The Stylus - Volume 129, Issue 2

s u l y t S e h T

Volume 129

ISSUE

2023-24

#2

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IG: parkstylus stylus@park.edu February 2, 2024

Park University makes cuts as enrollment declines Skyler Jensen Editor-in-Chief Park University is laying off faculty, cutting programs and closing campuses to remedy budget needs.

The school said in an emailed statement in November that it planned to cut 16 faculty positions in departments where enrollment numbers are low or where it believes that reducing faculty numbers won’t reduce the quality of the program.

The university added that it will eliminate three graduate degree programs: master of social work, master of arts in national security studies and master of education in language and literacy. Current students in these programs have been told that they can complete their studies.

Brad Biles, director of communications and public relations, told Kansas City Beacon that several bachelor’s degree concentrations, a graduate certificate program, an undergraduate certificate program and seven minors will phase out.

Biles had declined to say which of its campuses are closing as the university is still working to inform students at those campuses. Biles said that none of the Kansas City-area campuses are slated to close, including the main campus in Parkville and those in Lenexa, Independence and Kansas City.

In its statement, Park University said the changes are due to nationwide drops in enrollment since the COVID-19 pandemic and to students choosing to attend other universities as competition grows to reach prospective students.

The Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development Graph created by data in Missouri Department of Higher Education documented that Park’s enrollment has and Workforce Development. declined more than 40 percent between fall 2018 and fall 2023.

These changes will reverberate on all the University’s In fall 2020, the university had about 10,000 students. campuses as they are implemented and students wonder By fall 2023, that number fell to around 6,400 students. what will be cut next if this trend continues.

Park and MCC form partnership “Phil” Day Skyler Jensen Editor-in-Chief Park University and Metropolitan Community College have entered into an articulation agreement that will provide MCC graduates a straightforward path to earning a bachelor’s degree at Park.

Leaders from each school signed the agreement during a ceremony on Park’s home campus in Parkville on Jan. 24.

With this agreement, students who earn an Associate in Arts degree from MCC will be eligible for guaranteed admission at Park. In addition, the students will

enter the University with junior status as Park will accept freshman and sophomore level education credits from MCC, as well as all general education credits, to apply toward earning a bachelor’s degree at Park. Students who transfer from MCC to Park will also be eligible for an annual $1,000 Park University Associate Degree Recognition Scholarship.

MCC Chancellor Kimberly Beatty, Ed.D, said “Our shared students will benefit greatly from the additional support, resources and affordability provided by this partnership.”

Abby Beagel Editor

Feb. 2 is one of the quirkiest and most whimsical traditions celebrated in North America - Groundhog Day! The holiday finds its roots in a German tradition that dates back to the 18th century.

The legend goes that if a hibernating animal, often a Badger or a “Dachstag” in German, saw its shadow on Candlemas Day, then there would be six more weeks of winter. When German settlers brought this tradition to the

See Groundhog Day on page 3

In This Issue: Opinion...............2-3 Campus Life..........4 Features.............5-6 Entertainment.......7 Sports....................8

OPINION

Page 2 February 2, 2024

Celebrating last first day as a Park Pirate Skyler Jensen Editor-in-Chief First and lasts are a constant part of life. They are celebrated, mourned and remembered. This month I had one of these last moments: my last first day of a semester as a student at Park University.

It’s strange knowing that I’m so close to ending my education journey. It feels like I just showed up on campus as a freshman during COVID-19, even though I know how far I have come since that day.

I have done three internships, gone to Greece and wrote so many articles for The Stylus. I have learned

more about myself and many class topics. I have also been lucky enough to meet a lot of amazing people and make some wonderful memories.

Now, I only have four months left. A part of me feels ready to graduate. I’ve heard about senioritis and students who are ready to do nothing as they get closer, and some days, I completely agree with them. Other days, I feel nervous about the future and wish I could continue to study here. However, I know it is time for the next step.

But, then that brings the thought of, what is that step?

I still am not sure.

I could start working right after I graduate. Going

into the corporate world in some capacity would be nice, even though I’m not sure what exactly I would want to do.

I could continue my education. Go on to earn my law degree or my master’s in strategic communication.

I could take a break and travel. Go back to Europe and visit more countries.

I’ve put off deciding for a long time, but now, I have to start narrowing down what exactly I want to do and make the choice I feel is best for me.

Through it all I’m keeping in mind one of my favorite quotes from the Mamma Mia franchise, “Life is short, the world is wide. I want to make some memories.”

Comparing responses: Oct. 7 attack and the Ukraine invasion Damon Grosvenor Editor On Oct. 7, 2023, the terrorist organization Hamas committed the largest pogrom in Jewish history since the Holocaust. Public perception demanded institutions to respond to the event.

Shane Smeed, president of Park University, released an internal statement titled, “Standing Together in Solidarity with the University Community” on Oct. 16.

Smeed’s response stated, “In the face of such tragedy, it is imperative that we come together as a global community to denounce violence and extremism in all its forms.” Smeed continued, “In recent days, we have also witnessed a tragic humanitarian crisis unfold in Gaza. The past week’s events echo the pain and tragedy experienced by far too many in the past century.” Smeed said that the university must “remain guided” by Park’s core values of global citizenship, inclusivity, and integrity. “We must stand together in solidarity with all those who have suffered and continue to suffer the consequences of conflict.”

On Feb. 24, 2022, the Russian military invaded Ukraine, shocking the globe.

Smeed released a response on Feb. 25, less than 24 hours after the invasion, titled “President Shane Smeed Statement of

Support for the Ukrainian People.”

In this statement, Smeed said, “We stand with the Ukrainian people.” He continued, “We understand that this recent conflict has impacted individuals from Ukraine and Russia and students from other countries…. The thousands of Park students and alumni serving in the U.S. Armed Forces remind us never to take freedom for granted.”

There were many differences between the two statements. First, the Ukraine response was later released publicly on the university website and inside of The Crow’s Nest newsletter. The statement on the Hamas’s attack was never publicly released on the website or through The Crow’s Nest. Second, there were several public posts from Park officials sharing the statement and a new logo created to show support for Ukraine. There has been no public support for Israel from Park University; only a single public post mentioning the attack obliquely.

The biggest difference rested in the language used. Smeed clearly picked sides in his response to Ukraine. In addition, a logo was posted that read, “Park University Stands with Ukraine.” In the response to Israel, Smeed seemed to conflate the Hamas’s terrorist attack with the Israeli military response against Hamas in Gaza.

Never did Smeed give the same support

for Israel as he did Ukraine.

Several Park officials and faculty refused to speak on the issue. Interview requests were referred to President Smeed.

Smeed claimed that he “had the opportunity to meet continuously with students, faculty and staff ” in the process of creating his statements. He rejected any conflation between the terror attack on Oct. 7 and the Israeli military response that could be perceived in his statement, saying “While addressing specifically Hamas’s recent terrorist attacks in Israel, I also acknowledge that a tragic humanitarian crisis was unfolding in Gaza.” He then suggested readers to visit Park’s Nisei exhibit in the underground in a seeming non-sequitur.

When asked about the differences in solidarity between the statements, Smeed said, “As a University that proudly educates more than 525 international students representing 76 countries, we stand in solidarity with our students in times of peace and crisis. In these two instances, the tragic situations involved different variables.” For instance, Smeed mentioned, the Invasion of Ukraine occurred on a regular Thursday, which allowed for an all-hands-on-deck approach to the response the next day. The Oct. 7 attack occurred on a Saturday during the first weekend of Fall Recess. Thus, a response

could not be created as quickly.

Smeed also said that his messages “reflect what I deemed to be appropriate at the time.” He wished to “shield our

See Park Responses on page 3

Staff List Editor-in-chief Skyler Jensen

Design Editors Bryce Butler Jaylynn Tucker

Editors

Abby Beagel Mason Danner Damon Grosvenor Audrey Hentges Halle Magee Nathan Matthews Matalyn Smith Yi Li

Adviser

Melody Alexander

OPINION

Page 3 February 2, 2024

Valentine’s Day is a hoax … and a half Halle Magee Editor

Imagine you are in the South of France, on a small river boat with your significant other you’ve been with the last four years.

They surprise you with an extravagant picnic spread and some high-end wine, knowing white is your preferred choice.

You both eat your picnic spread and stare at the sky on the quilted blanket they remember to bring because they just know you so well after all these years. Later, you both lie on your backs picking out the constellations for a while. It is so romantic that you turn to each other, those constellations shining in both your eyes, and your partner leans in…

Now wake up. The fantasy envisioned was just a delusion for most of us. Kudos if you can communicate your outrageous romantic fantasies with your partner — and they do them.

Valentine’s Day is stereotyped to be a day where you cherish your love with your significant other by them showing you just how much you mean to them.

For 69 percent of people in the prepandemic United States, Valentine’s Day meant dressing up, possibly in something pink or red, going out to dinner, and coming home. Melodramatic at its finest.

We all have expectations of what we

Park responses Continued from page 2 students from personal attacks similar to what we have witnessed on other college campuses across the country.” He did not clarify how or why equivalent, explicit support for the Israeli people would incite violence or attacks. This could have been due to nationwide trends in antisemitic violence on campuses. According

PHOTO COURTESY/Adobe Stock Writer Halle Magee asks if Valentine’s Day is worth the celebration, or whether it’s something that builds up unrealistic expectations, creating disappointment each year. want Valentine’s Day to look like, and I could argue that it stems from our ideals when we were younger and innocent/ oblivious.

We envisioned different outcomes than the ones that have come to surpass.

Everyone wants something different.

But where do those expectations come from? Our boisterous brains just can’t seem to let us be oblivious and not slightly disappointed.

to a study by the Anti-Defamation League of 700 colleges in the U.S. and published around the time Smeed gave his interview, 46 percent of colleges had experienced or reported antisemitic incidents, and Jewish students overwhelmingly feel unsafe on campuses.

Finally, Smeed said, “Our hearts go out to Park Students and all those who are suffering, and we must never lose hope that lasting peace is possible.”

Park senior Miranda LaMunyon will be spending her first Valentine’s Day with her partner this year. Her younger self “…wanted all the chocolates, the flowers, some gift or some kind of romantic picnic,” she said.

But a sad reality kicks in, and LaMunyon said, “It’s more of a corporate holiday to try to get money out of people.”

Instead, she said she would rather be at home with her partner than out.

Her partner, sophomore Aiden Joseph, doesn’t think Valentine’ Day dinners are getting old because that’s how Valentine’s Day is portrayed.

Junior Dani Klein and Dalton McAlister, a couple who have been together for four years and are currently engaged, are no exception to having expectations.

Even though they both have expectations, they don’t line up.

Klein would be fine staying at home.

“Those moments are super needed and super special, but it doesn’t have to be going out to dinner,” she said.

On the flip side, McAlister said, “Valentine’s Day would be a good excuse to

go out on a date.”

The traditional route would be to get your partner something like flowers and chocolate. In retrospect, you and your partner could also exchange practical gifts.

Joseph and LaMunyon have been in their relationship for four months. This will be their first Valentine’s Day together, which means it’s their first time giving each other gifts. Just how do their ideals line up? (Spoiler… it’s not good.)

Miranda wants everything to be “lovey-dovey,” she said, and would prefer the traditional method of gift-giving.

Aiden says that in a new relationship, he would “…save my money, just to be safe,” he said.

Just how can you win?

How could you win on a holiday when everything you do could be wrong?

The dinner could be wrong and the gifts could be lackluster.

You tell yourself that you’re just happy they put in the effort, but why be content?

And don’t even get me started on anniversaries.

Groundhog day

then there will be six more weeks of winter. On the other hand, if the day is cloudy and the groundhog doesn’t see its shadow, then an early spring is predicted. Unfortunately, it’s not the most accurate, but still a fun tradition.

The most famous celebration takes place in Punxsutawney, Pa., where thousands gather to witness Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction. The event is also viewable on the official website.

Beyond its weather-predicting role, Groundhog Day has become a symbol of resilience and hope. In the midst of winter, the groundhog’s shadow, or lack thereof, can be a source of joy and anticipation.

Whether Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter or an early spring, the national celebration of this holiday is sure to brighten the last few days of winter.

Continued from page 1 United States, they adopted the groundhog as the weather predictor. Punxsutawney Phil, Pennsylvania’s most famous groundhog, has been serving weather predictions since the first Groundhog Day in 1887.

You may ask, “How is Phil still alive?”

According to the official site, Punxsutawney Phil gets his longevity from drinking “groundhog punch.” One sip, which is administered every summer at the Groundhog Picnic, gives him seven more years of life.

The spectacle of Groundhog Day is the groundhog’s interaction with its shadow.

According to legend, if the groundhog sees its shadow and retreats to its burrow,

CAMPUS LIFE

Page 4 February 2, 2024

Park Speech and Debate prepare for tournaments Damon Grosvenor Editor The Park University Speech and Debate team participated in the Bulldog Battle online tournament, Jan. 20, 2024.

Martin T. Roberson, a secondary education major and president of the Speech and Debate team, said it was a good tournament for many of the team.

Several members of the team went on to the quarter and semifinals. “It’s a really good opportunity to hone the speech and debate skills before the in-person tournaments begin,” said Roberson. “It would be a good opportunity for people at other campus centers to participate with the Speech and Debate team.”

Ashlee Dureka, a freshman accounting major and a new member of Park Speech and Debate, said she did not like the virtual tournament simply because it was online. “I would rather experience it in person,” she said. But, she acknowledged that the event is good for folks who can’t participate in tournaments in person.

The team has had several new

members join and Dr. Lora Cohn, the faculty adviser for the team, says the team is open to anyone, in Parkville or not. “We have several tournaments and possibilities to participate in that are synchronous online,” she said. “So you could be in Gilbert, Ariz. and compete at a tournament.” She believes that Park’s military students would be exceptional additions to the team, and she wants students from other campus centers to join the team.

Overall, the team has been doing very well. Cohn said she was pleased with the turnout and ability of the team during the Fall semester. “I felt really good about it because we have a bunch of new people who were pretty devoted to what they were doing,” she said. “And the freshmen, honestly, were really on it.” Roberson felt similarly. “We had a lot of really good tournaments and everyone did a really, really good job,” he said.

Dureka said, “I was really excited to join the Speech and Debate team. My high school didn’t have one. I found the team booth at the Activities Fair and

knew as soon as I found it, I was going to join.” Her goal is to improve on her impromptu speeches this semester. She prefers the debate side of things and has been successful so far. She also said she loves to argue. “I love debating people, so learning how to do it better is something I have enjoyed so far,” she said.

“One of the strongest things about speech and debate is the connections you make with the people around you and the connection you feel with the school and the debate community,” said Roberson. He highlighted his experience at a tournament at Central Missouri. “I won the exact same two awards, First Speaker and Fourth Place overall, as I won my first year,” he said, “That means I have to win the same ones next year, or else I’m a failure.”

Cohn summed up her feelings for last semester as “exciting, fun, and rewarding.” She would like to expand the team and get more participation.

“It is fun,” she said. “If you’re scared of giving speeches, joining the team is the thing to do. Getting up there and

giving one speech two or three times in a day just kills the nerves. It kills the stress.” Roberson agreed. He said that most people would rather die than give a public speech, but the skills you learn from public speaking instill confidence and prepare you for professional life.

Roberson is excited for the Spring semester. The team planned several oncampus events to muster support and hopefully drive donations for the team.

“The budget was really small — about $10,000,” said Cohn. She said the money runs out fast when you have to book hotel rooms for seven or eight people for multiple tournaments. This is the “Catch-22” about an increased team size.

The events this semester will include a civics lecture series in February, a speaker showcase and Park is even hosting a tournament this semester.

If you would like to get involved in the team, or give a donation, email Dr. Lara Cohn at lora.cohn@park.edu. You can follow Park Speech and Debate on Instagram as well.

Park University has a snowy January start Audrey Hentges Editor

With a gust of cold wind and a heavy helping of snow, Park University has kicked off its 2024 Spring semester. Monday, Jan. 8 was students’ first day back on campus, but due to record-breaking temperatures, freezing winds, and power outages across the Kansas City Metro Area, Park University had to close campus on both Tuesday, Jan. 9 and Tuesday, Jan. 16.

Despite the freezing winds, the Park campus was still bustling with life throughout the first two weeks of school.

Around dusk, deer wandered near the back of campus to snack on seed pods.

Park has a nature sanctuary in its back-

yard, so it’s common to see creatures wandering around campus with students. The Park campus is animal-friendly, even in the snow.

Campus Safety tackled salting sidewalks and bridges to prepare for the snow, allowing for easier access around campus.

PHOTOS/Audrey Hentges Above, despite ice and freezing temperatures, deer roamed the Park campus freely. Left, the Underground was one of many buildings that were iced over during January’s cold snaps. Kansas City area campuses were closed the first two Tuesdays after classes began for the Spring semester.

FEATURES

Page 5 February 2, 2024

Sgt. William Butler: Forgotten hero among many Damon Grosvenor Editor In America, many heroes have been overlooked due to historical discrimination, such as racial segregation and Jim Crow. It was not until July 26, 1948, that the Army was integrated.

One such hero was Sgt. William Alexander Butler, who bravely fought for democracy overseas in a segregated army under the leadership of a notably racist Commander-in-Chief, President Woodrow Wilson.

Butler was born on Feb. 3, 1891, in White Plains, Md., five years prior to the infamous Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) Supreme Court decision that birthed the notion of “Separate but Equal.” The eldest of two, he was raised on the farm owned by his father, John L. Butler, along with his brother Robert. Butler most likely never received a regular education nor completed elementary-level education. As a young man, William moved to Washington, D.C. and married Jennie Robinson on April 16, 1912. His work consisted of labor jobs until 1916.

On Sept. 17, 1916, Butler enlisted in the 15th New York National Guard and was mustered into federal service by July 15, 1917. Quickly gaining favor in the Army, he was promoted to sergeant on Aug. 1. Sgt. Butler was assigned to Company L, 369th Infantry Regiment, 93rd Division. His unit was famously known as the “Harlem Hellfighters.” He arrived overseas at Brest, France by early December.

Butler entered the infamous trenches of Europe on April 12, 1918. During the German Spring Offensive, Butler was severely gassed, which would cause health issues for the remainder of his life. He was wounded two more times during his service, suffering a gunshot wound to the right chest on Sept. 28, and a wound on his left thigh from a shell fragment on Oct. 11, which earned him the Purple Heart in 1933.

Sgt. Butler received a Medal of ing three more and driving away Honor Recommendation, a Disthe remaining raiders. Butler also tinguished Service Cross, and a wounded and captured the GerCroix de Guerre with Palm for his man Lieutenant who was in charge war efforts. The recommendation of the raiding party. According to was made by his Commanding the Croix de Guerre citation, there Officer, Col. William Hayward, were 25 Germans in the party. on Nov. 26, 1918, alongside Park Butler’s heroism saved five Alumnus and center name-sake Americans and stopped a German George S. Robb. Col. Hayward’s raiding party from capturing prisrecommendation for Robb was oners and the trench altogether. taken up by the Adjutant General, He finished the war as a decoratGeneral Head-Quarters, Amered soldier, returned to the U.S. on ican Expeditionary Forces, Col. Jan. 19, 1919, and was honorably Robert C. Davis, on March 28, discharged at Camp Dix, N.J. on 1919.

March 28. After his service, ButButler’s recommendation was ler sought treatment for recurrent not recognized, despite subsebronchitis and anemia, a result quent mention by Col. Hayward’s of the gas attack. Little is known correspondence as late as Feb. about his personal life. He remar15, 1919. It is unknown the exact ried sometime in the 1930s to reason why Butler was dismissed Amelia Morton. He never had bifrom receiving the Medal of Honological children but became close or, but one could infer that it was to his stepson John Amos Morton. a more nefarious result of racial Butler worked as a grocer, truck discrimination. driver and chauffeur throughout The French, however, were PHOTO COURTESY/George S. Robb Centre the depression. In the mid-1940s more than willing to give citations he ran a coal and ice business until to Butler for his actions. Philippe Portrait of Sgt. Williams Alexander Butler, who his severe respiratory issues forced Pétain, Marshal of France, award- earned the Purple Heart for his WWI efforts. him to retire. Butler’s story ended ed Butler the Croix de Guerre with sadly, when on Nov. 27, 1947, he Palm, an award given to those who died by suicide. Butler was laid to attack the forward positions during the received head-quarters level recognition bombardment. An Allied machine-gun rest in the Arlington National Cemetery. for their actions against the enemy. It was opened fire upon the Germans. The He is one of history’s many forgotconsidered an equivalent to the Amer- Germans then fled into the surrounding ten heroes. At the Robb Centre, their ican Medal of Honor at the time. Butler trenches, where they surprised another stories are collected and re-examined received this award sometime in August unit, led by Lt. Gorman R. Jones, and cap- to grant them the recognition they deof 1918. tured him and four other Allied soldiers. serve. According to Martin T. Roberson, According to a French after-action The captives were led away from their po- a researcher at the Robb Centre and a report, the action in question occurred sitions. secondary education sophomore at Park, on Aug. 18, in Maison-de-Champagne, Sgt. Butler, who was chief of the ad- “While not all of the individuals will reFrance. At 12:40a.m., Company L was vanced post, encountered the captives and ceive the Medal of Honor, all though we bombarded by German artillery while oc- was able to surprise the German raiders. hope so, they will all receive the recognicupying an advanced post. The 45-minute Butler advanced down the trench from tion that history has forsaken them.” conflict turned into a blocking bombard- the opposite direction towards the parFor more information, please visit ment, intended to cut off the forward ty and hid from them at an intersection. the George S. Robb Centre website and positions from the main forces behind After the Allied prisoners passed by, But- peruse the Valor Medal Review Service them. Around 1 a.m., Germans were ler opened fired on the Germans, killing Member Database. spotted in the American trenches, having one with his automatic rifle. As the other crossed no-man’s land during the night to Germans fled, Butler pursued them, kill-

FEATURES

Page 6 February 2, 2024

The Haley-Comet or the Trump-Train? Definitely not Meatball-Ron Damon Grosvenor Editor The Republican Presidential primaries continue on Thursday, Feb. 8 in Nevada and are followed on Saturday, Feb. 24 by South Carolina. The race is down to Donald Trump, ahead by 57.7 percent in national polling, and Nikki Haley, who lost by 11.1 percent in New Hampshire, according to RealClearPolling from Jan. 19, 2024.

The polling for Nevada is not representative as of Jan. 29, 2024, due to lack of polling numbers post Iowa and New Hampshire caucuses. The last available poll from Race to the White House was from Jan. 14, the day before the Iowa caucus. In South Carolina, Trump leads Haley by 30.2 percent, according to RCP. The issue right now is that the polls have not kept up with the races. DeSantis is still on many of the polls despite him dropping out of the race, because they predate his drop from the race Jan. 21, 2024.

Trump may have won the primary in New Hampshire, but the results may forecast a lose to Biden in the general election. According to an analysis in the “Wall Street Journal,” Trump may risk los-

ing enough Republican votes in a general election to lose the election. Twenty-one percent of Republicans in New Hampshire said they were so upset with Trump that they wouldn’t cast a ballot for him in November. Trump has also alienated Independents, arguably the group who got him elected in 2016. The same analysis reported that 68 percent of Independents would not vote for Trump. A candidate generally cannot win if they lose more than 10 percent of their base.

The argument for Haley is that she is more electable in a general election because she is comparatively moderate and can duck many of the usual host of insults hurled against Republican candidates.

But the populist wing in the Republican party does not want moderation. According to Senator Tommy Tuberville, who you may know from his valiant yet unwinnable stand against the taxpayer funded DOD abortion policy, Nikki Haley is a “neocon.” “Neocon” has several interpretations, but in this case, Tuberville was using it as a stand-in for a corrupt Republican in name only (RINO). He sees her as a warmonger, and added “She has never seen a war she didn’t like.”

This is the crux of the problem for Re-

publicans. The party is split. On the one side you have the populist, Trump-era MAGA folk, like Tuberville, Chip Roy, and Matt Gaetz. On the other is the old guard, people like Mitch McConnell, Kevin McCarthy, and Rand Paul. The voter base is split as well. In a highly biased, but insightful article by “The New York Times,” they identify six kinds of Republican voters. The Moderate Establishment (14 percent) are majority Never-Trump and are usually the remaining wealthy Republicans. The Traditional Conservatives (26 percent) are the people who liked Trump’s policies but not the personality, supporting “old-fashioned economic and social” policies. The Right Wing (26 percent) are the old people who watch Fox News and Newsmax who are the seemingly permanent base for Trump.

The Blue Collar Populists (12 percent) are new to the Republican party, being focused on the abandonment of the Democratic party from their priorities and are highly supportive of Trump. The Libertarian Conservative (14 percent) are the rational Libertarians who haven’t thrown their vote away on the Libertarian Party and believe their economic and social views are best, although not perfectly, re-

flected in the Republican Party. The Newcomers (8 percent) are the disaffected liberals and democrats that were put off enough by the Squad and identity politics on the left that they found a new home in the Republican Party, although are not very likely to support Trump.

The problem for Haley is that Trump commands the Right Wing and the Blue Collar Populists, giving him about a 40 percent base in the party. And the remaining Traditional Conservative, Moderate Establishment and Libertarian Conservative are too far apart to coalesce into an anti-Trump base. The Libertarian Conservative would agree with Tuberville’s accusation of warmongering ‘neocon.” And now she might not be able to swoop up DeSantis’ 20 percent.

I myself am a Republican primary voter. I cast my first vote in 2016 for Donald Trump. I liked his bombastic attitude. I liked his policies. But, when the primary comes around on March 2 here in Missouri, I will be casting my ballot for my second choice, Nikki Haley. If you would like to give your opinion on the state of the Republican primary and party, please contact me at my email, 1701267@park. edu.

Adored Park librarian passes Skyler Jensen Editor-In-Chief Betty Dusing, 90, died peacefully at home on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Liberty, Mo. Dusing, one of the most beloved members of the Park community, held a variety of roles within Park’s McAfee Memorial Library for nearly 55 years (1965 to 2019), including acquisitions, cataloging, circulation, interlibrary loans and staffing the library’s front desk.

Her husband, Al Dusing, also worked at Park College starting in 1957. He preceded his wife in death. Betty leaves behind her sister, brother, daughter, and son. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, as well as eleven great-grandchildren.

In Sept. 2022, Dusing received the Paul H. Gault Service Award, presented annually to a retired Park University faculty or staff member who provided a minimum of 15 years of distinguished service to the University.

Before she retired, Dusing was presented the Park Family award from the Park Student Government Association in 1981, 1999, and again in 2016. She was named an Honorary Alumna in 1992.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held in the Park University Meetin’ House on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. The family will receive friends from 4–7 p.m. The family suggests memorial gifts to the Albert A. and Betty P. Dusing Scholarship at Park University. Condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.

You can read her full obituary at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/kansascity/name/betty-dusing-obituary?id=54212524.

PHOTO COURTESY/Meyers Funeral Chapel

ENTERTAINMENT

Page 7 February 2, 2024

Opinion: To be Swift, or not to be Swift Bryce Butler Design Editor Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last several months, you’ve likely heard the buzz surrounding Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.

The buzz began in July of 2023, when Kelce attended Swift’s Eras Tour performance at Arrowhead Stadium. In the following months, we witnessed a head-on collision of the music and sports worlds.

Naturally, people have taken different stances on this topic, but I’ve attempted to narrow things down a bit. If you’ve been following this coverage for any amount of time, you most likely fall into one of the following categories: A. The genuine Chiefs fan who just wants to watch a football game.

B. The “Swiftie” who refers to a Chiefs game as a Taylor Swift concert.

C. The super-fan of both, who, right now, is living in entertainment euphoria.

D. The indifferent one who couldn’t care less how this all turns out.

Other categories deserve honorable

mention, such as the NFL fans who wish to see the Chiefs crash and burn, or the not-so-innocent bystanders who are looking for celebrity drama. However, those four just about cover it.

No matter which category you fall into, we simply can’t ignore the truth. From a marketing perspective, this is likely the best thing to ever happen to the Chiefs.

According to sportswear company Fanatics, Kelce’s jersey sales jumped nearly 400 percent after Swift’s first visit to Arrowhead in Week 3 of the regular season.

Swift’s presence has helped shatter records in TV ratings. Not to mention local business owners are jumping at every opportunity to have their merchandise worn

by Swift at one of the games.

You might be wondering which category I place myself into, and now that I’ve softened the blow, I want to give my take on the subject.

For one, I fall into category A. It’s to the point where I expect the camera to cut to Swift whenever Kelce makes a big play.

Because who wouldn’t want to see the newest BFF handshake made with Brittany Mahomes? Give me a break.

Forget the fact that the wife of the quarterback (or any of the other married players for that matter) doesn’t even get this much media coverage. You would have thought Kelce and Swift were husband and wife the way the public praises them for supporting each other.

Regardless of what you think of Brittany Mahomes, she is still Patrick’s wife, the mother of his children, and has been in the picture throughout his entire football career. That storyline will never get the same amount of media coverage, but that’s an opinion piece for another day.

It doesn’t bother me if Swift wants to cheer for the Chiefs, but I’m not about to grant her queen status in the Chiefs Kingdom just because she brought some clout to the franchise. And besides, what good is having clout if you’re playing poor football?

Now, I asked myself the question, “If this were a male singer coming to the games, would you have the same reaction?” No, I wouldn’t. For one, it’s uniquely the romance aspect that’s giving the Chiefs and Swift buzz. Secondly, we’re talking about the number one globally

streamed artist of 2023 with over 26.1 billion streams on Spotify.

When The Weeknd starts sitting courtside at some Las Vegas Aces games, then we’ll talk. But for now, it’s not even a comparison.

This comes from a place of wanting the Chiefs to be known for their game, not for being that one team that Taylor Swift was repping for a few months. By the way, the blame falls on Kelce, who, quite diligently I might add, sought out and invited her to Arrowhead.

The good news is that the Chiefs were already a dominating force before Taylor-gate unfolded. Even though it’s been a bumpy year on the offensive end, the Chiefs took home the AFC Championship on Sunday, Jan. 28 — the fourth time in five years.

With the NFL post-season wrapping up, soon the stadium cameras will be turned off. Time will reveal if this symbiotic relationship is genuine. Otherwise, Kelce will likely be the subject of another Spotify chart-topper. And if the sparks dwindle out during the off-season? Well, it’ll make for a very cruel summer.

people feel somewhat relieved of the tightrope. We ask ourselves — not just as women, men too — that we walk this impossible tightrope of being perfect.” She added, “Barbie has always been a symbol of this thing that you could never reach because she physically couldn’t stand up if she were a human being. So I wanted it to almost invert that formula and find a way that it gave you permission to just be yourself and know that that’s enough.”

Because Gerwig created this movie to represent the human experience, especially for women, many feel Koy’s joke was not appropriate. People have taken to social media to call him out for not understanding the point of the film or to call him out as being a part of the reason the film was created. This was the main joke

that made the internet spiral, but it was not alone.

Another joke Koy told in his monologue was directed at the singer and songwriter, Taylor Swift. He remarked, “The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? At the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift.”

The cameras then panned to Swift who did not look amused by his joke and took a sip of her drink while remaining straight-faced. Taylor’s reaction is what made the joke look more offensive than funny. However, people on social media have taken sides. Some calling out Koy, as Swift doesn’t control the NFL coverage, others defending Koy by saying Swift overreacted to the joke.

These jokes also caught the attention

of Chelsea Handler, who recently hosted the Critics Choice Awards. Handler is also Koy’s ex-girlfriend. During the Critics Choice Awards, Handler mentioned in her monologue, “Thank you for laughing at that. My writers wrote it.” This joke poked fun at a line Koy said at the Golden Globes after making a joke that did not land.

Koy stated at a post event press conference on the night of the Golden Globes that he had taken the hosting gig just two weeks before. In several interviews, he told reporters that he did not have much time to prepare or rehearse but still wanted to take on the challenge. This may have been why Jo Koy’s jokes fell flat for the audience at the event and those watching at home.

Golden Globes jokes fall flat due to sexist jokes Matalyn Smith Editor

Jo Koy, a comedian, hosted the Golden Globes on Jan. 7, but his jokes did not deliver as planned. Now, the internet is in an uproar.

One of these jokes that went over poorly was about the movie, “Barbie”, which Koy compared to “Oppenheimer.”

Koy commented that “Oppenheimer” “… is based on a 721-page Pulitzer Prize-winning book about the Manhattan Project,” while diminishing “Barbie” to a movie “on a plastic doll with big boobies.” This comment turned some heads but not in a good way.

Greta Gerwig said she made “Barbie” because, “I want the movie to make

SPORTS

Page 8 February 2, 2024

Park alumnus playing professional baseball Mason Danner Editor

Former Pirate Angel Lebron spent his winter living his dream: playing professional baseball in Puerto Rico.

Lebron graduated from Park in 2023 and remains a part of the baseball team as a graduate assistant coach. He holds numerous school records at Park such as strikeouts in a career with 186 and is second in single season wins with eight.

Lebron began his professional career last summer in the American Association for the Sioux Falls Canaries. He made 29 appearances tallying a 2-1 record with a 7.54 ERA in 54.1 innings pitched.

Later in the fall, he was drafted as

PHOTO COURTESY/Angel Lebron

Pictured at left is Angel Lebron, a 2023 graduate of Park University who has returned to his home, Puerto Rico, to play professional baseball. He hopes to play in Europe in summer of 2024.

the 5th pick in the 4th round of Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente, a professional league in Puerto Rico, by the Carolina Gigantes.

Lebron, a native of Puerto Rico, went on to play for the Gigantes and then RA12.

He was there playing for four months and enjoyed the experience. “Having an opportunity of playing professional baseball is a dream come true for me because since I was five years old, I always told my dad that I will play pro ball,” he said. He spent most of his time on the practice squad but did get to make a professional appearance in which he went one inning, allowing three hits, one walk, and one run.

Playing professionally was a long-time goal of Lebron’s so this was a dream come true to be able to do this and be in front of his family. “It felt really good because I got to see my family that I didn’t see for eight years,” he said.

Lebron plans to attempt to play professionally somewhere, possibly in Europe this summer.

Kansas City Chiefs punch ticket to Super Bowl LVIII Bryce Butler of the most critical plays of the game by Design Editor forcing a fumble on the goal-line, pre-

The Chiefs snagged their fourth AFC title on Sunday, Jan. 28, with a 17-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. They will take on the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes finished the game with 241 passing yards, while avoiding any turnovers. His favorite target, tight end Travis Kelce, made 11 receptions for 116 yards.

On their first drive, Mahomes threw a tight-window pass to Kelce for a touchdown. During the game, Kelce also broke Jerry Rice’s record for the most postseason receptions of all time. A rainbow pass to Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the fourth quarter secured the win.

Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed made one

venting a Ravens touchdown. Another member of the defense who made a critical play in the second half is Deon Bush.

This defensive back sealed the deal with an interception in the 4th quarter. The Chiefs’ defense held the Ravens to just three points for the second half.

The Chiefs had the most dropped passes (44) during the regular season.

Mahomes was quick to defend his receivers as their lack of production was being criticized. The young receiving core hit their stride at the start of the postseason.

Rookie Rashee Rice lead with 130 receiving yards in their wildcard round win over the Miami Dolphins.

In the divisional round, Mahomes and Kelce made more NFL history when they surpassed New England Patriots legends

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski for the most touchdowns scored by a quarterback-receiver duo in NFL playoff history.

“BEASTS. When you one up Gronk, you’re doing something right,” Brady wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) the morning after the game.

The Chiefs will attempt back-to-back Super Bowls wins, something that has not been done since the New England Patriots in 2004-2005. A win would solidify Kansas City as an NFL dynasty.

PHOTO COURTESY/Kansas City Chiefs Right, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy after winning their fourth AFC championship game against the Baltimore Ravens.