Missouri. Results of the Jennies matchup with Northwest Missouri State were not available by press time.
SPORTS 13
The Muleskinner
Sports Updates
Bowling sweeps home match
No. 16 Jennies bowling competed in a shortened version of the Mid-Missouri Classic Friday after the last two days of the event were canceled due to weather. The Jennies swept their only opponent in Columbia College 5-0 and used 12 different bowlers in three of the matches. Sophomore Kennedi Laughlin led the Jennies with a total of 1,036 pins. Four other Jennies totaled over 900 pins in the five matches. The Jennies next competition will be at the Stephen F. Austin Jacks Invitational. The three-day event is scheduled to run Friday through Sunday at USA Bowl in Dallas.
Wrestling concludes regular season Mules wrestling wrapped up its regular season and honored four seniors in a dual against MIAA foe Central Oklahoma. Benjamin Gadbois, Ben Lancaster, Daide Agnew and Allan Pearson were all recognized for their dedication to the program. The Mules dropped the competition to the Bronchos 45-0 and finished the season 2-7. Next up for the Mules is the NCAA Super Region IV Championships Feb. 23 in St. Charles, Missouri.
Soccer adds 10 for 2019 season Jennies soccer announced Tuesday that
10 recruits had signed on to join the team for the 2019 season. The Jennies finished the 2018 season with a 19-5-1 record and earned the NCAA Central Region championship before falling in the Elite Eight to Grand Valley State. Each of the Jennies 10 additions played high school soccer in the Kansas City metropolitan area. The class of recruits includes twin sisters Katelyn and Madi Poertner out of Blue Springs South High School where they appeared in four state championships and won three. Sophomore Kassie Newsom transferred from Saint Louis University to join the Jennies. She scored 66 goals in her career at Lee’s Summit West High School and was the Missouri 4A Player of the Year. A breakdown of the entire 2019 class is available here.
Football inks 29 recruits on NSD Mules football announced its 2019 class of recruits at the conclusion of National Signing Day Tuesday. A total of 29 high school players chose to play college football at UCM. Head coach Jim Svoboda said the class of signees is exceptional. Svoboda also added that they were able to sign many of their most desired players on both the offensive and defensive line. Offensive lineman Tanner Karnes represents the only hometown signee. The Warrensburg native was a two-time All District player for the Tigers and helped them win a District championship in 2018. Click here for the full 2019 recruiting class.
Guest professor, continued from page 7 After the fall of communism, it turned out that we needed English teachers. So, colleges for English teachers were created. I joined the college, so first I loved English and then teaching, but was able to connect that. JB: Which of your many volunteer opportunities sticks out to you? MP: What I really love and am engaged in and is related to minorities and social justice is something I do with my students regularly. It’s called the Forum Theater or the Theater of the Oppressed. We prepare the performances in which we show the oppression. During the performance, the audience can stop the play anytime they want and intervene. This way, the audience can have an influence on what is happening. They can stop the oppression or show a victim how they can react or show a bystander that they can do something. It is practicing of being an active bystander in the situation oppression, but you practice it in a safe environment. So, there’s a hope they will apply it in reality. I also love this Unsung Heroes project with the Lowell Milken center finding unsung heroes, people that are forgotten.
Poland. The context and history before, during and after communism and how their attitude toward minorities and inequalities is shaped by our past. In this way, American students think about how they’re attitude is shaped and how some things are taken for granted that can’t be. I was also teaching about the difficult past and how we learn about those difficult things. JB: Do you encourage your Polish students to come to the U.S.? MP: Absolutely, I always talk about my experiences here. I encourage them and through this Erasmus program, it may be possible. The main obstacle is the cost for many students. JB: What are you currently working on?
JB: What kind of content do your lectures to UCM students include?
MP: Many things. Now that the winter term has finished in Poland, we are about to start the summer term so I am preparing for the new students. I have a lot of international students that come to Poland. I am going to do some more research on the materials and textbooks from which we teach English. Sometimes there are a lot of stereotypes in them and sometimes they teach language but they also teach prejudice. So, I am very interested in it.
MP: I was talking about the attitudes toward social justice and minorities in
To read more about the Unsung Heroes project, click here.
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14 CENTRAL SCOOP
This Week Business, Industry, Government (B.I.G.) Interview Day all day | Ward Edwards 1200
14
THURS.
15 FRI.
Mules baseball vs. Minnesota-Crookston 10 a.m., 1 p.m. | Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field Union Cinema Movie: “A Star is Born” 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | Union Cinema Nav Night sponsored by the Navigators Campus Ministry 8 p.m. | Alumni Memorial Chapel Student Operational Budget Deadline Track and Field UCM Indoor Classic 1 p.m. | Multipurpose Building Union Cinema Movie: “A Star is Born” 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m.| Union Cinema Open Archery 8 p.m. | SRWC
16 SAT.
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Union Cinema Movie: “A Star is Born” 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | Union Cinema Operational Budget Deadline for Student Organizations 5 p.m. | Union 217 Tunnel of Oppression 9 a.m. | Union 234 Tunnel of Oppression 9 a.m. | Union 234
19 TUE.
NSLS Speaker 6 p.m. | Ward Edwards 2000 Dinner & Worship: BSU 6 p.m. | 302 S. College St. Diversity Education: Unity Poles 10 a.m. | Union Atrium
20 WED.
Spoken Word Artist: Shlee Haze 7 p.m. | Union 237 B DIG Worship: Christian Campus House 7:30 p.m. | 211 S. Maguire St.
Feb. 14–27
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CENTRAL SCOOP 15 01-31-2019
The Muleskinner
Difficulty Level:
Next Sudoku Week
Puzzle by Hang Chen and Curt
Sudoku 8
2 5
02-14-2019 Ideas & Issues: Native Culture Appreciation 11 a.m. | Union 219 Hall Table
Difficulty Level: Jennies basketball vs. Northwest Missouri 5:30 p.m. | Multipurpose Building
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THURS.
Puzzlehosts by Hang Chen and CurtisChampionCooper Jennies bowling Mid-America Individual ships 6 p.m. | Elliott Bowling Center
Nav Night sponsored by the Navigators 8 p.m. | Alumni Memorial Chapel
FRI.
23 SAT.
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8 7 4 9 6 5 1 9 2 2 9 8
9
SOLUTION FROM JAN. 31 - FEB. 13
Union Cinema Movie: “Ralph Breaks the Internet” 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | Union Cinema Jennies basketball vs. Missouri Western 1:30 p.m. | Multipurpose Building Mules basketball vs. Missouri Western 3:30 p.m. | Multipurpose Sudoku solution: Building
Union Cinema Movie: “Ralph Breaks the Internet” 4:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | Union Cinema
8 6 7 2 5 4 1 3 9 4 3 1 7 9 6 2 5 8 9 5 2 8 3 1 7 6 4 26 NSLS Speaker 6 p.m. TUE. 6 2| Ward 8 Edwards 1 4 2000 5 3 9 7 Dinner & Worship: BSU 1 7| 3024S. College 3 2 St.9 6 8 5 6 p.m. 3 9 5 6 8 7 4 2 1 Stop & 7Serve: 8 Library 6 5 Lovers 1 3Month 9 4 2 11 a.m. | Union 219 Hall Table 5 softball 1 9 vs.4William 6 2Jewell 8 7 3 27 Jennies 2 4| South 3 Recreational 9 7 8 Complex/Jennies 5 1 6 1 p.m. Field WED. Mules baseball vs. Truman State 2 p.m. | Crane Stadium/Tompkins Field
DIG Worship: Christian Campus House 7:30 p.m. | 211 S. Maguire St.
2018-2019 Muleskinner Staff Jason Brown Kaitlin Brothers Erin Wides
Managing Editor News Editor Features Editor
Brent Young
Design Editor
Garrett Fuller
Senior Writer
Anaiyeh Smith
Social Media Coordinator
Chris Moore Cody Clemmons Matt Bird-Meyer
4
Difficulty:
2 1
Sudoku is a number-placement puzzle that The objective is to fill 1 each blank square so that each row, each Union Cinema Movie: “Ralph Breaks the Internet” column, and each of the nine 3x3 blocks contain the numbers from 1 to 9 one 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m. | Union Cinema time each. ADP/LEAD Speaker consists of 9x9 squares. 7 p.m. | W.C. Morris 200
Mules basketball vs. Northwest Missouri 7:30 p.m. | Multipurpose Building
22
7
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Sudoku is aAND number-placement BY HANG CHEN CURTIS COOPER consists of 9x9 squares. The objec each blank square so that each row column, and each of the nine 3x3 b time each.
Business Manager Advertising Manager Faculty Adviser
Sudoku solution:
6
1 5 6 8 2 4 9 3 7
4 9 7 1 5 3 6 8 2
3 8 2 6 7 9 1 5 4
9 1 5 4 6 2 8 7 3
2 3 8 7 9 5 4 1 6
7 6 4 3 1 8 5 2 9
6 2 9 5 8 7 3 4 1
5 4 1 2 3 6 7 9 8
8 7 3 9 4 1 2 6 5
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