NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
Two resident directors join University, talk bringing sense of unity
Over the summer, Northwest’s professional staff for Residential Life underwent some changes. One change that could affect those living on campus is the three Resident Directors who moved careers while the University was on break. This left Franken Hall, Tower Suites and Millikan Hall temporarily without a director.
Soon after the previous RDs left, two new ones came in. Resident Director of Millikan Hall Aaron Hayes and Resident Director of Tower Suites Grace Wilken stepped into their roles at the beginning of August with the start of the school year. Both RDs agreed starting a new semester and new position at the same time can be stressful, but they thought they took it in stride. For Wilken, this is largely because of the support she received from the staff
Leniency continues for campus alcohol policy
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Bffalo Wild Wings GO, the first to exist on a college campus in the country, serves alcohol at its bar, allowing for continued leniency on the University’s alcohol policies. Northwest officially became a dry campus Sept. 6, 1984, under President Dean L. Hubbard. When a campus is dry, it means no alcohol can be served or consumed by anyone on campus, regardless of age.
Vice President of Student Affairs Matt Baker said after Hubbard left in 2009, the dry campus policy started to shift. Baker said for years, Northwest would turn a blind eye to people tailgating on football game days in the Carl and Cheryl Hughes Fieldhouse parking lot.
In 2013, Baker and former University Police Department Chief Clarence Green worked together and realized it wasn’t appropriate to say Northwest was a dry campus while also allowing alcohol to be consumed at tailgates. They also recognized that tailgating was a pretty typical game-day experience around the country.
“We didn’t have any problems with the behav-
ior that was there,” Baker said. “So we decided to be honest about what we allowed. And so in that year, we went to the Board of Regents. We also, around that time, probably before that even, began to allow alcohol in the football suites.”
During football games, those who own football suites can provide their alcohol or use Northwest’s catering service to purchase it. The 2013 policy made that more concrete, and allowed alcohol before football games in designated parking lots.
Around 2017, Baker said Northwest officially changed its alcohol policy following approval from the Board of Regents. This also established that alcohol could be served during events held in Northwest’s facilities. He said there were many discussions about risk management and insurance for this to be put in place.
“We also recognized at that point, we had a lot of student organizations that would rent out facilities for formals or events that they served alcohol at, and we realized that Northwest would provide a safer environment for people who are of legal age to drink than perhaps somebody’s barn just outside of town,” Baker said.
Title IX seeks to implement new policies regarding pregnant, parenting students
Northwest’s Title IX and Equity unit will soon implement policies regarding pregnant and parenting students. As of now, no such standards are in place, so there is no consistency between accommodations each faculty member provides for impacted students.
These modifications were discussed at the University’s Fall 2024 Academic Affairs meeting, where Stephanie Krauth, Northwest’s assistant vice president of Title IX and Equity, explained it. She said privacy accommodations that protect against sexbased discrimination in educa-
tion programs have been a part of Title IX, for some time. But, updated guidelines to Title IX by the U.S. Department of Education in April required schools to prevent discrimination based on pregnancy or related conditions.
Krauth said the state of Missouri has an injunction in place – a court order prohibiting the state from performing a specific act – so the new Title IX guidelines are not enacted in the state at this time. This is due to the state of Missouri being one of many states filing a lawsuit against the Biden-Harris administration, opposing the new Title IX guidelines due to its redefinition of the term “sex.”
While the guidelines are not
required due to this, Krauth said the Title IX and Equity office has been advised by its legal counsel to move forward with the modifications anyway, since most institutions of higher education across the country have similar processes in place.
“Again, pregnancy accommodations have been part of the language for quite some time, so we went ahead and had it approved by the Board of Regents in August, if anything, just to make sure we’re updating in compliance and doing the right thing by both our students and you (faculty),” Krauth said at the meeting.
“I do think that having a sense of unity in housing and student staff across the board, not just in your hall, is extremely beneficial because you have a huge network of people,” Wilken said. “I think it’s like 65 of us, (a) huge network of people that you can reach out to across campus to help get students connected and help them find who they want to be, what they want to do.”
Wilken has a background as a Resident Assistant at St. Louis University, and noticed many differences in the way things are run at Northwest, specifically in how the University handles the mental health of students.
“When we had our crisis response training here, I didn’t have words to even tell them that we didn’t have crisis response training (at SLU), that we were just thrown into it, and we had no support at all,” Wilken said. Wilken said her experiences as an RA inspired her to apply for this position. She said she loved working with freshmen and seeing how she was able to support them in coming into themselves.
“Our building theme for the year is ‘seen, heard and known’ as just something that I picked up in grad classes for counseling that has kind of stuck with me for a very long time,” Wilken said.
Northwest student Thomas Ismert and junior Leo Burns have drinks at Buffalo Wild Wings GO, located in The Station. The restaurant is the first Buffalo Wild Wings GO on a college campus and it obtained its alcohol license Aug. 29.
THANNEERU PHOTOGRAPHER
DAKOTA OSWALT News Editor | @doswalt_NWMSRN
New organization focuses on advocacy
With a new semester comes fresh opportunities for new beginnings. Something new starting on campus this semester is an organization for LGBTQ+ students and allies here called Prism.
The President of Prism, freshman Vivian Atkinson and the Secretary, senior Shane Repphun, said the organization wants to focus on advocacy and history.
“I also think it’s really good for young people to know their queer history,” said Atkinson. “And we were talking about doing certain events that would kind of make people more aware of stuff like that. It’s good to know where you come from.”
Atkinson said the name Prism comes from the idea that a prism reflects different types of light, the same way they want their organization to reflect different identities. They also note that a prism often reflects a rainbow, which is like the rainbow flag used to represent the LGBTQ+ community.
He said the majority of the student leaders in Prism are freshmen. Repphun said he applied to the position of secretary as a senior because he wanted to be in a place to assist the freshmen, allowing them to take the reins.
“I was happy to see that a freshman stepped forward, who’s going to hopefully be here for a long time in the group,” Repphun said. “And kind of, know what the relationship is in the community, and build that community.”
LGBTQ+ DEMOGRAPHICS ACROSS MISSOURI
Atkinson said the main priority of Prism is to ensure all students have a safe space to go on campus. They want both stu-
dents who are part of the community and allies to have a space where they can go show their support, as well as learn more
‘Bearcat Baker’ promotes business using Instagram
A Northwest student has started her own baking business. She calls herself the Bearcat Baker, and has already made about $100 in two weeks.
Junior Alli Loar said she learned she enjoyed baking sourdough and cookies last semester, but had begun making too many for only herself to eat. That is when she got the idea to start her business.
“I was constantly giving them away but I was like, you know, I know a lot of people actually buy these things and there’s a market for them, and as a broke college student I could always use some cash,” Loar said. “So I started
selling them word-of-mouth.”
Last semester, Loar only sold her baked goods the week before and the week of finals as a way to make extra money since she took time off work to study. During that time she was not advertising herself in any way and was only selling to friends and others around her.
Loar decided she wanted to continue selling her baked goods this semester and test if she could make a profit from her new business.
She created an Instagram page where she showcases her baked goods. It is on this page that buyers can see Loar is selling up to 10 different kinds of sourdough bread, as well as chocolate chip cookies. The page
also displays the cost of each. Loar said she is excited about the number of orders she has gotten in the first week of the fall semester.
“With this being the first week that I have posted my page, I got a good handful of orders,” Loar said. “So I’m pretty excited about that rate and hopefully, as the more I advertise, the more people will frequently order.”
Throughout her life, Loar has always been a casual baker. It was only last semester that she started baking more often.
Loar said she likes to joke that she is a stress baker, which is why she started over finals last semester. However, she also enjoys seeing the reactions of those who eat her baked goods.
“I don’t know what it is about it, but something about turning a bunch of ingredients into something that is delicious and sweet and tends to make people happy when they eat it, and I share it, just really makes me feel good,” Loar said.
This year, Loar has a kitchen all to herself in her off-campus apartment, but last semester she lived with a couple of other people and had to share a kitchen. Loar said the hardest part about baking in a shared space was that she had to be in the kitchen for long periods of time and would make a significant mess.
Though her roommate last semester, current senior Sabrina Knox, said she did not mind having to share the kitchen with someone who was making baked goods.
“She did a good job cleaning up after herself so I never had to worry about anything,” Knox said. “She was also really generous with the things she made, so she would always call it brain food, which is sweet.”
Knox said she got to try different items that Loar would make, but her favorite was the chocolate chip cookies.
“I loved them actually, I compliment her all the time,” Knox said. “Specifically, she made chocolate chip cookies a lot and I really loved the way that they weren’t too sweet and they stayed chewy at room temperature instead of getting harder or like any weird texture. They were just perfect.”
one may want to know people around them. He talked about how it can be comforting to recognize fellow LGBTQ+ people or allies in the classroom.
Shay Malone, assistant vice president of institutional effectiveness and global engagement, hosted an interest meeting for this club, getting the ball rolling. She said she knew there was interest in getting an organization like this on campus. While the organization Helping Everyone Succeed Regardless of Orientation still exists, she said she sees the difference between it and Prism, and says both serve a purpose.
Repphun discussed how HERO was more of a social club, and focused more on building the community. He said he hopes for Prism to be more active in educating as well as campus action.
“I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have more than one LGBTQ student organization on campus,” Malone said. “I think both groups can serve a purpose if HERO wants to still exist and we have (Prism), but if they would like to join this one … then they can do both.”
Malone said she wants the organization to be largely run by students. She hopes to see the new board take the idea of an LGBTQ+ organization and run with it. Malone said students know what students want.
about the community. Atkinson talked about how it’s important because when you are in a classroom, some-
“For me, the biggest goal of this organization is to establish itself,” Malone said “Figure out what it wants and for, like any other student organization, I want it to be student-focused.”
Loar said the chocolate chip cookie recipe is her grandmother’s, and that while she was growing up she and her grandmother would make them together. Loar said throughout her life, both her mother and grandmother would often bake different items.
As for the remainder of the year, Loar said she hopes to add a few seasonal items to her menu. She has a couple of different ideas for both the fall and winter holiday seasons.
“I’m considering adding an apple crisp bread in for this month and then maybe something for the holiday months and changing it up a little bit,” Loar said.
So I’m pretty excited about that rate and hopefully, as the more I advertise, the more people will frequently order.”
INFOGRAPHIC BY LILLY HALLMON MISSOURIAN DESIGNER
SOURCE: WILLIAM INSTITUTE SCHOOL OF LAW
Northwest junior Alli Loar – now also known as the Bearcat Baker – combines ingredients as she forms the dough for a loaf order.
ALLI DUARTE COPY EDITOR
NW alumn premiers new movie, talks role
Mystery sickness, governmental watchdogs and horror are what Maryville native Justin Ross brought to The Hangar May 3 for a premiere of a new movie he produced called “New Life.”
“New Life” follows a young woman on the run and those trying to track her down. Ross’ role in the production of the movie was working behind the scenes.
“A producer is always working behind the scenes to help assemble the team, to help design play or budgets and strategy,” Ross said.
The movie took around a couple of years to produce. Ross said his favorite part of his role in the movie was assembling the team of people working on the movie. Since “New Life” was an independent film, there was not a huge budget for the production, and Ross said location ended up being one of the bigger chal-
lenges. But, they embraced the possible problems and leaned into them to make creative elements in the movie.
Ross said he was consistently making movies around Maryville as he was growing up, and while attending Northwest had a chance to make several short films and even a feature film. The feature film also had its premiere at The Hangar.
“So I’m very excited to be able to come back and premiere this film there as well,” Ross said.
“Because of the community and the support that I received from the city of Maryville, and the community of Northwest, I was able to make all these short films and essentially started my career there.”
After attending Northwest, Ross was accepted into Florida State University, which he said is one of the best film schools in the country. Ross said this allowed him to take the next step in his career and receive professional training. He now lives in Los Angeles and works as a professional producer.
Assistant Director for the school of Health Science and Wellness, Chase O’Gwin said he runs a lot of movie programs at The Hangar and this was one of them.
“Justin (Ross) was coming into town for his dad, who was a retired professor here (Northwest), and he had a new movie and he was bringing it here and he wanted to meet up with his friends and premiere one of his cool new movies here,” O’Gwin said.
O’Gwin said it was fun running the event and being able to show some of the children in Maryville who participate in annual film fests who can have a future and a career in filmmaking.
“So while it doesn’t have a global impact, the impact it has on the youth here shows them, you can be from a small town and still have this cool outreach, these cool careers,” O’Gwin said.
After the premiere at The Hangar, there was a panel where O’Gwin said he and Ross spent some time planning the premiere, but the day of plans changed entirely. He said a lot of film festivals have changes happen all the time as well.
Ross said the Maryville community provided him with a lot of support, from being a part of film festivals to preparing him for his career.
“So essentially I owe a great deal of my career and my journey to the city of Maryville and the community at Northwest and so I’m forever grateful for the experiences I’ve had in the past there and I look forward to contributing however I can in the future,” Ross said.
Campus Professor wins award for dedication
This past June, Northwest Professor of Music William Richardson received the Glenn Miller Lifetime Achievement Award.
This award, given by the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society In Clarinda, Iowa, is decided yearly at the society’s festival, which was held June 8 this year.
Glenn Miller was a jazz musician from Clarinda, Iowa who rose to fame for his band, Glenn Miller Orchestra. The band rose to popularity during the period building up to World War II, and remains popular among jazz musicians. Miller disappeared during a U.S. Naval Flight over the English Channel in 1944. The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society was started to preserve his legacy.
Society Executive Director Shari Greenwood said the award is given for dedication to the society, its yearly scholarship competition and its yearly festival. Richardson was notable to the society for his yearly participation in playing, coaching or judging at the festival. Greenwood said this is what pushed the society to pick Richardson this year.
“He did an extra helpful job working with the kids,” said Greenwood. “When they get up on stage and they’re singing or playing their instruments, they want feedback, they want to know ‘What can I do better?’ and Dr. Richardson’s very good with that. He’s also a very good resource at competitions. It’s the wealth, knowledge, and the willingness that he has to help out.”
Richardson is involved with the St. Joseph Symphony, the St. Joseph Big Band, the Glenn Miller Big Band and the Phil Collins Experience. Along with these, he has been at Northwest since 1999 and works directly with the University’s Jazz Ensemble. Richardson said his trumpet playing had a major effect on his career choice.
“So when I went to school I wanted to have a music education degree,” Richardson said. “I was trying to be a high school and middle school band director. As my undergraduate studies kind of went on, the trumpet playing was going really well, so I started to delve into performance, and what I like about teaching at the University is the ability to mix in artistic work with the teaching that I do here.”
The award has been presented roughly 75 times since its creation, to one or two people each year. When handing out the award, the society looks at volunteer efforts, dedication and support to the society, as well as the music scholarship competition.
Some of the ways people contribute to the society are by helping with the scholarship competition, organizing the festival, and participating in the Glenn Miller Big Band. Greenwood said Richardson is incredibly helpful to society as a whole.
“Sometimes it’s the amount of hours that they’ve put in, sometimes it’s the kind of different avenues that they lend their help,” Greenwood said. “For instance, Dr. Richardson not only helps with the scholarship competition in
that he helps from the beginning handing info out, but he also judges the competition, and at the end of their performances he helps them with their voice, their instrument.”
Richardson has been playing trumpet since he was in middle school. He said the most important thing for aspir-
ing musicians to do is understand dedication to music.
“The other thing is just dedication to the craft,” Richardson said. “Learning how to sing or play an instrument and like any still, there are better techniques than others. We want to aspire to have good technique, good role models through listening to art as best we can.”
"New Life" poster showcases one of the lead actresses, Hayley Erin. The independent film premiered in Maryville at The Hangar May 3.
Actress Hayley Erin sits on the set of "New Life." Producer Justin Ross is a Maryville native now working on films in Los Angeles. SUBMITTED
Northwest Professor of Music William Richardson uses a trumpet on stage. Richardson received the Glenn Miller Achievement Award, an award that roughly only 75 people have earned.
JERRY WATSON CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
DYLAN DAUGHERTY Missourian Reporter | @TheMissourian
HANNAH CLAYWELL Managing Editor | @Hannah_9504
CRIME LOG
for the week of Sept. 12
Northwest Missouri State University Police Department
Sept. 1
There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in South Complex.
There is a closed investigation for a fire alarm in South Complex.
Aug. 31
There is an open investigation for harassment in Franken Hall.
There is a closed investigation for stealing in Sycamore-Forest Village Apartments.
There is a closed investigation for a liquor law violation in Hudson Hall.
Aug. 29
There is a closed investigation for Alexis Gramlich, 18, for possession of illegal identification in Franken Hall.
There is an open investigation for stealing in Wells Hall.
There is an open investigation for stealing in Sycamore-Forest Village Apartments.
Aug. 28
There is an open investigation for stealing in South Complex.
There is a closed investigation for a liquor law violation in Tower Suites West.
Maryville Department of Public Safety
Sept. 9
There is an ongoing investigation for larceny on the 200 block of Volunteer Avenue.
Sept. 7
There was an accident between an unknown driver and Taylor R. Christensen on the 300 block of North Mulberry Street.
There was an accident between an unknown driver and Micheal A. Poppa Sr. on the 700 block of East Seventh Street.
There is an ongoing investigation for burglary on the 1600 block of South Main Street.
Sept. 6
There was a wallet recovered on the 1300 block of East First Street.
Sept. 4
There is an ongoing investigation for fraud on the 500 block of South Buchanan Street.
A summons was issued to Fernando J. Lopez III, 28, for a city code violation on the 700 block of Peaceful Way.
Sept. 2
There was an accident between Kori E. Quinlin, 16, and Kevin O. Garrett, 67, on West First Street and Country Club Road.
Sept. 1
There was an accident between James B. Barker, 33, and Myah E. Brock, 23, on the 1000 block of South Main Street. Barker was charged with careless and imprudent driving.
There was a summons issued to Falicia D. Lawson 26, for domestic assault on the 200 block of West Twelfth Street.
There was a summons issued to Tucker J. Murphy, 21, for domestic assault on the 200 block of West Twelfth Street. There is an ongoing investigation for a dog bite on the 1200 block of South Main Street.
Aug. 31
There was an accident between Dalton A. Dreir, 19, and Cammi L. Faustlin, 34, on the 500 block of East Seventh Street. Dreir was charged with careless and imprudent driving.
There was an accident between Eric T. Chang, 19, and Madison L. Govig, 22, on the 500 block of West Fourth Street.
There was a summons issued to Dusty L. Eckberg, 41, for disorderly conduct on the 1600 block of South Main Street.
There is an ongoing investigation for larceny on the 1600 block of South Main Street.
There was an accident between Brett W. Swinford, 40, and James C. Pearson on South Walnut Street and West Halsey Street.
Voting registration available on campus
RAIEA SALERNO News Reporter | @Raiea_Salerno
Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are the two leading party candidates running for the 2025 presidency, representing their respective parties. Regardless of the prevalent tensions between the two parties this election, citizens are still encouraged to vote.
The presidential election happens the first Tuesday of November, and this year it is Nov. 8. Students may check their registration status online at the United States Election Assistance Commission. In order to register, students must first choose their state, select “register to vote” and then “submit an online voter registration application.” After filling out all the information, they will print and sign the form. They then mail or hand deliver it to the Nodaway County Clerk’s Office at 403 N. Market St. Room 211.
Every person must be 18 the day voting takes place, and one must be registered to vote in Missouri by Oct. 9.
Northwest’s Office of Student Involvement has voter registration booths open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday on the second floor of the J.W. Jones Student Union. Freshman Aidan Rhoad checked his voter registration status at the booth Sept. 10. He said he encourages voting and said everyone’s voice matters in the election.
“It’s good to get your opinion out there so that you can have a say in what happens in the government,” Rhoad said. “It’s a right that you have, and if you have a right, then you should exercise it.”
Anyone who wishes to vote or register must have government-issued photo identification present. This can be a driver’s license, a passport or a military ID. The school-issued Bearcat cards do not count due to current Missouri legislation.
Voting options include absentee voting and in-person voting. Absentee vot-
ing, also known as mail-in voting, allows someone to mail in their vote, oftentimes early, if someone cannot vote in person on Election Day. The most common form of voting, however, is in-person, where the voter will be in a specified location while turning in their ballot. It also allows out-of-state Northwest students to vote without having to vote in-person in their home county.
Absentee voting forms can be filled out at the United States Secretary of State website and mailed, emailed or delivered to the Nodaway City Clerk.
Garrison Kennedy, the students rights and responsibilities coordinator at Northwest, said voting among young adults is low due to lack of knowledge in voting, so having a booth to help students register helps increase voter turnout.
“You know, every decision from local up to the Federal Election impacts students in one way or another, and so vot-
ALCOHOL CONTINUED FROM A1
Allowing for alcohol at events hosted on campus generates revenue, adding a business angle to the policy. Baker said this revenue can help keep affordability for campus dining and housing lower for students.
The University still does not allow undergrad residents to have alcohol in residence halls. Baker said this is to comply with state law.
Buffalo Wild Wings GO opened in April, offering a variety of wings and sandwiches and serving alcohol at a separate bar counter.
Casey Benton, Sodexo’s general manager with Bearcat Dining, oversees the day-to-day operations of Bearcat Dining. He said the restaurant obtained its official license to sell alcohol Aug. 29. Benton said he feels great knowing this Buffalo Wild Wings GO is the first of its kind on a college campus.
“I’m ecstatic,” Benton said. “I’m grateful to be able to collaborate with Northwest and initiate the first contract.”
Since the restaurant just became licensed to sell alcohol recently, Benton said Bearcat Dining doesn’t know how it will affect campus drinking policies. When Buffalo Wild Wings GO first opened with a temporary license, spring classes had just ended and he said it was hard to gauge alcohol consumption and its impacts without students being on campus.
He said precautions will be put in place to prevent underage drinking. All staff are trained in ServSafe alcohol protocol, meaning identification gets checked with all beer purchases. There is only one beer allowed per transaction, and signage that states there’s no beer past certain areas.
Baker said one reason Northwest wanted to add a Buffalo Wild Wings GO on campus was to give community members a chance to come to campus, have a beer and watch sporting events. The restaurant is equipped with over half a dozen televisions.
Baker encourages students and the Maryville community to visit the restaurant. Benton said he can’t wait to see how it performs.
“It’s a beautiful store,” Benton said. “I’ve got a great team over there. We just get to watch it grow and take shape.”
ing is one of the best ways to directly impact that,” Kennedy said. “Sometimes it feels to students as though maybe their vote doesn’t matter, but more often, we find that they care and they have something to say and they want to vote. We’re trying to remove that and help people connect to the resources.”
Northwest junior Trayvon McCalib said a student’s vote matters.
“Your opinion matters,” McCalib said. “Your vote can represent who you are.”
The next voter registration booth is sponsored by the Northwest League of Women Voters. Kennedy said the sponsorships send a message to all groups of people that voting is important and registering to vote is simple. He said if younger people, like students, register to vote it encourages them to vote more often.
The next voter registration event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 17 at the J.W. Jones Student Union.
DIRECTORS CONTINUED FROM A1
Despite not having a background in being an RA, Hayes said he enjoys his new position. His background in admissions at Southwest Baptist University made him love talking to incoming freshmen, but he always wanted to continue to support them when they got onto campus. He also said his degree from SBU in social work and how helping people is his passion.
“You’re pretty much working with, like, the home for the student while they’re here,” Hayes said. “Making them feel comfortable, and making them feel cared for and loved, and just helping them get their footing, find the things that they like (and) are talented and are gifted in and like, let’s be that first, like, connection point.”
He said he wants everyone in his building and oncampus to feel safe and comfortable. He also wants residents’ homes away from home to feel safe, like it’s somewhere they belong. Hayes said Northwest is somewhere he feels safe.
“I love the people here, and everybody’s super friendly and inviting, and they make this place like (it) doesn’t even feel like I’m working,” Hayes said. “I just feel like I’m here with everyone and just doing life with them.”
Hayes said it’s important to live on campus because he thinks it’s the best way to make connections. Being on campus is an experience he said you can’t get anywhere else. He also said it’s important that student staff treat residents with care.
“This is a blessing,” Hayes said. “This is, like, a dream of my life. Like, to be able to be here.”
Both Wilken and Hayes love their new positions on campus. They said they look forward to the rest of the year and are thankful for the student staff they came in with.
“I love it here, and I can’t stop saying it, because it’s true,” Wilken said.
PREGNANCY
CONTINUED FROM A1
Some goals of the policy include emphasizing a centralized place where pregnant students can begin the accommodation process and mandating that faculty refer pregnant students to those Title IX resources. It also involves faculty providing opportunities and specific accommodations to pregnant students and adding lactation rooms around campus.
The centralized place students will be referred to is the Title IX office in the Administration Building. Not only will the office provide accommodations for pregnancy, but also pregnancy-related concerns, such as childbirth, termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, nursing and new parenting, as well as any medical conditions or recovery related to these matters.
The mandatory referral guideline says when a student discloses to faculty they are pregnant, the faculty member should tell them to visit Krauth in the Title IX office for accom-
modations. Students have a choice of whether or not they want to use those resources. Krauth emphasized that faculty are not responsible for individually putting together an accommodations plan for pregnant students.
“Don’t put that on yourself, don’t put that on the student,” Krauth said. “Send them to our office, because we need to think about the student and help the student through this particular situation.”
A few of the accommodations include giving excused absences for medical purposes, mutually agreed upon assignment extensions and online class options. Accommodations could also be made for lactation. Krauth said the University is working on adding more accessible lactation rooms across campus.
So far, there is one recently-renovated lactation room on the third floor of the Administration Building. Krauth said there will be another in Martindale Hall.
Aaron Hayes began his new role as Resident Director of Millikan Hall at the beginning of August. Hayes has a background working in admissions at Southwest Baptist University.
AKASH THANNEERU PHOTOGRAPHER
Grace Wilken began her new role as Resident Director of Tower Suites at the beginning of August. Wilken has prior experience working as a Resident Assistant at St. Louis University.
AKASH THANNEERU PHOTOGRAPHER
INFOGRAPHIC BY JULIANNA LAWRENCE DESIGN EDITOR
Represent everyone, it’s not that hard
Representation is something people always talk about, but don’t always realize the importance of. Whether it’s ethnicity, sexuality or anything else, representation can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
I went to the San Diego area in California and it was a shock. I have never been in a place with so many people who were like me — so many people who are Hispanic.
I remember everyone I met there all talking about their universities and how their institutions were Hispanic serving, and the shock when I told them that wasn’t the case here. I hadn’t even realized that it would be different, that they wouldn’t understand what I was talking about.
Media is a huge area to provide representation and it has increased over the years, but it’s still important to provide diverse perspectives and identities in media.
I remember watching ‘Encanto’ for the first time and seeing things that reminded me of my childhood with my Hispanic grandma. It’s experiences like this that can make a difference in a child’s life.
I know to some people, representation doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but to all the children — or even adults — out there struggling with their identity, whether that be racial or not, representation is everything.
Representation often is referred to when talking about racial representation, but it can encompass other identities and features, including sexuality and disabilities. I know seeing disabilities represented in the media can mean a lot to people with disabilities.
Being in Missouri, this is even more important. Whether or not you agree, there isn’t a lot of exposure to differences here. Out of Missouri’s population, 77.6% are white (non-Hispanic) people and 15% have a disability, according to Data USA and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Representation shouldn’t be hard to accomplish, the world is so diverse and has so many unique cultures and lifestyles — it should be easy to incorporate diversity in everything. America itself is a melting pot of backgrounds and has more accommodation for people with disabilities, than a lot of other countries. Why are we still fighting for representation?
I don’t wish I went to school somewhere else, and I have enjoyed my time here. However, representation is huge, and seeing those other diverse journalists made me feel like I had a community.
That shouldn’t just happen in California, which has a huge Hispanic population and is close to the Mexican border. I should be able to find my community here, I should have representation within reach at all times.
That’s a world I want to live in — one in which everyone feels they have a place. I know that we can get there, it’s just going to take some work and willingness.
THE STROLLER:
Your Bearcat despises the Jeep-truck
I believe you shouldn’t live your life with a negative attitude. This being said, I hate Jeep Gladiators, or as they’re better known, Jeep-trucks. In fact, I would say I have a vendetta against them. Nothing fills me with blind rage more than watching God’s ugliest creation driving down the street or sitting in a parking lot. I have so much judgment for people who look at this abomination of a car and think ‘Yep, that’s the one I want.’
Now, you might be wondering why I choose to spend my time seething with anger at what some call a truck. Why does it even matter? Please allow me to educate you. Not only are these the most impractical vehicles to exist — seriously, just buy a jeep or a truck, you don’t need both — but they also make me throw up a little in my mouth when I see them. While the main selling point is how it’s meant for off-roading as well as everyday driving, let’s be
honest, no one is driving that monstrosity anywhere except to Walmart. Don’t even get me started on the name of this hideous vessel. The Jeep Gladiator. The best Jeep brand pickup truck yet according to Jeep’s website. Right. And I’m the Queen of England. I, for one, would never be caught dead driving something everyone around me refers to as a ‘Juck’. You couldn’t even get me to so much as sit in one without
some hefty incentive. In this economy, it would probably take a paid-off house. All I’m saying is if you’re going to willingly purchase and sit in the driver’s seat, you have to be willing to face the wrath of me and other Jeeptruck haters in the world. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the seat.
Desensitization is
not an excuse to overlook
It started as a typical Tuesday over 20 years ago, then quickly turned in the deadliest terrorist attack on United States soil. September 11, 2001, became a day America annually memorializes the tragic events that occurred.
Many undergrad students at Northwest were not alive to see these attacks unfold, and if they were, they likely don’t remember them. Although most of us did not see those events take place in real time, it’s still important to remember the reason we look back on it each year, and to also recognize that violence is never the answer.
Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the September 11 attacks, with thousands more injured. These attacks were all committed by members of the infamous terrorist organization al-Qaeda, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Most of us weren’t there when it happened. Not like our parents who saw it as they were driving into work, or our older siblings who watched it live at school.
Everyone older than us can vividly describe exactly where they were when the attacks happened, while we just see memorial broadcasts on the news every year. But because it happened before most of us were born, our generation and the one’s coming up after us are desensitized to the at-
YOUR VIEW:
What does 9/11 mean to you?
CORBIN HOLYFIELD Sophomore Computer Science
tacks of September 11.
We already grew up with the new flying policies from the Transportation Security Administration, and we haven’t lived without U.S. government anti-terrorism organizations, like those before us. We’re in a time where our peers make jokes about these events, making it hard to take it seriously. It’s a traumatic event and we’ve detached ourselves from the emotions.
It is also up to us to speak out against violence, terrorism and any conflicts that occur because of what makes us unique. Ideological campaigns are based on religious, political and cultural differences. Many terrorist groups, not just al-Qaeda, use this campaign style to carry out acts of violence against countries or people with differing beliefs.
Some acts of terrorism are domestic, and they are also based on social differences, and can intensify when a country is in a period of political turmoil.
The Department of Homeland Security reported there were 231 incidents regarding domestic terrorism in the U.S. between 2010 and 2021, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
More recently, the Center for Strategic and International Studies found that acts of domestic terrorism have increased amid growing political polar-
“To me it’s one of the worst tragedies in our history. I feel like we should honor the people that died during the attacks.”
UDAYKIRAN VAKADANI Senior Computer Science
tragedy
ization and more mainstream access to extremist views in recent years.
Let’s not make this our story.
No matter what happens this November, remember violence is not OK. Threats against people – whether it be presidential nominees, congressmen or your Walmart cashier who has different views than you –should not be so widely accepted.
On this September 12, let’s never forget the unified country we were 23 years ago today, and let’s head into election season holding onto that feeling.
We shouldn’t treat 9/11 like a thing of the past. It was very real, and it has potential to happen again. Although we weren’t there, it’s up to us to never forget. As Winston Churchill said in a 1948 speech, “those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.”
We need to educate ourselves. We need to teach those even younger than us – our little siblings and our future children – because it is up to us to keep the memory alive.
“It’s a big tragedy that happened in New York City when I was in India. It’s completely a terrorist attack and a tragedy for those who lost their lives.”
NORTHWEST MISSOURIAN
“I remember my parents and grandparents talking about it and how crazy it was for them, and I think it’s just really sad.”
OUR VIEW:
ANNA CASE CARTOONIST
SARA KONKLER Freshman Psychology
The Stroller has been a tradition since 1918 and does not reflect the views of the Northwest Missourian.
HANNAH CLAYWELL Managing Editor @Hannah_9504
NEXT WEEK IN SPORTS
NW FB
vs. Fort Hays State
6 p.m. Sept. 14
Bearcat Stadium
NW SOCCER
vs. Grand Valley State
4 p.m. Sept. 13
Bearcat Pitch
vs. Minnesota State
1 p.m. Sept. 15 Bearcat Pitch vs. Augustana
3 p.m. Sept. 18
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
NW MEN’S TENNIS
@ Washburn Invite Sept. 14
Washburn, Kansas
NW WOMEN’S TENNIS
@ Washburn Invite Sept. 14
Washburn, Kansas
NW VOLLEYBALL
@ Outback Invitational vs. Flordia Tech
9 a.m. Sept. 13
vs. RV Wingate
4:30 p.m. Sept 13 vs. Spring Hill
11:30 a.m. Sept. 14
vs. RV Wingate
7 p.m. Sept. 13
Pensacola, Flordia
MHS FB
vs. Chillicothe High School
7 p.m. Sept. 13 Maryville High School
MHS VOLLEYBALL
vs. East Atchison
6 p.m. Sept. 16
Tarkio Activities Center
vs. Excelsior Springs
6:30 p.m. Sept. 17
Excelsior Springs High School
vs. Lafayette Fighting Irish
6 p.m. Sept. 19 Maryville High School
Men’s tennis sets up for next invite
TREY HOUCHIN Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports
With five seniors graduated from last years’ team, Northwest men’s tennis will lean on three seniors in hopes to make a push into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regionals and Nationals this fall.
For the Bearcats and Head coach Mark Rosewell, it is all about gaining experience this fall to help shape the younger group into the team they hope to be in the spring against MIAA Conference opponents.
“We got a lot of new players, so we’re really kind of starting over,” Rosewell said. “We’ve lost, you know, through graduation, All-Americans, champions, and some really good players. So we’re kind of starting over, but we got some talent.”
Northwest finished with an overall record 13-7 (6-3 MIAA/ GAC) in the 2024 spring season to clinch a seed in the 2024 MIAA/ GAC Championship Tournament.
SEASON
CONTINUED FROM A8
In the 2023 MIAA Conference Tournament, the Northwest men’s team finished in third place with 98 points, while the women’s team finished in sixth place with 133 points. The third
The Bearcats were one of six teams to clinch a conference seed out of the 10 teams in the MIAA.
For the inexperienced team, senior Vini Rodrigues said they have their eyes set on improvement and chemistry before the spring season inches closer.
“I mean, we want to do well, but we’re still trying to figure out everyone’s level and trying to get good chemistry with the team,” Rodrigues said. “It will be a good experimental year, I mean, we’re rebuilding the team, but I think from what I’ve seen so far we have a good level of guys and we could go far.”
The three seniors — Rodrigues, Rafal Bednarczuk and Luc Mascitti — look to lead the team into ITA Regionals and Nationals this fall, as well as the spring season where it counts.
place finish on the men’s side marked the 22nd time in the program’s history the men’s team finished in the top-three at the conference championship meet.
For the men, junior Drew Atkins was a key factor in the Bearcats’ success last season. Atkins was named a 2023 NCAA Di-
For Rodrigues, he will be without his doubles partner from last season, Andrea Zamurri, who earned a No. 40 national doubles ranking in Division II. The duo also came in at No. 8 in the Division II Central Region doubles rankings last season.
For juniors, Niccolo Chiriatti and Antonin Leborne, sophomore Dominik Wijntjes, and freshman Werner Zimmermann, they will look to find their stride on the team quickly and contribute early in hopes of earning a spot in the MIAA Conference Tournament later this spring.
With only one more competition left until ITAs, Coach Rosewell said it is very difficult to squeeze into the Regional and National Tournaments.
“It’s going to take an outstanding effort from somebody because
vision II All-American after finishing in 34th place in last year’s Division II Cross Country Championships. Atkins said he hopes to continue that success again this fall.
“I think last year was a huge learning point for me,” Atkins said. “Just kind of learning and moving forward into this season, just taking everything I learned last year and kind of building on it. I’ve started running more than I ever have…. just keep grinding every week and making sure we’re ready for the big days.”
For the women, seniors Alyna Thibault and Taylor McCreedy, will look to lead the Bearcats this season. Thibault led North-
it is very, very difficult to go,” Rosewell said. “Only the champion goes and makes it, sometimes the runner-up, and that’s not just the conference but the whole regional, so it’s going to be tough.”
Although the fall season does not count against the overall record of the Northwest men’s tennis team, Rodrigues said it is crucial to start hot and learn quickly as an inexperienced team with high hopes.
“For the fall season I would like us to have a good ITA, maybe have one of the guys or one of the doubles teams make it to the semifinals,” Rodrigues said. “But talking about spring when it actually matters, at least make it to (the) conference (tournament), that would be the ultimate goal.”
west in the 2023 MIAA Conference Tournament, finishing in 11th place, while McCreedy was not too far behind, finishing in 16th place. Cunningham said he is excited to see how the team will handle adversity this fall.
“We want to be excellent throughout the season, and I define excellence as the ability to withstand multiple bouts of adversity,” Cunningham said. Northwest finished its first competition of the season Sept. 6 at Creighton University. The women’s team finished in third place, while the men finished in fourth. The Bearcats’ next event will be Sept. 20 at Minnesota University in Falcon Heights.
SOCCER CONTINUED FROM A8
Two days later, the Bearcats traveled to Yager Stadium Sept. 7, a neutral-site location in Topeka, Kansas. Northwest, still awaiting a win, were edged out despite a strong effort, as University of Missouri-St. Louis secured a comeback 3-2 victory.
Physical play that the Bearcats weren’t used to seeing set them back to start the contest. Movement and attacking of the ball all around the field made it hard for Northwest to keep up the intensity throughout.
Gordon said the game was theirs to win but they came just short.
“They came out with a different style of play, very physical, a lot of contact in their play,” Gordon said. “They scored early, but I thought we rebounded well going into half scoring two. In the second half the wear and tear of the game helped them capitalize on a couple goals, which we were just no able to bounce back from.”
Even through hard times early in the season where things are not going the Bearcats way, unity and belief within the team will help get through obstacles. The Bearcats bounced back to get a huge win, its first of the season, 3-1 Sept. 10 in Bolivar, Missouri.
Northwest will now play host to a powerhouse No. 2 ranked Grand Valley State Sept. 13 at Bearcat Pitch.
Gordon said how he looks forward to these types of occasions, but still the respect needs to be shown due to the Lakers talent.
“In order for us to get to where we want to be, we have to take advantage of opportunities to play in matches like these, and we’re going into it to perform and get a result.” Gordon said. “You know, it’s simply a number. Again, I think they carry a lot of legacy with them, and they’ve started off the year well which they typically do, and that’s how we grow to the team we know we can be.”
Northwest men’s tennis senior Rafal Bednarczuk participates in challenger matches during practice Sept. 10. The Bearcats play next at the Washburn Invite Sept. 14 in Washburn, Kansas.
MAYA CRIGGER MISSOURIAN PHOTOGRAPHER
Former Northwest soccer junior midfielder Hannah Stirling celebrates with her teammates after a goal last season Oct. 13.
AARON HARE PHOTO EDITOR
BMB under women leadership during season
ANNA BAILEY Asst. News Editor | @AmBailey1
This year, the Bearcat Marching Band is being led by all-women drum majors, accompanying its standing Director of Athletic Bands Katy Strickland. The band is calling this the She-M-B.
The She-M-B is a name that not only the drum majors, but also the rest of the band are calling this year’s leadership. This is a play-on word taken from the BMB, as this is what the band usually says when referring to the Bearcat Marching Band.
Drum Major and junior Michaela Broadwell said the nickname took off around the time auditions were happening, as people realized only women were auditioning for drum major. She said it was an in-the-moment kind of thing, but it stuck.
“We’re the BMB – we’re the Bearcat marching band,” Broadwell said. “Just putting the ‘she’ in the marching band.”
We’re the BMB – we’re the Bearcat marching band,” Broadwell said. Just putting the ‘she’ in the marching band.”
MICHAELA BROADWELL DRUM MAJOR “
This is Broadwell’s first year as a drum major. Prior to this year, she has been part of the Bearcat Marching Band for both her freshman and sophomore years. Her first year she played sousaphone, but her sophomore year she switched to trombone and became a section leader.
Broadwell said seeing the female representation has been exciting for her, especially because she does not see this a lot as a low brass instrumentalist.
“In school growing up, a lot of the times, I was like, the only girl, or like, very few,” Broadwell said. “It’s exciting to see more female representation. And (I) would love to be the example for other people as well.”
Senior drum major Paige Rodewald said it has been exciting to see her fellow drum majors become successful. This is also Rodewald’s first year as drum major, but she has been of the band since freshman year. She said she decided to audition for drum major because it is an opportunity to broaden her education.
Rodewald said she wants to be clear that the She-M-B is not something that is meant to be an exclusive thing, and it is closer to a joke everyone makes.
“(I’m) very grateful for all of them and all of their support,” Rodewald said. “There could have been a lot of, I don’t want to say backlash to the She-M-B but just like, ‘that’s not fair’, you know? But everyone’s been extremely supportive and kind of in on the joke a little bit. Yeah, can’t do it without the BMB.”
Rodewald said so far her experience as drum major has been rewarding overall. She said one of the aspects she enjoys about being drum major is that she is able to serve her peers.
While being in the band is an amazing opportunity to make friends, Rodewald also said people tend to stick with their sections because those are who they see the most. However, being drum major has allowed her to look at the band from a larger perspective and meet a lot of other people.
Head Drum Major Brooklyn Ellis is entering her second year as a drum major. Ellis said she is grateful for the opportunity she has been able to continue
as drum major. Ellis came to Northwest as an instrumental music education major but since then has switched to a major in chemistry. Ellis said that while her major did change, she has been able to keep being a part of the band.
“People like Dr. Strickland have been very gracious to allow me to stay in this position and
have fun, even though I’m not a music ed major, which is also one of the things I think is really cool about the BMB, is that there’s opportunities for everyone, regardless of major or gender or whatever,” Ellis said.
Both Ellis and Rodewald said the She-M-B would not be able to happen if it weren’t for the support of the rest of the band and staff.
Ellis said there are over 20 people working hard every day to support the band. This does not include the large number of students who are a part of the band.
“So we have a wonderful student staff and professional staff,” Ellis said. ”Our entire leadership team is full of rock stars who are really good at their job and are really passionate about what they do, and we’re very blessed the champions we’re surrounded with.”
Bearcat Marching Band Drum Majors seniors Paige Rodewald and Brooklyn Ellis and sophomore Michaela Broadwell pose in front of the bell tower. Ellis is the only returning drum major from the group.
‘Cats seek redemption after two losses, talk next game
For the first time since 1995, the Northwest Bearcats opened the season 0-2 with their second loss to the University of NebraskaKearney Lopers.
Head coach Rich Wright said he was frustrated with the team’s results against the Lopers.
“Everybody’s put a lot of work into this,” Wright said. “It’s not netting us the results we want yet.”
The Bearcats previously beat the Lopers to close out their 2023 season with a 56-7 game. However, this season Nebraska-Kearney wanted revenge, holding the Bearcats to a scoreless first half and using errors to their advantage.
Coming out of the half, the ‘Cats were thirsty for points. It didn’t take long for senior quarterback Chris Ruhnke to find sophomore wide receiver Eric Richarson to put the first touchdown in the books for the team. Ruhnke threw the ball for 4-of-5 passing on the drive for 64 yards, just coming out of the half. Ruhnke is currently No. 5 in the nation and No. 1 in the MIAA conference for 579 passing yards.
The Lopers came back to score by using a Northwest foul to tie the game 14-14 in the second quarter. By using the foul, Kearney went on to run a 12yard touchdown, putting the score to 21-14. After the final touchdown for the Lopers, the ‘Cats only ran 88 yards of offense to end the game.
Despite falling to the Lopers, Ruhnke passed for 311 yards and 25-of-38 passing yards. Ruhnke passed two interceptions during the game.
The Bearcats are coming back to Maryville to host the No. 25 Fort Hays State Tigers. This isn’t the first time the ‘Cats have matched up with the
So we have two choices. We either fold up the tents or we can fight back.” RICH WRIGHT HEAD FOOTBALL COACH “
Tigers, the team is currently leading the series against the Tigers with 22-15-1, despite losing 17-6 in the 2023 season.
“If you look back historically at the games that we’ve played over the last 8-10 years,” Wright
said. “They’re always close, they’re always defensive struggles. We have to have the mindset. We have to make a couple more plays than they do, we got to hang in the fray for 60 minutes, we just have to play hard.”
For the first two games of the season, the Bearcats have started the game with two scoreless halves. The second halves are where the ‘Cats start showing up. With each running yard and each touchdown, the Bearcats are thirsty for a first win on the season. If they fail to win, that will be the first they went 0-3 since the 2001 season.
“We all wanted a different outcome than we had in the last two weeks,” Wright said. “So we have two choices. We either fold up the tents or we can fight back. We are not where we need to be yet, we are trending in the right direction, we just have to keep battling together.”
The game will kick off at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at Bearcat Stadium. Saturday is also the Military Appreciation Day, any current or former military personnel will receive free admission with valid military ID.
Cross country talks continuing past season successes
After a 24th place finish on the men’s side in the NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championships, scoring 582 points, the Northwest men’s and women’s cross country team will look to continue its success again this fall.
The Bearcats’ focus turns to trying to build off last year with the fall season already in full swing, and coach Wick Cunningham said although the men’s and women’s teams are scored separately, it is about putting it all together as a team.
“Ultimately, all we’re focused on right now, and kind of our identity, we just want to show up and put our heads down and
do the work,” Cunningham said. “Lace up the shoes and go run, and if we can focus on that, everything else will seem to work out.”
For long-distance runners at the collegiate level, endurance plays a key part in being an effective cross country runner and Cunningham said it takes a long time to develop your aerobic system.
“(It takes) a lot of self discipline and patience,” Cunningham said. “We have people on the team pushing close to 100 miles in a week. You got to have a lot of self discipline when it’s super hot, super cold, you don’t feel good, to lace up the shoes and go run one to two times a day everyday of the week. It’s really a challenge.”
Women’s soccer prepares for upcoming home opener
LANDON CLOUSE Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports
After a long offseason for Northwest women’s soccer, a new campaign is in full swing, with a trio of contests. First, Bearcat soccer set eyes ahead to the home opener for the fourth game of the season against No. 2 ranked Grand Valley State 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at Bearcat Pitch. In their 2024 season opener, the Bearcats played to a 1-1 draw against Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm Sept. 5 in Bethany, Oklahoma.
The Bearcats conceded late in the first half but equalized midway through the second. Sophomore forward Ekaterina Theoharidis put in a 63rd minute goal, off an assist by junior forward Margaret Madden.
Despite managing only four shots, one on target, in the first half compared to the Crimson Storm’s four shots, three on goal,
junior goalkeeper Lily Ellis made two crucial saves to keep the game within reach for Northwest resulting in a well taken draw.
Head coach Marc Gordon said there were many instances where chances didn’t go the Bearcat’s way.
“We had a shot go off the crossbar and just missed some opportunities that, through time and experience together, will find their way to the back of the net.” Gordon said.
Gordon said he was happy with his squad’s preparation for the first game of the season and are working to find its identity back from the off season.
“We’re still figuring out who we are and where players are going to fill roles on the field,” Gordon said. “We created a lot of opportunities in and around the goal. Just didn’t put some opportunities away.”
Northwest cross country senior Grant Bradley and juniors Tyler Blay and Drew Atkins run laps around the track during practice Sept. 10. Atkins was named a 2023 NCAA Division II All American.
LANEY PACE CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Northwest football junior quarterback Chris Ruhnke looks for an open receiver downfield from the pocket Aug. 29. Ruhnke threw for a career high three passing touchdowns against Minnesota State in the season opener.
NATHAN VANDRUFF PHOTOGRAPHER
OLIVIA WALLACE Sports Reporter | @_oliviawallace_
Current sophomore forward Ekaterina Theoharidis dribbles the ball up the pitch last season Oct. 13. Theoharidis finished the 2023 season with a total of three goals and three assists.
AARON HARE PHOTO EDITOR
TREY HOUCHIN Missourian Reporter | @NWMSports