Aug. 26, 2020

THE TIMES-DELPHIC The weekly student newspaper of Drake University Vol. 140 | No. 1 | Aug. 26, 2020

FEATURES

SPORTS

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a variety of unique challenges. One that may fly under the radar is the effect of social distancing on students’ mental health.

Read more on page 2

COMMENTARY

Drake Stadium will host the Blue Oval Showcase presented

by Mediacom in partnership with the Drake Relays on Aug. 29. The event will feature several professional athletes.

Read more on page 3

Kamala Harris may not be all Democrats’ first choice to be Vice President, but a woman of color on the ticket is still monumental for many voters.

Read more on page 4

timesdelphic.com

Drake will not disclose COVID-19 student infection rate

FACE MASKS are now required on campus in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 amongst students and faculty.

Trish Richards Copy Editor patricia.richards@drake.edu

As students return to Drake for a high-stakes semester, the many changes made in an attempt to “pandemic-proof” campus will be put to the test, the results of which will remain privileged information.

On Aug. 20, the university announced via email that it would not disclose the overall rate of COVID-19 infections on campus as the semester progresses.

“Drake will not share or publish COVID-19 medical information in order to protect the privacy of the individuals affected,” Executive Director of Public Safety Scott Law said.

“Those who need to know about individual positive cases will be notified during the contact tracing process.”

The Emergency Operations Center coordinates the university’s response to COVID-19. It was activated on March 13 to address issues surrounding the pandemic.

“The EOC is made up of

a cross-section of University leaders, including faculty and staff, who are working together to manage Drake’s response to the pandemic,” Law said.

“Chris Nickell, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, and I serve as co-chairs of the EOC.” According to Law, the EOC meets every weekday morning to discuss pandemic issues as they arise, including monitoring several confidential data points that impact the university’s response.

Campus infection rates are an easily quantifiable measure of pandemic response success, causing many to wonder whom this measure intends to protect.

“Practically every other campus in America is regularly releasing its COVID numbers.

Without this data, how on earth is the community supposed to make decisions regarding their health, their safety, their very lives?” Connor Sullivan, a senior theater major, said.

“When foreign countries have suppressed data about this pandemic, America has been quick to decry them as

fascist states. Why then, is it acceptable for Drake University to disregard the health and safety of the community in such an egregious way?”

Law said there is positive intent behind the nondisclosure.

“Drake will not share or publish COVID-19 medical information in order to protect the privacy of the individuals affected,” Law said. “Raw case numbers can cause false confidence or undue worry.

Context matters greatly, and particularly so in ever-changing circumstances like this pandemic.”

Sullivan doubts the decision will keep the infection numbers under wraps.

“It is laughable for the university to believe that they can completely conceal the fact that COVID-19 is present on campus because the students will simply start reporting which of their friends has tested positive,” Sullivan said. “In fact, they already have. Drake should save us the speculation and unofficial tallies, and just start releasing the numbers.”

The EOC has established

derecho rages across midwest

THE DERECHO on Aug. 10 caused billions in damages to property, crops and more. Power outages lasted several days. PHOTO BY PAYTON SLOBODZIAN | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Grace Noack Staff Writer grace.noack@drake.edu

While the COVID-19 pandemic remains at the forefront of most Americans’ minds, Iowans are now grappling with the aftermath of another disaster: a devastating derecho.

The powerful windstorm, likened to a spontaneous inland hurricane, swept through the Midwest on Aug. 10.

So far, the derecho has claimed four lives, left more

than 1 million without power, and caused billions of dollars in damages.

Cedar Rapids endured the worst of the storm, resulting in the state’s most extensive wreckage.

“There was no power, no internet, no electricity for like three or four days,” said Casey Cerveny, a vocal performance major from the Cedar Rapids area. “Half of our trees were blown away, but the willow managed to survive somehow.

The neighbor’s RV got flipped over.”

Although Cerveny’s family regained power, many people are still without electricity and other vital necessities, such as phone service and water.

Breese and Ryan Besser, both juniors at Drake studying music education, recounted similar scenes from the Des Moines area. Breese was outside at work when the sirens started in Des Moines.

“I got stuck on the highway trying to get home and there were big branches flying in the air,” said Breese.

One of the most dangerous

PHOTO BY TRISH RICHARDS | COPY EDITOR

numerous procedural changes, outlined in the Drake Together Compact to limit the potential for COVID-19 spread on campus. Students intending to participate in on-campus classes were required to sign off on their commitment to a series of behavioral mandates for the upcoming semester.

Regardless of the university’s commitment, Sullivan believes the changes will do little to stop the spread of COVID-19.

“Drake University has a feeble testing plan that is destined for failure,” Sullivan said. “There is no regular, proactive testing.

Students living in the dorms were tested once upon arrival.

Following this, students are only tested when they start showing symptoms or have been in close contact with a confirmed positive case.”

He believes mandatory testing is the key to pandemicproofing campus.

“In order for in-person classes to succeed, we need biweekly, proactive, and mandatory COVID-19 testing for all students, faculty, and staff,” Sullivan said.

The administration believes the efficacy of these changes will depend heavily on community compliance.

“If we are going to get through the fall semester, it will come down to our decisions and our actions. Simply put, we need to be Drake Together,” Dean of Students Jerry Parker said in the email. “I want to be crystal clear: we are serious and we will not hesitate to take the necessary actions to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19, jeopardizing the health and safety of others.”

University Provost Sue Mattison echoes Parker’s commitment to enforcing these high-stakes sanctions.

“These policies have been put in place to protect people’s health, people’s lives, and people’s jobs,” Mattison said.

“The safety and health of our students, faculty, staff, and community are our highest priority, and I hope that has been evident from our actions.”

For more information on COVID-19 procedures, visit drake.edu/coronavirus.

qualities of derechos is that they are virtually impossible to predict.

“It was really clear and then all of a sudden there were power lines down and all of the cars were stopped on the highway,” said Ryan.

Gov. Kim Reynolds requested $3.9 billion in federal disaster relief on Aug. 16, six days after the derecho hit central Iowa.

President Donald Trump responded to the request via Twitter, saying he approved the Emergency Declaration in full.

However, according to federal emergency management officials, President Trump only granted $45 million of Reynolds’ request. Furthermore, financial relief authorized by the federal government will not be available to homeowners or farmers.

While representatives Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne continue to advocate for the speedy aid their communities desperately need, Gov. Reynolds has not vocalized any concerns she may have about the delay of federal relief. Reynolds herself has come under fire for what some consider to be a delayed response to the crisis.

“I think she has a lack of connection to Iowans and does not really understand what they need even though they are telling her very clearly at this point,” said Drake student Elizabeth Kirsner.

The disaster may be over, but the sheer magnitude of the storm may be indicative of a much deeper problem: climate change.

While derechos are not a new phenomenon, the ferocity of the storm was abnormal: the average derecho typically includes wind speeds up to 50-70 mph, while the recent derecho included wind speeds of up to 140 mph.

Kirsner, an environmental sustainability major, views the storm as a bad omen of what’s to come.

“These disasters are going to become much more intense and frequent if we do not change,” Kirsner said.

In the wake of the storm, communities across Iowa have united to provide meals and shelter to those most affected.

“When the disaster hit, we saw a huge spike in phone traffic and families reaching out to us, not only for disaster assistance but for the other programs we offer as well,” said Hannah Nelsen, community engagement coordinator for IMPACT Community Action Partnership.

IMPACT is currently taking donations via @IMPACTCAP on Venmo, as well as food and personal hygiene donations.

Visit the Iowa Derecho Resource page on Facebook for more info on how to help fellow Iowans.

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FEATURES

Features

Aug. 26, 2020 | Page 2

Remembering Stalnaker receptionist Alice Cronin Grace Altenhofen Features Editor grace.altenhofen@drake.edu

Longtime Stalnaker Hall receptionist Alice Cronin passed away July 18, according to an email from Provost Sue Mattison this summer. She was 68.

Cronin had a variety of responsibilities as the front desk receptionist, Mattison said in an email interview with the Times-Delphic.

“In this role, Alice greeted students and visitors who entered the hall, answering questions, providing resources and often just listening to students as they shared their daily life with her,” Mattison said. “Alice was responsible for sorting mail and took great joy in notifying students when they had packages arrive for them. Alice also assisted in overseeing the front desk operations, tracking student payroll, creating desk schedules and training desk staff.”

According to Mattison, Cronin’s commitment to the students at Drake made her a good fit for the role.

“Alice was a good fit for the Drake community as her first priority was to serve the students. She wanted to be sure they received the help and support that they needed,” Mattison said. “Alice developed friendships with many students and staff that she maintained even after they graduated or left Drake.”

Cronin made a lasting impression on Claire Hill, who also worked at Stalnaker’s

front desk.

“She always greeted everyone when they walked in, so my first impression was that she was kind,” Hill said.

“When I applied to the front desk, I ended up officially meeting her. Alice helped me to figure out my schedule, continuing to be kind, but also being a safe person to talk to as a scared freshman.”

Stalnaker front desk worker Ellie Uhrhammer said she also took note of Cronin’s sense of kindness when they met.

“I first met Alice during my first semester at Drake in fall 2019. Before I met Alice, Peyton Johnson, Stalnaker’s Assistant Residence Hall Coordinator, told us to look out for the sweet lady at the front desk who would talk your ear off if given the chance. Then once I got to know her, she definitely lived up to that description,” Urhammer said. “She was incredibly kind and genuinely cared about everyone in our hall.”

According to Urhammer, Cronin consistently went out of her way to help students.

“I worked with Alice a lot.

She taught all the Front Desk Assistant training sessions and was an incredible communicator. I’d get emails from her with random questions about mail or work all the time,” Urhammer said.

“I’d also see her every day when I passed by the front desk in the morning for a class. She’d always smile, say hello, and address residents by name when we passed by. You could tell how much she valued her job and us as

students.”

Hill said one incident in particular highlighted Cronin’s kindness: the day Hill went to work at the front desk right after finding out about a family member’s cancer diagnosis.

“I had not had time to process the news, so I walked to the desk solemnly and confused. Alice quickly noticed and asked me what was wrong. I told her what happened, and she responded by reassuring me,” Hill said.

“Alice talked about people she knew who went through something similar, and their positive outcomes. It sticks out in my mind because she genuinely helped me so much in a time when I was so worried.”

Her compassion for her students earned her the unofficial title of ‘dorm mom,’ according to Urhammer.

“To the students in her hall, she was our ‘dorm mom,’” Urhammer said. “Everyone knew her and chatted with her when we passed by. She helped keep our hall safe and always had our backs.”

Hill and Urhammer both found out about Cronin’s passing from an email sent to students by Provost Mattison on July 21.

“I was shocked,” Hill said.

“I had recently put in my application that I would like to work either in my own hall or in Stalnaker so I could work with her again. We had discussed throughout the year working together again and in my mind, I still would expect to see her sitting in her chair if I were to walk into Stalnaker again.”

ALICE CRONIN, longtime Stalnaker Hall receptionist, passed away July 18. PHOTO BY JD CRONIN

Urhammer, who applied to be a front desk assistant at Cronin’s encouragement, said she felt similarly when she heard the news.

“I was initially shocked and sad that I was no longer going to see her,” Urhammer said. “I had just finished my application for Front Desk Assistant for the following semester. I texted my roommate, who also knew Alice, about it. She was also sad for the loss of our former dorm mom. When I got home from work that night, I lit a candle to honor Alice’s

memory.”

Mattison said that the last time she saw Cronin was in May when she went to pick up welcome cards that Cronin had written to incoming Drake students.

“I find it appropriate that the last official work Alice did for campus was welcoming a new group of students to Drake,” Mattison said.

“Alice was dedicated to the students and to Drake. She wanted every student to feel connected and was delighted when asked to work on this task. Alice will be missed.”

Quarantine, social distancing showing effects on mental health Grace Altenhofen Features Editor grace.altenhofen@drake.edu

Social distancing and quarantine are the new normal amid the COVID-19 pandemic, raising questions about the effects these measures have on mental health.

Danielle Green, director of Drake University Student Counseling, said that she has seen coronavirus affect mental health issues in many ways.

“Yes, quarantining and social distancing has created some negative mental health aspects. We are so social by nature and thrive on routines and predictability, and COVID-19 has made both really challenging,” Green said. “I’ve heard some folks mention that they’ve enjoyed having less commitments and more time to do what they truly enjoy, which is great.

But I think overall the last six months have been very challenging.”

Green said some groups are more prone to these changes in mental health than others.

“I think the groups most impacted would be folks with limited social support who are even more disconnected, folks who have depression and anxiety, and folks who have experienced a lot of loss as a result of COVID-19,” Green said.

One of these people is

senior Marie Nalan, who said the pandemic has negatively affected her anxiety.

“I have generalized anxiety, and I’ve felt myself spiraling a lot more,” Nalan said. “I typically cope by reminding myself that my worries are irrational. But with COVID-19, going back to school, working in a grocery store during a pandemic, and being constantly reminded of the racial injustices in our city, I can’t tell myself my fears are unwarranted. These are actual things that are terrifying, and the entire world is feeling this fear together. It’s really overwhelming.”

Though Green said students’ reports of changes in their mental health due to coronavirus were more prevalent at the beginning of the outbreak, students are still expressing concerns about returning to school this fall.

“I believe the majority of students I’ve seen at the counseling center have expressed changes in their mental health as a result of COVID. To be impacted by it is to be human,” Green said.

“These were more present in the beginning of changes when folks felt really anxious, fearful, hopeless, angry and uncertain. It seemed like a lot of people started to adjust to these changes, and with school getting ready to start again, I’m hearing more students express concern about how campus will look different and being nervous

about how their social life will be different.”

While Nalan said she does not experience much social isolation as she lives with friends, academic performance remains a concern for her as many classes remain online.

“I got the worst grades of my life last spring. My GPA plummeted. I tried so hard, but this is such a difficult time,” Nalan said.

“I wish I wasn’t scared of going to classes this fall, but I am. I don’t know how I will perform academically. All I can do is try my best, so that’s my plan.”

“I believe the majority of students I’ve seen at the counseling center have expressed changes in their mental health as a result of COVID. To be impacted by it is to be human”

According to Green, Drake has been doing its best to weigh the psychological benefits of returning to school versus the physical implications of the coronavirus spread.

“I think you have to look at both the positives and negatives of returning and see where you can reduce risk and enhance support

and services. I believe the University is working really hard to be mindful of both,” Green said.

Green and the counseling center staff have been working on ways to make mental health services available to students despite the required social distancing measures.

“At the counseling center, we’re moving the majority of our sessions to be virtual so that students can still have therapy, but reduce some of the physical risks of coming to a shared clinic with the student health center,” Green said. “We’re trying to talk with students a lot about how mental health may be impacted and that the counseling center is a resource. If a student needs to be seen in person during an emergency or crisis, we will take their temp and ask some screening questions before they come into the clinic. We will also be cleaning common surfaces consistently.”

The counseling center will be scheduling ‘walk-in’ appointments 24 hours in advance from Aug. 24 through Sept. 4 to ensure accessibility for all students.

They must call the center to choose a time and then fill out an online form.

Beginning Sept. 8, students will be able to schedule appointments more than 24 hours in advance, but virtual ‘walk-in’ appointments will still be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 3 p.m. for those who would

like an appointment more immediately.

According to Green, students should seek help, especially if they are experiencing certain symptoms.

“If they’re worrying a lot more, feeling more hopeless, having a hard time adjusting, feeling overwhelmed constantly, thinking they can’t do this, being angry, in denial, having thoughts of self-harm or suicide and isolating more than necessary would all be warning signs,” Green said. “Reach out to me or the counseling center phone number and we’ll make sure you get a safe and supportive person to talk with. It’s also so important to talk with your friends about what you’re experiencing and not hold it all in or fake it.”

Green said she would like students to know that there is nothing wrong with asking for help, especially during such a tumultuous time.

“It’s OK to not be OK. Ask for help,” Green said. “I also think it’s important to live your life and find a safe normal. I see a lot of shaming going on about folks’ choices, and I think we all need to remember we’re doing the best we can and that can look different for folks. I also think it’s so important for folks to ask for help earlier rather than later. There’s no shame in asking for help.”

SPORTS

Sports

Aug. 26, 2020 | Page 3

DRAKE TO HOST BLUE OVAL SHOWCASE

DRAKE WILL HOST THE BLUE OVAL SHOWCASE AUG. 29. The one-day professional track and field event will feature world renown athletes without fans in attendance. PHOTO COURTESY OF DRAKE ATHLETICS

Madeleine Leigh Staff Writer madeleine.leigh@drake.edu

Drake Relays Director Blake Boldon announced

in a press release on Aug. 3 that Drake University will be hosting a Blue Oval Showcase, presented by Mediacom, on Aug. 29, featuring professional track athletes.

This will be not only the

first track and field event hosted by Drake since campus closed earlier this year, but also the first of its kind hosted on American soil since March.

Drake will play host to athletes from 12 countries, including 22 Olympians and 70 World Championship qualifiers, according to an Aug. 19 press release.

The showcase, “will be featured on World Athletics’ Continental Tour and be granted Bronze Level status.”

“It reiterates our place as a global leader in athletics,” Boldon said. “That is first and foremost what the designation does. It certainly shows the commitment of our staff and university and community to the sport of track and field…certainly on a national level, but even more on an international, global level.”

The health and safety of the participating athletes and officials and of the entire Drake community are of paramount importance to Boldon and his team.

“There are a lot of event directors and public officials that use that phrase [safety has to come first], but I can assure everyone on campus and everyone in our community that those words are meant very sincerely by our staff,” Boldon said. “That we have not wavered from that position in our efforts to

do everything we can to set the standard that other events can follow.”

Boldon spent most of the summer in talks with not only campus officials like Scott Law, director of Public Safety, and Chris Nickel, director of Environmental Services, but also with Polk County Public Health and Emergency Management leadership and the Des Moines mayor’s office, to ensure Drake’s plans follow CDC, local public health and municipality guidelines.

Numerous precautions have been put in place due to COVID-19. No ticketed fans will be allowed in Drake Stadium; in fact, the only spectators present will be students in Drake’s track and field program. All others are prohibited from attending in person. The event will instead be broadcast by Mediacom on regional television and streamed globally on Runnerspace+.

“We hope everyone understands that we want this to be a full celebration for our community, and we want to include 15,000 people, but we know we can’t,” Boldon said.

All participating athletes will be tested twice: once before they leave for Des Moines, and once upon their arrival. Any athletes who test positive will be barred from competing. And during the competitions, athletes will

remain socially distant.

In addition, any potential officials over 65 and/or with a pre-existing health condition were immediately excluded from the officiating crew.

After the 2020 Drake Relays were cancelled, Boldon and Drake Athletics considered what, if any, events the University might be able to hold instead. Drake is recognized worldwide for its commitment to the sport of track and field.

When USATF released new guidelines on June 1st, they continued to examine different opportunities for hosting any kind of track and field event, and the Blue Oval Showcase is the result.

“But, during a global pandemic, that certainly puts heightened scrutiny on our practices and our professionalism,” Boldon said. “It has been a challenge, but it’s been something we take very seriously.”

Boldon is personally looking forward to seeing the competitors in action.

“The thing I’m looking forward to the most is seeing the joy on athletes’ faces when they finish competitions,” Boldon said. “No matter the result, no matter the outcome, it really brings to light the passion that the athletes have, and the meaning behind the competition in the first place.”

PFL CANCELS DRAKE FOOTBALL SEASON

DRAKE FOOTBALL HOPEFUL FOR SPRING. Despite training over the summer, the team will not be competing this fall. While the team was very disappoitned by the PFL’s announcement, many players are looking to competing in the spring. PHOTO COURTESY OF DRAKE ATHLETICS Gracie Geist Contributing Writer gracie.geist@drake.edu

On Aug. 7, 2020, Drake University announced via email that the football team would not be competing in the fall 2020 season, disappointing players, coaches and Drake fans alike.

“The logistical challenges with team travel, as well as properly adhering to campus, local or state requirements created an insurmountable hurdle for the Pioneer Football League this fall,” Drake Athletic Director Brian Harden said.

Hardin said he sends good thoughts towards all involved with the football program, including seniors and fifthyear seniors.

Chris Evans, an offensive tackle for the team, is one of those fifth-year seniors. He decided to return to Drake for a fifth year of football before learning how the pandemic would affect the 2020 season.

“Personally, I have responded by continuing to prepare as if I am going to come back,” Evans said. “Even though the season has been canceled, the preparation continues on.”

Evans said he’s unsure about playing in the spring season because he graduates in December and is still exploring his options.

Whether he comes back in the spring or not, he wanted to thank the following for making his Drake experience so great: Brian Harden, Ryan Martin, Walker Howard, Coach Stepsis, Angie Dahl

Miller, LT Poeppel, the entire coaching staff.

“Savor every moment that you get,” Evans said. “You never know when it will be the last.”

“We’ve controlled what we can control, and we will move forward with positive attitude because that is really all you can ask for.”

Evans emphasized that COVID has helped the team understand that things can be taken away without warning, and senior, Alex Rodgers, agreed.

“As expected, there was a lot of initial sadness and pain, especially for the seniors who would not be making a return to the game they’ve given so much to,” Rodgers said. “We’ve controlled what we can control, and we will move forward with positive attitude because that is all you can really ask for.”

Rodgers said he does not expect a spring season due to the quick turnaround for a season in fall 2021.

However, the team is planning to start working back into practice on Aug. 31 if everything goes well.

Drake’s Head Football Coach, Todd Stepsis, is hoping for a spring season.

“The only thing that will be different is the weather,” Stepsis said. “It will be cold for pretty much

the entire season if we play in March, but other than that, the preparation for our season won’t change.”

Stepsis said it was tough to find out about the season’s cancellation, and he felt for the group of players who were missing their last season of football.

“The only thing we can control is what we do next,” Stepsis said.

Stepsis, Evans and Rodgers all agreed that the team is trying to overcome this year’s challenges with relationships, teamwork, character and perseverance.

“Attitude is a choice, and our choice will show up in our actions,” Stepsis said. “We’ll choose to remain positive and believe that the best is always yet to come.”

Commentary

COMMENTARY

Aug. 26, 2020 | Page 4

Wonder Woman: Kamala Harris

Madeleine Leigh Staff Writer madeleine.leigh@drake.edu

The superhero genre has released over 40 blockbuster films since the year 2000.

By 2017, only three of those superhero films featured a person of color in the leading role, and just one featured a female lead - DC’s Wonder Woman.

One scene from the film stands out. Diana Prince is in the trenches during WWI, aghast at the suffering surrounding her and Steve Trevor’s refusal to help them.

“We can’t save every person in this war. Besides, it’s not what we came here to do,” Trevor says. “No, but it’s what I’m going to do,” Price replies.

Then she stands up and becomes Wonder Woman.

She crosses an uncrossable battlefield and wins an unwinnable fight and frees an entire town from certain death, just because she can.

I cry every time I watch it. Every. Single. Time.

The reason it makes me so emotional didn’t strike me until my fourth or fifth viewing. Wonder Woman,

this scene in particular, makes me emotional because for the first time, I got to see someone like me be a superhero. That’s all - the pure joy of representation.

Forty films, two decades, one movie. Why am I telling you this? Because when I watched Kamala Harris’ acceptance speech at the Democratic Convention, I bawled. Really. Tears streaming down my face as I watched a woman, a woman of color, a daughter of immigrants, accept the Democratic Party’s nomination for Vice President of the United States.

Forty-five presidencies, two hundred and fifty years, one woman.

She is the fourth woman and second person of color ever nominated to a major party ticket, and the very first woman of color. This says more about the pervasive racism and sexism in the U.S. than it does about Kamala Harris.

The Biden/Harris ticket was not my first, second, third or even fourth pick in the Democratic race; there were other candidates I liked more, who had policies I thought were better for the country.

I have my concerns about Biden’s age and centrism, and Harris’ past as a prosecutor— and centrism.

But still, I cried my eyes out when Harris said, “We will tell them [our children and grandchildren] not just how it felt. We will tell them what we did.” I cried for that same pure joy of representation, from the sheer emotion seeing a woman on that stage elicits in me. Whatever her politics, Harris’ nomination is a historic step in the right direction.

Harris is a more than competent politician who will, to the best of her ability, serve what she believes are the American people’s best interests.

There is no doubt in my mind she has the experience and drive to do the job of vice president as well as, if not better than, every white man before her.

When Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election in 2016, one of the many reasons political analysts cited for her loss was that the American people simply were not ready for a woman to be president. And I guess they still aren’t, because none of the six female candidates

Kamala Harris spoke at Liberty and Justice Dinner in 2019.

PHOTO BY MCCADE GOWDY | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

who ran for president in the primaries—including Harris—won.

But now we have a woman running for vice president for the third time in our country’s history, and I have to say, I really like her chances.

I can’t wait to see a woman of color hold the secondhighest office in the nation— plus, can you imagine how much fun it will be to watch her debate Mike Pence?

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing Review Erin Dunwald Contributing Writer erin.drunwald@drake.edu

This summer, I picked up An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green (you probably know him from Crash Course or SciShow on YouTube) and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end. If you’re into adventure, mystery, romance, humor and a healthy dose of social commentary, it is worth checking out.

April May, a personable woman in her mid-twenties, narrates. The plot follows her rise to international fame after she discovers the first of many identical robot sculptures appearing mysteriously in many major cities worldwide.

Remarkable Thing’s main characters are mostly in their mid-twenties, an age group that I haven’t seen represented in fiction nearly as often as middle-aged adults or teenagers. When this age group is represented, they are often portrayed as fully formed adults who know what they want out of life and how to get it. Green’s characters are much more

realistic. They all make their share of bad decisions, and they aren’t quite sure what their place in the world is. It was refreshing to read about characters I could relate to a bit more than the polished teen heroes featured in the bulk of this genre.

This story has elements that could classify it as science fiction. Still, many details of the story are accurate to our current world. Set in modern-day United States, these characters seem like people you could bump into walking around downtown.

This combination of a familiar setting and relatable characters makes this story seem closer and more urgent to a modern reader than some other alternate universe stories.

A novel about 20-somethings and a bunch of mysterious robot sculptures might seem unlikely to have any thoughtful message, but this book is full of surprises.

As I read the book, I found myself considering fame— especially internet fame—and how the general public has been conditioned to interact with celebrities. Remarkable Thing looks deeply into how the internet can bring

people together and allow them to form communities around a common passion.

It also explores the internet’s ability to pull together individuals who share a hatred of something, forming organized groups with real power to harm.

This book takes place in the first person, giving the reader a lot of direct insight into how April is affected by things like what people tweet about her, how strangers treat her in real life and how her sudden fame has affected her relationships.

Green is well versed in internet communities, social media and internet fame. He makes weekly videos with his brother on their shared YouTube channel. He helped create Crash Course and SciShow, both of which are under his media company Complexly. He even started a podcast with his wife in which they discuss what’s happening on Twitter from week to week. Green knows a lot about the internet, and it shows in this book.

The world has changed considerably since the only celebrities were movie stars and singers. Fame is becoming more common and more achievable to the average

THE TIMES-DELPHIC The student newspaper for Drake University since 1884 RACHEL JAMES, Editor-in-Chief rachel.james@drake.edu JEFF INMAN, Faculty Advisor jeffrey.inman@drake.edu

TARYN RIPPLE, Managing Editor taryn.ripple@drake.edu

EMMA BRUSTKERN, News Editor emma.brustkern@drake.edu

AUTUMN OSIA, Photo Editor autumn.osia@drake.edu

GRACE ALTENHOFEN, Features Editor grace.altenhofen@drake.edu

MAX BROWN, Digital Editor max.brown@drake.edu

KENDALL HUNT, Sports Editor kendall.hunt@drake.edu ZOE TREIBITZ, Commentary Editor zoe.treibitz@drake.edu

OLIVIA HECKER, Media Manager autumn.osia@drake.edu

Novel by Hank Green. PHOTO COURTESY OF AMAZON

person, and that makes it incredibly tempting to start a YouTube channel or try to gain a following on TikTok or Twitter. Still, very few people look past the shiny exterior of modern fame and truly examine the

consequences–something Green does beautifully in this novel. Even if you’re not looking to be dissuaded from becoming famous, the adventure and mystery alone are worth the read.

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