May 4, 2023

The past, present and future of President Sherman...PG 4 OU students appreciate their graduating friends...PG 8

Songs to listen to during graduation week...PG 18

THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2023

The art of creating memories

As a sophomore, it’s really wild watching my senior friends get ready to graduate, and it has reminded me how important it is to slow down and soak everything in. This graduation season has reminded me how important it is to commemorate where you are, who you’re with and what is to come.

A personal method of capturing memories I use is taking pictures– with friends, of my favorite spots on campus, the view from my dorm or the way a patch of sunlight hits the same spot on my carpet every morning. I constantly hear how college is the best time of your life and how it goes by so quickly you don’t even notice, and taking photos is really grounding in this way. It’s a gentle nod to the fact that things will never be the same again but a greater appreciation for how good you feel in the moment.

Every once in a while, I’ll run to CVS and print out some of my favorites and put them in a little notebook. I was never super into scrapbooking, but gluing the pictures down in that notebook became a simple ritual I will appreciate beyond words in the future. It can feel a little silly to take a picture of the grass stuck to your legs in the middle of College

Green, but it will trigger an enormous rush of nostalgia down the road.

My absolute underrated favorite, however, is keeping notes and tickets pinned up in my room. As I write this, I am facing a wall displaying the ticket to the drive-in movie my boyfriend and I saw on our first date, a thank you note from an old coworker, a Valentine from a fellow editor and a note my friend left on my desk after she came to visit me. No matter how lonely things feel, it is easy to look up at my wall and be reminded of the people I love most in the world and who will support me through everything even when they can’t be here physically. So next time, take that Bagel Street ticket with you instead of throwing it away and know you will miss standing in line one day.

Another method of preserving memories is journaling, which I could spend a lifetime singing my praises for.

Along with the emotional release and calm that comes from writing out all your thoughts (and by writing, I mean physically writing, you Notes app users), there is an added reward when you read back through old diaries. Just the other day, I looked

through mine and was reminded of a particularly slow winter day at the grocery store I work at in Columbus, my coworker shoveling the parking lot through the window as I stood behind the counter of the empty store. Although that moment was gone, the feeling came right back to me. Even if you are journaling about how hard of a time you’re having, it’s really wonderful to look back at your progress after the fact.

It is the nature of life that things are always changing. This is a terrifying sentiment to many, but with this fear comes peaceful understanding. The acceptance of this fact is freedom itself.

So hug your friends, take your pictures, journal your little heart out and know that the unease that comes with change is just the feeling of growth reaching out to you. Best of luck to all the seniors.

Megan is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the opinions expressed in this column do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Megan? Email her md396520@ohio.edu.

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OU students reflect on past 4 years

ANNA MILLAR NEWS STAFF WRITER

Ohio University’s class of 2023 has watched the university endure the COVID-19 pandemic, witnessed several protests and seen two university presidents leave their positions.

In March 2020, OU shut down all in-person activity due to the sudden rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a previous Post report. The shutdown included moving classes to an online format and briefly instituting a satisfactory or no-credit grading option for students.

The university also reduced the number of students physically on campus and living in residence halls during the 2020 Fall Semester.

Reagan Goldberg, a senior studying hospitality management and restaurant, hotel and tourism, was surprised and disappointed when she received the news she was not invited back to campus for her sophomore year, she said.

“It’s not the college experience I was wanting,” Goldberg said.

Zoe Schnieder, a senior studying psychology, said she does not feel ready to graduate. Schnieder’s college experience flew by, she said, but she emphasized many students went through the same experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following the initial response to the pandemic, OU students underwent another transition.

In May 2021, former OU President Duane Nellis announced his decision to step down as president and return to teaching. His resignation followed a vote of “no

confidence” by OU’s Faculty Senate in 2020, according to a previous Post report.

Current OU President Hugh Sherman was then announced as the next president. For the last two years, Sherman has navigated COVID-19 and racist incidents on campus.

Schnieder said the presidential changes didn’t affect her experience at OU.

“It was weird, but overall, I didn’t really see any differences,” Schnieder said.

In March 2022, several students raised alarm bells regarding racism on campus. Naomi Hamner reported that a trash bag with a racist note attached was left near her dorm room in Sargent Hall. Another student in James Hall also reported that a white student urinated on his residence hall door, according to a previous Post report.

Following those incidents, OU students held a town hall in Morton Hall and protested on College Green several days after.

Goldberg said she was disappointed about the racism on campus. She said she believes the pandemic brought out the worst in some people and such issues were prevalent across the country, not just at OU.

In preparation for Sherman’s two-year term ending, the OU Board of Trustees began the search for a new president in the fall of 2022. The search lasted into the Spring Semester before the Board announced Lori Stewart Gonzalez would be the next president of the university.

She will also be the university’s first female president.

This semester, due to transphobic signage, Athens residents and OU students protested outside the Artifacts Gallery, according to a previous Post report. Tree Wendell, a sophomore studying media arts, said she believes the protests during the early days of the pandemic brought people together and encouraged them to speak out against what they believe is wrong.

“We’ve gotten very tense, very heated, especially even here in Athens like we’re saying with the protests and artifacts,” Rodd Weatherford, a sophomore studying music production, said. “People really try to use their voice more now, and I think that’s really nice.”

Although she did not attend any protests herself, Goldberg said she has nothing but respect for those who participated, so long as no harm was caused.

President Sherman reflects on term

JACK SOLON FOR THE POST

Ahead of his retirement at the end of the 2022-23 academic year, Ohio University President Hugh Sherman has reflected on his term and OU’s relationship with the city of Athens.

Sherman has been an Athens resident for 27 years. From 1995 to 2007, he took on many roles, including assistant professor of management, director of the full-time MBA, associate director of the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service and associate dean of operations and strategy.

From 2007 to 2021, he served as the dean of the College of Business at OU before becoming OU’s 22nd president on May 27, 2021.

Sherman said his time as dean of the College of Business, his favorite position, allowed him to build relationships that followed him throughout his presidency.

“We doubled the size of the College (of Business), and we dramatically increased the rankings in terms of student success,” Sherman said. “I was able to build relationships with everybody in the university because I’ve been here for 25 years. I think that knowledge of the university and building all the relationships was critical for my role as president.”

Sherman’s business experience also served to strengthen the relationship between OU and Athens. Athens Mayor Steve Patterson said Sherman’s administration was a major factor in redeveloping buildings such as the Ridges’ Kirkbride buildings for mixed-use. He also said Sherman’s experience in the College of Business made him helpful in meetings with Athens business leaders.

“Business leaders here in the city of Athens got the opportunity to engage with Hugh to share ways in which they thought the city and university could mutually improve themselves,” Patterson said. “One business owner in particular that basically stood up and said, ‘I appreciate being able to speak the language of business to the president of the university.’”

Patterson said he hopes Athens and OU maintain the openness they had under Sherman’s administration after President-elect Gonzalez takes office.

“It’ll certainly be a new chapter in the Ohio University story, but also the Athens story, and we’re looking forward to seeing what this chapter looks like,” Patterson said.

Sherman presented his unfinished agenda at the most recent Board of Trustees meeting, which centered around talent development in Athens rather than recruiting externally for leadership positions, as well as space optimization of OU’s property.

Sherman said OU administrators should take more responsibility for developing current OU employees into potential candidates for leadership positions.

“It requires a change of culture because all the managers and leaders in the organization have to start to be held accountable for developing their own talent,” Sherman said. Due to the hybrid education environment COVID-19 caused, the space optimization of unused campus property is a priority on Sherman’s unfinished agenda. Sherman said reducing the operating costs is crucial for people-based investments.

“The university owns incredible amounts of properties and buildings, and in this hybrid environment, we don’t need

all those properties,” Sherman said. “If we can reduce our physical footprint, that generates more dollars to invest in student programming and competitive salaries for our faculty and staff.”

Sherman said he started a process to review and rapidly sell OU’s properties during his term, but it’s not near completion. He said the survey would determine which buildings are no longer needed, freeing up tens of millions of dollars that would otherwise pay for maintenance and repairs.

Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs commended Sherman’s commitment to OU’s financial stability, as well as staying in line with his presidential goal of providing opportunities to OU students.

“President Sherman’s leadership of, and vision for, Ohio University has helped us achieve greater financial stability and record undergraduate enrollment,” Sayrs wrote in an email. “It has been a pleasure to work alongside him and further our shared commitment to investing in academics and experiential learning opportunities that position our students for lifelong success.”

Student Senate President Dayna Shoulders said Sherman was crucial to the Senate’s ability to make student voices heard throughout the past year.

Shoulders said she and Sherman would have one-on-one

monthly meetings to find out how the OU administration could help the student body and what Senate could do to bring attention to administrative action for OU students.

“He’s allowed space for other students and student leaders to create great relationships with him, other administrators and with their peers,” Shoulders said. “I think he’s done a really great job these past two years and I wish him all the best.”

Before coming to Athens, Sherman and his wife, Cynthia, lived near the east coast. He said he was grateful for his time at OU and the welcome they both received from Athens that has persisted since their initial arrival.

“When we first got here, it was a little rocky because it was such a change from major cities,” Sherman said. “We grew to love this community and the university. I’m gonna miss it. I’ve really enjoyed being here and I feel very fortunate to have stumbled upon the community and the university 27 years ago.”

@JACK_SOLON JS573521@OHIO.EDU

Ohio University President Hugh Sherman listens to questions asked at the Student Senate Town Hall Meeting on March 29, 2023, in Walter Hall. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)

A huge thank-you to The Post’s graduating seniors!

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Long Live The Post!

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Teachers give class of 2023 lasting advice

Minor: Retail & Fashion Merchandising

We are as proud of you as we are inspired by your persevering heart! We know you will continue to be successful because God has your back! May He continue to bless you to be a blessing... and to enjoy yourself on the journey! With Love, Your Family

Graduation and the start of a new era can sometimes be frightening for students who have called Athens home for the past four years. While some seniors know exactly the route they are going to take after graduation, others are still working to come up with plans for what seems to be the start of the rest of their lives.

One thing for certain about the class of 2023 is the level of adaptation they have had to endure through their college years. With the majority of Ohio University seniors starting as freshmen back in 2019 and quickly having to transition to remote learning halfway through their second semester due to COVID-19, it is evident to say that this class has not had the “typical” college experience.

Even after having to adapt to several ways of learning, the class of 2023 will graduate on time and OU professors, assistant professors, staff and students could not be more excited to see what the world will bring them.

of Business, said she has admired the resilience that this class has been able to portray even through the pandemic.

She said her two biggest pieces of advice to this class are to create a habit of doing hard work with a sense of urgency and really taking the time to figure out what they want to do and who they want to be.

“Cling to those people who support you and allow you to take different shapes and allow you to explore your identities,” she said. “Those types of individuals will help you navigate those tricky situations where you might lose yourself; the ultimate benefit being finding yourself from that difficult situation.”

Eddith Dashiell, the director of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, said she was very impressed by the class of 2023 and its ability to adapt and do so successfully in times of uncertainty.

“The fact that they’re graduating in 2023 shows their tenacity and their willingness and drive to be successful in the classroom despite the obstacles they faced,” she said.

given to them by the First Amendment.

“I think it’s going to be on the shoulders of our younger journalists as they enter the workforce that they have to keep reminding the general public, through information literacy, that the First Amendment was written for everybody and any attempt to silence a journalist, that same strategy can be used to silence that person,” she said.

Soichi Tanda, an associate professor of molecular development, said his biggest piece of advice for this class, after already going through such an uncertain four years, is to dream big.

He said that although being sidetracked when chasing a dream may happen, he believes being able to chase your dream ultimately results in happiness. American education allows students to follow their dreams at almost any age, so it’s never too late to start dreaming big, Tanda said.

Congratulations, Jesse! We love you to the moon (no, not your butt) and back!

Elizabeth

Wanless,

an assistant professor in sports administration in the College

She said her three biggest pieces of advice are to never stop learning, to always come back and visit and, for the student journalists, to respect the responsibilities

“You have to keep asking yourself what you want,” he said. “Dream big, even (if) transiently you have to sidetrack a little bit, still you have to chase that dream otherwise you won’t be happy.”

Dori N Gray

Rachel & Jason

Jesse Jarrold-Grapes

Emma Dollenmayer

GABRIELLE CABANES FOR THE POST

Cutler Hall stands on College Green as a symbol of the university. (MEGAN VAN VLACK | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

Students appreciate their favorite seniors

Well, it is official. The year is wrapping up and coming to an end. Although most students will start to plan their return in the fall, they cannot help but stop and think about the graduating class of 2023.

This class of students has helped the underclassmen in so many different ways. Whether it’s through being members of various executive boards or taking the time to help out a lost freshman trying to find their class, these seniors have continued to show what it means to be a Bobcat.

Although so many will miss them, the class of 2023, just like every class before them, will always find their home within the bricks of Court Street, a slice of Goodfella’s pizza or the serenade of the Marching 110.

Several underclassmen wanted to give a special shoutout to the soon-to-be graduates they know and love and wish them

well in their post-graduation plans while also spending time reminiscing on some of the memories that touched their hearts.

Sam McAvoy, a sophomore studying environmental biology, said she wanted to give a special shoutout to the senior resident adviser in her building, Alicia Weadoc. She said she especially appreciated Weadoc’s dedication to her job and making sure that all students felt included and welcomed.

“She’s just really hard-working,” McElroy said. “She makes sure that everyone around her is appreciated and she’s really good at her job.”

McElroy said working as an RA in the same complex as Weadoc has given her the time to get to know her better through various trainings and meetings throughout the year. She said that every time she has been around Weadoc she has loved spending time with her and looks forward to the next time she will be able to do so again.

Fallon Murray, a sophomore studying

early childhood education, said she wanted to spend a moment to appreciate her boyfriend, Alex Ade.

Murray said she and Ade started dating in high school and have been dating for three years, so she holds a lot of memories very close to her heart. She said one of the more recent ones that she enjoys thinking about is when she and Ade went to spend time in Florida with his grandparents over Spring Break, which was a very fun experience for her.

She said one thing she especially enjoys about Ade is the fact that he is a hard worker and wants to do well.

“He wants to do good with what he goes to school for,” she said. “He’s going to be a counselor. He’s going to go to grad school after this, hopefully here. He has a very good heart and he wants to help people.”

Trae Eaglowski, a sophomore studying history, said a special senior in his life is Joey Phipps.

He said he met Phipps through ROTC

and was able to create a connection with him. He said Phipps helped him as he was struggling to create a bond with his classmates and develop his own style of leadership.

Eaglowski said he is thankful for Phipps and all he has done for him.

“He gave me ideas on how to reach out and integrate more with my class,” he said.

“That’s sort of representative of the kind of support that he was giving me my freshman year. He’s been reliable as an authority figure and someone who I can look up to within our program, especially just for that style of leadership advice and things like that. He’s been a big help in that sense.”

GABRIELLE CABANES FOR THE POST

Anna Hattemer laughs during her graduation photo session on College Green on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (JESSE JARROLD-GRAPES | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

OU’s seniors share the best graduation traditions

ABBY JENKINS FOR THE POST

Ohio University’s upcoming graduation has almost the same things on everyone’s mind: receiving diplomas, moving the tassel, throwing the cap and a trip down Court Street one final time. In addition to these lovable classics, OU has its own unique tradition of parading out of the Alumni Gate on College Green senior year instead of walking through it during freshman year.

Many well-known traditions for graduation, such as wearing a cap and gown and having a class ring, are immediately what come to mind when one thinks of the word “graduation.” However, many people aren’t aware of where these traditions came from originally.

The graduation caps, also known as “the mortarboards,” originated from Roman Catholic clergy and were worn in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. They were only worn by those who had received their master’s or a doctorate in education and were worn to show extraordinary intelligence over others. Gowns were worn during the middle ages as some of the first universities were being constructed. Due to poor heating in these

buildings, scholars wore long gowns with hoods to stay warm.

More exhilarating and fun traditions were born at OU from past generations. Classic “bar crawls” and “shot shuffles” down Court Street are sure to make for a memorable (or unmemorable) night in A-town. Visiting freshman-year dorms and decorating graduation caps are other common, yet meaningful, traditions many seniors at OU choose to participate in.

Kaylee Allen, a senior majoring in aviation flight and aviation management, shared her decorated graduation cap. On the cap was the phrase, “onward and upward,” a phrase she and her fellow aviation majors use as they continue to progress in the program. Below the phrase, was an airplane-shaped collage of the many people who had helped to get her to where she is today.

“As pilots, we always tell each other ‘Onward and upward’ as we move into our jobs,” said Allen. “We start obviously in little planes and as we work our way up we get into higher altitudes and bigger planes.”

As a first-generation student, Allen hopes to start a trend and have more pilots in her family. Her excitement toward an accomplishment like this one is unmatched.

Allen’s freshman-year roommate, Jackie Smith, a senior studying integrated science education, also decorated her cap with a photo collage and the quote “I had the time of my life with you” from Taylor Swift’s song “Long Live.” Allen and Smith were on their way to grab a picture outside of Sargent Hall, their freshman dorm that had started it all.

Smith reflected on her experience at OU and plans on heading uptown with her friends one final time as a last hurrah.

“It’s just been really fun, like a good experience being on your own but not completely on your own yet,” she said. “Just meeting all kinds of different people and it’s been really great.”

Haley Janoski, a senior studying communications, believes that a “bar crawl” is a common tradition many Bobcats partake in around graduation season. She has also enjoyed watching many seniors take photos outside their favorite OU landmarks and popping a bottle of champagne.

“That makes me really happy,” said Janoski. “When I’m, you know, leaving school in the late evening or if I’m sitting outside eating Whit’s, I’m seeing people take pictures and look happy and, you know, be proud of their accomplishments. I think that’s just a

sight to see.”

Janoski also talked about her own family tradition associated with graduation which she plans to repeat this year after graduating with her twin brother.

“When we graduated (high school), what my family did after was we went and got a Frosty and then we went to this gyro place by my house in Columbus and got their french fries because they’re just the best french fries,” she said. “Anytime there’s a big academic event or life event, we get a Frosty and then those fries from the gyro place. So I think that’s probably in order for us again.”

Whether it is an emotional trip down memory lane or a fun game of Court Street roulette, traditions for graduating seniors make for some of the most memorable moments during their time at OU. As everyone wishes them the best in their future endeavors, times like these will certainly never be forgotten.

“It’s overall been a really positive experience,” said Allen. “I’ve been able to kind of turn myself, I don’t know, into the person I always dreamed to be.”

Isabella Keller

Happy Festing

Photos from the festivities

TOP: Ava Hunker and Nat Shaffer celebrate Green Beer Day on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, on Court Street in Athens. (TALITHA MALOY | FOR THE POST)

MIDDLE RIGHT: A BORG sits on a porch of a house on Mill Street during Mill Fest on March 25, 2023, in Athens. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)

MIDDLE LEFT: Athens Police Department officers patrol Mill Fest on police horses on March 25, 2023, in Athens. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)

BOTTOM: Two Ohio University students play cup pong outside on the lawn during Mill Fest in Athens on March 25th, 2023. (CHLOE EGGLESTON | FOR THE POST)

Scenes from the Stage

TOP LEFT: The cast of Hotel Berry practices before its opening show on Nov. 17, 2022, in the Tantrum Theatre on Nov. 15, 2022. (ZOE CRANFILL | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

TOP RIGHT: The Rocky Horror Picture Show is performed in The Union in Athens on Oct 20, 2022. (JUSTIN DELGADO | FOR THE POST)

BOTTOM LEFT: Hydrone plays at Nelsonville Music Festival on September 3, 2022, in Nelsonville, Ohio. (DYLAN TOWNSEND | FOR THE POST)

BOTTOM RIGHT: Mackenzie Price poses for a portrait for the Rocky Horror Picture Show performance in which she plays Magenta. (ZOE CRANFILL | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

MIDDLE

(CARRIE LEGG | PHOTO EDITOR)

BOTTOM: Phi Beta Sigma holds a probate ceremony at Morton Hall to honor the induction of three new members on March 24, 2023, in Athens.

(PEARL SPURLOCK | FOR THE POST)

TOP LEFT: Noah Kahan performs at Mem Aud for a sold-out crowd on his Stick Season tour in Athens on March 23, 2023.

(RYAN GRZYBOWSKI | FOR THE POST)

TOP RIGHT: The cast of Carrie performs the musical in Kantner Hall’s E.E. Baker Theater on March 8, 2023, in Athens.

(MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)

LEFT: Lead singer of Blue Cactus, Steph Stewart, plays an acoustic guitar during the band’s set on the Snow Fork Stage on Sept. 2, 2022.

Moments That Make Us

MIDDLE

BOTTOM: Brothers of the Alpha Phi Alpha begin the MLK Silent March after leaving Galbreath Memorial Chapel as they walk across College Green to Baker on Jan. 17, 2023. (RYAN

| FOR THE POST)

TOP LEFT: Lilian Ijoma poses for a portrait after the South Asian Student Association’s Holi celebration on March 8, 2023. (JACK TATHAM | FOR THE POST)

TOP RIGHT: Caroline Wilson celebrates Holi with the South Asian Student Association on March 8, 2023. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)

LEFT: Pramisa Diwari poses for a portrait at a Dashain event on October 25, 2022, in Athens. (PEARL SPURLOCK | FOR THE POST)

MIDDLE RIGHT: Jenima Odura makes fried ripe plantain, a delicacy from Ghana, on April 8, 2023, in Athens. (ARSHI SINGHNIA | FOR THE POST)

GRZYBOWSKI

MARGAUX

KAYLA

From YouTube to the station

Quintin Lott is a 19-year-old probationary firefighter. He is currently working at the Athens Fire Department, Station #1, located at 61 Columbus Road. He was officially sworn in as a firefighter on April 10, 2023, by Athens Mayor Stave Patterson. Quintin went to Capital University to study education while playing football.

His career plans switched through college when he was interested in becoming a firefighter after watching YouTube videos. Now, he is currently a probationary firefighter, which is someone who is in their 6-18 months of service at a fire department. The title is generally the lowest rank at the department, basically a “freshman” in college.

TOP LEFT: The front of the Athens Fire Department, Station #1, on May 1, 2023, located on 61 Columbus Road. “The whole environment of the city drew me to apply here. To be honest, there was no way I was thinking that I would end up getting the job, but I got it,” Quintin Lott said.

(CHLOE EGGLESTON | FOR THE POST)

TOP RIGHT: Lott’s fire gear hanging up on the firetruck on May 1st, 2023, at Athens Fire Department. (CHLOE EGGLESTON | FOR THE POST)

MIDDLE RIGHT: Lott grabbing a cable cord that was in a tree leading to a water puddle on the ground at 128 Morris Avenue in Athens on May 1, 2023. (CHLOE EGGLESTON | FOR THE POST)

BOTTOM LEFT: Lott smiling during a timed training at the Athens Fire Department on March 30, 2023.

(CHLOE EGGLESTON | FOR THE POST)

BOTTOM RIGHT: Firefighter Nick Russell (left) discussing with Lott (right) the different types of diesel leaks that can happen with a firetruck at the Athens Fire Department on May 1st, 2023.

(CHLOE EGGLESTON | FOR THE POST)

Sights and sounds in Athens

TOP LEFT: The Cherry Blossom trees near the Bike path in Athens on March 29, 2023. (ALIZA DUTT | FOR THE POST)

TOP RIGHT: UPC hosted a University-wide petting zoo for the welcome week at Ohio University in Athens on Aug 23, 2022. (JUSTIN DELGADO | FOR THE POST)

MIDDLE RIGHT: The stained glass windows on the east wall of Mount Zion Baptist Church on April 7, 2023, in Athens. Over 100 years after the creation and installation of the windows, the leading holding the stained glass together has deteriorated, causing parts of the glass to fall out. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)

MIDDLE LEFT: Ohio University alumnus Lukas Whittamore looks up toward the next hold while he competes at the 2022 Halloween Climbing Competition at Ping Rec Center in Athens on Oct. 31, 2022. (ALIZA DUTT | FOR THE POST)

BOTTOM LEFT: An Aviation Ruler sits on a map at the Gordon K. Bush Ohio University Airport on February 18, 2023. (ZOE CRANFILL | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)

BOTTOM LEFT: Bryce Houston (32) celebrates a tackle against Penn State’s defense. The Ohio Bobcats lost to the Nittany Lions 10-46 in State College, PA, on Saturday, September 10, 2022. (RYAN GRZYBOWSKI | FOR THE POST)

BOTTOM RIGHT: Ohio University forward Ryan Higgins (9) steals the puck from Drexel University forward Patrick McGinley III (13) during the Bobcats' home game on Jan. 20, 2023, in Bird Ice Arena. (ALAINA DACKERMANN | FOR THE POST)

TOP LEFT: Cecelia Creviston swims the 1000yard freestyle during the Green and White meet at the Aquatics Center on September 23, 2022. (RYAN GRZYBOWSKI | FOR THE POST)

TOP RIGHT: Collin Kasperbaur lets blood drip from his nose after being hit by a pitch that bounced offhis shoulder into his face. (JESSE JARROLD-GRAPES | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)

TOP RIGHT: Sophomore Emma Hoffner (7) catches the ball at the game against Kent State on April 11, 2023, at the Ohio Softball Field in Athens. (MEGAN VANVLACK | FOR THE POST)

BOTTOM RIGHT: Ohio freshman AJ Brown, 24, attempts to make a basket during the game against Western Michigan on Tuesday, Jan 24, 2023. ( CARRIE LEGG | PHOTO EDITOR)

BOTTOM LEFT: Ohio University soccer teammates celebrate with Aubrey Rea (5) after she scores a goal against Miami on Thursday, Sep. 29, 2022. ( JACK TATHAM | FOR THE POST)

TOP RIGHT: Redshirt Junior, Jordan Slivka, checking the time during his Kent State match at the Convo. in Athens on Feb. 3rd, 2023. ( CHLOE EGGELSTON | FOR THE POST)

CELEBRATE, GRADUATES.

YOU EARNED IT.

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS

Looking back on the past 4 years of Ohio sports

WILL CUNNINGHAM SPORTS EDITOR

In my four years as a student at Ohio, I’ve been pretty lucky when it comes to the university’s athletic success.

When you go to a school like Ohio, there is no guarantee of success, given that Ohio plays in the Mid-American Conference — one of the most balanced and competitive conferences in the country.

Sure, some of Ohio’s teams have struggled at times in the last four years, such as this year’s women’s basketball team and last year’s football team. However, a quick list of some of the major successes shows just how good Ohio athletics have been during my time in Athens.

The football team won two bowl games in four years under two different coaches, made a MAC Championship game, had a 10-win season and saw multiple players win postseason awards.

Also, the men’s basketball team has won at least one game in the MAC Tournament in each of the last four seasons, including a year that saw them win the MAC tournament and upset Virginia in the NCAA Tournament in 2021.

The rest of Ohio’s team sports have seen consistent suc-

cess as well. That culminated this spring with the possibility that both the baseball and softball teams could win MAC regular season titles and host their respective MAC Tournaments.

However, more important than the teams I have seen are the athletes.

I watched Cece Hooks become the all-time leading scorer in MAC history, cementing her place as one of the very best basketball players the conference has ever seen.

I witnessed Jason Preston’s journey from unheralded recruit to second-round NBA draft pick and everything he did for Ohio along the way. Speaking of men’s basketball, I saw Mark Sears and Ben Vander Plas improve to the point where they transferred away from Ohio and played major roles at Alabama and Virginia, respectively.

I saw Kurtis Rourke build on the Ohio legacy of his older brother Nathan by putting together one of the greatest passing seasons in Ohio history and being named MAC Player of the Year.

During my time at Ohio, I have seen many athletes have success: pitcher Joe Rock was drafted by the Colorado Rockies, cross country runner Josh Park won a pair of MAC championships, Caitlin Fogue hit two grand slams in one softball

game in 2020 and Jimmy Thomas recorded more shutouts than any goalie in the illustrious history of Ohio hockey. It wasn’t all good, though, as the story of my experience of Ohio athletics would not be complete without mentioning the COVID-19 pandemic.

When the world shut down in March 2020, I had tickets to see both the men’s and women’s basketball teams play in the MAC Tournament in Cleveland before it was canceled.

Much more painful is that I was forced to watch Ohio’s 2021 MAC Championship run and NCAA Tournament appearance from my couch. There is no doubt in my mind that if there had been a standard amount of fans allowed at those games, I would have been at every single one, and that will always be a regret of my time at Ohio.

Despite that regret, I have seen some truly incredible teams and players during my four years as an Ohio student. While I covered these athletes and watched them as a fan, players like Hooks, Preston and the Rourke brothers will always hold a special place in my memory.

Photo provided by Ohio Athletics (MIDGE MAZUR | OHIO ATHLETICS)

OU Campus & Beyond

The Ridges

Bobcats

Seigfred

Kantner

Peden Stadium

Rufus

McCracken

Gordy

Alden Library

Glidden

Ckippinger

Mem Aud

Stocker Center

Emeriti Park

Court Street

Convo

Greek Life

Jeff Hill

Copeland

Ohio’s 10 most influential athletes in five years

ROBERT KEEGAN III FOR THE POST

Over the last five years, Ohio University has witnessed some of the best sporting moments in school history. From winning Mid-American Conference championships to breaking school records, Ohio has seen it all.

Every single one of these moments was headlined by Ohio’s talented student-athletes. However, some have had an impact spanning far beyond their athletic abilities.

Here are the 10 most influential Ohio athletes over the last five years:

Jason Preston

Preston helped craft one of the most memorable moments of the last five years. He led the 2021 NCAA Tournament team, which upset Virginia in the first round. After that, it’s history. From 2018 to 2021, Preston helped Ohio win one MAC Championship while averaging 16 points per game during his junior year.

Preston went from having one offer out of high school to playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA.

Nathan and Kurtis Rourke

The Rourkes have carried Ohio’s football team at the quarterback position like no other.

From 2017 to 2019, Nathan Rourke accounted for the second-most passing yards in a single career at Ohio with 7,457. Kurtis’ career is still in progress, but he put forth a MAC Player of the Year performance in 2022. Kurtis put up 3,256 yards during this season, which is the second most in school history, along with a 537-yard performance against Fordham for the most passing yards in a single game.

Nathan broke several records in the Canadian Football League prior to being signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL in 2023.

Kai Caesar

Kai Caesar has been a cornerstone of Ohio’s defense since his first snaps in 2019, but Caesar’s impact on Ohio spans beyond the football field.

In 2022, Caesar was awarded the MAC Diversity and Inclusion Student-Athlete award due to his work in the Bobcats Lead Change program. The program’s goal is to promote unity and justice among Black students in the community. However, that’s not all that Caesar has done. In 2020, he launched his own non-profit called “beyond yourself” in his home state of Oklahoma. He works with athletes to coach them through football and non-football topics.

Caesar’s time at Ohio is done but his impact on the community will last forever. Caesar signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft.

Allie Englant

The softball team has been one of Ohio’s best over the last five years. One player who had a major impact during that time is Allie Englant. Englant played from 2018 to 2022 and has the most at-bats in school history with 712. Not only that, but she also holds the school record for career singles with 198 and runs scored with 154 and ranks second in hits with 241.

In 2018, Englant and the Bobcats took home a MAC Championship.

Abby Townsend

Abby Townsend played soccer for Ohio from 2018 to 2022. The forward was an assist machine and broke the school record for assists in a season during the 2019 season with 12 and tied the career assist record with 31. Townsend was elected to the All-MAC First Team in 2019, as well as the AllMAC freshman team in 2018.

Cece Hooks

Cece Hooks is one of the greatest basketball players in Ohio history, and she did nothing but break records during her time in Athens. With 2,437 points, Hooks has more points than any basketball player to ever play in the MAC, male or female. She also holds the conference’s all-time record for steals. In 2018, Hooks led Ohio to the MAC championship game where it was defeated by Buffalo.

Hooks is a former MAC Player of the Year in 2021, a fourtime MAC Defensive Player of the Year, four-time First Team All-MAC selection, four-time MAC All-Defensive Team selection and will go down as one of the greatest basketball players that the university has ever seen.

Rudy Rott

One of the most consistent baseball players in Ohio history is infielder Rudy Rott. From 2016 to 2019, Rott tallied more RBIs, hits and total bases than any other player in Ohio history. Rott picked up two All-MAC First Team selections and became the first player in MAC history to be named MAC Player of the Year twice, doing so in 2018 and 2019. Rott also helped lead the Bobcats to a MAC Championship in 2017.

Rott went on to be drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2019 MLB draft.

Dwight Wilson III

Wilson is the second member of the 2021 NCAA Tournament team on this list. However, Wilson didn’t become a prominent member of the Ohio sports culture until the 2022-23 season.

Wilson led Ohio in both scoring and rebounding at 9.2 rebounds per game and 15.4 points in his fifth year. His defining year came after an ACL tear that sidelined the center for all of the 2021-22 season.

Jimmy Thomas

Jimmy Thomas tied the Ohio hockey record for shutouts in a single season twice, with six in both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. The goaltender is also responsible for the most shutouts over the span of an entire career with 16. Thomas has the second-most saves in a single season with 932 in 2017-18.

During his freshman year, Thomas helped lead the No. 2 Bobcats to the ACHA national championship game where they lost to Central Oklahoma.

Josh Park

In 2018, Josh Park took home Ohio’s first individual MAC Cross Country Championship since 1996. Park dominated the MAC during his career from 2017 to 2022. Along his journey, he set the 8k school record with a time of 23:32.4 and won a pair of MAC Championships in that event. @ROBERTKEEGAN_

ILLUSTRATION BY TREVOR BRIGHTON

TIPS WITH TATE

What to know about health insurance, taxes

TATE RAUB

qualify as payments that contribute to the out-of-pocket maximum. In case you’re unfamiliar or need a refresher, a Copay is the amount of money paid out-of-pocket for covered health services, a deductible is the amount of money that has to be paid before insurance companies start paying for medical costs and coinsurance is the portion of an insurance bill that has to be paid after your deductible is met.

you will have to submit a 1098-E form provided to you by your bank in addition to your W-2 form.

When filing your taxes, make your life easier and use a tax filing software like TurboTax. Based on personal experience, it makes the whole process less stressful. There are Live Assisted programs that put you in contact with a tax expert who can review your tax return before it gets filed. Plus, these features are free for simple tax returns if your taxes are filed before a certain date.

At the start of a new job, your new employer will likely give you options for health insurance plans. The options differ based on the amount you’re paying for the plan, which will come directly from your paycheck. In turn, the company then covers the insurance policy and employees have to cover the rest and pay their insurance rate, or premium, each month. Then, when medical costs arise, the health insurer agrees to pay for a part of them.

A good rule of thumb for how much to spend on health insurance each year is to get as close to 10% of your annual income as possible. So for example, if your yearly income is $40,000, 10% of that would be $4,000. Divide that by 12, and you would spend approximately $333 on your insurance rate each month.

Keep in mind that some health insurance policies have a yearly out-of-pocket maximum or a specific limit on the amount of money that must be paid out-of-pocket before your insurance can fully cover the cost for the rest of the year. Copays, deductibles and coinsurance all

Something important to know is that if you’re single and earning less than $12,550 a year, it’s not a bad idea to file a federal income tax return, even though you’re not required to. If money from your paychecks is being withheld for income taxes, there’s a chance you’re eligible for a tax refund. If your income is less than the taxable minimum, you’ll likely not owe anything in taxes, but you can’t get a tax refund if you don’t file a tax return.

When you’re filing your taxes, there are various forms that you may have to submit. If you have student loans,

All of these super adult-y things can be very overwhelming. My biggest piece of advice is to ask questions about things you don’t understand and talk to an older adult who has dealt with this stuff before. There are also plenty of online resources (many of which are linked in this column) that simplify the confusing aspects of ensuring you’re covered in case of a medical emergency and not accidentally committing tax fraud. Good luck with your future endeavors, graduates, and remember it’s always okay to ask for help.

Tate Raub is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post . Want to talk more about it? Let Tate know by tweeting her @tatertot1310.

Andrew Davis Bachelor of Science Aviation flight and Aviation management

Jesse Pepper & Poppy Honorary Degree Journalism: Meows & Information

Bachelor of Science Visual Communication

Jarrold-Grapes Best of Luck on your new adventures. Stay cute, and keep a watchful eye your human. We’ll miss you in the newsroom. The

BENNETT’S BALLOT

The best weekends to come back as an alumni

KAYLA BENNETT

As a graduating senior, there’s one thing I’m looking forward to since I’m leaving Ohio University: coming back. Many of my friends will still be here next year and as a fresh alumna, I plan on coming back maybe more than the average alum would.

Though I wish I could have one more year, I know I will have to pick and choose what weekends I choose to come back for. Arguably, some weekends at OU are better to return for than others.

Here are my personal opinions on every eventful weekend, what I love about them and if I would come back or not:

Homecoming

Homecoming is a classic; I feel like the weekend is made for alum. As a student, Homecoming was a chance to stay up for a full 48 hours so that I wouldn’t miss any festivities. From “Kegs and Eggs” to the Homecoming Parade, there wasn’t a single miss. Unfortunately, this past year, I slept right

through the Homecoming football game, and it was tragic. I also walked in the parade, but I’ve never gotten the chance to sit and watch it.

I know things will be different for my Homecoming experience as an alumna, but it’s the weekend I want to return to Athens for the most.

Halloween

Sad story: I missed Halloween Weekend my senior year. Though it was for a good reason, I was sad not to be in town for my last “HallOUween.” This past year was also the return of the Athens’ Halloween Block Party.

I would love to come back and prance around Court Street in the best costume I can come up with at least one more time. There is something so special about this weekend. This is the weekend Athens is known for, and likely half of the reason OU has a party school reputation.

Halloween Weekend has to be one of my top weekends I’m looking forward to experiencing again.

Graduation Weekend

As mentioned, many of my friends will still be at OU next year and many of them will be graduating. Graduation Weekend is so full of light and energy and has a constant feeling in the air of, “You did it.”

Next year, I wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. As long as I have a Bobcat family in Athens graduating, I will be back for Graduation Weekend.

Palmer Place and Palmer Fest

I wasn’t sure about “Fest Season” when I first came to OU, but slowly it has grown on me. However, there’s only one weekend of fests that I’ve grown to love: Palmer Place and Palmer Fest.

Something in the air during Palmer weekend is different. It’s full of nostalgia because it’s the last fest of the year, but it’s also full of celebration because it means we’re one step closer to summer.

I definitely want to try and return for Palmer Place and Palmer Fest—only for next year, though. Going to fests too far into alum status might not be the best idea.

Santa Fest

Santa Fest sometimes flies under the radar when it comes to memorable weekends at OU. However, I love it. Any excuse to wear a Santa hat, dress up and go out is a reason to be happy.

Santa Fest is also so close to Winter Break, so it’s the perfect time to come back and see Athens when students are still in town and maybe even when Athens isn’t as packed with people.

It will be interesting to come back to OU when I graduate, but I’m excited to see things from a different perspective and maybe fall in love with this place I called home a little bit more.

No matter what weekend I come back, I know it will be full of bittersweet memories and many O’Betty’s hotdogs.

Kayla Bennett is a senior studying journalism. Please note that the views and ideas of columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to talk to Kayla? Tweet her @kkayyben.

5 graduations, coming-of-age movies to watch even after you graduate

Christine, who lives in an unstable household in California. Using comedy to ease the tension between the pressures she feels to do well in school and make friends, it's an honest portrayal of girlhood and the transition between high school to college and even beyond.

Played by Saoirse Ronan, the acting is also incredible, with the actress feeling like she knows who you are even in a fictional setting. Dealing with self-identity, trauma, financial stress and conformity, this film stays relevant because of how real it is, showing audiences that life sometimes is just hard for young women and shining a new light on the female experience and its hardships.

“Superbad”

You might be confused as to why "Superbad" is on this list, but it's an iconic comedy film that actually has a deeper meaning. Starring Michael Cera and Jonah Hill as Evan and Seth, the movie dives headfirst into their tumultuous friendship as the two prepare to graduate high school. The film's premise is the two trying to achieve their bucket list goals, such as going to a high school party and attaining girlfriends; it also examines their dynamic and the true tests of friendship. Even if it is a silly and, at times, controversial film, it's also one that celebrates friendship, honesty, and maturing, which is why people still talk about it after its release in 2007.

“Booksmart”

GRACE KOENNECKE FOR THE POST

So, you're graduating. This time in your life is likely filled with relief, sadness, anxiety and nostalgia. While it's OK to feel this way, it's also great to project these emotions onto a comforting form of entertainment: movies.

Coming-of-age movies are timeless, never losing their significance or relevance even after you've moved through various stages of your life. If you need a sense of relatability and comfort right now, here are five graduation-themed and coming-of-age movies to watch:

“The Spectacular

Now”

Based on the novel by Tim Tharp, "The Spectacular Now" is a timeless film that fol-

lows Sutter Keeley's, aka Miles Teller, college admissions journey, questioning his individuality and personality beyond his class clown persona. When he meets Aimee, played by Shailene Woodley, Sutter begins to realize that it is normal to feel nostalgic, especially when you don't want to move on from the past. This movie grapples with the themes of time, mental health, and growing up, which are all ones that almost any college graduate can still relate to now. It is a heartfelt, moving watch.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower," an adaptation of the novel by Stephen Chbosky, tells the story of Charlie, an introverted freshman in high school. The film sees Charlie struggle with his identity, not knowing who he is

or what he wants to accomplish in the future. After becoming friends with Patrick and Sam, two seniors preparing for college, he sees that moving on from who you once were is necessary for personal growth, especially when you find your passions and the people you're meant to be connected with. Full of iconic scenes and nostalgic references to the 1980s and 1990s, this film, even if it does center around high school graduation, will bring you to tears and may even inspire you to reach out to old friends and hold on to current ones.

“Lady Bird”

Directed by Greta Gerwig, "Lady Bird" is another movie to watch, especially if you're coming from a female-identifying perspective. The film takes viewers into the life of

Lastly, "Booksmart" is almost the equivalent of "Superbad," but more modern and inclusive in terms of its material. Released in 2019, the movie is all about change, with two best friends trying to understand who they are before going to college. Both overachievers, they make a bucket list of things they want to do before graduation, leading them to interact with interesting characters along the way. With two female leads, Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein, it also represents the new wave of comedy and representation, proving it to be a film you can watch over and over again for its relatability and lack of filter.

ILLUSTRATION BY MIA PISHOTTI

Top 10 songs to add to your graduation playlist

OLIVIA ROHLING FOR THE POST

Graduation season is upon us! What better way to get in the spirit than by compiling a playlist of songs that totally scream change, rebirth and graduation? Here are 10 songs to add to your graduation playlist:

"Finale" (Can't Wait To See What You Do Next)" by AJR

The big day of graduation is essentially the "finale" of your college experience, so what better song to add to your graduation playlist than a song titled "Finale?" This song is also perfect because toward the end of the song, the lead singer sings, "I think it's time to go now, I think my curtain's falling / Just don't forget about me when you get out of college." Additionally, the final lyrics are, "We can't wait to see what you do next," which is a good reminder that college graduation is only the beginning!

"Where'd

All the Time Go?" By Dr. Dog

You've probably heard it thousands of times, "College went by so fast!" It's no secret that the days seem to blur together. Before you know it, you're receiving your college degree when it feels like you were just a freshman the day prior. Where did all the time go? The time was lost in the late-night laughs with friends, the early morning studying sessions and everything in between. Time flies when you're having fun!

"Congratulations" by MGMT

"Congratulations!" is likely a word you'll hear a lot on graduation day, and rightfully so! Completing college and getting a degree is not something everyone can say they accomplished, so be proud! This song is slower and very vibey. The song's last line is, "Spread my arms and soak up congratulations." Soak up those congratulatory hugs on your big day– you deserve it.

"Slipping

Through My Fingers" by ABBA

This 1981 song from the band's "The Visitors" album will make you feel all the feels. "Slipping Through My Fingers" is a beautiful song with beautiful harmony. You can think of it as time slipping right through your fingers. The lyrics "Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture / And save it from the funny tricks of time" really help sell this idea.

"Good Old Days (feat. Kesha)" by Macklemore & Kesha

Arguably a classic "graduation" song, in "Good Old Days," Macklemore and Kesha sing about growing up and leaving behind the good times in their young lives. It's like what Andy Bernard from "The Office" said in the show's finale, "I wish there was a way to know you were in the good old days before you actually left them." This song will probably have you in tears if you're a graduating senior. Listen accordingly.

"Vienna" by Billy Joel

This 1977 song would be a perfect addition to any graduation playlist. The lyrics toward the song's end are as follows, "Slow down, you're doing fine / You can't be everything you want to be before your time." This song is a good reminder not to rush into things – life isn't a race. And remember, even if you feel overwhelmed that you're graduating and moving on, "You're doing fine."

"I Lived" by OneRepublic

Released in 2014, "I Lived" would be the perfect song to lis-

ten to when reminiscing on all your college memories. The lyrics, "I owned every second that this world could give / I saw so many places / The things that I did / Yeah, with every broken bone / I swear I lived," emphasize this idea. Nobody wants to look back on their college experience and feel unfulfilled and like they didn't seize every moment. Regardless of what your college experience looked like, you definitely lived.

"Good Life" by OneRepublic

Another OneRepublic song, this one will have you thinking about the good life. Graduating college is a life milestone, which may cause you to think about all your life accomplishments that you've achieved to date. Despite the typical hardships that come your way, life is good, and this song will have you thinking that too.

"I'll Always Remember You" by Hannah Montana

Nostalgia alert! This Hannah Montana song totally highlights nostalgia; it likely reminds you of your childhood when you'd sit in your living room with your siblings watching "Hannah Montana." The lyrics hit the nail on the head as far as

leaving a familiar place with familiar people. A section of the lyrics goes, "I always knew after all these years / There'd be laughter, there'd be tears / But never thought I'd walk away / With so much joy, but so much pain / And it's so hard to say "goodbye." These lines speak for themself.

"Rivers and Roads" by The Head And The Heart

This song seems to flood TikTok every graduation season. The song starts with the lyrics, "A year from now, we'll all be gone / All our friends will move away / And they're goin' to better places / But our friends will be gone away." This is a great reminder that better things await us after college. It's also a great reminder to keep in touch with the friends you've made in college.

ILLUSTRATION BY MIA PISHOTTI

The Post Photo Staff (PHOTO STAFF)