STAFF
Adviser
Darcy Delaney-Nelson
Editor-in-Chief
Praveena Jackson
Assistant Editor
Ylleana Berryhill
Assignment Editor
Shannon Little
Photography Editor
Pennina Jackson
News Editor
Xander Strickland
*Writes under a pseudonym.
Page Layout & Graphic
Design Editor
Michelle Johnson
Online Editor & Cartoon
Peter Monden
Reporters
Editor Amelia Beaty
Baliee Whorton
Cartoonists
Shannon Little
Peter Monden
Nicholas Onema
Mor Radcliff
Mikey*
“I’m no journalist, but working for the news has helped me be more connected with current events and my community.”
-Michelle Johnson
Top left to right / Xander Strickland / Peter Monden / Shannon Little.
Bottom left to right / Pennina Jackson / Michelle Johnson / Praveena Jackson / Ylleana Berryhill.
INTRO
Letters from the Editors P.2
CAMPUS NEWS
Cybersecurity Awareness
The repercussions of the Crowdstrike outage, and phishing scams / P.4
Professor Podcasts
Rose Professors host their own podcasts / P.6
Rose State Orchestra
A Trip Through Europe / P.8
Day One Luncheon
Remembering the OKC bombing / P.9
STUDENT SUBMISSIONS
Creamy Crab Onigiri
A creamy and crispy snack / P.13
LIFESTYLE MEDIA
The Call Ministry in Oklahoma / P.14
Transfer Tips P.9
Poetry, Photography, and Art Students showcase their work / P.15-19
The Beauty of Sunsets
The peace that comes with sundown / P.20
The Need for Humanities
Humanities in an automated world / P.22
10 Shows to Binge on Netflix
Looking for something new to watch? / P.24
A Webbing Journey: Demo Notes
Playtester notes on a new sandbox game/ P.28
Comics
Cartoons that feature student work / P.29 - 35
LETTERS FROM THE EDITORS
Editor-in-Chief / Praveena Jackson
Assistant Editor / Ylleana Berryhill
In my second year of college and now serving as Editorin-Chief of the 15th Street News, I’m discovering that this role is as much about self-discovery as it is about journalism. This semester has taught me that mistakes are unavoidable and helpful. Every article with a typo, every story idea that doesn’t quite land, every layout that needed last-minute tweaks, all of these moments are my best teachers. From the rush of deadlines to the laughs shared with my peers, the newsroom has become a second home. I think I spend more time in the newsroom than in the library, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. What I’ve come to value most is the process of learning from these mistakes. Working with a team that encourages each other to push forward even after setbacks, has shown me the power of resilience. Each issue we publish feels like a collective achievement because of the lessons we take from each version of it. Balancing school and work isn’t easy, but the connections I’ve made remind me why I love what I do. I used to be nervous about making mistakes, but this role has taught me that growth doesn’t come from playing it safe.
College brings forth an immense wave of change. It is a new environment with new people. This is not necessarily a bad thing. It just simply means you’re growing up. Even as I get homesick throughout different periods of my life, I remind myself that it is okay because of the small bits in between. As this is my first semester working for the 15th Street News, I have enjoyed various parts of it. Even the seemingly never-ending rush hour between the papers hitting the stands and finding ideas for the next issue. Most of all, I have enjoyed everyone in the newsroom. I’ve enjoyed the conversations I’ve had with my peers. The best part is the development of small inside jokes. From blue popcorn to calling IT, we have found a variety of things to laugh about. Through this, I have found that away from home, there are still fragments of it no matter where I go. I am bound to go further away from home. But even in the midst of stress from finals, assignments, things in my personal life and work, there is still time to laugh.
JOIN THE VIDEOGRAPHY CLUB
The Videography Club was established to give everybody an equal opportunity to make videos, bring people in to do interviews and give them a stage to create. For more details like meeting times, and club activities, scan the QR code.
The Need for Cybersecurity Awareness
By Xander Strickland / News Editor
The CrowdStrike incident earlier this summer still affects computer terminals in businesses across the country. Caused by a bad update which contained a logic flaw that caused the software to crash, the CrowdStrike incident damaged a critical piece of digital infrastructure used around around globe. Airports went offline, banks were no longer able to process payments, and even media outlets like the BBC fell under the blanket outage.
David Cooper, an Austin-based technician, recently arrived at the Hampton Inn in Moore to repair the hotel’s computers, recently critically affected by the CrowdStrike outage.
“Almost 9 million PCs have been affected globally,” according to David, including several properties near Rose State College. The faulty update that caused the massive CrowdStrike outage on July 19 not only affects the hospitality industry but also highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity awareness.
With technicians like Cooper traveling from out of state to repair systems at industry chains that extend into local areas, the continued effects of the outage serve as real-world examples for the challenges that cybersecurity- and tech-majors may come to face. While on-site at the location in Moore, Cooper explained that what should be a 15-minute fix can often turn into a three hour ordeal, which would involve “re-imaging” computers to bypass the bluescreen lockout.
In some cases, corporations like Hilton can issue digital Bitlocker keys for technicians to input into affected terminals, bypassing the unauthorized data access errors inflicted by the CrowdStrike outage. These keys can range in size from 32 to 48 characters, depending on whether the BitLocker application can automatically unlock encrypted drives using a shorter key.
Otherwise, Cooper said, companies face a 57GB re-imaging process that wipes the affected hard drives of all data and then reinstalls the basic functionality of said terminal, in all cases, permanently deleting any important business records up until the date of the outage.
The severe ongoing effects of the CrowdStrike outage highlights the importance for Rose State College to be aware of cybersecurity threats.
“Rose State College employs a small team of 19 tech support workers,” said IT Services administrative assistantat RSC, Ash James. “Because of this, most of campus security is outsourced to different
companies, who are essentially our first line of defense against cyber attacks and malware.”
“We haven’t been affected by the Crowdstrike outage. Think of Crowdstrike as a sort of antihack, like McAfee or Norton. Our systems use Windows technology, so in our case, Windows Defender,” said Ben Rogers, Seinor Director of Information Technology at RSC.
Rogers then went on to explain how Windows Defender rolls out updates, and why the Crowdstrike outage was so dangerous.
“Here, we have this date called Patch Tuesday; it’s the second Tuesday of every month. That’s when Windows Defender updates in our systems. Defender doesn’t immediately send out updates at the beginning of every month or as soon as they’re ready, we wait to download these updates to allow time for bug fixes.”
When asked for a statement on cybersecurity awareness in the context of CrowdStrike, Rogers said, “Crowdstrike probably learned something. They need to allow for more testing before sending out updates. For Rose students, your highest concern should be phishing scams.”
He explained that just recently Rose had fallen victim to a phishing scam that affected 1,000 email recipients and resulted in five students losing their credentials.
“How it works is, the hacker will send out emails with a link to a Google form. After you click on that form, it will take you to a website that looks very much like a Microsoft login page, a fake page, where people will put their login information and lose their credentials. Then, the hacker will use their login information to send the scam email to their contacts, and so on.”
Small mistakes in cybersecurity can lead to widespread issues like the recent phishing scam on campus. During this time, it is especially important for students to maintain vigilance while online, and to avoid sketchy emails. “These emails can look very official,” Rogers warned. “But all non-Rose emails are flagged with a warning label. It’s a simple flag we can turn on and off in our system. All emails from outside of Rose are flagged.”
Rogers recommends that any emails suspected of being phishing attempts be forwarded to the Rose State College IT department to help track down and prevent scams. Students can forward these emails to networkstaff@rose.edu.
Professors and Their Podcasts
By Ylleana Berryhill / Assistant Editor
Podcasts could be considered one of the most flexible forms of media. You could listen to it while on your commute or as background noise as you’re working. Did you know some professors on campus have podcasts? From true crime to political discourse, these three podcasts might be of interest to you.
1. Not My Generation. Hosted by Dr. Emily Stacey, Rose State College political science program coordinator and professor, and James Davenport, Associate Dean for Liberal Arts and Sciences and Director of the Center for Civic Engagement, Not My Generation aims at discussing politics from a generational perspective.
“We dissect state, local, national and international politics from our generational perspective and outlooks,” Stacey said.
They’ve invited a variety of journalists, authors, individuals from Oklahoma’s senate, and other elected officials. The two have even invited students.
Although political discourse is often associated with a heated argument, these two hardly ever let things get intense.
“What’s really interesting though is how often we find our way to agreement on things,” Davenport said. “We may start from different places, but as we work out through the conversation, we find that there’s probably more agreement than disagreement on a variety of issues,” he added.
Despite having invited a wide range of individuals, the two still have their dream guests. Stacey’s dream guest is Theda Skocpol. Davenport’s dream guest would be Nobel Prize winner James Robinson.
2. Campus Crime Chronicles.
Hosted By Dr. Nicole Turner, Director of Student Accountability and Deputy Title 9 Coordinator, discusses criminal activity that happens on or around college campuses. Her “Serious Crime Scale” is used to show variety in the cases she covers. 1 is not serious and 5 is very serious.
The inspiration for her podcast started when she was working on her Ph.D. She came up with the idea as it combined both of her degrees, one in journalism and another in higher education.
As true crime is an expansive field to study, it’s hard to pick a case that stands out the most. However, there are still some cases that come to mind such as Bryan Chafer, Samantha Josephson and Jelani Day.
Surrounding the topic of true crime, there are a variety of cases that were subjected to injustice. Recently, there have been a few occurrences of victims getting the justice they deserve.
“There’s a true crime community out there that really is trying to make a difference and trying to hold the justice system accountable,” Turner said. “They’re looking at these cases not just for entertainment but to see what went wrong and how the justice system played out,” she added. Change doesn’t happen overnight. However, the change that is happening is inspiring enough for those still seeking justice.
Despite not having many guests, her dream quest would be Ellen Marsh from the I Think Not Podcast. Turner’s goal is to one day attend Crime Con, a convention that educates and enlightens true crime stories and events. Moreover, she would like to participate in podcasts row, an area dedicated to those who have a true crime podcast.
3.
Curiosity Porn. Hosted by Dr. Guy Crain, Professor of Philosophy, and Davenport, Curiosity Porn explores a plethora of ideas the two find interesting.
“I wanted something that could explore ideas in a less polarizing or less political environment,” Davenport said.
These two invite a variety of guests including historians, economists, philosophers and writers. They also discuss a wide range of topics from capitalism to conspiracy theories. Not only do they interview other people about their topics of interest, they also interview each other. Crain discussed an article he wrote about the Satanic Panic in the 1980s. In fact, he would consider this one of his favorite episodes. Davenport also discussed an article he wrote about political polarization.
A fun segment of the podcast they include is a question they ask their guest. If they could do one of two things after leaving the podcast, would they rather watch an episode of Seinfeld or 30 Rock?
Among the guests they invite, they still have a few people in mind for their dream guests. Davenport’s dream guest is Nobel Prize winner Claudia Goldin.
One of Crain’s dream guests would be Ella Fitzgerald. “It would just be fascinating to ask them about what that was like ... being an artist of color navigating a space in the ‘40s and ‘50s when probably tons of white people have your records, but they won’t let you sit down with them at the lunch counter,” he said.
As these two discuss an assortment of unique topics, it keeps the listener curious to what they’ll discuss next.
Next time you’re in search of something new to listen to, be sure to check out these podcasts! You can listen to their podcasts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and various other platforms.
Rose State Orchestra Takes Listeners on a Journey
By Ylleana Berryhill / Assistant Editor
On Oct. 24, Rose State’s orchestra performed a concert centering the theme: A Trip Through Europe. Listeners would be traveling through Italy, as well as America during its spring performances.
The orchestra started in January 2023. Since then, they have performed approximately five concerts. Although the orchestra is not the largest, now only consisting of about 26 members, they perform beautifully. During the concert, Dr. David Marvel, Professor of music, brought forth Guest Conductor Mr. Cullen Smith to conduct a few pieces.
The orchestra opened with “Themes from Capriccio Italien” by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This piece was introduced by a trumpet solo, thus producing Italian themes. Comparably, this resembles the performance of that of a military morning call. Following the trumpet, is a mesmerizing sway of a lively community. This marks the beginning of the lister’s journey.
Then, they performed “Finlandia” by Jean Sibelius. In the beginning, the piece sounded dark and ominous. A subtle force, creeping behind someone. There is a moment of sympathy. Then, inspiration strikes. It is small but present. Inspiration then quickly builds into triumph. However, this triumph is not easy as there are some challenges along the way.
“Appalachian Hymn” by Soon Hee Newbold was next. This piece is sweet and nostalgic for a foreign land. The playfulness of the livestock. The energy of the wind and water. The seemingly mundane routine that is turning in for the night. A short story is told here by the men and women who remember it. The abrupt ending leaves the audience wanting more.
After that, they performed “Funeral March
of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod. As described by Marvel, the sudden drop in the piece represents the beheading of the marionette. The piece is eerie and suspenseful. The marching however, playfully tantalizes the marionette. For a moment, the death of the marionette is celebrated.
Finally, they perform “Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46” by Edvard Grieg. This piece consisted of four parts: “Morning Mood,” “Ase’s Death,” “Anitra’s Dance” and “In The Hall of the Mountain King.”
“Morning Mood” is a commonly heard piece. The word “morning” perfectly describes it. The rise of the sun is embodied by this piece. “Ase’s Death” is strong and sorrowful. The intensity of this piece grows increasingly powerful. It’s almost moving. The ending however, slowly withers away until nothing remains. “Anitra’s Dance” is another commonly heard piece. The movement of this piece is almost cunning, similar to a cat’s eye. With intervals of innocence and secrecy, a mysterious element surrounds the piece. The movement also implies an unfolding of events. “In The Hall of the Mountain King,” another commonly heard piece, walks the listener through an interesting journey. The pace of this song quickens each second, descending into madness. Not to be confused with the orchestra itself as they performed each piece excellently.
Toward the end, Marvel expressed immense gratitude for being able to lead an aspiring group of performers. Despite the orchestra only being formed earlier last year, the diverse groups of individuals are as talented as ever.
Tips for Transferring from a Two-Year College to a Four-Year University
By Praveena Jackson / Editor-in-Chief
Making the move from a two-year college to a four-year university is an exciting milestone that presents both new obstacles and possibilities. Here are a few important tips for transfer students that will help you make a smooth transition and make the most of your upcoming academic chapter.
You may thrive in your new environment if you prepare ahead of time and have an open mind. Remember that this phase is moving you closer to achieving your goals, so embrace the obstacles and get involved. For more information on transferring to a four-year college, you can;
• Visit
Admissions Office at Rose State College
• Contact (405) 733-7308
• Email admissions@rose.edu.
1. Check Your Credits and Plan Your Courses
Make sure your credits transfer before you even start packing. Consult with advisers from both schools to find out which courses will be used to meet general education or major requirements. By taking this action, you can avoid wasting time, money or having to take pointless courses later on.
Based on rose.edu, while transferring, keep in mind that although credits from universities approved by the Higher Learning Commission are accepted, those from other institutions are evaluated and could not all contribute toward your degree. Courses with alternative grading methods or non-semester systems will be modified appropriately. Official transcripts from every institution you have attended in the past should be sent to Admissions for a smooth procedure. These transcripts will be included in your permanent record. Unless they are requested for an evaluation of undergraduate credit, graduate transcripts are not frequently evaluated.
2. Apply for Transfer Scholarships Early
Take advantage of the financial aid packages that several colleges provide, especially for transfer students. Make sure your new school has financial aid choices for transferring students and apply as soon as possible for any applicable scholarships. To guarantee you get the most financial aid as possible, you should also update your information and renew your FAFSA.
3. Explore the Campus and Resources
A new campus implies new resources to explore, even if you’re familiar with the college-level setting. Attend any transfer orientation events, take a campus tour and find key locations such as the career services office, student centers and library. Your academic and social lives will be significantly easier if you feel at home on campus right away.
4. Connect with Faculty and Advisers
The secret to succeeding at a four-year institution is fostering connections with your academic advisers and professors. During office hours, introduce yourself, ask for guidance on your major or courses and talk about any potential job opportunities. You can get valuable assistance, guidance and networking possibilities in your profession from the relationships formed.
5. Engage in Campus Life
Getting active is one of the best methods to quickly adjust. Engaging in campus activities, such as clubs, student organizations or recreational sports, can encourage friendships and a sense of belonging. It may also be easier to discover individuals who are adapting to similar changes because many colleges host activities or clubs just for transfer students.
Day One Luncheon
By Praveena Jackson / Editor-in-Chief
The April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City left a profound impact on the city and the nation, claiming 168 lives and forever altering countless others. In response, former Mayor of Oklahoma City, Mayor Ron Norick formed a Memorial Task Force in 1995 consisting of 350 members to design a space that would commemorate survivors, pay tribute to victims and acknowledge the community’s resilience. A memorial space for healing and commemoration was the goal of this task force, which consisted of survivors, family members and professionals in the fields of mental health, law and the arts.
On Nov. 1, the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum hosted its annual Day One Luncheon and Day of Giving, marking the beginning of 168 Days of Remembrance leading up to the 30th anniversary of the bombing on April 19, 2025. Every day acts as a reminder of the 168 people who died, the survivors who kept going and the community members who had their lives forever changed by the terrible event.
The community came together for this event to support and honor all of the lives lost. The Day of Giving was more than just a fundraising event; it was a day of unity, remembrance and reaffirming the statement “We will always remember.” It was an opportunity to pay tribute to the past, uplift the present and make contributions to a resilient and meaningful future.
Speakers of the event • SPOTLIGHT STORIES BY
Donna Weaver McGinty • Widow of Mike Weaver, HUD
Arlene Blanchard • U.S. Army, Survivor Chief
Gary Marrs • (Retired) Incident Commander Oklahoma City Fire Department
Robin Marsh • KWTV Journalist Bob Johnson - Founding Chair, OKC National Memorial
Sam Presti • EVP & GM, OKC Thunder
Mayor David Holt
Creamy Crab Onigiri
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Sushi Rice
- Rice Vinegar
- Imitation Crab
- Cream Cheese
- Cucumber
- Sesame Seeds
- Nori (dried seaweed)
1. Prepare the rice
By Michelle Johnson / Page Layout & Graphic Design Editor
First, add rice and 2 cups of water to a pan. Bring to a boil, and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes. You can also wash the rice before cooking to remove excess starch. The rice will be ready once all the water is gone. Once done, add rice vinegar.
2. Make the filling
Take 5 sticks of imitation crab and break them up. Chop up a cucumber and add that too. Then add about 2-3 spoonfuls of cream cheese. Mix everything together and the filling is ready.
3. Making the Onigiri
With your hands you want to take some cling wrap and spread out a good layer of rice. In the middle you want to put your filling. You’ll take the cling wrap and fold the rice over the filling. With your hands you want to shape it into a triangle. When it is the right shape it is ready to be fried.
There are a few ways you can make onigiri. The two main ways are to use a mold or your hands.
With a mold, you will cover the bottom and sides with rice. Press the rice down so it holds shape better. Put your filling in the center and cover it with more rice. Pack it down once again then it is ready to be fried.
4. Frying the Ongiri
Add some sesame seeds to the onigiri. Then on a hot pan with some oil or butter. Fry the onigiri until golden or brown. Then add the nori sheets to the bottom.
Now, you can serve the onigiri with your choice of dipping sauce, or store it in the fridge for later.
TheCalltoministryinOklahoma
By Baliee Whorton / Reporter
Students who sensed a call to ministry had the opportunity to explore God’s calling in their lives and acquire practical tools to navigate through the call process last summer.
The Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Rose State College attended the Call Conference hosted by Oklahoma Baptist University on Aug. 24, 2024. The Call Conference aimed to equip those who are seeking God’s direction and empower individuals in their walk in leading others to the Lord to advance his kingdom.
The overall message from the Call Conference was that if one is answering a call to ministry, they must love Jesus first. This message resonated powerfully with many students navigating their own spiritual journeys and exploring future ministry positions.
Mallorie Wise-Talamasey, a freshman at Rose State College, stated how the Call Conference shifted her perspective to focus solely on the Lord.
“This deepened my understanding of my love for Him and, more importantly, His profound love for me,” she expressed.
Responding to the message from the Call Conference means living a life dedicated to the Lord, loving with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself. Ministry life includes living by what the bible says and giving up secular culture. This is done so that believers can find peace within themselves. Which can allow christians to approach others with grace and compassion.
Additionally, the director of BCM at Rose State College, Terry Thomas, who reflected on his own call to ministry, provided valuable insights at the conference.
“I sensed a call to ministry in the early 1980s, shortly after graduating from high school,” he recalled.
“Although God didn’t send me directly into a vocational ministry role at that time, but led me into the Army where I ministered to fellow service members though I wasn’t a chaplain, as well as taught classes and preached in the churches we were members of during those years.”
Thomas expressed his hopes for students,
emphasizing a personal connection with Christ.
“I hope to see students come to know, accept and understand the love of Jesus in a personal way and to walk with Him in daily relationships and fellowship.”
“If more individuals experienced the joy of knowing and walking with Christ and living that out in their lives, I will have accomplished my mission,” Thomas said.
Excitedness and a profound sense of responsibility accompany the recognition of a call to ministry. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding,” is written in Proverbs 3:5. Relying on God’s wisdom rather than one’s own insight is encouraged by this verse. Believers express this verse serves as a guiding light for them.
For students pursuing a path to ministry there is difficulty found in balancing academic obligations and the belief in a higher calling. This opportunity however can give one a great sense of fulfillment. There is more to the call to ministry than just preparing for a future position. It’s about living out one’s faith in college life. Every class and interaction becomes an opportunity to strengthen one’s faith and demonstrate Christ’s love. Knowing that God will direct their steps in both academic pursuits and spiritual development gives christians the confidence to navigate these dual paths.
The Call Conference, which emphasized the significance of a sincere commitment to Jesus as the foundation for a life of service, continues to be an essential event for individuals who are considering ministry. For those who may be interested in getting involved in future events like this, the BCM meets for lunch every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Union Student Lounge, Room 103.
RAIDER SUBMISSIONS
Works by Ciena Jennings / Fine Arts major
Morose emotions fightasifthey’re serendipitousin mybrain,almost as if that’s what I was bound to feel from birth. But I am at peace, or am I?
Salmon Skies and the Ethereal Scent of Flowers.
Long Day of Being a Green Bottle.
Art by Jaidynn Langston / Biology major
Tyler, the Creator: CMIYGL
Pillars of Creation
Album by Freshman, Matin Mazroee / Architectural Engineering major and Photographer
The Beauty of Sunsets
By Pennina Jackson / Photography Editor
As the day turns to night, sunsets captivate us with their amazing beauty. A serene, peaceful ambiance is produced as the warm, golden light gradually transforms into many colors. Followed by the striking shades of red, orange, pink and a hint of purple. Now, sunlight scattered across the Earth’s atmosphere where lower sun angles intensify the colors. Thus, it produces this breathtaking scenery. Sunsets make us realize how beautiful nature is and it’s also proof that no matter what happens, everyday can end beautifully.
Sunsets are something many people look forward to on a daily basis; And looking forward to seeing the breathtaking scenery everyday and getting reminded by the creativity of nature is something everyone needs. Sunsets are universally appealing and serve as a common moment of amazement that unites people from walks of life, whether they are seen on a beautiful beach, in the middle of a busy city or in a hilly countryside.
THE VALUE OF THE HUMANITIES IN AN AUTOMATED WORLD
By DeAndrea Samuel / Reporter
Students and academics alike question their value in this increasingly technological society. Many accredited colleges and universities are cutting down costs by eliminating Humanities programs as enrollment for Humanities continues to decline nationwide. Computers and AI bots have access to hundreds of years worth of great works to replicate and regurgitate into new creations, and they become more human-like, accurate and publicly accessible every single day. All of this begs the question, “Where do Humanities fit into this STEM-prominent society, and why do students continue to pursue them?”
The truth is, the Humanities are just as important now as they have ever been, if not more so. The Humanities exist to remind us of who we were, keep us grounded in who we are and predict what we may become. The Humanities are a major part of developing our culture.
Art, music, language, religion, philosophy, cultural studies and history are the major topics that fall into the category of Humanities, but more broadly, the term “Humanities’’ is an umbrella term for a wide variety of disciplines that pertain to understanding the actions and behaviors of humankind in the past, present and future.
Contrary to popular belief, the Humanities are an important asset to STEM fields. One example is the prominence the Humanities had in creating Apple technologies. Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, was a huge proponent of the unification of the Humanities and STEM. In his own words, he stated, “It’s in Apple’s DNA that technology married with liberal arts married with the Humanities yields the result that makes our heart sing.” Jobs himself, though he has gone down in history as a tech giant, had an appreciation for liberal arts. In fact, Jobs attributes a large portion of his success to randomly pursuing classes he enjoyed, especially one unexpectedly life-changing calligraphy course that helped in the simplistic designs Apple products used for their typography and logo.
He regularly made his appreciation known for the Humanities and went on to say, “Part of what made the Macintosh great was that the people working on it were musicians, poets and artists and zoologists and historians who also happened to be the best computer scientists in the world.”
Another example of the Humanities used in STEM can be found at the Yale School of Medicine. According to the article, “How looking at paintings became a required course in medical school” published in the Yale Medicine Magazine, first-year medical students are required to take a course in which they observe 18th and 19th century paintings. The students are given a brief 15 minutes to draw observations from the paintings alongside their colleagues.
As stated by Irwin M. Braverman M.D., “It occurred to me that if I were to ask them to describe some object that they were totally unfamiliar with‒like a painting‒they wouldn’t know what was important or unimportant. They would describe everything in that object.”
Through this course, students learn observational and analytical skills that allow them to make more in-depth, accurate prognosis. As stated in the aforementioned article, “According to a study published in JAMA: the Journal of the American Medical Association, In 2001, the workshop improved students’ abilities to pick up on important details by almost 10 percent.”
As stated by Sam Madewell, a recent history major graduate from Rose State, “Humanities help refine ethics and thinking skills which can be looked over if you only look at things purely logically or through functions.”
As technology continues to advance, people crave human traits more and more. When technology lacks a human touch, people feel unsettled by it. One theory that supports this is the “uncanny valley” theory, a term coined by notable Japanese roboticist Masahiro
Mori in 1978. Researcher Ayesh Perera, explained the phenomenon, as “As the object’s appearance gradually becomes indistinguishable from reality, the observers may feel a sense of creepiness, unease, or even disgust.”
Although there are a multitude of ways the Humanities can be used to enhance STEM endeavors, apart from STEM, Humanities have many roles in society, including social justice and artistic movements, public knowledge, understanding and uncovering history, entertainment and communicating both nationally and globally.
It has been clarified that Humanities still have their place in society, but for students, there is still the question of, “Why do they pursue Humanities when STEM fields are more lucrative and respected?”
There are many reasons why a student may choose to pursue a degree in the Humanities, one being passion. As Jobs emphasized in his own life and education, following one’s passion may lead one to a greatly fulfilling career. For some people, following their ambitions is a non-negotiable when choosing their career path and for some it may happen to fall under a Humanities program.
Talon Boyce, a music major student at Rose State and Division Merit Appointee over the Humanities, stated she chose her degree out of admiration for her grandmother and her love for music.
“I’ve been singing since I was 5 years old and it was always something I’ve always loved to do,” she said. “My grandmother was also a school educator, and being in church with her inspired me to do music. It also helped me to want to become a teacher too.”
Students may also consider pursuing a Humanities degree because they prefer the career paths that the Humanities offers. Despite popular sentiment, degrees in the Humanities don’t equate to jobs as baristas and unhappy service workers.
While it is true that Humanities majors may not make as much money as their STEM counterparts in the early stages of their careers, according to several sources, including the Chronicle of Higher Education’s article, “Over Time, Humanities Grads Close the Pay Gap With Professional Peers,” by Scott Carlson, Humanities majors are not as far behind as they may seem.
Also, there are many professions that pay well, such as managerial positions, or that may set a graduate on the path toward a competitive salary, such as law school.
Humanities degrees often require more steps toward a career because of their broad nature, but that certainly does not mean that they are any less personally satisfying or financially rewarding. Some may find that aspect of the Humanities more exciting anyhow than a straight path to a career. Majoring in a Humanities program may lead to more variation or easier professional transitions.
Some may seek a degree in the Humanities purely for the pursuit of knowledge.
As Madewell said in reference to Plato, “The beginning of wisdom is saying I don’t know.”
Regardless of the reasoning, many students still find pursuing a degree in the Humanities fulfilling and necessary for their own personal growth.
The Humanities will always have a place in society. For them to no longer exist, humanity would have to create a society absolutely deprived of individualism. There would have to be absolute unity in all ways, from language to eye color, down to how clothes are worn. Life would have to be void of all color and hue, the air would have to be so thin that a voice would not be able to speak or sing a song. As long as these things exist, someone will sing a song, paint a picture or write a new story. The Humanities exist because we are imperfect people. We are unfinished people who love to create and build. As long as there are Humanities, some people will dedicate their lives to studying them, while others will pursue other passions. So no, the Humanities are not useless. They are not going away either, nor should we want them to. They make the world a more humane, colorful and exciting place.
“Humanities majors are important because they are the backbone of society,” Boyce said.
They have their place just as other studies do, so we should make a point to stop ridiculing and dissuading people from pursuing them, and allow students to study subjects that make them fulfilled, whether it be computer science or fine arts.
10 Bingeworthy Shows on Netflix
By Praveena Jackson / Editor-in-Chief
Each show combines unique themes with captivating storytelling, making them all irresistible for binge-watchers.
Manifest • Focusing on the mystery of “Flight 828” which vanished and then resurfaced five years later, Manifest grips audiences with its emotional impact and supernatural aspects. Each episode explores how the passengers’ lives have changed while diving deeper into the mystery, making it an intriguing series that leaves you wanting more.
One Day • With its engaging characters, this emotional series explores the complexity of love, relationships and self-identity. Each episode of the series One Day feels incredibly real and captivating as it explores the highs and lows of individual growth with a blend of romance and drama.
Virgin River • Viewers are immersed in a world full of romance, heartache and mystery in Virgin River, which is set in a picturesque small town. Audiences remain engaged by the characters’ chemistry and the unfolding conflict. The relaxing atmosphere makes for an ideal binge-watching experience.
Squid Game • Known for its social commentary and high-stakes games, the series Squid Game captivates audiences with its survival game format. This series explores subjects related to human desperation and inequalities. It’s a difficult show to avoid because of its high level of tension and unpredictable twists.
Nobody Wants This • This series offers a unique, comedic perspective on life’s challenges that is both amusing and intriguing. The series Nobody Wants This strikes a wonderfully unique balance between serious topics and quirky humor, blending humor and genuine emotions to keep viewers interested in the journeys of each character.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder • This show, which is based on a best-selling book, portrays a teenage detective as she pieces together clues in a compelling murder case. Each episode is a thrilling puzzle that keeps viewers wondering right up to the very end. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is brilliantly crafted with suspense and clever plot twists.
Night Agent • Night Agent is an exhilarating journey of the world of spies and schemes, full of fast-paced action, intelligence operations and political drama. Anyone who enjoys fast-paced drama and suspense will find this series to be binge-worthy as each episode intensifies the tension as secrets are revealed.
Outer Banks • Set along the breathtaking coastline, Outer Banks is an adventure drama that incorporates friendship, romance and treasure hunting. The combination of mystery and escapism in this show, which features a group of friends and high-stakes drama, keeps viewers captivated and makes it perfect for binge-watching.
Gilmore Girls • Gilmore Girls takes viewers into the fascinating lives of Lorelai and Rory Gilmore. This show is well-known for its humorous banter and loving connections to the family. Centered around these characters’ narratives, small-town charm and emotional scenes merge to create a feel-good atmosphere that is incredibly reassuring to revisit.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine • This police sitcom has a lot of humor, charming characters and an affectionate but playful relationship among its squad members. Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s witty humor and upbeat atmosphere make it incredibly rewatchable, with every episode offering memorable moments and laughter.
The Unique World that is Disney’s TRON
By Michelle Johnson / Page Layout & Graphic Design Editor
Youmightbefamiliarwiththevideogames,orTronLegacy.TheuniverseofTronisasci-fi actionadventurefilmsetinsideacomputer.Itbringstolifetheinnerworkingsandgoing onsofcomputerprocesses.
TRON, 1982
One of the most unique films of its time. They took the concept of “what would it look like to be inside a computer?” and went with it. Most people in the early ‘80s were not familiar with how computers worked. This film did a great job of indirectly communicating to the audience the internal processes of a computer. An example would be the main villain, as he is an AI. These concepts still hold up today in science fiction stories.
Tron was one of the first films to utilize CGI. The creation of this film was a feat. Technology was very limited at the time, and this film helped progress that technology. Each frame had to be created manually because there was no technology to animate the rendered objects yet. They would take pictures of the computer screen for each render to create the film. The actual amount of time for the CGI scenes was under 20 minutes. It took over a year for them to make that. That’s just talking a little about the CGI. There were many other things they had to do to marry live action with CGI. It even lost qualification for an Academy Award nomination for special effects because the use of CGI felt like cheating at the time. I personally believe the painstaking process paid off and gave us a beautiful film that would help advance technology.
There was one area where this movie really lacked. Its plot was not the best. It was hard to follow and not very well written. The story tells us that arcade owner and computer developer Kevin Flynn is trying to hack into Encom. He is trying to find the data that will give him rights back to the games he made. The setup is good in the beginning but the holes really start to show as the movie plays on. Overall, the movie had slow pacing, weak characterization and lacked structure. One thing stood out to me with the main love interest of both the protagonists. Flynn kisses the virtual version of his ex even though she is already dating Tron. This film had a hard time balancing both of the protagonists.
Tron cabinet. (Photo from user, Darth Wiki Man on Wikimedia)
TRON: Legacy, 2010
The successor of the first movie would have a much more well rounded story to tell. It follows a similar plot line as the first except it’s much more organized. The main character ends up in The Grid again and there is a program that wants to take over the world. They add enough new characters and content to make up for it. This time it is told from the perspective of Flynn’s son who believes he lost his dad. Tron comes back as an antagonist this time. It explores the relationship of father and son, and Flynn’s relationship to his virtual creation. Despite the improvement, Tron is still not really known for having the best storytelling. One of the best movie scores hands down. The music for the movie was written by Daft Punk and features an orchestra blended with electronica. Disney was initially against the idea of having a French electronic music duo make a film score. It was not very popular at the time to try different genres outside of a classic orchestral score for Disney. If it was not for director Joseph Kosinski insisting on having daft punk we would not have this unique soundtrack. When Daft Punk was approached they were interested in doing a blend of orchestra and electronic music as were the filmmakers, so it worked out well. To me, it is one of the most memorable soundtracks as my dad introduced me to Tron through it.
The visuals for this film went through a big upgrade. The visual style in this film has almost completely changed. It went from retro futurism to modern futurism. While I adore retro futurism this was the perfect direction to take Tron into a new age. The CGI in this film was also good. The only thing that seems rough looking at it now is the CGI used to de-age Flynn’s face for CLU. The redesigns for this modern version are stunning though. The light cycles are much different from the simple poly shapes they used to be. The recognizers feel like huge and powerful machines. It’s so different and completely immerses you in the world of Tron.
TRON: Ares, ?
This is set to be the third film installment of the Tron series. There is not much information about this movie out right now, not even a trailer. The information we do have is that the story will follow a program that is sent to the human world. The score this time will be written by Nine Inch Nails, as Daft Punk split in 2021. It will be interesting to see how they continue this series visually, musically and story wise.
A first look at “TRON: Ares.” (Photo from Walt Disney Studios)
By Xander Strickland / News Editor
AWEBBING JOURNEY: DEMO N OTES
Fire Totem Games, an Austrian indie dev company, has been hard at work rolling out playtest patches for their latest sandbox game, A Webbing Journey. Here are my playtester’s notes:
The game relies heavily on procedural animation, with every step the player takes being automatically generated using an algorithm that checks the surroundings for colliders. Procedural animation is something we’re beginning to see more often in the gaming industry, especially from indie studios. This feature lends itself well to A Webbing Journey in particular due to the nature of the player’s ingame character; as a spider, the player can climb up virtually every surface in the game, including on ceilings and along their own webs. Having the player’s eight arachnoid limbs physically contort to grasp at surface irregularities or strands of webbing seems almost less an innovative feature and more a mechanical necessity–but all too often, modern games from AAA studios will neglect to take this extra step, resulting in glitches where humanoid
players can stand on a collider too small for their idle animation to fit (like a narrow fence in an Elden Ring map) and seemingly float without their feet in contact with the object they are standing on.
Virtually every object in the game’s sole level (named The Kitchen) is interactive, each with unique apparent physical attributes like gravity, mass, and brittleness or flammability. Cabinet doors can be pulled open with the player’s tensile Permanent Webs; various cutlery and food items can be lifted and dragged by the player using Temporary Webs, with some even shattering if dropped to the floor.
The game’s development team has embraced all emergent bugs found by playtesters; rather than “fixing” certain aberrations of the game’s physics, they’ve kept these novel mechanics as features. Some examples include; flying webs, where a gobbet of gravity-defying web material can be created from the center of a spiderweb by deleting all anchors; enlarging the player by cracking eggs and immediately jumping on the new, smaller egg that spawns, (the new egg spawned will increase to the size of the original egg, meaning the player on the egg will also expand); shrinking the player by dragging a stick of butter over to the stovetop and melting it using the burner, using the same principles as the egg scenario.
The game, disguised as a peaceful spider simulator set to sweet elevator music in a cartoonish, welcoming environment, seems to encourage mayhem, even rewarding it. Several objects across The Kitchen can be damaged or destroyed, including every plate and bowl, even eggs and abundant glassware can be tossed to the ground and shattered. After these items are destroyed, their fragmented remains don’t despawn in the same way they would in other games; a player can permanently fill half The Kitchen with glass fragments and eggshells from the cabinet’s contents. The other in-game characters–like Sparky, another spider–even present the player with tasks like plugging The Kitchen sink to flood the entire room.
Two Men Fall Apart
Happy Holidays -Staff
Book by ELIZABETH KANN & VICTORIA KANN
Music by JOHN GREGOR
Lyrics by JOHN GREGOR, ELIZABETH KANN & VICTORIA KANN
Based on the book Pinkalicious written by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann
Based on the popular book by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann, this is the tale of Pinkalicious, who can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe–a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. Alas Pinkalicious needs a way out of her pink predicament, and joined by her family they find unity and appreciation in the quirks that define us all. A staple of our TYA collection, this best-selling show continues to pack houses with pink-tutu’d fans of the irrepressible title character.
MARCH 7, 2025 @ 10:00AM
MARCH 8, 2025 @ 11:00 AM & 3:00PM
MARCH 9, 2025 @ 2:00PM
H.B. Atkinson Theatre | 405.733.7430 | rosestatetheatre.org
