A&E
Check out The Rambler’s preview of “The Liar”, Transy’s first student production of the year filled with “romance, identity, and lies, lies, lies.” pg. 5
The
Rambler
Looking back:
Transylvania University • Lexington, KY • transyrambler.com
Transylvania University takes on Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Gabriel Estridge ghestridge14@transy.edu
The ghost of Rafinesque may steal the show every Halloween, but some of Transylvania's strangest folklore comes from the more recent, and less supernatural, past when Transy, the educational beacon to the West, took on Hallmark Cards, Inc. It all started with a T-shirt. The incident happened in 1987. Hallmark, purveyor of both cards and seasonal gag-gifts, released a bloodspattered T-shirt emblazoned “Transylvania University”, with witticisms such as “We Go For The Throat!” or, in Latin, “E Pluribus Bitum!” circled around a cartoon picture of a bat. Alumni from around the country saw these shirts, sold in Hallmark's “Boo Bazaar” line of Halloween accessories.The content was mild, but the scandal would be remembered. Regional papers picked up the story. On October 22 the same year, the Kentucky New Era reported that Transy administration was displeased. In the story, Rick Bubenhofer, who served at the time as Transy’s Director of Communications and Public Relations, is quoted as recognizing the shirt as “...an unconscionable trick. We feel we deserve better treatment.” Was it truly? Perhaps before judging Bubenhofer overreacting to what seems like a simple misunderstanding, we might consider the regional issues at play. Transylvania University resides in a historic position among Kentucky schools, the first university west of the Alleghanie Mountains and the 16 in the nation. It takes its name from the colony name of Transylvania, founded in 1780. In spite of this historic prestige, the university's
small sometimes lends itself to obscurity, most notably outside of Kentucky. With this in mind, some at the time argued the popular adage, “No press is bad press.” For their part, Hallmark claimed no malicious intent. “No [Hallmark] product is created with the intention of harming anyone,” read an official statement released at the time from Hallmark Cards. Regardless, the controversy quickly fizzled. Then president and current President Emeritus Charles Shearer commented on the matter during its time in the media spotlight. “I don't think the T-shirts are particularly offensive,” said Shearer. “At the same time I want the school to be taken serious as an educational institution and I don't think it conveys that image.” Sale of the T-shirts was halted. The impact on Transy's image was another matter. Radio stations across the country picked up the story. Articles appeared, and CBS carried it during the noon national broadcast. “It turned into a very positive experience for us,” said Bubenhofer, “because the stories also told many good things about Transylva- In 1987, Hallmark released the above T-shirt. That shirt set off a nia, such as mentioning that U.S. News & lawsuit that would became part of Transy folklore and history. World Report had ranked us among the top 10 fair in an article announcing that Transy would be host liberal arts colleges in the South.” to a visit from Irving O. Hockaday Jr., CEO of Hallmark, Happily for everyone, the affair ended in friendship, who had agreed to speak at the university in an effort at not enmity. showing goodwill after the incident. In 1988 Transylvania Magazine summarized the afWIKIMEDIA COMMONS
October 25, 2012 • VOL. 96 , ISSUE 6
Warm weather makes a comeback
Transy seeks nine new faculty members Jake Hawkins
jrhawkins13@transy.edu
Students gathered in Old Morrison Circle and other common outdoor areas all through the week to enjoy a surprise stretch of warm temperatures throughout the area.
The Transylvania faculty is changing, with nine new faculty searches currently underway. Five searches are meant to replace current positions, while four entirely new faculty positions will be filled. The five faculty search committees looking to fill positions being vacated by other faculty members are in the areas of Education, Anthropology, Business Administration, Accounting and Writing, Rhetoric and Communication. Then, positions will be added for a cell biologist, a position in exercise science with research in public health or biosystems, a position in psychology and a faculty member to teach in both classics and philosophy. These positions are all on track to be filled by the end of the academic year, and a search is already underway for a religion faculty position to be filled for the following year. This is the largest number of simultaneous searches in recent Transy history, the closest contender coming in at six, according to Interim Vice President & Dean of the College Kathleen Jagger. “It’s very exciting for us to be adding new positions,” said Jagger. “And it’s a sign of confidence in our admissions staff.” The new positions are being added as part of Transy’s gradual expansion process. Jagger said that this is also an opportunity to increase diversity among faculty, with search committees using new methods to broaden, and diversify, their applicant pools. “We’re working in that direction, whether we can accomplish that or not remains to be seen,” said Jagger. Already, faculty taking part in search committees have been trained by Director of Human Resources Jeff Mudrak on ways to diversify pools of applicants. “The hardest part is bringing a broad group of faculty into the applicant pool, that seems to be the most significant step,” Jagger said.” “So we’ve been focusing on advertising in new places.” When asked if students can expect faculty searches to continue Jagger said, “I wish... it all depends on finances and so forth.” Students can expect Spring term to include several guest lectures and other opportunities. “There should be three finalists per discipline,” Jagger said. Each of the three finalists will be asked to present a lecture to students. Afterwards, members of the various search committees will ask for student input on the prospective professors. “We always look for student input,” said Jagger. “The more feedback we can get from the students the better we feel we can do in the selection process.” Jagger recommends students interested in providing their input should stay tuned to campus communication channels in the Spring for up-to-date information and announcements for guest lectures.
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Page 2
Campus Life
October 25, 2012
Rambler introduces new library staff Scarlett Blevins sgblevins15@transy.edu
MATTHEW DURR
Many students who spend a lot of time at the library have probably noticed that there are several new faces around. One of which is Damon DeBorde, the new Technical Services Librarian. DeBorde, who relocated to Kentucky from Florida, received a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University. DeBorde was attracted to the Transylvania campus due to “The immediately charming natural beauty of the campus was more than equaled by the passion and commitment of the library staff and Transylvania administration and faculty. The students I’ve met thus far have been studious and friendly. Additionally, the proximity of the campus to so much in Lexington will have me out walking and exploring.” DeBorde’s position at Transylvania involves working along with the Technical Services Department on Transylvania’s integrated library system. A system described by DeBorde as one that “helps both the library staff to catalog items and students to check items out.” “I work primarily at the intersection of traditional library services and resources with online and emerging technologies.” said DeBorde. A field of work that is very important as many sources are offered only electronically. DeBorde became interested in this field of work through his desire to help others succeed while putting to good use the areas that interest him including Internet technology and the ways in which information is accessed. “I feel successful when I help others succeed. I have always been interested in data, information, and knowledge. An academic library affords me the opportunity to work on access, Damon DeBorde, formerly of Florida State University, has recently relocated to become Transy’s new Technical Serretrieval, user experience, digitization, and preservation in a vices Librarian. setting filled with unique challenges focused on higher education,” said DeBorde. mation overload.” said Williams. Along with Damon DeBorde, another new face is Stacie Williams. Williams who is Williams became attracted to library science because she enjoys helping and meeta new librarian graduated from Simmons College in 2011. Before heading off to college, ing new people and believes that “You also learn quite a bit from patrons.” Williams Williams worked as a journalist for ten years writing for magazines and alt weeklies. described being attracted to Transylvania because “The tight-knit community and the Williams has also worked in public, academic and corporate libraries before coming to opportunity to work with an undergraduate population were extremely attractive. It didn’t Transylvania. hurt that the school is three blocks walking distance from my house.” Williams’s main job duty includes assisting students with research. “Hopefully I can help students digest their information a bit better--a critical skill in an era of digital infor-
Planning ahead vital in completing crowded majors Scarlett Blevins Staff
It can be nerve racking. That 30 second countdown before you hit submit, just hoping you’ll get all the classes you want—and more importantly the classes you need. But what if your major happens to be one of the more popular majors on campus? With the increase in enrollment, the small limit on class size, and the amount of students vying for a spot in a particular section is it difficult to get into the necessary classes? Certain classes on Transylvania's campus are in high demand. Currently Biology is the most popular major followed by three-way tie for second: Business Administration, Exercise Science and Psychology. Accounting falls in third place. So what should students who are majoring in these popular areas do to help ease the burden of trying to get into popular classes? The first suggestion is to plan ahead. “My advice for students is to make a plan early. Students who know what classes they need to take and when that class is typically offered tend to be more successful than those who do not make a plan. We provide students with all these tools on the registrar’s office course schedule web page,” said Assistant Registrar Ashley Coons. “There is an advising manual that shows students all the different majors and semester-by-semester what faculty members recommend they take. It really is quite useful and easy to use.” Also, it is much easier to get into a class if you are an upperclassman as students register in order of graduation. If you want to take a popular class, such as abnormal psychology then maybe vie for a spot in the classes that are still necessary for your major, but are not as in de-
mand then take abnormal psychology as a junior or senior. You are not only more likely to get into a class, but some professors are more likely to grant course passes to students that are struggling to fit in their graduation requirements. Planning ahead is not always feasible for students, however, considering many students do not know what they want to major in, or decide to change their initial course of study. Students in this situation may have to ask for a few course passes, but for the most part planning and organization can still allow them to graduate on time. There is also the question of how Transy will solve the problems associated with small class sizes but increased enrollment. As it stands now, there is one faculty member per 11 students. Class sizes range from smaller than ten to no greater than 35. Although it is rare to have a class that large, will Transy move away from the small class size that it prides itself on and allow for bigger classes? Or will Transy bring in extra professors to keep the same average class size? Looking at the news this week, the latter may be the case with the number of new faculty expected to be hired in the coming year. Also, if they chose to bring in more professors, will that require an expansion of campus? According to Interim Vice President & Dean of the College Kathleen Jagger, “We expect to hire faculty that would allow us to keep the class sizes the same. We are hiring 4 new faculty this year who are not replacements for retiring faculty and at least one next year.” This will allow Transylvania to keep its small class size along with in increasing enrollment.
FOR REGISTRATION INFO VISIT: http://inside.transy.edu/pages/regidis/course_schedule.htm
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10 Questions
Etcetera
October 25, 2012
With a Transylvanian Bob Brown
1. What was the last song you listened to on your iPod/last CD you put in your car’s stereo system? My Morning Jacket-Okonokos 2. What’s the first thing you’ll do when you retire? Travel to Ireland, Italy, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. 3. If you were a cartoon character, who would you be? Perry the Platypus 4. In high school, were you a jock, an artsy kid, a prep, a band geek, or part of some other clique? I was captain of the chess team and the powerlifting team and won state championships in both. 5. What celebrity would you choose to play in a movie about your life, and what would be the most fitting title? George Clooney, My Old Kentucky Home Life 6. What is your favorite Crayola color? Burnt Sienna 7. Answer this question: Why did the chicken cross the road? (“To get to the other side” is NOT an acceptable answer.) Not sure, but the chicken checked the second lane on Broadway because they never stop. 8. If you discovered a star, what would you name it? Blue Ivy if that answer is not already trademarked. 9. Other than your current job, what other profession would you like to pursue? Play by play sports casting especially for major league baseball. 10. (Cliché question) If you were trapped on a desert island for 3 weeks, what are the 3 things you would pick to keep with you? If we do not have to worry about survival, my Nook, my family and a rugby ball.
Wave Motion
Insert amazing, incredible caption here.
TYLER DUNHAM
r-
TU merges Crimson Affair into new Homecoming Molly Crain mgcrain13@transy.edu
Transylvania University will soon be celebrating its first Homecoming weekend in recent history, while incorporating a revamped Crimson Affair, from Friday, Nov. 2 - Monday, Nov. 4. In the past, Crimson Affair has been an annual formal event held downtown at the Hilton Hotel—a substitution for the lack of homecoming festivities at Transy. But with the UK vs. Transy game happening on Nov. 4 there are plenty of reasons to celebrate, informally and on campus. Junior Casey McBride, President of Student Activities Board explains why student organizations have encouraged a four-day celebration. “Well, they wanted to make it more of a weekend event, instead of just the dance and that’s it. So we’ve incorporated a lot of other events…we’re still having Crimson Affair as the dance, but we’re calling it ‘Homecoming’ because of all the events this weekend.” On Friday Nov. 2 there will be a Class Ring Ceremony at 6:30 in Old Morrison Chapel. Later, expect a Bonfire in back circle from 9-12. There will be smores.“Coach Lane might come and speak there,” said McBride. “We’re not sure.” Saturday, a TU athletic event, either volleyball or basketball, will be held at the Beck Center at 2 pm. For dinner, students will be invited to go to ‘Classy Caf Night’ from 6:30-8pm in the Cafeteria. “People can stay on campus so they don’t have to go out to eat,” said McBride. “We are having a really nice dinner (steak), table cloths, everyone’s going to be dressed up. It’s going to be good.” Later that night, with be the Home-
coming dance—or Crimson Affair. Vice President of SAB, Rose Newcomb said that the dance will be, “…be a combination between Beck Blackout and Crimson Affair.” Newcomb added that nominations for Crimson Court would ensue as they have in the past. But the dance will be “more fun, less formal,” added McBride. “And we’re hoping to have a bigger crowd than normal there.” With a cash bar, and the returning DJ from Beck Blackout, “It’s going to be really nice,” said McBride. On Sunday, the second annual Red Cross Pumpkin Toss, hosted by the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, will be held from 1-5 pm at the new athletic field. Afterwards, a fundraising dinner with the UK basketball team will occur at 7pm in the Beck Center and SAB is giving away 10 free tickets, “So you can have dinner with the UK basketball team,” said McBride. Monday, which has been dubbed “Crimson Day,” invites students attend the UK vs. Transy game and wear crimson to show their Transy spirit. “I think they’re going to try to make it an annual event,” said McBride concerning the UK and Transy athletic departments. “It was a really big deal last year, and they didn’t realize how much the Lexington community really wanted to be involved in the UK-Transy game.” With a bonfire, a more modernized Crimson Affair, and an actual sporting event to conclude festivities, Homecoming weekend may turn out to be a successful tradition. “I definitely think that we (SAB and SGA) are trying to make events more available to all members on campus,” said Newcomb. “We’re hoping to do a lot more things with SGA in the future, and there’s a lot changes that are going to be made that’s going to make SAB and SGA a lot better on campus.”
Transylvania University confers nutritionist Marion Nestle with honorary degree Staff Report rambler@transy.edu
Marion Nestle, one of the nation’s top experts on nutrition, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Transylvania University on Tuesday, Oct. 23, in Haggin Auditorium. Nestle was recognized for her distinguished career in the field of nutrition as a teacher, scholar, author, public servant and advocate for enlightened policies on dietary guidance, social and environmental influences on food choice, the politics of food safety and the effects of food industry marketing on children’s diets and health. President Owen Williams conferred the degree prior to Nestle’s presentation of the fall 2012 Kenan Lecture, “Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health." Nestle talked to the 700-member audience about rising obesity rates in the United States and how they correlate with several changes that have taken place in the food industry and food politics over the past 15-30 years. She cited research that shows the obesity rate in the early 1980s was around 15 percent, and in the early 2000s, that number jumped to 33 percent and is still rising. She said the average American eats between 200-700 more calories per day than they did in the 1980s. Several factors have led to people eating more, Nestle said, including deregulation of agriculture, Wall Street, and food marketing, which have allowed for much cheaper food to be available outside the home and created more pressure on the food companies to raise their profits. “Much of that increase in the food outside the home came from fast food, which proliferated starting in the 1980s until they were all over the place,” she said. “The point here is that food outside the home has more calories in it than food cooked inside the home.” Other variables in today’s high-calorie diets include an increase in portion size, particularly in sodas and other sugary drinks;
lower prices for processed food; a rise in the prices of fruits and vegetables, which Nestle said have gone up approximately 40 percent; and lobbying from the food companies to keep regulations from being passed. In spite of the turmoil within the food industry, she is hopeful about the future of food politics and health in America. “One of the questions I get asked all the time is, ‘Doesn’t all of this depress you?’” she said. “One of the reasons I’m not depressed at all is that I think we’re in the middle of a food revolution.” Nestle, a specialist in the politics of food and dietary choice, is the Paulette Goddard Professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University, where she researches the connection between scientific and societal influences on dietary advice and practices. Her book "Food Politics" has won awards from the Association of American Publishers, the James Beard Foundation and World Hunger Year, and "What to Eat" was named one of Amazon’s top 10 books of 2006 and called a “must read” by "Eating Well" magazine. Nestle has a Ph.D. in molecular biology and an M.P.H. in public health nutrition, both from the University of California, Berkeley, where she received the 2011 National Public Health Hero award. In addition to her tenure at NYU, she is the visiting professor in the Cornell University Division of Nutritional Sciences. She was senior nutrition policy adviser for the Department of Health and Human Services and a managing editor for the 1988 Surgeon General’s Report on Nutrition and Health. She has been a member of the FDA Food Advisory Committee and Science Board, the United States Department of Agriculture/Department of Health and Human Services Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and the American Cancer Society. Transylvania’s Kenan Lecture Series is funded by a grant from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust.
Opinion
Page 4
October 25, 2012
Rambler calls for student Transy Says... What would you like to see input on election SGA accomplish this year?
Lee reflects on personal political process Jessica Lee jnlee16@transy.edu
I once read that a good way to express your anger is to get involved with politics. Now that I am 18 and the election has been inching closer and closer these past two months, I like to think that I have become at least a bit involved. I have watched all of the debates multiple times, and I attended the vice presidential debate at Centre College. Also, I have shared many political discussions with my fellow classmates. This small involvement has been well worth it to me, and I have learned the joy of being informed during the political season. The excitement started forming when I was about to turn 18, and I realized that I was going to be able to vote in this election. Before then, my parents would tell me that they were voting Republican and that was all. We never shared any political discussion and they never encouraged me to share their political opinion or even to form my own. They have never seen the importance of discussing politics, but now that I am an adult, I am proud to say that I have grown capable of discussing
Cheers
my political opinions with my peers. I found that I do not necessarily become angered with politics, but I do find an immense amount of humor in political discourse. After each debate, I have looked forward to watching the SNL parodies. I have enjoyed watching Romney struggle with his ineloquence throughout the campaign. I appreciated Biden’s lack of inhibition during the VP debate, even though the exposure of his teeth was frightening. While I’ve shared many laughs with my friends about the debates recently, I do not take the election completely unserious. No, I am not out canvassing or trying to change others’ political views. But, all in all, I have found my stance during this election through the conversations I have had that forced me to figure out what I believe in. I have also come to the conclusion that the main importance of politics is to find out what you believe in, and while most politicians are simply cardboard cutouts with claims plastered all over, they represent how we feel inside. And if they can give us the hope that our beliefs are important, then that hope will spark some initiative in us later on in order to make the changes that we want to see in the world.
and
Tori Lantrip cvlantrip14@transy.edu
Cheers to Fall Break. The chance to rest was a relief. Jeers to all the tests and papers due the week after. It’s called a “break” for a reason. Cheers to Raf Week. Ghost Tours and the corn maize look like a blast. And good luck to those lucky few who get to spend the night in Raf’s tomb. Check out TNotes for the full schedule. Jeers to Halloween being on a weeknight. Halloween parties the weekend before aren’t quite as much fun. Cheers to both The Liar opening and the ImprompTU show this Thursday. They’re going to be hilarious. Jeers to yet another random shooting. This time it was at a Wisconsin mall on Sunday. Cheers to Justin Timberlake and Jessica Beil for being married last week. Their kids are gonna be gorgeous. Sympatheticjeers for anyone who’s running out of meal points. You’re going to wish you’d saved them to use on hot drinks at Jazzman’s when it starts getting colder. Cheers to autumn. I can’t wait to break out my comfy sweaters and hot cocoa. Jeers to these constant temperature changes. I don’t know whether it’s safe to put away my warm-weather clothes or not.
“I would love to see SGA attack the woman's bathroom in Clayvis lobby. I understand that they are trying to make it more of a space for just females, but after walking into the bathroom on a Tuesday afternoon and seeing dried vomit from the previous weekend still there, no paper towels, and no soap is just asking for an outbreak of some disease.” -Kelsey Smith ’13
Jeers
Cheers to all those nominated for Crimson Court. It was difficult to pick who to vote for. Jeers to mapping Crimson Affair onto Homecoming. When are you planning to do Senior Toast? Cheers to the class lists being posted on TNet! Jeers to those class lists being a new form of procrastination as we meticulously plan for next semester. Cheers to UK senior Morgan Newton for some great plays in Saturday’s game. But… Jeers to UK losing the game against Georgia. We were so close! Cheers to everyone who did the Green Dot bystander training last Tuesday. It’s great to see such a good program growing. Jeers to the low level of student involvement in clubs this year. There’s more to do on campus than school work and partying. Cheers to all the first years for successfully completing their first formal writing assignment a few weeks ago. I’m pretty sure we all have bad memories about that summary and analysis paper. Jeers to all the campaign solicitation emails I keep getting. I really don’t think my suggested donation of three dollars is going to make a huge difference. Cheers/Jeers to Romney’s “binders full of women” comment. The parodies and Halloween costumes it’s inspired have been great, but no matter what your political affiliation is,
It’s your election.
OWN IT.
We can’t report this election without your input. Let your voice be heard. Send your letter to the editor to Emily Martin at ekmartin15@transy.edu.
“This year, one thing I would like SGA to do is work with DPS and whoever else needs to be involved in order to get an officer standing on the Broadway c r o s s w a l k directing traffic around midday for student safety. I have already seen five major incidents that could have easily turned into accidents.” -Justin Bullock ’15
“I would like to see SGA help alter and adjust August term for next year’s first years. There were a couple of kinks that could be fixed that faculty might not see but students do.” -Alyza Finley ’16
Letters to the Editor Letters should be: No more than 400 words. The Rambler reserves the right to cut letters to the editor to fit our length requirements, and we may edit your letters to fix grammar or spelling mistakes. Signed, with contact information. Full name and telephone number or e-mail address is needed. Letters must be original. We will not accept form letters.
Send your letters to: rambler@transy.edu
Rambler
The
Election Day is finally here! Well, almost. With twelve days left, The Rambler needs your help. Next week, the election will be the only subject on the opinion page. As it should be. We face a major decision that will shape our country’s future. And the views of young voters are often ignored. Maybe because so many are apathetic. I know that isn’t the case here. Transylvania University is full of politically aware and active students. We are a politically diverse campus even if we don’t always notice.
So let’s prove it. The Rambler will be endorsing a presidential candidate. But the rest is up to you. In order for this page to accurately represent the views of Transy students, we need to hear from as many students as possible. I know everyone reading this is not going to vote the same way I did. That’s fine. But your views can’t be reflected in this newspaper unless you tell us what they are. So let us know! Send us an email about who you voted for. It can be as short as 1-2 sentences. Or if you’ve been storing up all the political comments you’ve been tempted to post on Facebook, let it out. Send a letter up to 400 words about why you endorse a candidate. Or why you really can’t stand a different one. Don’t want to announce who you voted for? Tell us what the biggest issue is in this election, how you scored the debates, or whose ads you hated less: those approved by Ben Chandler or Andy Barr? I know every single student on this campus has an opinion about the upcoming election. Whether you care who wins or not, you have a position. So let us know. ASAP. And don’t forget to vote!
Editor-in-Chief......................................................Jake Hawkins Managing Editor.........................................................Molly Crain Design Editor.........................................................Rachel Smith Photo Editor.........................................................Matthew Durr Campus Life..................................................... Scarlett Blevins Opinion Editor...........................................................Emily Martin Arts & Entertainment Editor...........................Ameka Menes Sports Editor..............................................................Cory Collins Copy Editor...................................................................Molly Dean Designer..............................................................Chase Coleman Adviser..........................................................................Tyler Young
A&E
Page 5
October 25, 2012
‘The Liar’ will confuse, enthuse Bridgett Howard The effects of lying can be quite terrible—and juicy! If you’re looking for a scandalous play about romance, identity and where lying will get you, Transylvania’s production of The Liar, is the play for you. “The Liar” is David Ives’ modern adaptation of a seventeenth century French farce by Pierre Corneille. The performance will be in the Lucille C. Little Theater at 7:30 p.m. on the nights of October 25-28 and November 2-4. This play was first performed in 1644, under the original title of “Le Menteur”. Set in Paris, as the French title may indicate, Dorante, the villain of the play, encounters a couple of women in the Parisian Tuileries and, determined to pursue one over the other, he accidentally confuses their names, leading to misconceptions and many fibs, growing significantly with each tale. First-year student Sara Sproull plays Clarice, one of the wealthy Parisian women, whose goal is to get married as soon as possible. “The experience has been amazing, and as an ignorant freshman I have gotten to learn so much,” Sproull said. “It’s not often that you get to have as much fun as we do and still put on a decent show.” Should you attend, expect some action: both on the stage and from yourself in the audience. “The director, tech crew, and costume designers have all worked very hard to create a very vibrant, fun production,” said Sproull. “This play loves its audience – prepare to talk, clap, and laugh with us during the show.” A farce written by Pierre Cornielle, The Liar is based off of playwrght Juan Ruíz de Alarcón’s “La Verdad
MATTHEW DURR
behoward16@transy.edu
Juniors Garrett Gabriel and Nick Spencer rehearse for the production, which will be performed Oct. 25-28 and Nov. 2-4.
Sospechosa,” which was published ten years prior to the play, in 1634. Tickets are currently for sale at the Little Theater Box Office, open Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m. Transylvania students and faculty may purchase
tickets for $5 and the price for general public is $10. The Little Theater phone number is (859) 281-3621. “The Liar” is sure to be highly enjoyable. Romance, identity and lies, lies, lies – who wouldn’t want to see that?
Film Junkies connect movies and the Transy community Kaitlin Haggard knhaggard16@transy.edu
For more information, film fans are encouraged to contact Professor Colleen Glenn (cglenn@transy.edu), or our fellow Film Junkies first-year Meaghan Allen (meallen16@transy. edu), or sophomore Grant Schumer (gjschumer15@transy. edu).
Most moviegoers watching the latest film in theaters sit idly for about two hours, munching on popcorn and Goobers, and rarely say more than a few words about the movie afterward. Few people take the time to consider, say, the effect of Johnny Depp’s makeup in the Pirates of the Caribbean series or the particular lighting used on Channing Tatum in Magic Mike. Transylvania’s Film Junkies club is seeking to change that. Visiting Assistant Professor of Film Studies Colleen Glenn, the club’s faculty advisor, described the club as one that fosters “greater appreciation of film” and promotes more in-depth discussion of it. The club screens a new movie for the Transy and Lexington community every other week and holds dialogue about the film afterward. One of the club’s student representatives, sophomore Meaghan Allen, stated that the dialogue “opens your eyes to stuff you didn’t see before or think about before.” A person who forms a positive or negative opinion about a film can, through discussion, consider the stylistic elements that influenced that opinion, such as whether poor staging affected a movie’s quality or fantastic camera work pushed it over the top. At the club’s first movie screening, at which horror classic “The Shining” was shown, the dialogue focused on the differences between Stephen King’s novel and its film adaptation, as well as what makes the movie so scary. Those who attend the Film Junkies screenings, however, “are not expected to be well-versed” in elements of film, according to Glenn. Allen agreed, describing the forums as a “no-pressure environment.” The club promotes any degree of discussion, whether as specific as the effectiveness of a film’s wardrobe or as general as an overall opinion of a movie’s value. Promoting more profound discussion of film is not the only merit of being a Film Junkie. The club, which screens both classic and contemporary films, provides viewers with exposure to many new movies, genres and eras, as well as actors, directors and other people involved in film. Such exposure to perhaps unfamiliar films, said Allen, “allows you to go in with an open mind and be able to discuss the movie openly and frankly” without any preconceived notions. The Film Junkies club brings together a community of people who enjoy cinema, and an experience that Glenn finds not only to be more fun, but also one that fosters “a more sophisticated understanding” of film. Each month, the Film Junkies choose which movies to show based on a certain theme. October’s theme is, appropriately, horror, which commenced with the club’s initial screening of, “The Shining.” The month of October will come to a close with a showing of the more recent film, “The Cabin in the Woods” this Thursday, October 25 in Strickland Auditorium, which can be used toward Creative Engagements participation credit for first-year students. Viewers can look forward to future screenings, henceforth held in Haupt Humanities building, focused on the films of director Paul Thomas Anderson, the theme for the month of November. The first showing of the month being, “There Will Be Blood.”
‘Phantom’ visits Lexington, enchants audiences Mikie Case macase14@transy.edu
The chandelier crashed, and it left behind an elaborate and rich impression on its audience members earlier this October. The University of Kentucky Opera Theatre’s production of “The Phantom of the Opera” was seamless. On opening night the gigantic production, which included parts of the cast being double and triple cast as well as two distinct orchestras performing on alternating days, went off without a hitch. At first, I was skeptical that the Lexington Opera House had the appropriate facilities to contain a show of this size, as it is minuscule in comparison to many of the theatres on Broadway where “Phantom” has been performed for the last 25 years. However, the clever scenery designs of Director Richard Kagey and the costumes designs of Susan Dudley Wigglesworth really made the most of the limited space. The Opera House, which I misperceived as a stumbling block, actually ended up being one of the production’s strengths. The cast was able to take advantage of the fact that the play, which takes place mostly inside an opera house, was being performed in an opera house. Plenty of action and dialogue took place in the actual boxes where audience members would normally sit during other shows. In this regard, the show was certainly a metatheatrical feat. It was extremely visually pleasing and featured
such frills as a gigantic falling chandelier, stunning smoke effects, and impressive pyrotechnics that really pushed the audience’s experience over the top. Every actor that appeared in the play seemed generally well cast and confident. There were several points during show that I wondered to myself, “Are these really students?” The shining star on opening night was Elliot Lane who played Raoul. His diction was impeccable and his tone, cadence, and articulation remained spot-on through every line. At the curtain call he received perhaps the most robust standing ovation of any cast member. The only aspect of the production that warrants a negative review deserves two thumbs way down. The first level of seating was warm, level two was hot, and the top level was absolutely sweltering. By the end of the play people were shedding clothes, fanning with programs, and inquiring about the heat to apologetic ushers who were generally perplexed as they stated, “It is never this hot in here.” It is unfortunate that the Lexington Opera House chose to cut corners on air conditioning even though this event was twenty-five years in the making and cost over $300,000 to produce. By the end of the play, it was clear by people’s body language that many audience members could not wait for it to be over, not because the performance was bad, but because the atmosphere was. In short then, two thumbs up to everyone involved in the actual production of the show and two thumbs down to the house management of the Lexington Opera House.
Sports
Page 6
October 25, 2012
The Unseen Path of the Pioneer Cory Collins cecollins13@transy.edu
It’s not just the body that suffers when pressure mounts. Student athletes face intense training schedules and practices. Many students don’t see the work athletes do on and off the field. Most students won’t see the mind beneath the body. It’s a mind under duress. Stress mounts. And facing schedules so daunting, so demanding, it sometimes feels like too much. There’s no release, no relapse. It’s always go time, always game time. There’s something left to be done. Always. A typical day in the life for Student-Athlete XX is anything but typical. She’s awake before the clock strikes seven. Sometimes, there’s time for breakfast before she heads to class. She’ll get a small break for lunch. If she’s lucky, she’ll squeeze in a little homework. Then, back to the classroom grind. Practice is at 4 pm. But she’s in the facility by 3 pm, lifting weights, watching film, taping sore joints. Typically, the practice will last around three hours. By the time she showers, and eats, it’s at least 8:30. She hasn’t started her homework. Her roommates don’t understand why she can’t just chill, hang out, she said. “Anytime I’m not at practice, I’m doing school. I just don’t have any time to hang out with my friends.” She won’t be in bed until midnight or later. A few hours will pass. The cycle begins anew. “There’s just never enough time.” Student-Athlete XY is no stranger to such a life. His team’s morning workouts can begin as early as 6:20 am. After, he grabs breakfast and hopes to cram in some reading, some writing before the classes begin. Then it’s class, lunch, class, practice at 3 pm. Four hours pass on the field; dinner follows. He’ll give himself a moment to breathe before the homework begins. In the offseason, that’s four days a week. Once the games arrive, it’s a constant. It’s a schedule difficult to quantify if
you don’t divide your identity between studies and sports. “If you’re a non-athlete,” XY said. “Basically take the workload you’re doing and add four-six hours on top of it.” As Athletic Director Jack Ebel pointed out, these are athletes that often willingly take on this challenge. Search for it, even. “We’re going to be attractive to students looking for a good academic program,” he explained. “Here, you can major in whatever you want to major in, and still do your passion.” Sometimes that passion comes at a price. Student XX recounted a situation where she and two other athletes walk stride-in-stride after a test has been handed back in class. They’re disappointed. But there’s little time to dwell on the scores. They each have a practice to get to. One of her friends poses the question: “What would I do if I wasn’t a student-athlete?” Student XX recounted a situation with two other student athletes who were disappointed in a recent test score. While discussing it, she said the question arose: “What would I do if I wasn’t a student-athlete?” One of her friends responded, “I’d be a better student,” “It crosses your mind,” Student XY told me. “You wonder how much easier things would be.” Student athletes must work to create a balance between sports they love and a desire to succeed in the classroom. Even with the many hours devoted to athletics the discrepancy between Transylvania athletes’ GPA (3.081) and non-athletes (3.155) is relatively small. “There’s nothing different about the athletes Athletes face a daily grind from the classroom and the field of play. compared to any other students,” Ebel said. “They’re all admitted under the same standards. They don’t get academic student…we look like everybody else…so I don’t any scholarships for their athletic abilities.” think they understand.” Ebel expressed how impressed he’s been with the way In a rigorous academic setting, many often forget the exathletes at Transy handle their dual roles. “It’s absolutely tra roles Transy students take on: athletes, actors, musicians stunning what these kids are capable of doing,” he said. “Sev- and students with jobs all must balance separate lives, sepaeral of them are so multifaceted.” rate schedules. “I don’t think non-athletes get it,” XY said. “And that’s “It’s a hectic lifestyle,” XY said. “Without a doubt. But not their fault. But they don’t see us in the Beck before it something I don’t regret.” opens. They don’t see us out on the field…They see us as an
Heat and Lakers headline NBA season
MATTHEW DURR
A behind-the-scenes look at Transylvania Student Athletes –The Body, The Mind, and the Spirit
TU basketball passes it on Cory Collins cecollins13@transy.edu
CORY COLLINS
The NBA is gearing up for its season opener, and I couldn’t be more excited. Not only do I get to watch some of the best athletes in the world play a beautiful game, (word to Dr. Naismith) but I can also rest assured in the knowledge that every guy on the court is playing not- as some might assume- for the inherent celebutant status, endorsement deals, free Jordans, and multi-million dollar contracts, but rather for a simple love of the game. Right? Two storylines demand the most attention: -The Lakers With fading athleticism, bruising defensive schemes aimed at ball denial, and a constant hand in his grill (see Shane Battier), will this be the year Kobe Bryant flips his style up and becomes willing to score and orchestrate opportunities for his mates? Probably not. But after last year’s trade debacle with the Magic, (I want to be traded...No I don’t! ...Trade me now!) Dwight Howard has an equal stake to the title of “NBA’s Biggest Diva,” and we already know he isn’t afraid to demand the ball, like, every possession. This pairing seems oddly reminiscent of another out of this world big man plus Kobe combination, and while that pairing led to back-to-back-to-back championships, it was filled with squabbles and fighting that made the Lakers feel less like a “team,” and more like a loose amalgamation of outstandingly talented individuals. Yes, Kobe and Shaq combined well, but there is, after all, only one ball. And Howard is a long way away from being able to carry “The Big Aristotle’s” size 22’s. -The Heat So, you’re an organization that starts a trend aped by almost every other contending organization, you have the best player on the planet, and you win a world championship. So what do you do in the off season? How about signing the best shooter the game has ever seen in Ray Allen, (sorry, Reg) and an explosive, 6’10’’ wingman in Rashard Lewis, adding athleticism and height to a somewhat smallish roster. Oh yeah, he can shoot pretty swell to boot. As for Lebron James (#ILoveLebron): He is the best player in the game, bar none. He distributes, hustles, rebounds, scores, dunks, assists, blocks, bangs, and has propelled himself past the accusation of not being clutch. After reenergizing himself after a somewhat dismal- and injury riddled- postseason, D. Wade is primed to resume the mantle of top-3 guy he used to so proudly wear. Similarly, Chris Bosh is back to full strength, and with the addition of Lewis and Allen, he should be freed up to impose his cut-throat mid range game. Mario Chalmers has grown exponentially under the expert tutelage of Spoelstra and Co., and we already know he’s not afraid to take big shots. Dazzling playoffs from key role players Shane Battier, Udonis Haslem, and my main man Mike Miller all point to a bench that can perform mightily when called upon. The two primary criticisms levied against the Heat: lack of size and depth. The Heat addressed both these issues in the offseason, and with team gelling Dr. Scholls would be proud of, my money is on them to repeat this year. Oh, and did I mention they signed Josh Harrelson as well? Yes, there are quite a few interesting dynamics at play in the forthcoming NBA season. But maybe the best baller is closer to home. I’m not at complete liberty here, but if you see a relatively short, marginally athletic white guy with an awkward jumper and “Deaton” on the back of his jersey suited up sometime this season, well…it isn’t Gary.
Sometimes it’s not about the wins and losses, the scores and stats. It’s about the lives you touch; the smiling faces; the sport at its finest, its purest, its most simple. Most basketball players, as kids on the courts, in the recreation centers or in their driveways, didn’t fall in love with numbers and Nike shoes. They fell in love with a game. Over the weekend, Transylvania’s Pioneers passed it on. On Saturday, alongside Program DiSenior Brandon Rash and his teammates pass on the game they love. rector Cody Swords, a former Pioneer himself, Transylvania’s basketball team hosted a skills clinic at the North Lexington Family YMCA. The event was free and open to children in the surrounding community, ranging in age from four to ten years old. Pioneer players teamed up to teach the kids the fundamentals of the game – defense, rebounding, passing, offensive moves and dribbling skills. The clinic only lasted an hour, but Swords hopes that the lessons learned will endure. Swords, who now coordinates athletic events and camps for the YMCA, knows the importance of a solid foundation. “When I was a kid, I played in the Y league and a lot of these [Transylvania] kids did too,” he said. “I wanted to give, to the kids, that exposure to guys that have worked hard and improved themselves in order to play at a collegiate level.” His own road led him to playing for Transylvania. He knows the path to bigger courts and bigger crowds can start here. And today he pays it forward. In contacting the Transylvania team, he hoped they’d do the same. According to Assistant Basketball Coach Nate Valentine, there was no hesitation in the decision to collaborate with the YMCA. “Cody asked us to do this, and of course we said yes,” Valentine said. And the players were on board from the start. “We have a unique ability to recruit really special people to play basketball here,” he said. “Once we told them we were doing this, they were excited to get out here and be a part of the community.” That excitement was visible on the YMCA’s court on Saturday. Smiles were shared between young and old as kids dunked on the shorter goals, learned how to bounce pass or saw the occasional shot swish. It wasn’t simply skills being passed on, it was a love for the game. For Valentine, it’s an event that gives back. “All these guys wouldn’t have gotten to where they are today without playing at rec centers and YMCAs,” he said. “These guys would have never made it. I think it’s a great asset to have as a community.” It’s also an event from which this team can continue to grow. “Getting out in the community and doing something to help other people; that’s always something that really helps our team from a team-building standpoint,” Valentine said. A win or a loss was not on the line for the Transylvania Pioneers, but the scene at the YMCA on Saturday was not short of high-fives and smiles. Skills were passed from the players to the next generation, along with a more important lesson: For the kids, the knowledge that one day, they could wear that Transylvania tee-shirt and stand tall on and off the court. For the players, the reminder that they never have to lose that love for the game.