Crescent Magazine April 2012

crescent University of Evansville

College Culture Upfront • April 2012

magazine

caps & gowns & hashtags, Oh my!

Graduation season is upon us. How has it changed over time?

we the students Commenting on the ins and outs of UE’s student government

What does that little red heart symbol on your driver’s license really mean?

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crescent MAGAZINE

04.2012

16

Graduation

Get down with your grad self. From old-timey tassels to webcasts and Tweets, the growth of graduation ceremonies has been a rapid one.

03 Dorm Storm

This Morton Hall resident shares her love of music and Winnie the Pooh.

14 Read About You

Read about our musically talented “You Can Read About You” contest winner.

23 Through the Lens

A sudden warm up drives students outside to soak up some sweet vitamin C.

w w w

20

Organ Donation Donating an organ is no small decision, but with the right information, you too could help save a life. Learn how to give a little part of yourself.

24 We the People

Has UE’s student government been putting students first? And how would we really know?

2/Viewpoint • 4/Vox Populi • 7/Arts & Entertainment • 8/Giving Back • 11/Health & Science • 13/Food • 28/Campus Crime • 30/Fascinating People • 32/Sports • 35/Third & Short • 36/Off the Wall • 38/Lists • 40/That’s What She Said 04.2012/Crescent Magazine

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Our Viewpoint

That old-time feelin’

Don’t let your history hold you back.

Nostalgia is something we’ve been forever enchanted by — just look at Woody Allen’s “Midnight in Paris,” where the main character is organ donation consumed by his love for the alluring era of the 1920s.

It’s easy to look back at moments throughout history and wish we had lived then or to think about the good times and wish we could return, especially with graduation right around the corner.

But leaving this block-by-block island we have claimed as our home and going on to enter a much larger world is something that is, rightfully, intimidating. True adult life is entirely foreign — no matter how prepared we might think we are.

Too, the paths we are taking are starting to diverge: Some of us are getting married. Some of us are getting jobs or heading to graduate school. And let’s face it, some of us are starting over, as new faces in new towns with no real, absolute plans.

And even those who aren’t seniors are moving up in the world, shedding their class ranks and preparing to take on an entirely new year with whatever new challenges and excitements it might bring.

To some extent, the same could be said of the work done at Crescent Magazine. We — as a team of writers, editors,

crescent University of Evansville

College Culture Upfront • April 2012

magazine

caps & gowns & hashtags, oh my! graduation season is upon us. how has it changed over time?

wE thE stUdEnts commenting on the ins and outs of UE’s student government

what does that little red heart symbol on your driver’s license really mean?

$2.50

designers and sales people — have been there to cover issues and events that have shaped us not only as a campus, but also as a generation. At the beginning of the school year, we made the switch to a different layout and a new way of doing things — some of which worked out and some of which may still need fine-tuning.

Regardless, those decisions have made the magazine what it is.

Through the good and the bad, we are still looking for ways to improve and to learn from the past, rather than live in it, clinging to the old.

Likewise, to speak of college as the “golden age” of our lives is something that seems a little too fanciful — doing nothing but turning us into bitter people when we leave campus, because we know we can’t turn back time.

Feeling nostalgic about your years in high school and even your time at UE is all totally and completely normal; the occasional perusal of a yearbook is necessary. But let’s be honest — you don’t still wear your letterman jacket. Right?

Similarly, the worries of the future can be never-ending: What are we going to do?

Where are we going to go? How are we ever going to learn to pay taxes?

The feeling of the unknown, just like the fear of change, can consume us to the point where we forget we’re in the present. At the risk of sounding corny, we must remember the time given to us now is a gift. Never squander it.

crescent MAGAZINE

editorial Writing Director: Mindy Kurtz Writing Editor: Kate Wood Research Editor: Danielle Weeks Columnists: Mark Boxell, Lacey Conley, A. J. Ogundimu Contributing Writers: Taylor Hamilton, Cory Hart, Jessica Ingle, Lena McLaughlin, Chelsea Modglin, Amy Reinhart, Rachel Willis

editing Editing Director: Lacey Conley Copy Editors: Jenelle Clausen, Glen Miller

CREATIVE Creative Director: Amanda Squire Photo Editor: Samantha Cook Page Designer: Kaylee Harden Advertising Designer: Jeffrey Buente Contributing Photographers: Amy Rabenberg, Jessica Crihfield Taylor

marketing & sales Marketing & Sales Director: Blair Wissinger Advertising Sales Manager: Ryan Cramer Marketing Assistant: Mary Rose Pattara Circulation Assistant: Michael Armanno

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crescentmagazine@evansville.edu

how to contact us Address: Ridgway University Center, University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, Ind. 47722 Editorial E-mail: crescentmagazine@evansville.edu • Phone: (812) 488–2846 • FAX: (812) 488–2224 Marketing & Sales: (812) 488–2221 and 488–2223 • Marketing & Sales E-mail: crescentadvertising@evansville.edu

Crescent Magazine is the University of Evansville’s student magazine. It is written, edited and designed by and for students, and distributed six times during the academic year. It is funded through advertising revenue and a subscription fee paid on behalf of students by the Student Government Association. Circulation is 1,700. Printed by Mar-Kel Printing, Newburgh, Ind. © 2012 Student Publications, University of Evansville. Editorial Policy. Commentary expressed in unsigned editorial pieces represent a consensus opinion of Crescent Magazine’s Editorial Board. All other columns, articles and advertising are not necessarily the opinion of the Editorial Board or other members of the magazine. Letter Submissions. E-mail letters to crescentmagazine@evansville.edu and write “letter” in the subject line. Crescent Magazine welcomes letters from UE students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni, but material the Editorial Board regards as libelous, malicious and/or obscene will not be published. Letters should not exceed 400 words. For verification, letters must include the author’s name, year in school or title and email address. Crescent Magazine does not print anonymous letters or those that cannot be verified. Letters will be edited for length, style, grammar and spelling.

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

Dorm Storm

This Morton Hall resident is a pro at cooking, singing and playing piano, but she still has a playful side.

by Rachel Willis

A

A red-and-white Singaporean flag hangs from the bunk bed of junior vocal performance major Jia Yu How. And even though she hails from far across the globe, several Winnie the Pooh bears arranged throughout her room exhibit her American side, as does her skillful speech.

“I feel like people are always shocked when I open my mouth and speak English because I’m Asian,” she said.

How is fluent in both languages, as most Singaporeans are multilingual due to the multitude of ethnicities making their home in Southeast Asia.

But even though she speaks two languages, she tends to be soft-spoken. There is only one place How is most decidedly not quiet — that is onstage.

“I can be a really different person when I perform, when I start singing,” she said. “You just get into character.”

How hopes to continue singing and piano-playing after college by becoming a music teacher, and if that career does not pan out, she already has an alternative in mind.

Who Knew?

Samantha Cook/Crescent Magazine

to have shipped overseas. And many of those items have a common theme: that lovable bear Winnie the Pooh.

“I fell in love with Winnie the Pooh many years ago,” she said. “Last spring, I met my boyfriend and he looks like Winnie the Pooh. I made my 21st birthday Pooh-themed, and my friends got me even more Pooh stuff.”

Aside from How’s growing bear collection, cards from friends help stave off homesickness. But no matter where she is, How will use her cooking, vocal talent and undying love for Winnie the Pooh to make any place feel like home.

Quick Facts “I like to cook,” she said. “I aspire to be a housewife if I’m not teaching.”

How explained that even though she physically looks tiny, her appetite can be insatiable.

“My boyfriend says all the time that I’m going to eat him out of house and home,” she said.

Because he has his own place in Evansville, How has the luxury of leaving her Morton Hall room to cook her favorite Singaporean food in a kitchen complete with things she needs to do the job right.

How’s close friend, sophomore Tyler Samuel, is grateful for her cooking talents, too.

“She loves to cook, and I love to eat, so it works out well,” she joked.

How specializes in dishes like pineapple tarts and spicy shrimp, but the food How craves the most is a big bowl of Ramen Noodles. And buying them from Walmart, in value-packs of several for about $1, is just not an option.

“They just aren’t the same [in the U.S.],” she said.

Luckily, there are many other items that How was able

n Favorite Foods: Singaporean ground pork noodles and American barbecue ribs n Favorite Color: Pink n Best Place in the World: Singapore, naturally — because, she says, it is a miniature New York n Hobbies: Playing piano, singing, teaching and performing part time n Movie of Choice: anything Disney-related n Must-Watch TV Show: “How I Met Your Mother” n Quirky Confession: Pouring salt in Coca Cola to “get rid of the fizzies” n Top Musical Picks: “I don’t like most songs unless they are classical music.”

Jazz fans and gun owners are among the most sexually active Americans. • There is no synonym for “thesaurus.”

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

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Men who (almost) hate women Even in this day and age, the great importance of women’s health is marginalized.

Vox Populi / A. J. Ogundimu es to women simply because one finds abortion distasteful Social conservatives have, is nothing more than a petty attempt to impose a narin recent times, made an exrow moral worldview on Americans at the expense of our ample of Planned Parenthood, mothers, sisters, friends and leaders — as well as, yes, our describing the organization as girlfriends and wives. a mere string of clinics where Let’s be perfectly honest here: People have sex. Sex women can get governmentcan lead to pregnancy or, in unfortunate cases, illness. Usfunded abortions. In reality, ing contraception isn’t an immoral action, and it certainPlanned Parenthood is actually more focused on prevently doesn’t make someone a slut. It is, rather, a responsible ing STIs and unwanted pregnancy than it is on providing choice that has a positive impact on many people’s lives. options post-conception. This did not stop Texas Gov. Rick Birth control pills can also lighten periods and, in some Perry from cutting Planned Parenthood out of his state’s cases, improves a woman’s reproductive health — two Medicaid program last month in a purely political move — things that have nothing to do with sex. the latest in a long string of attacks.

But in some ways, Limbaugh’s On a related note, Georgetown comments are even more troulaw student Sandra Fluke recentLet’s be perfectly bling than any action taken against ly testified before a Congressional Planned Parenthood. These statehonest here: People committee with regard to the high ments reveal an unhealthy attitude cost of birth control pills and the have sex. Sex can lead toward women in general. Fluke need some women have for them was slandered, but one has to also to pregnancy or, in beyond just the prevention of pregask: Is it inherently more immornancy. cases, illness. Using al for a woman to have sex than for Her testimony was meant to exa man? contraception isn’t an pose the need for insurance comThis kind of rhetoric is wrong, panies to cover these medications. immoral action, and it and it’s hurtful, but even worse, it In response, controversial radio has an audience. Limbaugh might certainly doesn’t make personality Rush Limbaugh called have had to squeeze out a reluctant Fluke a “slut” and a “prostitute” someone a slut. apology, but he still has listeners, and claimed that if she wanted the and one look at the YouTube comgovernment to help pay for birth ments left on his videos reveals he has plenty of fans all control pills, she should film her sexual activities and post too eager to condemn women for being sexually active. them on the Internet.

This is not the time or place to iron out every single Limbaugh has since received much criticism for these problem with gender relations. Events like these will keep statements and released a halfhearted apology to Fluke, on happening, and inequalities between the sexes will but these comments weren’t just in bad taste — rather, likely persist for years to come. But for what it’s worth, a they showed a blatant ignorance of the functions of birth little bit of an attitude adjustment can go a long way as far control. It might be extreme to say Limbaugh and Perry as improving social attitudes toward women, their bodies hate women, but right now, they’re certainly acting like it. and their sexuality. Without Planned Parenthood, many Abortion is legal. So is contraception. These might be people would be very sick or worse right now. Without socontroversial, but these things are not issues so much as called “feminazis,” women wouldn’t be able to vote, and they are facts of life. Women have a right under American rape wouldn’t be persecuted the way it is today. law and the social conventions of the modern Western Don’t hate women. One of them carried you for nine world to have control over their bodies, including their remonths, so maybe they all deserve a bit more respect. productive functions.

Any attempt to marginalize this control is backward Vox Populi columnist A.J. Ogundimu is a junior creative and offensive at best and outright anti-woman at worst. Fiwriting major from Evansville, Ind. nancially attacking a clinic that provides medical servic-

Who Knew?

4

It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. • Peru, Ind., was once known as the “Circus Capital of America.”

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

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One last performance...

Wishing our Seniors the Best of Luck Beyond UE!

Matt arachikavitz Patrick kraMer elvin Mcrae crystal tedrow

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

Entertainment

“Soul meets Body” at the Louisville Palace as Death Cab for Cutie comes to Kentucky.

Seattle-based indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie wil perform with Magik*Magik Orchestra at 8 p.m. April 13 at the Louisville Palace. The band grew out of unlikely success in the ear-

local scene

No matter if your style is competitive and wild or chronically cool and laid-back, Evansville has activities for all. From lounging to laser tag, may your Friday nights be boring no longer.

ly 2000s due to its dedicated fanbase. As the years go by, the soulful lyrics and tunes of albums like “Something About Airplanes” and “Codes and Keys” have appealed to larger crowds, though the four men remain indie rock kings. Tickets start at $52.50 and can be purchased through livenation.com.

Arts & Entertainment / Kate Wood Professional Bull Riders

Spring Art Festival

Competitors of the world’s premier bull riding organization, the Professional Bull Riders, will head to the Ford Center April 13–14. In just 20 years, the sport has become a phenomenon, televised worldwide and millions of dollars have been awarded in prize money to successful bull-wrangling riders. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased through ticketmaster.com, thefordcenter.com, the Ford Center box office or by calling 800–745–3000.

Featuring more than 100 artists from all corners of the United States, the festival will hit Haynie’s Corner Arts District April 28. Featuring the work of local and national artists and vendors, the festival acts as a celebration of art and culture, as well as an opportunity to enjoy live music and the outdoors and to sample some fantastic food.

Admission is $5. For more information, visit funkinthecity.com or call 812–575–9138.

Young Frankenstein Guns & Hoses The annual charity event comes to the Ford Center at 7 p.m. April 21, where you can watch local police officers and firefighters square off in boxing matches. See the bravest of Evansville’s brave duke it out for 15 exciting matches, each of which lasts for three rounds. Tickets start at $12 and can be purchased from ticketmaster.com, thefordcenter.com, the Ford Center box office or by phone at 800–745–3000.

The famously hilarious Mel Brooks movie “Young Frankenstein” is now an equally funny musical. Better yet, the show is heading to Evansville and premieres at 7 p.m.

April 29 at The Centre. The show was voted Favorite New Broadway Musical in the 2008 Broadway.com Audience Awards, and it won Best Musical in the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards. Tickets start at $62 and can be purchased through ticketmaster.com or The Centre box office.

Cirque de Soleil’s “Quidam”

Staind and Godsmack

Since its 1996 premiere in Montreal, “Quidam” has toured on five continents.

Now you can see it for yourself at the Ford Center. The production’s international cast features 52 acrobats, musicians, singers and technical artists. Shows are April 26– 29. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased from ticketmaster.com, thefordcenter.com or the Ford Center box office.

Hard rock fans are in for a treat when Staind and Godsmack come to town with a performance at 6:30 p.m. May 6 at the Ford Center. The New England natives decided to come together and headline The Mass Chaos Tour. Tickets start at $29.50 and can be purchased at the Ford Center box office, or from thefordcenter.com or ticketmaster.com.

Who Knew?

bokeh lounge

It is the epitome of everything a wine and beer lounge should be: chill. But take care not to confuse relaxed with boring, because this establishment is always buzzing with something.

With live music on the weekends and a cook you can text your orders to, there is no better definition of good laid-back fun. 1007 Parrett St.

willow bowling

Bowling alleys seem characterized by a certain seediness, but nothing that can’t be ignored in favor of good service and a couple of strikes. Still, CJ’s Willow Bowling Center is too small for the Friday night crowd, with long wait times for lanes and concessions. Likewise, bar service, while fast, is not quite the friendliest. 1230 E. Michigan St.

walther’s

Laser tag at Walther’s Golf & Fun consists mainly of dodging screaming preteens with game-time B.O. and avoiding completely harmless — but terrifying — lasers. But if you can look past the sweat stench, laser tag can prove a pretty fun time. Walther’s is located at the corner of First and Diamond avenues.

One in three dog owners say they have talked to their pets on the phone. • About 55% of movies released are rated R. 04.2012/Crescent Magazine

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by Lena McLaughlin On the search for summer accessories like bags, bikinis, trunks or beach towels? As temperatures rise, try warming your heart with some fun in the sun, knowing that your buys helped others to enjoy the nice weather, too. n Ron Jon Surf Shop Whether you are carrying library books, swimsuits or beach towels, Ron Jon’s new Natural Life line of slings — made from 100 percent hemp — lets you tote your stuff in style. Plus, for every bag purchased, 5 percent of sales go to the Gulf Coast Oil Spill Fund, which helps communities affected by the disaster. Other Natural Life slings benefit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Pennies for Peace, a service-learning program. The line also includes hair wraps, mugs, towels and more.

—ronjonsurfshop.com

Giving Back

Be a ray of sunshine this season in the lives of the less fortunate. Take a look at these hot items that can help you shop for yourself with others in mind.

n The Literacy Site

n Chains of Grace

n Project 7

n Soft Hands Kind Heart

You have to be able to read to succeed, and The Literacy Site helps make that possible.

Boasting a donation of 25,420 books in January alone, the site makes a mission of sharing reading with the world. To fund these donations, proceeds from all purchases — which include items such as fashion accessories, clothing and shoes, as well as buys from a special line called Gifts that Give More — benefit programs that promote literacy. Links are also available for those who wish to donate directly to the organization.

Some women have a weak spot where jewelry is concerned, buying new pieces to pair with summer outfits. Jeweler Candice Mann, of Los Angeles, designs pendants, earrings and bracelets and donates 20 percent of all proceeds to the Love146 foundation. This charity helps victims of human trafficking establish new lives and recover from the abuse they experienced. Founded in 2002, Love146 has been named an “Agent of Change” by GQ Magazine. Why not sport a fashionable emblem of hope?

Pick up a vial of Project 7 mints.

For only $2, choose from flavors like Feed the Hungry peppermint, Quench the Thirsty wintergreen and Save the Earth sugar-free mints, for which proceeds help feed American families or plant 10 fruit trees back in the soil. Based on founder Tyler Merrick’s observation, since people are consumers, products should serve a greater good. The organization has been around since 2008. Since its inception, Project 7 has expanded to sell coffee, gum, bottled water and T-shirts.

Soft Hands Kind Heart hand cream does more than just moisturize. Available through The Body Shop, all proceeds from the cream benefit efforts to end human sex trafficking. So far, since the product’s launch in 2009, it has raised more than $1.3 million, all of which going to End Child Prostitution and Trafficking, the hand cream line’s primary campaign partner. ECPAT itself is responsible for supporting victims of trafficking across the globe and funding awareness and prevention programs.

—theliteracysite.com

—etsy.com/shop/chainsofgrace

—project7.com

—thebodyshop.com

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

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YOU!

WE HEARD

Great Fish. Good Food.

Faster INTERNET is on the way

ue.ots ue_ots

The Tin Fish • Jennings Station, 300 W. Jennings St., Newburgh • 812-490-7000

Cash for Books Bookstore

ots.evansville.edu (812) 488–2077

Valid UE ID required to sell back books Original receipt not needed

• Begins at 8 a.m. Thursday, April 26 • Ends at noon Thursday, May 3

buyback

• free quote on all books, whether used on campus or not.

April 26 – May 3 Ridgway University Center

• Various promotions throughout the week, including drawings and discounts.

• Urental books due back no later than May 2. Return to the UrEntal return counter in the Bookstore.

HOUrS Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Sundays: closed

evansville.edu/offices/bookstore/

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

Come early and often!

Health & Science / Taylor Hamilton

Wonders of the body What causes that nighttime falling sensation? Can stretches help a charley horse? Do genes affect the color of your teeth? Read on.

Free Fallin’ Most of us have, at some point, been the victim of a startling dream, right before sleep takes hold. Perhaps you dream you miss a step, that you have fallen off your bike or that you have just dropped off a cliff. Your body jerks; your heart races.

And you wake up just in time to realize you are still safe in bed. Why does this happen?

Noted sociobiologist Edward Wilson suggests the sensation may be due to signals your nervous system sends as you sleep, which stimulate primitive areas of the brain that are in charge of the startle reflex.

Pearly Whites Want white teeth? It seems that having beautiful teeth may be less about getting them professionally bleached and more about having good genes to begin with.

The color of tooth enamel, much like hair and eye color, is genetic. Some people just have naturally dull-colored teeth or those that are susceptible to stains. RealSimple. com states that taking certain antibiotics as children can also affect the color of teeth.

Did You Hear That?

Ever been alone in a quiet place and suddenly hear your name being whispered?

Is it a ghost? A demon? Are you being robbed? Or tricked? Most likely, your mind is the one playing a trick on you. Since our own names are among the most recognizable words in our vocabulary, our brains will often assume that, if a specific word or sound cannot be determined, it is probably our own name and will interpret it as such.

The Encyclopaedia Britannica explains this kind of auditory hallucination is very common and is not anything to worry about.

Charley Horsin’ Around Foot and muscle cramps — also referred

Who Knew?

to as charley horses — are common latenight occurrences. Often, a charley horse is caused by a sudden electrolyte imbalance, which prevents a contracted muscle from relaxing. WebMD.com says the imbalance can happen for a number of reasons: poor blood circulation, dehydration or a magnesium or potassium deficiency. But stretching often and taking vitamins can help prevent the cramps from happening so often.

Those Hated Hiccups It’s no news that hiccups are annoying. A sharp intake of breath or eating too quickly can overexcite the phrenic nerve.

The nerve then stimulates the diaphragm to contract and the top of the larynx to close, causing the “hic” sound. While hiccups generally go away on their own, gastroenterologist Patricia Raymond suggests “restarting” the nerve by holding your breath.

Chilling Out Many have experienced that sudden, seemingly unexplainable shiver that courses through our bodies for a split second — and then just as suddenly goes away. RealSimple.com suggests that such tremors are due to short glitches in the body’s ability to regulate its own temperature. For example, the immune system triggers sweating if our bodies are too hot, and shivering if our bodies are too cold. A sudden cold chill can occur when the body gets an incorrect temperature reading and briefly overcorrects itself.

Health & Science writer Taylor Hamilton is a senior applied biology major from Owensboro, Ky.

Thinking Green Happy Trails

Summer is fast approaching, and environmentalism site SierraClub.org provides tips for staying green through the hottest months of the year.

Instead of using central air conditioning, opt for electric fans, which use 90 percent less energy. Also, turn off the air when you leave the house.

Many popular sunscreens contain chemicals that are bad for the environment and have no real benefit for our skin.

Brands like Badger and Purple Prairie Botanicals leave all the bad stuff out and lock in the protective qualities.

Bug spray, too, is infamous for its wear and tear on the environment. Instead of dousing your body in insectifuge, wear light colors and loose, longsleeved clothing to keep those bitey bugs at bay.

To stay green while on vacation, look into “staycations.”

Find something local to do, like going on a picnic or hiking in a nature preserve. Or play the part of tourist in your own town. This helps decrease your summer carbon footprint and saves you money on gas and other travel expenses.

Your tongue is the only muscle in your body that is attached at only one end. • Mr. Potatohead was the first toy advertised on TV. 04.2012/Crescent Magazine

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Vanderburgh County Federation of Republican Women invite you to become a member.

Benefits include meeting candidates and officeholders and staying up-to-date on local, state and national issues.

For more information, contact Shirley Ralston, president, at sralston@insightbb.com or join us on Facebook

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

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by Rachel Willis

Sweets sock it out

H

Who will win this battle of the baked goods: town champion or challenger?

green, the atmospheres differ greatly. Piece of Cake is quiet and charming. But Gigi’s, while equally charming, exudes a certain energy that quaint Piece of Cake lacks.

The cupcake shop’s peppy tagline — “Welcome to Gigi’s!” — can be heard each time a new customer enters; smiling employees are friendly and ready to help you find that perfect cupcake.

But both shops have limited seating — five at Gigi’s and eight at Piece of Cake. But because of Piece of Cake’s riverfront location, you can take your treat outdoors to benches.

Still, Piece of Cake comes up short in the cupcake department, typically only serving three flavors a day. Gigi’s serves 12 of its 36 flavors per day and provides patrons with menus that detail on what days their favorites will be served.

As far as taste goes, Piece of Cake’s delicacies are very run-of-themill; the icing is scarce, and the cake is dry and unsatisfying.

Gigi’s cupcakes are a different story, though. Piled high, icing is plentiful, complete with exotic toppings like banana wafers, honey-roasted

peanuts and cannolis — not to mention the drizzled chocolate ganache with fondant on top.

And contrary to popular expectations, even the cake portions of Gigi’s cupcakes are mouthwateringly decadent and delicious.

If you are minding your pocketbook, Piece of Cake’s baked goods are more economical, as the store charges only $1.25 per cupcake. But while the upscale selection of cupcakes at Gigi’s may run you as much as $3.25 per confection, flavor factors in to make each pricy purchase worthwhile.

In the end, it seems the larger crowd at Gigi’s proves that its cupcakes cannot be matched — local cake shop tradition or not. With 36 flavors, double the creamy frosting per cake and an energetic and inviting atmosphere, Gigi’s guarantees to please even the most discriminating sweet tooth.

Sweet Baby Cheeses 800 N. Green River Road facebook.com/sbcheeses

Shyler’s Bar-B-Q 405 S. Green River Road shylersbarbq.com

Cheeseburger in Paradise 8301 Eagle Lake Drive cheeseburgerinparadise.com

Applebee’s 5100 E. Morgan Ave. applebees.com

Nestled in the food court at Eastland Mall, Sweet Baby Cheeses offers cheese-based fare of all kinds. A house favorite, the shop’s grilled cheese sandwiches are made from fresh, yet unconventional, ingredients like Brie cheese, Granny Smith apples, basil pesto and avocado slices. From Monterey Jack to Velveeta, daily soups and specials are available year-round.

Next time at Shyler’s, forgo the pulled pork and try the restaurant’s delectable cheese fries — generous portions of mozzarella cheese dipped in Shyler’s homemade batter, rolled in Japanese breadcrumbs and fried until a crisp golden brown.

Served with a tangy marinara sauce, these crunchy fries are available in portions of three for $4.50, six for $6.95 or nine for $8.95 only at Shyler’s.

Surely in the running for best and cheesiest cheeseburger, Cheeseburger in Paradise’s Black Angus Beef Burger comes seasoned to perfection, cooked to order with savory toppings. Another, perhaps less traditional, cheeseburger option is the restaurant’s Baja Burger, which is made with fresh avocado, sour cream, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, chipotle mayonnaise and salsa.

In need of a late-night oozy, gooey cheese fix? Applebee’s golden-fried Mozzarella Sticks are just one of the restaurant’s many appetizer options and are served with a tasty marinara sauce that sweetens the spicy crunch of each cheesy stick. Try a single serving for $6.19, or pair the sticks with other snacky options — the appetizer sampler costs only $11.49.

Hot Chocolate Mama, Southern Comfort and Nodini Cannoli — these are the kinds of names that are only fitting for gourmet cupcakes. Along with 33 other flavors, Gigi’s Cupcakes, 236 N. Burkhardt Road, is home to these scrumptious treats.

But while Gigi’s might be the happening new place, also a sweet staple is local shop Piece of Cake, 210 Main St., which for years has supplied the area with a variety of wedding cakes, specialty cakes and gift baskets.

While the interiors of both stores share color combinations of light pink and lime

Others of Interest

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

13

Social Rhythms

by Danielle Weeks

Crescent Magazine salutes its “You Can Read About You” contest winner with a look into this sophomore’s very full life.

S 14

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

ophomore Elisabeth Bombell’s room is home to two ukuleles, a guiro, handbells straight from Toys “R” Us, boomwhackers, a guitar and a kit of children’s percussion instruments. Just call her a one-woman band.

But despite her skill with different instruments, Bombell is primarily a vocalist. And as much as she loves performing, her true passion lies in music therapy. Using her performance talents for a therapeutic reason, she said, is the most satisfying application of music.

“I know that people are benefitting from it,” she said.

Bombell has worked with adults and teenagers who have developmental disabilities as part of a practicum experience with Integrative Music Therapy of Evansville. Working with clients means singing and using the physical aspects of moving to music to engage patients in what she calls “social rhythms,” the process of interacting with others by asking questions, making eye contact and so forth.

She enjoys watching their progress, and after graduating Bombell hopes to do similar work with cancer patients or at a children’s hospital.

“I get to do music every day with people who otherwise wouldn’t have it in their lives,” she said. “I want to keep that up.”

Since Bombell is currently learning to

“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Once Upon a Time” and “Private Practice” are just a few of her favorite shows, although “Gilmore Girls” and “How I Met Your Mother” are definitely her top two.

Bombell first started watching “Gilmore Girls” with her aunt, who lives in New Jersey. Whether it is taking in a good sitcom, eating dinner together or playing the Wii game “Just Dance” with her two younger sisters, spending time with family is an important part of Bombell’s life.

The Springfield, Ill., native sometimes misses the comforts of home — like her grandfather’s state fair prize-winning pizza or just being able to talk with her mother whenever she wants.

But Bombell makes do with the distance. Her 10-year-old sister sister Clare helps by sending drawings in the mail and

in Evansville. Sophomores Henry Maurer and Candice Murray are Bombell’s two best friends. Maurer, an old friend of Murray’s, transferred to UE from Hanover College last year.

“Now the three of us are inseparable,” Bombell said.

And when the triumvirate is together, life is never boring. In fact, when together, they seem to attract all kinds of strange events and occurrences.

“We always get ourselves into crazy situations,” Bombell said.

She and fellow music therapy major Murray met during their freshman year. Although they did not talk much at first, a group study session in one of the Brentano Hall’s lounges changed that.

“We didn’t study at all,” Bombell said.

“We just talked.”

“One time we just looked at each other and [decided], ‘Let’s go to Brazilian Dance and make fools out of ourselves.’’’ be a therapist, she knows all about using music to promote different areas of health.

But even therapists need therapeutic breaks sometimes, especially with a rigorous academic schedule like Bombell’s.

“Sometimes music stresses me out, but I always come back to it,” she said.

And the cure for too much music is, well, more music. When Bombell is not working on technically analyzing musical pieces for class, she likes to kick back and listen to the radio to relax.

“Musical theatre, pop — I’m all over the place,” Bombell said.

Anything on the radio is fun and a nice change from her more intense classwork.

But even a music lover has her limits — Bombell is not a big fan of country or techno. Besides the radio, TV is another way that she unwinds.

“I’m a TV junkie,” Bombell said.

talking frequently to her big sister on the phone. And one thing that makes Bombell happy is staying connected.

“If someone could just mail me something every day, I would be so happy,” she said. “I just love getting it.”

And the fact that the mail comes from home makes the whole process even better. The three sisters, despite the vast age difference, are close. Bombell said baby sister Leah, 3, once said this about her older sister: “She’s my best friend, and I don’t like anyone else.”

Bombell’s stepfather is an art therapist and is part of the reason she became interested in music therapy. She is close with her mother, too.

“She is definitely the inspiration for everything I do,” Bombell said.

But while she is a distance from home, Bombell has a close-knit network of friends

From that point on, theirs was a fast friendship fueled by hours-long chats, burnt chocolate chip cookies and Brazilian Dance classes every Thursday.

“One time we just looked at each other and [decided], ‘Let’s go to Brazilian Dance and make fools out of ourselves,’” Bombell said.

When Bombell gets too busy, her friends and family help her take a breather.

An indulgent radio pop song or two also helps tone down the stress. And when she’s recharged, Bombell is always ready to jump back into music — literally, sometimes, since music therapy focuses on bringing out such active aspects of music.

“I feel like the only thing I know how to do is music,” she said.

Still, this is not entirely true — thanks to Murray’s encouragement, Bombell knows how to be a Brazilian dancer, too.

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

15

Once-simple graduation ceremonies are changing with the times. From outlandish traditions to the incorporation of social media, no convention is left untouched.

by Kate Wood

What started long ago as a rite of passage, a time when students are publicly acknowledged as moving to a new stage in life, has evolved to be much more. Graduation ceremonies today are like pageants, and graduates are expected to act accordingly, with just a little extra pep in their step and all the confidence of someone who has just conquered the world.

But before there was pomp and circumstance, there were just the basics. Savalifeeast.org reports that the earliest commencement ceremony was in 1432 at the University of Oxford. To graduate, students were required to give exit speeches, a mandate that may have sparked the tradition of baccalaureate ceremonies.

The practice of wearing a cap and gown originated around the 12th century, when the clergy was considered the literate class and a person’s dress reflected his position in society — thus, the cap and gown represented academic standing. Today, when students don this garb, it serves as a physical testament to their advancement in the world of education.

The tassel serves a subtler, though equally important, rite of passage. The color of a particular tassel indicates the academic degree a student will receive, and when the tassel is switched from right to left once a student’s degree is conferred, it is, again, symbolic of moving from one stage of life to another.

Through the years, certain colleges have added their own traditions to what are mostly ritualized ceremonies. Undergraduate students at the College of Charleston do not sport caps and gowns.

Instead, they host a more formal black- or white-tie affair. For the spring ceremony,

16

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

women wear white dresses, and men wear white tuxes, whereas December graduates sport black dresses and suits.

Graduates are also given eastern white pine saplings to carry with them as they march. The sapling, which is depicted on the college’s seal, represents each student’s continued connection to the school.

Blue and white ribbons are tied around the saplings, as they are the school’s official colors, and green ribbons are added to symbolize the earth.

Students at MIT, Meredith and IU not only flip their tassels, but also their class rings. Some colleges try to amp up their ceremonies by doing things with a greater emphasis on extravagance. The University of Texas is one of these schools.

At the end of UT’s ceremony, fireworks light the sky, and the school’s clock tower is illuminated orange, all while “The Eyes of Texas” plays in the background.

Stanford graduates have a “wacky walk” prior to commencement, where they walk into Stanford Stadium wearing whatever they want and doing whatever kinds of gestures or movements they like. Stanford also encourages graduates to send in photo shoutouts to friends and family to be featured on the stadium’s Jumbotron during the ceremony.

NYU holds commencement at Washington Square Park, and after the ceremony, graduates jump into a fountain while in their gowns. And through not all ceremonies are so overthe-top, many colleges are making changes as the cultural mind-set progresses. One such change is aiming for a greener approach to commencement ceremonies: recycled caps and gowns.

Education-portal.com says most recycled caps and gowns are made from recycled plastic bottles, and some are created from recycled wood pulp. More than 250 schools ordered recycled caps and gowns in 2011, a striking increase when compared to the 60 that ordered them in 2010.

Students have been surprised to find the material lighter and more comfortable as compared to its polyester counterpart, even though the recycled gowns are of a similar fabric, albeit spun from 23 melted plastic bottles each.

The purpose is, of course, to keep bottles out of landfills, and Oak Hall Cap & Gown, a company that has produced the greener version since 2009, reported its gowns alone have prevented nearly 7 million bottles from piling up in landfill sites.

And schools are not only going green, but global too. With all the technology options, colleges are making graduation events available not just to those physically present but to anyone who has an Internet connection.

Stanford announced last year that a live webcast of its ceremony would be available to accommodate graduates’ family and friends who could not be there to watch in person.

During the webcast, viewers could interact via

Facebook chat, a feature that accompanied the webcast. Afterward, recordings of the ceremony were uploaded to iTunes U and to Stanford’s YouTube channel.

But the fun does not stop with webcasts and recordings. Stanford also announced it would launch an app called Loopt Star, which was created as a social mapping application, one through which students downloading it to their iPhone or iPod Touch would be able to follow their friends and earn a graduation gift by “checking in” at several commencement events.

The aim was to keep students involved with graduation and to create opportunities for them to stay in touch as alumni.

Lately, many schools have been taking advantage of Twitter and Facebook. Simmons College in Boston used its web site to encourage people to follow the school’s Twitter account, which staff updated live during commencement, and to post well wishes and congratulations on the school’s Facebook wall.

United Kingdom-based Cornwall College encourages graduates to Tweet during the weeks leading up to the ceremony using a special hashtag, and Wisconsin asked its winter graduates to Tweet about their commencement weekend experience using a similar hashtag approach.

Even UE utilizes social media during its commencement weekend. Staff posted photos to UE’s Facebook page following Commencement last year, and there

was also a live webcast of the event.

Going beyond graduation trends that are popping up at schools, UE aims to create an experience not only for students, but also partly by them. Recent decisions have put greater focus on graduating students than in the past.

One of these changes involves a key that is passed on during Commencement, a new tradition that began with Winter Commencement and will continue at the ceremony next month.

John Mosbo, senior vice president for Academic Affairs, said the key is meant to symbolize UE graduates’ key to the future.

“The idea is that your relationship [with UE] doesn’t end when you walk across the stage — it changes,” said Valerie Stein, associate professor of religion and Commencement grand marshal.

The key represents a continued connection to UE as students become alumni, and its design ties it back to that of a key ring, which is now presented to students at Freshman Convocation.

Commencement, set for 1:30 p.m. May 5, also has a new venue. Stein said when

Significance of

Academic Regalia: robes — Bachelor’s gowns are opensleeved, master’s gowns have sleeves that do not drape until they reach the wrists and doctoral gowns have sleeves that poof and then taper or bunch at the wrists.

CAPS — There are two kinds of hats worn at graduation ceremonies: the tam and the mortarboard. The tam is reserved for doctoral and master’s degrees, so most graduating students will wear mortar boards. Tams are made from velvet, and mortar boards are usually cardboard with a tassel that represents the type of degree earned. tassels — Different schools and colleges use different colors for their tassels. While they sometimes change from university to university, here are just a few of the most common:

Education - light blue -

Law

- purple -

Engineering - orange -

Business

Fine Arts

- tan -

- brown -

Music - pink -

Philosophy - dark blue -

Nursing - apricot -

Science

- golden yellow -

Arts & Sciences - white -

Economics - copper -

Illustration by Kaylee Harden

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

17

the ceremony committee met at Ford Center to determine what sort of space is available and how best it can be used, concerns centered mostly around the issue of space, as the center does not have a proper area for a stage like Roberts Stadium did.

Because of the now-narrower space, once students cross the stage, they will be escorted out and up to an area sectioned off for them to pick up their diplomas.

“In many ways, Ford Center is a better space, but it is different,” Stein said.

In the past, everyone entered and exited from the same place, but Ford has separate entrances for the seating areas and the floor. Now, immediately upon entering the center, students and families will be separated, which should help with organization.

Also, Ford’s scoreboard screen will be integrated to enhance the Commencement experience. Cameras will be set up to focus on speakers and graduates as they move across the stage, so people further away will not miss out on anything.

“Since we’re changing the venue, it offers a nice opportunity to consider changing Commencement overall,” Stein said.

Perhaps the biggest change is the decision to include a student keynote speaker.

Stein said outside UE speakers are generally hit-or-miss, and while there is no guarantee a student speaker will be a hit, the committee believed that someone who has directly experienced UE will have something of importance to say.

Mosbo said he has been at institutions where this method is implemented and has had positive experiences.

“What they say they tend to say from the heart,” he said.

Everyone agrees Commencement should be all about the graduates, and this change helps create a more student-based, graduate-oriented atmosphere.

“Having a student speaker at UE is who we are as an institution,” Mosbo said.

As ceremonies grow and change, it is hard to say what this means for the future.

Maybe someday they will cease to have any fanfare at all — and will simply entail logging onto a web site and downloading a diploma PDF. In all likelihood, this probably won’t happen because at the heart of it, this coming-of-age tale is clearly one people enjoy celebrating.

“These are rituals that mark time,” Stein said.

18

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

Admissions/Appointments: 812.437.TSPA (8772)

www.tspaEvansville.com

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For more information about our graduation rates, the median load debt of students who completed the program and other important information visit www.tspaEvansville.com

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Class of 2012

Congratulations

Stephanie Brant Brett Enneking Sammi Gaines Shelby George Deanna Hooper Valerie Jones Katelyn Lowman Rebecca Oates Michelle Shanahan Jennie Slavik Susan Smith Tara Stockstill Annie Vincelett Ella Weihe

zETA TAu ALpHA

SAA

is accepting new members

Student Alumni

AmbASSAdorS SAA’s mission: • To provide students service & leadership opportunities • To build a foundation for future alumni leaders • To foster communication, awareness and interaction between current students & alumni to learn more, please contact SAA President melanie Bacaling at mb298@evansville.edu

The College of Engineering and Computer Science wishes the following students all the best as they near the completion of their undergraduate education at UE. Good luck as you finish senior design projects, take the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam, prepare for graduate school and start your careers.

Finish strong!

Zaid Abdulmajeed, CE Fisal Aljrah, EE Gulzat Atymtayeva, CE Jason Baehl, ME Wade Banning, CE Trenton Beckinger, EE Austin Carpenter, EE Elijah Cook, CE Corbin Cooper, EE John D. Look, CE Anna Dasher, ME Eric Deig, ME Ibhade Eigbobo, ME Justin Elliott, CS Marcus Foertch, CS Brandon Frazier, CE David Goldenberg, ME Craig Gore, EE Eric Greene, EE Jarvis Hand, CE Hiram Hoffman, EE Nathan Jones, ME David Kirkwood, ME Angellina Kyazike, EE Brandon Lawson, CE Britain McCune, ME Neal Millay, ME Clinton Mobley, CoE Michael Montcalm, CE Cord Morales, ME Jacob Nardulli, CE Aaron O’connor, EE Clint Ott, ME Ricardo J. Paredes Aronsohn, CE Kyle Picha, ME Christopher Ripple, ME Michael Sainz, ME Matthew Schutte, CE Zachary Schwenk, CS Rodrigo Sierra Chavera, EE Ryan Sisk, CE Susan Smith, CE Andrew Snider, EE Jesse Squires, CS Greg Thomason, ME Alexander Tindle, ME Annette Volk, ME Travis Walters, ME Trevor Weaver, CE Cassandra Weybright, EE David Wichman, CE Matthew Woolston, ME

www.evansville.edu/schools/engineering.cfm 04.2012/Crescent Magazine

19

Facts the

about

Organ

Donation April is national Organ Donation Awareness month, but few people seem to be aware of what donation actually entails.

I

n Indiana alone, there are more than 1,400 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, yet few people seem to know even the basics of the donation process. And with so many people waiting for organs — nearly 114,000 in the United States alone, according to the Department of Health and Human Services — it is critical that everyone understand its importance.

“I just really want to get the word out,” senior Admission counselor Heather Cook said, during a February presentation about organ donation. “There are so many people that need a transplant.”

As an organ recipient, Cook knows the finer points of donation.

“Before I got my organ donation, I didn’t really know much about it,” she said. “You can talk about it, but until you actually see it, [the whole thing] doesn’t really sink in.”

Like many people, Cook registered as a donor at 16, when she got her driver’s license. But beyond that, she never gave it much thought.

“When you’re that young, you don’t think about death,” she said.

But at 28, Cook learned after a colonoscopy she had nearly 100 polyps in her colon, which doctors explained was a precursor for cancer.

“Basically all they could do was remove my colon,” she said. “It was either

20

by Cory Hart and Chelsea Modglin

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

get cancer and go through chemotherapy, or get the transplant.”

So, in August 2007, Cook had all but six inches of her colon removed — an operation only possible through organ donation, given the necessity of the colon.

Organ donation is no easy process. For transplantation to even be an option, a doctor must first recommend it to the patient, who must give his or her consent to the procedure. Without consent, the transplant cannot take place even if failure to operate would mean death for the patient.

In Cook’s case, she developed a desmoid tumor as a result of her first surgery.

While this kind of tumor is not cancerous, the cells that compose it are as hard as plastic and cause a person immense pain, so much that, even with medication, Cook was barely able to make it through her workdays.

Later, doctors discovered that this tumor was beginning to push Cook’s organs to one side, which would have eventually caused her kidneys to shut down. Her doctors prescribed chemotherapy to help slow the growth of the tumor but told her that organ transplant would be the only real solution.

“I would think to myself, ‘I’m not really sick enough,’” she said. “Being as young as I was, I didn’t want to face another surgery. I thought, ‘I’m not going to die with-

out it, so why don’t I just wait?’ Up until the day we went [to the hospital for surgery], I didn’t really think I was going to go through with it.”

It was not until doctors showed her the football-sized tumor that she finally consented to receiving her transplant.

For those who, like Cook, choose to have transplants, organ donation associations like the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Center for Donation and Transplant are contacted when a patient expresses consent.

The hopeful recipient is then added to the National Waiting List, which is a database of every patient in the United States and Puerto Rico who is in need of one or more transplants.

Contrary to what many believe, the list does not systematically select patients in a numerical order. Rather, patients are listed according to specific factors such as blood type and tissue matches, proximity to donors and amount of time spent on the waiting list. In some cases, children are given priority.

Once a patient is on the list, the hardest part of the process begins: waiting.

Receiving a transplant is a matter of circumstance. There is no way of knowing for certain when or if a transplant organ will ever become available. A patient could receive his or her transplant as soon as two weeks or as far off as several

And telling your family and friends is not always enough, either. As a reinforcement of your wishes, it is wise to notify your physician or faith leader. It is also advisable to have your desire to donate incorporated into your advance directives, as well as your will and living will.

Once a donor has passed away, a transplant coordinator from one of the donation agencies meets with the family to discuss the deceased’s wish to donate.

If the family chooses to disallow it, organ donation will not occur — even if the person gave consent, signed appropriate legal document and is a perfect match for another person currently in need of a donation.

But if the family does consent to do-

Or

g

a n s

years. Sometimes it doesn’t come at all.

“I was only on the waiting list for three and a half weeks, but it’s just a real waiting game,” Cook explained. “People who [most urgently] need organs are at the top. You have to be really sick. You don’t want to wish yourself sick, but you almost do.”

And as if needing an organ donation was not bad enough in of itself, Cook’s case was especially frustrating. The first time she received a phone call about an organ match, while she and her husband were on their way to the Indianapolis hospital, another person had a sudden, more urgent need for the organ. It could have been months before another donor match became available.

“It was a relief in a way, but then I was just going to be on edge waiting for that phone call,” Cook said.

Fortunately, Cook was moved to the top of the list, and it was not long after the first call that she got a another one, fulfilling her need for a pancreas, stomach and intestine.

Others may not be so lucky.

There are some cases in which a patient does not receive a transplant in time to save his or her life. This is an especially difficult fact, because just one donor can save the lives of as many as eight different people.

“We don’t need our organs when we die,” Cook said. “Why bury them with you when they could save so many lives?”

Because the process of becoming a donor is foreign to many, people tend to shy away from it. With the exception of kidney donors, most donations come from people who have already died but expressed consent prior to death.

Most people think that just having a little heart symbol on their driver’s license is enough to ensure that they will become organ donors. But as Cook points out, this is not the case.

“It’s really important that your family knows what your wishes are,” she said.

“You can be an organ donor, but if your family doesn’t know or are against it, they can throw a wrench in the process. If you’re not telling your family, they could actually stop [it].”

D on

at ed s Illu tio

tra eH

e ayl yK nb en

ard

nation, doctors run a strenuous series of tests to be certain that all neural activity has ceased — that the donor is, in fact, brain dead.

They then work to determine what organs are suitable for donation and to which patient those organs should go based on the donor’s compatibility with those in need.

After matches are made, a recipi-

ent is notified and given a certain window of time to arrive at the hospital.

The time limit is a factor because an organ can only survive so long outside the human body. The survival period is six hours for hearts and less time for other organs. This is why the myth that organs are widely circulated through illegal channels is wrong, because 80 percent of all organs are donated and used within the same region.

The greatest need is for kidneys and corneas. Right now, there are 83,000 people waiting for kidneys and 40,000 waiting for corneas in the United States.

Due to advancements in medical technology, the lives of many kidney patients can be extended using dialysis. Still, these patients will wait longer for an organ than those patients who are waiting for organs such as hearts and livers. And since corneas are the eyes’ most critical part, patients in need of those donations do not have it much better than those in need of kidneys.

After a transplant, doctors’ and patients’ main concern is rejection, which is the body’s natural tendency to try to destroy foreign matter. This usually only occurs within the first three months following transplant surgery, but total recovery takes much longer.

Regular weekly check-ups and large doses of medications are normal following surgery, but once doctors have ensured a transplant’s success, check-ups and medications gradually become less frequent.

Once recipients have exhibited signs of successful recovery with their donation, they sometimes wish to contact the donors’ families. But direct contact is impossible without going through the organization that coordinated the transplant, as there are cases in which a family may not wish to interact. Often, there is a sort of “grace period” in which the family is

Data compiled by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, courtesy of the Milliman Research Report.

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

21

given time to mourn the loss of their loved one before a contact decision must be made.

Correspondence must be made to the transplant agency in cases where recipients want to make contact with a donor’s family. Cook is one such case and is in the process of writing a letter to her donor family. Though she knows that they might never see it, she hopes that they will choose to receive her letter.

“I want to let them know that something good has come out of a terrible situation,” she said.

Another reason many people shy away from organ donation is misinformation.

One persistent myth is that organ donors are not made a priority in emergency or other healthcare situations because, if they die, other patients can have their organs. This is not true.

Another myth is the belief that, if one is an organ or a tissue donor, an open casket funeral will not be possible because of deformities that occur from organ removal. This is also incorrect. Any signs of missing organs or incisions are covered using clothing or prosthetics. When organs are removed from a body, doctors replace them with stints so the body maintains its natural shape. Also, when tissue is donated, it typically is taken from a donor’s back.

Essentially, there is really no reason not to become an organ donor. And when a person decides to be a donor, one of the easiest ways to make it official is to visit OrganDonor.gov. There, those interested can register by simply selecting their state of residence and providing basic information like name and street address. All information is confidential. The process is simple and does not require one to have a driver’s license — social security numbers may be used instead.

Whether young or old, healthy or sick, chances are there is someone who needs the help only a donor can give. Organ donation is a win-win situation. Thanks to health insurance, there is no cost to the donor, and the recipient gets another chance at life.

“A person I don’t know gave me what I call the ‘gift of life,’” Cook said. “It just amazes me that people are really that generous. It’s the best gift you can ever give to someone.”

22

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

Through the Lens

Samantha Cook/Crescent Magazine

Multitasking is the most valuable tool one learns in college. Junior Brooke Routh listens to music and works on her tan while studying.

Amy Rabenberg/Crescent Magazine

While most flock to their usual outdoor spaces, sophomore Scott Weaver goes out on a limb and spends an unseasonably warm afternoon chilling in a tree near Neu Chapel.

Amy Rabenberg/Crescent Magazine

Although casually throwing a Frisbee around is practically an official UE pastime, senior Wade Banning and freshman Andrew Wong take their game to the next level in a fit of friendly competition.

the Winter that Wasn’t Jessica Crihfield/Crescent Magazine

W

Jessica Crihfield/Crescent Magazine

Preparing for “Once in a Lifetime,” the last theatre production of the semester, junior Beccaa Dowden paints frames for what will soon be doors.

Enjoying the sun, sophomore Taylor Gray and some friends shoot some baskets.

ith temperatures rocketing past 70 degrees since the end of February, students suddenly realize that they can come out of their residence hall rooms to experience the sunshine that has been evading them since January.

Between meeting new friends via a pick-up game of soccer and dodging the stray Frisbee while studying on Ridgway Center lawn, students will do just about anything to catch a few rays between classes.

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

23

We the Students Want to know how UE’s student government runs?

Or is the real question: Why don’t we already?

by Mindy Kurtz & Amy Reinhart

24

We have been told, both as a generation and as individuals, that change is a good thing — something that betters our lives and the conditions of those around us. But what does it mean when no one seems to know what is going on to begin with?

While Student Government Association and Student Congress might sound familiar, most students are unable to say precisely what either group does.

And whether that uncertainty stems from scant attendance at weekly Congress meetings or a failing on the part of leadership to inform and engage students is a matter for debate.

So, what precisely are SGA and Congress? Although the terms are often used interchangeably, the two are completely separate groups. To make the distinction, think of the U.S. branches of government. Congress would be classified as the legislative branch, or the establishers of a constitution and its bylaws, providing an open forum for student ideas and concerns.

SGA is considered the executive branch, that body of gatekeepers who see to it that student interests are promoted and advanced. Also part of SGA is the ombudsman.

The SGA president is the figurehead of the student body. Elected by popular vote each spring, the president makes sure legislation passed by Congress is executed, manages the accounts of organizations that receive annual funding from Congress and represents SGA and the student body at Faculty Senate, Congress and other meetings.

The president also acts as a liaison for students with UE administration and must keep regular office hours, being consistently available to students.

Likewise, the vice president, who is elected with

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

the president, attends Congress meetings, providing updates of SGA activities, and holds office hours.

The ombudsman is charged with acting as a confidential resource for students facing issues or concerns with other students, faculty or administrators.

Ultimately, it is the ombudsman’s duty to be available to students, to help them solve those problems they need help with.

Congress is led by the chief executive officer, who has a support staff comprised of a vice president, parliamentarian and secretary, as well as chairs who oversee issues and concerns, finance and budget, and outreach committees.

Most students do not attend Congress meetings.

When it comes to extending an invitation to students, just one responsibility of these organizations’ leaders, communication seems lacking.

When speaking with leaders, there is no doubt that SGA and Congress want the best for students.

But when looking at the good both organizations seek to do, this much becomes clear: If the student body is uninformed and communication does not take place, any accomplishments go to waste.

Students seem unaware of programs that are in place, the channels through which they may voice their concerns or propose changes, and student leaders seem unaware of what they can do for students. This communication disconnect, accompanied by a general lack of direction, seem to be two of the reasons SGA and Congress have grown to be elusive entities.

While the end of their terms is nearing, when it comes to getting the word out, senior Brock Reneer, Congress chief executive officer, said compared to years past, improvements have been made.

“It was really bad [before],” he said, dethat does not seem to be happening.

Salaries are meant to compensate offiscribing the extreme lack of communica“Congress meetings should be told to cers for the hours they devote to their position that previously took place. people on campus,” she said. “This isn’t extions, but given how uninformed students Reneer said recent SGA and Congress actly happening, but it is improving.” are about things such as officers’ office boards made decisions with little to no stuWhile she said it is improving, most stuhours, assistance available and what the dent input, and when former UE President dents do not understand either group’s pur- groups are doing on behalf of students, Stephen Jennings asked students if they pose, what they are doing or that they are concerns arise. knew the basic aspects of SGA, the answer meant to represent them. If, for example, Current leaders may not be the only from every faction was a resounding “no.” students do not know that an ombudsman ones who bear the blame. When this year’s Reneer said since representatives from exists or how to get in touch with this perofficers took on their positions, their duties student organizations have become more son, the position is useless. were not spelled out for them. And when involved at meetings, discussions have beAnother problem is the perception that taking on any kind of leadership position, it come livelier, and he thinks more students Congress is the campus ATM. After years is always helpful to have solid advice from are being informed. of relegating thousands of dollars to any past officers. Unfortunately for this year’s But Congress depends on representagroup that approached Congress, asking leadership, that advice was nonexistent. Aftives to relay information from meetings to for money has become the norm. And alter a brief meeting with last year’s outgoing their constituents, and sometimes informathough Congress has the ability to say no, officers, they were left with no sense of dition is not passed on at all, leaving students that power is rarely used. rection and more than a few problems. completely in the dark.

Occasionally, someone will bring a reso“It’s one thing to read [your duties] on “It is not where we would like it to be, lution before Congress that has nothing to paper and then [another to] do them,” Rebut it has gotten so much better,” Reneer do with money. There have been only two neer said. said. such resolutions so far this year. One conBut in reading the Constitution, one Although he said Congress thing is clear: SGA and Congress “A lot of representatives who are has utilized ways to get the do not have the power to tell the word out, such as publicizing [at Congress meetings] don’t care. We’ve student body what to do, although meetings via AceNotes or Facepast members had done exactly been hesitant to spread the word because that. Leadership made decisions book, instances are few.

And SGA President Jill that affected the student body, we’re worried that people won’t care.”

Jungemann believes someand students were not informed.

—SGA President Jill Jungemann times less is more. That is, For an organization that is if students who are not conmeant to be the voice of the stucerned with campus issues attended meetcerned the location of condiments in Cafe dents, students themselves had no opporings, their votes might be detrimental.

Court and another cited issues with UE’s tunity for input. Leaders this year hope to “A lot of representatives who are there online course catalog. These resolutions break that cycle, since this is a constitutiondon’t care,” she said. “We’ve been hesitant benefited all students, and to Reneer, votal review year. to spread the word because we’re worried ing on nonfinancial resolutions was a liberWith murky wording and inconsistenthat people won’t care.” ating experience. cies, the Constitution and its bylaws need Jungemann said SGA tried to use social If Congress is an ATM, SGA is a blur in reform. Sections of the Constitution have media outlets like Facebook, but ran into most students’ minds, since many do not been revised in the past, but some of those formatting issues, so efforts were abanknow if officers are doing anything to benechanges led to greater confusion. The fodoned. No other form of communicating fit them. Jungemann is supposed to reprecus is on revising the Constitution as a with the student body was put into place. sent students at Faculty Senate, a monthly whole, with the goal being to clarify the duAnd although leaders have used Blackmeeting of faculty and campus administraties of SGA and Congress. board as a way of disseminating meettors, and share information presented at Clarifying and condensing the Constituiing information, Jungemann still believes Senate with students, but she has not aton’s language is a standard change, but ofstudents would not pay attention to other tended in recent months or had a represenficials want other changes to be more drasforms of publicity. tative attend in her place. tic. One group that may face the axe is the “We could post [fliers for meetings] in Another concern is that officers are getSupreme Court, a seven-member body that Ridgway,” she said, “but no one would read ting paid and may not be earning their salais supposed to handle impeachment prothem.” ries. The SGA president and vice president ceedings and to be the final arbitrator on Rather, Jungemann believes Congress together receive $2,800 per year. The omall constitutional matters. The court rarely proceedings and SGA actions should be budsman receives $1,400. Congress officonvenes and may be relegated to commitsomething students talk about, something cers are also paid, with the combined total tee status. that is spread by word of mouth, although being more than $5,400 annually.

SGA may also cut the ombudsman po-

commentary 04.2012/Crescent Magazine

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

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sition. Much like the court, the ombudsman has not been utilized. But it is unclear as to whether this is because students do not believe the position is necessary or they do not know it exists.

A positive change is the recent appointment of Student Engagement director Geoff Edwards as the new adviser to Congress. Dean Dana Clayton, vice president for Student Affairs, will continue as adviser to SGA. This is not Edwards’ first time dealing with student government. As an undergraduate at Monmount College, he served as student body president.

But changes will amount to nothing if SGA and Congress do not fix the ways they operate and communicate with students.

Although current officers believe they have done a better job reaching out to students and getting them involved, there is still much work to do.

Students also have a role to play. Edwards said it is the duty of students to hold SGA and Congress accountable for their actions. saying the best way to do that is to get involved. But regardless as to whether students attend meetings or not, it is SGA’s responsibility to get the word out as to what it is doing for students.

It has been said that students are also slow to get their names on SGA and Congress ballots for positions. Maybe most students don’t care about student government, but there were a lot of students who did not even realize there was a SGA election several weeks ago. That was definitely a communication problem.

Despite its reputation as a monetary outlet and its inability to find solutions to its communication issues, Congress hopes to eventually provide students with an opportunity to share what they think. And that’s a great goal, but leaders must come up with more effective ways to reach students.

What they currently have in place is not working. People should not support a government that does not support them.

While SGA and Congress officials may have had a bunch of garbage dumped in their laps when they took on their positions, many problems still exist and solutions need to be found.

And students need to give a damn. Unfortunately, that cannot happen if they do not make their concerns known, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

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©2008 FRG

It’s tIme to celebrate

campus crime The following information was compiled from criminal offense reports filed Feb. 21–March 27 in Safety & Security.

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March 27 — Student reported the lock of his Hale Hall third floor room was superglued.

March 22 — Four female students seen stealing a promotional cutout from Ace’s Place. Suspects were not apprehended.

March 19 — Wallet stolen from a vehicle parked in Lambda Chi Alpha parking lot.

Loss reported at $5.

— Bicycle stolen from the Moore Hall bike rack. Loss reported at $135.

March 18 — Students found intoxicated outside of Ridgway Center. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

— Attempted break-in of the McCutchan Stadium concession stand.

March 1 — A GPS system stolen from a car parked behind a Walnut residence. Loss not reported.

Feb. 28 — Musical instrument and equipment stolen from a Hughes Hall third floor room. Loss reported at $180.

Feb. 21 — An iPod and headphones stolen from a Morton Hall third floor room.

Loss not reported.

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2012 Graduates Welcome to the UE Alumni Association Get Connected to UE Alumni, Parents and Friends who want to help you succeed. Join UE Connect today and reach out and engage other UE alumni who can personally help you with your professional development. To learn more visit www.evansville.edu/ueconnect If you haven’t already signed up for a UE Alumni Resource, it’s not too late to do so. You can be paired with a UE alum. Visit www.evansville.edu/ueconnect/request. cfm to submit your request.

Keep UE in your Pocket. Download UE’s free mobile app. The app keeps you up-to-date with all things UE and gives you humorous real-world tips on everything from engagement rings to retirement. Visit www.mycribsheet. com/evansville or search an app store for “UE Alumni Crib Sheet.”

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04.2012/Crescent Magazine

29

thinking globally and acting locally

Workfest spanned from March 4–23 this year, and in addition to UE, 20 universities participated. During UE’s time in Kentucky, six other schools also performed service. And although apprehensive at first, the four UE volunteers admitted that giving up break to help was not ever in question.

“It’s a great way to take a break from class yet still be productive,” Meyer said.

Likewise, Patra was on board from day one.

“We were enlightening ourselves and devoting ourselves to this,” she said.

Nonetheless, when the actual trip came around, every expectation these dedicated do-gooders might have had was thrown to the wind. Originally, WorkFest was to center on a place called Camp Caleb in eastern Kentucky, where volunteers were to help For Newman Club, the reality of post-tornadic eastern families make minor repairs to their homes and work toward improving their standard of living.

Kentucky became a site of strength and change, One of the planned jobs involved turning a garage into a secas four volunteers spent Spring Break in service. ond bedroom for a family. Other tasks included washing winby Jessica Ingle dows, sweeping floors and reading books to local children. In the end, this was not what occurred.

Two days before Roesch and the others planned to arrive at Camp Caleb, parts of Kentucky and Indiana were hit by cataEvery year, thousands of college students spend strophic tornadoes. Almost instantly, service trip coordinators their Spring Breaks on any number of activities informed Roesch that they would — from the chiefly fun to the highly productive. no longer be converting garages A few slog through those nasty end-of-the-year into bedrooms. Volunteers would course papers. Some head straight for a far-away beach and mellow with the sunset. Others spend instead be heading to Kentucky for an all-out disaster relief. time with friends, family and pets.

The March 2 tornadoes that But let’s face it. No matter how dedicated, most went through these rural Kentucky students will waste these precious hours of freehomes were nestled between two dom. Often they begin break with the best of intentions mountains, causing overwhelming but end up back in classes the following week wondering why they spent hours watching TV when they could have been doing damage. Buildings had walls and roofs missing. Nothing remained something beneficial.

Jonathan Robson of a nearby church except for its Fortunately, not all students fall into this familiar routine. In basement and bathroom. Patra noted that a McDonald’s sign had fact, Newman Club sent four people — director Mike Roesch, jubeen completely twisted to one side. nior Cyril Patra, sophomore Jonathan Robson and freshman An“Some people lived their whole lives there and had never drew Meyer — on a weeklong service trip to Kentucky. heard a report of a tornado,” Roesch said.

“You have to be dedicated to give up Spring Break,” said Tornadoes simply did not occur in Roesch, who has served as Evansville’s this area, the Midwest being the place director of the Catholic-affiliated group “We were enlightening usually hit hard by such weather. Natufor three years. ourselves... The dynamic was rally, a tornado in the mountains would This trip to Kentucky, deemed the be vastly different from one traveling “Christian Appalachian Project: Workwonderful. I gained strength through the flatlands of the Midwest.

Fest 2012,” was his first Spring Break serphysically and mentally.”

While picking up debris along a stretch vice trip. These trips are referred to as of Indiana farmland would be a task in “alternative Spring Breaks” and take of itself, in Kentucky, debris spread everywhere. place annually. Recent trips include those to New Orleans to “There would be a roof halfway up the [side of the] mounhelp Hurricane Katrina victims and to Nazareth Farm, where voltain,” Roesch said. unteers help those living in rural West Virginia.

Though the group arrived at the site in the midst of a crisis, Father John Holloran officially established the center in 1938. there was an overpowering feeling of community among volunCurrently, there are many of these centers around the country. teers and the families whose homes were demolished by the They provide universities usually affiliated with other religions storms. a Catholic option that includes Mass and Monday night dinners “It was amazing,” said Roesch, who was in complete awe at and discussions. The service trips act as an opportunity to take how quickly everyone pulled together. the goodwill created locally and share it with others across the For example, he said five or six trunks stuffed with food country.

E

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

would show up every day, providing nourishment to those who had nothing. Even the daughters of the family Roesch assisted did their part by making cupcakes.

Food was abundant, as the volunteers worked a strenuous 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule of nothing but grueling — and sometimes mind-numbing — tasks that involved sifting through mountains of rubble, including personal effects.

“We could have had six meals a day while we stayed there,” Meyer said.

And despite that the UE participants all worked and ate in different groups, they were never in want of good company.

Patra made friends during WorkFest with people she hopes to remain in contact with. Possibly her most memorable experience involved snow ­— an epic snowball fight, snowmen and snow angels. The group’s first day in Kentucky, it snowed about 6 inches.

“I got to do yoga in the Appalachian Mountains in the snow,” she said.

Apart from the variation in weather, severe destruction and breathtaking scenery, WorkFest focused on families affected more than anything else. Service trips like this one turned out to be, Meyer explained, bring to light that there is more to a deadly storm than the destruction and statistics associated with it.

“You don’t lose a number,” Meyer said. “You lose the fifth grader in your carpool.”

Coming from a large city, Meyer said he is used to walking down a street without anyone knowing or acknowledging him. Eastern Kentucky could not have been more different. Meyer spent mere days with the families, but they began to treat him like a neighbor.

Community spirit was so great that members of Meyer’s group went beyond cleaning up debris. In one instance, the children of a family were upset about having lost

Cyril Patra

t

he Christian Appalachian Project began with the Rev. Ralph W. Beiting, a Roman Catholic priest born

and raised in northern Kentucky. His desire to help those living in poverty in Appalachia came to fruition in 1946 when he accompanied several priests on outreach trips to the mountains of eastern Kentucky. He later went on to form a summer camp for boys, which he called the Cliffview Lodge.

This small act ushered in CAP, which now has grown to be one of the largest nonprofit projects in the

Andrew Meyer

their Monopoly game to the storm. To cheer them up, a volunteer bought the children a brand-new game. Patra and her group did their share of work as well.

“The dynamic was wonderful,” she said. “I gained strength physically and mentally.”

While there, none of the volunteers ever had a clear-cut objective — they were essentially thrown out into the area and told “Go! Do!” And even though the UE team was split into different groups and came away with their own separate stories, no doubt they came away from the experience with the same sense of awe and goodwill.

“I don’t know how or why I haven’t helped before,” Meyer said. “I’ve gone out farther than I ever had. It was so worth it.”

Both Meyer and Patra hope to return to the place where they helped families and met so many wonderful people. If the the Newman group does not go again, they intend to find another way to help. They were deeply touched by the friendliness of those people who had lost everything.

“Take a leap of faith and always keep your mind open,” Patra said of service work. “You can accomplish great things.”

And even though the trip’s objective changed as drastically as a tornado’s path, the volunteers could not have found a better way to give their time and effort. As a result, they hope to spend not just future Spring Breaks volunteering, but every opportunity they can get.

“Think globally, act locally — it’s a good motto to live by,” Meyer said.

Roesch said one should make a change where change is possible.

“It helps form you as a person,” he said. “That’s what college is all about.”

Mike Roesch

eastern United States. After tornados struck Kentucky in early March CAP acted quickly and sent more than 150 volunteers. The alternative Spring Break, having just celebrated its 20th anniversary, included those from UE’s Newman Club and other schools such as Wilkes, Duke and DeSales universi-

fascinating facts

ties, Aquinas College, Penn State-Altoona and the University of Florida.

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

31

by Mindy Kurtz While football is still sadly absent from the UE sports line-up, Evansville’s resurrection of its indoor football team, the Rage, may help to put a little spark back in the area’s weekend sports outings.

down in the muck of the line

Favorite sports are extremely diverse on campus. From athletes who are a part of an intercollegiate sports team to those who prefer extracurriculars like Frisbee, there seems to be something for everyone to watch.

UE has been lacking in the pigskin department since 1987, and even though the void allows other sports to gain much-deserved attention, football is still sorely missed by some.

Luckily for football fans, there is one untapped source of action in Evansville that is making a comeback in a big way: the world of the Evansville Rage, the city’s own indoor football team.

Founded in 2003 as the Kentucky BlueCats, the team’s first game drew nearly 9,000 spectators. And even though the BlueCats lost a large fraction of their first-season games, attendance held strong as the players improved.

The franchise was sold to new owners in 2004 and was abruptly disbanded in 2007.

But after a five-year hiatus, the team is returning. Renamed the Rage and under the command of coach Mike Goodpaster, the team played its first season game March 17 against the Indianapolis Enforcers. And the best news?

They clobbered the Enforcers 63–35.

“We just want to give people something to do on a Saturday night,” Goodpaster said.

“It’s great to have them come out and watch us win.”

The team plays at Swonder Ice Arena, for-

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

mer home of the Evansville IceMen. And while the arena might be a bit chilly and has sort of a warehouse vibe, the place retains a sense of intimacy. In fact, you can sit as close as 10 feet from the field, which is only 50 yards long. The compact size allows the Rage to rack up major points.

“It’s a great environment, and we have players from [NCAA] Big 10 schools,” Goodpaster said. “You have to drive a long way from Evansville to find that.”

It’s true. Goodpaster’s team is made up of all kinds of men, from ages 18 to 26. But what they have in common is the drive to win.

“We have 25 guys who are worried about each other,” Goodpaster said. “And that’s the key to winning.”

To assemble such a devoted group, young men were recruited from high schools, colleges and professional teams — particularly Rage defensive end Reco Tucker, who used to play for the Tennessee Titans.

“It’s a big difference, switching from NFL to indoor,” he said. “But Evansville has really taken us in. I couldn’t ask for a better time to be here.”

Still, to say the team had a hard time getting the season started would be a gross understatement.

“We’ve had a ton of work to do,” Goodpaster said. “And all of that work has been done by only three or four people.”

“So you wanna play inside?”

Field Size — Indoors; 50 yards long by 25 yards wide, with end zones a minimum of 5 yards in depth. Fields may vary in size due to physical constraints within facility, with permission. goalposts — 12 feet from the field to the crossbar, which is 10 feet wide. Anything used to hang the goalpost is considered to be part of the upright. players — Eight players per team are on the field at one time. Per team, there may be as many as 20 players with a 21st player only eligible for specialteams plays such as kickoffs, field goals and point-after-touchdown plays. playing time — Four 15-minute quarters. Clock only stops for incomplete passes and out-of-bounds during the final minute of the second and fourth quarters. backfield in motion — One player may be in motion in any direction behind the line of scrimmage prior to the snap. lineman — Three offensive linemen must be in stance prior to the snap. There must be three defensive linemen, and they must line up on the nose, or they can line up inside foot to outside foot on the outside of an offensive lineman. Linemen must make contact before any movement to the outside is made. kickoffs — If a kickoff leaves the field of play on the fly, the ball comes out to the 25yard line. The sideline walls and end zone walls are not out of bounds, and balls can be played off of them. offense — No punting. Offense must try for a first down or touchdown or may attempt a field goal.

The team had three months to get organized. The turf was not even rolled onto the field until the week before the Rage’s first game. Goodpaster said they had it flown in from North Carolina, and even then, the turf was too short for the arena, so they found a local carpet business to make up the needed yardage.

“We joked that, ‘If we pull this off, they’ll make a movie about it,’” he said.

But aside from initial difficulties, the team has had no other issues, even despite stark differences in teammates’ ages and skill levels. Goodpaster said the plan is to win and to do it well enough for the community to take notice of a sport that is almost at underground status.

“We just need people to realize that we’re serious,” he said. “These guys are really serious about what they’re doing.”

The team is ready for all that comes their way, turf problems or otherwise. The Rage will again battle the Enforcers at 7:30 p.m. April 21 at Swonder. Tickets are $12.50. So, if you find yourself in need of a little football action on a Saturday night, head on over to the arena and let your inner fan rage.

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Crescent Magazine/04.2012

Third & Short / Mark Boxell

Building for the future Major soccer tournaments may be serving as catalysts for the betterment of an expanding world, where socioeconomic and cultural growth benefits everyone.

S

ummer 2012 will be remembered for more than just the Olympic games. The European Football Championship, the largest international soccer competition, which is second only to the World Cup, will take place June 8–July 1.

Poland and Ukraine will co-host this year, the first time Eastern Europe has been invited to host since the 1976 tournament in Yugoslavia. The decision to allow Poland and Ukraine to host was part of a growing trend that has had an impact on soccer’s governing bodies and the governments of various developing countries. Decision makers have begun to acknowledge soccer as a catalyst for the development of nations, seeing results that benefit its citizens and athletes.

South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010, becoming the first African country to host the world’s most popular sporting event. FIFA recently voted for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup, and Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup, its first since 1950.

Sure, none of these recently named hosts are countries void of any modern infrastructure.

That said, all are certainly still developing in many ways.

These major soccer competitions have become massive, global events that require the infrastructure to handle an influx of hundreds of thousands of tourists, along with the

Who Knew?

proper stadiums that can accommodate 50,000 spectators.

Certainly, organizations such as FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations, Europe’s governing body, are not acting as charities in granting these developing nations these massive tournaments. Rather, they want the sport to expand — on a consumer level — into markets that have not yet been saturated with soccer merchandise.

But indirectly, granting countries these competitions forces the nations to adapt and modernize. Hosting a significant tournament requires a country to have anywhere from five to 12 high tech, modern stadiums.

South Africa had no stadiums ready for the World Cup when it was declared the host back in 2004. This meant the South African government had to build several stadiums from the ground up and complete renovations on many others.

These construction projects provided jobs and improved socioeconomic infrastructures within the host cities. Likewise, the additional publicity

provided by the tournament improved annual tourism rates and revenues.

But not everyone viewed these changes as advancement. Many South Africans argued that the billions of dollars allocated to stadium construction should have gone to aid the millions of South Africans who currently live in extreme poverty.

These were contentious issues within the country and remain so today. But if nothing else, one can argue that the World Cup provided a platform for discussion of social ills within the country — which might not have happened otherwise.

Similar issues of social and cultural ills have arisen with regard to Eastern Europe’s hosting Euro 2012, as well as the 2018 World Cup. Several countries in the region have long histories of overt racism and abuse, mainly toward players of

African descent. Roberto Carlos, a black player from Brazil who plays professionally in Russia, left a game last June before it ended after a banana was hurled at him by someone in the crowd. It was the second time in a matter of months that the Brazilian had been targeted because of his race.

But much like the poverty issues of South Africa, the hosting of these tournaments gives Eastern Europe an incentive to discuss the behavior of its fans: both despicable actions like those against Carlos and the underlying prejudices of the culture as a whole.

While these sporting events alone will not induce change in the hosting countries, hopefully they can serve as a catalyst for economic and cultural reform.

Third & Short columnist Mark Boxell is a sophomore history major from Evansville, Ind.

Cat urine glows under a black-light. • There are apparently no words that rhyme with orange, purple and month.

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

35

off the wall Who Knew?

There are only four words in the English language that end in “dous” — tremendous, horrendous, stupendous and hazardous.

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Gin Fizz Finally, you’ve made it to the end of the year. So why not celebrate with a drink that’s just as fancy as it is fizzy? To make this classic, About.com says pour gin, juice, sugar and egg white into a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a chilled highball glass with ice, then top off with soda water.

Ingredients: 2 oz gin 1/2 tsp superfine sugar 1 egg white Dash lemon/lime juice Soda water

it came from the library n Benjamin Franklin’s experimentation with kites inspired the idea for water skis. Franklin believed that a person wearing barrel staves could be pulled along the water’s surface by a kite. Ralph Samuelson created the first water skis in 1992. n As part of a publicity stunt for P.T. Barnum’s Great Roman Hippodrome circus, which opened in October 1874, Charles Colton, who worked for the showman as a horseback rider, and Mary Walsh were married in a P.T. Barnum balloon. n New York’s Demond-Breitbart Law,

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signed in 1938, required couples to undergo a series of blood tests when they applied for marriage licenses. n Dr. Elisha Perkins invented Perkins’ Patented Metallic Tractor in 1740. The tractor, Bakeries offer customizable cakes for almost any occasion you can spell out in icing, but clearly some are made with more care than others. Cakewrecks. com is devoted to the disasters of the professional cake-decorating world.

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

a contraption of metal rods, supposedly drew diseases out of the body. Four weeks after he brought his tractor to New York City to cure an epidemic of yellow fever, Perkins died from the same disease.

How about a Valentine’s Day cake that reads “Be Mime” or a holiday cake with the sentiment “Happy Birthday, Hanukah”? n Being a Tyrannosaurus rex is difficult. Sure, as king of the dinosaurs it means you rule over all other creatures — but shelves? Shelves are hard. So is starting a

gotta get it Forget paint — the most sophisticated bicycles are decorated with hundreds of insect corpses. Artist Damien Hirst is known for using animal remains in his projects, and in 2009, he first applied this artistry to his Trek “Butterfly” Madone bicycle. The Trek Madone model is known for its extremely low weight, ProTour-proven geometry and performance. Hirst’s specially designed “Butterfly” Madone adds an extra element. More shocking than its bright pink color is the bike’s frame, which is decorated with real butterflies. Hirst affixed lawn mower or using eye drops. Artist Hugh Murphy chronicles the daily struggles of the shortarmed dino at trextrying. tumblr.com. Whether attempting to ride a motorcycle, ribbon dance, squeegee his windshield or place a bid at an auction, poor T-rex always comes up short.

hole in the wall

hundreds of butterfly wings to the frame and rims for a shimmering effect. But this buggedout bike isn’t just an artist’s indulgence.

Hirst made the special bike to commemorate Lance Armstrong’s return to competitive cycling. The Butterfly is one of seven customdesigned Trek Artist Series bikes, raced by Armstrong and later auctioned off for STAGES, a global art exhibition that raised money for cancer research.

Such a bike comes with a hefty price tag.

The Madone is worth at least $500,000, which is what it recently sold for at auction.

there’s an

app

for that

t

Have a problem? Free app WikiHow has the solution. From calculating horizon distances to caring for a broken bone, this iTunes’ app even has a guide for party emergencies, detailing ways to quickly chill a drink or open a wine bottle without a corkscrew.

HPV, which stands for the human papillomavirus, is a common sexually transmissible infection, or STI. The Kinsey Institute reports most sexually active people get at least one of the 100+ strains at some point in their lives. HPV can be transmitted during oral, vaginal or anal sex, and it is one of those infections most sexually active adults come into contact with, which doesn’t make one strange, unusual or “diseased.” Actually, it’s par for the course, especially among young sexually active adults. The HPV vaccine is now available for women and men, and if you are sexually active, ask your healthcare provider about the vaccine. Regardless, it’s still a good idea to talk with future partners about HPV and know that condoms greatly reduce the risk of transmission. Most people don’t experience noticeable problems from HPV, and it may clear automatically from the body. You can continue to feel confident about having great, pleasurable sex.

Chances are other people you have sex with may have a strain of HPV, whether they know it or not.

O ddlaws fl

dumblaws.com

Parachuting Prohibited

A special law prevents unmarried women from parachuting on Sundays or risk fine, arrest and even possible jail time.

ri

The Hose Goes

In West Warwick, it is illegal to use water on even-numbered days for the purpose of watering plants, gardens or lawns.

md

Unhappy Easter

In Baltimore, one may not sell chicks or ducklings to a minor within one week of the Easter holiday.

ok

Certified Canines

Dogs must have permits signed by a local mayor in order to congregate in groups on private property.

telegraph.co.uk

Worth a Shot When 15-year-old Hannah Jordan complained on Facebook about her household responsibilities, her father retaliated. After Tommy Jordan spotted his daughter’s post, he filmed himself shooting holes in her laptop and uploaded the footage to YouTube. He received visits from Child Protective Services and the police. But officers allegedly congratulated him for the lesson.

For Better or Worse A courthouse is not the most romantic place to pop the question — especially when one has a restraining order on the bride-tobe. But even though Theodore Murphy had accused Nicole Osbourne of domestic violence, he asked her to marry him during an unrelated court hearing. Murphy’s lawyer had to propose for him, but Osbourne said yes. The judge set her bail at $2,500.

Ski-Thru Whenever you need that coffee fix, you can count on a Starbucks being close-by, wherever you are. That convenience now includes mountaintops, too. The Squaw Valley Ski Resort has a Starbucks built into the slopes at an elevation of 8,000 feet. Resort-goers can zip by the window and order a cup of coffee without ever having to remove their skis, which saves valuable time on the slopes.

The Piggyback Bandit Several high school sporting teams are on the lookout for 28-year-old Sherwin Shayegan, known as the Piggyback Bandit. The 240-pound Shayegan befriends the teams and then jumps onto players’ backs during games.

In October, Shayegan was arrested in Helena, Mont., for jumping on two unsuspecting high school soccer players during a state tournament.

n Janky: Getting Too Stressed About School With the end of the year nigh, it’s final push time, and that can bring with it a lot of unexpected tasks that really wear a person down. Even though the end is near, take it in stride, and don’t get too strung out about school. n Juicy: Setting Aside Time for Yourself Although work does eventually have to be done, a person can still make time for the little things in life: having lunch with friends,

janky vs. juicy

tidbits & assets

going on a walk down by the river or taking a midday snooze in the sun. It’s about time we remember what recess is. n Janky: Breaching the Friend Zone Being friends is a great thing, but pushing the limit can cause problems.

A little misplaced affection can turn into an overly awkward situation, tearing down what little hope there is to keep a perfectly good friendship alive.

Granted, the friend zone may seem intolerable, but hey, sometimes it’s better than nothing. n Juicy: Friendship Not Gender Specific Harry and Sally had it wrong; it’s totally cool to be “just friends” with a member of the opposite sex. You like the same things, hang out with the same people and care for each other when times get rough. So, who cares what sex you are, or what other people think? You don’t have to hook up in order to be happy. Contrary to popular belief, being platonic is not pathetic.

04.2012/Crescent Magazine

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Kristen Davis

1. “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut (Delacorte Press, 1969)

Junior “Stepmom” (1998)

“Slaughterhouse-Five” is a bitterly sarcastic, darkly funny look at the life of Billy Pilgrim, a man who has become “unstuck in time,” and the plot evolves in short bursts as his mind shifts between different points of his life. I read it for the first time in high school, and it’s stuck with me ever since.

I like the film because there’s a lot of drama, which is great to watch. There’s a lot of tension between [Julia’s character] and the mom. I’m all about the baby-mama drama.”

Katelan King

Sophomore “Notting Hill” (1999)

2. “John Dies at the End” by David Wong (Permuted Press, 2007)

‘Notting Hill’ is a great one, because I love Hugh Grant — and I love Julia Roberts, too. So a movie starring both of them is automatically going to be good, basically.”

Beginning with a riddle that will reveal the awful secret of the universe and ending with a group of unlikely heroes saving a parallel universe, this book is a wonderful horror/comedy that is full of twists and turns. It made me laugh out loud while still frightening me at the same time.

Emily Kays

Freshman “Pretty Woman” (1990) It’s her classic role — everybody knows Julia Roberts from that movie. It’s just a funny, romantic movie; I would say it’s a classic.”

Hannah Okray as far as sophomore Andrew Sherman is concerned. His favorites cover a wide range of tastes: classic to contemporary, humorous to serious and ordinary to fantastic.

3. “House of Leaves” by Mark Z. Danielewski (Pantheon Books, 2000) This is the weirdest book I’ve ever read. When Johnny Truant searches his deceased neighbor’s apartment, he finds the windows painted black to obscure light and the floor crisscrossed with measuring tape. He also finds a manuscript that he pieces together, learning the world he once knew is more frightening than he had known.

4. “Good Omens” by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (Workman Publishing Co.,1990) This is the funniest book I’ve ever read. It’s a humorous take on the biblical apocalypse in which the Antichrist

Who Knew?

38

was switched at birth, leading to his being raised in a small British town, far away from any satanic upbringing. With demonic angels, angelic demons and a witch who accidentally predicted the whole thing, it’s a book that keeps you turning pages.

5. “Of Mice and Men” John Steinbeck (Covici Friede, 1937) I love George and Lennie as characters: simple men living in a hard time.

All they want is stability and to live by their own standards. It’s a lifestyle I can understand, and I love the way Steinbeck depicts it. He adds a great human element to a rough time in history.

Freshman “My Best Friend’s Wedding” (1997) It’s funny. For me, it proves that men and women can’t be friends.”

favorite julia

roberts

movies

Korine Poindexter

Freshman “Mona Lisa Smile” (2003) It takes place at an all-women’s college where they are taught basically to be perfect housewives, and Julia Roberts’ character breaks free from that role. I find it liberating.”

Turtles can breathe through their butts. • All 13 minerals necessary for human life can be found in alcoholic beverages.

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

favorite songs to Crank Up Students share their top tunes for blaring at full-blast in the car.

“Outta Your Mind” Lil’ Jon featuring LMFAO “The first time I heard this song, I saw a dance that had been choreographed to it, and every time I hear [it now], I think about that dance. Plus, it has great bass, and I love me some great bass in my car.” freshman Neal Catallier

“The Cave” Mumford and Sons “Their truthful lyrics are really great for driving, right along with the driving beat.” freshman Sarah Kessen

“Raise Your Glass” P!nk “I like singing it in the car. It’s a very good driving-along-in-my-car-being-ridiculous kind of song.” sophomore Melanie Conn

“September” Earth, Wind & Fire “My little brother’s band covers [the song].

And whenever I listen to it, I realize I can never sing that high, so I’m jealous.” junior Emily Wright

A Closer Look

Samantha Cook/Crescent Magazine

at WFF’s Don Smith

It has often been said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” But if it is broke — be it a chair in Ridgway Center or a light fixture in Olmsted Hall — then Don Smith is the man for the job.

An Evansville native, Smith graduated from Central High School in ‘85, and for nearly seven years now, he has been cleaning floors and repairing damages on campus, watching students as they come and go.

Smith enjoys interacting with students and said he gets his biggest kicks from the latest “in-style” fashions and fads.

“I couldn’t pull it off myself,” he said, referring to the unusual clothing many students wear.

From tight pants, dyed hair and sandals with socks to overly torn and sagging jeans, Smith will sometimes shake his head. When asked what article of clothing would best body forth his own personality, he said, naturally, a pair of pants — to represent his hardworking side.

Whenever Smith is off the clock, he can be found by the Wabash River, doing his best to reel in a whopper.

“My best catches are usually bass and catfish,” he said. “I cook them afterwards for a nice meal.” Smith ex-

plained that the fishing life is its finest with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.

Smith also enjoys watching the Aces on the basketball court, particularly when they are matched with University of Kentucky or UNC teams.

And when it comes to professional basketball, he prefers to take in a Lakers game, but he admits that one of his favorite pastimes is watching those fast cars make their left turns. You can expect to find Smith consumed by a NASCAR race whenever drivers Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson or Kasey Kahne are in the line-up.

Too, Smith boasts a long knowledge of western flicks, particularly those starring buckaroo John Wayne.

“I started watching John Wayne’s films when I was 11,” he said.

Whether watching westerns or fishing off the banks of the Wabash, Smith takes pleasure in a hard day’s work and his fun, down-to-earth, after-work style. So, should you see this diligent man about campus, be sure to thank him for his service. As such, Smith has one piece of advice for the rambunctious student body.

“Party on,” he said, “because you’re going to anyways.”

by Lena McLaughlin 04.2012/Crescent Magazine

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That’s What She Said / Lacey Conley

Essay All good things...

You true-blue Trekkies know the drill. As we seniors key up for our last hurrahs, join me for a stroll across a different kind of stage — of Yorkshire men and memories.

“You there, boy! What day is this?”

Why, sir, it’s nearly graduation day! And I don’t know about you, but it’s had me all weepy and sort of navel-gazing lately — reminiscent over things like trays in the dining hall, clinging fearfully to stair railing in Olmsted Hall and whispering tenderly, “I’ll never let go.”

So, I’d like, for this installment, to forgo my usual deluge of dick jokes, my traditional fecal-reference-based breed of humor, and Kumbaya with you, collectively, over one of my favorite college moments. Let’s break open the memory bank one last good time.

As most Evansvillians will tend to, I traveled abroad last summer to Harlaxton College and dropped my bags in Grantham for a while. We were, I remember, visiting Stratford-Upon-Avon, adjusting to accents and the unfamiliar lingo — of “squash” meaning juice and “cheese-topped tiger bloomer” meaning bread and not some unfortunate type of underwear.

A few fellow students and I were on our way to see a show, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of “The Merchant of Venice,” for which the role of brooding Jew Shylock would be played by one Sir Patrick Stewart.

Earlier we’d seen the Gower Memorial Shakespeare statue, immortalized in bronze and surrounded by his brainchildren, characters like Falstaff and Lady Macbeth — the bald top of his head slathered in what looked to us like mayonnaise but that we quickly identified as the white daily droppings of thousands of pigeons. “Bard poop,” I joked.

And knowing we were on our way to watch master-thespian Picard: “Make

Who Knew?

40

it so, number two!” (We did not know then that these comments were foreshadowing.)

But by intermission, we were well aware. The play, a Las Vegas-themed take on the Shakespearian classic — for which some of the more flummoxing aspects included a big-haired Texan valley girl of a Portia and an Elvis impersonating Launcelot Gobbo who, with the help of devil- and angel-costumed showgirls, strummed guitar and sang his soliloquy — had evoked only that old train-wreck axiom.

So far, the sole redeeming quality was sitting a mere 10 feet from Patrick Stewart, the closest I’d probably ever be in my life. Nerd enough to enjoy the pop references but not enough to suit up in full Klingon forehead or flash the “live long and prosper” gang signs about, I’d never really gotten into “Next Generation,” but I’d always had a soft spot for the baldheaded captain.

I’d fantasized about stealing him throughout much of Act I, and with the wings so near to the audience — perceivably accessible, virtually unguarded — I’d considered more than once an “accidental” wrong turn toward the restrooms, where backstage, I’d assault him: “Love me, Jean-Luc!” At curtain call, the full cast finally took the stage and began their familiar bowing ritual. I knew within seconds what I had to do.

As Stewart’s sage neck cricked up from the flection, I shot him a knowing, hyper-emphatic nod, paired with a double-fisted point and thumbs-up to really drive home the “Just… YOU, Mr. Stewart!” I looked directly into his eyes, his

Taylor Swift squint — those half-hidden peepers that had always reminded me of a rabbit’s for their dark color and somewhat fixed intensity. And it had seemed to me that, ever so briefly, they had grown wide — eyebrows akimbo up to the gray wig someone had spirit-gummed to his cranium. It seemed to me that his smile had unfurled, dropped the goodwill expression he’d been beaming at cast members and crew.

That said, I’ll say this: I know, in all likelihood, he didn’t actually see me, could not have noticed me toward the back of the crowd; nor is it probable that any disruption in his even-keel countenance was attributable to some hokey gesture I made. (He was probably just constipated.) But, because I’ll never know for sure, that’s what, forever, will be in my heart — that Patrick Stewart and I had a moment in Stratford.

So it goes that our memories are wholly subjective, mutable things. They are the happy illusions of real time, miniature productions crammed in our heads that play on until it all fades to black. Events are intangible; what you have is a shot at remembering, recalling events as they help you to live.

I’m not saying you should write in absurdities, like unicorn Pegasuses at Rock-4-Riley or robot Mechs doing the Bernie in Cafe Court. Just that you should hold onto each memory however you like, be it forced eye contact with a favorite celebrity or the bittersweet farewell of growing up. Godspeed, all.

Essayist Lacey Conley is a senior creative writing and psychology major from Kendallville, Ind.

The 100 billionth crayon made by Crayola was Periwinkle Blue. • Like fingerprints, everyone’s tongue print is different.

Crescent Magazine/04.2012

You are invited to attend the 11th annual

lgbt

pride Prom Saturday, April 21, 2012 7 p.m.–midnight Holiday Inn 7101 U.S. Highway 41 North Evansville, IN Everyone Welcome $10 at the Door Appetizers at 7 p.m.

Security Provided Sponsored by the Tri-State Alliance www.TSAGL.org

Thank you for a great school year

Pick up your reserved tickets available on April 16th and join us at the Ford Center on April 20th for