The Oakland Post 9.14.22

THEOakland OaklandPOST Oakland University’s Independent Student Newspaper

BACK TO CAMPUS GrizzFest 2022 helps kick off new school year PAGE 4

PHOTO BY SOPHIE HUME | DESIGN BY MEGAN PARKER

Rochester, Michigan

ART OF ANATOMY

New course offering shows how art and science blend PAGE 10

Volume 48 l Issue 4 l September 14, 2022

UNMATCHED DEDICATION Breanne Beatty on basketball and life goals PAGE 16

THIS WEEK 2 | September 14, 2022

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

EDITORIAL BOARD

Gabrielle Abdelmessih Editor-in-Chief gabdelmessih@oakland.edu Tori Coker Content Editor toricoker@oakland.edu

EDITORS

Sophie Hume Photo Editor sophiahume@oakland.edu Christopher Estrada Co-Photo Editor cestrada@oakland.edu Brock Heilig Sports Editor brockheilig@oakland.edu Arianna Heyman Features Editor aheyman@oakland.edu Joe Zerilli Campus Editor jzerilli@oakland.edu

SAINTS AND SINNERS A photo fountian on a gloomy afternoon GRABRIELLE ABDELMESSIH / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Gabby Gappy SciTech Editor gabriellegappy@oakland.edu Bella Javier Arts Editor isabellajavier@oakland.edu

DISTRIBUTION

CONNECT ONLINE AT:

Sam Poudal Distribution Director spoudal@oakland.edu

oaklandpostonline.com COPY&VISUAL

REPORTERS

Megan Parker Graphic Designer

Payton Bucki Reporter

DJ Lester Reporter

Elizabeth Foster Graphic Designer

Sierra Okoniewski Reporter

Olivia Chiappelli Reporter

Rachel Yim Reporter

Joseph Popis Reporter

Jennifer Wood Graphic Designer

CORRECTIONS CORNER: The Oakland Post corrects all known errors of fact. If you know of an error, please email editor@oaklandpostonline.com.

ADVISING

Garry Gilbert Editorial Adviser gjgilber@oakland.edu 248.370.2105 Don Ritenburgh Business Adviser ritenbur@oakland.edu 248.370.2533

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome back, Grizzlies!

GABRIELLE ABDELMESSIH Editor-in-Chief

To paraphrase journalist, writer and filmmaker Nora Ephron: Don’t you just love Michigan in the fall? It makes me want to go out and buy school supplies.

Yes, I swapped Michigan for New York, but I still think it perfectly encapsulates how the changing seasons conjure feelings of optimism and new beginnings.

Sure, OU isn’t in the center of a bustling metropolis like New York City, but considering the daily struggle of trying to find a parking spot, one might think otherwise.

People are back on campus. Really back.

It’s exciting!

It’s probably painfully obvious to anyone who has met me, but I was the kind of kid who loved going back to school.

Learning new things, meeting new people and taking on new challenges sparked my light. It still does.

I started my undergraduate studies in the fall of 2019. There are so, so, so, so many things I could never have fathomed happening that did between then and now.

We can probably all agree that the last three years have been, well…. a cluster-expletive.

Times have been tough, but the light at the end of

the tunnel is getting brighter and brighter every day.

When planning the first issue of the fall semester, The Post tries to keep in mind what first-year students or anyone new to campus might want to know.

We have written articles to inform you of such things, and please do read them, but what I’m trying to convey in this letter is that I hope through your experiences at OU, you find something that illuminates you to be your best self.

You might not find it right away. Or maybe you

PHOTO BY CHRIS ESTRADA Gabrielle Abdelmessih is the editor-in-chief of The Oakland Post for the 2022-2023 academic year. She is a senior majoring in biomedical sciences and minoring in journalism.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 | 3

will. Maybe it will be easy for you. Maybe it won’t.

You might even lose it along the way.

After all, what is life without trials and tribulations?

Whatever your interests may be, there is something for you here. And if there isn’t, start something.

This is a community built upon the gifts that each one of us brings to the table.

One thing I’ve learned from my time here at OU is that you never know what opportunities can arise from initiation.

Introduce yourself. Go to a student organization meeting. Talk to a professor during office hours.

Perhaps most importantly, ask questions.

Here at The Post, we find our light by serving the public interest of our community as an entity separate from the university, and being a platform for campus discussion as well as a learning lab for future journalists.

As I mentioned in my first letter of Vol. 48, we hope for an unprecedented level of community engagement. We welcome news story suggestions, letters to the editor and comments to spark community discussion on our online platform.

Please pick up a paper or jump online to our website to stay informed and encourage your colleagues, classmates and fellow OU community members to do the same.

Thank you for your continued support.

CAMPUS GrizzFest 2022 helps kickoff new school year 4 | SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

JOE ZERILLI Campus Editor

The annual Oakland University GrizzFest was in full effect on Sept.

8 to help welcome not only incoming students but also those who this may be their first time experiencing a GrizzFest.

The event took place outside Elliott Tower on what ended up being a beautiful day for the outdoor festivities. With over 50 unique clubs, organizations and departments from all over campus, students were able to find something of interest.

Some of the clubs in attendance were the Public Relations Student Society of America, Gender and Sexuality Alliance and the American Red Cross Club. Academics were represented by the likes of the College of Arts and Sciences and there were multiple fraternities and sororities to represent Greek life.

For those who were unable to attend, they can find information about the different organizations via GrizzOrgs.

Sama Joseph, career ambassador for Career Services, is a senior this year but this is the first time she has experienced a normal GrizzFest since freshman

year. She has a unique perspective as someone who was tabling this year but in the past has been among the students who are attending.

“I remember when I was a freshman, I was going table to table finding out about organizations but now being actually the one presenting Career Services, I learned how to approach students and how to talk to them,” Joseph said.

“When I was a freshman, I absolutely loved the organizations that reached out to me and told me how they’re going to support me as a student and the service that they provide. So now being in Career Services, I’m able to provide that for the students and let them know about the opportunities that we offer,” she added.

For some, this was their first ever experience of GrizzFest, and this was the case for Karen Person — career consultant for the School of Business Administration — who started in March. When asked about how she felt her first Grizz Fest was, she had one word: excellent.

“I’m watching the students dance to the music. We’ve had students come up here and get information about our upcoming career fair, making

appointments to get their resume done,” she said. “So it’s just exciting to be able to interact live with the students and the vibe was great.”

The music, which was played by OU’s own WXOU, wasn’t the only form of entertainment on hand. Many tables had wheels to win free prizes and some refreshments were even offered like free hot dogs courtesy of Lipuma’s Coney Island and energy drinks from Mountain Dew. It was bittersweet to be back in the swing of things, as graduate assistant and career ambassador program coordinator Colleen Williams said she never thought she would miss having to find a parking spot.

“I am loving it. The energy here is unreal. I am enjoying seeing so many students in-person again face to face,” Williams said. “And I’m even enjoying students coming into our office and working with them in person again. So it’s been wonderful.”

“The highlight for me is the energy that students are bringing because a lot of them are just so excited to be back on campus and they’re wanting to get involved which is so awesome to see,” she added.

Another aspect of Grizz Fair is

finding job opportunities on campus, and like Career Services, these jobs can be found online on Handshake.

PHOTO COURTESY OF @oaklandu

Growing Grizzlies hosts first fresh produce farm stand on campus PAYTON BUCKI Campus Editor

On Sept. 8, Oakland University’s Student Organic Farm and the Growing Grizzlies Student Organization hosted their first on-campus farm stand for the fall semester. The farm stand, stationed next to Elliott Tower, will return to campus each Thursday weekly from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 6.

The stand sells a variety of fresh produce, including a range of herbs and vegetables such as kale, peppers and zucchini.

Additionally, a large selection of flower bouquets is available for purchase.

Currently, cash and check are the only forms of payment accepted at the farm stand. The stand also accepts Grizz Green vouchers, which students can obtain from the Golden Grizzlies Food Pantry.

Surprisingly, all of the items available at the farm stand are grown right on OU’s campus, at the Student Organic Farm. The farm, run entirely by OU students and faculty, is a marvelous display of local horticulture and sustainability.

The Student Organic Farm is located on the southeast corner of campus, on the intersection of Butler Road and Adams. At the entrance sits a hand-painted sign, welcoming visitors to the farm.

Over 50 varieties of produce and flowers are grown on the farm. The two open-air gardens contain most of the plants, while the rest are contained within a hoop house.

“The hoop house is a plastic-covered growing space that protects plants from the elements,” Growing

Grizzlies President Kelly Hillman said. “We use the hoop house to grow things like tomatoes and beans, and to test new methods of growing.”

The farm’s hoop house was expanded in 2020, in an effort to extend the farm’s growing season. However, due to soil compaction during the renovation process, raised garden beds were necessary.

“After the expansion process, we realized that the soil was too compact to sustain plant life,” Hillman said. “So, students from Pontiac came to the farm weekly over the summer to build raised beds. The height of the beds is perfect for minimizing back pain while gardening.”

Another interesting aspect of the Student Organic Farm is its Farm Share program. Through this program, local individuals can purchase produce directly from the farm.

“Student workers harvest fresh produce for community members that purchase a Farm Share plan,” Hillman said. “We have several local individuals that participate in the program.”

Fay Hansen, an associate professor of biological sciences and the Growing Grizzlies advisor, established the farm. Currently, Hansen teaches organic farming classes to students in a classroom located right on the farm.

Classes on the farm are open to students from all fields of study. The courses provide a hands-on approach to learning, while encouraging students to improve their teamwork and critical thinking skills.

In addition to classrooms, the farm also provides a home base for the Growing Grizzlies student organization. Growing Grizzlies focuses on sustainable

food production and its impact on the local community.

“Most of our members graduated last year, so our club is in the process of rebuilding,” Hillman said.

This year, Growing Grizzlies hopes to put on a variety of events that teach valuable skills to their members and provide valuable service to the community.

Furthermore, the group aims to initiate fundraising efforts to improve the farm.

Students can join Growing Grizzlies through the club’s GrizzOrgs page. In order to get more involved with the Student Organic Farm, students can visit the farm’s webpage or Handshake job listings.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GROWING GRIZZLIES Growing Grizzlies will return to campus each Thursday weekly from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 6.

CAMPUS

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 | 5

Student Success Corridor creates ‘one-stop shop’ for students JOE ZERILLI Campus Editor A new Student Success Corridor — focusing on being a one-stop shop for student services — has been created within the new Wilson Hall addition, North Foundation Hall and the Oakland Center.

The departments involved with this effort are all focused on supporting students in a variety of ways. In Wilson Hall, there is the Academic Success Center (formerly known as the Tutoring Center), Disability Support Services and Undergraduate Admissions.

North Foundation Hall has the most departments: Career Services, Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Enrollment Management, First Year Advising Center (FYAC), Gender and Sexuality Center, Orientation and New Student Programs, Office of the Registrar and Student Financial Services.

In the Oakland Center, the departments are Dean of Students, Golden Grizzlies Pantry, Office for Student Involvement and Student Technology Center.

The project is led by the Division of Student Affairs and Diversity and it has been in planning for three years.

“When it came to this corridor, we said ‘Okay, with the Wilson Hall project, can we create an innovative, modernized front door to the university for potential students and current students?’”

Glenn McIntosh, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, said.

“This provides an opportunity for us to have really a one-stop shop for all of those needs,” he added.

McIntosh said even though promoting and advertising is still going on for the corridor, they are already seeing the number of students who are accessing these offices. Another outcome of the effort is because some offices have moved like the Gender and Sexuality Center, which allows expansion of the Pantry and Grizz Garments.

A lot of these departments have seen bigger spaces to work with, and one which may have seen the most change is the Academic Success Center (ASC) which has had a name change but also a bigger office space.

Director Deborah Cash has already noticed an improved level of collaboration and knowledge within the areas of the corridor.

“So everyone that works in that corridor knows more about support services and can help students get to where they need to be,” she said. “It definitely is going to help referrals for students, because the staff is so aware of where to send them and what the services are about.”

“I refer some of our student staff here to use those types of support and now that we’re all in the know about the location we can get them to the right spot,” Cash added.

McIntosh is hoping services like those of the ASC will also help new high school students affected by the pandemic embrace the challenges of the college education process. This early help and

experience will also be able to translate into career opportunities in the future.

“The endgame here is that you want to put students in the pipeline for career success so as early as we can get them in that pipeline,” McIntosh said. “Then [Career Services] explain to them about internships and co-op and job opportunities throughout their college career and that should lead to that person being better prepared for the workforce.”

The departments involved have reportedly been very positive of these changes, with McIntosh saying the departments are seeing their peers and exchanging ideas.

“In that exchange, this innovation and creativity that occurs around programs and services that impact the Oakland experience for our students.

And so they’ve been pretty excited,” he said.

One of the changes the ASC is most happy about is their new space inside of Wilson Hall. Because of the space, they now have more study space for students as well as computers and offices for online meetings in between classes.

“It is such a beautiful space; the view is phenomenal. It’s private and welcoming,” Cash said. “The whole culture and environment is about student success.”

The new space has allowed departments with more opportunities to help students, as in the ASC’s case they now have Sunday hours from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. as well as consistent sessions on time management and study skills.

FEATURES

6 | SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

OU students comment on President Biden’s student debt relief plan AUTUMN OKUSZKA Features Reporter On Aug. 24, 2022 President Joe Biden announced his three-part student debt relief plan, a plan that had been a campaign promise since March 2020.

The plan promises to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt to Pell Grant recipients and $10,000 to non-Pell Grant recipients if their individual income is less than $125,000 — or $250,000 for married couples. The pause on student loan repayment is also extending for the seventh and final time through Dec. 31, 2022. Payments have been paused since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those who qualify, Biden’s student debt relief plan could make a huge difference. According to a study done by the National Center for Education Statistics, the average bachelor’s degree completers are graduating with nearly $28,000 in debt.

At Oakland University, students are graduating with nearly $24,000 in debt, which can be a worrying factor for some students like Tara Coker, a sophomore who is majoring in elementary education.

“I’m going to school to be a teacher, so I’m kind of aware that once I graduate, the starting salary isn’t going to be great,” Coker said. “So it is something that I’ve thought about and stressed about.”

Coker hopes that the student debt relief plan is a starting point for government assisted tuition relief.

She believes that they need to make college more

affordable as well. “[The government needs to] address the problem which is just the fact that it’s so expensive, or keep providing relief going forward,” she said.

While Coker is just beginning her college education, Amanda Belz is a recent alumna — and therefore will soon have to start paying back her student loans.

“I don’t have a full-time job so it’s kind of been a struggle,” Belz said. “I’ve been worried cause I don’t have a full time job, how am I going to pay it? [The student debt relief plan], that’s going to help a lot.”

The fact that Belz is getting any kind of relief at all is enough for her.

“I think they could be doing more but given other circumstances, I think it’s enough to satisfy people for now,” she said. “In the future we might want more, but I think it’s good for now.”

Senior Brandon Mares does not believe he will benefit from the student debt relief plan, but is happy that it’s targeting the people who need it most.

“I think it’ll bring a lot of relief to people who want to go to school, but they can’t because of any type of financial burden that they might be facing,” Mares said.

Senior Ashley Talbert represents students who will significantly benefit from the student debt relief plan.

“I personally come from a really low-income family,” Talbert said. “Financially it is based on our

parents income, I don’t get much money for that.”

Talbert is solely responsible for the cost of her tuition and is currently $20,000 in debt. Due to the student debt relief plan, she can now invest her money elsewhere.

“I can use that money towards other things like maybe expanding my education somewhere else, or even continuing classes here or putting it into my career,” she said.

An online form to apply for student loan debt relief is expected to be available by early October.

For more information, you can visit the Federal Student Aid website here.

PHOTO BY NBC News

Students reflect on OU’s first study abroad trip to Taiwan TORI COKER Content Editor

This past summer, 16 Oakland University students embarked on the school’s first study abroad trip to Taiwan.

This program is the product of collaboration between OU and Taiwan’s National Dong Hwa University (NDHU), acting as a replacement for the former school’s previous Beijing-based Chinese language study abroad program.

After traveling to the island and enduring a mandatory two week quarantine period in May, students began taking classes centered around Taiwanese culture and the Mandarin language.

Multiple class levels were offered — some participants had never participated in Chinese studies and enrolled in the beginner level courses, while those more experienced jumped into courses that explored Taiwanese culture and history through fluent Mandarin usage in the classroom.

“The classes were really nice,” senior accounting major Molly Siglin, one of three beginner level students on the trip, said. “[We were] able to learn the bare necessities. [Our professor] was able to tell us how to order so when you go out for dinner, you know how — stuff like that.”

Students stayed in Hualien, where they were exposed to many facets of everyday

Taiwanese life that strayed far from the realities of living in Michigan — from a view that seemed to feature mountains every which way to a public transportation system with convenience and accessibility that made exploring the island a breeze.

Senior integrative studies major Jenna Rubley was particularly impacted by the welcoming attitudes of the prominent Aboriginal population within Hualien. She fondly reflects on a trip NDHU planned which allowed students to partake in an indigenous harvest festival, engaging in song and dance with the natives. “[There is] definitely a community kind of sense to everything,” Rubley said. “[...] Over in Taiwan, everyone’s so happy and overjoyed to see you as a foreigner.”

The program coincided with Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s historic visit to Taiwan — as well as the retaliatory live-fire military drills from China that followed. This meant that in addition to cultural experiences and warm hospitality, OU students got to witness some of the heavy political realities facing the nation.

“It’s certainly remarkable that our students had the opportunity to witness some historical events while in Taiwan,” program director and OU Chinese Studies professor Melanie Chang said. “[...] I hope these events will inspire our students to learn more about the history of China and Taiwan and the relationship among China, Taiwan, and the United States. I hope my

students will form their own opinions — not just based on a few minutes of news clips, but after sincere studying and critical thinking.”

Chang reflected on the many frantic reactions parents of participating students had in response to China’s drills. Senior applied statistics major Jason Gierman’s parents were among this group, and he recalls finding reassurance for them in the sustained calmness demonstrated by natives.

“Everyone here [was] like, ‘oh, this happens all the time, there’s nothing to worry about,’” Gierman said. “Hearing the locals not care too much really set me at ease, and I relayed that back to my family.”

Rubley shared similar sentiments, reflecting on feeling empowered by the resiliency exhibited by the Taiwanese in the face of such demonstrations.

“I know a lot of people would go to the ocean side and watch the missiles be shot down like it was a firework show,” Rubley joked. “Taiwan has been like this for [decades] —they are used to this. They deal with a lot of threats from China, but they have ways to cope.”

Shortly following Pelosi’s visit and the subsequent demonstration of international tensions, students ventured to Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, themselves. They were welcomed to the Executive Yuan — the nation’s executive branch of government — by Premier Su Tseng-chang and Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung.

(Story continued online)

FEATURES

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 | 7

OU community reflects on a new school year AUTUMN OKUSZKA Features Reporter

School shopping, moving onto campus or even commuting from home - these are just some of the ways students are preparing for the new school year at Oakland University.

Sept. 1, 2022 began the first day of the 2022-2023 school year at OU. For some, it was their first, or even their last first day as a golden grizzly.

Freshman Joey Russell says he is looking forward to meeting new people, having fun and hoping to join clubs as the school year goes on.

“I’ve had a few [clubs] in mind, like mock trials, if that’s running this year I definitely want to try that,” Russell said.

Russell also has a job on campus, like 70% of students who work while attending college, according to a 2018 study done by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce.

“I work at Meadowbrook Hall, like setting up and taking down events,” he said.

Sophomore Sydney Maben, a nursing major, decided to attend OU when she realized the program had much to offer.

“Nursing is something that I had been looking forward to doing ever since middle school, and so when I heard that they were the best place for me to go curriculum wise, financially, it really sold it for me,” Maben said.

She is looking forward to increasing her study habits this year, saying that her freshman year last year was a trial run.

“Knowing what I know now, I can progress better this year,” she said.

Junior Rachel Sarles, a musical theater major, decided to become an OU student when she

realized the university offered significant financial incentives compared to other universities.

“Oakland offered me the most scholarships and financial aid in comparison to the other musical theater programs that accepted me,” Sarles said.

Sarles says it can be difficult to find clubs and activities that work around her class and rehearsal times. There is one thing that she hopes to fit into her schedule, however.

“I do plan on attending classes at the [recreation] center,” she said.

Senior Alexa Marrogy commutes to OU because it’s in close proximity to her house, along with 87% of students who drive to campus according to the fall 2021 student population.

“It’s a safe campus, I like it,” Marrogy said.

An OU student since her freshman year, Marrogy has found her perfect spot to study on campus.

“The third floor at the library, it’s quiet, and I can get my work done,” she said.

With the exception of the Graham Health Center (GHC) and the COVID-19 testing site in the Oakland Center (OC), the fall 2022 semester is the first semester since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic without any major mask requirements.

Sarles believes it is far too soon to eliminate such mandates.

“I think OU, like the rest of Michigan’s public universities, has elected to treat COVID-19 as a common cold,” Sarles said. “The pandemic is far from over, but the university is attempting to force normalcy in an attempt to rebuild what they lost, financially and socially, over the past two and a half years.”

Maben however, believes OU is in a comfortable position.

“I don’t really hear many stories of people being sick or having outbreaks like that,” Maben said.

CLAIM YOUR $100

We CU SHOWING YOUR GRIZZLY SPIRIT. 1. Open your OU Credit Union account.

2. Make 10 debit card purchases.

3. Receive $100.

oucreditunion.org | 248-364-4708 | Visit a branch Offer of $100 valid 5/1/22 to 10/31/22 for those who qualify under the OU student SEG. OU Credit Union account must be activated by 10/31/22 and 10 debit card purchases must post within 30 days of card activation to qualify. The $100 will be deposited into member’s checking account within 6 weeks of the 10th purchase. Not valid for existing members with an OU Credit Union checking account. May not be combined with any other deposit offers. If new member is referred to the Credit Union, member referral offer will not apply.

“When things were a little more heavier, as far as the numbers of COVID being high, the mandates to have masks on in the building and things of that nature — I appreciated that.”

PHOTO BY MAGGIE WILLARD A view of OU’s campus.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPB

STORY BY PAYTON BUCKI

DESIGNED BY MEGAN PARKER

SPB’s ‘Retro’ Carnival provides food, fun and friends On Sept. 9, Oakland University’s Student Program Board (SPB) hosted its annual carnival. The retro-themed event featured many activities, nostalgic games and food — all provided to students for free.

Upon arriving at the carnival, students were greeted by several hands-on activity stations. One station allowed participants to tie dye shirts, while another allowed them to create their own unique license plates.

The caricature stand and photo booth gave students the opportunity to capture memories in the form of personalized keepsakes. Another popular stand featured an airbrushed temporary tattoo station.

In keeping with the retro theme, SPB lined the sidewalk with arcade games. Some of the most popular games included pinball, Pac-Man and air hockey.

The carnival also featured a variety of games on the lawn behind Kresge Library. At the game wall, which required students to throw objects through holes to score points, free prizes were given out to every participant.

“Working the game wall was a lot of fun,” SPB Treasurer Cameron Roach said. “I liked how I was able to communicate with students and hand out free stuff.”

If students chose to go on the event’s rides, they were required to fill out a liability waiver before being given a wristband. The rides included a rock wall, trampolines and an obstacle course.

“We had around 800 students fill out the liability waiver,” SPB Vice President Matthew Murray said. “Our attendance rates were high compared to last year.”

Although Sigma Pi was unable to provide their traditional pig roast, SPB ensured there was plenty of food to go around.

Several vendors were stationed throughout the carnival,

handing out pizza, hot dogs, donuts and cider to attendees.

“Despite most of our staff being new to SPB, we are very adaptable,” Roach said. “I think we do a good job of rolling with the punches.”

The Dippin’ Dots cart was also a major hit among students.

The nostalgic dessert perfectly matched the carnival’s retro theme.

Overall, this year’s carnival was a major success among the student body. While the event itself took SPB months of planning, the hard work was worth the end result.

“My favorite part of the carnival was its reception… people absolutely loved it,” Murray said. “I’d like to especially thank Jen Yetter, Jean Ann Miller, and the OSI for all of their support in making this event possible.”

SPB hopes to continue improving the carnival each year and they hope to achieve their goal by giving students the opportunity to voice their opinions.

“Students who attended the carnival can email SPB (spb@ oakland.edu) with comments and suggestions for next year,” Murray said. “We want to continue making this event better, year after year.”

This fall, SPB has many exciting events planned for students, including an Uncharted movie night and a Harry Styles-Taylor Swift tribute night. SPB is currently selling tickets for their Halloweekends at Cedar Point event, which will take place in the first week of October.

Information for all of SPB’s events can be found on the SPB GrizzOrgs page and their Instagram account. Additionally, tickets for the Halloweekends event can be purchased at the OSI Service Window in the Oakland Center.

SCITECH

10 | SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Course Spotlight: Art of Anatomy with Dr. Susan Beckwith GABRIELLE GAPPY

Science and Technology Editor Upon entering college, many students find themselves struggling to pick a major and deciding what path they want to pursue. After a concrete decision is made, many end up taking classes that may almost all correspond to a certain subject area. In doing so, the idea that various disciplines are intertwined and can affect one another may be neglected.

Art of Anatomy, HC-2010, which will be offered next semester during the Winter of 2023, hopes to tackle this issue through exploring how art is implicated in the sciences as well as in technology.

Dr. Susan Beckwith, the professor, answered some questions to give further insight into the class and its overall goals.

GG: How did you come up with this class idea and what made you want to teach it?

SB: I think too often we unintentionally separate or divide ‘the Arts’ from ‘the Sciences,’ and not only will this course explore how Art / Artists and the understanding of human anatomy and medicine are entwined, but also how engineering and design practices are deeply connected to the human body and how Art can inform and enhance these disciplines as well. This course will also include practices of ‘seeing’ in detail and from different perspectives, which speaks to all innovation! And, on a more human level, I believe that the pleasure of being in the presence of creativity (of all sorts!) and aesthetic objects is essential to our lives and well-being.

GG: What kinds of students do you think would be drawn to this course?

SB: I welcome all students to my courses, because everyone brings a fabulous individual and unique

PHOTO COURTESY OF EDSON SILVA Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.

experience to that learning community. With this course straddling Art and Science, I believe that everyone will connect to and enjoy the experience.

I also hope to see students who have not previously thought of themselves as ‘artists’ or as being ‘creative’ in this course because we will discover that this is a much broader spectrum than is often

thought! And of course artists and students who actively pursue creativity (in its myriad mediums!) will find new ways to engage with the arts and also consider the connection between their practices and the sciences and technology.

GG: What do you think students will enjoy most through this course?

SB: In all my courses, I emphasize a learning community, where we all journey into discovery and new knowledge and perspectives together, and encourage students to bring their own interests into our discussions and engagement with the material.

So this inclusion of what students already enjoy will be present throughout the semester. For example, we may have students who would not consider themselves artists or art aficionados, but perhaps they are gamers: I would definitely consider the rendering of physical beings in video games to be art, and would be very interested in what students may want to explore in that regard! Also, while we will be exploring the interconnectivity of art and sciences as they strive to improve the human condition, we will be taking time in this class to experience the immediate benefits (physical and mental) of experiencing art and being in the presence of art.

Oakland University (OU) and the Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) have shed light on the importance of incorporating art and humanities into curriculum centered on the sciences and medicine. To anyone interested in this class and/or in gaining further knowledge on this topic, email Dr. Beckwith at slbeckwith@oakland.edu or read about a study conducted by OU and OUWB staff.

Oakland University Undergraduate Research with Dr. Ken Mitton The Control of Gene Expression Lab (CGEL) and the Pediatric Retinal Research Lab (PRRL) Spaces and projects available for OU undergraduate students seeking a place to complete their 4995 independent research projects and/or Honors College research.

Projects areas include: 1) Regulation of PLVAP, a protein that facilitates the transport of fluid across the blood retinal-barrier in human retinal vascular endothelial cells.

Advanced cell culture techniques and analysis with primary human cells.

2) Gene sequencing of patients with very rare pediatric retinal diseases. We developed a method for sequencing 8 genes associated with Norrie Disease, FEVR, Persistent Fetal Vascular Syndrome, and Retinoschisis, while keeping the total cost to about only $250 per sample. We use Illumina technology, up to 50 patient samples pre run to find variants that alter these 8 key genes and proteins. The application of Human Genetics and Genomics.

3) Testing of Noregen (TM) We developed a process to produce a protein therapeutic based on Human Norrin protein in bacterial cell factories, and to refold it into its active state and demonstrate its Norrin-activity using human retinal endothelial cells and mouse retinal models. This protein is essential for retinal vascular development. Noregen (TM) and is being developed by Caeregen Therapeutics, a small company started by my collaborators who are well-known Pediatric Retinal Surgeons based right here in Royal Oak Michigan. (Dr Mitton is not an employee of Caeregen, nor an investor.) Noregen is intended for the repair and regeneration of the retinal vasculature. Noregen production was demonstrated during an NEI/NIH STTR Phase-I grant that I obtained in 2020, completed during the pandemic. Noregen manufacture is being moved currently to GMP manufacturing by Caeregen.

Kenneth Mitton, PhD, FARVO Associate Professor in the Eye Research Institute Email Mitton@oakland.edu for more information.

SCITECH

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 | 11

OUWB celebrates Women in Medicine Real world organic chemistry Month through virtual events

RACHEL YIM

Science and Technology Reporter The American Medical Association’s (AMA) Women in Medicine Month is celebrated in September to acknowledge the growing number of women in the medical profession. Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine (OUWB) is contributing to recognizing women in the field by hosting three virtual events.

Each of the three events, covering various topics, are hosted by the Center for Excellence in Medical Education (CEME) at OUWB. They will take place on Zoom on different days and times.

“We really try to come up with programs to support women,” Ann Voorheis-Sargent, director of CEME, said. “This year we are presenting two speakers, and then we have the toxic session, too. So, we are trying to understand and address issues that women face in medicine. We do address some throughout the year, but we try to specifically pick some programming to do it during the month of September.”

The Glass Ceiling: Broken, Shattered or Merely Dented? – On Tuesday, Sept.

13 (1-3 p.m.)

The first virtual event was a webinar presented by Lori LaCivita, Ph.D., faculty at Walden University. The webinar focused on challenges faced by individuals of different gender and race and utilizing transformational leadership behaviors to overcome such challenges.

“She [Lori] is involved with emotional intelligence and different items that she serves as a consultant in the different areas,” Voorheis-Sargent said. “She did a session for us on positive leadership earlier in the year, and I reached out and asked her because I was looking for some unique things for the Women in Medicine month.

That’s why she’s offering this session.”

Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story – Facilitating Conversations Surrounding Bias, Microaggressions, and Health Disparities – On Thursday, Sept. 15 (1-3 p.m.)

This virtual event will be composed of interactive discussions about racism – specifically against Black women – and real-world experiences of microaggressions in healthcare providers and patient interactions.

“Attendees will watch a video called “Toxic,” Voorheis-Sargent said. “Then we are going to have a panel that will be discussing the video. “Toxic” is something that we’ve offered several times in the past, but because it does really fit with women and health disparities, we’re offering it again this month.”

Authority, Voice, and Influence for Women– On Wednesday, Sept. 28 (2-4 p.m.)

The last virtual session will be hosted

by Rina Seltzer, the author of a book called “The Coach’s Guide for Women Professors” in which she provides practical and empowering strategies and invaluable resources for women.

“We actually did a book club [at OUWB] on her book at one time, and we usually have her come and present at least once or twice a year,” VoorheisSargent said. “She does [cover] a variety of different topics. This is not just for medical, rather it’s for any woman out there, which is why we opened it up to all. We try to open all of our sessions to the university because we want to have a good audience, and we want to share.”

Although the video discussion on Sept.

15 is now full and closed from further registration, anyone interested can still attend the last event upon completion of OUWB’s registration form in advance.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OUWB Top, from left, Sheala Jafry, M.D., Lori Mausi, M.D., and Deidre Hurse, Ph.D. Bottom, from left, Rena Seltzer, Lori LaCivita, Ph.D., and Deirdre Pitts, Ph.D.

with Dr. Zacharias Kinney

GABRIELLE GAPPY

Science and Technology Editor Dr. Zacharias Kinney is an Assistant Professor here at OU. Since starting at OU in Fall 2020, he has taught a multitude of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level, including Organic Chemistry I (CHM 2340), Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (CHM 2370) and Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (CHM 5901). He will be teaching Organic/ Inorganic Laboratory (CHM 4380) in Winter 2023.

“In addition to teaching these courses I also have an active research group with six members at the moment. These folks cover not only a range of academic levels (high school, undergraduate, graduate) but come from vastly different academic backgrounds (majors include: chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and health sciences). OU has been an excellent academic home, both in terms of teaching students and mentoring researchers. ” Kinney said.

Kinney has a Bachelor’s in Chemistry/Forensic Science and noted that he originally wanted to work in a state forensics laboratory. During his undergraduate studies he realized organic chemistry is actually really enjoyable and went on to complete his graduate studies in a physical organic chemistry laboratory.

The main premise of Kinney’s laboratory work is to “design, synthesize, and characterize novel organic molecules with real-world applications ranging from organic solar cells and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to chemical sensors,” Kinney described. “Our primary projects involve synthesizing sulfur-containing polyaromatic hydrocarbons, which are known to be highly luminescent. Once we have our core molecules synthesized the researcher selects what they want to do with the molecules, i.e. do we want to make a chemical sensor or synthesize a biomimetic transporter, and then we perform another reaction or two to access those molecules of interest.”

Kinney emphasized and praised the work accomplished by his research team. “Emmanuel, Calvin, Lourdes, Maddie, Evan, and Jimin all started at different levels and have learned techniques that extend beyond the standard course material.”

In terms of partaking in scientific research, specifically research rooted in organic chemistry, Kinney believes there are multiple rewards. “While the direct benefits for those who want to go to graduate school or work

PHOTO COURTESY OF KINNNEY LAB Dr. Zacharias Kinney is an Assistant Professor in the Chemistry Department.

in industry are apparent, the basic laboratory skills gained are beneficial to any scientific discipline. For those interested in a career in the medical field research in organic chemistry takes those concepts you learn for the MCAT and applies them in a laboratory setting (think about those thin layer chromatography or which solvent is best for SN2 reaction type questions).

These are tasks researchers do often, thus the answers to the questions will become second nature.”

“The basic laboratory skills (reaction setup, work-up, purification) are done in parts in other courses at OU, but in a research laboratory often you are in uncharted waters. The knowledge gained while synthesizing and characterizing novel molecules, from troubleshooting synthesis to processing final data, is simply not available in a standard laboratory course where the experiments are well-known and streamlined for success,” Kinney said.

Anyone interested in the courses taught by Dr. Kinney or his research may contact him at kinney@oakland.edu.

ARTS Movies and TV shows to get you in the fall spirit 12 | SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

OLIVIA CHIAPPELLI Arts Reporter

As someone who basically spends their summers waiting for fall to begin, September 1st felt like a holiday to me — my cue to break out the cable knit sweaters, even though it’s still 70 degrees outside.

I can’t help it — my mindset has shifted and I have already fallen deep down the rabbit hole that is fall.

So for my fellow fall obsessives out there, here is a list of movies and TV shows to oversaturate your minds with while you wait for the weather to finally catch up to your Pinterest boards.

1) Gilmore Girls It’s only appropriate to start off with the iconic piece of media that is Gilmore Girls, a show whose setting always smells of fall even when it tries to convince you that an episode is set in “summer.”

(The wardrobe hasn’t changed!)

Gilmore Girls is the embodiment of fall and the back to school season. My yearly rewatch never fails to manipulate me into at least starting the year off as a Rory Gilmore type by convincing myself that studying is fun and cozy.

Gilmore Girls is so enjoyable because it was made back when a show’s seasonal episode count was pushing 30, and most of the episodes consist of the mother daughter duo simply drinking coffee as they walk around their charming “Stars Hollow” while pounding out pop culture references — my specialty.

2) When Harry Met Sally Of course I would include a romcom on this list, because fall is where romcoms undoubtedly come into their prime. The movie poster alone for this masterpiece should be preserved in the National Archives.

Set in New York City in the late 1980’s, the whole movie is just dripping in the nostalgic era

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLUMBIA PICTURES

of turtlenecks, plaid blazers and Meg Ryan’s impeccable take on menswear. Long walks through the fallen leaves of Central Park and a script full of playful banter? Sign me up.

If anyone out there knows that exact white cable knit sweater that Billy Crystal wears for max one scene, we share a mind.

3) Little Women The feeling I got after watching Greta Gerwig’s 2019 rendition of Little Women for the first time was like no other. It energized me in a way that rarely happens when I watch films, and I honestly think I owe Greta Gerwig my life for this beautifully crafted period piece.

The emotionally devastating proposal scene between Saoirse Ronan’s Jo and Timothée Chalamet’s Laurie taking place in a clearing of the green rolling hills of New England all while soaked in the amber light of the autumn trees was especially made for me, and so was Chalamet’s billowy blouse.

The costumes, sets, locations, actors and soundtrack blend together into a truly all encompassing world that you want to step right into — just for a second, though, because this was the 19th century and I like my rights.

These three pieces of media are the best stepping stones I can offer on your journey into the world of fall — but definitely check out Knives Out for another good cable knit sweater, this time on Chris Evans.

Her Majesty: her story is still alive LETICIA CEZÁRIO SANTOS Marketing Design

Last Thursday, September 8th, 2022, the world stopped to watch the British monarchy change after almost a century. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, died at 96, after 70 years of reigning and legacy.

As if the world did not know enough about the Queen and her heirs, her death served as a booster of curiosity about her life and everything her reign meant throughout history.

Queen Elizabeth II was the 61st monarch of England and Britain and became Britain’s monarch that ruled for the greatest amount of time after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.

For days straight, the royal family is being portrayed in many media outlets, but this exposure is not something new. Queen Elizabeth’s story was already written and rewritten, produced, and told in many different ways. Her legacy went beyond politics and governments to art and entertainment.

If you are curious to know more about Her Majesty’s life and her legacy check out this list of movies and documentaries. All of them have different views of the trajectory that transformed Elizabeth Alexandra Mary into Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most influential monarchs of British history.

Movies: The Queen (2006) From the same creator as “The Crown”, this biopic shows the Queen and the royal family in the

moments after Princess Diana’s death. The movie gave Helen Mirren the Best Actress Oscar for portraying the Queen.

Find “The Queen” to stream on HBO Max. Series: The Crown (2016 - still in production) “The Crown” is the award-winning fictionalized trajectory of Queen Elizabeth’s life. From her wedding to Prince Philip to her son’s broken marriage, “The Crown” exposes the secrets and moments behind the doors of Westminster and Buckingham Palace.

“The Crown” is a Netflix production and it’s back in the Top 10 in the U.S. In addition to the prior seasons, the 5th season is coming on November 2022.

The Royal House of Windsor (2017) Taking a different approach, “The Royal House of Windsor” summarizes 100 years of history in six episodes. From a broad perspective, this docuseries goes from World War I to the tragedy of Princess Diana.

Find “The Royal House of Windsor” to stream on Netflix.

Documentaries: The Majestic Life of Queen Elizabeth II (2013) Made of rare archive footage and interviews with experts, this documentary tells the story of Queen Elizabeth beginning from the death of her father to William and Kate’s marriage.

This documentary is available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Prince Philip: An Extraordinary Life (2021) Being married to Prince Phillipe was a meaningful part of Queen Elizabeth’s life. On the awakening of

his death, “Prince Philip: An Extraordinary Life” was produced to remember and honor the Prince’s life story, in which the Queen has a direct presence.

Find “Prince Philip: An Extraordinary Life” to stream on Netflix.

Elizabeth & Margaret: Love and Loyalty (2020) Another influential relationship in the Queen’s life was with her sister. Elizabeth’s only sibling, Princess Margaret, represents a side of the monarchy different than what we see through Elizabeth. The documentary is a more specific and niched view of the Windsor family since it lightens the relationship between the royal sisters.

The documentary film can be watched on Netflix.

Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen (2022) The most recent production of the list, “Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen,” follows rare private moments from the Queen’s life. The documentary puts together exclusive home videos directly from the Windsor family archives of the Queen’s engagement, her trips, and more.

You can find this production on BBC Select through Amazon.

From movies to documentaries, fiction to home videos, raw truth to the scripted plot, the truth is that there are many ways to learn about Queen Elizabeth and her family. Now, after the Queen’s death, these productions will become a memoir to remember and honor her life and journey.

It is not hard to choose what to watch. So open your favorite platform, choose between all perspectives available, and learn about this ever-changing and never-ending British monarchy.

ARTS Anticipated Fall and Winter Reads of 2022

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 | 13

D’JUANNA LESTER Arts Reporter

It’s that time again! With summer winding down, it’s finally time to make my list of my most anticipated books for the fall and winter for 2022.

I’ve been waiting for this one!

2022 is the year of amazing debuts across genres, as well as many sequels to popular series. From horror to fantasy, there are so many interesting books about to come out in the coming months.

Here is my list of some I’m looking forward to.

“Demon in the Woods” - Sept. 27, 2022 Leigh Bardugo’s popular “Shadow and Bone” series is getting a new installment! With the success of Netflix’s series based on the books, fans are very excited for a new book in the series. This graphic novella will be a prequel story for everyone’s (not so) favorite villain, the Darkling. The Darkling is a complex character that has readers hooked to his story, and this prequel will be sure to give readers goosebumps all over again.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM

“House of Hunger” - Sept. 27, 2022 Bloodmaid of exceptional taste. Must have a keen proclivity for life’s finer pleasures. Girls of weak will need not apply. First off, the thought of a bloodmaid sounds very interesting. Gothic horror? Vampires? Sign me up, please. “The Year of the Witching” author Alexis Henderson is back with another historical fiction novel that will make readers’ blood thirsty for more.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM

“Briarcliff Prep” - Nov 15, 2022 Brianna Peppins, you officially have me hooked.

In this debut, fourteen year-old Avi will be attending the title school, a historically black boarding school set in Georgia. With her siblings, Avi will take on the challenge of a new environment. There’s a secret about her sister’s boyfriend, and the premise of the story is exploring secrets and sisterhood. I’m very excited to read this debut.

“Defend the Dawn” - Sept. 20, 2022 This author, Brigid Kemmerer, is a favorite of mine. The “A Curse so Dark and Lonely” author takes readers on a journey back to the wild world of Kandala. Our main characters, Tessa and Corrick must team up to save the kingdom in the heat of betrayal and revolution. The lifesaving elixir’s life source - Moonflower - is being seized by corrupt consuls bent on tearing Kandala apart.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM

“Silver in the Mist” - November 20, 2022 Canadian author Emily Victoria returns with her newest Young Adult (YA) Fantasy novel. Eight years ago, our main heroine Devlin’s country Aris - was attacked. This resulted in her mother becoming head of the spies. With a strained relationship, and a desperate need for adventure, Dev embarks on a journey when she joins the ranks of becoming a spy herself.

“Monarch Rising” - Oct. 4, 2022 Debut dystopian writer Harpen Glenn brings us a Hunger Games-esque futuristic story sure to have readers begging for more. In a futuristic version of the United States, Jo Monarch embarks on a twisted journey to achieve her life of freedom and riches in the Line Up, escaping her life in the Ashes. The Line Up is where dreams come true. Once plucked from the Line Up, Jo’s journey hits a detour when the New Georgia Gala takes an unexpected turn.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM

PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON.COM

14 | SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Venice Film Festival fashion review OLIVIA CHIAPPELLI Arts Reporter

While the Venice Film Festival, which ran from September 1st to 11th, is known to be a prestigious event to launch some of the most anticipated films of the year, it also makes a major splash in the fashion world, with celebrities delivering iconic moments on the red carpet.

The festival has long been one of my favorite events of the year, as I love to watch decked out celebs climb off their little boats in the Venice canals. When I found out Harry Styles would be making his boating debut, I could not look away —

PHOTO COURTESY OF POPSUGAR

so we’ll start there.

Styles was in Venice for the premiere of Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling and provided the internet with two iconic looks to discuss — one for the morning press conference and one for the star-studded red carpet.

Styles stylishly stepped onto the docks in an appropriately nautical inspired look from his upcoming collaboration with Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele, cleverly entitled Gucci HA HA HA. His retro inspired, pin striped jacket and neck scarf combined with his Elton John-esque oversized sunglasses and fistful of gold rings created an air of coastal grandma chic mixed with 1970’s rock star, which felt perfectly in tune with the floating city.

Styles kept that same retro feel on the red carpet later that night, wearing a sharply tailored, blue Gucci suit with a pointy oversized collar — once again pairing the look with a quirky pair of sunglasses.

It feels almost like a natural segue to start talking about Timothée Chalamet next, given that he and Styles are often looked at as the standouts of popular boundary pushing men in the fashion world — so let’s dive into his look next.

Chalamet stepped onto the carpet to promote his new film Bones and All — his second film with director Luca Guadagnino of Call Me by Your Name success — wearing a custom design by another frequent collaborator of his, Haider Ackermann.

His shiny red ensemble was completely backless, with his halter top draping around his neck like some sort of scarf. It worked.

The next fashion moment that I feel stole the show — and actually, the first look I saw from the entire festival — came from Cate Blanchett at the premiere of her new film Tár.

She wore a black velvet Schiaparelli jumpsuit with a corset top which featured hand painted, colorful

PHOTO COURTESY OF MARIE CLAIRE

flowers shooting out of the neckline, with her ensemble acting as the vase.

Blanchett ended up winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her role in the film, and I think she should also take home the award for best dressed.

These red carpet moments definitely make me more excited to watch the actual films that premiered at the festival — after all, these celebs were actually there for a reason beyond sartorial bliss.

FALL PAYMENT DUE DATE OAKLAND UNIVERSITY’S FALL PAYMENT DUE DATE: AUGUST 15 Students who do not pay their balances in full or sign-up for a payment plan (and make the required installment(s)) may be dropped from classes and University housing (if applicable), and may be subject to late payment penalties and registration holds.

If you have questions or are experiencing circumstances that may prevent you from paying your account balance, please contact Student Financial Services at (248) 370-2550. We are ready to support you and help with your financial aid and billing options.

ARTS

ARTS

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 | 15

‘Purple Hearts’: Netflix’s divisive military love story LETICIA CEZÁRIO SANTOS Marketing Director

Summer is gone, but that does not mean your watchlist has to end. From May to August, Netflix launched at least 20 movies — one of which being “Purple Hearts.” The movie — which stars Sofia Carson as Cassie and Nicholas Galitzine as Luke — debuted on July 29, and has kept its place within the Top 10 category ever since.

The plot is a take on the ‘opposites attract’ cliché.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX.COM

Cassie is an aspiring musician with Type 1 Diabetes and no insurance — and therefore, no insulin — surviving by serving tables and singing on down times at the bar she works. Luke is a troubled Marine about to ship out for duty in Iraq, hiding addiction problems and debts.

Their solution is a fraudulent marriage to get military benefits. The story goes on, and despite coming from different backgrounds and political beliefs, they fall in love and overcome their differences “Although this is a fictional love story, the inspiration behind the romance —and the film’s plot — is true for many,” said Netflix in a Tudum article.

The movie — based on a book of the same name by Tess Wakefield — was praised by many hopeless romantics for its scenes of love songs and dialogs.

However, it was heavily criticized for the same reason.

Underneath the love and unity angle, viewers found problematic topics — including illegal immigration, racism, polarized politics, militarism, misrepresentation of diabetes, white supremacy, xenophobia, toxic masculinity and so on.

Many media outlets published critiques of the movie, such as TeenVogue, Vogue and Vox. “Netflix’s “Purple Hearts” Uses Diabetes Insulin Rationing for

Military Propaganda,” Zoe Witt said by way of her Teen Vogue article’s title.

In Witt’s detailed and lengthy critique, she points out that the movie presents a core issue (“the absolute urgency of insulin needs,”) but focuses instead on an unusual love story.

The name “Purple Hearts” refers to the medal of solemn distinction presented to US military members injured or killed in the line of duty — though in the case of the film, the color refers to more than that.

“It’s two hearts, one red, one blue, two worlds apart, who are really raised to hate each other,” director Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum said to Variety.

“Through the power of love, they learn to lead with empathy and compassion and love each other and turn into this beautiful shade of purple.”

Still, the viewers’ perspectives of this union were not that positive. Aja Romano writes for Vox.com “(...) despite the titular color scheme, however, there is no mutual shift toward the middle here,” Aja Romano said in a review for Vox. “In this story, for these lovebirds to unite, one of those worldviews has to tilt toward the other.”

In the end, what was supposed to be a typical romantic drama had more to disclose than I ever expected. Mindlessly watching, the movie felt like any other Disney-esque love story — which made me understand where the problem might be. Which ideas are we indirectly absorbing?

So, now it is your turn. Tell me — from which angle do you understand “Purple Hearts?”

‘An Offer from a Gentlemen’ offers a dazzling Cinderella retelling D’JUANNA LESTER Arts Reporter

Here we are — the third book in the Bridgerton series. This time, it’s Benedict’s turn. The second oldest brother gets his turn at finding a partner in Julia Quinn’s stunning Cinderella reimagining.

This will be a spoiler-free review.

Benedict Bridgerton, the second eldest child in this distinguished family, sets his sights on a mysterious maiden at his mother’s birthday ball.

(Here comes Sophie!) The way Quinn sets up the characters’ meet cute is everything I want in a story.

The. Glove. Scene. Please, someone take me to a Bridgerton ball!

Sophie Beckett is not just a typical kind-hearted heroine that inspires a lot of these Cinderella rewrites and remakes. She has a backstory that makes people want to root for her. It’s integral to her setting, and how that influences her relationship with Benedict, which Quinn writes so well.

Quinn is such a good writer when it comes to character backstories. We’re introduced to Sophie’s terrible stepfamily and home life right at the beginning of the book. Right off the bat, we discover that Sophie’s dark secret is something that has serious consequences.

Benedict and Sophie are a hard couple at the beginning. They meet at Lady Bridgerton’s birthday ball, with Sophie in disguise as her stepmother and stepsisters are also in attendance. The scene where Sophie discovers that the masked man is in fact Benedict is adorable.

The way Quinn uses physical description to show distinct differences between the Bridgerton siblings and Sophie’s thoughts of remembering Benedict and Benedict’s thoughts of remembering Sophie months after the ball is beautiful. Quinn, I aspire to have your talent for artistic description in my writing — you are a master.

Besides the romance, there are so many memorable moments and relationships throughout the book.

Eloise, the fifth Bridgerton sibling, and Benedict have a beautiful dynamic as the more rebellious siblings. With Anthony as a viscount, Benedict doesn’t have the responsibilities of fathering heirs, so he blows off life. Eloise wants more out of life.

Benedict, Anthony and Colin are the three eldest Bridgerton siblings. Their brotherly dynamic was greatly appreciated. It was fun reading about how while they’re all in different life stages — with Anthony being married, Benedict potentially having feelings for Sophie and Colin avoiding his life by traveling — they are still relatively close.

Sophie and Benedict are an adorable couple born into two different families and social classes. While Benedict was surrounded by love and warmth, Sophie had the direct opposite experience. Seeing them learn about each other and themselves through their different journeys was very interesting to read about.

Benedict and Sophie are in different social classes, therefore their marriage would bring about scandal. Reading the two of them beating all odds and learning to let themselves love each other no matter how hesitant and resistant they feel puts readers on edge to see what happens.

I understand why fans wanted Benedict to be the focus of Season 3. He’s such an interesting character, not to mention the fact that Netflix is going out of book order. Hopefully, fans will get a little tease of Benedict and Sophie’s story when Season 3 drops.

Rating: 4/5

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIAQUINN.COM

SPORTS

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 | 16

Breanne Beatty: Striving for Greatness

Summer Weathers Sports Reporter

An overachiever is an understatement for Breanne Beatty. She’s got game, and how well she manages her studentathlete lifestyle is top-tier.

Women’s basketball guard, Breanne Beatty, is a senior majoring in elementary education with an endorsement in language arts. She has an aspiration to become a special education teacher.

Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, her parents put her into a lot of different sports. She played soccer and ran track for the majority of her life. Basketball became instinctive and second nature.

“I don’t know, so long ago, I can’t even remember when I started playing,” Beatty said, when asked when she started playing basketball.

Beatty is motivated by her “why” in life.

“I think I have a lot of little whys, really what motivates me is just competitiveness. I’ve always been that way, everything I do is competitive. Competitiveness drives me,” Beatty said.

She loves to put in work, getting extra hours in at the gym outside of practice to be the best player that she can be. Beatty’s pregame consists of her showing up two hours early before tip off, putting up some shots before it’s game time. She has a vision, she’s gritty, always wanting to improve and be better to contribute to her team’s success. Her short term goals have a lot to do with what she wants to see happen this basketball season.

“We want to go to the NCAA tournament, so win the conference

championship and be able to just punch our ticket. We’ll probably be underdogs. I like being the underdogs.

I like when no one expects you to win.”

From her exceptional hustle plays to locking up on defense, she is a well-rounded player that can give you whatever is needed throughout the game. Those skills are priceless.

Basketball is a game that undoubtedly requires collaboration.

“My team and I have a lot of respect for each other which is important,” she said.

Beatty has racked up so much during her basketball career here at OU, being named All-Tournament Team this past season to receiving The Women’s President award, which is a leadership award and flourishing not only in basketball but in the classroom as well.

Managing her athletic responsibilities and academics, she strives to dedicate as many hours as needed to school as well. Beatty’s advice to a future Grizzly is: “Have a lot of patience, grades always go first, and just put in that work. You know the parties and stuff will always be there, there’s always going to be something going on, but you know, prioritizing my work first always helped me keep everything organized. I’m kind of a perfectionist, so I care about the quality of my work.” she said.

Her dedication to the game and academics is unmatched, and she isn’t done yet. Beatty plans on getting her master’s degree here at OU and is eligible for another year of basketball after the 2022-2023 season, but for now, she’s looking forward to this upcoming season and putting the Grizzlies on the map.

PHOTO BY MAGGIE WILLARD Breanne Beatty scored eight points in 32 minutes of action on Sunday.

Women’s golf claims A-Ga-Ming tournament championship Brock Heilig Sports Editor

While many Oakland University students and staff were getting settled in for the first full week of classes of the 2022-23 school year, the women’s golf team was busy winning its first golf tournament of the season.

The Golden Grizzlies traveled to Kewadin, Michigan to compete in the A-Ga-Ming Invitational. Oakland posted a three-day total of 897 strokes to narrowly edge out Central Michigan’s 900-stroke three-day total.

The invitational hosted four instate programs — Oakland, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan — as well as out-of-state teams from Green Bay, Purdue Fort Wayne and Chicago State.

The tournament took place over Labor Day weekend, from Sept. 3 through Sept. 5.

Freshman Bridget Boczar, sophomore Nateda Her and senior Emily Fleming led the Golden Grizzlies to victory with respective scores of 220 (75-71-74), 223 (7574-74 and 227 (74-74-79).

Boczar’s twin sister, Grace, finished with a score of 236 (7678-82) to contribute to the victory for Oakland.

The Boczars are no strangers to the bright lights that come with being on the big stage.

Last fall, as seniors at Plymouth High School, the sisters notched first and second place finishes in the Division 1 state championship at Grand Valley State University.

Bridget tallied a score of 143, and Grace finished just one stroke behind her with a 144.

Now, as freshmen at Oakland, the Boczars will be tasked with carrying a large portion of the Golden Grizzlies this season.

The victory marks the first of head coach Sarah Burnham’s in her tenure at Oakland. The first-year head coach replaced Alyssa Gaudio over the off-season.

Burnham was officially hired as the team’s head coach back on July 1, and she is off to a great start in her first season with the Golden Grizzlies.

Last season, Oakland also competed in the A-Ga-Ming Invitational, but the Golden Grizzlies came up just three strokes short of Central Michigan.

The 2021-22 team went on to claim the Horizon League championship before being discarded rather easily in the NCAA Regional in Ann Arbor.

This season, the Golden Grizzlies got the better of the Chippewas —

and six other teams — to win the season-opening tournament.

Oakland now enjoys a lengthy break during the fall portion of its season. The team will travel to Yorktown, Indiana to compete in the Cardinal Classic on Sept. 19-20.

Although the team stays rather local throughout the fall, the trips become much longer and nicer as the year progresses.

In February, the Golden Grizzlies will travel to Florida to compete in the Motor City Cup. Later in February, Oakland will make a trip to Rio Verde, Arizona to compete in the Rio Verde Invitational.

The Golden Grizzlies will then return to Florida in March to take part in the Spring Break Shootout.

The regular season will end in Bowling Green, Ohio, before the Golden Grizzlies make a third trip to Florida to try and defend its Horizon League title from a season ago.

Should Oakland have success at the aforementioned task, it will make its second straight appearance in the NCAA Regionals.

PHOTO BY NOORA NEIROUKH A member of Oakland University’s women’s golf team lines up for a putt on Monday, Sept. 27.