Features
NOVEMBER 14, 2013
PagE 5 | VsusPEctatOR.cOM
ABC ‘fosters’ VSU alumnus Cole Edwards s ta f f w r i t e r
csedwards@valdosta.edu
Photo by: Valdosta State University Former VSU student, Myles Grier, now co-stars in ABC’s “The Forsters.”
Myles Grier used to watch tV, and now he is on it. Myles Grier, a 2011 VsU graduate, got his big break with a recurring role on aBC family’s “the fosters.” after a standard audition, producers booked Grier for one episode, which eventually led to his recurring character named Garner. “the fosters” is a new show that is executive-produced by Jennifer Lopez. the show shines a spotlight on the LGBt community as it follows a lesbian couple raising children together. Grier credits VsU’s professors for helping him understand his craft and strengthening his weaknesses as an actor. at VsU, Grier was an orientation leader and a member of alpha Phi alpha fraternity. Grier was labeled as one of the VsU Graduating Visionaries in the class of spring 2011. after graduation, Grier knew he needed to be in Los angeles in order to pursue the career he always dreamed of, so he spent $90 on a standby flight and stayed with
some fellow VsU alumni for a month until he could get on his feet. “when i moved to L.a., it helped because i knew about six friends from VsU’s theatre and mass media departments who had already moved to Los angeles, and they were my support group,” Grier said. although it was not easygoing at first in a big, new city, he credits his strong faith, hard work ethic and good friends for allowing him to start moving in the direction he wanted. Grier made the move across the country with no car and had to ride the Los angeles public transit system for eight months before he could save up enough money to buy a car. “there was one really terrible night where i got out of an improv class so late that the buses had already quit running and my roommate was already asleep, so i had to walk eight miles home,” Grier said. while Grier has had a bumpy road reaching his goal, he stresses early preparation for any dream a student may have. “it’s important to start now, preparing yourself for the tools and
VSU banks on economics minor Brian Hickey s ta f f w r i t e r
bdhickey@valdosta.edu
while the economy may be a major problem in america, it is a minor achievement at VsU. Made available as of fall 2013, business as well as non-business majors may choose a minor in economics. to receive the minor, students must take 15 credit hours of economics courses. the required courses include Principles of Microeco-
nomics and Macroeconomics (listed as eCON 2105 and 2106) as well as nine credit hours of upper-level eCON courses. students who want to sign up for the minor should go to the student advising Center on the third floor of thaxton Hall (on north campus) to fill out the economics minor checklist. “economics is about so much more than calculating GDPs and unemployment rates,” Dr. atilla Cseh, department head and associate professor of economics, said. “economics is more of a way
of thinking about issues and problems around us.” the implementation of the new minor has come at a critical time for VsU students, and aside from being beneficial information anyone should know, it can also complement a variety of majors. “students majoring in political science, sociology, psychology or math may especially benefit from this minor,” Cseh said. “i believe an economics minor complements their skills well. However, economics is also an excellent precursor to many graduate degrees such as fi-
nance, management (and) economics, obviously, (as well as an) MBa, law school, urban affairs, public administration or international relations.” students agree that the minor could benefit an array of focuses. “it could be beneficial to other majors simply because economics is a very important subject, and it’s definitely relevant to your everyday living,” ashlyn seymour, senior finance major, said.
Hypnosis meets humor Cole Edwards s ta f f w r i t e r
csedwards@valdosta.edu
students became the great and impossible last Monday – or so they thought. the Campus activities Board hosted the Comedy Hypnotist show on Monday evening in the University Center theater. the show was led by hypnotist erick Kand who has been in practice for 12 years. Kand has hypnotized over 15,000 people over the course of 1,000 shows. Volunteers were asked to do a variety of activities ranging from pretending to drive sports cars to taking on
Cole Edwards/THE SPECTATOR Erick Kand speaks in front of his entranced audience on Monday.
the characteristics of an exotic animal. Kand described the sensation of being hypnotized as feeling “half awake, half asleep – like your average
saturday morning.” Kand encouraged those who are interested in learning more to visit his website at hypnosisevents.com.
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skills you will need for your field and be prepared for every opportunity that comes your way,” Grier said.
“ It’s important to start now, preparing yourself for the tools and skills you will need for your field and be prepared for every opportunity that comes your way. ” - Myles Grier
Grier is currently in pre-production for a new web series called “Black Boots: a Greek story.” Grier was born and raised in the atlanta area and was drawn to VsU by the beautiful campus, low tuition and the bachelor’s theatre degree with one of Georgia’s best theatre programs. Grier encourages anyone interested in keeping up with him to stay in touch through facebook, twitter and instagram at @MylesGrier.
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