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GCSU Homecoming Week 2025
“Thunder’s Safari Adventure”
Madi Hummel Staff Writer
GCSU hosted its annual fun-filled Homecoming Week from Feb. 17 to Feb. 21. Campus organizations hosted a variety of unique and engaging events for students to show their school spirit.
Many different departments were involved in the Homecoming planning and worked hard to organize the events. Each department used its own diverse set of skills to help plan, set up, run and promote Homecoming Week.
Student Engagement Program Coordinator, Sara Goodelman, played a big role in the planning that went into creating the festivities, with the preparations beginning
in the months that lead up to Homecoming Week.
The Homecoming 2025 theme was Thunder’s Safari Adventure and included many events and decorations related to the wild, animals and Thunder keeping up school spirit.
“When the theme was presented to the office of student engagement I was over the moon excited,” Goodelman said. “Immediately the ideas came flowing.”
Every year, the new Homecoming theme gives creative freedom to the planners.
“This year, my favorite part about Homecoming will be having the events that go along with the theme,” Goodelman said.
“Another favorite about planning Homecoming is seeing all different
campus departments come together to plan and execute a successful campus-wide event.
The planning departments hosted many unique events that featured a taste of safari adventure. This year, the planning committee introduced an exciting new way to encourage students to attend all of the events.
“Another cool thing we are doing this year is passing out really cute buttons and stickers that have seven different Thunder graphics on them,” Goodelman said, “We encourage all students to try and collect them all.”
The Homecoming Week festivities began on Monday, Feb. 17, with a petting zoo on the library green space where visitors were able to see a wide variety of animals
The petting zoo had
animals donkeys, rabbits, ducks, piglets, a range of reptiles and more. Visitors could touch all of the animals and hold many of the small creatures.
Chloe Lyerly, a sophomore English major, expressed her excitement in seeing animal-focused events like petting zoos, on campus. Out of all the animals at the event, Lyerly’s favorite was the baby goats.
“I made sure to go to every one since I was a freshman,” Lyerly said, “I really enjoy them.”
GCSU held its “Happy Hump Day” event on front campus, on Tuesday, Feb. 18 that showcased two large camels and an accompaniment of music, snacks and drinks and free GCSU Homecoming t-shirts.
Black history month at GCSU
Georgia NIL income tax legislation
A picky eater’s paradise
Molly Goff Opinion Editor
OPINION
In recent memory, College can be a stressful time, where anxiety can creep in and we lean into comfort.
The phenomenon of picky eating is increasingly popular among college campuses and sometimes can hinder social experiences and nutritional health.
As students navigate the complexities of academic life, their food choices—often based more on comfort than nutrition—can reflect broader issues of adaptability and openness.
During a recent discussion with friends about our least favorite foods, I discovered that several of them had never experienced the very dishes they claimed to dislike. All of them surprisingly admitted they had not even tried foods like sushi or eggplant, perpetuating a cycle of limited experiences.
Americans celebrated the first day of Black History Month this year on Feb. 1. It is a national commemoration celebrated in the United States every year, observing the effects Black Americans have had on the nation and the overall people of America
Created first as Negro History Week in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month has since become an entire month to appreciate all that Black Americans and their culture have done for this country. Woodson was a scholar who dedicated his life to celebrating Black people’s contributions leading to the establish-
ment of Black History Month. He believed that Black people should be proud of their heritage and everyone in America should understand their impact.
He founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915. Since its inception, it has promoted the study of African American history year-round. February was chosen to commemorate the birthdays of two historical figures who helped shape black history, Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. Lincoln was the 16th U.S. president who issued the Emancipation Proclamation which declared that all enslaved people were free.
Earlier this month, Georgia state lawmakers proposed a bill that would exempt NIL, or name, image and likeness, earnings for college athletes from the state’s 5.49% income tax.
Proposed by state senators Brandon Beach, Greg Dolezal, Ben Watson, Carden Summers and Frank Ginn, the bill would even out competition for athletic recruiting with states like Tennessee, Florida and Texas, which have no state income tax.
In the relatively new age of NIL, it seems like many college athletic recruiting battles are now won by the highest bidder, and many college athletic pro-
grams are eager to use any benefit they can on the recruiting trail.
Many states, especially in the south, have passed bills in recent years to keep NCAA oversight out of NIL activity, with Missouri passing a bill allowing even high schoolers who have signed with in-state colleges to begin to seek endorsements.
This legislative action comes from the major positive effect that college athletics can have on local and state economies.
On average, the SEC, or Southeastern Conference, brings in 75,000 people per football game, which means there are more people giving business to local shops and restaurants.
At its core, picky eating may seem harmless, but it can have significant implications on both individual well-being and community dynamics. For one, restrictive eating habits limit exposure to diverse cuisines and culinary experiences, which are integral to social bonding during these formative years. When students opt for familiar foods, they miss out on opportunities to connect with peers through shared meals, recipes and culinary adventures.
There is a fine line between having preferences and being close-minded to not trying new things. For example, I dislike mushrooms. Although I have tried mushrooms before and decided I didn’t like them, my experience allowed me to make an informed choice. In contrast, many students refuse to attempt foods they have never tried.
In my life, my parents encouraged me to try new things, but that it was okay to like what I liked. For my other friends, they were forced to eat whatever was given to them that day which poses the gray area on whether that is beneficial or not reaping all the benefits as their parents hoped.
I asked some of my friends what their thoughts are about picky eating, especially on GCSU’s campus along with some of our favorite Milledgeville restaurants.
“My go-to restaurant would probably be Barberitos,” said Sonni Stephens, a sophomore world languages and cultures major. “I usually get a burrito bowl with rice, beans, chicken, cheese, lettuce and sour cream. Unfortunately, I got the enzyme that makes cilantro taste soapy, so a lot of things there aren’t things I can eat. I think an unwillingness to try things is what makes someone a picky eater.”
Certain limitations make it hard for students to be as adventurous as they would like while having restaurants that have go-to staples is a must on campus.
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Sarah Burnhart Staff Writer
Allie Smith Staff Writer
Julia Jensen | Art Director
HISTORY
Continued from page 1
Douglass was arguably one of the most important figures in the African American civil rights movement in the 19th century and was a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York. President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, urging all Americans to recognize the important contribution made to our nation’s life and culture by black citizens. Every president since then has designated February as Black History Month and has given it a theme. This year, it is “African Americans and Labor.”.
The 2025 theme focuses on the various ways that work of all kinds intersect with the collective experiences of Black Americans. Work is at the very center of Black history and culture. This theme sets out to highlight and celebrate the impact of this work.
“A yearly repetition of Black History Month encourages continued dialogue about Black struggles and challenges, highlights Black successes and ensures that history isn’t erased,” said Chika Unigwe, Ph.D, interim coordinator of MFA and Undergraduate Creative Writing Program.
The GCSU Black Student Alliance is an organization that aims to promote diversity and bring students of all backgrounds together. The objective of the BSA is to enrich the understanding of African American culture and enhance the educational experience.
“I think the yearly commemoration of black history month is important because it shines a lot on all that black culture has given to the world,” said Kenda Williams, a senior exercise science major. “It also allows younger generations to understand their culture and hear stories that may not be told during other months. I remember as a kid, the first and only times I would
ever hear about black history leaders like MLK, Rosa Parks or Harriet Tubman was during black history month.”
GCSU’s The HUB, which stands for Honoring, Uniting, Building, strives to unite and honor all the identities of the campus while challenging oppres-
Being from the Atlanta area, I grew up seeing black people not only survive but thrive.
-Jasmine Kelly
sion through support. It is home to the Cultural Center, the LGBTQIA+ Center and the Women’s Center.
The Cultural Center works closely with BSA to integrate diversity into the community and the university.
Professor Spotlight: English James S. Owens
English is one of GCSU’s many majors and the department employs professors with different perspectives on English and literature. One of those professors is James S. Owens, or Jim Owens a limited-term lecturer in the English department.
Owens attended Auburn University, earning a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature. He then enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham for his master’s degree in nonfiction. Owens finished his education at GCSU, earning a Master of Fine Arts in nonfiction
Owens is teaching five classes this semester, three English 1101 and two English 2110 classes which is world literature.
In his classes, he uses assigned
texts to help students understand the human condition. A few of those selected texts are Aesops’ Fables, Dante’s Inferno and Madame Bovary.
“But it’s also so important to why we’re even doing this stuff we’re doing,” Owens said. “You know, if we can take the past and learn from it for the future, then that’s one of the most valuable things we can do.”
Owens works to have his students understand the why of past writers and how the themes in the chosen texts can be applied to situations in the world today.
Being a professor happened by accident for Owens, and he has always liked learning.
“I had a lot of really good professors,” Owens said. “Learning has always been important, and I’ve always liked the professors who did it right, and I think I wanted to be like them.”
VOLUME 105 | NO. 3
Editorial Board
Delaney Derry.................
Editor in Chief
Paige Blakemore............
Julia Jensen......................
Shadimon Smith............
Rylee Holland.................
Brennan Schmitz...........
Benjamin Clark...............
Mary Ciucevich...............
Kennedy Welker..............
Molly Goff.........................
Isabella McComis..........
Matthew Malkowski.....
Rebecca Ocampo..........
Kassie Arps.......................
Scott Dillard.....................
Managing Editor
Art Director News Editor
Asst. News Editor
Sports Editor
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Arts & Life Editor
Asst. Arts & Life Editor
Opinion Editor
Digital Media Editor
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PR Manager
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Faculty Adviser
While working with GCSU professor Bruce Gentry he built a love for the classroom and students.
“ He was patient with me when maybe some others wouldn’t have been, so patience is important,” Owens said. “I think never forgetting that never judge a book by its cover. I think we all, we all give a lot of lip service to judging books by its cover, but don’t ever do it, you know.”
Listening to his students is one of the top priorities of Owens.
In his classes, Owens works to build an environment for healthy exchange among students. He provides students an opportunity to interpret the text that is assigned while also bringing up different perspectives that the students can agree with or disagree with.
This builds healthy thought processes for each student and helps them
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“Despite African American’s origins here in the U.S., we have transcended and continue to thrive amongst all of the conditions that have been put in place and are being put in place to prohibit such, and that alone deserved to be acknowledged and celebrated, especially among African Americans,” said Jasmine Kelly, associate director of Student Inclusion and Belonging.
Representation has become important in media and real life for all cultures. It gives people of all races and cultures a place to see themselves in.
“Being from the Atlanta area, I grew up seeing black people not only survive but thrive,” Kelly said. “I am accustomed to seeing black people in leadership. I do believe that you cannot be what you cannot see and it’s important for black people to understand that other black people have the capability and have always had the capability to experience joy and not only survive but to thrive like we have always done.”
to constantly think about the opposite view of a text or theme in a text.
Owen’s ultimate goal is to ensure all his students leave his classroom thinking for themselves.
Owens also wants his students to see their value and use that in their everyday lives.
“They have a unique thumbprint, like based on where they’re from, their aunts, uncles, grandmothers, the way they’re raised,” Owens said. “And some of those are not the best things. Some of them are very good things, but they have the ability to, it’s almost like every human being is its own little piece of art.”
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Times Talk: “I Found Faith in a Crowded Subway Car” by David Brooks
Hope Martin Staff Writer
For almost two decades, the Times Talk has facilitated community-wide discussions, this week’s topic tackles faith and was led by Nathan Bedsole, assistant professor of rhetoric and coach of the speech and debate team. Times Talk is an event open to everyone every Wednesday at noon in Russell Library.
“What I get out of every Times Talk and I hope others do, is new understanding, new insights and new questions about that week’s topic,” said Janet Hoffman, professor of rhetoric and host of the Times Talk.
Participants read or listen to a New York Times article chosen by a speaker, who leads a discussion on the topic afterward.
This week’s chosen article is “David Brooks: I Found Faith in a Crowded Subway Car.”
In the article, Brooks discusses how half his life was spent going to Synagogs and churches. He did not feel attached to either religion as he did not believe in a god.
Brooks spent 50 years of his life as an agnostic.
“I thought it was all about belief,” Brooks said. “You had to believe that certain things are true, that God really does exist, that the stories in the Bible are true. And so I was looking for books or arguments or something that would rationally convince me that there was indeed a God.”
Brooks then describes how he starts to come to terms with his religion by visualizing the souls of everyone around him
in a crowded subway car. He says becoming religious happened slowly.
Brook compares loving God to worshipping generosity itself and strongly connects religion and spirituality with the ordinary and day-to-day.
the message of finding real meaning and joy in life from the article.
“Communication is not a communion, it’s a dissemination,” Bedsole said.
People discussed finding faith, how they
The pros and cons of the article were discussed in the room, with people being given the power to ask their own questions for discussion.
Bedsole chose the article because he likes other works by Brooks, and he liked that it was an audio piece. Bedsole also liked
An insight to tariffs
Amelia McEwen Staff Writer
President Donald Trump has recently placed tariffs on a multitude of the United States trading partners with the incentive of boosting the economy, raising tax revenue and protecting the country from the flow of illegal drugs.
Trump has placed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports in order to prevent foreign competition in that market. He also has placed a 10% tax on all imports from China due to his belief that they are practicing unfair trade policies. He is enacting this tax to pressure the country to pull back and fix the issue.
The term tariff refers to a tax on imported goods. One of the most common reasons that countries incentivize tariffs is to push consumers to buy domestic, rather than foreign products. More revenue can then be generated within the country through the support of homegrown businesses.
Though they have their benefits, tariffs can also have highly negative effects. They lead to reduced trade, drive up prices for consumers and cause conflict with the exporting countries.
“The overall economy for the U.S. is negatively impacted,” said Brooke Conaway, a professor of economics. “Tariffs have both benefits and costs, but who gets the benefits and who pays the costs are different people.”
An increased cost for consumers can be expected through the current tariffs in place, as well as the potential tariffs being placed on Canada and Mexico. Projected price increases include steel and aluminum parts and products from China.
For example, with the 10% tax on China’s exports, a $10 product can be expected to cost an additional $1. Firms often choose to allocate this upcharge on consumers to maintain their profit margin. In other words, they want to be able to continue to stay financially healthy.
The tariffs Trump is threatening Mexico and Canada with are intended to pressure them into taking stronger actions against illegal immigration and the flow of drugs. The economic impact of these tariffs is said to be significant, with potential increases in consumer prices and disruptions to global supply chains.
According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the tariffs have caused steel prices to rise 2.4% and aluminum prices to rise 1.4%.
Aside from the economic impacts of tariffs, they can also create political impacts all around the world. The possibility of a country retaliating against the tariff is not uncommon. This is known as a trade war.
A current example of this would be how China and the U.S. have been going back and forth placing taxes on one another’s goods. At a certain point, trade conflicts can escalate and impact foreign relations and international supply.
The most outstanding
butions would be taken and how my identity would be perceived as a visibly queer person.”
Cazacu went on to explain that Christians are far from hateful, but that they have had experiences in the past that put them on guard.
can relate the mundane to the spiritual and the ethics of religions.
“I believe I was one of the few non-Christians in the room, and I’ll be honest, I felt a little frightened at first,” said Diana Cazacu, a junior philosophy and art major. “I was worried how my contri-
“But I had a wonderful time having a much-needed conversation about faith,” Cazacu said. “I’m happy I could be there to provide a non-Christian contribution that some people were curious about, while also listening to various Christian perspectives.”
Times Talk participants discussed philosophers, where the mundane meets the holy and how in waiting for the return of the sacred we can create heaven on earth.
Participants continued talking long after the Times Talk ended about their relationship with God, and how religion affected everyone differently.
“Overall, the Times Talk was so rich and complex that 50 minutes simply wasn’t enough,” Cazacu said. “I hope that future talks may explore similar ideas so that we may continue to expand upon the complex discussion of faith.”
Bedsole says he doesn’t wish anyone learns anything, he just hopes he provided a little “jiggling.”
This Times Talk had many staying over 30 minutes after the talk had ended to continue discussions.
Participants discussed their own religious experiences, or lack of, and their opinions on how religion affects us.
benefit of this is the positive impact on domestic industries. With imported goods being more expensive, it encourages citizens to buy products from inside the country. Additionally, tariffs can generate revenue for the country. These funds can be allocated towards necessities to benefit the country as a whole.
“Any tax will always make any consumer worse off, there is no avoiding that, but the point of a tariff is to col-
lect government revenue to provide public goods or fund government programs, which is necessary,” said Leah Smith, a junior economics major.
Tariff revenue is believed as being highly significant by most people, but it is only a relatively small portion of the federal budget.
“One thing that does worry me, though, is that President Trump seems to mention the revenue a lot,” said JJ Arias, a professor of economics.
“That leads me to think he may be counting on it as being a permanent source of revenue.”
Tariffs can also be used to address unfair trading policies. Trump is placing tariffs on China to address their trading policies in the U.S. which are said to be unfair.
Over time the tax can encourage foreign companies to invest in domestic production to avoid paying higher prices, which could boost the economy of the country.
Hope Martin | Staff Writer
Julia Jenson | Art Director
from page 1
In Athens, Ga., local businesses saw a large increase in engagement following the University of Georgia Bulldogs’ 2021 national championship win. Success sells, and an elite football team combined with mass celebration for milestone wins, like national championship parades, means money rolling in for the college town.
However, success starts with recruiting, and with that factor of college athletics being amplified by the transfer portal, the name given to the database listing athletes seeking transfers between institutions, athletic programs need every advantage they can
get to acquire the top talent in the country to compete for national titles.
UGA, whose football team is one of the premier collegiate athletic programs in the state of Georgia, is in constant competition with other schools in the SEC for the best talent from the south. With schools like the University of Tennessee, the University of Florida and the University of Texas at Austin holding the advantage of being states with no income tax, the lawmakers who proposed the bill feel a need to level the playing field.
“[The bill] helps us compete with Texas, Florida and Tennessee,” Beach told USA To-
day. “If we want to get the best that’s out there, we’ve got to make sure we have an even playing field with those three states that have very good football programs.”
In the realm of college football, there seems to be a direct correlation between money spent on players through NIL and on-field success.
The 2025 national champion Ohio State Buckeyes famously fielded the “$20 million roster” this past season, and breezed through the playoff, defeating their opponents by an average margin of 16.5 points on their way to a title.
Based on these results, the Buckeyes’ big-spending approach to recruit-
ing will likely push teams to focus even more on NIL efforts and was likely an influence on the bill being proposed in the Georgia state senate.
The idea of the specific exclusion of certain earnings for Georgia student-athletes may upset some Georgians.
“Nobody wants to get taxed, but I don’t feel
bad for college athletes in that sense,” said Dylan Lewis, a senior marketing major. “They’re getting paid pretty decently, so I would say they should pay taxes on it.”
For states like Florida, Tennessee and Texas that have no income tax, there is no advantage that athletes receive that could be deemed un-
fair, but other residents of Georgia will still pay their share of taxes if the bill becomes law.
“If everyone else pays taxes, so should they,” said Owen Faulk, a senior accounting major. If the bill is passed, recruiting could look very different for the state of Georgia in the coming years.
The GCSU Centennial Center spotlight
Allie Smith Staff Writer
The GCSU Centennial Center is located within the historic district of Milledgeville and is a cornerstone for the university’s expansion and athletic growth since it was built in October 1989. It was constructed to improve educational opportunities by providing physical education and intercollegiate athletic programs.
The building aims to accommodate the growing needs of GCSU’s student body and athletic programs, as well as provide special services to the university family and its community.
When Centennial Center was first built its primary use was for sports activities, with limited facilities for events. Now GCSU has built multiple different facilities, including fields, courts, and an athletics performance center.
“The 95,000 square-
foot building was completed to guarantee that the Bobcats would be competing in one of the finest on-campus arenas in the state of Georgia and the southeast,” according to the Ina
as restrooms, a bathhouse, lockers and showers for athletes to use.
This building has other amenities such as a portable dance floor, five classrooms, two tennis courts and an outdoor
room and a weight room for the student-athletes to train and progress in their sport.
“I like t letes think that there still needs to be some improvements and updates to the building.
eat. This would be great for athletes because we could grab something and go while also meeting our nutrition goals.”
The Centennial Center serves as a central hub for important aca-
Dillard Russel Library.
Centennial Center has a seating capacity of about four thousand plus an extra eight hundred on the floor. The gym has fold-out end zones with upper bleachers and three full-sized basketball courts, as well
pool. The pool is available for public use through the Baldwin County Department of Parks and Recreation with an entry fee, but students can use their Bobcat Card to exempt that fee.
Centennial Center also has a training
“I think it almost has everything it needs for athletes,” said Finley Burns, a sophomore finance major. “One thing I wish it had is a nutrition bar because when we have practices or weights right before classes it is hard to find time to
demic events throughout the year. Twice annually, in both the winter and spring seasons, the Center acts as a venue for the university’s Commencement Ceremonies, marking the culmination of academic achievement for graduating students.
Additionally, the Centennial Center facilitates the Career and Graduate School Fair, an event that connects GCSU students with potential employers, internship providers, and representatives from graduate school programs.
The Centennial Center is an exceptional facility that caters to the diverse needs of students and student-athletes. It provides a top-tier training environment where student-athletes can hone their skills and prepare for upcoming competitions.
Serving as a fantastic venue for hosting home games against other schools, fostering a sense of community and school spirit and creating a central arena for GCSU to host all kinds of large-scale events, the Centennial Center is a quintessential landmark for GC Athletics, and the student body as a whole.
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
Julia Jensen | Art Director
GCSU softball takes first game vs. SVSU
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
The GCSU Bobcats softball team split a two-game doubleheader against Saginaw Valley State University on Friday, Feb. 21, with both games being decided by a single run.
This doubleheader was the season opener for the Cardinals of University Center, Michigan, as they began their season with a trip around the south, starting with Georgia before traveling to Florida.
Senior pitcher Shelby Jones got the start for game one of the doubleheaders. Entering the afternoon, Jones sported a 3.46 ERA in 28.5 innings of work.
Jones was backed up by her defense to open the afternoon contest on an awkward double-play, with one out coming from a fielder’s choice and the other coming on the basepaths when a runner tried to advance from second to third. Jones finished the inning with a punch out for the first of her night.
The following two half-innings flowed quickly as the Bobcats went 1-2-3 to begin their day, as Jones threw an answering three-up,
three-down inning in the top of the second.
The bottom of the second was where the scoring began, as junior first base Stephanie Condland got a hold of a pitch and sent it over the wall for a 1-0 Bobcat lead, giving Jones a bit of insurance.
“I’m super proud of myself,” Condland said. “I’ve been working extra hard day in and day out, and it’s all thanks to my coaches and my teammates’ support.”
Jones stepped back to the circle for the seventh to finish what she began, and while the Cardinals sent the tying run to second, Jones struck out the next two to end the game and secure the complete game, her third of the year.
“I think I did pretty good, but still got some things to work on,” Jones said.
Jones’s final line score was seven innings pitched, giving up five hits, one run and two walks while striking out eight. She also threw 106 pitches.
Condland, along with senior utility player Divina Checo and sophomore outfielder Emily Hutcheson had the three hits for GCSU in the first game
of the doubleheader.
Sophomore pitcher Tiffany Caban received the call for the second game of the doubleheader for the Bobcats, sporting a solid 2.88 ERA entering the day, which also led the Bobcats before the doubleheader.
Caban worked through some early trouble, as the Cardinals doubled to open up the ballgame. However, the following three struck out, a pair swinging and one looking, as Caban escaped trouble.
The Bobcats scored even earlier in this game, as a hit-by-pitch to Checo was followed by a pair of singles from sophomore catcher/infielder
Karlie Gutierrez and senior outfielder Caroline Pollock to put the first run of the nightcap on the board. Finally, Condland quickly increased the Bobcats’ score to two, as she singled up the middle to score Pollock.
Both pitchers worked relatively quick second innings. However, a leadoff walk for SVSU in the third inning put the tying run up to the plate.
Caban managed a pair of outs following the walk and would come within one strike from escaping the inning unscathed,
but the Cardinals sent the next pitch over the wall to even things up at two. Neither pitcher let up for the next few innings, and even when it seemed either offense was putting something together, the pitcher shut things down.
However, things changed in the bottom of the sixth inning, where a lead-off single by Condland was quickly turned into a run from a triple by Hutcheson, which was followed by a hitby-pitch and fielder’s choice to load the bases.
Then, senior infielder Kam Caldwell plated a pair on a single to the right side, and Checo scored another off of a single to center. GCSU ended the inning with a four-run lead: 6-2.
Nonetheless, the Cardinals’ offense came into play in the next half-inning, and they made it close off of a couple of GCSU mistakes, including a wild pitch that put SVSU within one run from tying it. A single from a Cardinals batter completed the comeback and evened things back up at six.
With there being extra innings, in the rules, a ghost-runner, the person who ended the last inning with an out, will be placed upon second base to begin each inning.
The Cardinals plated their ghost-runner to give them the lead, their first of the entire day. Sophomore pitcher Annalise Knop escaped further damage
Multiple Bobcats pick up PBC honors
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
Three Bobcats played to standout levels the week of Feb. 10.
Senior forward Jada Warren earned the honor for women’s basketball and senior right-handed pitcher Will Sims and freshman catcher Caleb Miele were recognized for baseball.
Specifically, Sims won PBC Pitcher of the Week, and Miele won PBC Freshman of the Week for baseball.
Warren not only won
over five rebounds her entire career as a Bobcat until she stepped it up to eight per game her sophomore season.
She has lit up the boards column on the stat sheet this year, averaging 14 rebounds per game, including an alltime game-high against the University of North Greenville with 23.
In a game against Flagler College, Warren quickly crossed the 1,000-rebound mark, and with 7:58 remaining in the third quarter, she collected her 11th rebound of the night and
reached 1,087 rebounds in her career. These numbers place Warren seventh for rebounds in a season in PBC history and fourth all-time in rebounds in a career.
Warren’s historic basketball career at GCSU and historic season helped her achieve her first-ever Peach Belt Conference Player of the Week award.
Warren will return for her final regular season home game as a Bobcat on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 5:30 p.m. inside the Centennial Center against Augusta Univer-
the honor recently, but she has also had an alltime historic GCSU season. The 6’1” senior has always had a knack for getting after the ball, as she averaged
the all-time GCSU rebound record of 1,006.
Warren has registered 364 rebounds this season, leading the PBC category precisely by 100 at one point, and has
sity, as she tries to climb even higher up the record list on Senior Day.
Sims took home the honors for Pitcher of the Week, and while he may not have set history, his
from the bullpen, and the Bobcats entered the bottom of the inning in desperate need of scoring their ghost-runner.
The Bobcats, however, would have two quick outs on the scoreboard, and with runners on first and second, the last hopes were down to Pollock. However, the defense handled her left-handed shift perfectly, and the Cardinals scooped out the victory.
“I’m super proud of the girls,” Condland said. “I’m super proud of how we came out of the gate, swinging, ready to go.”
The GCSU softball team plays a doubleheader against the Erskine College Flying Fleet on the road on Wednesday, Feb. 26.
numbers on the mound climbed to elite levels in the week he won the award. Sims pitched 5.0 innings in two relief appearances, allowing only one run and one hit.
In a performance against Southern Wesleyan University, Sims struck out eight, allowing not one baserunner. Sims next pitched against Eckerd College, giving up only a solo home run while striking out four. These performances lowered his season ERA to 1.50, with batters hitting .095 off the reliever.
Since that week, Sims has continued to overwhelm batters, giving up only two runs in 5.1 more innings of work, increasing his strikeout total to double-digits at 13. Sims continues to limit the free pass, as he
only allowed two walks in the last three outings.
He made his second career start and first of the season against Erskine College, where he pitched 4.0 innings, giving up three hits, but that was all he would give up, as all four innings of the Flying Fleet offense was shut down. Sims also struck out three in the performance.
Miele has taken off with the GCSU offense. In his first two games with an actual at-bat, Miele batted 5-for-6 (.833), driving in five runs while scoring himself three times.
He also showed patience at the plate, walking two times in the first game against Eckerd.
Since these games, Miele has cooled off slightly, going two for his last 10. However,
his batting average still stands at an impressive .438, leading the Bobcats when the qualification statistic of playing in 75% of GCSU baseball games is considered.
Miele continues to be patient at the plate, walking another two times. The freshman catcher has also played the backstop role well, having made only a single error in his five starts behind the dish and having a fielding percentage of .962. He has also recorded 24 putouts.
The Bobcats baseball season will continue Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 4 p.m. on the road against the No. 24 University of Mount Olive. The next home game will be a three-game series against Augusta University on Friday, Feb. 28, at 5 p.m.
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
Senior pitcher Shelby Jones winds up
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
ARTS & LIFE
HOCO
Continued from page 1
“It’s something exciting to look forward to after class,” said Ellen Gunji, a sophomore art major. “The animals take away my negative emotions.”
Students were invited to Magnolia Ballroom for the silent disco on Tuesday, Feb. 18, where attendees used wireless headphones to listen to one of three music sta-
tions. The silent disco had a live DJ and participants enjoyed their own personal stations in a completely silent room.
The event allowed students to experience a unique twist on a normal dance.
During the week, the ballots for the Homecoming Court opened, and participating organizations worked hard preparing and tabling to win over students and promote their candidates. Voting closed at
the end of the week and crowned Jackson Lowe as King, Adrienne Davis as Queen, Jason Eliqwe as Duke and Ava Davis as Duchess during the men’s basketball game on Saturday Feb. 22.
GCSU Campus Activities Board hosted the Battle of the Bobcats on Thursday Feb. 19, an event where five musicians and bands performed against each other in the Russell Auditorium. The winner of the battle, Subatomic, will
get the chance to open for the 2025 spring concert later in the semester.
One of the big events leading up to the Homecoming game is the Homecoming Parade, which was held on Friday Feb. 20. Different student organizations on campus rode down the main campus in cars, trucks and decorated trailers.
The Annual Tent City Tailgate was held in the Centennial Center parking lot on Saturday, Feb. 21. Students,
alumni, businesses and other visitors gathered outside of the center as well as music, games and food trucks to accompany the tailgate.
The week’s festivities ended with the basketball games played by both the women’s and men’s basketball teams in the Centennial Center.
Every year, Homecoming Week raises school spirit and helps bring the GCSU community together. The week allows students to take
Environmental consciousness on campus
Kennedy Welker
Asst. A&L Editor
In 2025, with conversations revolving around environmental crises on the rise, GCSU students are becoming more aware of their effects on the environment and their carbon footprints.
José Genao, a junior English major, who is an active recycler said that while he is already very conscious of his effects on the environment, he could contribute to sustainability even more by educating others.
“Some students don’t know how to recycle properly,” Genao said. “Like when you recycle Coca-Cola bottles, you have to rinse them out and take off the ribbon. And it’s a better idea to leave the caps on the bottles than take them off.”
Genao proposed a program in his residence hall, a competition-style event where many students are motivated to contrite recyclable materials in large quantities.
“I wish I used a different kind of detergent,” said Sydney Auriemma, a senior English major who is very passionate about recycling. “They have this dissolvable kind but I still use the plastic stuff. I’m a college student and I can’t afford the fancy stuff.”
Auriemma also said that if she had the time, she would reuse rags for cleaning and drying instead of buying and throwing away large quantities of paper towels.
Kalina Manoylov is a professor and interim chair of the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences who
market. Students should think of the bulk of what they use every day and make it as sustainable as they can afford.
Manoylov pointed out that some smaller decisions in life that add up could be made more environmentally friendly.
When students dispose of electronics, go to
has her PhD in Zoology and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior. She teaches the lecture course Introduction to Environmental Science which is a highly informative course on environmental processes and issues and is available for all GCSU students to take.
Manoylov says that students have control over what they buy and demand to exist on the
ADDISON RAE
TikToker to popstar?
Addison Rae embarked on her TikTok journey in 2019, quickly becoming an internet sensation known for her bubbly, stereotypically feminine personality. As a member of the Hype House in California, a content creation collective designed for creators to grow their audiences through collaboration, Rae’s platforms rose rapidly in the social media world.
During her time in the content house, Rae started dating Bryce Hall, a controversial personality from another content house, Sway House, also known as Sway LA. The couple’s on-again, offagain relationship lasted from 2019 until 2021, ending with cheating rumors and speculation.
As her TikTok popu-
larity began to plateau, Rae made moves to expand her career beyond social media. Her first venture into music came in March 2021 with the single “Obsessed,” which was met with doubt from critics who dismissed her as another famous person with no talent trying to step into the music industry.
“Personally, I am not a fan of her music, it sounds fake to me like too much autotune,” said Emma Measley, a freshman business major. “It sounds like she is trying to be different but it’s just not working for her.”
In late 2022, Rae made her acting debut in the Netflix film “He’s All That,” which received mixed reviews regarding her acting skills and the general plot of the film. Rae remained relatively quiet about her musical pursuits until a 2023 Vogue interview.
an establishment where recycling the valuable materials is possible. Prolonging the life of clothes can also lessen the bulk of what goes to the landfill.
The college campus itself provides easily accessible, labeled recycling bins, but this is not the only effort GCSU makes to lessen its carbon footprint.
There are solar panels at every campus bus stop and golf carts are
That same year marked a significant turning point in her career with the release of “AR (EP),” a four-track collection featuring a collaboration with critically acclaimed pop artist Charli XCX, a partnership that earned her newfound respect in the music industry.
Rae’s acting career took a positive turn with her role in the 2023 horror thriller “Thanksgiving,” starring alongside A-list actor Patrick Dempsey. The film received widespread critical praise, demonstrating Rae’s growth as an actress.
Rae further cemented her musical credibility in March 2024, through another collaboration with Charli XCX on her remix album. A viral TikTok video captured the studio session where Rae let out her distinctive high-pitched scream to the track “Von Dutch” showcasing their creative chemistry. Momentum in her career continued with the
equipped with solar panels as well. Sodexo, the company that provides GCSU’s dining services, partners with the GCSU Maxwell Student Union to collect food waste for compost.
“What you put on your plate is very important,” Manoylov said. “If the food is not touched it can be reused and reserved. But if it is touched, it goes to compost, in which there are restrictions. What we put on our plate is something we have control over.”
There are also places on campus for students to bring their used batteries for recycling. The Office of Sustainability collects used batteries and there are two buckets in Herty Hall for battery collection, one outside of room 106 and one next to the elevator on the third floor.
“We don’t recommend putting batteries in the garbage,” Manoylov said. “They are dead, but they have positive and negative elements that can be reactivated and chemically alter the disposed material.”
GCSU has also implemented the use of motion lights in many halls throughout campus. However, not all rooms use them which means everyone on campus is responsible for turning off lights to conserve energy.
release of her song “Diet Pepsi” in 2024, which became a streaming phenomenon, receiving over 200 million plays on Spotify. In a candid Rolling Stone interview, she revealed that this career evolution was always part of her plan and that she needed to take a step back from posting on social media and take the risk of making her dreams work out.
“I thought the song was really catchy,” said Abbey Clayton, a sophomore business major.
Clayton noted that she had been following Rae since the beginning of TikTok and how she has seen her grow into a musician, acknowledging that this career seemed to fit her better.
Her rising status in the pop music world was further pushed when she performed “Diet Pepsi” and “Von Dutch” alongside Charli XCX at the New York stop of Charli XCX’s and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour.
the opportunity to get involved with events that support the school and their fellow students.
“College isn’t just about getting an education but it is also about the experience,” Goodelman said. “Academics can be hard and stressful so when there are events and different programs across campus I encourage each student to get out of their comfort zone and attend as many events as possible.”
“We want people to be comfortable so they can create and learn and have all this potential to be the best students, faculty and staff,” Manoylov said. “But also we need to be doing that in a conscious way. When we leave the room, switch off the light.”
Manoylov was told by students that they drink plastic bottled water on campus because the water from campus dispensers is not cold when filling reusable glasses or metal reusable cups. If campus water was colder, students might not buy as much bottled water.
“All water dispensers on campus are safe,” Manylov said. “They have carbon filters which remove harmful bacteria.”
Manoylov said the reason is it is so important to be environmentally conscious in the modern day is this:
The more and more carbon dioxide people release when breathing in a room, the hotter the room gets. The rest of the planet reacts in the same way. Replacing necessary oxygen with other particles is not sustainable.
“Any particle, visible and invisible, that we release can retain heat. All those particles are on this one single planet and they change and trigger the environment to go into a direction
that we cannot predict.”
Manoylov said that the biggest change in carbon reduction is due to decisions to burn less coal, an energy source that has been replaced with other sources such as nuclear and hydrogen-produced energy. However, humans are still increasing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
“There’s an overload of information,” Manoylov said, about the tendency of students to push aside their commitment to the environment. “People are naturally curious, but they are not necessarily trained on who to trust and how to incorporate environmental information into everyday life.” Manoylov supports the proposal for GCSU to partner with an important environmental app called “Get Green,” with the potential to be available to students before fall 2025. If implemented, the Get Green app will be paid for by the Sustainability Office Council and will be a free source of information on campus sustainability programs. It will create visible signs of the Green Initiative on campus and encourage habits that promote sustainability within the student body.
Rae released her next single “Aquamarine” in October 2024, further establishing her place in the pop music world. With each new release, she continues to receive increasingly positive critical reception.
Most recently, Rae dropped her single “High Fashion” on Valentine’s Day 2025, building anticipation for her debut full-
length album expected for release later this year.
“My first initial response to the song was that her voice sounded good but the music video threw me off,” said Avery Arnold, a sophomore nursing major.
“I feel like her music is the completely opposite of what she introduced herself to begin with on social media.”
Madi Hummel Staff Writer
Julia Jenson | Art Director
Julia Jenson | Art Director
Super Bowl commercials
Brianna Heard Staff Wtiter
The Super Bowl is a competitive sporting event, all about sports fans cheering on their favorite United States football teams. For some, however, the real fun is in the entertainment of the Super Bowl commercials.
Company advertisers take advantage of this nationwide sports TV event to create emotional, inspiring and comedic advertisements, encouraging viewers to buy or use their products.
Companies pay millions for Super Bowl airtime slots. Anne Lee, in her CBS News article “How much do 2025 Super Bowl commercials cost,” says that a mere 30-second advertisement slot cost advertisers an average of nearly $8 million during Super Bowl LIX.
This staggering expense highlights just how important Super Bowl advertisements are for companies aiming to make a lasting impression on a massive audience.
Over 120 million viewers tune into the Super Bowl, making it a prime
opportunity for brands to make an impression. Expectations are high, with viewers demanding creativity, humor and emotional resonance.
“I thought the commercials were random and funny,” said Ryan Collins, a junior mass communication major. “I wasn’t convinced to buy anything because I know they try so hard for the Super Bowl.”
Big budgets and effort do not always equal sales. Sometimes, consumers want something more genuine than a flashy Super Bowl commercial.
Some students were unimpressed by the performance of this year’s Super Bowl advertisements. Large sums of time and money go into planning their marketing strategies, so viewers expect only the best quality advertisement during this highly-promoted sporting event.
Sam Conner, a sophomore marketing major, said that he did not pay much attention to the ads, as he was more focused on the game itself.
Conversely, other students enjoyed the commercials and felt ad-
Miracle Man
Rylee Holland Asst. News Editor
GC Miracle is hosting its Miracle Man event on Thursday, Feb. 27 in the Arts & Sciences Auditorium for an entry fee of five dollars to raise money for Beverly Knight Olson Children’s Hospital (BKO).
Miracle Man is the organization’s Valentine’s Day-themed event. In this event, several GCSU male students volunteer to wear a suit and show off their talents, then dream dates and gift cards are auctioned off to the crowd.
While the fun parts of Miracle Man may entice some to attend, GC Miracle’s biggest project is to raise money for the kids at BKO. GC Miracle is a part of the larger organization called Children’s Miracle Network,
eral assistant and committee members. Over the course of a school year, they work together to raise money with fundraising events like Miracle Mile, Miracle Man and Thunderthon.
The Atrium Health Navicent in Macon, Ga. has been providing pediatric care for 30 years. In 2019, they expanded this care, opening the BKO Children’s Hospital.
“To make sure every child gets the best care, right in our area,” said BKO’s website, about why Navitient Health opened the children’s hospital.
GC Miracle is a major reason BKO is as successful as it is today. The events that GC Miracle holds and the year-round fundraising make for an abundance of support for the children at BKO.
GC Miracle has been hosting the Miracle Man
where GCSU and many other colleges around the nation are involved.
GC Miracle is the largest student-run organization on campus and gives their unwavering support to BKO, the closest children’s hospital to GCSU, by volunteering and raising money.
GC Miracle is made up of 18 executive members, a morale team and sev-
event for years and ever since they began, it has been popular among the students at GCSU as a fun way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Hailey Zerkle, a junior special education major and the internal branch director for GC Miracle, stated her favorite part of Miracle Man.
“When all the boys do their talent,” Zerkle
vertisers used humor effectively to make a good impression.
Lee’s article emphasizes how comedy is an essential advertisement strategy during the Super Bowl. Comedy is often considered a safe choice because it appeals to a broad audience and avoids controversy that might divide viewers.
Advertisers use humor to make their commercials memorable and ensure their messages resonate positively with a diverse audience.
In their AP News article, “Super Bowl commercials rely on comedy”, Dee-Ann Durbin, Mae Anderson and Wyatte Grantham-Philips discuss how the Super Bowl advertisements of 2025 were in development during the recent presidential election race, which means avoiding controversy was of the utmost priority.
Super Bowl commercials reflect modern marketing strategies. With the ability to leave people in tears of laughter or emotion, these advertisements have become an event in their own right.
Some students admit to watching the Super Bowl just to see the advertisements. This year, there were over 50 minutes of commercial time, providing plenty of opportu-
said.“I think it is such a fun time to see them do goofy things rather than just walk across the stage.”
The boys who participate in Miracle Man display a special talent on stage to encourage the crowd to bid on them and the gift card they are giving away. At last year’s Miracle Man, many amazing and funny talents were revealed.
“One boy rode around on a razor scooter and jumped off the stage on it,” said Lilah Gapp, a junior public health major and the financial branch director of Miracle, about attending the 2024 Miracle Man. “One boy turned a hamster into a puppy which was fun. A couple of boys did some soccer skills and one boy sang, so it’s just fun little things like that.”
The executive members were asked why people should go and support Miracle Man and what is in it for them.
“You should go because it’s so much fun and also you might win a date or a gift card,” said Drew Hill, a junior mass communication major and the external branch director of GC Miracle.
Each person who is a part of GC Miracle or is registering to attend Thunderthon creates a Donor Drive account with Children’s Miracle Network. These accounts are where the money is stored that goes to BKO kids who need GCSU’s help.
As well as attending Miracle Man, there are several other ways to become involved in GC Miracle’s organization.
“We also have committees and assistants to our executive board,” Gapp said. “There’s a lot of opportunities for whatever you’re interested in: marketing, finance, morale, hospital relations, there’s really a place for everyone.”
nities for brands to make an impact.
“My favorite commercial handsdown was the Bud Light commercial with Post Malone and Shane Gillis,” Taylor said. “It is really smart what they are doing. Getting a guy like Shane Gillis to promote their beer is genius. Those two guys made the commercial hilarious.”
Not all commercials were winners, however.
Students voiced their disappointment with certain advertisements, such as the Uber Eats commercial featuring Matthew McConaughey and the Yeezy commercial with Kanye West.
These examples show that even big budgets and famous faces do not guarantee success. A poorly conceived concept or a misaligned celebrity partnership can lead to a commercial falling flat.
“Putting celebrities together in unexpected combinations can broaden the appeal of a commercial,” Durbin said. “Celebrities can also get so much attention that viewers don’t remember which brand they’re advertising.”
Whether funny, inspiring or quickly forgotten, Super Bowl commercials can be a spectacle that can show the lengths companies will go to capture the audience’s attention.
Arts & Science building Is it time for maintenance and updates?
Kate Walker Contributing Writer
The Arts & Sciences Building on GCSU’s main campus was constructed in 1995, and 25 years later, there are some concerns that the building is in need of maintenance and updates. The three-story, 124,000-square-foot structure houses a variety of freshman and introductory classes, in addition to higher-level math, history and English courses. While the building is structurally sound, many students and professors believe the classrooms need updates to be used most effectively.
Chris Clark, an economics professor at GCSU, has encountered several issues while teaching in the building, including old, broken items lying about in classrooms, rolling chairs that are not conducive to quantitative studies and a lack of trash cans in classrooms.
“I’ve been asked to teach in several classrooms with rolling chairs,” Clark said. “Typically, when I come into those classrooms the chairs are all pushed together in one corner, so we spend the first five minutes of class actually making room for people to sit down in chairs, which is not great for learning.”
In addition to the rolling chairs, Clark recalled a lectern full of trash, a whiteboard set up directly next to the door that students consistently tripped over, one classroom with an endless buzzing noise, an entire box of stolen chalk and one instance where Presidential Scholarship Candidates were led into a room with a broken metal lectern in pieces on the desk.
“Imagine you’re a
freshman, it’s your very first day of class, you walk in and there’s a bunch of broken stuff in the rooms lying around,” Clark said. “What are you going to tell your parents the first night?”
Some students have also noticed a general lack of organization and modern furnishings in the building, as it is used for a variety of purposes and classes.
“Overall, it’s nice, I’m very thankful to have a building to study in, but it massively needs some updates,” said Jordyn Waller, a senior marketing major. “The classrooms are just uncomfortably too small, and the chalkboards need to go, especially when you have an SI session in there and you have to use the chalkboard instead of a whiteboard.”
While the building features a courtyard, students hardly use the space as it’s situated in the dark, shaded center of the building, with little sunlight, greenspaces or color in general. Clark mentioned that murals or other artwork could brighten up the space if added.
“It’s an arts building, why not paint something on it?” Clark said.
Janelle Blackstock, a sophomore management information systems major, noted that while the building is architectural-
ly sound, it doesn’t offer students anything more than classroom space.
“It’s just fine, I go there, I go to class, and I leave,” Blackstock said. With the newly constructed music building and plans to renovate Herty Hall in the coming years, the Arts & Sciences Building may not need a complete renovation, but simple changes in furnishings, maintenance and organization could make a vast difference.
“I just think it needs some character to it, there’s so much going on in that building and it’s not really organized,” Waller said. “Some classes are math, some are sciences, I had management class in there, and it’s just very unorganized.”
The building currently features 44 regular classrooms, three electronic classrooms and a GSAMS Distance Learning Center, in addition to faculty offices and an auditorium. With such space and technology, the building has a lot of potential and with simple updates can be more conducive to student learning and success.
“I think very rudimentary things could be changed that cost almost nothing, like trashcans,” Clark said. “I do think that the building is a bit run down, and some renovation does need to happen.”
Courtesy of Abigail Lee | GC Miracle President
Isabella McComis } Digital Media Editor
BRUNO MARS’S EVOLUTION
Molly Goff Opinion Editor
Bruno Mars is a pop icon and the epitome of ambiguity in music.
From his first album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” to his latest collaborative single, “Fat Juicy & Wet,” his range of music stuns both the charts and listeners alike.
Not many artists possess the versatility of Mars. Drawing inspiration from a wide array of musical genres, Mars has crafted a distinctive sound that defies categorization.
Bursting onto the music scene in 2010 with his debut album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans,” Mars showcased his smooth vocal style and knack for catchy melodies through chart-topping hits like “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade.” The album blended pop, R&B and reggae influences, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.
However, at that point, Mars was still largely considered a conventional pop star, celebrated more for his radio-friendly singles than for his profound artistic vision.
His artistic growth
became evident with his second album, “Unorthodox Jukebox,” released in 2012. This album marked a period of bold experimentation, as he incorporated elements of funk, rock and soul.
Tracks like “Locked Out of Heaven” and “When I Was Your Man” demonstrated a broader emotional depth and musical complexity. Critics began to see him not just as a hitmaker but as a serious artist willing to push creative boundaries.
My favorite track from “Unorthodox Jukebox” is “When I Was Your Man.” It combines power ballad intensity with heartfelt lyrics, resonating with anyone who has experienced the pain of lost love and moving on. Mars perfectly encapsulates the emotions we feel in relationships through his lyrics.
“‘Whatever you’re doing just has to be honest — that’s really become the most important thing for me in my career,’ Mars explains,” said Morgan Smith, a writer for CNBC. “‘So if I’m writing a song, I have to be sure that this is the best I can do, deep down in
PARADISE
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“My favorite restaurant in Milledgeville is The Brick,” said Andrea Barnett, a sophomore management information systems major. “My go-to order is the gourmet white pizza, but I have the tomatoes put on after it comes out of the oven instead of before.”
The general consensus from friends I both intentionally as well as unintentionally asked is that people like what they like and that food can be a source of comfort in students’ day-today lives. It only becomes a problem when avoidance comes into play when a student isn’t willing to branch out.
This trend of avoidance not only affects an individual’s palate but can also extend to nutritional health.
my soul, and that I didn’t take any shortcuts. I have to really believe in what I’m doing for it to work.’”
The pinnacle of Mars’s evolution arguably arrived with his third studio album “24K Magic,” released in 2016. This album exuded confidence and showcased his mastery of diverse genres. With its funky grooves and throwback vibes, tracks like “24K Magic” and “That’s What I Like” brought a fresh perspective to contemporary music. Mars embraced his roots while redefining them, blending nostalgic sounds with modern production techniques. It was clear he had developed a distinct artistic identity that celebrated innovation and homage.
This period marked one of Mars’s peaks, gaining traction through the rise of social media and online discussions. Platforms like Musical. ly, now known as TikTok, utilized his sounds for various trends, while promotions on Instagram highlighted artists showcasing their music.
His collaboration with Anderson Paak in 2021, under the duo name
Luckily in Milledgeville, we have a ton of restaurants that have comforting classics including The Brick’s and Amici’s wings and pizza favorites, as well as places that put a spin on the classics. Bollywood Tacos is a Mexican-Indian fusion restaurant that has unique taco combinations on the menu, like their buffalo chicken taco. Metropolis is the hidden gem of Milledgeville though, due to their flavorful dishes centered around Greek food.
On many college campuses, it is easy to find what I like to call the “unholy trinity” of cuisines: Mexican, Italian, and American because it is so easy to get food that can be what I mentioned as a “comforting classic” like pizza, quesadilla, burgers, fried chicken and fries.
This isn’t a bad thing! I just believe that when there are places like Bolly-
Silk Sonic, marked another significant milestone. The project’s first single, “Leave the Door Open,” was not only a commercial success but also demonstrated Mars’s ability to weave narratives and emotions into his music. The duo’s soulful sound paid tribute to musical greats while continuing to forge its path, further solidifying Mars’s reputation as an artist unafraid to embrace new styles and ideas.
“In addition to his collaborative work, Bruno Mars is set to release his first solo album in seven years, following up on his 2016 hit album, ‘24K Magic,’” said Anubhav Chaudhry, a writer on Yahoo.
In the meantime, Mars has collaborated with key figures in the music industry, including “Die With a Smile” with Lady Gaga, “APT” with Rosé and, most con-
troversially, “Fat Juicy & Wet” with Sexyy Red.
“Die With A Smile” is reminiscent of one of his top hits “When I Was Your Man,” bringing in an audience to crave a new wave of nostalgia and excitement for the collaboration.
“APT” brought together international fans and local fans alike combining a K-pop sound with lyrics that anyone can sing along to.
While “Die With a Smile” and “APT” are fan favorites, “Fat Juicy & Wet” has stirred some controversy.
“Bruno Mars, a man known for silky-smooth pop-funk perfection, has taken a sharp left turn into raunchy absurdity with ‘Fat Juicy & Wet,’ his unexpected collaboration with Sexyy Red. If the title alone wasn’t enough of a warning, the track itself is a fullon spectacle—one that
wood Tacos and Metropolis expanding our palettes, we should be learning what is out there foodwise just like how we are living independently and doing things for ourselves on campus.
The social ramifications of picky eating go beyond just personal choice; they underscore a crucial aspect of college life—community building. Shared meals are often where friendships blossom and cultural exchange occurs, enhancing the college experience. Students who are unwilling to try new foods may find themselves isolated, standing on the sidelines while others bond over dinner tables filled with unfamiliar flavors and ingredients.
Encouraging open-mindedness around food can foster a more inclusive atmosphere on campus. By exposing students to different foods in an
might make you question every life choice that led to pressing play,” Rotate Magazine notes in their “Single Review.”
Despite the skeptical reviews, any press is good press, and Mars continues to rise in the charts and public opinion, proving his ability to create outlandish songs with suggestive lyrics while remaining a significant figure in music. His credibility shows no signs of waning.
Reflecting on the trajectory of Mars’s career, it is evident he has transformed from a promising newcomer into a multifaceted artist who transcends genres and expectations. As he continues to evolve, listeners can anticipate more innovations and surprises in his music, affirming that Mars is not just a fleeting phenomenon but a lasting force in the music world.
inviting setting, institutions can help dismantle preconceived notions about certain ingredients or dishes. Peer influence also plays a pivotal role because when adventurous eaters share their experiences with picky eaters, they can inspire curiosity and open-mindedness. While some degree of pickiness can stem from personal preference or health conditions, it’s essential to recognize that food is a cornerstone of cultural identity and connection. Rather than allowing picky eating to define our collegiate experience, let’s embrace a wider palate. Exploring new tastes not only contributes to personal growth but also enhances our college community, feeding both our bodies and our relationships.
Bruno Mars
