The Oakland Post 4.3.2024

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OU BEATS MSU The Golden Grizzlies took down the Spartans for the third time in program history on March 27, 2024.

PHOTO COURTESY OF GOLDEN GRIZZLIES

Campus Food Committee: Midnight Breakfast, Hunger-Free Campus Act, Chartwells catering

CHLOE KUKUK Campus Editor

OUSC’s Campus Food Committee (CFC) held its fourth meeting since the beginning of the Winter 2024 semester on March 25 in Oakland Center Room 25.

The short meeting discussed the last diningrelated events occurring on campus before the semester ends and changes possibly coming to campus dining in Fall 2024.

On April 11, University Housing will once again host Midnight Breakfast from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. in both Vandenberg and Hillcrest dining halls. No meal plan is required to participate, and attendees will receive a free OU crew neck while supplies last.

“Menus are done for that. We’re working and organizing together. That’ll be a fun event,” Executive Chef Kevin Peasgood said.

Peasgood also recently hosted a teaching kitchen in the apartments and hopes to host several more. The seminar focused on reducing food waste, including how to use trimmings and peelings from vegetables. Previously, Peasgood hosted teaching kitchens for food such as sushi and Thanksgiving turkey.

The committee discussed the potential of hosting the next teaching kitchen in the Oakland Center.

“I’m trying to work on another one of those before the semester is over, maybe April,” Peasgood said.

The Hillcrest dinner meal transfers were also discussed, though no changes have been made yet.

“Everything you guys are speaking about,

we’re talking about,” Peasgood said. “There will obviously be some changes next year.”

Golden Grizzlies Pantry (GGP) representative Kaeli Lowe discussed the success of the pantry’s meal swipe drive. The pantry received 260 swipes total, and approximately 76 swipes have been taken thus far.

“So many students are excited about them,” Lowe said.

The pantry also visited Lansing to advocate for the Hunger Free Campus Act, which would support university pantries, including GGP. The group spoke to 10 representatives and handed out resource packets to representatives they could not speak with.

“It was very successful,” Lowe said. “I think they’re trying to put it back in for voting towards the end of April… but it’s just convincing Oakland to be a part of the grant.”

Another minor topic discussed was the potential of creating a how-to video for placing a Chartwells

food order. They also visited the possibility of creating a “cheat sheet” to have physically available in the Chartwells office.

Halal Shack, Grizzly Street Subs & Salads and sushi will also be available for catering orders in the Fall 2024 semester. Additionally, Peasgood said he is working on getting cultural foods permanently added to the student catering menu and has been speaking with cultural student groups to gain feedback.

“We’re getting that costed out and figured out. I don’t know if I’ll be able to pull it off this year, but I’d like to have a taste-testing phase,” Peasgood said. “We work side by side. They’ll bring recipes in, and we’ll talk.”

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative Ian Allen discussed athletes’ concerns regarding the availability of vegetarian protein options. Peasgood recommended Homestyle in Vandenberg for vegetarian and vegan proteins such as tofu.

“I’ll take a look at the rotation to see what’s on there,” he said. “But there’s always a vegetarian option there… point them in that direction and get some feedback.”

One minor food-related change that could impact OU students is the May groundbreaking for a new Chick-fil-A across the street from campus. OU previously had a Chick-fil-A location in the Oakland Center.

(Continue reading on our website)

Student organization welcomes board-certified OB/GYN speaker

ANGELINA TOMA Campus Reporter

The Future Pediatrics of America at Oakland University (OUFPOA) virtually hosted its 2nd general body meeting on March 27, featuring boardcertified OB/GYN Dr. Sawsan Jamil.

Jamil owns a private practice with her colleague, delivering babies and monitoring pregnant women. She explains her progress in medical school and her current profession and provides a glimpse of her life.

The event was hosted to provide resources for prospective students in the field.

“Obstetrics and gynecology are related to the mission of this club because the attending’s primary objective is to deliver the child safely and effectively that does not cause harm to the mother,” OUFPOA President Lourd Lazar said.

The meetings address numerous fields that can be presented to interested students by providing relevant information that aids their career development.

“The guest speakers we’ve brought, like Dr. Jamil, provide insight into what they do at their practice or hospital,” Lazar said. “They also provide our members with valuable life lessons they’ve experienced and how they apply them in medicine.”

Jamil explained the importance of exploring new interests or skills while entering medical school or residency when considering a prospective field.

“You never know what you might like, and it’s good to keep an open mind because everything happens for a reason,” Jamil said.

OUFPOA strives for influential guest speakers who are passionate about their profession,

and encourage the students to further their education. This is the second time OUFPOA has featured a physician.

“The speakers are essential because they help guide us to do great things in our future,” Lazar said. “We want to bring speakers that our members can feel they gained something from and not just a box checked off.”

Jamil emphasized the importance of experiencing life challenges by explaining her experience as an immigrant and receiving her certification four times.

“As an Iraqi immigrant, I’ve had to restart my education multiple times in different countries and

pass my exams each time,” Jamil said. “I knew what I wanted and had the satisfaction of completing it all times.”

The dedication shown further enhanced the students’ desire for the field.

“It is important to work hard and persevere even through the difficulties that life throws you,” Jamil said.

Jamil explained the focus on making a difference within the community and building relations with patients.

“I have had patients from other countries come up to me now and say they remember me during their pregnancy,” Jamil said.

OUFPOA directs the club to include professional and personal experiences that enhance the purpose and frequently receive positive remarks afterward.

“The mission of this club is to make an impact in the community and bring people together to help the most vulnerable individuals — children,” Lazar said. “The amount of feedback we receive from our members is rewarding.”

OUFPOA will continue to expand the opportunities for its members, providing informative insight to prospective students interested in fields regarding pediatrics with a desire to give back to children.

“For future events, our members can expect to hear from more incredible guest speakers,” Lazar said.

For more information on OUFPOA and upcoming events, visit their Grizzorgs website, or contact Lazar at lourdlazar@oakland.edu.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN D’ANGELO

PHOTO COURTESY OF YELP

Bargaining strategies at third annual Collaborative Labor Panel

ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES Campus Reporter

The third annual collaborative Labor Panel hosted by the Oakland University American Association of University Professors (OU-AAUP) and Oakland University Student Congress (OUSC) was held on March 27 in the Oakland Center’s Banquet Room B.

Four guest speakers were invited to discuss the local labor situation from their respective fields in preparation for Oakland University’s faculty bargaining with the administration to negotiate a new contract.

Matt Kirkpatrick, AAUP President at Eastern Michigan University, discussed the lessons learned while bargaining after OU’s faculty strike in 2020. Kirkpatrick explained that coordinating communication within the union and creating ethical proposals clashed with how universities are run.

“If we think of universities as businesses, students are our customers, but these revenue generators are faculty members,” Kirkpatrick said. “This logic escapes when it comes time to adequately compensate and address things like workload, like health care, working conditions.”

Pontiac Councilman Mikal Goodman discussed responsible policy-making and the generational collaborations amongst unions.

“There is this massive resurgence amongst young people, people who are politically active and

are participating in union work,” Goodman said. “We’ve all begun to see what is possible, what is doable, and it has become more present now more than ever.

“It’s a larger sign that right now across the country, the world and especially here in Michigan, there is this massive focus on the power that labor has to affect change,” Goodman added.

Deb Lotan, Michigan Educational Association Executive Director, spoke on the constant achievement of labor rights and laws pushing them back. Lotan focused on interest-based bargaining as an effective bargaining strategy.

“It’s important to be able to tell their [the workers’] story, which is what interest-based bargaining is about,” Lotan said. “You get to tell the history about what brought you here and what their issues are. Our members have a voice in an age where we don’t have agency shops.

“Even though school is being treated like a business and it’s being run like a business, it’s not,” Lotan said. “Our product is people, its students, and how do you deliver that? It’s not a car, it’s not a nut, it’s not a bolt. Those are interesting conversations to have with people.”

The last speaker, Chuck Browning, UAW International Executive Board Vice President, discussed strikes and transparency as part of the bargaining process.

“Strikes are very romanticized. Everybody wants to go on strike, but the members have to be brave and committed to take strike action,” Browning said. “Strikes are really effective right now because

there’s a shortage of labor and companies are more profitable than they’ve ever been.”

Browning listed constant and honest dialogue with union members, transparent communication programs during negotiations, and thorough explanations of contract ratifications as part of a successful bargaining campaign.

Michael Latcha, OU-AAUP President, explained the union’s preparation for the bargaining season, which is expected to begin this spring.

“We have spent a great deal of time surveying the faculty, going around to all of the academic units and talking to the faculty face to face,” Latcha said. “The advisory forum and the bargaining team are collecting all this data that will shape the course of the bargaining.”

(Continue reading on our website)

PHOTO COURTESY OF OU AAUP

GrizzGang on wheels: OU students attend March Madness in Pittsburgh

MALLORY WALIGORA Political Reporter

On March 23 at noon, OU students met at the O’rena to depart on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Two buses took around 100 students to attend the Oakland University vs North Carolina State game in the second round of March Madness.

The Office for Student Involvement (OSI) announced on Instagram that tickets were available for the Saturday game. The first 100 students to get to the OSI window in the Oakland Center would get free tickets. A flood of students got in line, each of them hoping they would be one of the first 100 lucky winners to score a free ticket.

“I thought it was really cool. When we won against Kentucky, Oakland University decided to put money in for the students to go to the next game in person — I really appreciated that from

the school,” sophomore Nicholas Wasielewski said. “It’s something I know other big schools aren’t doing. I think it really boosts the student’s support for the program.”

Why would students want to sit in a bus for 10 hours there and back just for one basketball game? The answer is simple: how often does your university’s basketball team cause a major, internet-famous upset against 3rd seed Kentucky? Not very often.

Wasielewski shared his excitement about watching the game in person, describing the electric atmosphere in the stadium.

“I felt like Oakland played a really good game. We never had the lead until going into the last few minutes of the game. When we got the lead, all of the students were behind the team. Everyone in the stadium could feel the energy shift. It was a big momentum changer,” Wasielewski said.

Despite the loss (79-73), the game was nailbitingly tight and great entertainment for students who made the trip. The 5-hour long bus ride was worth it — a tied game bled into overtime.

“I think that was one of the best sports experiences I’ve ever been to. I’ve been to countless sports games, and there’s nothing like cheering for your school in March Madness. There’s a lot of schools that don’t get to do it, and I wish we can do it again,” Wasielewski said.

Shawn Slater, a fifth-year student on the track and field team, attended the game in person. He was one of several OU athletic team students who went on the trip. Among others, students from the volleyball, swim, track and field teams showed up to cheer on their fellow athletes.

“When athletes support athletes, it can change

game day. A great way to get that kind of support is through each other. It’s really an ecosystem that needs to be kept,” Slater explained.

A major lesson to take away from the vibrant student section on the March Madness trip is this

OU students will always support other OU students. OU’s men’s basketball team helped put more life into the campus community, bringing together students of different backgrounds to cheer on the team.

For some, this game marked the end of their senior year, serving as a milestone in their final month at OU. Alexus Winkowski, who is in the last semester of her senior year, shared the importance of the game to her.

“The experience was crazy. I’m so happy to have been here because this has been amazing. Even though we lost, it was great,” Winkowski explained.

The upset over Kentucky has affected the entire campus community alongside the basketball players. Jack Gohlke sparked NIL deals overnight following the Kentucky game. Basketball players’ social media accounts grew overnight. Several OU websites saw major traffic.

“I couldn’t tell you how many news articles and clips I’ve seen about our basketball team. I saw something that was saying Oakland has gained like $20 million and advertisement exposure just from this game alone. March Madness allows for other smaller schools like us to be a showcase,” Slater said.

(Continue reading on our website)

OU English student Krystal Davis provides remarks at the 2024 Empathy Conference

DAYSHAWN FIELDS

Features Reporter

Oil dominates the daily life of billions around the world. Oakland University’s Literature and the Environment (ENG 3681) course shines a light on this natural resource and the impact it has on the environment.

Petroculture encompasses the political, cultural and economic influences that make oil the predominant fuel used around the globe. Everyone, willingly or not, plays a part in the world’s reliance on petroleum.

Krystal Davis, a senior English and Spanish major in the class, gave a personal anecdote of her participation in petroculture at the English department’s 2024 Empathy Conference.

Davis discussed petroculture in the context of Black hair care, and the ensuing environmental consciousness and personal identity crises.

“I shared my struggles with conforming to societal beauty standards, inviting listeners to step into another person’s shoes and delve into the emotional weight of feeling inadequate or pressured to change one’s appearance to fit an ideal,” Davis said.

The roundtable garnered favorable attendance. Davis’ reflection of self kept everyone present and engaged.

“I’d say this self-reflection on my personal struggle allowed listeners to understand the challenges faced by marginalized communities in navigating societal expectations within this perspective,” Davis said.

Davis intended for her speech and topic of choice to keep the audience engaged. It was especially helpful that Davis was passionate about the topic of petroculture.

“The discussion of environmental injustices in the beauty industry resonates with me deeply,” Davis said. “It prompted me to reflect on the broader implications of consumer choices and encouraged empathy toward the interconnected issues of personal actions and systemic inequalities.”

Davis says that speaking in front of an audience once felt like an insurmountable challenge. Preparing to give a speech on such a heavy topic required memorization and practice.

“I found myself becoming less anxious as my turn to present approached,” Davis said. “Additionally, drawing on my past experience in theater during

high school has been immensely helpful. Visualizing myself on stage, exuding confidence and energy, allows me to effectively convey my points in a concise manner.”

Davis’ passion for hair, particularly hers, also contributed to her feeling more confident.

“I’m deeply passionate about topics related to my hair, and I find great enjoyment in discussing subjects I’m well-versed in,” Davis said. “This passion fueled my presentation, enabling me to engage with the audience more effectively and share my insights with enthusiasm.”

This passion has spread to public speaking. Davis says she will publicly speak again after her experience as a presenter at the Empathy Conference.

“Participating in the conference has reignited my interest in public speaking,” Davis said. “While it initially felt daunting, the positive experience and support I receive has encouraged me to consider speaking publicly again.”

Davis felt surrounded by support and love while participating in the conference.

“Engaging with the audience, sharing my insights, and receiving feedback has all been incredibly rewarding,” Davis said. “It reminds me of the value and impact of effective communication.”

Student members of the American Studies Club also participated and spoke at the conference.

If other OU students wish to learn more about the Empathy Conference or would like to participate in similar conferences in the future, they may contact the American Studies Club.

Students compete for cash prizes in the 2024 Idea Pitch Competi tion

GRACIE MURRAY Features Reporter

On March 7, Oakland University students were invited to partake in the 2024 Idea Business Pitch Competition. The competition was open to undergraduate and graduate students of any major. The competition challenged students to brainstorm and pitch a business or product idea for the chance to win cash prizes.

Students could enter the contest as an individual pitch or they could group up into teams of two or three.

By March 7, all submissions were required to be submitted as PowerPoint presentations. This was round one of the competition. Thirty contestants were selected to move on to round two of the contest. In round two, contestants were required to present their pitch in front of two judges. Based on the judge’s score, a few candidates were selected to move on to the final round.

All contestants were judged based on their idea, the concept of the idea, the audience or market the person wants to target, the business model and strategy, a well-thought-out solution and the overall presentation of the pitch.

The grand cash prizes went to the top 3 contestants. First place won $1,000, second place won $500 and third place won $250.

Eight finalists moved on to the third and final round of the idea pitch competition. Each idea was unique. Megan Taggart, a second-year marketing student, pitched her “PurdyPup” idea.

“PurdyPup” is a bathroom pad for dogs, that can

show if there are any underlying issues with the dog that can be overseen. Taggart’s “PurdyPup” idea ended up winning the second-place prize.

“Honestly, it just came to me because a lot of customers that would come inside of Pet Supplies Plus were looking for care for their pets, but unfortunately there was nothing there for them,” Taggart said. “It really broke my heart and that’s why PurdyPup is now going to be invented.”

This competition helped students to prepare for future business ventures.

“I saw it in an email, and I decided to enter,” Taggart said. “I wasn’t doing anything that day, I kind of just put it together super quickly and now I am super glad I did. It is definitely worth doing if you were thinking about it for next year. This pitch is definitely going to help build my portfolio in the pet industry and hopefully take PurdyPup to the next level.”

The judges of the competition were professionals from different businesses. The judges provided advice and insight to the students who entered the competition.

“Criticism has never been an issue for me, I really take it as a grain of salt,” Taggart said. “I never take it personally. Some people may. Honestly, the criticism makes you a better person depending on how you take it.”

Other notable entries included Alexandria Green’s “The Cloth Clip,” Evan Boardman’s “Spike Strip,” Nneka Dike’s “Afro Flavors Express,” and Zohaib Ali’s “Power Plant.”

The first-place winner was Nicholas Fenderson, with his business idea, “One Shop.” Taggart earned second place with Purdy Pup and David Melanshek won third place with Cat Cam. Guadalupe Sanchez’s Creative Waiting was chosen as the fan favorite of the competition.

If students have questions about the Idea Pitch Competition, please contact Dr. Jae Kang at kang@ oakland.edu or Molly Gagnon at mgagnon2@ oakland.edu.

OU alumni Ryan Pendleton speaks about finding your career path after college

NOAH FRANCIS Features Reporter

Sometimes through college, you may think you are suited for one job after you graduate, but life takes you down a completely different path. Maybe it is not the job you expected, but in the end, it works out.

Ryan Pendleton, a student who attended Oakland University between 2012 and 2014, walked down a similar path. As a communication and journalism major, Pendleton wanted to go into sports journalism. However, he walked a different path after graduating.

Pendleton carried the skills he learned and put them toward a successful career at United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM).

“I was soul searching, to be honest,” Pendleton said. “I didn’t want to work in a restaurant forever, because I knew the mental grind that it really entails, getting out at two, three, four in the morning. I got the call from a buddy that had been working at UWM for about a year, and they have been awesome.”

One tip Pendleton gives to students still going through the undergraduate program, especially for the journalism and communication fields, is to be openminded about the job market.

“It’s always good to just apply and try to put your application and your resume out there, no matter what your major is,” Pendleton said. “Journalism

and communication is such a broad degree that you definitely have to look at different avenues.”

UWM is a welcoming environment for students just getting out of college, as their training process is similar to a college course. Through 12 weeks of paid training, applicants can expect weekly quizzes, as well as quarterly, mid-, and final exams. Pendleton explains the reason why he relates their training to a college course.

“UWM does training from the ground up and they break it down very similar to a college curriculum, so that’s why I really relate it to college,” Pendleton said. “It’s like hey, I don’t know Spanish but I can go to take a Spanish 1 course and now I know a little bit of Spanish and you just kind of slowly build up your skill set over time.”

Whether you are dealing with a client, a coworker, or a boss, communication skills are useful in any job setting, no matter your field. Pendleton explains some of the communication skills he recommends students focus on before graduating.

“Not only being able to communicate well with your teammates and your bosses and management but also being able to talk to your client professionally and maintaining those professional relationships,” Pendleton said. “The next thing is having a good strong work ethic and a will to want to learn and grow.”

It is easy to feel discouraged if you feel your major isn’t the right fit for you anymore. For students

struggling with what path to take, Pendleton offers some advice.

“Remain positive, and be patient with yourself,” Pendleton said. “It definitely takes a lot of time and effort to find that right fit in that right job but definitely just keep your foot on the gas and don’t give up.”

For students figuring out their career paths, please visit Oakland University’s Career and Life Design office or schedule an appointment on their OU webpage. For more information about UWM, please visit their website.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BENJAMIN COOK

PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

Political Science Department hosts Jessica Green for lecture on International Affair

PAYTON BUCKI Content Editor

On March 26, the Oakland University Political Science Department welcomed Jessica Green, a professor of political science at the University of Toronto, to campus for the annual Meadow Brook Lecture in International Affairs. Green served as the keynote speaker for the night, detailing the existential politics of climate change in her speech entitled “Why the Paris Agreement is Failing and What to Do About It.”

Before the lecture, several political science students and professors had an exclusive opportunity to have a private dinner with Green. Over the meal, Green was asked about the roots of her passion for researching environmental topics.

“I started getting interested in environmental policy when I was very young,” Green said. “The Rio Convention on Environment and Development really inspired me. In college, I saw all these conversations about climate and carbon pricing play out in think tanks and policy arenas.”

Following dinner, Green cued up her slideshow presentation in the ballroom of Meadow Brook Hall. Dozens of attendees filed into the space to hear Green’s lecture.

Green introduced her speech as a preview to a book she is working on, tentatively titled “The Existential Politics of Climate Change.”

“The motivation for this book came from the problem that I perceived while working on climate change [research] for the past two decades,” Green said. “Scholars and policymakers tend to think about climate change as a collective action problem.”

A collective action problem, according to Green, is

a situation that requires countries to work together to solve an issue. Regarding the climate crisis, an “allhands-on-deck” approach is typically considered the best approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating global warming.

“What this means is that we have to have an international treaty, sanctions, and ensure monitoring and enforcement–or else, we have the problem of free-riding,” Green said. “This was the prevailing wisdom. But, for decades now, multilateral cooperation – starting with the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, up through the 2015 Paris Agreement — have failed to make a dent in the issue.”

This lack of progress on climate change following these agreements led Green to consider whether scholars and policymakers are thinking about the issue of climate change in the wrong way.

“We have misdiagnosed climate change as a collective action problem,” Green said. “So, why is the Paris Agreement failing? Because free riding is not the primary obstacle to cooperation. The political challenge underlying climate change is distributional.”

The problem, Green says, is the fundamental agonism of climate change. In other words, climate change is going to create winners and losers.

Green believes that this problem manifests in a fixation on tons. The international community is focused on climate offsets and carbon trading, intent on solving the issue of climate change through formulaic means. Green argues that this mathematical, technical approach to rectifying climate change is unsustainable.

“We have seen many notable news sources, like The Guardian, publishing reports that many climate

offset projects do not represent additional reductions [in greenhouse gas emissions],” Green said. “This is a way for companies and regulated entities to cover their butts and balance their emissions books, without actually reducing emissions.”

Green suggests a new approach to climate change. Instead of fixating on tons, Green suggests that the international community focus on regulating dollars.

(Continue reading on our website)

Former OU basketball player Darrel Cole speaks about the culture of OU Athletics

DAYSHAWN FIELDS

Features Reporter

Family and culture are the two defining characteristics of the Oakland University men’s basketball program. As the team leaves a historic season behind, these traits will continue to uplift the program to greater heights.

Collin Shannon, the director of basketball operations at OU, keeps these values alive. When the basketball team held its alumni night, not every past player was able to attend. Despite this fact, Shannon made sure to make all alumni feel appreciated.

PHOTO BY KATIE REID

This was the case for Darrel Cole, a walk-on men’s basketball player from 1988-91. Cole, a California resident, would have had to travel far to make it to the alumni event.

Shannon showed his appreciation to Cole by sending him a “Pioneers” shirt, which was the team’s mascot during his playing career. Attached to the shirt was a note, personally penned by Shannon.

“[Shannon] sent the shirts that said ‘Oakland Basketball Family’ on it, to all the alumni that used to play there,” Cole said. “I got it, might have been one day before [Oakland] won the league championship.”

The shirt and note left a profound impression on Cole.

“That was a really personal thing. After all, who writes notes anymore?” Cole said. “I emailed them back and said ‘Collin, this is gold, man. This says a lot about the university and the basketball program.’”

Shannon strives to make alumni athletes feel like they are a part of OU Athletics, even after they graduate. As Cole puts it, Shannon’s dedication shows the positive culture that has been established in OU’s basketball program. Coach Greg Kampe, was an integral part of establishing this culture.

“Coach Kampe always wanted his guys to be good teammates and good people, that was important to him,” Cole said. “One of the things I learned from him was ‘Don’t quit, you make a mistake, you have to pick yourself up and go at it again.’”

While Kampe may display tough love on the court,

he cares deeply about his players – former and present.

“[At my senior basketball banquet] he said something that I’ll never forget,” Cole said. “He’s like, ‘You know, the one thing I wish I would have had was Darrel for four years.”

Kampe’s words meant a lot to Cole.

“He believed in me, you know,” Cole said.

Kampe’s confidence in those he coaches has continued. His belief in his players, particularly Jack Gohlke, has been a common theme in the national media.

Kampe’s players, who are upstanding individuals on and off the court, afford him that confidence. OU men’s basketball players bought into the program.

Family and culture are two foundational principles of Kampe’s program. These attributes most recently earned his team a trip to the NCAA Tournament and an upset win over Kentucky.

Going forward, Cole sees the program’s culture as an integral part of keeping OU basketball on the map.

“I think [Kampe] set a culture there and the players are gonna see, whether it’s a new recruit out of high school or the transfer, they’re gonna see the culture he set there,” Cole said. “Players are going to be like ‘Damn, I want to play for that guy.’”

With four players heading out, two being Horizon League award recipients, the transfer portal is the philosophy that will keep Oakland basketball in the position it has found itself in this season.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NICK IWANYSHYN

Oakland University’s Human Resource department guides students to a career

GRACIE MURRAY Features Reporter

Oakland University’s Human Resources Department seeks to educate students in the classroom and assist them in reaching their career goals.

Dr. Jennifer Wenson, a coordinator of the Human Resources Department sheds light on the opportunities the HRD offers to students. Not only does Wenson hold a place in the HRD, but she also teaches ten undergraduate and graduate classes in the Department of Organizational Leadership at OU.

Wenson has a Bachelor of Science in Business from Marquette University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Detroit. Wenson also has a Doctorate in Management and Leadership.

Wenson specializes in the fields of leadership and motivation. Throughout her professional career, Wenson has enjoyed mentoring young leaders.

“Oakland University’s Human Resources Development degree will empower you with leadership development in social services, preparing you for administrative and training careers in business and industry,” Wenson said. “You can use your Human Resources Development degree to become an HR professional, school administrator, training supervisor,

consultant and so much more.”

This is a non-exhaustive list of the possible careers for students studying human resources. In fact, there is a broad range of careers available for HRD professionals.

“As we look at the graduates of the Human Resources Development program, we have found students that have successfully found work not just in the Human Resource Development field,” Wenson said. “As a side note, Dennis Pawley Executive Vice President of Chrysler, as well as former Oakland University Board of Chair/Trustee is a Human Resource Development graduate.”

HRD graduates have moved into the field of Training and Development Specialist/Manager,

Organizational Development Specialist/Manager, Talent Management Specialist/Manager, Learning and Development Consultant, Care Development Specialist and so much more.

“For many of our students, they are able to secure employment through their internships during the final semester of the program in the industry of their choice,” Wenson said. “More than 90 percent of our students are employed upon graduation with almost 5 percent pursuing further education.”

The HRD program attracts students with an interest in working with people, leadership development, employee standards and continuous improvement.

“The showcase of these opportunities may benefit students looking for career fit as a Human Resources Development major/minor that have not been made aware of the program,” Wenson said.

For students who are more interested in learning about the program or degree or both, schedule an appointment with the SEHS advising office by calling (248) 370-4182, visit oakland.edu/sehs-advising, or students can swing by the office located in Pawley Hall, room 363 open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Student conduct breast cancer research in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Department

ANGELINA TOMA Campus Reporter

The Biochemistry and Endocrinology Laboratory, led by Dr. Sumit Dinda at the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Department, conducts breast cancer research here at Oakland University.

Senior Aisha Zanib, the current lab manager and undergraduate research assistant, has further developed her research framework within the lab.

“I’ve been with the lab for almost three years now,” Zanib said. “Getting introduced to Dr. Dinda, having a mentor that supports your future goals and working with the other research assistants is what I appreciate most about the lab.”

As the collaborative successive work continues to expand, so does the research.

“We essentially focus on analyzing the effects of various compounds on breast cancer cells,” Zanib said.

The research is assigned to assistants who teach students common laboratory techniques, prepare them for graduate school applications and encourage personal and professional development.

“It’s a comprehensive learning experience. We work on various projects, and Dr. Dinda mentors us from inception through completion,” Zanib said. “Yes, you’re conducting experiments and collecting data, but you’re also performing statistical analysis, writing the manuscript, or preparing a poster presentation to attend a research conference.”

In detailing some of the ongoing research initiatives within the lab, Zanib elaborated on the investigation of

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other compounds.

“PFOA is a compound you’d historically find in common products like non-stick cookware and waterproof materials. It’s suspected to be an endocrinedisrupting compound. It’s resistant to biological degradation and currently an environmental pollutant,” Zanib explained. “The nature of it being so widespread and potentially harmful is what prompted us to investigate its effects on breast cancer cells.

“We’re also exploring other compounds that we hypothesize may have anti-oncogenic or antiinflammatory properties,” Zanib added. “Two examples would be Neem and Tulsi, herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine.”

The research framework on compounds advances

with ongoing publication efforts.

“We just published a recent manuscript on Bazedoxifene, which is a compound undergoing human clinical trials with Pfizer as a potential breast cancer therapy,” Zanib said.

The direction of the laboratory strives for research assistants to gain as many opportunities as possible.

“We typically have students publish and abstract and go to an endocrine conference each year,” Zanib said.

The laboratory continues recruiting students interested in gaining hands-on experience in the lab.

“We do work with undergraduate students,” Zanib said. “We’re looking for students with motivation in terms of time commitment and the desire to pursue a project and complete it.”

Zanib emphasized the importance of collaborating with faculty for future goals.

“In my time at Oakland, what I’ve found most incredible is the genuine care our professors have for their students and their investment in our success,” Zanib said. “Working with professors in the lab setting allows you to dive into the world of research and get membership in your academic career.”

Zanib will begin her medical school journey as the Dinda Laboratory develops future researchers and physicians.

She intends to further her education and pursue research opportunities, with a strong interest in oncology.

For students interested in becoming a research assistant, contact Dinda via email at sdinda@oakland. edu, or Zanib via email at azanib@oakland.edu.

PHOTO COURTESY OF OAKLAND UNIVERSITY

PHOTO BY MAGGIE WILLARD

Music to my ears: Professor Brett Hoag hosts guitar recital

NOAH FRANCIS Features Reporter

On March 26, Oakland University professor Bret Hoag hosted a guitar recital in the Varner Recital Hall, featuring several of his students from his classes. From single performances to trios, quartets and quintets, each performer showcased what they had learned through their music classes.

Mat Keitz performed several pieces throughout the recital, both in a solo and ensemble setting. Keitz explains the main differences that come from playing in a group and on your own.

“You really have to lock in with the people around you musically,” Keitz said. “When you’re playing solo, you have a lot more freedom with bending time and your rhythm, but when you’re playing with other people, it’s really important and necessary to be locked in and synced with one another. It takes a different kind of practice.”

Playing in a group can be a struggle, whether it is a duet or a quintet. Keitz, who played a piece called “Spin” as part of a quartet, explains one of the main hurdles that comes with playing in a larger group.

“As guitar players, we play so much alone, so playing with other people is sometimes a challenge for us,” Keitz said. “Even if we have the right notes, it can be hard to get things synced. That piece we played [Spin] was in an odd meter, so the subdivisions are different based on the measure. It was just challenging getting

everything locked in and synced.”

Performing on stage for the first time can be a stressful experience for those at any level, making the process of choosing a song that much more difficult.

Keitz explains a helpful tip for new players to feel more comfortable and confident on stage.

“It helps if you’re playing music that you like, or

that you can connect with on a spiritual level,” Keitz said. “Then when you’re performing, it’s really nothing more than an extension of who you are. That doesn’t take any effort because it’s just raw creative expression, which humans do every day.”

While many of the performers were music majors, Hoag believes the stage is there for students of any background, including non-majors.

“I think anyone who wants to do it should be able to do it,” Hoag said. “For a major, I think it’s more that they’re gonna eventually make money doing this, so they have to be competitively good. It’s different for every single group and every single person, but I think everyone should be able to perform.”

Hoag explains his view on why students should experiment with an instrument in college, even if it is outside of their major.

“Your life will be more than whatever your career is, and college is a great place to explore those things,” Hoag said. “You’re probably never going to be around world-class music faculty, so take a guitar class, or take a theory class, or take something that interests you. No one’s gonna make fun of you if you’re not great at it since it’s all about learning.”

For those interested in learning more about OU’s non-major offerings for music, please visit the School of Music, Theatre and Dance’s (SMTD) webpage.

OUSC HOSTS RELAXING NEURODIVERSITY CELEBRATION WEEK

Balancing soothing activities with brief info sessions, the Oakland University Student Congress (OUSC) hosted the Neurodiversity Celebration Week from March 25 to 29.

Trivia night, yoga and workshops were among the activities held at the Oakland Center (OC) to celebrate students’ journeys and advocacy for inclusion and education regarding neurodiversity.

OUSC kicked off the week on March 25 with Art Therapy Night at the OC before the informative presentations. Attendees painted small canvases and enjoyed sweet snacks with smooth jazz in the background.

March 26 was balanced with informative and recreational events such as Neurodiversity Trivia at the OC followed by Meditative Yoga at the Recreations and Athletics Center. The trivia allowed attendees to learn about terms unfamiliar to neurotypical people while meditative yoga offered a fun way to destress.

Kyle Griggs, Oakland University Counseling Center (OUCC) intern, explained the word “neurodivergent” is an umbrella term that encompasses autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and other cognitive conditions.

“If you have ever heard of a bell curve or bell graph, it typically reflects the idea of the average or majority of the population,” Griggs said. “A neurodivergent person is a person whose brain functions differently from the typical — someone in the outskirts of the graph.”

March 27 turned over to informative events such as the Org Expo: Resources for Neurodiverse Students event. Among other organizations, the Disability Support Services (DSS) office can help students get classroom and testing accommodations while the OUCC offers a variety of support groups for navigating college life.

Following the expo, the DSS hosted an Accommodations Workshop where they explained how their office operated and what accommodations could help students navigate classes.

“Nationally, 10% of college students are eligible for disability

accommodations,” Christie Gough, DSS Coordinator, said. “Our population [at OU] is smaller than that percentage. We have anywhere from 600 to 800 students registered at the DSS.”

Some accommodations the office provides include note-taking software, powered wheelchairs, accessible rooms and dietary plans. Testing accommodations such as extra time, a scribe, or adaptive equipment on computers are also available at the undergraduate level and, in a case-by-case manner, for the Law School Admissions Test, Graduate Management Admission Test and Graduate Record Examinations.

A similar Neurodiversity Workshop was held on March 28 by the OUCC. Mostly focused on autism spectrum disorder, the event defined terms like stimming and masking while offering strategies to cope with burnout and shutdown.

“We need to shift the narrative — it’s not that we don’t have to talk about this stuff, because this is important, but we need to talk about the other stuff too, the positives,” Dr. David Schwartz, OUCC Director, said.

The screening of “Finding Dory” was a celebration of neurodivergence and a return to relaxing events to finish the week without stress.

Before noon on March 29, the week-long celebration ended with Neurodiversity Resources Tabling at the OC to maintain the efforts in support of neurodivergent students on campus and foster inclusivity.

“Last year, it was autism acceptance week, and we wanted to rebrand it to make it a little bit more broad to include more people,” Jimena Garcia, OUSC Director of Internal Affairs, said. “The main point was just to have little relaxing spaces but also to have a little bit of educational parts to it.”

STORY BY ADRIAN JIMENEZ MORALES DESIGN BY BARRET SCHETTLER & MEGAN JUDY

‘Cowboy Carter:’ Beyoncé will not be limited by genre

CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Reporter

I’m either just a sucker for long as hell country records, or I may just be a sucker for Beyoncé.

Beyoncé’s Act I project, “Renaissance” — released in 2022 — is a generational, one-in-a-million house record that pushed the boundaries not only for dance music, but what a Beyoncé record could be.

Act II, “Cowboy Carter,” does the same thing but for country and folk — it also does it better.

Beyoncé’s newest record, announced at the Super Bowl this year, is unlike anything we’ve heard from her before. At the same time, it is a completely familiar song and dance.

On “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé mixes contemporary country, pop, soul, folk and even tinges of southern hiphop — and completely blew me away.

Despite being 27 tracks and over an hour long, this newest opus from Queen Bey slides through each track with ease, blending in and out of their respective lanes and genres.

“AMERIICAN REQUIEM,” the first track on the record, is an absolutely triumphant country soul ballad by Beyoncé. Her main performance mixed with the gospel backing vocals encapsulates what an opening Beyoncé track can and should be.

Beyoncé does not shy away from political themes on the record, especially with the cover — Beyoncé draped in American flag memorabilia while riding a white horse — and with the track as well.

“Can we stand for something?/Now is the time to

face the wind (Now is the time to face the wind)/Now ain’t the time to pretend/Now is the time to let love in (To let love in)/Together, can we stand?,” Beyoncé sings on “AMERIICAN REQUIEM.”

She also tackles why this album is a country record, singing that she has always been pinned down as “too country” yet “not country ‘nough” while growing up in the south.

Beyoncé is making a definitive statement. This is a country record first and foremost, but it is so much more than that.

“Cowboy Carter” tackles contemporary country on tracks like “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” and “ALLIGATOR TEARS.” It also deals with folksy covers with “BLACKBIIRD,” as well as straight-up pop bangers like “LEVII’S JEANS” and “II MOST WANTED.” Finally, Beyoncé goes full blown trap rap on “TYRANT” and “SPAGHETTI.”

Through all of these different genres, Beyoncé has not lost her spark or burnt herself out. Her voice is as beautiful and as poignant as ever. Her contemporary and modern sensibilities are still there too, and none of the tracks feel old or tired. Everything is up to date.

My favorite track on the record has to be the magnificent yet lowkey “II HANDS II HEAVEN.” The track is a perfect mix of electronic, downtempo and classic Beyoncé pop sensibilities.

Beyoncé’s lyricism on this track is also a triumph, especially on the refrain.

“Two hands to Heaven I’ve prayed, priest forgive my soul/Lovely daggers pierced my heart many moons ago/Toxic roses chased by wolves and carnivores/Lost virgins with broken wings that will

regrow,” Beyoncé sings.

It’s spiritual and humble — Beyoncé still has room to grow as a person, even three decades into her career.

My complaints about the record are minimal, some of the tracks are a little too formulaic, but they are still welcome additions to Beyoncé’s catalog.

I cannot wait to see what Beyoncé brings to the table with Act III of her groundbreaking and genredefying trilogy.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Five movies to get you in a spring mood

MOE DEL ROSARIO

Moe Del Rosario

Although Michigan’s spring doesn’t feel like it has arrived yet, spring arrived on March 19. If you’re not in a spring mood yet — which is entirely understandable — here are some films to hopefully get you in the mood.

1. Palm Springs (2020)

“Palm Springs” was released in 2020 at a much needed time. The film stars Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti as a pair of wedding guests that realize they are stuck in a “Groundhog Day” situation, and have to find a way to stop the time loop they’re in.

In the meantime, the pair — having spent so much time together — realize their feelings for one another, and a budding romance emerges.

This film unfortunately got lost in the mix of the pandemic and is known by few despite it being one of the better films released that year.

2. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)

A classic American teen movie, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” stars Matthew Broderick, Mia Sara and Alan Ruck as a trio hoping to live a day outside of school with a ruse to not only fool their parents, but their school’s dean.

The film is a classic and is iconic. It is constantly being referenced in modern day and you’ve probably heard quotes from the film without realizing it.

A certain feeling mixes in with this film that makes you want to go on a spontaneous day trip with some of your closest friends.

3. The Secret Garden (1993)

Lovers of spring’s color and nature will enjoy “The

Secret Garden” starring Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott and Maggie Smith.

The film details the story of a girl sent to live with her uncle after her neglectful parents’ death. While her uncle is unaccounted for, she explores his estate and finds a garden she decides to tend to.

This film is a quaint watch with beautiful scenes that make me long for spring flowers to start blooming.

4. Emma. (2020)

Another film that was released in 2020, “Emma.” is a visual retelling of Jane Austen’s novel of the same name. The novel and film both follow the titular character Emma in her misguided attempts to matchmake while she herself also explores romance.

The film stars some big names like Anya Taylor-Joy, Mia Goth, Josh O’Connor and Callum Turner.

Similarly to “Palm Springs,” “Emma.” was also released and subsequently lost to the mix of the pandemic, and is a severely underrated period piece.

5. La La Land (2016)

The film itself is not necessarily spring, but it is segmented in seasons. The spring season is the second segment in this romance and happens to be one of the more comedic ones.

“La La Land” stars Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling and sees the pair navigate romance and Los Angeles together, while both seeking success in their respective careers.

It is a beautiful story that’s honestly perfect for any season, as long as you can handle the trials and tribulations of following your dreams.

There are plenty of spring movies, but each of these films brings their own comfort to the table and offers the springy feeling of warmth and contentment.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FILMMAKER MAGAZINE

PHOTO COURTESY OF PITCHFORK

‘X-Men ‘97:’ Disney Plus’ revival of the original animated series

MOE DEL ROSARIO Arts Reporter

Longtime fans of Marvel Studios have probably given the original “X-Men: The Animated Series” a watch during the time since its original run from 1992 to 1997. However, fans are in luck because Disney Plus’s long-awaited sequel series “X-Men ‘97” premiered with its first two episodes on March 20.

The new series acts as a continuation of the original show, but new fans can hop into “X-Men ‘97” with limited knowledge and still enjoy the episodes.

“We were making sure as creatives that there were certain things we have to do to keep the action fresh and not fall back on what we did before. But there were definitely times where you could go a little hog, nasty, wild with some of the action or some of the modern techniques,” Jake Castorena, head director of the show, said in an interview with IndieWire.

Despite the 27-year difference between the original show and the Disney Plus version, the series has no major differences except for one: Charles Xavier’s death.

“X-Men ‘97” picks up just months after the former headmaster’s death. Scott Summers, also known as Cyclops, struggles to pick up the mantle handed down to him. The premiere episode focuses on his attempt to pick up the team’s morale.

And while his attempt is successful and the team bands together when Scott calls for his X-Men, that success is quickly overshadowed by Magneto’s return as an ally, not the main villain.

Charles left his team and his school to his former

friend turned nemesis, Magneto, before he passed, and now the team has to learn how to cohabitate in the school with the same person they have been fighting against for years.

The show also follows the comic timeline, which includes a past romance between Rogue and Magneto — something that is not touched on in the original animated series or the movies.

I have noticed that the series also enhances certain characters in a new light. Scott, for example, has more personality in “X-Men ‘97” than just being the leader. Storm’s powers are highlighted more as

well. Jubilee’s character arc goes full circle with her helping out Roberto Da Costa. Wolverine is still yearning for Jean.

Despite being a continuation of a series made 27 years ago, the show does not make any unnecessary callbacks to exclusively use the nostalgia factor. The animation is also a great mix of the old show and new animation techniques.

“Where is the show that we know and love and the show that we remember, right? The show that we feel. But also finding that delicate balance of what coworkers, friends, and peers are doing in the industry right now with the medium and just elevating animation” Castorena said in an interview with Moviefone.

Overall, I think the show does an excellent job of continuing the X-Men legacy that has been mistreated by Marvel so many times. Hopefully, with “X-Men ‘97” being on Disney Plus, it can really push forward a new way to tackle the team in live action. The blueprint is right there.

‘Super Smash Brothers Ultimate:’ The ultimate game review

AUSTIN KNIGA-BARTLETT Contributor

It is no secret that, in the platform and crossover fighting game community, and the fighting game genre as a whole, Mashihiro Sakurai’s Super Smash Brothers Ultimate has taken the world by storm.

With the first entry in the series having launched back on the Nintendo 64 in 1999, the fifth installment for the Nintendo Switch 25 years later is arguably the definitive and ultimate installment in the series, hence the name.

The game is most notable for bringing back every playable fighter in the franchise’s history, given the tagline “everyone is here.”

Not only does the game have various fighters from Nintendo properties, such as Mario, Link, Kirby and Pikachu, but it also has unique thirdparty characters from other game companies. From Konami’s Solid Snake from “Metal Gear,” Square Enix’s Cloud Strife from “Final Fantasy 7” and Capcom’s Mega Man, players are left with many choices when selecting their avatar.

Similarly, Ultimate gained a similar sensation when it revealed Sora from “Kingdom Hearts” as its final playable fighter. The character, owned by both Square Enix and Disney, had been highly requested by fans for years.

Echo fighters also appear as playable characters in the game. These characters have similar moves to other fighters, such as Ken as Ryu’s Echo Fighter and Lucina as Marth’s Echo Fighter.

The game also has a unique Campaign Mode known as World of Light, which allows the player to explore a new world while fighting various puppet fighters created by Galeem, the main antagonist. In this segment of the game, players free collectible Spirits that provide support and other fighters trapped and held prisoner by Galeem.

While not as cinematic as “Super Smash Brothers Brawl’s” The Subspace Emissary, the campaign also has you face several iconic bosses, such as playable fighters Bowser and Ganondorf, Dracula from the “Castlevania” series, Rathalos from the “Monster Hunter” series, Marx from the “Kirby” series and Galleom, a veteran Smash boss from “Super Smash Brothers Brawl.” Additionally, players fight both Galeem and his dark double Dharkon twice, choosing either to fight one in the final battle and allow the other to triumph, or to fight them both to obtain different endings.

DLC also allows for new fighters to be playable as well, such as “Xenoblade Chronicles’” Pyra and Mythra, “Fire Emblem’s” Byleth, Terry Bogard from the “Fatal Fury” series, Min Min from “ARMS,” Joker from the “Persona” series and various heroes from Akira Toriyama’s “Dragon Quest.” There are also even more absurd and unexpected characters, like Microsoft icons Banjo and Kazooie and “Minecraft’s” Steve.

Players can choose to play as powerful antagonists as well, such as “Donkey Kong’s” King K. Rool and “Metroid’s” Ridley.

There was also a great demand by fans to have Waluigi from “Super Mario” also included as a

playable fighter; however, he ended up as an Assist Trophy instead. Assist Trophies serve as additional characters who can be summoned to aid the fighter who called them forth, similar to Pokeball items.

Similarly, there was also immense backlash over the reveal of Byleth, with fans complaining that the “Fire Emblem” series already had too many playable fighters, with Byleth making it a total of eight.

Another staple of the Smash series also returns in the form of Classic Mode. Only this time, fighters battle different fighters with similar characteristics to themselves. For example, Bowser battles red characters since he is the main nemesis of Mario, and Byleth battles warriors from the Fire Emblem series.

The fighters even face bosses from the “World of Light” series, aside from classic bosses like Master Hand and Crazy Hand. Marth battles Rathalos due to being a dragon slayer, Simon Belmont and his echo fighter Richter battle Dracula and Sephiroth battles every single boss as part of his reputation of being a boss himself.

Other game modes from previous entries also return, such as Mob Smash, Home-Run Contest and Training. Much like its predecessor, the game also features Online Mode to fight against other players worldwide.

Having played the Smash series since “Super Smash Brothers” for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, even in my high school’s video game club, I give this game a well-deserved 10 out of 10. Despite the game no longer receiving updates or additional content, it still has enough to keep both new and veterans playing for hours on end.

(Continue reading on our website)

PHOTO COURTESY OF IGN

‘The Laramie Project:’ Remembering the past and ratifying the present

CHELSEA BOSSERT Arts Reporter

On Oct. 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was brutally beaten, robbed and tied to a fencepost on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyo. Six days later, he succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Fort Collins, Colo.

The Tectonic Theater Project, headed by Moisés Kaufman, interviewed hundreds of subjects, witnesses and important people relating to the case of Shepard.

In 2000, “The Laramie Project” premiered. Now, in 2024, Kelli Crump, visiting assistant professor of the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre and Dance, has put on a masterful performance that pays tribute not only to Matthew Shepard, but to recent victims of anti-LGBTQ+ hate.

“The Laramie Project” is a unique type of play. It does not have a main character — Matthew Shepard is not even portrayed in the play — but it does require an ensemble cast that all play multiple, sometimes recurring, roles.

“This entire show is like a huge acting exercise, almost,” cast-member Crystal Orser said.

In the entire two hour and 30 minute runtime, I only felt the length of the play once — during the end. However, the stamina maintained by the cast was incredibly impressive and each member gave standout performances at one point during the play.

From the opening scene, the mood was set. “In memory and in hope.”

The somber, yet confident, cast and crew took this delicate and fragile story and transformed it with care

in order to foster an environment that could relay a message to its audience: This story hasn’t ended yet.

“We discovered that a lot of our students hadn’t heard about Matthew Shepard, didn’t know his name, hadn’t heard his story,” director Kelli Crump said.

In light of the recent tragedy of queer and trans Oklahoma high school student 16-year-old Nex Benedict, I cannot help but draw parallels to the story of Shepard.

Like Matthew, Benedict was also an out queer student in a state that has historically and presently treated people like them as “others.” Benedict was also beaten and left to their injuries, blacking out in the process.

The controversial ruling of Benedict’s death by an Oklahoma medical examiner as “suicide” has led many to believe foul play was involved at not only local level, but the state level as well.

The head superintendent of Oklahoma has mandated anti-LGBTQ+ policies in Oklahoma schools, which activists believe to have contributed to Benedict’s bullying and altercation.

Homophobia was discussed and was a main theme in the production.

“In light of [queer joy] a lot of people forget about queer sorrow and queer struggle, to see students saying ‘this stuff doesn’t happen anymore’ and we get new stories like Nex Benedict — this does happen — homophobia is still very, very present. I think it is great that we are doing this show as it shows that there is still work to be done for the queer community,” cast member Zander Brown said.

Overall, the long-winded, almost pseudodocumentary style of the play is a necessary moment

in today’s culture.

Since the beginning of the decade, hundreds of bills have been proposed and passed in states like Wyoming and Oklahoma that have targeted queer youth and queer adults.

“The Laramie Project” is a shining bastion within a sea of gloom and doom — OU’s SMTD has put on a wonderful production and it is well worth it.

Crump and a representative from the Rochester branch of the United Church of Christ held a brief candlelight vigil after the opening night performance on March 28 where respects were paid to those who were victims of anti-LGBTQ+ hate.

“We have the capability to help expose our students to these stories, let them know and encourage them to explore these stories and feel grounded and strong, to feel the strength of those stories — even though they are dark, they are necessary,” Crump said.

Tickets for “The Laramie Project” at the Varner Studio Theatre are on sale now and are running until April 7.

Rating: 5/5 stars

The U.N. Security Council passes a Gaza ceasefire resolution

NICHOLAS KABLAK Political Reporter

With the war in Gaza raging on, the U.N. Security Council voted for a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, and for all hostages to be released. The resolution calls into question the moral implications of the war, the enforceability of a ceasefire order and the future relationship between the United States and Israel.

The resolution passed with 14 voting in favor, zero voting against and only one nation, the United States, choosing to abstain. The one-page resolution lays out in broad terms the Security Council’s desires.

In the resolution, the Security Council demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, a release of all hostages ensuring humanitarian aid and an increase of humanitarian assistance to all citizens of the Gaza strip.

It is important to note that the resolution specifies “for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties.” This means that this is not a demand for a permanent ceasefire; although it does include hopeful language about the ceasefire continuing past Ramadan, and that both Israel and Hamas are being held to the demands made in the resolution.

Some have criticized the wording of the resolution, calling it vague.

“The word ‘lasting’ could be interpreted in various ways… we very much want to believe that this wording will be used in the interest of peace… the word permanent would be more precise,” Vassily Nebenzia, a Russian United Nations representative

said, referring to the resolution’s language about the ceasefire following Ramadan.

Still, the resolution passed with no votes against it. Even with some nations expressing concerns, most still saw fundamental appeal in the rhetoric of the resolution.

Despite this, indeed, the resolution does not draw a direct connection between the release of hostages, and the ceasefire. This led many to believe that the demands would not be met.

“Your demand for a ceasefire, without conditioning it on the release of the hostages, not only is not helpful but it undermines the effort to secure their release,” Gilad Erdan, ambassador and representative of Israel to the U.N. said.

Erdan said that there was a moral contradiction between calling for the release of hostages and not making it necessary for the ceasefire. Erdan expressed concerns that this would make it easier for Hamas to get a ceasefire and keep the hostages.

“When such atrocities are being committed in broad daylight against defenseless civilians, including women and children, the right thing to do… is to put an end to it,” Riyad Mansour, observer for the observer State of Palestine for the United Nations, said.

Regardless of the merit of the resolution, it is debatable whether it is legally binding. Many have claimed that it is not, raising questions on what the purpose of the resolution is if no legal enforcement can be made.

During a White House press briefing, National Security Communications Advisor Admiral John

ISIS-K linked to Moscow bombing

MALLORY WALIGORA Political Reporter

On Friday, March 22, four gunmen attacked the Crocus City Hall in Moscow, Russia. The attack killed at least 139, with the death toll continuing to rise after the attack.

The four suspects have been charged with the crime of committing a terrorist attack and are facing criminal charges and potential life imprisonment.

Although Vladimir Putin responded on March 25, claiming the attack was carried out by radical Islamists, he was also hesitant, suggesting blame on Ukraine as well.

“It is also necessary to answer the question why the terrorists tried to go to Ukraine after committing a crime, who was waiting for them there,” Putin questioned.

ISIS-K (Islamic State group-Khorasan Province or commonly referred to as ISIS-Khorasan), one of ISIS’s most lethal branches, has claimed credit for the attack. ISIS-K is believed to have aspirations to attack Europe and the U.S., as illustrated by the Moscow bombing.

ISIS-K is a regional branch of the Jihadi-Salafi group. The group is active in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan among others. The goal of the group is to overthrow and destabilize existing governments in the Greater Khorasan region, referring to Afghanistan and parts of Central Asia and Iran, with the goal of creating governance by a strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia.

“It’s becoming more of a regional actor. It claimed responsibility for the attack in Iran in January, and now we have this devastating attack in Moscow,” Daniel Byman, a counterterrorism specialist at Georgetown University, said.

In recent months, U.S. foreign policy concerns have focused on China and Russia. Islamic extremist terrorist groups, such as ISIS-K, have diminished as a top priority. However, the recent attack on Moscow served as a reminder, causing European and U.S. leaders to become more concerned over Islamic terrorist groups and their potential attacks.

Although the idea of future attacks in the U.S. seems frightening, it seems that the U.S. has good intelligence insights into information regarding ISIS-K. Before the Moscow attack, U.S. officials warned Russia that ISIS-K was prepared to attack. The U.S. embassy in Moscow issued a warning to Americans ahead of the attack to be cautious and to avoid large gatherings.

“The Embassy is monitoring reports that extremists have imminent plans to target large gatherings in Moscow, to include concerts, and U.S. citizens should be advised to avoid large gatherings over the next 48 hours,” the embassy wrote.

Byman expressed his thoughts after seeing U.S. capabilities at work. The intelligence information secured before the bombing showed that the U.S. is keeping a pulse on all possible terrorist threats.

“That’s pretty impressive. It shows that U.S. counterterrorism capabilities remain an important factor. If they are trying to do something in Europe or the United States, there is at least a reasonable

Kirby expressed that the resolution was non-binding.

In contrast to this position, taken by the United States, the U.N. Secretary-General made clear that the conditions of the resolutions must be met, strongly implying that the resolution was indeed binding.

Despite the claims of the U.N. and other nations, Israel has made public that it has no intention of committing to a ceasefire. Instead, the state remains committed to military operations until its goals are met. Since the resolution, Israel has launched new attacks on Gaza.

While the legal ramifications of the resolution are still uncertain, the political impact was felt immediately when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a delegation visit to Washington after the U.S. refused to veto the resolution.

Netanyahu felt that the U.S. had failed to properly support Israel, and thus decided to send a message.

“In light of the change in the American Position,” Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office said regarding why the visit was canceled.

Despite the perception of the Israelis, some United States government officials still offer support to Israel.

“We still have Israel’s back… we are still providing tools, capabilities, and weapons systems so that Israel can defend itself,” Kirby, national security advisor for the United States, said.

The lack of a change in U.S. policy makes some believe that Netanyahu’s response was motivated by Israel’s internal politics. However, this has not been confirmed.

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chance U.S. intelligence might be able to detect it,” Byman said.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, conflict in the region is expected to heat up, with outside players beginning to join in on the action. The U.S. is beginning to draw its attention back to ISIS after being pushed aside by foreign concerns over China and Russia. How will U.S. foreign policy change in the following weeks following the attack?

PHOTO COURTESY OF AP

What to know about the DOJ’s antitrust lawsuit against Apple

NICHOLAS KABLAK Political Reporter

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing tech company Apple for alleged market exclusionary actions, and breaking federal antitrust laws. The lawsuit could bring big changes to the tech industry. It also reveals an ongoing war between the federal government and other large companies.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the DOJ will be suing Apple for wielding monopoly power to exclude competition, lower quality and hike prices.

“Apple has consolidated its monopoly power, not by making its own products better, but by making other products worse,” Garland said.

The DOJ alleges that Apple does this by adding fees and restrictions that limit what features third-party apps can use. The DOJ alleges that Apple’s actions have the effect of lowering the quality of ‘non-Apple’ thirdparty apps.

Garland also pointed out that Apple is capable of taking 30% of all app and in-app purchases made on its software.

“Apple is able to command these fees from companies of all sizes,” Garland said.

In the lawsuit that the DOJ brought against Apple, it alleges that the corporation has been suppressing technologies that would allow users to more easily change smartphone brands.

“Digital wallets that work across smartphone platforms allow users to move from one smartphone brand to another with decreased frictions, among other things.

Apple has denied users access to digital wallets that would have provided a wide variety of enhanced features and denied digital wallet developers — often banks — the opportunity to provide advanced digital payments services to their own customers,” the lawsuit reads.

Apple has not stayed silent, however. In a press release, the company denied all the allegations that the DOJ had brought against it.

“We believe that this lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will vigorously defend against it,” Apple said.

Apple stated that it felt that the lawsuit would stop the company from creating products that incorporate hardware, software and services — the company’s signature style. Apple also expressed the sentiment that, if the lawsuit is successful, it would grant the government unprecedented powers in controlling technological production.

“At Apple, we innovated every day to make technology people love,” Apple said.

In truth, if the lawsuit is successful it would likely create a situation in which Apple would be forced to open its software to allow more competition. This would look like multiple app stores, more integrative technology, more diverse apps and a potential drop in prices.

In the 1990s, tech giant Microsoft underwent a very similar lawsuit for obtaining and abusing monopoly powers. Many have noticed the similarities between the Microsoft case and the current Apple case, and think it may provide precedent for the DOJ.

“Today’s complaint alleges that Apple has engaged in many of the same tactics that Microsoft used,” Garland said.

Microsoft reportedly had operating systems on 97% of computing devices in 2000. This is in comparison to Apple’s reportedly 64% market share of smartphones today, leaving some differences in the context of the two lawsuits.

These developments between the DOJ and Apple are reflective of a larger effort by the federal government to clamp down on monopolies. Other governmental agencies and organizations, like the Federal Trade Commission, share responsibility for protecting market competitiveness.

Recent developments with government agencies include reports on grocery companies, investigations on Live Nation and even price caps on inhaler companies.

The results of the lawsuit are uncertain, but the precedent that it will set will have a large impact on modern-day markets and governmental powers. The DOJ is poised to pursue the lawsuit to the fullest extent, while Apple defends its business model.

“That is what the American people expect, that is what they deserve,” Garland said.

Brock’s Thoughts: 2024 NCAA Tournament a dud?

BROCK HEILIG Sports Editor

This year’s NCAA Tournament has been a major dud.

There have been some great games and great players — see Jack Gohlke and D.J. Burns — but in terms of an overall entertainment factor, the 2024 NCAA Tournament has largely disappointed.

Aside from Oakland’s first-round upset of thirdseeded Kentucky and NC State’s unlikely run to the Final Four, the tournament has been mostly void of big storylines.

Gohlke took the college basketball world by storm in the first round, but Burns stole the show in the second round as the Wolfpack advanced to the Sweet 16.

Elsewhere, though, there hasn’t been much going on.

No. 4 seed Alabama met No. 6 seed Clemson in the Regional Final in the West Region after the two teams knocked off No. 1 seed North Carolina and No. 2 seed Arizona, respectively, but that’s nothing we haven’t seen before.

In fact, NC State’s run to the Final Four isn’t even that unlikely. Five other No. 11 seeds have reached the national semifinal game, four of which have come since the turn of the century.

And in the other two regions, it’s been just about as chalk as it can possibly get.

In both the East and the Midwest Regions, the four teams that made it to the Sweet 16 in each region were seeds No. 1, 2, 3 and 5. No. 13 seed

Yale and 11-seed Duquesne pulled off first-round upsets in the East Region, but they quickly were defeated in the second round.

In the Midwest Region, No. 11 seed Oregon defeated sixth-seeded South Carolina, but the Ducks were then eliminated by third-seeded Creighton in the second round.

Zach Edey and Purdue have proven the doubters wrong by reaching their first Final Four since 1980 — which is a solid storyline — but they’re a No. 1 seed, and many expected the Boilermakers to win their region.

Edey’s brand of basketball is nearly unwatchable, and if it weren’t for the solid guard play of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, the entire country might be rooting against Purdue.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the bracket, Connecticut has plowed through its opponents at a rate never before seen in the NCAA Tournament. After easily disposing of its first three opponents, UConn met No. 3 seed Illinois in the Elite Eight and managed to go on a 30-0, yes, 30-0 run on the Fighting Illini.

Come on.

Dan Hurley is a great coach and the Huskies are just two games away from winning back-toback national championships, but a 30-0 run in the regional semifinal matchup between the two best offenses in college basketball is just absurd.

The only storyline worth mentioning in this year’s Final Four is Burns and NC State. The Wolfpack entered the ACC Tournament having lost their last four games, but they won five games in as many

Golden Grizzlies earn win against MSU Spartans for third

KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Reporter

The Oakland University baseball team defeated the Michigan State University (MSU) Spartans on the road with a final score of 11-7 on Wednesday, March 27.

This marks the third-ever win against the Spartans in program history and the first win the Golden Grizzlies have had in East Lansing since 2016. Additionally, the win is the most significant margin of victory OU has had when facing off against MSU.

Trent Rice and Lucas Day led all batters in hits, each with three. Brandon Nigh, Rice and Day also batted in the most runs for the Golden Grizzlies, with all three players tying for a game-high two apiece.

On the mound, Gage Smith started the day off for the Grizzlies and allowed only a single hit in the two innings he pitched in, earning his second win of the season.

The Golden Grizzlies got on the scoreboard first in the top of the second inning, cycling through the entire batting rotation in the process. By the end of OU’s turn to bat in the second, the Golden Grizzlies led the Spartans 5-0.

However, MSU responded in the bottom of the second, earning two runs off the bat of Noah Bright, who sent two runners home from a double to right field. Unfortunately for the Spartans, Bright and Landen Lozeir, who walked following Bright’s double, were left stranded, and MSU ended the inning trailing OU 5-2.

The Golden Grizzlies returned to business at the top of the fourth inning. After the Spartans walked Nigh and Day, John Lauinger drove Nigh home with a single to center field, expanding OU’s lead to 6-2.

At the bottom of the fourth, the Spartans once again had an answer for the Golden Grizzlies.

Following a homerun from Bright, MSU brought itself back into the game with a pair of singles, a stolen base and a sacrifice fly, ending the inning tied 6-6 with OU.

Through the next two innings, the Golden Grizzlies

days to take home the ACC Tournament crown and punch their ticket to the Big Dance.

Now, NC State has extended its winning streak to nine games. It’s been an unlikely run, for sure, but it’s not anything we haven’t seen before.

No. 1 seeds UConn and Purdue are on a crash course for the national championship game. It should be an entertaining game, but it will be void of special storylines that the NCAA Tournament has so often provided.

PHOTO BY KATIE REID

time in program history

and the Spartans held each other scoreless. However, OU got busy in the game’s final three innings.

To start the seventh inning, Reggie Bussey stole second base after Sam Griffith was walked and eventually thrown out at second base. Following that, Nigh was walked, opening things up for Day to send Bussey and Nigh home with a double to center field.

At the top of the eighth inning, OU batted in two more runs off the bats of Bussey and Rice, further expanding their score to 10-6.

In the final inning for the Golden Grizzlies, Brandon Heidal put the cherry on top for what was an explosive batting day for OU. With Gavin Arseneau on second, Heidal singled to right field, which brought Arseneau home, giving the Golden Grizzlies an 11-6 lead.

With MSU down five runs in the bottom of the ninth, the team was able to rally a single run on the board off a single to right field from Christian Williams. Despite this, OU wrapped things up, sweeping up three outs on the following three atbats, coming away victorious.

On deck, the Golden Grizzlies will face off against the Milwaukee Panthers in a three-game series on the road at Franklin Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, starting on Friday, April 5, and ending on Sunday, April 7.

Following a stint in Milwaukee, OU will travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Tuesday, April 9, to battle the Eastern Michigan Eagles for a single game before returning home for a three-game clash with the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons starting on Friday, April 12, and ending on Sunday, April 14.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OAKLAND POST ARCHIVES

Play Ball: A preview for the Detroit Tigers 2024 season

EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Reporter

I love baseball. Closely behind basketball and football, it’s my third favorite sport. The MLB playoffs are my favorite professional playoff experience over the NBA and NFL.

Thankfully, it’s finally time to throw out the first pitch of the 2024 season. Let’s take a look at how our Tigers will do.

Starting Pitching

The starting rotation features a lot of homegrown Tigers draft picks as well as seasoned MLB veterans. Lefty Tarik Skubal will take the mound on Opening Day against the White Sox, rightfully pegged as the Tigers’ ace after a brilliant 2023 campaign. The biggest question mark around him will be health concerns (a common feature for young Tigers’ stars). Skubal had flexor tendon surgery in 2022, but it didn’t seem to hamper him after his return. He will be on a shortlist of Cy Young favorites this season.

Off-season addition Kenta Maeda will play his eighth MLB season, providing an experienced arm to augment the rotation. Jack Flaherty also joins the staff. The 28-year-old had a Cy Youngcaliber season in 2019 but has since struggled with injury concerns. If these two veterans can provide stability and valuable innings, the Tigers can make a lot of noise.

Rounding out the rotation are Casey Mize and Reese Olson, two former Tigers prospects. Mize is coming off of Tommy John surgery, while Olson made his debut last season for the Tigers with some really quality starts. Matt Manning along with Beau Brieske was left

out of the starting rotation, showing some serious organizational depth. Manning especially will compete for innings.

Relievers

One of the bright spots for Detroit last year was its relief pitching. Taken totally, the relief corp. was league average, yet pitched the fifth most innings of any relief group in the league.

Will Vest was exceptional in the olde English D with a sub-3.00 ERA over 48 innings. He is joined by Jason Foley, himself with a 2.61 ERA over 69 innings pitched. Alex Lange is the third stud the Tigers can call on, followed by Andrew Chafin, who is rejoining the team after a stint in 2022 with Detroit. Shelby Miller, Tyler Holton, Alex Faedo and Joey Wentz road out the bullpen.

Infielders

First baseman Spencer Torkelson is looking to build off his best season yet as a pro. He had the most homeruns on the team with 31 and seemed to really find his groove in the second half of the season.

At second base, Colt Keith will be the future of the franchise. The rookie broke camp with the Tigers this spring and figures to be a cornerstone of Tigers baseball for years to come. Andy Ibáñez will get more matchups against lefties, but it’s Keith’s spot to lose.

Shortstop is a spot of contention for Tigers fans. Just as Miguel Cabrera’s contract was coming to an end, the front office dumped more money on Javier Báez, the former second-place MVP with the Cubs. He had an OPS (a stat that adds a player’s on-base percentage and slugging percentage) of .593, a horrendous mark. His OPS+ was just 62 (100 is the league average). If Báez can even be a league-average shortstop, the Tigers will

benefit greatly.

Finally, at third, the Tigers signed Gio Urshela. The veteran has been a dependable big-league player for many years now and offers a steady, consistent option.

Catching duties will be split between Jake Rogers and Carson Kelly (acquired from the Diamondbacks). Rogers has some decent pop in his bat, hitting 21 homers in 2023. Kelly has been a big leaguer for quite some time now and offers yet another reliable bat.

The hard-hitting Kerry Carpenter will get the most spots at designated hitter. He was one of the best hitters for Detroit last season and hopefully can stay healthy enough this season to put together a possible all-star campaign.

Outfielders and Bench

The Tigers’ outfield begins and ends with the success of Riley Greene. Greene has all the raw tools and skills to be an all-star left-fielder for years to come, but he has to put together a whole season of production first.

The rest of the outfield will be split up and platooned. Detroit returns utility man Matt Vierling (who can play in the outfield or third base) and Parker Meadows, who had a pretty solid rookie season with the team. Meadows was an excellent prospect and had a great spring training. Mark Canha, acquired from the New York Mets, can play in the outfield or infield but played DH in the opener on Thursday. Finally, Zach McKinstry completes the 26-man lineup. He can spot in the corner outfield or infield.

Overall, the Tigers will look to improve on a 2023 season that started quite poorly but ended on a high note. Manager A.J. Hinch plays matchups quite often and will do everything in his power to will the team to a division title in a weak AL Central.

Oakland University baseball triumphs in series against Wright State Raiders

KURT SZYMANSKI Sports Reporter

From Thursday, March 28, until Saturday, March 30, the Oakland University baseball team matched up against the Wright State University (WSU) Raiders in a three-game series and came away with two wins and a single loss, improving their conference record to 4-5.

This is now the second series in the Horizon League this season that has tilted in favor of the Golden Grizzlies. Notably, the series occurred on the road for the Golden Grizzlies at Nischwitz Stadium in Dayton, Ohio.

Game 1: Oakland 19, Wright State 1

In the series’ first game, OU left no breathing room for the Raiders. Ten different batters made it on base for the Golden Grizzlies, and eight also tallied at least one RBI.

On the mound, Hunter Pidek was a force to be reckoned with. He allowed only five hits from the Raiders and a single run, which came off a home run in the game’s final inning.

The Golden Grizzlies scored nine total runs on seven hits to start the first inning, leaving a single runner on the base at the inning’s conclusion.

Although OU couldn’t replicate its explosive first inning, the team remained on fire all game. In the seven innings played, the Golden Grizzlies scored points in five of them.

By the end of the seventh inning, with OU up 18 points, the run rule was called, ending the game early

in favor of the Golden Grizzlies.

Game 2: Wright State 5, Oakland 4

The second game of the series proved to be a close affair among both teams. Reggie Bussey and Brandon Heidal led the team in hits, with both players tallying two, while Aidan Orr had the most RBIs for the Golden Grizzlies with two.

Shane McAlinden and Sean Fekete handled the pitching duties for OU. McAlinden was dominant during his time on the mound despite being dished the loss, allowing only two hits and a run through the 4.1 innings he pitched.

The Golden Grizzlies and Raiders remained fiercely competitive in the first three innings. By the end of the third inning, the teams were tied 3-3. However, WSU broke the stalemate the following inning, moving ahead 4-2.

OU did respond in the top of the fifth inning with a run of their own, tying the game back up 4-4.

For the next two innings, the Golden Grizzlies and the Raiders continued to play with things tied up until the Raiders took the lead back for a final time in the eighth inning with a home run, marking the Golden Grizzlies first loss to the WSU this season.

Game 3: Oakland 12, Wright State 7

In the final game of the series, the Golden Grizzlies battled back from behind the Raiders to win the game and their first series against WSU this season.

Orr led OU in the batter’s box, finding contact on all of his attempts for two singles, a double and an RBI. Additionally, Lucas Day, Carter Hain and Bussey led the Golden Grizzlies in RBIs with two apiece.

Tanner Ware and Brandon Decker took the mound in the third game and combined for 130 pitches and nine strikeouts. Notably, Ware only allowed two hits and a single run in the three innings he pitched.

WSU got ahead of OU first in the second game, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. The Raiders also added to their lead in the third inning, scoring a single run to take a 3-0 lead over the Golden Grizzlies.

However, OU responded in the fifth inning, cycling through the entire batting order to score six points. As a result, the Golden Grizzlies took a 6-3 lead.

Despite this, the Raiders answered, taking back the lead through the next two innings. In the sixth inning, WSU tied things up at 6-6. The Raiders jumped ahead of OU in the following inning with a small 7-6 lead.

With two innings to go and down a point, the Golden Grizzlies held their composure. In the eighth and ninth innings, OU scored six points and only allowed a single hit, triumphantly ending their third game and the series against the Raiders.

Next on the agenda, the Golden Grizzlies will have a chance to keep their hot streak in the Horizon League alive. The team will play the Milwaukee Panthers on the road from Friday, April 5, until Sunday, April 7.

Best moments from Oakland’s NCAA Tournament run

SUMMER WEATHERS

Sports Reporter

The men’s basketball team crafted one of the greatest stories, and their journey of getting to the NCAA Tournament is nothing short of amazing.

Their victory dominated headlines and received a lot of attention. Since then, there have been some recent happenings.

Louisville resident sends money to Oakland

Oakland’s win over the No. 3 seed Kentucky Wildcats captured the attention of fans all around. Oakland was given a nice gesture by a Louisville resident. Head coach Greg Kampe went into detail and shared the story on the social media platform, X.

“A Louisville resident and obvious fan sent Oakland a check with a nice note. He says he normally sends a certain amount each year to the team that knocks Kentucky out of the tournament. This year because of OUr story he doubled the amount. Truly the definition of March Madness.”

Trey Townsend’s inspirational story makes Overtime

Townsend’s story from being a child in the stands watching his dad play in an Oakland jersey, to going to Kampe’s training camps as a kid and then attending Oakland’s March Madness game, he had dreams of his own to one day have the opportunity to play for the team and do the same.

He signed and walked on at Oakland and was driven by a relentless determination to succeed. During his senior year, he was named Horizon League Player of the Year, MVP, and led the Golden Grizzlies to March Madness, and on the big stage, Oakland got the historic win over Kentucky. Trey Townsend’s inspirational story was shown on the sports media Instagram platform, “Overtime,” and now has over 400,000 likes.

Jack Gohlke selected to be in State Farm College 3-point contest

There has also been some big news surrounding Jack Gohlke as well, who scored 32 points including an astounding 10 3-pointers on the national stage against Kentucky.

As a result, the sixth man of the year earned him a spot

in the prestigious State Farm College 3-point Contest. Gohlke is one of only eight elite players that was selected. This event will take place at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona on Thursday, April 4. and the electrifying contest is set to be broadcast live on ESPN at 9 p.m.

Gohlke and Townsend Collaborate with Sana Detroit

Beyond their achievements on the court, Townsend and Gohlke both also made waves with their partnership with the clothing brand, Sana Detroit. Representing the Oakland University community, their line of apparel celebrated Oakland’s spirit, symbolizing the bond between sports and culture, uniting fans and athletes in a shared sense of pride and identity.

Upcoming Events

Exciting opportunities also await fans, as Townsend and Gohlke are scheduled to have an autograph signing at Laurel Park Mall in Livonia on April 7 and at the Red Wings game on April 9. On April 13, Townsend and Gohlke, alongside Kampe, will step on the field at the Detroit Tigers game for a memorable moment as they take the mound to throw their ceremonial pitches.

Flashing the Leather: Oakland center fielder Reggie Bussey makes SportsCenter

EVAN BLANCHARD Sports Editor

Everyone loves home runs. Who doesn’t get excited when the ball gets absolutely crushed? It gets the fans going, brings in runs, and is a major counting stat for players.

Me? I like homers, too, sure. But I live for the web gems. And man, Reggie Bussey had one.

On March 27 in East Lansing, Oakland center fielder Reggie Bussey dove for a line drive to center against MSU. He came up with the ball in his glove, preventing the runner on first base from advancing in a close 6-6 ball game in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Grizzlies would go on to win the game 11-7, securing their third win ever against the Spartans. Bussey would get on base twice in seven at-bats, driving in a run along the way.

But it was the catch that proved to be the center fielder’s big moment.

“I just woke up and got a call from my mom saying that I was on SportsCenter,” Bussey said.

That’s right. His outstanding catch earned the No. 4 spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

It’s all in a day’s work for Bussey, though.

“We just practice every day wanting the ball in the outfield, so as soon as I got the read of where the ball was going, I told myself I’m not letting the ball drop,” he said.

I asked him if the dive was totally necessary, to which he replied, “I had to catch it any way possible,” (necessary or not, it adds style points).

Despite the sensation of the catch, Bussey doesn’t believe it was his best snag. His best, he claims, came against MSU a year ago, where he, “robbed a home run that wasn’t caught on film.” We’ll take his word for it.

The catch provided a needed boost of energy into Oakland’s young season. The Grizzlies sit at 10-14 as of March 27, but a big win against MSU will serve as a launch pad for the team.

“We love to play against really good opponents, especially these Power 5 teams. We try not to make the game more than what it is, but it obviously feels good to come away with the dub against MSU,” Bussey said.

The sophomore has been a standout for Oakland this season. Bussey leads the team with 30 hits, boasting a .316 batting average across 95 plate appearances. He has yet to hit a homer this season.

I asked him about his approach at the plate: “It definitely has something to do with my approach as I’m just trying to find a way on base but it’s becoming more unconscious as the season goes on.”

He is certainly doing his part as he leads the Grizzlies in runs with 24.

The team’s struggles so far have come, according to Bussey, when either the pitching is going but the bats aren’t, or the bats are going and the pitching

isn’t. But when they both click, “We are a hard team to beat,” Bussey said.

The appearance on Sportscenter will be a footnote in the season. But right now, it’s a really great moment for a great player, and yet another example of Golden Grizzlies athletes making national news. Bussey is the latest Grizzly to go viral after the swim team went viral at the basketball games and Jack Gohlke’s sensational shooting against Kentucky.

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE REID

PHOTO COURTESY OF KATIE REID