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HOW TO HENDRIX YOUR.

CAMPUS.

NEWS.

PROFILE ISSUE I

Cover photo by Becca Burks

PROFILE HOW TO HENDRIX 4. CHRIS JONES @ HENDRIX 5. A GLIMPSE INTO BIDEN’S PROMISES 6. DEAN’S SEE YOU LATER 8. PARTY CULTURE 9. HENDRIX NEW & OLD 10. HOW TO CAF 12. PHOTO OF INTEREST 13. BRING ON THE B.R.U.H. 14. BEHIND THE SCENES OF CABE 15. A TALK WITH HDX NATURALISTS CLUB 16. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WARRIOR 17. PEDAL TO THE METAL

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: HANNAH DIGGS ONLINE EDITOR: ELLERY SEYMOUR PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: BECCA BURKS COPY EDITOR: MAGGIE RYAN LAYOUT EDITOR: DEMAH YOUSEF LAYOUT EDITOR: JOSIAH VALLONE PHOTOGRAPHER: KENDRA BALDWIN PHOTOGRAPHER: FLYNN HIRREL PHOTOGRAPHER: ADDI JARRELL STAFF WRITER: JAE HURD STAFF WRITER: LINC LUKE STAFF WRITER: ALAINA MAY STAFF WRITER: CHARLOTTE MILLER STAFF WRITER: NOAH MORRIS STAFF WRITER: MALCOLM ROSE STAFF WRITER: COLM SIMMONS

ADVISOR DR. FELIPE PRUNEDA SENTIES

MISSION STATEMENT As a student-run and student-funded newsmagazine, The Profile uncovers the smart edge to campus culture: the people, places, ideas and trends that curious, confident students and faculty want, need and ought to know. By critically examining issues important to the Hendrix community, The Profile aims to act as a catalyst for change, a tool for transparency between the student body and faculty and a source of inspiration for its readers to begin thinking globally and acting locally.

18. FILM REVIEW: BULLET TRAIN 19. THE MEGHAN MARKLE EFFECT

@Hendrixprofile

The Profile At Hendrix

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NOTE FROM EDITOR

HANNAH DIGGS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

On a heavy hot August day, I went to the Murphy House and picked up an issue of The Profile from 2016. The theme was “How to Hendrix,” and the Editor at the time, Brooke Nelson, wrote about the substantial changes the school experienced in the years preceding, including new library hours and cameras placed around campus. The idea was that these changes almost required a new handbook on “How to Hendrix.” With the past few years of constant upheaval that have defined my college experience, this idea of a Hendrix guidebook intrigued me. As a senior who has never spent a full year on campus, I feel as though I don’t even really know “How to Hendrix” myself. With upcoming changes in administration, the reopening of two historic dorms, and an already changed fabric of the Hendrix population, I thought this called for another check in. As I got ready to write this statement, my first introduction as Editor-In-Chief, I looked back to my past Editors statements they pasted on their issues over the past few years. The idea that we are building new normals and adjusting to mass trauma has followed. There has never been a lack of content during my time working for The

Profile, but there has sometimes been difficulty in figuring out how to package it together. As we start this year, I wanted to bring us back to some of our past traditions and identify the new paths we are headed down. I want a new student or returning one who feels they haven’t been afforded the same engagement to Hendrix campus as generations before us to be able to pick up this magazine and gain campus context, old and new. Maybe it’s a good thing that the circumstances of the world have pushed us to change, but maybe there are some things among these pages we might strive to return to. All the best,

Have a question, response, or inquiry? You can reach us anytime at diggshm@hendrix.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on the latest stories.

OCTOBER | 3

| NEWS |

Photo by Kendra Baldwin

CHRIS JONES @ HOMEDRIX

STUDENTS INSIGHT OF A POLITICIAN

BY MALCOLM ROSE

r. Chris Jones, the Democratic candidate for governor, visited Hendrix last month as part of a statewide tour to meet with students and talk about the importance of voting. Jones is a nuclear engineer, minister, and former nonprofit leader. He promises to “spread PB&J all over Arkansas,” with PB&J standing for preschool, broadband, and jobs. Jones’ other campaign promises include revitalizing historic business centers and reforming the criminal justice system in Arkansas. Dr. Jones arrived in the Burrow a little after 2 PM on September 23rd. He met with students and faculty to shake hands and take pictures. Jones was enthusiastic about talking with students about their education and encouraged everyone to register to vote. While Jones’ visits was brief, he was able to talk with groups of students about their concerns and Jones’ plans for Arkansas. After meeting with the students, Jones left to continue on his Walk A Mile In Your Shoes Tour, his second time visiting every corner of the state since his Promise of Arkansas Tour in February. In Chris Jones’ words, “If I want to serve as governor for you, I need to know you. So why not walk a mile in your shoes?” Dr. Jones visited Hendrix thanks to the hard work of Sistas In Solidarity (SIS), Students for Black Culture (SBC), and Bruthas Respectfully Unifying at Hendrix (BRUH). Increasing voter turnout, especially among students, was the main reason for the event. In the hours leading up to Jones’ visit, event sponsors set up a table in the Burrow and handed out voter registration forms. College students make up an important part of the coalition Jones is trying to build, so visits to colleges like Hendrix are crucial. Dr. Jones knows this, which is why his promises include supporting community colleges and investing in public colleges and universities to keep tuition affordable for all students. Jones is a 7th-generation Arkansan from Pine Bluff. He attended Morehouse College on a NASA scholarship for physics and math, where he became student body president. After leaving Morehouse, Jones studied at MIT, where he became a nuclear engineer and earned a Ph.D. in urban planning. Jones later became the leader of the nonprofit Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub. According to Jones, his love for science has never collided with his faith. Jones is the son of two preachers, and he became an ordained minister. He worked as the assistant dean at MIT until

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he moved back to Arkansas a few years ago. In an increasingly divided political scene, Dr. Jones’ campaign is centered around bringing communities together instead of driving them apart. Jones makes a point to campaign for things instead of against them, supporting strong bipartisan issues like investments in manufacturing, building strong water infrastructure, and improving resources for mental health. Jones is a gun owner himself, but values public safety and wants to get a handle on untraceable “ghost guns.” He considers education to be one of the most important problems facing Arkansas. ones’s main opponent, Republican nominee Sarah Huckabee Sanders, has been notably absent from the campaign trail, making only a select few appearances. Recently, she declined to participate in the gubernatorial debate hosted by KATV with Dr. Jones and Libertarian party candidate Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. Jones has heavily criticized Sanders for her lack of participation in the campaign, as well as her connection to Donald Trump, claiming that Sanders is “offering us less than nothing.” Sanders is the daughter of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and served as press secretary under Donald Trump. When interviewed as part of the Mueller investigation, Sanders admitted to making false statements to the public. We reached out to the Sanders campaign, but did not get a response. Chris Jones acknowledges that the battle against Sarah Huckabee Sanders will be a tough one to win, but he is confident that it can be done. Jones points to the fact that Arkansas has elected its governors in oscillation. The current governor, Asa Hutchinson, is a Republican, but the governor before him was a Democrat. Before him was another Republican, and before him was another Democrat. He also points to the fact that Arkansas’ entire delegation to the U.S. was Democratic before 2010. verall, Jones believes that Arkansas is not necessarily as Republican as it may seem. In addition, Arkansas is dead last in voter registration and voter turnout. In particular, Jones wants to try to increase turnout in the 28 counties in Arkansas that are characterized as Black Belt counties, with an African-American population of 25% or higher. So while the Jones campaign is definitely an uphill battle, Jones remains optimistic and insists that it can be done.

A GLIMPSE INTO BIDEN’S PROMISES ALAINA MAY | STAFF WRITER

n October 6, 2022, President Joe Biden announced his plans to help take steps in the decriminalization of marijuana use and possession in the United States. This statement, coming just weeks before the midterm elections, takes massive steps in completing his campaign promise made in 2020. His three-step plan begins with pardoning all federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana, which would aid in the employability, housing, and education of around 6,500 individuals in the US. Biden is also suggesting that local governments do the same for state offenses—which could mean that thousands more people might benefit from this plan. The last step involves reviewing the classification of marijuana under federal law as it is currently placed on the same tier as heroin, a far more addictive and dangerous substance. While this pardon, along with other promises made during his campaign (rejoining the Paris Climate Deal and the World Health Organization, canceling $10,000 of student loan debt for every borrower, and reversing the ban on transgender people serving in the military) have been carried out to an extent, it is important to consider the negligence as well. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the failure to codify Roe v. Wade. President Biden claimed that he would make the right to an abortion the “law of the land” during his presidential term. He and Vice President Kamala Harris did take action to stick to that plan and codify abortion rights protections but were abruptly impeded by the Senate who then overturned Roe on June 24, 2022. In August, Biden signed an executive order that could help cover the costs of women having to travel across state lines in order to access abortion through Medicaid. However, most states find the solution too complicated or simply are not speaking on the matter. Sadly, this and any other attempts the Biden administration has made to make abortion more accessibly has, thus far, failed. Another currently unsuccessful promise is for a more humane treatment of immigrants at the US-Mexico border. While Biden did attempt to rush the detention process for immigrants, there was a large influx in people trying to enter the United States because there was a misunderstanding that the United States would be more accessible after he was elected.

From an optimistic perspective, however, it is only the midterms. President Biden still has two more years in office to make good on more of his campaign promises and, hopefully, he will. Despite the action that he has not taken on certain matters, it does seem that Biden is trying to accomplish more of what he initially set out to do as President and prove himself to the voters of America. His goal in doing so could potentially be to encourage more people to vote Democrats into the House, Senate, and local representatives which could assist him in any future bills he seeks to have passed. With the seats in the House and Senate being nearly neck-and-neck between Republicans and Democrats, these midterm elections could very well be the deciding factor for the fate and prospects of American citizens. If Biden seeks, as Presidents so often do, to be reelected in 2024, the midterms are an integral element in accomplishing that. The timing of this pardon of marijuana use and possession could influence the results of the midterm elections. Citizens who agree with the pardon will look at federal as well as local politicians in the elections who support Biden’s order and are more likely to vote for them since this is an apt way for people to find political candidates who hold similar values. s young voters, we should take it upon ourselves to be educated in the political process. Whether that be the mission and goals of our current president or the politicians representing the citizens in the electoral college. Keeping in mind that the future of the government lies in our generation, staying informed on current events and subjects (like Roe v. Wade and the lack of aid for detained immigrants at the border) that are up for debate is crucial if we ever want to create change in this country.

“THE PRESIDENT MAKES GOOD ON A CAMPAIGN PROMISE WEEKS BEFORE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.”

OCTOBER | 5

DEAN’S SEE YOU LATER

EARS OF GREATNESS14 YEARS @ HOMEDRIX 14 YEARS OF

After 14 years serving as the Dean of Students, Jim Wiltgen is departing Hendrix. In the last 14 years, Wiltgen has made a lasting impact on this school and leaves one hell of a legacy. From leading the student senate, to creating the Red Brick Film Festival, to hosting a school wide poker tournament for charity, Wiltgen’s leadership will be dearly missed by the Hendrix community. Jim Wiltgen, Dean of Students and Vice President of Student Affairs has served Hendrix College for the past fourteen years. The Dean fondly remembers a time when he was a twin to Will Ferrell, going as far to dress up as Buddy from the movie Elf for a charity event with Campus Kitty in 2009. “I’m dressed in this ridiculous 6’4 Buddy the Elf outfit and this student comes in to use the ATM right there beside me,” comments Wiltgen. “And I’m pretty new to the campus, he looks at me then he looks back the ATM to do his business, he looks back at me, he looks at the ATM to do some more things and wait for the ATM to catch up, looks back at me one more time then looks back to take his cash, looks back at me and doesn’t say a word, he just gives me a thumbs up and waves and heads out and I was like ‘I am home’.” It is no secret how much the Dean has accomplished over the years. One of his proudest contributions is the creation of the Red Brick Film Festival. When it started, it was a much smaller event, starring staff like the Caf’s now-retired Miss Mimi in some of the films. Students who choose to participate make three and a half minute long videos to present to the school during a campuswide screening. Wiltgen himself has participated in many videos for Red Brick, including a skit where he pretended to be Will Ferrell but denied being Will Ferrell. He’s also very proud of helping start the SOAR program with Christy Coker. “ I am so terribly proud of that group and the impact they have had on our community over the last 10 years.” If you’ve ever wondered if the Dean could beat a student in a swim race, you wouldn’t be the first. A student once challenged Dean Wiltgen to a swimming race that covered four different events in the pool. “I did okay in one of the events!” he spoke cheerily. Although he did not win, the whole ordeal turned into an exciting event for the school, and even had a press conference afterward where the students could ask questions about the race. “One of my favorite things I’ve done is the Dean’s Civil Rights trip. I started it back in 2010 and we did it on fall breaks throughout ‘til COVID hit…That’s another thing I’m very proud of and we’re going to do our biggest trip this year.” Wiltgen said, referring to a Civil Rights trip that takes students to

BY LINC LUKE

historical sites and museums across the south during the weekend of Fall Break. His goal was to introduce students to real life aspects of the civil rights movements The Dean takes a group of students to learn about history and talk about some tough topics and discover how the movements have changed our world moving forward. For example, in 2015, they took a tour of several different historical sites for the civil rights movement across different states. They worked together to raise awareness about these historical fights for justice. The Dean has especially helped encourage these ideas by running the Student Senate, where students get to have a voice no matter what. And who could possibly forget about the Dean’s Poker Tournament? This competition takes place every year and raises money for Campus Kitty charities. Some students even compete for the last place prize, one of the Dean’s shoes. One year, the Dean found out that the last place winner kept the shoe as a centerpiece on her coffee table. Students are seated randomly at tables by the Dean’s choice in order to get others to meet new people. The Dean wants every participant to make new friends and learn about others’ backgrounds and stories that may be completely different to their own. I am going to take some time off before starting my next adventure. I don’t have any definitive plans but I would like to work on a program that I can build from the ground up.” Wiltgen said, when asked about his plans for after Hendrix. All this to say, the Dean leaves a legacy that will not be forgotten for years to come. Students, faculty, and staff have been so incredibly lucky to have gotten to know him over these past four years and wish him and his family all the best in his upcoming adventures. Dean Wiltgen offers some final words for the students, staff, and faculty of Hendrix: “Be good to each other. I think Hendrix is one of the most creative places I’ve ever been around or in or visited and I hope that energy keeps on going. I think this is a really special place compared to all the other colleges in the United States and something Arkansas should be proud of, something we should all be very proud of. I think taking care of each other and pushing ourselves to change the world, I see so many good Hendrix students going off and doing just that. That’s where I hope we continue to go. Hendrix will remain in my heart forever.” e love you, Dean Wiltgen, and thank you for all you’ve done for your Hendrix community. We could not be prouder to have had you serve as our Dean.

“

EARS OF GREATNESS14 YEARS @ HOMEDRIX 14 YEARS OF 6 | HDXPROFILE.COM

Photo by Flynn Hirrel

F POWER

F POWER OCTOBER | 7

| CULTURE |

STUDENTS AT HENDRIX SHOWCASE HOW TO NAVIGATE PARTY LIFE

arties are the heart and soul of any college, and Hendrix is no different. Our campus more than makes up for its small size with rich party culture and traditions. However, the last few years have been rough ones for the party scene at Hendrix. Martin and Veasey Halls, two of the biggest party dorms on campus, were shut down for repairs. Soon after, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, making parties impossible for nearly two years. But after a strong beginning to the school year with the return of classic events such as Robots and Shirttails, it’s safe to say that party life at Hendrix is finally back for good. The Shirttails After-Party made a particularly strong return for an event that had been dead for the last two years. There was an attempt to hold Shirttails last year, but the event was postponed and eventually canceled. While Shirttails is probably the most notable party that Hendrix holds, many wondered if the event would make a comeback, especially after a seeming lack of interest last year. However, the event exceeded expectations, packing the brick pit for hours with the event itself and the following party. A strong start to the school year, the event was immediately followed up by Robots only two weeks later, which had a huge turnout as well. Those who attended Robots this year would have noticed something that set it apart from the Hendrix parties last year—its location. Robots is the first party since the pandemic to be set in the Trap—the brick courtyard set in between Martin and Hardin instead of the brick pit, where most other outdoor parties are held. I spoke to Emma Self and Marleigh Hayes, President and Vice President of Veasey, about the event, which they hosted with the help of Martin Hall Council. They believe that many people prefer the trap to the brick pit, as the trap is more casual, being smaller and located in between two residence halls. Brick pit parties, on the other hand, were described as feeling like parties held in a high school gym. Not only are classic Hendrix parties making a return, but plenty of smaller and brand-new events are showing up as well, like Martin Hall’s spontaneous Wednesday Fest that was held in mid-September. Veasey Hall has an interest in doing a Veasey photo-op during the day, and Couch Hall is currently holding a Halloween-themed door decorating contest. Small events and spontaneous parties like these haven’t happened much last year, so seeing things like these is a great sign that the party culture at Hendrix

PARTY CULTURE PARTY CULTURE PARTY CULTURE BY MALCOLM ROSE

is once again on the rise. The spontaneous and creative nature of the new events popping up speaks volumes about the desire of Hendrix’s student body to bring back a vibrant party culture to the campus. s far as more big parties returning this year, it is expected that all parties from last year will be held this year as well, such as the 80s party, also hosted by Veasey and Martin. In addition, several big parties that weren’t held last year are expected to be held as well. Veasey hopes to collaborate with Martin Hall Council to host more events that Hendrix has not seen for the past four years. Other dorms are joining suite as well, with Couch Hall planning to revive several long-loved but long-forgotten couch traditions, along with plenty of rumors of completely new parties in the works that will be held this year. Overall, everything points to the 2022 school year being a great year to party at Hendrix.

Photos by Flynn Hirrel

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HENDRIX: OLD THE LESSER KNOWN STORY OF WILBUR D. MILLS NEW BY NOAH MORRIS

s soon as you walk into the Mills Center for Social Sciences, the building between the West edge of campus and the Pecan Court, you see a big bust encased in glass, a smiling bookish man named “The Honorable Wilbur D. Mills (1909-1992)”. If you walk into the Mills Library, to the left, you’ll find a wonderful study space, decorated with big windows and a wall full of Mills memorabilia. Mills was a Hendrix alum, one who “walks life’s straight paths” and possesses a “gay outlook on life”, according to quotes from the 1930 Troubador hung up on the wall. A Martin Man, this same source describes him as a victim of Cupid, ‘much to the delight of some fair maidens’. Alas, Mills had the world in his sights, and began attending Harvard Law School. The world rebuked him, and he dropped out after three years, returning to Arkansas a prodigal son. He became the youngest ever judge in White County, where Searcy is, beginning a pre-Medicaid socialized medicine initiative for the elderly. He was then elected to the House of Representatives, and after about 20 years of service he was appointed chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which controls the tax code, tariffs, as well as some social programs like Social Security, foster care, and Medicare. This made him very powerful, and Democrats liked him. In 1972, Mills ran for president, which he failed at, dropping out of the race after New Hampshire. Mills mostly lost the election because he wasn’t as charming as George McGovern, but the Chairman had another weakness, one all too familiar to your average Hendrix alum: that dastard bourbon. By the time he lost the election, he said “it was nothing unusual for me to drink a half a gallon a night”. It was around this time that he met Fanne Foxe, an exotic dancer at the Silver Slipper club at 815 13th St. NW. The two were fast friends, frequently photographed cavorting around the District of Columbia. If you

Photo by Addi Jarrell

believe Foxe’s memoir, she aborted his child to shield Mills’ reputation. Regardless, Mills, Foxe, and both of their spouses moved into Crystal Towers, an upscale apartment complex in Northern Virginia, and the four would play bridge. hen 1974 came, a year of which Mills claimed to have no memory. His heavy drinking did not render him unable to drive, as he found himself doing at 2 AM on October 7, 1974, with Foxe in shotgun. He was a little cavalier, speeding with no headlights on. When he got pulled over, and police approached his car, Foxe came bursting out loud and reckless, and jumped into the approximately 10 feet deep waters of the Tidal Basin, an artificial reservoir connecting The Potomac and the Washington Channel. espite this scandal, Mills was reelected with 60% of the vote in 1974. He continued to serve, until he was made to step down after running up on stage next to Foxe and making a string of lewd, slurred jokes, followed by a press conference staged in her dressing room, after which he checked into rehab and retired. The next year, Hendrix hurriedly finished construction on its new Mills Center for the Social Sciences, and tried to focus away from this event in its ample selection of Mills memorabilia, relegating Ms. Foxe to a vague footnote. Fortunately for the student body, some kind soul printed out the Wikipedia page and stuck it in the dictionary, making his Personal Life public for as long as it remains.

“THE HONORABLE WILBUR D. MILLS (1909-1992)” OCTOBER | 9

HOW TO

Photo by Addi Jarrell

CAF

CHEF WAYNE AND ERIC THE PIZZA GUY’S TIPS & TRICKS FOR A BETTER CAF EXPERIENCE 10 | HDXPROFILE.COM

NOAH MORRIS | STAFF WRITER

n October 3rd, 2022, I sat down with two men worthy of more respect than meager words on a page could muster. To the right, Chef Wayne, the thoughtful, charismatic grillmaster, slinger of millions of burgers, fries and chicken breasts. To the left, Eric the Pizza Guy, who is also thoughtful and charismatic as the head honcho of the Caf’s pizza department, where he harnesses the raw power of fire in pursuit of deliciousness. To begin, I asked them if there were any aspects of Caf usage that more students should be aware of. Eric said, “Don’t forget to oil the wok—that’s how you get burnt rice!” Wayne said that “Most of all, students should ask for help when they don’t know how something works— everyone is friendly, and wants what’s best for you.” I then asked for the weirdest thing a student had ordered. Eric remembered a girl who ordered a cottage cheese pizza, getting it from the salad bar. He did not try it. Wayne had a regular customer who would get a “donut burger”: two donuts with a patty in between. My next question was “What do you wish the school was doing differently?” Wayne had a lot to say on the topic. He said that the students are great. He couldn’t think of a better customer base that he’d had over his forty years of cooking. He then said that the administration does a lot of stuff right, but he wished they did more for Caf employees during the summer. They lose a lot of good people every year, because for those three months, people have still got to make money to live. The administration at Hendrix does some work putting people in other departments, but there’s room for improvement. He then noted, “One thing I’m proud of, listen, we get a lot of leftover food. You kids have a limited amount of time to eat, and we want you to have as many choices as possible. It took about five years of arguing, but we now donate quite a bit of food to the shelters. Debbie Lipscomb was instrumental in that. Homelessness is something we need to address everywhere, and we do what we can here in Conway.” then asked, “What foods do you wish were or weren’t offered?” Eric said, “Well, I don’t like liver and onions, so y’all can take that one away! Not my favorite, never has been. Now, I wish we had some fried calamari. That stuff is nice!” Wayne said, “I don’t think that we should offer shrimp. I love it, but shrimp allergies are particularly harsh, in that microscopic amounts can have profound effects. We got rid of peanut butter for the same reason. On the other hand, it would be nice if we had some real avocados. The spread at the sandwich bar is a bit too bitter.”

ext, I asked, “What’s changed in the time you’ve been here?” Eric said “I’ve lived here since ‘76. Conway’s grown massively, I remember when there was a stop sign next to the Walmart! Hendrix’s campus has changed a lot. I used to swim in this building [SLTC], back in high school. It was a gymnasium back then, we didn’t have the WAC. Back then I worked in Huett, where Miller is now. Pizza used to get cooked, then served a couple hours later. Now it’s much fresher, and tastier.” Wayne said, “I was born in Chicago. I have ten brothers and sisters. When I first moved here from Chicago, around ‘83, Arkansas seemed about 30 years behind Chicago, in terms of technology and culture. At this point, I’d say we’ve caught up to present day Chicago. We may lag a year or two on some trends, but we are certainly on par with the rest of the world, while maintaining that allure of friendliness.”

y last question was “Do you feel like a valued employee?” Eric said, “I do. I mean, I’m pretty much the pizza department. They let me do what I want, but mostly, I want to feed yall what you like.” Wayne said “Yes. I feel respected as a professional and a person. I try to be good on both fronts. I try to emulate my father, who was the greatest man I ever knew. Someone asked me if I got mad at work, and I said, ‘They don’t pay me enough’.”

“DON’T FORGET TO OIL THE WOK—THAT’S HOW YOU GET BURNT RICE!”

OCTOBER | 11

PHOTO OF INTEREST

PHOTO BY FLYNN HIRREL

HENDRIXPROFILE.COM

BRING ON THE B.R.U.H BY COLM SIMMONS

endrix is home to many clubs that uplift the voices of marginalized students. Community is the glue that holds our school together and student leaders are carving out a place of their own. BRUH, or Brothas Respectfully Uniting at Hendrix is an organization taking up space and making a name for itself. President Cornelius Smith ‘24 is working hard to cement BRUH as a resource for POC men on campus. “Our mission statement is to give a voice and provide a community for male POC students of Hendrix. We accomplish this through hosting events with other clubs like SIS (Sisters in Solidarity) and SBC (Students for Black Culture) to give our students a space where they can express themselves.” Cornelius said. Although the school year has only just begun, BRUH is in full swing and actively seeking members. Initially formed in 2020, BRUH was just getting on its feet as Covid-19 swept through the world. Now that the campus has reopened and bustling with students, the organization faces its biggest challenge: gaining recognition. In the sea of clubs already available, it can be easy to be overlooked by the student body. Cornelius is taking initiative to get BRUH’s name out there. “Covid was a large obstacle for us to try and overcome in search of membership. It was impossible to reach out to students and get people to join the club. We’re at a good starting point with membership, but we want this to be a safe and calming space for students, you’re always welcome. Be willing to email me, or stop by. I am a very approachable person. If you’re introverted I understand, it’s hard for me to reach out, but we have ways to get you information and support through email. Just contact me and I’ll show you the way.” Cornelius said. While all clubs depend on staff advisors, Cornelius says that he is always available for BRUH members. BRUH acts as a resource and space to break away from the isolating society of a predominantly white institution. Each one of the cultural clubs plays an integral role in the well-being of POC students. Not only does BRUH exist to support students of color, the club also seeks to further the Hendrix community. “When I was getting started with BRUH, SBC opened up to me and assured me that if I needed guidance with hosting events they would be there for me. Recently we hosted an event to increase voter registration along with SIS, SBC, and NAACP. As of right now we’re planning to co-host an event with NAACP for students to release stress.” Cornelius said. Cornelius was first introduced to the club last year as a sophomore who diligently attended SBC meetings. As the past president prepared to graduate, Cornelius was offered the position and accepted. Cornelius sets a standard for the members of BRUH and their role in our community. On top of fulfilling the regular duties of a Hendrix student and participating in other clubs, Cornelius also plans and delegates for BRUH.

| FEATURE | “As president, my job is to control the social media account, as well as plan and coordinate events with other organizations. A member of BRUH we’re looking for is someone community driven, someone who can work with others, is a leader, and is looking for the next opportunity for the group.” Cornelius said. After grappling with membership and trying to spread the word about the club, the next challenge is building a reputation for BRUH. The club is working closely with the department for diversity and inclusion to become a common name on campus. “The biggest challenge is recognition,” said Cornelius. “As a Junior I only have this year and next year to try to make a name for BRUH. Mr. Ernest Hendley is our faculty advisor and he acts as a liason to the club. He’s there to advise and help; he’s a mentor for everyone in BRUH.” lthough there are clubs in place to uplift marginalized students, BRUH has a unique intention to reach the POC men on campus. BRUH promotes unity which is integral for a thriving community to increase inclusivity. Cornelius plans to push BRUH towards a successful future at Hendrix. “BRUH is important with [Hendrix] being a predominantly white institute. We want to show that we’re here, we go here, we want to be in this community and make decisions. We want to show [...] that POC students can work together and that we’re here to impact this community.”

“WE WANT TO SHOW THAT WE’RE HERE, WE GO HERE, WE WANT TO BE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND MAKE DECISIONS.”

Photo by Addi Jarrell

OCTOBER | 13

Photo by Kendra Baldwin

BEHIND THE SCENES OF CABE

LINC LUKE | STAFF WRITER

potlights focus on actors portraying a story through every move they make, dressed to the nines and completely engrossed in their work. The director is in the back row of the audience, mouthing along with the words and marking down little tweaks to fix for the next performance. There will always be a smile of pride on their face as they watch their creation come to life through dedicated people doing what they are most passionate about. It’s a beautiful scene, coming together in a mixture of sounds, lights, and sets built to highlight the actors. hat happens if you peek your head behind the curtain? Waiting is a whole world of people creating the magic you see on stage. Work study, lab, scholarship, practicum, and volunteer students work tirelessly together to paint, construct, program, and so much more to set the sce-ne. And who do we have to thank for designing and orchestrating all of this? Professor Lauren Ayn Lusk. Starting in August 2022, the Hendrix Theater department gained a new face in design and technology. After studying at University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and Indiana University, previously working as the resident scenic designer and charge artist for a community theater in Texas, a props designer and scenic charge artist for the Arkansas children’s theater, and most recently, stage director and the thespian troupe leader at her old high school, Parkview Arts and Science Fine Arts High School.

usk started theater in middle school at the children’s theater in Little Rock through the summer theater academy and always participated in every aspect of theater. Although, her schools did not offer a drama program until she attended Parkview Arts and Science Fine Arts High School—where she was required to take at least two drama courses a year while also participating in their “extensive curriculum” such as the mime troupe. Lusk says “my favorite part [about working in a theater] is honestly solving problems, I have always loved puzzles growing up so I love an excuse to find a way to solve a problem, especially in a collaborative way.” Professor Lusk enjoys working with others, collaborating to find creative solutions especially in theater as “Every show, no matter how good it might be, there is always going to be something that comes up whether it is something that’s not working about the design or all the sudden something breaks in the middle of a performance…you gotta figure out how to roll with it and make it work.” This is a skill she’s practiced after working on SpongeBob the Musical, creating a curtain to surround the stage out of trash which she claims to be her favorite set piece she’s ever made. vy Branum, a freshman Theater major, is in one of Professor Lusk’s classes and works extensive hours for class and for volunteer work. Her first role as a Hendrix Player was as an assistant stage manager for the first show of the year This Property is Condemned by Tennessee Williams. She was also a key role in the set construction for the same show. “My favorite part is being able to work in the scene shop and be able to construct and make the sets and props and all that fun jazz.” Ivy said. She was a part of her theater troupe in high school, her favorite show to work on being The Addams Family by Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman. She spoke about being able to “dip my toes into what the scene shop is like”. Comparing high school in college, Ivy enjoys the freedom with creativity and trust to work more independently that comes from working in a college scene shop as opposed to the stricter limits that most high school students see in their theater departments.

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WAITING IN THE WINGS FOR YOU

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Photo by Margaret Sampson-Green

“IT’S ABOUT CONNECTING WITH NATURE AND UNDERSTANDING IT IN WAYS THAT HAVE A SCIENTIFIC ROOT”

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WILL BE WAITING IN THE WINGS FOR YOU

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Photo by Flynn Hirrel

A TALK WITH HDX NATURALISTS CLUB

magine: you’re walking along an unfamiliar path, enjoying being in nature for the first time since you were assigned that mind-numbing essay who knows how long ago. But you don’t have to worry about that right now, it’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and everything else that Mr. Rogers sang about. Unknowingly, you find yourself in front of a small stretch of water, it’s completely overpowered by diverse species of vegetation and wildlife and is, quite frankly, breathtaking. You take a deep, rejuvenating breath and think to yourself, “So this is why they call it the Natural State.” I promise this isn’t an overstatement, the Hendrix Creek Preserve is an utterly amazing place and right next to campus. Biology professor, Dr. Maureen McClung ‘01, is the faculty advisor for the Hendrix Naturalists Club (HNC) and passionate about the restoration of the once polluted, dilapidated creek. The Creek Preserve was formerly a rundown concrete drainage ditch that had no real benefits or purpose for Conway. Today, the space is used as a functioning wetland which improves the quality of the water and gives a safe habitat for wildlife in the area. “Ecosystems purify water, they purify air, they do all these things for us when we let them do their thing.” McClung explains. McClung has worked at Hendrix College since 2011 and became involved with the HNC in 2018, before it was an official club. She, along with Hendrix alumni Kevin Krajcir ‘18 and Allison Monroe ‘19, formed a “proto-Hendrix Naturalists Club” in which they went on hikes to see elk in Boxley Valley, watched migrating birds, and educated themselves on the

ALAINA MAY | STAFF WRITER

“That’s what being a Naturalist is all about.” McClung says. “It’s about connecting with nature and understanding it in ways that have a scientific root but aren’t all about the statistics and exams that necessarily go along with it.” The Naturalists, along with many others, were forced to suspend their club after the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020. However, they have resumed their field trips and activities this year and Jaclyn Reifeiss, a senior at Hendrix College and the President of the HNC, hopes that their mission will spark the interests of more students in the future. “The purpose of the Naturalists Club is to expose Hendrix students to the biological phenomenon of Arkansas, introduce them to natural areas nearby, learn about the native species that are here, and explore the outdoors through an educational lens.” Reifeiss says. The Preserve has already become a vital aspect of the Conway community. It’s a popular photo op setting, an excellent location for field trips, and an idyllic environment to explore. I think anyone who goes to Hendrix should go to the Creek Preserve because it’s honestly such a great place to re-center yourself, to go for mental health, it’s really beautiful and people should take advantage of it.” Reifeiss says.

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OCTOBER | 15

| SPORTS |

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WARRIOR CHARLOTTE MILLER | STAFF WRITER HENDRIX ATHLETES SHARE THEIR DAILY ROUTINES

endrix College is home to over a dozen Division III sports teams and with a large freshman class joining the campus this fall, there has been a surge in student athletes. These students practice, train, and compete on top of their regular college course work. These commitments make for some packed schedules and great needs for time management skills. But what does a typical day look like for the average Warrior? Some players have practices as early as 5:30am and some sports teams currently have “Fall Ball” in which they have some sort of activity 5 days a week! These time consuming mandatory activities are often 2 hours and alternate between morning and afternoon periods (these can also be impacted by the Arkansas heat index). For Freshman Women’s Lacrosse player Natalie Vailes, her team schedule is divided between practice, conditioning/ weights, and swimming. However, after fall break the women’s lacrosse team will lower its practices/ conditioning to 3 times per week. This is in part due to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules about many mandatory practices during the off season sports teams can have. he Hendrix Wellness and Athletic Center (commonly known as the WAC) is the gym located over the bridge or through the tunnel across Harkrider. Adjacent to the mystical land of gym equipment, basketball (or pickleball if you dare) courts, a movement studio, massive rock wall, and an luxurious indoor track is the Aquatic Center complete with a massive pool, three diving boards, and a glass pyramid-like ceiling. But this isn’t the only gym used by students… there is another gym…off campus! This formerly secret gym is open to Hendrix student athletes only at specific times. The use of this gym is to allow for other non-athlete students to have access

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Photo by Addi Jarrell

to the campus gym and not have to fight through a sea of football and softball players to get to the leg-press. Team practices and work outs aren’t the only requirements athletes must follow. Vailes also has “Wall Ball.” This consists of individual practice of throwing the ball against a wall to practice lacrosse skills. This activity must be done for 10 minutes 3 times a week and those practices must be logged. Athletes are also required to go to study hall for a specific amount of hours per week. Vailes is required to attend 4 hours per week. Study hall is located in the basement of the DW Reynolds and is open Sunday through Thursday 7-10 pm. Athletes are once again required to sign in. There are also other required events by different sports teams that all members are expected to attend. his packed schedule can be overwhelming. A balance must be made between school work, practice, and social life. Vailes explained that although it can be easy to get stressed out about time management, practice is still lots of fun. When asked if she would like to give a quote Vailes pondered this question for a long while. After much deliberation, she

“LACROSSE IS NOT QUIDDITCH.”

PEDAL TO THE METAL

INSIGHT INTO THE HDX BIKE SHOP CHARLOTTE MILLER | STAFF WRITER Photo by Flynn Hirrel

ikes! They’re everywhere! Chances are, if you’re a student on Hendrix Campus you have seen your peers zipping up and down the sidewalks on bicycles. These cyclists are not only able to get to the art buildings on time for class, but their hair also flows behind them on the way there. Jealous yet? No need to be! There are currently fourteen bikes at the library that are available for all students to borrow. These bikes can be checked out for up to three day periods at the Bailey Library check-out desk. This means that nobody has to steal a bike (or apparently the back wheel of a bike on the rack outside of Veasey)! But what happens when these aesthetically pleasing, but mechanically frustrating pedalpowered open-air vehicles are in need of repair? Well they might cycle their way back to the Hendrix Bike Shop at 1399 Spencer Street. The Bike Shop is open 4:30-6:00pm Monday-Thursday. Three hired mechanics are there to help any member of the Hendrix community with any needed repairs, adjustments, and cleaning. And the best part? It’s completely free! The bike shop also promotes bike advocacy in the Conway community. Now you know where to get a bike and where to get it repaired, but you’re missing something… Some cycling buddies! We’ve got you covered. Formerly known as Conway Critical Mass, PedalForward Conway is a “fun-filled, casually paced group ride for all regardless of age, ability or

equipment,” that is open to the entire Conway community (which includes all Hendrix students). PedalForward is, “a movement of group rides that take the concept of “safety in numbers” to its limit, creating rides that are truly inviting and safe for anyone and everyone.” edalForward also advocates for better and safer bike infrastructure in Conway. Because biking is not as popular in Conway as it is in other cities, many drivers in Conway lack the knowledge of proper driving etiquette when bikes are involved. PedalForward is attempting to bring together the biking community to learn safe, practical routes and enjoy the many benefits of cycling. Logan Ingram, Head Mechanicat the Hendrix Bike Shop and is also an active member of PedalForward. Ingram stated that there has been more interest in the bike shop this year, especially in regards to mechanics, and encourages others to start cycling. He explained that at PedalForward there is a group of about 5 dedicated members who attend every meet and help run the organization, but the up to 30 other participants in the group’s events are mostly an older crowd from the community. hen asked what advice he had for any students wanting to get into biking Ingram responded, “Just get out there and do it.” He explained that the most difficult part is putting oneself out there, but the benefits are many. From gaining a new perspective on our community, to viewing the beauty of our Natural State, to looking aesthetically pleasing while doing so, the benefits of biking are many. So what are you waiting for?

OCTOBER | 17

| OPINION |

FILM

REVIEW : BULLE

JAE HURD | STAFF WRITER

ullet Train is a movie that has recently come out in theaters, coming out August 5th 2022. The movie is a 2 hour long thrill ride action comedy about a group of assassins all on a single train, all looking for a briefcase. The film has a very fun cast of characters, including Ladybug (Brad Pitt), Lemon (Brian Tyree Henry), Tangerine (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and Prince (Joey King). The movie is an incredibly fun watch with many outof-left field moments that keep viewers guessing. The plot of Bullet Train is carried by two main things, the action and the characters. The action is very well done, with many fun-to-watch, well choreographed fight scenes. The camera movement in these scenes is very dynamic, giving the film a lot of energy. The fight scenes are full of exciting nonsense as well, with sequences including a knife bouncing perfectly off of a briefcase, or the train door coming open only for two characters to be left dangling out of the open door, by holding onto a seatbelt. The action is often unbelievable, but in a very fun and exciting way. The more unbelievable parts of the story are all grounded by the characters. Not only are all the characters very entertaining in their own right, but all fall on an interesting spectrum of rootability. Almost all of the characters are very fun and very likable, which makes for an interesting viewing experience when they are all trying to

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kill each other. There are a handful of characters, however, that are very fun to root against, which balances out all the likable characters in a nice way. There are a lot of characters in this movie, but it never gets confusing or hard to keep track of them. Especially because characters randomly die in the movie, which gives it a really nice sense of danger and tension. or a movie like Bullet Train to work, that speed and pace needs to feel real, and the sense of danger, as well as the action heavy fight scenes and dynamic editing and camera movement, really sell that. The editing in the movie adds even more unpredictability, as scenes randomly cut to different characters throughout the film. While these cuts are very strategic and purposeful by the film, it doesn’t feel that way to the audience, adding a more unpredictability to the film. Bullet Train is certainly one of my favorite films this year, if not my favorite all together. However, when I looked it up, I saw that it only had a 55% on rotten tomatoes? So why is that? One reviewer, Scott Tobias, compares it to the film it was seemingly based on, Pulp Fiction, saying the film is guilty of “coasting on glib one-liners and stylefor-style’s-sake action sequences’’. I can’t say I entirely disagree with him. The heavily stylized action and the humor are definitely the highlights of the film, but to say that it coasts on those things feels a bit cynical. In film critic culture there is definitely a persistent idea that a film has to be

T TRAIN “artful” to be good or worthwhile. Why can’t a movie just be fun? Especially when it accomplishes that fun in such a frantic and frankly ballsy way. Comparing this film to an iconic film classic such as Pulp Fiction also seems pointless. The two films may have similarities, as Tobias points out, both “juxtapose the comic banter of gangsters or hitmen with cool stylized spasms of violence,” but they are trying to accomplish two very different things. Pulp Fiction is a meta commentary on crime films and the genre as a whole, while Bullet Train is attempting to deliver a fun, unpredictable action film with a breakneck pace. It seems that most negative reviews of the movie seem to be taking the film too seriously. ow, normally there is nothing wrong with taking a film seriously. Personally, I think you have to take art seriously most of the time, as to not let lazy and uninspired work get away with being those things. But Bullet Train isn’t some failed art film, or an empty corporate film with no real creative inspiration behind it. Bullet Train doesn’t take itself too seriously and doesn’t ask you to do so either. While the film does have some themes and moments of insight on those themes, the focus is hardly on those more insightful moments. If you simply enjoy this movie for what it is, you will come out of it with a positive memory of the experience, especially if you watch it with friends.

THE MEGHAN MARKLE EFFECT

COLM SIMMONS | STAFF WRITER

he British royal family has a history of racism, and it continues in the family lineage. Ever since Meghan Markle married into the royal family, she has been berated because of her race by the internet, the British populace, and the royal family itself. The harassment drove herself and Prince Harry out of the country and sparked a worldwide discussion on the treatment of Black women and Black people. Still to this day Markle is mistreated and misrepresented by the media and white British society. Earlier this month, Queen Elizabeth passed, and her grand funeral was live streamed for the world to watch. Markle attended alongside her husband and grieved with the rest of the royal family. But her mere presence sparked an onslaught of hate and negativity from onlookers who labeled Markle as ingenuine. othing will satisfy racists whose sole intention is to paint Markle in a bad light. Simply existing is reason enough to be attacked by people who deem our lives as “less than” compared to our white counterparts. White people have the audacity to demand that they be respected and hailed on the sole basis that they are white. Markle is a public figure and an easy target for them to latch onto, but the hatred white society directs at her is the same hate they have for all people of color. The widely accepted myth of white supremacy is ever present in the systems that we live under, and the royal family is a representation of that.

The royal family is symbol of white power that white people latch onto to maintain their false sense of superiority. Markle endangers the legacy of the pure white monarch. The racism built into the systems that operate within society is inescapable and poses a threat to all people of color. arkle attended the funeral and mourned Queen Elizabeth’s death like everyone else even after the alleged abuse from the Queen and the royal family. It is frustrating when we as Black people or other racial minority groups are automatically dismissed and villainized and there is no way to combat this because the assumption is based solely on our race. There is no quantity of manners, achievements, or any form of respectability that will change the mind of a racist. An image of Markle with a single tear spread across the media and catalyzed criticisms against her. People use this image of a single tear to claim that she is putting on a performance for the cameras, with no other evidence for their claims. Markle is challenged with keeping her cool in a room where everyone is praying for her downfall to meet their own preconceived notions. It happens everywhere all the time, but in this instance the public has a peephole into the situation and the hate befalling Markle is worldwide. Hopefully Markle and her position in the royal family will continue to spark discourse on the ways in which society protects white supremacy.

SEPTEMBER 2021 17 OCTOBER | 19

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