Muleskinner Vol. 117 Issue 1

Muleskinner University of Central Missouri Publication Since 1878

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NEWS

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FEATURES

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OPINIONS SPORTS

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• Vol. 117 • Issue 1 • September 28, 2023

Skyhaven Aviation OSPRI provides Center now open research support ELIJAH BUELL Contributing Reporter At the University of Central Missouri, the Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity department has responsibility to secure funds and grants for research and ensure it is used responsibly.

Sarah Craig, UCM’s Director of The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity believes an aspect many might not realize is that cultivating leaders requires adequate financial backing. Just like any university campus, just about everything needs funding, and grants are one of the many ways that departments secure that funding.

Craig is responsible for securing external funding in the forms of grants and contracts and overseeing federal compliance with research done on campus.

“What is meaningful and impactful for any particular entity is different. For some projects, you have to have the multi-millions to get the job done, and there are others that just getting $1,000 or $2,500 is really going to have a significant impact… I think a lot of times people forget that we also help with small ones too,” Craig said.

Craig is one of four authorized organizational representatives, a position that allows her to sign off on and submit grants as well as accept awards. On the sponsored programs side, her department brings in money for campus, and on the research integrity side, they make sure that money is used responsibly.

Craig also stated that a lot of the money they bring in is “behind the scenes”, meaning that a lot of people on campus don’t realize that the money being used is not provided by campus and is actually from outside funding that is secured by her department.

“Because of grants given to the Digital Media Production program on campus, I have been able to make myself a more desirable hire because I know how to produce a professional podcast,” Emily Dickmeier, a Digital Media Production major said.

One of the grants Craig has helped to secure was a $2 million grant received from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development in December 2022. This grant was designed to help the agriculture department by allowing them to recoup after negative effects of COVID-19.

The grant helped to further develop the agriculture programs by way of having funds to build a new greenhouse, a storefront to sell goods grown by the department, as well as funds to fix and maintain structures managed by the Agriculture department.

Additionally, this grant aided the agriculture department to establish five new agricultural workforce certificates that students can obtain.

“Very few industries provide products and services as multifaceted as agriculture,” Michelle Santiago, chair of the Department of Agriculture said. “With the help of these certificates, UCM will continue to help fill Missouri’s modern agribusiness and agricultural research pipelines.”

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The ceremonial ribbon cutting at the Max. B. Swisher Skyhaven Aviation Center, now open for student and private use. The new facilities feature a pilot’s lounge and a quiet room, with self-serving fuel pumps coming soon. Photo by Mingzhu Zhu

Community celebrates completion of $5.1 million project RACHEL BECKER AND AARON BAX Editor-in-Chief and Assistant Sports Editor On Sept. 8, the University of Central Missouri held the ribbon-cutting for the Max. B. Swisher Skyhaven Aviation Center, making the institution the only university in Missouri to operate its own public-use airport.

“It’s truly a haven, it’s got a soft spot in my heart,” Terry Hunt, associate professor in the department of aviation, said. “I’ve flown since I was 17 years old and it’s a bit of a home. There’s a

lot of sentiment and importance in my life for Skyhaven and for the aviation program. It’s exciting to see a beautiful state of the art program to serve students.”

Courtney Goddard, vice president of advancement and executive director of the UCM Alumni Foundation, reflected on the history of this project. Goddard said the original idea was planned on a smaller scale and was expected to cost about $2.1 million, but “a group of people dared to dream much bigger.”

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Students start off the semester with UCM’s Week of Welcome

Graphic by Nate Sullens

New, returning students begin fall semester

Graphic by Rachel Becker

AARON BAX Assistant Sports Editor The University of Central Missouri started the 2023 fall semester with UCM Kickoff and Week of Welcome. Lasting from Aug. 10 to Aug. 19, these combined events helped welcome new and returning students alike to UCM. The first four days were known as Kickoff and were specifically for new students. Tiana Key, assistant director of first year experience, said she wanted to include more than just incoming freshmen into the welcome activities. Key said she had the goal of extending Kickoff to transfer students as well, with over a thousand students participating.

The five days following Kickoff were known as Week of Welcome and featured events across campus for all students.

Another important person in the creation of Kickoff was Beth Rutt, director of student activities. Rutt has supported Kickoff since it first began.

This year, she helped set up a panel containing a speaker from each school as well as inviting a former UCM graduate back to give a speech about his keys to success.

Rutt said the speech was intended to give new freshmen a perspective on UCM from someone close to their age.

Freshman James Saffold was among those who took part in both Kickoff and Week of Welcome.

Saffold, a Warrensburg native who lives on campus, said he enjoyed his Kickoff experience.

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NEWS

• Vol. 117 • Issue 1 • September 28, 2023

Ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the opening of Skyhaven Aviation Center Continued from page 1 According to the UCM Alumni Foundation, the $5.1 million building project of a 10,000-square-foot facility was made possible by a combination of funding sources that include private gifts totaling $2.8 million from Warrensburg residents Lynn and Jackie Harmon, the Sunderland Foundation in Kansas City, other private donors and $1 million in state appropriations. The remainder of the balance for the project was funded by UCM. In 1968, Skyhaven Airport was donated to what was then known as Central Missouri State College by local businessman and university supporter Max B. Swisher.

“This magnificent building will allow UCM to build on its past successes and attract new generations of students to learn and fly here,” David Pearce, the university’s executive director for governmental relations said.

Ed Hassinger, Missouri Department of Transportation deputy director and chief engineer, said Senator Denny Hoskins, representative of District 21, was instrumental in helping to secure $1 million in state appropriations to help fund this project. He helped secure $850,000 in legislative funding to add self-service fuel pumps to the airport. These self-service fuel pumps will serve both UCM aviation and

private pilots, allowing them to fuel up 24 hours a day at the facility.

“I’m glad to report…we’re not done yet,” Hoskins said.

UCM is the only university in the state to operate its own public-use airport and the only institution in the United States to offer a master’s degree in Aviation Management.

“We want to acknowledge how proud we are as a college to house the department of aviation and to be stewards of the Max B. Swisher Skyhaven Airport,” Mark Suazo, dean of the Harmon College of Business and Professional Studies, said.

“One of the things we are committed to is student success.

So this marks a huge milestone in our progression as a department and as a college.”

The new Skyhaven Aviation Center is intended for use by professional pilots, with amenities such as a pilots’ lounge, lockers, a quiet room and a bathroom with a shower. Tim Richner, a senior airport management major, said one of his favorite things about the updated space was the close parking to the planes as the shorter walk for students from the parking lot to the planes will make a big difference.

The facility is also for teaching UCM students in the aviation major, with a large shared space including a dispatch station, break room, airport staff offices, conference room, work room, and 30 private flight instructor-aviation student pods for individual meetings and educational purposes.

“It’s just nice to have an updated spacious flight center for our students,” Hunt said. “Now we have everything encapsulated in one spot. We have dispatch, all of the instructors, all the moving pieces and parts of the program are centrally located with a beautiful flight line.”

Speaking at the ribbon cutting ceremony, UCM administration and community members thanked donors for their contributions to the new facility. The project was worth $5.1 million. Photo by Mingzhu Zhu

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FEATURES

• Vol. 117 • Issue 1 • September 28, 2023

Charity basketball game supports Campus Cupboard

Graphic by Nate Sullens, Ellie Whitesell

AARON BAX AND BRAD HADANK Assistant Sports Editor and Staff Reporter The University of Central Missouri’s basketball courts saw new, and unexpected players, during a recent game. Members of the faculty and staff of the Administration and the Ward Edwards Buildings created basketball teams to compete in a charity basketball game hosted earlier this semester, the game was to provide donations to the Campus Cupboard.

The charity game was the idea of Drew Burkeybile, assistant vice provost for graduate studies. Burkeybile said the idea started off as just a pickup basketball game with Roger Best, UCM president.

Burkeybile went on to coach the Ward Edwards “Warriors”.

Burkeybile, whose highest previous level of coaching was little league, also said he was excited to go up against Kim Anderson, former Mules basketball coach and current special advisor on the national state of intercollegiate athletics, who coached the Administration Building “A-Team.”

The game, which had a running clock, also featured rule changes with special attire for certain players with a special ball being in play at times.

Burkeybile took credit for the fun rules, saying, “I don’t sleep much so I’ll lay in bed and come up with these things.”

Ed Wirthwein, student standards and support coordinator, played in the game for the Administration Building team. After the game, on social media, Wirthwein decided to officially announce his retirement from the game of basketball. Wirthwein did however announce he would be willing to come back for another charity match.

Wirthwein also expressed pride in being able to play under Anderson, Wirthwein said Anderson coached them like he would “any other team.”

Wirthwein also said he was surprised at the level of training the players had to do before the game, with them having two 90 minute practices each night beforehand.

It was at these practices that Best was reportedly injured and was not able to play in the game.

Another feature of the game was some fun pregame teasing between the teams. This started with the Ward Edwards “Warriors” printing trading cards.

In response, Best himself brought in a camera team to produce a hype video for the Administration Team.

The charity game also ultimately went to benefit the Campus Cupboard. Beth Rutt, director of student activities and founder of the Cupboard, expressed her thanks for that and also stated that the food shortages are improving.

School year begins with extreme heat Students stay cool amid building closures AARON BAX Assistant Sports Editor A heat wave has struck The University of Central Missouri, right in time for the start of the Fall 2023 semester. The above average high temperatures caused difficulties for students across campus as dining halls shut down, cars heated up and many students searched for a way out of the increasing heat.

Colton Robbins, UCM student, said, “Usually I like to spend my time outside but I can’t really because it’s so hot. I usually have to go inside and try to find people to hang out with. I like nature and I like to run so you know, it’s not really that fun.”

Starting Aug. 19, the National Weather Service recorded well-above normal temperatures within the central part of the United States, with the Kansas City International Airport reaching high temperatures not recorded in the area since August of 2012.

According to the National Weather Service, the combination of the extreme heat and the excessively high dew points led to heat indices from Aug. 19 through Aug. 25 to rise to 120-130 degrees. The heat index is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity is combined with the air temperature, making it an important consideration for students attending classes and participating in outside activities.

Locally, the heat affected the dining hall in Todd Hall. According to UCM Dining Services, due to heat-related issues, Todd Dining Services were temporarily closed after breakfast Aug. 24 and moved to Elliott Student Union, Room 240. Food service was limited to a deli bar only and were available through students’ dining center meal plans.

Then, the regular dining services and hours for Todd Dining Hall resumed Aug. 26 as temperatures cooled.

Students Julian Fletcher and Oliver Kellerman certainly felt disrupted by the heat stating, “Well Todd’s been closed so we had to go to Ellis, that’s one big thing.”

Long term Warrensburg residents agree with many that this has been a summer to remember.

UCM student and Warrensburg native Jackson Mailen expressed that the heat was “Probably one of the worst summers ever in Warrensburg.”

Mailen believes walking between classes and car heat were challenging.

“I tend to stick to more shade areas covered in trees or if that’s not possible, I try my best to see if there’s any buildings I can cut through in order to be in an air conditioned area a little more,” Mailen said.

Mailen commutes to school from home. However, when entering his car on Aug. 24 he discovered that his dashboard was a warm 111 degrees fahrenheit.

“It is completely unbearable. I could barely tolerate being in the car,” Mailen said

Masters students, Boluwatife Temileyi Oniosun and Esosa Imarenakhue Akele, participate in the water balloon fight on Aug. 30. With temperatures reaching their peak during August, a water balloon fight was a way to stay cool while outdoors. Photos by Mingzhu Zhu

Above: Christian Mathews, sophomore, mid-throw during the water balloon fight. While a water balloon fight is one way to stay cool during high temperatures, other students limited their time outside, drank more water and participated in indoor activities.

Left: Soeun Lee, junior, throws water balloons while Suyeon Kim, senior, looks on. The water balloon fight was held on the East Field and was organized by MO’s Activities Council.

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FEATURES

• Vol. 117 • Issue 1 • September 28, 2023

Spiritual redemption found

Lutheran pastor fosters student kinship

BRAD HADANK Staff Reporter Jon-Michael Schweigert’s life changed over 20 years ago when his fathers girlfriend began taking him and his family to church.

Prior to this, Schweigert had not been exposed to church at all and was beginning to lose faith in those around him.

“I was not a Christian until I was a teenager and became very disappointed with everybody. My family life sucked, my parents were not great and therefore, I had learned to depend on myself and that everyone else would let me down.”

Schweigert said that when his dad started dating again, his new girlfriend would make sure that they were in church on Sunday.

“From there I discovered the overwhelming love of God and Christ Jesus and that completely changed everything for me, and so now I do this so that I can help others,” Schweigert said.

Schweigert is a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Knob Noster, Mo., as well as the pastor at the Lutheran Student Center of the University of Central Missouri. This sense of self-dependence, though, has not only been felt by Schweigert.

“I was alone in a dorm room,” Matthew Rudowske said. “The closest person I had was a suitemate. We didn’t really talk so it was very, very lonely… and the LSC provided an escape, somewhere that I could go and be a part of a group.”

Rudowske, a UCM senior, has been a member of the Lutheran Student Center for three and a half years, and has even held some leadership roles during his time there.

“I was alone in a dorm room, and the closest person I had was a suitemate. We didn’t really talk so it was very, very lonely… and the [Lutheran Student Center] provided an escape, somewhere that I could go and be a part of a group.”

-Matthew Rudowske As the pastor of the Lutheran Student Center, Schweigert has played a role in the life of Rudowske.

“I really struggled with anger issues and he was able to [help] because he’s a cognitive behavioral therapist.

[He was] able to help me develop skills to combat my anger, and to redirect it into more positive emotions so that I can live my life fuller without getting angry at the people I love. It makes it pretty easy to exist,” Rudowske said.

Along with helping Rudowske, Schweigert has played a role in students’ lives who have only been on campus for a couple of weeks.

“He’s just helped me realize that I can [grow],” Kaleb Virus said. “Since we’re adults now, we can make

our own decisions, and whether they be good or bad decisions, they are our decisions and we do need to take full responsibility for them.”

Virus, a UCM freshman, is in his first year at the Lutheran Student Center.

Even though he is a freshman, Virus said he has already experienced enough to share with others about Schweigert’s help and the Lutheran Student Center’s resources.

“I’ve told several people it’s a great place to be. It’s just a great community and I look forward to going there every week if I can,” Virus said.

“His teachings are profoundly unique in that they touch on subjects that I’ve never heard,” Rudowske said.

Along with the uniqueness, students have pointed out other traits that Schweigert shows. Virus noted that Schweigert is chill, forgiving, and nice to be around.

This sense of personability leads to more opportunities for students to grow.

“He’s really someone who can see, read the Bible, understand it, and tell others about it,” Rudowske said.

Watching students put faith into practice isn’t a new thing for Schweigert, but he said it feels special every time he sees it. “[My] favorite thing about being a pastor here specifically is watching you all grow in faith, and then go put the faith into practice in your own lives,” Schweigert said. “I’m at the point now eight years in where my first crop of students have graduated and have been graduated now, and so I get to see what they’re doing with their life and it’s pretty cool.”

Faith-based housing builds community ROMAN PFISTER Contributing Reporter The Catholic Newman Center and The Rock are two faithbased housing options available to students at the University of Central Missouri. These housing complexes focus on building community through primarily religious teachings.

“My whole life where I grew up was a very Christian community, but not necessarily a very Catholic community,” Catholic Newman Center member Caleb Karp said. “Having the opportunity here to live with a whole bunch of other students that I can pray with, that I can go to Mass together with, that we can pray the rosary together with… it’s really helped me in my faith to have this community.”

For many other students; however, the experience is not only about faith and prayer. Karp added that The Catholic Newman Center is deliberate in its commitment to community building.

“Living at Newman is different from living with… siblings or … living at your home because it’s not your family, but they are kind of your family,” Karp said. “It’s a lot more intentional and sincere… than a lot of other student communal housing options are.”

The Rock, a faith-based housing option that is a part of the First United Methodist Church of Warrensburg, values leadership and responsibility. House leader, Steve Mills, says that The Rock provides opportunities for students to be leaders with the campus ministry.

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“We’re not really just in the rental business, that’s the reason we provide a space here,” Mills said. “We’re really looking for students that want to take some sort of leadership and they can pick what that leadership might be.”

“Having the opportunity here to live with a whole bunch of other students that I can pray with, that I can go to Mass together with, that we can pray the rosary together with… it’s really helped me in my faith to have this community.”

- Caleb Karp

Mills added that The Rock provides an environment that encourages students to grow in their skills as well as their growth as a Christian. According to Mills, consideration for students applying involves a conversation about one’s Christian journey and what skills an applicant possesses that they can bring to The Rock.

Resident of The Rock, Chioma Agwuncha, has been with the organization for two months and will be one of The Rock’s publicity team members.

Agwuncha has spent most of her time in this position with the youth ministry.

“It’s… a group for middle school [and] high school children,” says Agwuncha. “[It is] just basically to get these children closer to God but it’s always infused with a bit of fun,” Agwuncha said. Agwuncha added they have movie nights, games and other activities to teach Christian faith.

Students at organizations like The Rock are encouraged to gain experience from one another. Agwuncha adds that her experience with the organization’s community bonding activity, Rock Talk, has given her strength in her faith. Mills says that practices like this exist to help students search further into their growth as a Christian.

“College is a time to ask questions and we’re here to help them do that,” Mills said.

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FEATURES

• Vol. 117 • Issue 1 • September 28, 2023

Supporting yourself

College is an investment, and maintaining an income as a student is a difficult, but wise choice CARSON CUMMINGS Contributing Reporter There are different tiers of the work on the college totem poll. ​Education and work are core activities in the transition from childhood to adulthood. Some students never have a support system and work because they have to support themselves and put themselves through college. Many start off with a support system, but move off to college and have to work. Others, still rely on their support system and get an early start with working.

Haylie Burton, an 18-year-old in high school, works at a local Mexican restaurant. Burton lives now with her parents and is working to get ready to pay for college.

“I wanted a job because I felt like I had nothing better to do with my time and I think it builds character,” Burton said.

As a high school student, Burton is living with her parents not having to pay for rent or food. She says she isn’t required to work and her money goes to her daily wants and for her college savings.

Many graduate high school and go off to college to have some of the best years of their lives making new friends and new experiences. Then again there is an unearthed untold story about those other few that don’t get that same college experience.

Young adulthood brings on many challenges, goals and reasons to work. There are plenty of college age people working and supporting themselves because they need to.

There are those who have to claw their way up to that end goal, which is a degree. They have to scrape together every penny and support themselves through the whole process. They miss out on key features of college which are socializing, making connections and interpersonal relationships.

Kaylee Payne, a full-time college student at the University of Central Missouri, said she supports herself through college all on her own. Payne is also a full time employee at a local Mexican restaurant as a manager.

She believes she misses out on experiences people her age get to have. She also said her end goal is through all of this hard work and dedication, is to secure the job that she has always wanted and finally being able to relax.

Most days she believes she does most things on her own. She said she attributes getting herself to where she is now to only herself.

“Me, myself, and I get me through most days…”

Payne said. “I wouldn’t say it’s awful because it’s definitely a very important ability to have, but it’s hard

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seeing people my age doing stuff I want to do. I have to keep reminding myself that it is a sacrifice I have to make.”

While she strives to be optimistic about her situation, she said she is relieved that she has grown as a person and overcomes the struggles. In the same way, she said she sacrifices to be able to maintain her lifestyle.

“Not being able to relax and just breathe sometimes, I feel like I am constantly going. I have never been able to pick up any hobbies I am interested in or make any new friends or socialize,” Payne said.

“Me, myself, and I get me through most days…

I wouldn’t say it’s awful because it’s definitely a very important ability to have, but it’s hard seeing people my age doing stuff I want to do. I have to keep reminding myself that it is a sacrifice I have to make.”

- Kaylee Payne She said she believes not being able to just breathe can be a struggle of feeling constantly suffocated by work and school. Payne certainly does have a lot of drive and ambition.

Young adults who are attached to these activities, particularly if they are connected for several years, will build a work history that contributes to future employability and higher wages, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Census Bureau.

Payne has a clear goal in mind and has been sticking to it for three years while constantly balancing work, school, and living on her own.

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“When I have successfully secured a job in my career choice and doing the things I want to do. I also know that I have achieved my goals because then I’m able to relax,” Payne said.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in July 2023, that 55 percent of young people (persons ages 16 to 24) were employed. This measure was little changed from 55.3 percent in July 2022.

Alex Diaz is a 21-year-old senior at UCM. Diaz has been going to UCM for two years now after transferring from State Fair Community College. He is studying computer science and wishes to design software and video games after he graduates.

Diaz is also a manager at a local Mexican restaurant.

Much like Payne, Diaz focuses on work while being a student and lives on his own and has to pay for his education.

“I work to pay living expenses, school, debt, and things that I want,” Diaz said.

Currently, Diaz also supports himself. But, that doesn’t mean it was always like that.

“I wouldn’t say that I have always had to work, but ever since I turned 16, I wanted to - so I could buy things that I want,” Diaz said.

Working full time and going to school full time can have a lot of impact on social life and free time. Diaz said he strives to connect his time at his workplace with his ability to make friends.

“My social life is honestly better because I have friends at work. When I first started working here my grades did go down a bit but I got the hang of it and now I’m in the groove,” Diaz said.

Diaz is very optimistic about working, the people he has met, and his support system.

“My support system is my family back home, and I don’t receive much support per say but they have told me if I need anything they’ll be right there to help,” Diaz said.

There are many different reasons why college age students work. Many have to take on jobs during college in order to meet their financial obligations, which can contribute to greater stress and take time away from their school work.

But no matter what the reason is, when we’re all at work we are all working towards an end goal whether that be graduating college and finding another better job or getting through college or even getting to go to college. When it really comes down to it, most of us will get to where we want to be not because of a support system, but by doing it ourselves.

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• Vol. 117 • Issue 1 • September 28, 2023

OPINIONS

The ‘Barbenheimer’ thing

A review of ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ MEGAN WEAVER Staff Reporter The summer of 2023 was huge for moviegoers. Some big hits were “The Little Mermaid” (2023) and “Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023). And of course, if you were anywhere on the internet this summer, you probably heard of “Barbie” (2023) and “Oppenheimer” (2023). “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” took the media by storm very quickly, all on the basis that they were being released on the same day, July 21.

This becoming so widespread on the internet was likely due to the juxtaposition between the two movies.

“Barbie” directed by Greta Gerwig is a fun, campy movie about Barbie dolls while “Oppenheimer” directed by Christopher Nolan is about J. Robert Oppenheimer and his process of creating the atomic bomb. The movies’ themes also seemed to contradict one movie was about life vs death, being in control of your fate and what it means to be human. And the other movie was about life vs death, being in control of your fate and what it means to be human. While I am completely oversimplifying both movies for the sake of this joke, both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” have some strangely similar themes.

The internet dubbed this event “Barbenheimer.” One of my favorite things about the mass media attention

“The international buzz around ‘Barbenheimer’ definitely cements its place in film and internet history. If you want to be a part of this niche history go ‘do the Barbenheimer thing.’ ” was that it got people excited about movies again. With more and more streaming services available, some people see no reason to go to the movie theater. But with Barbenheimer, there was so much buzz about going to the theater. People wanted to watch both in the same day, themed outfits were made specifically for wearing to both movies and discussions as to what order the films should be watched in. The media hype definitely helped both movies’ performance at the box office.

According to Box Office Mojo, “Barbie” has made $1.38 billion worldwide and $614 million domestically. While “Oppenheimer” has made $865

million worldwide and $312 million domestically.

Domestically, “Barbie” is the number 1 movie in 2023 and “Oppenheimer” is no. 5. Worldwide, “Barbie” is the no. 1 movie in 2023 and “Oppenheimer” is no. 3.

However, both movies are still in theaters so these numbers are subject to change.

Being the movie buff that I am, I of course had to go see both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” on July 21.

After spending about 7 consecutive hours at the movie theater, I have lots of thoughts about both films. I saw “Barbie” first and it honestly was the one I was most excited to see. I will briefly discuss both movies in a spoiler-free review.

In my opinion, “Barbie” is one of the best films I’ve seen in a long time. It has easily made its way to my top three favorite movies. The humor in “Barbie” is very on the nose and meta. There’s been a lot of talk that the Barbie movie is “anti-men” or “feminist propaganda” but that’s not true at all. People who say that didn’t actually pay attention to the film. “Barbie” is prohumans; it’s about learning to live your life by your own choices and how, oftentimes, the world puts us down for doing so and how it affects both men and women.

Even if you’re not after an existential life crisis, the Barbie movie is still a good watch. The humor hits, the cast is impeccable and it’s aesthetically perfect. I couldn’t recommend “Barbie” enough. Easily 10 out of 10.

Of course, you have to follow up “Barbie” with “Oppenheimer.” I honestly wouldn’t have seen “Oppenheimer” if it wasn’t for the Barbenheimer thing. But I’m glad I did. I liked it more than I thought I would. It’s a longer movie, about three hours long, which I don’t like.

However, I thought the cinematography was excellent. Cillian Murphy, who plays Robert Oppenheimer, has a very solid performance. I think his performance carries the movie at several points.

In fact, I think all the main actors were well cast and played well. The story itself was intriguing as well. At first, the split-up storyline was confusing but you can catch on after a little while.

Unfortunately, one movie has to come in second place, and when you’re up against “Barbie,” it’s hard to compete.

While I liked “Oppenheimer” I had a lot more issues and nitpicks than I did “Barbie.” As I said, “Oppenheimer” is long and I rarely have the patience for long movies. A film has to try very hard to keep my interest for 3 hours and “Oppenheimer” failed in that regard.

The pacing of the last 30-45 minutes slows to a crawl as various characters argue back and forth in the various timelines. While I didn’t expect the movie to be all bombs and explosions, I at least expected its content to be interesting. Instead, you get too long conversations with characters whose names you haven’t bothered to remember.

Also going straight from “Barbie” to “Oppenheimer” gave me some whiplash in terms of female representation. “Barbie” is very pro-women and has a cast of mostly women while “Oppenheimer” really only has two female characters. And I personally didn’t find Florence Pugh’s character as the communist mistress or Emily Blunt’s character as the drunken, neglectful housewife particularly appealing.

I know I can’t be too harsh on the characters since they are based on real people and I would obviously prefer a realistic portrayal instead of a fabricated one. So I don’t really know what the solution to that problem is, it was just something I noticed.

I would rate “Oppenheimer” a 7 out of 10. And I would recommend people see it. It’s important history that you aren’t always taught about. If you are into other Nolan films or artsy films, I think you would like it.

While it’s happened before, movies coming out on the same day is still uncommon. The international buzz around Barbenheimer definitely cements its place in film and internet history. So if you want to be a part of this niche history go ‘do the Barbenheimer thing.’

Graphic by Nate Sullens

Muleskinner 7

SPORTS

• Vol. 117 • Issue 1 • September 28, 2023

UCM Student Section gets loud The Roaring Reds bring spirit to games AARON BAX Assistant Sports Editor The Roaring Reds roared back to life this year after shutting down during covid. With over 1,000 members already, the student section continues to make an impact at games.

Roaring Reds is a student supporters organization who attempts to go to all home sporting events.

Noticeable by their Red overalls, a tradition brought in from other school’s supporters groups, the

The student support section, Roaring Reds, cheers for the Mules against the Gorillas. The student section was founded by Beth Rutt 17 years ago. Photos by Ellie Whitesell

section can often be the loudest group at a game.

James Hanten, the student engagement intern for the Roaring Reds, helped bring the organization back. He said that both he and the Vice President for Intercollegate Athletics, Matt Howdeshell, were interested in having a student section at home sports games.

As for the name, Hanten said, “when we found out Roaring Reds stayed, that it was still an active student organization on campus.

We decided to just bring it back and kind of make it a full fledged student organization.”

Hanten also expressed how helpful it was to use the previously used name as it allowed them to use previously made t-shirts and advertising.

The original Roaring Reds student organization was founded 17 years ago in part by Beth Rutt, director of student activities.

Rutt said the goal at the time was to, “increase student attendance at all of the athletic events that we host.”

However the organization has changed since then. When the organization was founded it cost $10 to be a member. Now, membership is free.

There has been no larger change however than the one the pandemic caused by closing down the organization. It was only thanks to a few students that it came back at all.

Kyle Thompson, graduate assistant for student activities was one of those students. An undergrad last year, Thompson worked under his close friend Colby Crowder to help lead a group called Mule Stomp at athletic events.

A precursor to the modern Roaring Reds, the main difference between the two groups was the connection with athletics, a connection he credits to Hanten.

Thompson said, “I’m just really excited for where it’s kind of taken off. It’s definitely evolved. James and getting athletics involved has definitely been a huge part of that.

One other thing I’d say is like, we didn’t really have a way to really track the metric for people attending.

So like getting swipers and swiping students and really putting people on track for that just really allowed us to like track the metrics and see what’s working, what’s not working.”

Top right: The Roaring Reds is back after COVID-19 2020. It was brought back by James Hanten, a student engagement intern.

Left: Cheering for the first touchdown made by the University of Central Missouri’s football team, the Roaring Reds roots for the Mules on Sept. 16.

UCM played against Pittsburg State and lost 37-38.

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8 Muleskinner

SPORTS

Jennies conquer weekend games • Vol. 117 • Issue 1 •September 28, 2023

Olivia Olson, redshirt senior, passes the ball. Olson led the game with seven aces, five blocks and 47 assists. Photo by Rachel Becker

Jennies celebrate after scoring a point against Emporia State. On Sept. 22, the University of Central Missouri Jennies went on to win the game against the Emporia State Hornets 3-1. Photo by Noah Neil

Old and new fans cheer on the Jennies AARON BAX Assistant Sports Editor The University of Central Missouri Jennies Volleyball win over MIAA rivals Emporia State on Sept. 23.

For some, this was their first time to cheer on the team, while others have attended the games for decades.

Among the spectators was Mohammed Alzahraini, an international student from Tunisia, this was his first UCM volleyball game.

Alzahraini said he enjoyed the game and that he hoped for a win.

A slightly more experienced fan could be found in Brock Smith, a UCM Wrestler. He and his fellow teammates have been attending many UCM athletic events.

Above: Freshman Elinor Engel goes for the ball as Redshirt Senior, Sydney Lierz, looks on. Engel is playing her first season for the Jennies, after graduating from Shawnee Mission Northwest High School. Photo by Rachel Becker

Brock said that while he hopes the other teams would return the favor, he mostly just goes to support his fellow Mules and Jennies.

No one in attendance had the experience of retired UCM Volleyball Head Coach, Flip Piontek. A coach for 36 years, Piontek retired in June of 2021.

“I love coming back,” Piontek said. “The volleyball program was a large part of my life and my family. So coming back, it’s like I never left.”

Piontek, who teaches a university foundations class on campus also says that Warrensburg and UCM still mean a lot to him.

“I have been here 36 years, I raised five children here, and my wife still teaches in the middle school,” Piontek said. “We’re very involved in the community and we’d have a very close attachment to this town in this community.”

Multipurpose Building to be renamed Jerry M. Hughes Athletics Center

COLE ELLING Sports Editor On Aug. 21, University of Central Missouri Board of Governors approved the renaming of the Multipurpose Building to the Jerry Hughes Athletic Center. This decision was made in honor of UCM’s former Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics, Jerry Hughes.

Though many in Warrensburg and UCM still mourn the loss of Hughes, it brings opportunity to come together and continue to build UCM’s historic athletics. Matt Howedeshell, current vice president of intercollegiate athletics, continues to find ways to honor Hughes and keep his legacy alive amongst the Warrensburg community.

“We want to do all that we can to properly recognize Jerry and all of his contributions he made to UCM,” Howedeshell said.

The unveiling of the name is currently set for Hall of Fame weekend, February 17; with a formal presentation of the building along with other events to commemorate Hughes that will be announced at a later date.

“Naming the Multipurpose Building after Jerry Hughes couldn’t be more fitting. He was supportive of our team and I know all the athletes here loved having him around to cheer us on.”

- Jackie Storm, Jennies Volleyball Player

Hughes devoted over 40 years of his career to UCM and 30 of those years as UCM Athletic Director and Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics. Kirk Peterson, Coach of both Mules and Jennies track and field and cross country, first met Hughes when he was a graduate student at UCM in 1987.

“With the years he spent here, it could have even been done before he passed away because he was such a big part of this process,” Peterson said.

Built in 1976, UCM’s Multipurpose Building is home to UCM’s Mules and Jennies basketball, Mules wrestling, Jennies volleyball, and Mules and Jennies indoor track and field. With a seating capacity of 6,500, it is one of the largest in the MIAA Conference.

Senior UCM Jennies volleyball player, Jackie Storm, is glad to hear the decision to change the name and help UCM remember Hughes for a long time.

“Naming the Multipurpose Building after Jerry Hughes couldn’t be more fitting,” Storm said. “He was supportive of our team and I know all the athletes here loved having him around to cheer us on.”