Crescent Magazine February 2013

crescent University of Evansville

College Culture Upfront l February 2013

JAM BANDS & GLOW STICKS

UV Hippo brings its upbeat style to Evansville.

LUCKY NO.

Crescent Magazine spotlights 13 of UE’s most fascinating.

$2.50

magazine

FLEXIBILITY. FOCUS. BALA

BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY WITH

$10 CLASSES

AT TRI-STATE ATHLETIC CLUB

With encouraging instructors and a state-of-the-art studio, Tri-State Athletic Club offers classes everyday for the finest hot yoga experience in the area.

ANCE. STRENGTH. ENERGY.

812–479–3111 555 Tennis Lane • Evansville, Ind. Just minutes from campus For a complete schedule of classes, visit www.tristateathleticclub.com

EDITORIAL Writing Director MINDY KURTZ HENSLEY Writing Assistant AMY REINHART Reporting Assistant A.J. OGUNDIMU Senior Writer JESSICA INGLE Writers JOSHUA BEST BRODIE GRESS TORI GRIFFIN CRAIG KEEPES CHELSEA MODGLIN EMILY MOLLI CHRIS NORRIS ALEXANDRA WADE JAMELYN WHEELER

EDITING Editing Director JENELLE CLAUSEN Copy Editors ASHLEY MATTHEWS ANNA SHEFFER Fact Checker EMILY KRIEBLE

thestaff

CREATIVE Creative Director AMANDA SQUIRE Photo Editor SAMANTHA COOK Designers JEFFREY BUENTE KEVIN O’REILLY BROOKE RENEER KATIE WINIGER Photographers JESSICA CRIHFIELD-TAYLOR AMY RABENBERG

contents 12

ENTERTAINMENT l A.J. Ogundimu

18

FASCINATING PEOPLE l Crescent Magazine Staff

38

Ultraviolet Hippopotamus will rock the house at Lamasco Bar and Grill for a Valentine’s Day concert — complete with complimentary glow sticks — that is sure to make you and your date’s night.

There are some people who just seem to stand out. With sets of amazing skills, exotic hobbies or exemplary talents, campus is full of students whose abilities are widely known, and some who have managed to keep their talents a secret — until now found them.

OVERTIME l Alexandra Wade Most who know him would agree that giving his all has always been senior Brock Reneer’s mantra. His leadership is known, but read on to find out more about this cheer team member.

03 Viewpoint

33 A Closer Look

04 Vox Populi

35 Q&A

07 Innovation

36 Campus Crime

08 Giving Back

37 Dorm Storm

10 One Word

40 Off the Wall

14 First Time

42 The Lists

16 Fitness & Health

44 Don’t Quote Me

MARKETING & SALES Marketing Assistants ASHLEY DAVIS ALISON PETRASH Circulation Assistant MICHAEL ARMANNO

facebook.com/uecrescent l issuu.com/uecrescentmagazine l crescentmagazine@evansville.edu 02

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

Advising should be an interactive session.

BEFORE YOU

know it, it will be that time of year again. Yes, we are talking about pre-registration.

That fun-filled week when sophomores and juniors panic as they try to get into courses they think they need, and seniors revel in the fact that they do not have to register for another course at UE ever again.

For most, this means making a trip to the office of that ever-important adviser with the signature of gold. For some, advising is a breeze. For others, preregistration is nothing short of disastrous.

Some students can give you detailed accounts of advisers who do not do much — or anything at all — in the way of advising, other than provide a signature or press enter on a keyboard. This head-inthe-sand approach can transform freshmen (who are happily registering for only major-centric courses) into overstressed juniors and seniors taking endless hours of courses they did not realize they needed, ultimately finding out that courses they did take do not fulfill requirements they thought they did.

Yes, we realize determining a student’s schedule is a two-way street. If students do not approach their advisers with an idea of what they want — or need — to take, sessions become much longer and more convoluted than they should be. But advisers need to realize that “adviser” means “to give advice,” and they should not rubber-stamp students’ schedules.

It actually takes time and thought to advise.

For many freshmen, college was the first time they had been presented with the chance to select their own courses. But this newfound freedom can cause a lot of problems if freshmen — and all others for that matter — do not clearly understand the often-confusing and difficult-to-decipher road map to

graduation. There are a lot of requirements leading up to those 124 hours needed to graduate — major requirements, general education requirements and professional requirements. And some requirements change based on departmental and university-wide curriculum changes, even though the course catalog you enter UE under is supposed to be your guide for your four years.

Granted, students should know what their requirements are, but advisers should remember that they are a lot more experienced and understand the system better than students do. They should not assume students understand how to navigate through the maze of course requirements. And students, if you are not sure what courses to take, take the initiative. Ask questions. Present different semester scenarios, especially if you plan to attend Harlaxton or another study-abroad destination.

For you advisers who are thoughtful and do your jobs — thanks. But for those students who do not have an adviser who is actually giving advice, do not wait to get help. Run as fast as you can to Academic Advising in Clifford Library and ask for a degree checklist. It tells you what courses you have left to take. The staff there are the ultimate advisers, women who are patient and willing to sit and work with you, no matter what your situation looks like.

ourviewpoint

Assembly required

Advising is a role that should not be taken lightly. If you are a lazy adviser, either learn to advise correctly or resign the position. It really does matter.

cover Was junior Landon Sholar really performing in Las Vegas? We would love to say yes, but in reality, it is simply the magic of Adobe Photoshop.

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. © 2013 Student Publications, University of Evansville. z Editorial Policy: Commentary expressed in unsigned editorial pieces represents a consensus opinion of Crescent Magazine’s Editorial Board. Other columns, articles and advertising are not necessarily the opinion of the Editorial Board or other members of the magazine. z Letter Submissions: 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 e-mail address. Crescent Magazine does not print anonymous letters or those that cannot be verified. Letters will be edited for length, style, grammar and spelling. E-mail letters to crescentmagazine@evansville.edu and write “letter” in the subject line.

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

03

Guns after Sandy Hook

The gun control debate rages on, so far without results.

IT TOOK

only hours after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting for the political bickering to start. It is a well-practiced ritual: After a mass shooting, the debate about gun control regains strength. Some want greater restriction; others believe any attempt to restrict weapon sales is a violation of the right to own a gun. It is easy to see how such a tragedy might lead to calls for more gun control. Fewer guns should make it harder for attackers to carry out their schemes since it would be more difficult to acquire their weapons of choice.

voxpopuli

But this is not always the case. Other cities have more gun control — but not always fewer gun deaths. Chicago has banned handguns but reported in 2012 almost 100 more gun deaths than New York, a city with a population twice its size. Statistics do not keep gun control advocates from taking to the airwaves and Internet, bleating about doing something sometime, somewhere. It makes for great TV. News shows get to put up scary pictures of the shooter’s face and interview reactionary antigun advocates who spew bile at their opponents instead of providing real, tangible solutions to the gun problem.

04

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

Meanwhile, on the pro-gun side, National Rifle Association membership has increased since the shooting — along with gun sales. These people are afraid the debate will one day lead not to fewer guns, but to no guns at all. They claim that liberals in government are pushing for a complete ban of firearms, a notion that in reality is upheld by few, if any, lawmakers and officials. The spike in gun sales and gun support is due to paranoia and false information provided by biased conservative web sites and publications.

To some gun advocates, a well-armed populace will actually lead to a safer America. The logic is that criminals will be more hesitant to perform violent crimes since it is more likely their potential victims will be armed. But the image of the average citizen as some sort of vigilante — a heavily armed Batman ready to deal justice in short order with his or her trusty, high-powered side arm — is ridiculous. It is the result of watching “Die Hard” too many times or playing countless hours of video games centered on using deadly force as the solution to everything.

A handgun owner may be trained in proper usage at the shooting range but not in law enforcement techniques for real-world situations. Instead, these citi-

zens would simply fill the air with more bullets, potentially worsening the situation.

The big proof of this concept for the pro-gun crowd is Switzerland, where, although many citizens own firearms and learn to use them at a young age, crime rates — including levels of gun violence — are low.

This has led to the logical fallacy that it must be guns that are keeping the crime rate low.

But the truth is more complicated. Most Swiss men are conscripted into the military, where they receive training, and then they are allowed to keep their military equipment, including a rifle, at home. This is a long-term professional commitment. There is not a random assortment of gun nuts waving their pistols in the air. Even in such a gun-saturated country, there are weapon laws and restrictions, and there are still fewer guns per capita there than in the United States. It is also a culture that respects guns and marksmanship instead of fetishizing firearms like American culture.

Both sides of the gun control debate rely on statistics without context, citing homicide and gun ownership rates without establishing other social, economic and legal factors that lead to crime. It is not enough to stop the sale of guns. Our nation glorifies killers, does not provide for the mental health of its people and ignores the sale of illegal weapons.

We argue about hypothetical laws using scare tactics. Mashing two facts together in a creepy-looking typeface and slapping the resulting image on Facebook, another web site or a billboard does nothing to provide actual solutions to the gun-homicide problem in America. There is a culture of fear surrounding the issue — fear of losing gun rights and fear of being shot while at a mall.

We have this conversation every time a shooting happens. Nothing really changes. No meaningful legislation, no armed and vigilant populace — nothing.

It just keeps happening. There must be a new conversation, separate from ill-informed antigun advocates, the NRA and sensationalist media. This is a matter of life, freedom and death, and just throwing around statistics without context is getting us nowhere. Compromise is the way forward, not extremism.

a.j. ogundimu l columnist

may graduates:

Order your cap, gown & announcements Admissions/Appointments: 812.437.TSPA (8772)

commencement

Central

www.tspaEvansville.com

START YOUR BEAUTIFUL CAREER

COSMETOLOGY, ESTHETICS & NAIL TECHNOLOGY

MENU OF SERVICES

Haircut Color & Style Highlights Manicure Pedicure Esthetics Facial Facial Waxing (per area)

$10 $34 $45 $12 $21 $23 $7

All services performed by supervised students.

Starting prices above may vary according to student level.

feb. 25 4–7 p.m. feb. 26 11–3 p.m.

Present this ad to receive

$10 OFF ANY COLOR SERVICE

Ue bookstore • Ridgway Center be sure to visit:

Exp 3/31/13 Coupon Code EC0313

Office of Alumni & Parent Relations Center for Career Development

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

UE Alumni Association recognizes alumni for their personal achievements and continuing commitment to UE each year on Founders Day.

Happy 159th Birthday, UE! Founders Day 2013

CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S HONOREES:

Marjorie Soyugenc M’73 Posthumous Distinguished Alumna Award Recipient

George Day ‘95 Young Alumnus Award Recipient

Patricia Kishline

Samuel Orr Honorary Alumna Award Recipient

Steve ‘86 & Kathie Bugg

Edie Bates Volunteer Service Award Recipients

Fri, Feb. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UE Birthday Cake in Ridgway Center Sun, Feb. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Founders Day Convocation Luncheon & Alumni Awards Presentation

Celebrate Friday, Feb. 15 Every Friday is Purple Friday!

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

05

Weinbach Shopping Center

• Free Wi-Fi

PIZZERIA

• Dirt Cheap Beer & Food Prices

Fruit Loops?

We’ve got ‘em!

• Free Delivery to Campus ($10 order minimum) • Big Screen TV • Open Mic Night 6–10 p.m. Thursdays

15% off with valid UE ID

“Just a Great Place to Hang Out”

240 S. Green River Rd. • 812–402–4733 • greekspizzeria.com

06

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

DISCOUNT w i t h va l i d U E ID

innovation

SCIENCE

by Chelsea Modglin photo by Samantha Cook

FIRE

WI RES

Engineers minimize risk and mechanize firefighting.

Determination and skill are two characteristics naturally found in seniors Kendra Norris and Ariel Cockerham. They are electrical engineering majors who are pouring all of their efforts into a project that could change the way we respond to fire.

“It’s an autonomous robot,” Norris said. “Once a start button is pressed, or it hears a fire alarm, it will search each room, maneuver through the house on its own, find the [fire], put it out and return back to its starting position.”

Norris and Cockerham are building this robot first, as a senior project, and second, to compete. They plan to enter their creation in April’s Trinity College Home Fire Fighting Robot Competition in Hartford, Conn.

Bringing an autonomous firefighting machine to life is not the only goal these two have in mind. Norris and Cockerham will be the first female team to represent UE at the robot competition. In their graduating class, only one other woman will come forward with them to receive a degree in electrical engineering.

So when it comes to the competition, it is important to them to succeed. “One of the big reasons why we wanted to do this was because a lot of women do not do this project,” Norris said, “and, as far as recruiting tactics for UE, it would be awesome to have a group of women do well.” For Norris and Cockerham, being a minority is not a challenge — it is an opportunity. As true engineers, they see it as just another problem they can solve.

“We want to get first in the competition. Work hard the entire time and be as effective as we can,” Cockerham said.

“I want to be remembered after this project, not only because we are the first women’s team [for UE], but I want to be one of the best teams. I want our robot to stand out among the rest.”

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

07

givingback

SERVICE

LAUGHTER. TEARS. SHOCK.

These are just a few of the emotions Women’s Awareness hopes students will experience after attending this year’s production of “The Vagina Monologues,” the centerpiece of the national V-Day movement, a global nonprofit drive that has raised more than $90 million since 1998 for women’s antiviolence groups.

The “Vagina Monologues,” written by playwright and activist Eve Ensler, is now performed internationally and examines violence against women and girls. It trades political correctness for frank talk about women’s most intimate experiences, but each monologue addresses them differently.

They range from lighthearted to alarming. “It’s an artistic form of expressing more serious topics,” junior Emy Smith-Hughes said.

While previous attendees have their funny favorites, including “Angry Vagina,” “The Woman Who Liked to Make Vaginas Happy” and “The Little Coochie Snorcher that Could,” a new monologue is added each year that focuses on a country known for abuses against women.

Women from across campus, especially those with a passion for women’s rights, make up UE’s cast. “If you want to be involved, we’ll find a spot for you,” senior Kayla Listenberger said.

Whatever the monologue, the goal remains the same: Help people to understand and draw attention to violence — rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation and sex slavery — against women and girls. Normally celebrated annually around Valentine’s Day, the campaign’s message is straightforward and the monologues are touching, funny and gut-wrenching. “I think it gives a fun and interesting approach,” SmithHughes said. “It’s shocking, which is better than passing out pamphlets. It gets more people involved, too.”

While some feminist and conservative groups have criticized the monologues for their crudeness and misandry, others disagree. “It’s written that way for shock value,” Smith-Hughes said.

“It’s not politically correct, and I think that’s for a reason. It’s hard not to have an opinion once you watch it.”

The event will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 and 2 p.m. Feb. 10 in Eykamp Hall. Tickets are $5, with proceeds going to the Albion Fellows Bacon Center, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate domestic and sexual violence, and the national V-Day campaign.

08

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

by Brodie Gress

Woman up

PINK.

Groups highlight causes by bringing women’s issues to the forefront.

It is a color that has come to represent breast cancer and breast cancer awareness. With the women’s basketball team hosting its annual “Hoops for the Cure” game at 5 p.m. Feb. 16 at Ford Center and Zeta Tau Alpha organizing its “Think Pink” program in April, thinking pink can save lives. Zetas pass out ribbons and promote a web site that teaches women how to perform breast self-exams, an often-forgotten part of women’s health. “Sometimes you don’t know if you have a tumor, and by the time a doctor finds it, it’ll be too late,” junior Heather Sisk said. “[Breast self-exams] could save your life.”

MENTORING

young girls is just one of the projects Kappa Chi does as part of its service to the community. Members tutor girls attending Bosse High School each week in math, science and other subjects, but they also include activities such as board games, Zumba or movies followed by a discussion. Senior Allison Young said teaching the girls how to choose and pay for a college, maintain their health and avoid drugs is also part of their message. “I try to tell them, ‘set your own priorities and you can accomplish anything you want,’” she said.

RECOGNIZING

women who served in the U.S. military is the goal of the Honoring Women Veterans Conference. Sponsored by UE’s Veterans Affairs office, the tribute is for veterans since the Vietnam War and is set for June 1 in Eykamp Hall. Cherie Leonhardt, UE VETS coordinator, hopes the event will encourage women to take pride in their service. “They think if they weren’t deployed, they weren’t veterans, which is not true,” she said.

Apply Applyfor fora a2013–14 2013–14position positionwith with Crescent CrescentMagazine Magazine

nnmarKeting marKeting& &SaleS SaleS Marketing Marketing && Sales Sales Director Director • • • • •

• Coordinates Coordinates all all marketing, marketing, advertising advertising sales sales & social & social media media • Supervises Supervises thethe marketing marketing & sales & sales staff staff • 6 credit 6 credit hours hours annually annually • Monthly Monthly stipend stipend plus plus sales sales commission commission • Summer Summer work work required required (starting (starting in June, in June, includes includes summer summer campus campus housing housing and and a stipend a stipend following following thethe completion completion of of summer summer work) work) Advertising Advertising Account Account Manager Manager (2 (2 positions) positions) •• Sells Sells advertising advertising and and services services client client accounts accounts •• 4 to 4 to 6 credit 6 credit hours hours annually annually •• Monthly Monthly stipend stipend plus plus sales sales commission commission •• Summer Summer work work required required (starting (starting in July, in July, includes includes summer summer campus campus housing housing and and a stipend a stipend following following thethe completion completion of of summer summer work) work)

Marketing Marketing Assistant Assistant

•• Organizes Organizes in-house in-house celebrations celebrations and and promotes promotes magazine magazine externally externally •• Non-academic Non-academic credit credit experience experience

Circulation Circulation Assistant Assistant

Keep Keep Calm Calm and and

apply apply

• •AllAll positions positions areare yearlong yearlong • •Academic Academic credit credit is is forfor fallfall 2013 2013 && spring spring 2014 2014 semesters semesters • •Fulfills Fulfills practicum practicum and/or and/or internship internship requirements requirements forfor certain certain majors majors • •ExCEllEnt ExCEllEnt resume-building resume-building experiences experiences • •Writing Writing sample sample required required ofof new new applicants applicants applying applying forfor writing writing positions positions

DEADlinE DEADlinE——March March15 15 Applications Applications available available onon facebook.com/uecrescent facebook.com/uecrescent oror in in Student Student Publications, Publications, second second floor floor Ridgway Ridgway ForFor more more information, information, e-mail e-mail tm2@evansville.edu tm2@evansville.edu

•• Picks Picks upup magazine magazine from from printer printer and and delivers delivers to to campus campus locations locations •• Non-academic Non-academic credit credit experience experience •• Includes Includes monthly monthly stipend stipend

nnWriting Writing

Writing Writing Director Director • • • •

• Coordinates Coordinates all all reporting reporting and and writing writing • Supervises Supervises thethe writing writing supervisors supervisors and and writing writing staff staff • 6 credit 6 credit hours hours annually annually • Monthly Monthly stipend stipend

Writing Writing Assistant Assistant

•• Helps Helps supervise supervise writing writing staff, staff, writes writes stories stories •• 4 credit 4 credit hours hours annually annually

Reporting Reporting Assistant Assistant

•• Assists Assists writers writers with with information information gathering, gathering, writes writes stories stories •• 4 credit 4 credit hours hours annually annually

Senior Senior Writer Writer

•• Reports Reports and and writes writes lead, lead, cover cover and and other other stories stories •• 4 credit 4 credit hours hours annually annually Writer Writer (multiple (multiple positions) positions) •• Reports Reports and and writes writes stories stories •• 2 credit 2 credit hours hours annually annually

nnediting editing

Editing Editing Director Director • • • •

• Coordinates Coordinates all all editing editing and and fact fact checking checking • Supervises Supervises editing editing staff staff • 6 credit 6 credit hours hours annually annually • Monthly Monthly stipend stipend Copy Copy Editor Editor (two (two positions) positions) •• Edits Edits stories stories and and other other copy copy •• 2 credit 2 credit hours hours annually annually

Fact Fact Checker Checker

•• Checks Checks and and verifies verifies facts facts and and information information in all in all stories stories •• 2 credit 2 credit hours hours annually annually

nnCreative Creative

Creative Creative Director Director • • • •

• Coordinates Coordinates all all advertising advertising & page & page designs designs • Supervises Supervises creative creative staff staff • 6 credit 6 credit hours hours annually annually • Monthly Monthly stipend stipend

Photo Photo Editor Editor • • • •

• Takes Takes photos photos and and writes writes captions captions and and other other copy copy • Supervises Supervises photographers photographers with with thethe LinC LinC Photo Photo Editor Editor • Serves Serves as as chief chief photographer photographer forfor thethe LinC LinC • 6 credit 6 credit hours hours annually annually Designer Designer (three (three positions) positions) •• Designs Designs advertising advertising and and completes completes page page layouts layouts •• 2 credit 2 credit hours hours annually annually

by Joshua Best photo by Samantha Cook

Sara’s ONE WORD is Calm IT IS

rare to see sophomore Sara Buente get flustered.

“I’m so laid-back,” the secondary Spanish education major said. “I have a friend of mine who calls me ‘creepy mellow.’”

Having an affinity for Spanish, Buente’s love of foreign language began in childhood when she created secret languages with her friends. “Spanish is like a puzzle,” she said. “I’ve adored it since the seventh grade. I want to teach it because I want people to gain the love for it that I have.” Though she is quiet, she is not aloof. “I’m really open,” she said. “I’m cool with whoever you are, whatever you like.” While she is currently studying in the Dominican Republic, mastering her Spanish skills, Buente has stayed involved in campus groups.

She served as the Spanish Club president, and she expresses her love of music through singing in the UE Opera. It is clear that whatever she does, Sara’s calm nature will show. “I’m just a really easygoing person,” she said. “I roll with the punches.”

sara buente l sophomore

10

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

TAKE A BREAK FROM STUDYING…

WITH TODAY’S BEST MUSIC!

MON. – SAT.

6–9 p.m.

Friday nights are hot at AMF and it’s priced right just for you!

“1/2 Price Friday”

with valid UE ID 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., shoes included

ARC LANES (812) 476–3003 4901 Monroe Ave. off Green River Road near Washington Square Mall

www.amf.com/arclanes Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.–2 a.m.

Sunday–Thursday: 10 a.m.–midnight 02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

11

entertainment

JAM BANDS & GLOW STICKS Ultraviolet Hippopotamus brings its popular sound back to Evansville for Valentine’s Day.

by A.J. Ogundimu

WITH A NAME

like Ultraviolet Hippopotamus, it’s hard to know what to expect. But guitarist Russ Olmsted’s explanation of the name helps set the tone for the entire band. “It doesn’t necessarily mean anything,” he said. “You can either go pretentious or cheesy. We went cheesy.” And Olmsted was quick to point out that like a hippopotamus, he and his bandmates — Brian Samuels, Joe Phillion, Dave Sanders and Casey Butts — can be cheesy, crazy and vicious. Hailing from Grand Rapids, Mich., UV Hippo is known for its quirky, energetic live show and improvisation.

The five-man band will perform Feb. 14 at Lamasco Bar and Grill, 1331 W. Franklin St. The show will be part of a pajama party at the bar, with the band providing a colorful soundtrack for the event. “They are a band of characters for sure,” owner Amy Rivers-Word said. But when it comes to UV Hippo’s style, it’s hard to pin it to any particular genre. Together since 2004, the band blends progressive rock, reggae, blues, funk, jazz and more into a sound that is all its own. “We cover a lot of different genres,” Olmsted said. “We as a band are music lovers.”

UV Hippo plays its own songs, but its opening track is a long improvisation that blends a variety of styles and sounds, moving from smooth reggae to loud progressive rock to heartfelt lyrics in a matter of minutes. Coupled with a psychedelic light show that shifts in color as

12

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

the music changes, the hour-long first set does not include any breaks between parts. It is obviously meant to get the crowd going — and it works. These shows are the focus of UV Hippo. “We’re a touring band for sure,” Olmsted said.

The experience is rewarding for the band and its fans. Live shows create a connection with the audience that is not there when listening to a CD, and for Olmsted, that connection is the most rewarding part of the experience. “You don’t have to know each other, but it’s a connection you don’t get anywhere else,” he said. Fans like senior Josh Stallings agree. He first saw UV Hippo at Headliners Music Hall in Louisville, Ky., and the experience made enough of an impact for him to go to two shows when the band came to Lamasco. For him, it is all about the music. “I’m really impressed with their musicianship,” Stallings said. “They play well together; they listen to each other.”

Even though Stallings has one of UV Hippo’s albums, the live experience is what really gets him going. “I think they’re great improvisers,” he said. “When they get to these extended jam sessions, it’s the most interesting part.” While Stallings found the band’s performance at Headliners to be more musically technical, he believes the smaller venue at Lamasco had some advantages of its own. “They had more of a turnout at Lamasco,” Stallings said. “The space is more intimate. It’s less of a separation between them and the fans.” This is a sentiment Olmsted agrees with.

“When they get to these extended jam sessions, it’s the most interesting part.”

UV Hippo has not played any other bars in Evansville, and Olmsted said it does not have any immediate plans to do so, either. He credits the band’s inclination toward Lamasco to the energy Rivers-Word and her staff bring, as well as the music fans in the local scene. “It’s a unique community in terms of people that love music, and you don’t always get that,” he said. Even in music-loving areas such as New York City, UV Hippo has not been able to find that same brand of enthusiasm. While Olmsted might credit RiversWord with creating the environment at Lamasco, she does not take responsibility for it. “It wasn’t any part of it my doing, really,” Rivers-Word said.

Instead, she credits the patrons. The crowd at Lamasco is small, often close-knit and full of people who know what they like when it comes to music. That scene leads to intimate shows with a lot of passion crammed into a small space. “There’s times I sit back and get goose bumps just watching it,” Rivers-Word said.

The very first show UV Hippo played at Lamasco is a great memory for both the band and the bar. “I had previously seen them, so I knew what to expect from them musically,” Rivers-Word said. “It was a great show. They absolutely blew us away.”

For Olmsted, that first show was a pleasant surprise during a long tour. “The first time we played here we didn’t know

what to expect,” he said. Lamasco is a small space, and the PA system was not quite what UV Hippo was used to. But none of that mattered. “Amy got us food, let us do what we wanted in terms of light rig,” he said. “It was just a huge party. Everyone’s dancing. Nobody wanted to get out of there. It was just too much fun.”

That energy has remained with the band’s shows at Lamasco. The crowd is lively, and, like many electronic shows at Lamasco, there are glow sticks everywhere. Dancing is encouraged, even when it gets a little rowdy. “We had 10 girls on the bar hula-hooping,” Rivers-Word said when asked about her favorite UV Hippo show. “Six or seven of us with LED hoops on the tables, and the band is grinning ear to ear. You don’t get a lot of moments like that.”

If you want to experience that kind of energy, you can see UV Hippo play Valentine’s Day night at Lamasco. The cover charge is $5, and like most bars in the area, only those 21 and over will be admitted. Rivers-Word expects to offer drink specials, just like during past Valentine’s Day events. “We’ve had all kinds of fun, different cocktails,” she said.

Fun drinks and an intimate setting can do a lot to make a night unforgettable, but in the end, what makes it a good show is the band’s passion. “I’ve done other things, a lot of the band has done other things,” Olmsted said. “When you’re not playing music and you love it, it’s like not eating.”

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

13

En Garde!

Learning to be a swashbuckler takes time.

I HAVE ALWAYS

wanted to learn how to fence. I wanted to be that guy with the pencil mustache and the slicked-back hair, lunging my way to a stylish victory. Lucky for me, I was able to do just that with the help of John Yarger, an instructor at Rising Phoenix Martial Arts Academy, 1031 Mount Auburn Road.

firsttime

Rising Phoenix’s web site states that Yarger terrorized the Tri-State fencing competition scene for more than 15 years, which is certainly impressive. And Yarger has also been teaching at Rising Phoenix for nearly 20 years, so there is no questioning his experience.

His motto is “honor and precision,” and he lives that.

He complained during my lesson about the showboating of the Summer Olympic fencers and the departure from tradition the sport has taken. His passion shows how much he loves the sport, and he wants to teach everyone how to fence.

14

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

Yarger said there are three types of fencing: foil, epee and saber. For my lesson, I learned foil fencing.

The shape of the blades, the target areas on the opponent and the method of attack differ among the styles. All of Yarger’s students learn foil for their first year of classes because foil offers a more structured rule system and an emphasis on careful defense rather than crazed attacking, making it safer for inexperienced fencers. A foil blade has no edges and a small hand guard; the goal is to stab the opponent’s torso with the point of the blade.

After I got my loaner mask and foil blade — thankfully being spared the torso pads — the class began with the 11 students lining up against a wall and watching Yarger go through the various types of parries — simple defensive actions designed to deflect an attack. I tried to follow along, but I found myself struggling to keep up with his motions.

From there, we moved on to footing. We learned different lunges and used them to travel from one side of the floor to the other. The basic lunge was simple, and more complicated moves built on that.

There was a double lunge, one with different footing and a move where we ran with our swords held in front of us. My favorite footing move was the balestra, where the fencer does a jump forward followed by a lunge. I must admit I felt a bit awkward and strange bunny hopping and lunging across the floor, but it was fun.

After we learned our footing, we moved on to precision exercises. The first involved stabbing a hanging golf ball with the point of the sword, which made me feel a bit like the Force-utilizing Luke Skywalker swinging wildly with my helmet on. The second was a twist on a boxing exercise where Yarger held up mitts for us to stab.

Finally, we tried a ring toss. I watched the others catch tiny Frisbees with holes cut out of them and knew I would be horrible at it. I hoped I could at least catch the “ring of shame,” which was a large green flying disk that was supposed to be extremely easy to catch. I stepped up to the plate, and while I did catch the ring of shame and two others, I missed every other ring spectacularly.

For the second half of the lesson, the more experienced students sparred with each other while the newer students watched from the sidelines. I watched the students who fought and admired their speed and skill, wishing I could do that after my one lesson. For those who are hesitant to try fencing, no worries. The first lesson is free, and continuation of your lessons is optional. All I can say is go to the lesson and try it.

But if you want to continue, be prepared to invest a lot of time and money into getting good; each lesson after the first costs $15, with the option of paying $45 per month and getting one lesson free.

The fencing lessons are from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays. A full schedule of classes and other information can be found on rpmartialarts.com or by calling the studio at 812–477–1980.

The earliest evidence of fencing dates to Egypt in about 1200 B.C., but modern fencing originated in the 18th century as a way to prepare men for duels and warfare. My first time fencing was enjoyable, but not what I expected. At the end of the lesson, I walked out of the studio feeling like I had not learned much. I could lunge decently, but I never got to use my skills to best anybody. This is not a criticism of Yarger; it is a caution that fencing is an art that takes time to learn. I found that it would take a long time to become that swashbuckling hero I set out to be. But the experience is worth it for anyone who wants an adventure. “The wisdom that comes from fencing a long time is invaluable,” Yarger said.

chris norris l reviewer

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

15

fitness

& HEALTH

by Cory Hart

FREE HUGS

A look at the natural healing effects of comforting embraces.

HUGS

have no expiration date. It has been proven that a simple embrace can positively affect humans’ physical and psychological well-being in many ways, from before birth into adulthood. Believe it or not, we are hugged even before we are born. “Think of a baby in their mother’s womb,” said Lora Becker, associate professor of psychology. “There is not a lot of room to move around in there. You are basically being hugged from early development.”

Studies conducted by neurologists at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, have highlighted some of the benefits that hugging has on a child. A New York Times article published in October 2012 stated that during the study, neurologists observed mother rats and their babies.

Baby rats that had been groomed and shown affection did better at finding their way through mazes.

“I am 100 percent for more hugs.”

Pediatrician Dr. Jay Gordon, co-author of “Brighter Baby,” also states that children who get daily hugs show better physical development and intelligence over those who do not. But the power of hugs goes far beyond childhood.

16

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

Chair Amy Hall, professor of nursing, said that when people are ailing or experiencing grief, hugs from friends and family members can positively affect them. It is also believed that hugging and physical affection can help patients make quicker recoveries.

A 2003 study by the American Psychosomatic Society reports that a brief embrace and 10 minutes of handholding with a partner greatly reduce the effects of stress. During the study, 100 married adults or those with long-term partners were told to hold hands while viewing a pleasant video and were then asked to hug for 20 seconds. A second group of 85 relaxed in another room without their partners. All of the participants then had to sit and discuss stressful situations. Once the talk was completed, researchers discovered that the blood pressure of those deprived of physical contact had drastically spiked, and their heart rates had increased by 10 beats per minute.

So when it comes to handling stressful situations, a simple hug can be the key. People with higher levels of stress who do not receive this kind of support could even resort to drug and alcohol use to cope with their pain. Becker said there are many cultures that teach their youth not to hug and show affection, but she believes hugs are definitely the way to go. “I am 100 percent for more hugs,” she said.

‘like’ Tri-State Alliance on Facebook

T R I - S TAT E A L L I A N C E A not-for-profit social service and educational organization that serves the diverse gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities of Southwestern Indiana, Western Kentucky and Southern Illinois.

Fundraisers Volunteer Opportunities • Youth Group: For LGBT students under the age of 21 and their • •

• The Celebrity Dinner • The Red Party

straight-supportive friends. Meetings are at 7 p.m. each Saturday at the TSA Offices, 501 John St., Suite 5, Evansville.

• National Coming Out Day

AIDS Holiday Project: Meets the needs of 380 low-income households impacted by HIV/AIDS in 36 counties across the Tri-State.

• Pride Picnic

• Pride Prom • Barnes & Noble gift wrapping

Public Policy Committee: Works on local, regional and state public policy issues including the Indiana Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment.

Organizes grassroots demonstrations and campaigns.

Internships available for college credit.

To learn more, e-mail Wally Paynter at wallypaynter@aol.com or call 812–480–0204

Serving the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities of the region since 1980 • tsagl.org

picture Photo Editor

Editor-in-Chief

y

• Is responsible for and coordinates all components of the yearbook, including writing, photography, design and editing • Supervisors the yearbook’s three editors and designer • 6 credit hours annually • Monthly stipend

urself

Apply Now

For more information on each yearbook position, visit Student Publications, Ridgway second floor, or e-mail tm2@evansville. edu

Deadline — MarCh 15

for 2013-14 positions as a member of the award-winning LinC staff • All positions are yearlong • Academic credit is for the fall 2013 & the spring 2014 semesters • Fulfills practicum and/or internship requirements for certain majors • ExcEllEnt resume-building experiences • Writing sample required of new applicants applying for a writing position

• Digital photography experience required • Takes photos and writes captions and other copy.

• Must work weekends • Trains and supervises the photographers • 6 credit hours annually • Monthly stipend

Writing Editor • Coordinates all information gathering, reporting and writing • Trains and supervisors the writing staff • 6 credit hours annually • Monthly stipend

Copy Editor • Edits all yearbook copy • 6 credit hours annually • Monthly stipend

Writer (multiple positions) • Reports and writes stories • 2 credit hours annually • No experience necessary

Photographer (multiple positions) • • • •

Takes photos and writes captions Must work some weekends 2 credit hours annually No experience necessary

Applications available in Student Publications or on facebook.com/uelinc 02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

17

PEOPLE

fascinating

With 2013 off to a busy and promising start, Crescent Magazine decided to expand its monthly FASCINATING PEOPLE feature to bring you profile stories on 13 of UE’s best — stories about people we think you will find fun and fascinating. Whether it’s through their career aspirations or their everyday exploits, these students are truly something special. Narrowing down whom to profile was not an easy task, since everyone on campus is fascinating in his or her own way. After weeks of debating our choices, the following students made it to the top of our list. Selected by the magazine’s Editorial Board, these 13 are a mixture of different majors, years in school and affiliations, and they offer something that makes them worthy of attention — everything from being budding entrepreneurs to those musically gifted. While the staff has playfully referred to them as “the Lucky 13,” it actually appears that everyone is lucky to have them at UE.

LUCKY NO.

Bright, talented, funny and resourceful.

This amazing group is worthy of notice.

THAT VOICE.

SAM RODRIGUEZ | senior

by Jamelyn Wheeler photo by Samantha Cook

Once you hear it, you realize you will never forget it. While his voice may initially be a shock to the senses, that feeling quickly passes and you recognize that everything senior Sam Rodriguez says sounds like smooth verbal gold. “He has a voice that carries well [even though it] is at first overwhelming,” senior Jordan Stoltz said. His booming voice is unmistakable, and it has garnered him nicknames like the “Man with the Golden Voice.” He often works for WUEV during the school year doing voice-overs for on-air pieces, and he also does commercial voiceovers for AcesTV. No matter when or where, Sam’s voice is in demand; there always seems to be something for him to talk about.

Although Sam enjoys his work with WUEV and AcesTV, another area is truly his passion. “Music is a very big part of my life,” he said. Though he can play several instruments, he mainly focuses on vocals. As a communication major with a concentration in multimedia, using his voice provides him with a lot of satisfaction. It also has played a role in shaping his character since Sam has been a member of University Choir for the past three years.

Sam’s love for music is not something that simply happened. While he has had other interests since childhood, including playing sports, his first love was always singing. Throughout high school, he performed in school musicals, including “Rent,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Oklahoma!” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Sam admits he enjoyed the roles he played, but his most memorable was when he cross-dressed his senior year to play the part of the principal in “Grease.” At 6 feet 6 inches, imagining his intimidating form in a dress and heels is enough to make you laugh, but Sam embraced every moment of the experience. And that over-the-top personality remains. Whether he is singing bass or showing off his feminine side, Sam’s love for performing and his marvelous voice have a way of entrancing all who watch and listen.

Sam’s passion for music and vocals influenced his decision to major in communication and his career aspirations. “I want to be the voice-over

18

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

“If I could just talk for a living, that would be great.” guy for movie trailers,” he said. But he has contemplated other possibilities — perhaps being a DJ for a radio station or working in marketing.

When considering a career, Sam keeps one objective in mind — putting his unique voice to work. “If I could just talk for a living, that would be great,” he said.

could not perform, Sam’s contribution to the annual show was undeniable.

Sam’s voice and mannerisms may amplify his personality, but underneath, friends say he is a gentle man. Along with studying and working with AcesTV and WUEV, Sam is also a member of Phi Gamma Delta. “FIJI has provided me with a support base that I didn’t necessarily have before in high school,” he said.

Perhaps Sam’s favorite aspect about himself is his hometown — Dallas. It is apparent that he is a Texan, and he loves his state. “Being from Texas instills me with great pride,” Sam said. Although he enjoys seeing his family and friends when he visits home, his heart always has a void that only Dallas food can fill. “Some of the food you find is unbelievable,” he said. For Sam, Evansville’s dining choices are mundane compared to the multiethnic fare he is used to. He reflects this love of food in his own kitchen as well. “I make a wicked queso,” Sam said.

Combining his passion for music and his commitment to his fraternity, Sam was FIJI’s director for Musical Madness his sophomore year, and he managed the entire event last year. “It was sad because I couldn’t be in it,” he said. But while he

While he enjoys preparing a variety of foods, his favorite is Mexican. Perhaps this stems from growing up in the Lone Star state, but it could also be genetic; Sam’s father is a native of Mexico and resides there. Not everything has rubbed

off, though. “I speak improper Spanish,” Sam said. Proud of his roots, he is also known by friends to be a humble man. “He’s not the typical Texas ‘we like things big’ kind of guy,” Jordan said. “He’s very down-to-earth.”

Sam credits others for much of his success. “I find a lot of inspiration from the people around me,” he said, “especially my girlfriend.” He said 2012 graduate Elizabeth Abbott provides support while encouraging him to be his best. She lives in Dallas and also motivates him academically. “She kind of sets the bar for me,” Sam said, “but in a good way.”

Though he may seem — and sound — intimidating at first, Sam’s spirit is evident. “If you haven’t given Sam Rodriguez a hug, you should do it before you graduate,” Jordan said. With a giant voice and even larger personality, Sam is a great person to know.

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

19

“I’m good at selling food. It runs in my veins.”

SEVEN

sinful flavors — chocolate, coconut, peanut butter, red velvet, carrot, Italian cream and German chocolate. These are some of the mouthwatering tastes of freshman Keziah Colleton’s homemade cake pops. Although making the confections started out as just a pastime, she transformed that passion into her own business, KakePoPs by Kashari.

“They are absolutely divine,” freshman Madeline Smith said. “It isn’t something mass-produced.”

KEZIAH COLLETON | freshman

by Cory Hart photo by Amy Rabenberg

20

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

Keziah seems to be a natural businesswoman. Born into a family of restaurateurs in the coastal town of Humacao, Puerto Rico, the legal studies and prelaw major grew up learning the family business. “I’m good at selling food,” she said. “It runs in my veins.”

And she has had a passion — and a skill — for baking since childhood. While Keziah is humble about it, if you were to ask those who know her, they would likely tell you that she is skilled in most everything she does. From writing a book to playing classical piano to her online cake pop company, Keziah has the spirit of a true achiever.

For her 17th birthday, Keziah’s best friend gave her a cake pop book, and as a way of thanking her, Keziah made her a cake pop bouquet. From there, cake pops became Keziah’s signature dessert, so much so that she started selling them. “I was storing them in the fridge, and my dad found them one day and

asked, ‘Did you buy these?’’ she said. “I told him that I had made them. So my whole family sat down at the dinner table and we planned everything out — the design, all that, just over one family dinner.”

The hobby quickly became Keziah’s enterprise. With her sister, senior Shemikah Colleton, she creates the cake pops from her kitchen and coordinates the orders — the largest to date being one for 350. “I handle what’s inside the shell, and she handles what’s on the outside,” Keziah said.

Although it can be stressful, she loves every minute. “There’s a point where, yes, you get tired, but you have music going and you get energized,” Keziah said. “The sun will be coming up, and my sister’s still designing and I’m still baking. But I love it.” The sisters rely on each other for support, keeping each other grounded. “I love it, actually,” Shemikah said.

“We have a lot of fun together.”

When she is not studying or taking care of her business, Keziah has other interests that occupy her time. She has played classical piano since the age of 5, and in the eighth grade, she learned to play guitar.

No matter what, Keziah tries to achieve as much as she can. “200 percent is really hard to manage sometimes,” she admitted. But with her drive, it seems as though there is nothing she cannot accomplish.

LAN DO

| senior

by Brodie Gress photo by Samantha Cook

THE STREET

seems quiet once night falls, but in a small house on Walnut, business is at hand. The house is filled with binders of fabric swatches and designs of jackets, vests, shirts and pockets. This is the office of Tien Son, Evansville’s newest men’s tailored-suit company. In the dining room, senior Lan Do does a practice consultation with 2012 graduate Cody Land, while senior Michael Armanno photographs ties on a white sheet for publicity shots that will go on the company’s web site. The scene is a little chaotic, but Lan obviously has everything under control. She keeps cool during the consultation, helping Cody with collars. “It’s like a frame,” Lan tells him. “If you don’t have the right frame, the picture will get lost.”

Lan’s family has owned Tien Son for eight generations, and she learned to tailor while growing up in Thai Nguyen, Vietnam. As a child, she remembers observing her father as he picked fabrics for his customers, and she learned sewing and embroidery by watching her mother tailor. “You can tell it’s in her blood,” Cody said. “She’s like an artist at work.”

An accounting major, Lan came to UE to earn a degree she could return home with in order to help her family’s business. She met Cody, who is now director of Tien Son’s American branch, and the two brought the business to the United States after they discovered a need for custom-made suits in Evansville and the surrounding area.

The business quickly attracted customers, some closer to campus than they expected. “I ran into the dean of [the School of Business Administration],” Cody said. “He was wearing one of our ties.”

“

Later, more staff joined the business, including Michael, who as an intern filmed free tutorial videos that teach viewers how to measure themselves and customize their suits. Lan believes in satisfying the customer, a value she learned from her family. “She doesn’t try to bleed as much money as she can out of it,” said Joseph Trendowski, assistant professor of management. “She wants her family name to succeed.” He said he ordered a blazer from Tien Son, which arrived quickly. “She hand-delivered it to my office,” Joseph said.

I don’t feel it’s work. I just think, ‘This is so interesting.’”

Lan’s studies and business dominate her life, but she has other interests. She likes to travel, study foreign languages and cook. Other hobbies, like meeting new people and drawing fashion sketches, contribute to her business.

“That’s difficult,” Lan said with a laugh, trying to think of what she does for fun. “That’s really difficult. I don’t know what else besides school and work. I don’t feel it’s work. I just think, ‘This is so interesting.’”

Even though her schedule is full, Lan finds time to goof around and have fun with her staff. And even though work can get hectic, Lan makes sure everything — suits and business — fits perfectly.

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

21

SOME PEOPLE

exercise to stay in shape; others do so to improve their body image. And even though she definitely stays in shape, as a bodybuilder, sophomore Hallie Newcomb is part of the latter group, participating in competitions to show off her well-defined physique.

HALLIE NEWCOMB

When the Harrisburg, Ill., native was in junior high school, she said she was dissatisfied with her body image and wanted to change it. She started working out, managing to lose 50 pounds in just six months. From then on, she was hooked, getting valuable help from her dad along the way. The chemistry major will participate next month in the Southern Indiana Women’s Physique competition, sponsored by the National Physique Committee, the largest amateur bodybuilding organization in the U.S.

by Emily Molli photo by Jessica Crihfield-Taylor

| sophomore

You can usually find Hallie running around campus or in the Fitness Center lifting weights. While she enjoys running, it can only be a part of her fitness routine. “Asthma can hold me back,” she said, “but it never holds me back when I’m weight lifting.” Hallie works out at 6:30 a.m. weekdays and usually manages to fit in another workout later in the day. She limits herself to working out once a day on weekends. Having structure keeps her going.

“Then I have that energy to put into class work,” she said.

Sophomore Neal Catellier is inspired by Hallie’s dedication to fitness and sees the effect it has on her. “It makes her feel good about herself,” he said, “and when she feels good about herself, she projects that onto a lot of other people to make them feel better about themselves.” As someone who has plenty of fitness experience, Hallie is happy to give advice to others trying to start out or push their physical abilities further. “She’s actually encouraged me now to weight lift on Saturdays,” Neal said.

Like any bodybuilder, Hallie is careful about her diet. “My mom inspires me,” she said. “She’s a diabetic and has to watch what she eats.” To keep up with her demanding fitness regimen, Hallie eats four to six meals a day. She adhered to a vegetarian diet for five years, until she realized she was missing out on the precious protein that seafood provides and made the switch to pescetarianism.

Working out not only provides Hallie with a positive body image but with new friends. “[Working out] is a great way to make friends,” she said. Hallie said she uses it as an icebreaker, inviting others on a walk, run or trip to the gym.

Hallie made friends with sophomore Anna Whiteman her freshman year through exercising. “Last year, we ran together almost every single day,” Anna said. “She’s very dedicated and very motivated.”

Dedication and motivation like Hallie’s are hard to come by, but they reflect her perseverance and enthusiasm, things that will stay with her and those close to her. “Her own spirit improves the people around her,” Neal said.

22

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

“

When she feels good about herself, she projects that onto a lot of other people.”

“I would definitely say that I was born in the wrong time.”

DRESSING

for the day is a little different for freshman Jessica Newell. She does not reach for a T-shirt and jeans. Instead, she opts for a ’50s-style dress, a patterned scarf and vintage flats. Soft curls and bright lipstick finish the look, giving this 21stcentury student a signature style. “Her lipstick is so red,” freshman Joy Grace Chen said. “She is easily spotted in a crowd.”

Jessica has been intrigued with fashion since high school. “Very rarely do I see her in a T-shirt and jeans,” freshman Emily Stewart said. “Her style is very well put together. I’m always learning new fashion terms.” Jessica frequently adds to her love of vintage, whether with the record player, teacups and doilies found in her room, the wardrobe bought from antique shops or her slight obsession with “Downton Abbey.” She even enjoys watching classic movies like 1940’s “The Philadelphia Story” and listening to Glenn Miller. “These things make me feel good,” Jessica said, “and dressing up makes me feel put together.”

It is no surprise that the Harrisburg, Ill., native is a history major and is able to complement her loves with the stories behind them. After her family saw a newspaper ad about war re-enactments at Fort Loudoun, a colonial fort in Tennessee, they got involved.

The reconstructed British military post protected what was then the British colony of South Car-

olina from the French during the French and Indian War. Jessica still participates and makes the six-hour drive to southeastern Tennessee once a month to play the role of a campfollower. “We stay in the barracks,” she said, “and we live there the entire weekend.” She dresses in period clothing and often does a laundry demonstration for the public. The fort’s reenactments gained media attention, but something was lacking for visitors. “We needed a new video for our welcome center about the history of the fort,” Jessica said. The video, titled “Fort Loudoun: Forsaken by God and Man,” depicts daily life, and the reenacters are a part of the video.

Preserving history is especially meaningful to her.

Jessica petitioned last year to help keep a school in Harrisburg standing. The school was built in 1903, and both Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart gave speeches there. She is fearful that if the building is demolished, a part of history will be erased. “The architecture is just amazing,” Jessica said. “It has marble floors and the same wooden benches from 1914.”

Following graduation, Jessica plans to attend graduate school for museum studies. She aspires to be a curator working with a fashion or textile collection.

But all aspects of history are more than mere interests to her. They are a lifestyle. “I have Facebook and an iPod and all that,” Jessica said, “but I would definitely say that I was born in the wrong time.”

JESSICA NEWELL | freshman

by Jessica Ingle photo by Amy Rabenberg

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

23

“She’s so sweet. She’s just a ray of sunshine.”

MOST

people seem to blend in within a crowd, but freshman Amelya Hensley is easy to recognize for a variety of reasons. At the age of 2, she was diagnosed with Spondylometaphyseal dysplasia (Kozlowski type), a rare form of short-trunk dwarfism that affects less than one in a million people. But her dwarfism has not stopped her from having a giant presence, and although being small poses its challenges, the Lexington, Ky., native refuses to let it interfere with her positive outlook on life. With her sassy sense of humor, Amelya has the ability to win over anyone — both on campus and on stage.

AMELYA HENSLEY | freshman

by Jamelyn Wheeler photo by Samantha Cook

24

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

As a theatre performance major, Amelya’s most recognizable role to date was as Little Stone in UE Theatre’s production last semester of “Eurydice.” Freshman Grace Theobald, who played Loud Stone, was thrilled to work with her. “We would laugh and have a good time,” she said.

Countless memories were made throughout “Eurydice,” and many of Amelya’s favorites occurred during the show’s rehearsals. She found a lot of her own miscues comical, and Grace doing fan kicks over Amelya’s head was always funny. Through moments such as these, Amelya formed close relationships with many of the cast’s members. “She’s so sweet,” Grace said. “She has the best smile, and she’s adorable. She’s just a ray of sunshine.”

Amelya first set foot on stage in fifth grade and knew it was where she belonged. Immersing herself even further, she performed at the Lexington Children’s Theatre throughout high school. Though she has been cast in many roles, Amelya said her favorite was Urgl, an old woman she played in a theatrical version of “The Neverending Story.” Throughout the years, Amelya’s love for theater developed through her many roles, but at UE, she is flourishing.

Amelya’s size does not inhibit her onstage abilities; if anything, it drives her to perfect her craft. “It makes me stronger and determined to succeed in theater,” she said. She hopes to eventually work in film, and it is no surprise that Amelya’s other interests can be incorporated into her performances. In her spare time, she enjoys practicing makeup techniques. Though she admits she is an amateur, she continues to practice, and this reflects her passion for theater.

It may seem that being diminutive has its downsides, but besides not being able to do some trivial tasks, Amelya said she has few difficulties with life. “I think there definitely are misconceptions, but I try to make people look past them,” she said. To her, she is just the same as everyone else. Perhaps Amelya’s most admirable qualities are her abilities to laugh at herself and conquer life one step at a time. She defies obstacles and does so gracefully, with her many dreams in tow.

LANDON SHOLAR | junior

by Alexandra Wade photo by Samantha Cook

MANY PEOPLE

picture Elvis impersonators as men who are a bit older and much wider than junior Landon Sholar. But the music major has donned the suit and trademark hair since he was 6 years old. His mom entered him in a talent show, and he wore an Elvis suit and a much-too-big wig. He sang “Burning Love” and took home first prize. “My mom just thought it’d be cute,” Landon said. “We had no idea it would stick.”

The Evansville, Ind., native will never forget his experiences as Elvis, especially the time when a woman threw her lingerie onto the stage. “She weaseled her bra off through her shirt and threw it up on stage with me,” Landon said.

“And it was leopard print. A few minutes later, the leopard print G-string followed.” He was shocked but stayed in character, simply holding up the underwear and asking her, in his best Elvis voice, “Is this yours, honey?”

Although Landon loves performing as his idol, he sees his career going in a different direction. “The Elvis stuff is a lot of fun, and a great way to earn money in college,” he said, “but the musical theater stuff is what I really love and where I see myself going.” Sophomore David Wantland first saw Landon perform in high school when they were in a production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Landon played Pharaoh, a character based on Elvis. “He stopped the show every night,” David said. “It was almost awkward how good he was at it.”

Since then, Landon has performed with UE Opera and auditioned for the Broadway play “Newsies.” He was featured last October in Evansville Civic Theatre’s Underground at the Annex production of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” He also landed the role of Young Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” staged in December at ECT. “He thinks about the craftsmanship that goes into being a performer,” junior Tyler Samuel said. “He was [once] offered a show, but he turned it down because he didn’t feel like he had enough time to work on characterization.”

“

I always tell everyone I don’t get nervous, but secretly, I do.”

Landon emphasizes the importance of making a performance seem real. “I always tell everyone that I don’t get nervous,” he said, “but secretly, I do. I’m always thinking, ‘What are the next words? Where do I go next?’ Performing is about having that in your head but making it seem real to the audience.” Landon will leave the Elvis suit behind this month and travel to New York to audition for TV shows, summer performances and several Broadway companies, hoping to find work for the summer.

When he started performing, Landon created a list of his top three desired roles, two of which he has played so far: Sweeney Todd and the Scarecrow in “The Wizard of Oz.” He hopes the third role, the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera,” will be next.

Broadway may be waiting for Landon, but he will never forget his reign as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

25

WHILE MANY

students spend their nights studying or relaxing with friends, sophomore Kayla Fortner usually can be found practicing her sport. But whether it concerns softball, her studies or friends, the Cedar Hill, Mo., native does not do things halfway, and her hard work has not gone unnoticed.

After her inaugural season playing for the softball team, Kayla has left her mark. She was named to the 2012 allMVC second team as a first baseman, as well as the 2012 NFCA Division I Midwest Region second team. She was also named to the College Sports Madness all-MVC first team as an outfielder. But it is the math education major’s determination to be No. 1 that drives her. “I want to be the best at whatever I’m doing,” she said.

KAYLA FORTNER | sophomore

by Amy Reinhart photo by Jessica Crihfield-Taylor

Softball serves as an outlet for Kayla, who said hitting clears her mind and is a better use of her time than spending hours on Facebook. Her passion for the sport is obvious to her friends and teammates. “She’ll be out in the fields later than anyone else,” freshman Sarah Baldwin said. “If something’s not working right for her, she works twice as hard until it works right for her.”

But softball takes a back seat to Kayla’s faith. No matter where she goes, Kayla always wears her I Am Second bracelet on her left wrist, representing the religious movement’s tenet that God comes before the individual.

She said the bracelet is a way for her to explain her faith to others without being pushy. “If they ask, it opens a door to make it easier,” Kayla said. She attends Bible study every week and often invites people to church with her, but she does not force her faith on them. She attends First Southern Baptist Church and has volunteered at other local church events, including Bethel Temple’s “Trunk or Treat” children’s Halloween activity. “With her faith, she’s a very strong individual,” Sarah said.

Kayla is not afraid to go the extra mile for her friends.

When a teammate’s father passed away last year, Kayla pushed for the team to attend the funeral, a nine-hour drive away. “She’s really great at being aware of everyone and their feelings,” Sarah said. “She always knows what to say and how to say it.”

Kayla knows how to make everyone feel at home. Senior Hannah Wilson said Kayla’s honesty and kind disposition draw people in. “She’s just one of those people everyone feels comfortable around,” she said. “I think that’s why she has so many friends and good relationships.”

Wherever she goes, Kayla seems to light up the room, and she does not let her athletic ability and many awards faze her. Sarah said Kayla’s selflessness distinguishes her from other students; she is the same person on and off the field. “People gravitate toward that when people aren’t [self-centered],” Sarah said. “She’s a very genuine person.”

26

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

“

She’s really great at being aware of everyone and their feelings.”

“He lives his life not taking any day for granted.”

PEOPLE

call him Bean. Aside from his short stature, sophomore Sean Banks’ nickname simply comes from transposing the beginning letters of his first and last name. Senior Gabe Kinser did not even take his height into consideration when the nickname was created. “We didn’t even think about that when we switched them, but he’s just so energetic,” Gabe said. “He’s like a Mexican jumping bean. He’s always all over the place.”

People describe Sean as someone who takes advantage of every second — and for good reason. Sean is a survivor of neuroblastoma, a type of blood-related cancer that occurs when a tumor develops from nerve tissue. He was diagnosed at age 3 and survived his stage 4 diagnosis following intensive treatment. “It really was a miracle,” said senior Collin Jones, Sean’s cousin. “He lives his life not taking any day for granted because he knows he almost didn’t have it.” And Sean is not someone who lets his past medical issues hinder his future. “He’s positive,” Gabe said. “I can’t think of a time when he’s been a stickin-the-mud or a downer. That’s just how he is.”

A music education major and a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Sean claims that although music has been a part of his life for a long time, baseball is his passion — so much so that he is considering changing his major to Spanish education so he can be-

come a coach someday. “I realized how much I missed being around the game,” he said. “It made me question the music education major, because the marching band summer matches up with baseball summer, and I wouldn’t be able to be a band instructor and look across the field to see people playing ball without me. It just made me question what I wanted to do with my life.”

The list of things Sean loves includes ultimate Frisbee and Boston, a city he has visited several times.

When in Boston, he said he always manages to see his favorite team, the Red Sox, play. “I fell in love with the city and plan to move there and teach at an inner-city school when I graduate,” he said. “My mom’s not too thrilled, but I joke with her and say that ‘I’ll just get my pilot’s license and fly home.’”

The Clarksville, Ind., native often goes home to visit his family and pet piranha, Captain. “I don’t really have an attachment to it like I would a cat or dog, but it’s still fun to watch it eat goldfish,” he said. “He wouldn’t eat in front of people at first — guess he was just too polite.”

Sean does not dwell on the past, and with such a hopeful future, it is easy to see why. “I had really never known about [his illness],” Gabe said. “He really just doesn’t talk about it — it’s just a part of who he is. He doesn’t need to bring it up. Maybe that’s why he’s so positive; he’s just glad to be here.”

SEAN BANKS | sophomore

by Mindy Kurtz Hensley photo by Samantha Cook

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

27

“Putting together clothing is really like a puzzle.”

WITH

She never stopped. Jessica’s love of costume design followed her, even as she moved with her family from Germany to Italy to Georgia. She was born on an Air Force base, and she got used to moving every two years when her dad was transferred. Even though she was shy, moving from place to place made her outgoing and taught her to make friends.

“I’ve learned to adapt really well,” Jessica said.

Jessica has created a number of costumes over the years. One based on Howl from the 2004 animated movie “Howl’s Moving Castle” featured large, feathered wings she made by hand. And her intrepretation of Midna from the video game “The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess” had an intricate, handsculpted headpiece. For the UE Theatre production of last semester’s “The Mystery of Edwin Drood,” Jessica worked on a dress that included more than 300 embroidered roses. She is always enhancing her skills, which the Atlanta native hopes will culminate in her dream project: a 30-foot-long ball gown belonging to Rapunzel, complete with lights.

While studying at Harlaxton, Jessica and junior Ella McCauley got the chance to meet actor Daniel Radcliffe after entering a contest to win tickets to the premiere of 2012’s “The Woman in Black.” Even though they did not win the contest, the pair’s efforts — which included two ghostly costumes and a seven-hour wait in the rain — were rewarded with handshakes, pictures and a smile from Radcliffe.

From her collection of Halloween Disney movies to memories of watching “Star Trek” with her dad, a lot of Jessica’s inspiration comes from the screen.

When she was a child, Jessica said her mom and grandmother always made costumes for her and her younger sister. “Freshman year of high school, I started making my own,” Jessica said.

Jessica has big plans for her career. She wants to work in the movie business and hopes to find an internship for the summer in Los Angeles. “Putting together clothing is really like a puzzle,” Jessica said.

“You just have to figure out how it fits together — and on a person.” Just as she creates her costumes, she puts together her life one piece at a time.

a needle and thread, junior Jessica Haswell can turn an average person into a character and can take an ordinary idea and make it into something memorable. A theatre design and technology major with a concentration in costume design and construction, Jessica has spent years bringing color to the world with her costumes.

JESSICA HASWELL | junior

by Tori Griffin photo by Jessica Crihfield-Taylor

28

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

Jessica loves to make others happy, but she does not lose sight of her own dreams. “Whatever she does, especially with costumes, she’s gung-ho and says, ‘Let’s do this,’” Ella said.

CORIE FIELDS | senior

by Chelsea Modglin photo by Samantha Cook

BEING ABLE

to say you touched a wide-eyed lemur or played tug of war with a bear are extremely rare occurrences. But for senior Corie Fields, they are pleasant facts of life — and ones she hopes to add to.

Growing up in the small rural town of Batesville, Ind., Corie has always been surrounded by animals. When she started college, she decided to major in environmental science with the goal of becoming a conservation officer.

But that changed for Corie last summer when she took an internship with the Indianapolis Zoo. “I thought, ‘Being a zookeeper, I’m not good enough for that,’” she said. “Ever since I was little I had hoped, but never thought it could actually happen until I applied for this internship and got a call back. I thought, ‘Oh my God! This could be real!’”

As an intern, a typical day for Corie began at 7 a.m. with getting the animals’ medications ready and bringing their meals to them. While the animals ate, Corie and the other interns made sure their exhibits were ready for the day.

Then the animals were ushered into their enclosures so the interns could perform the most grueling task of their day. “From 7 a.m. to maybe 1 p.m., or noon as we got better, we would clean buildings,” Corie said. “They’re animals; they poop everywhere. You’ll step in poop no matter what. It was a lot of work, but it wasn’t super hard.”

Of course, the needs of the animals were considered before those of the zookeepers. And while selflessness may be a part of the job, Corie’s friends say that selflessness is a natural part of who she is. “She’s just a fun-loving person, a very accepting person,” senior Megan Haynes said. “She’s very caring, and always wanting to know how you’re doing, and what you’re doing in your daily life. And that’s not even just toward her friends. In general, she cares about people.”

“

She’s just a funloving person, a very accepting person.”

When there are no animals around, the next best things for Corie, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, are good movies and music. As long as it is not a horror flick, she likes any kind, and her love for music is so vast that at any given moment she has a new favorite band. “I’ve been to upwards of 10 concerts,” she said, “although it’s probably more than that. Ever since my freshman year, I’ve gone to at least three concerts a year. Not that I make that a goal.

It just happens.” Corie also likes to travel and said that one of the best things about attending Harlaxton was the chance to explore Europe.

Corie describes herself as laid-back. “I like to laugh,” she said. “If you can make me laugh, you’re pretty much my friend already.” And following graduation, she hopes to return to work at the Indianapolis Zoo, even though it is a lot of hard work. “I underestimated how much work it would be,” Corie said. “There were times when I was like ‘Nope, this is not for me.’ But being away from the animals has shown me that this is what I want to do.”

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

29

MUSIC HAPPENS

to be his life. “I listen to music eight hours a day, minimum,” junior Alex Sizemore said. But he does not just listen. Alex is a music man with a purpose, since he is a full-fledged DJ and producer with lots of passion and big dreams. Alex was not always a music fanatic. He played soccer in high school and planned on continuing to do so in college — until he tore his ACL. The injury ended his playing career, and with free time on his hands he discovered electronic music. “I found a guy named Basshunter,” Alex said. “I really got into production from all the time I then had because I tore my ACL.”

ALEX SIZEMORE | junior

by A.J. Ogundimu photo by Jessica Crihfield-Taylor

Electronic music does not top the charts in Alex’s hometown of Rensselaer, Ind. “Where I’m from it’s mostly country,” he said. But that did not stop him from downloading a free trial of FL Studio and learning the basics. Now he performs as SLXY, a revision of Sexy Slexy, a nickname from high school. Alex has come a long way from his early experiments. He now plays at fraternity parties and collaborates with fellow DJs like Sam Diacon, a student at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

Better known as abSRD, Sam met Alex through a music sharing web site. Their friendship was instant. “He came to me and said, ‘I really want to do something in A minor,’” Sam said. They kept in touch and collaborated on a song called “Cinematography,” receiving more than 5,000 plays on Sam’s SoundCloud page. “Cinematography” is a mashup, a song built from other songs and one of Alex’s favorite styles to make. “But it is not as easy as it sounds,” Sam said. “You can’t just slam two songs together. What key the songs are in matters, as do styles and rhythms.”

All that production is a lot of work that Alex finds boring, but he keeps at it. “It’s literally hours of just staring at a computer screen,” he said. “My roommates will come back and be like, ‘you haven’t moved.” But without production, DJs would not be able to play live. “I’d say DJ-ing is the reward for producing. If you spend a lot of time in the studio, you’re probably going to get better gigs.”

Alex is more than ready to put in the necessary effort.

Even while studying at Harlaxton, he took equipment with him and kept working. Junior Austin White got to see the dedication firsthand. “He would just go into a quiet room and do what he did,” Austin said. “He had a lot of downtime between travel and class.”

As for future goals, they vary day from day. “I would love to tour,” Alex said, while acknowledging the realities of a professional career since he is a finance major. “I also know I have a promising career.” Either way, there is no doubt that he knows what it takes to be successful and is eager to pass that on to aspiring musicians. “To anyone starting out, stay with it,” Alex said. “When you start to do it for yourself and not other people, you start to see the results.”

30

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

“

When you start to do it for yourself and not other people, you start to see the results.”

“People always recognize me by that blue guitar.”

PEOPLE

know him as the guy with the blue guitar, and senior Dakota Clayton would not have it any other way. “People always recognize me by that blue guitar,” he said, “I’m always on campus with it.”

Dakota’s musical skill comes with a deep appreciation of artists and bands of varying genres, and his musical prowess is often demonstrated with some of his Sigma Phi Epsilon brothers when they get together to play some structured and inspired tunes.

They play off each other’s energy and give listeners quite a spectacle. “He definitely has talent,” senior Jamison Heard said. “He can just hear a song and start playing with it, and it sounds awesome.”

The Madisonville, Ky., native has been playing guitar for about 12 years, inspired by his natural love of music and his early exposure to different styles of music. Dakota formed his first band at age 11, performing at a school talent show in front of about 500 people, a moment immortalized by his family on home video. “There were only two of us,” Dakota said. “It was just an instrumental, and we went from there.”

Later on, with the same bandmates and some other musicians he had been working with for years, Dakota went to Nashville in hopes of landing a recording contract and making it in the music industry. But the CD the group recorded did not go over as well

as everyone had hoped, and Dakota’s love of music faded for a time. Thankfully, that love of music came back stronger than ever when he started at UE. Dakota became a lead singer for the first time two years ago when he played a benefit concert in Long Island, N.Y. The experience appears to have paid off.

He won Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s “UE Idol” last November by singing a Coldplay song, “Clocks.” “I remember hearing that one on the radio when I was driving around,” Dakota said. “It just kind of hit home to me. It kind of reminded me of the 2000s and how music is ever changing, ever evolving.”

Right now, the electrical engineering major is designing a three-foot-tall robot for his senior project that is meant to deliver mail to offices in Koch Center. After graduation, Dakota would like a career that goes along with his major and passion for music — perhaps selling his own self-built amplifiers. “It’d be great to work for Gibson or Marshall,” he said, “but I’d love to own my own operation someday.”

Dakota remains flexible, looking forward to the things that inspire him. “If I can wake up in the morning and whether it be owning my own business, working for a guitar company or developing my own amplifiers, that makes it so much more worthwhile,” he said. “To get up for something you want to do, as opposed to something you just make money from.”

DAKOTA CLAYTON | senior

by Emily Molli photo by Jessica Crihfield-Taylor

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

31

Spudz-N-Stuff Delivery

free Spudz-N-Stuff East Side

815 s. Green river • 812.402.7783

Spudz-N-Stuff downtown 101 NW 1st St. • 812.402.7555

‘Twas a woman who drove me to drink...

Spudz-N-Stuff West Side

5225 PEARL DR • 812.402.8287

2-Liter Coke OR

any order of Nachos!

with deliveryy of $15

Just mention this ad! Expires 2/28/13

...and I never had the chance

to thank her!

4 N. Weinbach Ave. • 5 blocks north of UE

The Adventures of

I‛m On My Way!

(812) 477–7500 Boring Burgers are Bad Business!

oo!

McNooo Days Your ky Food c u Y f o one! are D

www.turonis.com

32

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

I AM

inquisitive

AS A CHILD,

John Meredig, assistant professor of foreign languages and Russian, enjoyed many of the alluring aspects of nature, even keeping harmless snakes as pets. He met a friend in high school who introduced him to bird-watching, and by the time Meredig was a college freshman, he had grown to love birding. It remains a passion to this day. “If you’re thinking, ‘What’s this crazy guy doing running around the Front Oval?’ it’s probably me,” he said, referring to his need to tote his bird-watching binoculars around campus with him.

Meredig loves the outdoors so much that he earned a bachelor of science in wildlife ecology from Wisconsin. But he continued his education to pursue his other passion — language, earning a master’s degree in Russian from Middlebury College and a doctorate in Slavic linguistics from Illinois. Meredig came to UE in 1996 to teach Russian and German, and while technology has certainly advanced since Meredig was a student, he uses what he calls “high-tech” visuals in the classroom — pictures on construction paper — and cites communism when he needs an example because it comes to mind when thinking of Russia. “I believe in using humor in the classroom,” he said.

ACLOSERLOOK

by Josh Best photo by Samantha Cook

Learning birdsong is like learning lyrics; one pick ups the songs through the birdwatching experience rather than through studying.

While his spring semester teaching schedule does not start until 11 a.m., Meredig does not waste his mornings sleeping in. Rather, he is up early because, as he points out, there is a chorus in the morning, when birds are more active, that he does not want to miss. He said each April and May are fantastic for birding, especially because many species of birds pass through campus, with the first week of May being the peak. “Ninety-nine percent of the population is unaware that these critters are passing through,” he said.

Meredig said he enjoys the solitude bird-watching provides. He frequents Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve and also goes to Audubon State Park in Henderson, Ky., where he treks to see what he calls spring ephemerals — wildflowers blooming briefly in late March. He and his wife often hike and stop to watch birds along the way.

Meredig said one of his favorite birds is the Golden-winged Warbler, adding that part of its charm comes from its rarity. “You’re not going to a zoo,” he said. “You never know what’s going to turn up, and there’s a real thrill to that.” But he adds that technology has spoiled the element of surprise since people post tweets when they see birds at certain places, giving away locations.

Aside from birding, five years ago Meredig adopted the practice of silviculture — planting, growing and maintaining trees. Though his home’s property is fairly large, he said he has nearly run out of space after planting 250 different trees and shrubs. “It’s a labor of love,” he said. Equipped with a passion for language, a love of the outdoors and a pair of binoculars, Meredig sees the beauty of discovery everywhere.

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

33

YOU’LL L VE TO STUDY HERE Applications Available For 2013–14 For more information, contact us today!

Office of Study Abroad | SOBA 261 | studyabroad@evansville.edu

34

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

Q: A: Q:

Samantha Cook/Crescent Magazine

A:

Q: A:

6 Questions

Q:

Financial Aid Director JoAnn Laugel

A:

Crescent Magazine sat down to chat with the woman who knows about all things financial.

Q: A:

q&a

INTERVIEW What is the biggest mistake you see students make when it comes to their financial aid?

Doing nothing, because there’s a lack of competence of what to do, not reading [FAFSA] instructions and missing deadlines are probably the top three things.

The Big Freeze is still on a lot of minds. Will it affect financial aid? And what about students who are already enrolled at UE?

More than anything, I don’t know the Freeze will affect financial aid as much as it will hopefully affect families’ understanding that tuition is the biggest cost, and it’s now a fixed one.

Certainly the other components of our budget — housing, meal plans and personal expenses — those will fluctuate and go up from year to year. Every year, eligibility for certain grants is calculated on the new family income reported on the FAFSA. Student loans can increase yearly based on students advancing from one class to the other. Most UE scholarships are set amounts, and that will continue for current students. The process won’t be all that different, but it’s just that students and families will know sooner what tuition looks like.

Awarding of financial aid seems somewhat complicated. How does UE fund its financial aid?

By the tuition that we charge. A lot of the aid we give is coming right back from the tuition that’s being generated. However, we certainly have endowments, so there are earnings on those funds given to students who meet that criteria called funded money. But a lot of the money that we offer is really just discounting the tuition we charge.

Where can students look to find information about scholarships available at UE? We have links on the web site, and we have [information] in our lobby to help students to know where to go, to figure out if they’re eligible and when the deadlines are. Sometimes organizations have very narrow criteria and will find students and e-mail them directly if they fit the criteria.

When looking at the web site, we noticed that some major scholarships for juniors and seniors, like the Margery Florence Kahn Scholarship, are listed, but are there any others?

The Margery Florence Kahn Scholarship is the biggest we have.

There really aren’t other internal scholarships. UE is all centralized and awarded on the front end in rather significant scholarship amounts, whether it be the Dean’s or the Trustee, or academics or whatever. But donors do not typically fund those because, when students are applying, we don’t know who’s going to enroll. So it’s not like we’re holding back money to give smaller awards to first-years, with the idea that when you become a junior, you can apply for extra awards. That’s not how UE scholarships are structured; it’s front-loaded.

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

35

campus crime The following information was compiled from criminal offense reports filed Oct. 16, 2012 – Jan. 20, 2013, in Safety & Security.

Jan. 20 — Two students fighting at a Sigma Alpha Epsilon party. One student referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

— Student found in possession of marijuana on Hughes Hall second floor. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

— Student found in possession of marijuana on Hughes Hall first floor. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

FREE

SOME NIGHTS

CAMPUS DELIVERY

I S TAY U P

CASHING IN

MY TISSUES

I could use some meds for a change Low Prices Convenient Hours

OAK HILL PHARMACY

1924 1924E.E.Morgan MorganAve. Ave.•Corner CornerofofMorgan Morgan&&Weinbach Weinbach

425–4422

— Student and two underage nonstudents found intoxicated outside the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Jan. 19 — Two students found intoxicated in Ramona apartments. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Jan. 14 — Student reported an apple stuck in her vehicle’s gas tank door. No loss reported.

Jan. 12 — Student found intoxicated on Schroeder Hall first floor. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Jan. 10 — Item stolen from a Hughes Hall first floor room. Loss reported at $20.

Jan. 7 — Two underage students found intoxicated in a Hughes Hall bathroom. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Jan. 4 — Item stolen from a School of Business Administration office. Loss reported at $24.78.

Jan. 1 — Student found intoxicated outside the Lambda Chi Alpha house. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

— Student found furnishing alcohol to underage student outside Sigma Phi Epsilon house. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Dec. 9 — Item stolen from Aces Place. Loss reported at $3.99.

Dec. 8 — Student found intoxicated outside Sigma Phi Epsilon house. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

— Two underage students found in possession of alcohol, one student found in possession of marijuana and one student charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor by State Excise officers while in Q-lot. All referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

second floor room. Loss reported at $75.

Nov. 10 — Student found intoxicated on Schroeder Hall third floor. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Dec. 1 — Students entered a UE-owned house on Frederick and stabbed a picture of one the residents. Students referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Nov. 8 — Student found in possession of marijuana in the Weinbach apartments. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

— Students found drinking alcohol in the Weinbach apartments. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

— Art supplies stolen from a Krannert Hall classroom. Loss reported at $83.

Nov. 29 — Wallet stolen from Carson Center basketball practice facility. No loss reported.

Nov. 19 — Two overhead projectors stolen from Residence Life. Loss reported at $750.

Nov. 14 — Items stolen from a Schroeder Hall 36

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

Nov. 3 — Male student found intoxicated in a Brentano Hall third floor bathroom. Referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Nov. 1 — UE ID stolen from Ridgway Center.

Loss reported at $25.

Oct. 27 — Student and two USI students found in possession of marijuana. Student referred to the vice president for Student Affairs for disciplinary action.

Oct. 23 — Money stolen from a Koch Center second floor office. Loss reported at $30.

Oct. 22 — Bicycle stolen from the bike rack between Powell Hall and the Koch Center greenhouse. Recovered by Evansville Police.

— Laptop stolen from the Writing Center. Loss reported at $248.

Oct. 18 — Bicycle stolen from the Hughes Hall bike rack. Loss reported at $300.

Oct. 17 — Electronics and other items stolen from a room in the Phi Kappa Tau house. Loss reported at $590.

A GOOD

SPORT

SMILES

appear on faces at the mention of his name — and it’s easy to understand why. Senior Braden Pretzsch is a familiar figure on campus, bringing his outgoing personality to AcesTV, WUEV and those who know him. Whether this business administration and communication double major is cracking jokes or telling stories, chances are he is making someone smile.

“The whole studio kind of changes when Braden walks in,” senior Kayla Duff said. “We all tend to have a lot more fun when he’s around. If you’re having a bad day, he’ll do everything he can to put you in a better mood.”

Pretzsch is always talking sports, whether he is tweeting about them, calling live games or discussing the latest developments on his WUEV sports talk show, “Monday Afternoon Quarterbacks.” The Yorktown, Ind., native grew up in a family that loved sports, and he understands the bonds that sports can create between people.

“I don’t see anything else on this planet that can bring everyone in the world together,” he said.

“Look at the Olympics or the World Cup.” Whether he is making funny faces, trying to get

dormstorm

by Tori Griffin photo by Samantha Cook

his on-air co-host to laugh or tearing off his shirt after scoring a goal through the doorway of the WUEV studio, Pretzsch knows how to have a good time and make life enjoyable for others.

“He is very passionate about everything that he does,” Duff said, “and that’s what makes him so fun to be around. He always walks into the studio with a big smile on his face.”

Passion is something Pretzsch does not lack. He has been involved with WUEV for four years and AcesTV for three, and his exuberance has definitely impacted both programs. When he joined AcesTV as a sophomore, the newly-restructured organization had five students on staff. It has grown to a crew of 35, and last April was named the 2012 Student Organization of the Year.

“I think having his enthusiasm and his kind of demeanor really helped [AcesTV] grow in its infancy because he was that lovable, fun guy that everyone wanted to work for,” said Tom Benson, WUEV and AcesTV general manager.

Pretzsch feels a sense of pride concerning AcesTV. Having been present for much of the organization’s duration, it is hard for him to think of

leaving it behind, but he said he knows that his experiences with AcesTV will always remain with him. He has found his passion in sports broadcasting — he loves what he does, and his enthusiasm rubs off on everyone around him. “Sports are great,” he said, “because it’s a story with a different ending every time, and through my participation in sports broadcast, I get to tell that story.”

His energy fuels everything he does and keeps him moving in a positive direction. The proof of his efforts over the years is evident not only in the growth of the programs he has been a part of, but also in his personal growth. Benson has born witness to the Honors Program student’s progression from a talented but raw freshman to a responsible senior and an effective leader. “As goofy as he is,” Benson said, “he’s really mature beyond his years.”

Pretzsch is well-respected for the work he does, and he is the person people can turn to when they need a smile or a laugh. “My whole life philosophy is there’s a time to be serious, but that time isn’t all the time,” he said. “And when you’re not being serious, have fun.”

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

37

overtime

SPORTS

THAT EXTRA 10 PERCENT

Universally-liked Brock Reneer always gives 110 percent.

by Alexandra Wade photos by Samantha Cook 38

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

BESIDES BEING

a really nice guy, those who know senior Brock Reneer would say that he also pushes himself to achieve. So it is no wonder that as co-captain of the cheer team he ends up being one of the people many on the squad look to for guidance and help. Case in point: When he is in the middle of cheering during a men’s basketball game and the women on the squad are yelling out cheers and preparing for stunts, he sets an example for the other men to follow. The new members of the team, including junior Eric Stoessel, do not always know the technical names for the stunts being performed, but they know thay can always look to Reneer. He will tell them where they need to be and what they need to do. “He’s our rock,” Stoessel said. “He basically translates all that cheer mumbo jumbo into direct English.”

Reneer, a finance and economics major, has been a member of the cheer team since his sophomore year. He is one of five men on the 17-member team, and as a male member of any coed cheer team, he is most often utilized to showcase the women or help the group build pyramids, all a part of cheerleading. Like Reneer, men take the base position in team stunt formations or serve as the main base when lifting a female cheerleader into the air. Both positions help stabilize a stunt and require strength and stamina.

Reneer said he is also working on an individual stunt: a back tuck. While he can perform the skill, he admits that he needs to find the right level of self-confidence to perform it in front of fans at Ford Center. But coach Courtney Moore said having confidence is where Reneer has really improved. When he joined the team, she said he was quiet and reserved, but this year, he has become more outgoing. “He’s really stepping up to the plate, taking on that responsibility,” Moore said. “He’s shining. When he steps up, he’s such a strong leader, but he does it in such a way that people want to follow him.”

Reneer’s leadership skills are on display no matter the activity. Besides being on the cheer team, Reneer is president of Lambda Chi Alpha, co-chair of the Orientation Leaders, a member of the Honors Program and served last year as Student Congress chief executive. Despite his out-of-the-classroom involvement, friends say he handles the pressure well and never seems stressed. “The things he does, he puts his whole heart into,” senior Pat Bushnell said. “I think Brock is the definition of what it means to be a hard-working individual.”

One person who is amazed by his ability to handle such a jam-packed schedule, especially on top of their long-distance relationship, is girlfriend Rachelle Altstadt, a 2011 UE graduate. “Brock is one of the busiest people I know,” she said, “but no matter how stressed or strung out, he maintains a positive attitude and always puts his best foot forward.”

Putting his best foot forward has led Reneer into some interesting and funny situations. Ever since his first year as an OL, he has played a number of reoccurring roles in skits during SOAR and Welcome Week, including the mesmerizing — and shirtless — Jacob Black from the “Twilight” series. While he was determined not to play the role again last fall, he was persuaded to do so, and by the end of the parody, he was biting the inside of his own cheeks to keep from laughing. “It was just like Brock,” senior Jessica Vance said. “He hated it, but he did it anyway and had fun with it.”

Reneer recently completed an internship at Scottrade and has high career aspirations. “In the next five years, I want to find a company where I can learn a lot, that will teach me how to be a better leader,” he said. He hopes to eventually go to graduate school and earn an MBA. Those around him have no doubt that it will happen. “[Brock] really seems to have a passion for financial analysis,” Altstadt said. “He is also very educated in world economics, and he can eloquently communicate his knowledge and findings to those of us who don’t have the same understanding. He is an ideal businessman: confident, dignified, logical, level-headed and trustworthy.” His friends agree, crediting his campus involvement for much of his success. “With his resume leaving UE, I think he’s going to do dang good,” Stoessel said.

Reneer is collectively praised as a solid and down-to-earth guy who is also funny and great to hang out with — so much so that he was voted Homecoming king last November. And like many great leaders, he is confident but still manages to be humble and trustworthy — qualities he thinks are a big part of his character. “My goal is to always be a servant-leader,” Reneer said. “To be a servant to everyone I encounter, that’s what I tell myself every morning when I walk to Ridgway [Center] for breakfast.”

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

39

offthewall

The famous opening shot in James Bond films was actually filmed through the barrel of a .38 caliber gun for the first movie.

WHOKNEW?

dotm GOTTA get IT WHEN IT COMES to ultimate Star Wars fandom, this is the bed you are looking for — if you happen to have a mere $15,000 or more. If the high price is not enough to make you cringe, this bed is featured on a web site called poshtots.com. That’s right, this was originally designed as a child’s bed. The site flaunts the bed’s attributes by stating that you can “enjoy the nostalgia of intergalactic battle by teleporting your bedroom to the farthest reaches of your imagination and beyond,” because nothing says “fond childhood nostalgia” like imminent intergalactic destruction. But for those who want to slumber under the affectionate gaze of C-3PO, the company offers a wall mural package for only $6,000 per wall, in which your room is painted to look like you could enter hyperspeed every time you flick off the lights. This personal touch ensures no two rooms are alike. You would be the coolest — and by coolest, we mean most dated — parent ever.

heard it here

“I wouldn’t feel right wearing clothes covering my body.”

tidbits & assets

— Christina Aguilera

Grand-Ma in a Wheelchair

Featuring Grand Marnier, this cocktail is a classy way to get some refreshment. According to nofftopia. com/dn, to make it, mix all ingredients but lime juice in a shaker. Shaking the soda will cause it to fizz, so take the lid off to let excess air out between shakes.

Strain into a martini glass and add lime juice. Stir, serve and enjoy.

INGREDIENTS: 2 oz. Grand Marnier orange liqueur / 1 oz. tequila / 1 oz. Sprite / splash lime juice kinseyinstitute.org

ARE YOU good to go the first time, but the second time, you cannot get hard soon enough? And do you not enjoy sex as much the second time as compared to the first? Men have what is called a refractory period.

This is the time between when a man ejaculates and when he can ejaculate again. It is common for men to find it difficult or impossible to get another erection — or to ejaculate — soon after having ejaculating. The Kinsey Institute reports that scientists do not fully understand what causes men to have refractory periods or why some men have shorter or longer refractory periods than others. But it is common for men to notice that their refractory period gets longer with age. Everyone is a little different. As for enjoyment, ask yourself if you are feeling anxious about your performance or pressuring yourself. Stress and anxiety can make sex less enjoyable.

WHOKNEW? Paul Hunn of London holds the record for the loudest male burp, which was 109.9 decibels. That’s louder than a motorcycle.

40

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

telegraph.co.uk

HOLE IN THE WALL HAVE YOU EVER wanted to get your point across to a dirty roommate, uptight boss or carefree parker?

The site passiveaggressivenotes.com is a great place to look for ideas on how to convey your feelings.

From signs stuck in cat vomit to office memos and poster boards taped to cars, these note authors really know how to communicate effectively.

THERE’S AN

app

FOR THAT

Have an iPhone but do not have Siri yet? No fear, that’s what Dragon Go! is for. Available for free at the App Store, it recognizes what you say as accurately as Siri does and searches for nearby places, shops or whatever strikes your vocal fancy.

TIRED OF BROWSING Wikipedia for information?

Looking for a good laugh? Then head over to uncyclopedia.wikia.com, the site that offers completely bogus information and is completely upfront about it. With a layout just like Wikipedia’s and a hilarious “HowTo” section that includes gobs of posts, it’s a top contender with other parody web sites.

dumblaws.com

Pain in the Neck

oddlaws id

In Boise, it’s against the law for residents to fish from the back of a giraffe.

Hot Fuzz

ma

Goatees are technically illegal in public unless you pay a special license fee.

time suck of the month

Fabricated

WHEN IT comes to essays, we see the Promised

In Charlotte, women must cover themselves with at least 16 yards of cloth at all times.

Land. No, seriously. Visit essaytyper.com and type in your subject. Type away, and watch as Essay Typer spits out heaps of information — it seems like essay writing heaven. But do not use it as a crutch; it’s just a direct copy of Wikipedia’s text, which we know you wouldn’t think of using.

Missing Link

nc

wa

The harassing of Bigfoot or other undiscovered subspecies is considered a felony.

it came from the library The first golfer to play 180 holes in one day was Edward Styles, who started the marathon contest at 5:33 a.m. on July 11, 1919, at the Old York Road Country Club in Philadelphia. He played the holes in 796 strokes, finishing at 8:32 p.m.

He walked nearly 40 miles and changed his shoes three times. His average score was 79.6 strokes per round.

Annie Leung proved herself a real rock star on Sept. 30, 2010, when she broke the female record for the highest score on the popular video game, “Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.” She racked up a score of 789,349 playing the track “Through the Fire and Flames”

by DragonForce. The game is the first single game to reach $1 billion in sales.

When most children are 3 years old, they are not ususally focused on ruling a region, but this was the case for King Oyo, who came into power in Toro, a region of Uganda, in 1995. Now 20, he rules 3 percent of Uganda’s 33.5 million people. Despite his title, his influence is mostly symbolic since there is an elected president governing the country.

Colombia produces 70 percent of the world’s cocaine supply, a great amount coming from one of the world’s most influential guerrilla armies, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC. As of 2007, Colombia owned 412,666 acres of coca — that’s enough to produce a potential 590 tons of pure cocaine. Eat your heart out, Scarface.

GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS

GOLDEN GLOBES. Though we know Christmas might have meant a lovely new wardrobe for some of you, we bet you did not strike gold quite like Victoria’s Secret did when it unveiled its one-of-a-kind jewel-encrusted “Fantasy Bra” at its fashion show. The $2.5 million bra that was designed in London has 5,200 precious gems on it, including a 20-carat diamond and a large ruby.

IRON MAN. Ronald Brown stepped on a land mine in France during World War II, sending hot shrapnel into his leg and forcing him to crawl to safety. He survived the war and went home to England, but he did not mention the injury to his family — other than reports of a “bad knee.”

They did not know what Brown had been carrying around for 60 years until he passed away last October and was cremated. The family was shocked to receive a bag with 6 ounces of shrapnel.

HALF A BRAIN. Scientists have found that dolphins can stay alert and active for 15 days or more by letting one half of their brain sleep and keeping the other half awake, allowing them to surface and breathe.

Scientists in California tested how long two bottlenose dolphins could accurately use their echolocation in this state by letting them locate sonar targets.

The dolphins showed a 99 percent success rate.

WHOKNEW? Women speak about 7,000 words a day. The average man averages a little more than 2,000.

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

41

thelists

BEST places things that make us crazy to eat this month GARBAGE TRUCKS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT But soft, what sound through yonder window breaks? It is the garbage truck, and it’s way too early for that. Can’t they pick that sh.... — we mean stuff — up later?

WHEN IT GETS DARK MUCH TOO EARLY It’s 6 p.m., so why does it look like it’s midnight outside? After the winter solstice, a typical winter day only has about nine hours of sunlight, most of which we spend in class.

Talk about dark days.

EXPENSIVE FIRST DATES So, how long have you two been dating — three days?

And your first date was a $60 dinner at Olive Garden? Yeah, best of luck with that one.

Sounds like a keeper.

GROUP PROJECTS Oh, so you have other obligations and can’t work on the project tonight — or tomorrow — or ever? This presentation is not going to do itself, so it looks like it’s up to me. So, if you could, just show up the day it’s due and read this notecard I wrote for you, OK? Thanks.

GATOR’S HOT FISH HOUSE is the home of

the hot fish sandwich and is one of the most flavorful seafood places in town. Its menu is not extensive, but the food it offers is excellent. In addition to the restaurant’s fish sandwiches, it serves shrimp po’boys, a common Louisiana staple brought to Evansville with a touch of spice. 1203 N. Main St. • 812–402–7775

DC’S PUB & CHARBROIL GRILLE looks like a regular seafood joint from the outside, but it is so much more. Aside from its daily seafood specials, it offers traditional pub fare from onion petals to fried mushrooms. Its massive hand-breaded cheese sticks with sauce are delicious. The real feature here may be the deep fried bacon — yes, you heard us right. Deep.

Fried. Bacon. 900 W. Buena Vista Ave. • 812–401–6425

CORK ’N CLEAVER serves just what its name

suggests: wine and red meat, along with seafood. The restaurant is a great place to impress your significant other. If you are in the mood for steak, it offers all the way up to an 18 oz. piece, but if meat is not your forte, check out its bottomless salad bar. 650 S. Hebron Ave. • evansvillecork.com

HARBOR BAY is a great place to fill up on oysters.

Though some items are a little pricey, the restaurant offers cheaper seafood options like its Boom-Boom shrimp and North Atlantic cod sandwich. Its atmosphere is party-like with in-bar NFL Ticket Sundays with free appetizers from 2 to 4 p.m. It also has karaoke starting at 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. 4706 Morgan Ave. in the Showplace East theater complex • harborbayrestaurant.com

great READS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Just caught myself 1.daydreaming about putting on my pjs and watching “The Bachelorette” tonight #iamoldandweird.

—Adam Scott am wondering about 2.theIguy who actually cried over spilt milk? He must have had a lifetime of being dismissed.

—Zooey Deschanel

we go back to 3.usingCanFacebook for what it was originally for — looking up exes to see how fat they got?

—Bill Maher

anyone in 4.NYC,Notbuttoapanic screaming John Cusack just drove by in a limo that was missing a door. —Patton Oswalt When taking a photo 5.of your mirror for the

Internet, angle the camera a bit or you’ll end up in the photo. I see this mistake a lot.

—Betty White

memorable celebrity tweets

as far as senior Juliette Faraone is concerned. Check out the list of classics that made the cut:

“Tracks” Louise Erdrich (Henry Holt & Co., 1988) “Wuthering Heights ” Emily Bronte (Thomas Cautley Newby, 1847) “Dream of the Red Chamber” Cao Xueqin (Presbyterian Mission Press of Ningbo, 1846) “Hopscotch” Julio Cortazar (Pantheon, 1966) “The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side” Agatha Christie (Collins Crime Club, 1962)

WHOKNEW? The binturong, commonly known as the Asian Bearcat, has a scent gland that makes its fur smell strangely like popcorn.

42

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

1. ABRAHAM LINCOLN was

TOP 10

In honor of Presidents Day, we uncovered some weird similarities between Honest Abe and JFK.

elected to Congress in 1846. John F. Kennedy was elected in 1946.

Lincoln and Kennedy’s names each contain seven letters.

2. LINCOLN WAS elected president in 1860 — Kennedy was elected in 1960. Both were concerned with civil rights.

nedy was shot from a warehouse, and his assassin hid in a theater.

7. BOTH WERE shot on a Fri-

day before a major holiday by Southerners who favored unpopular ideas.

8. JOHN WILKES Booth, who

3. BOTH PRESIDENTS had children die during their presidencies.

4. BOTH PRESIDENTS were

assassinated Lincoln, and Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, were both known by their three names. Both names are comprised of 15 letters each.

shot from behind in the back of their heads while seated next to their wives and died from their head wounds.

9. BOTH MEN were killed before

5. LINCOLN WAS shot while

10. BOTH PRESIDENTS were

being brought to trial by shooters who used a Colt revolver and fired only one fatal shot.

succeeded by Southerners named Johnson. Andrew Johnson, who 6. LINCOLN WAS shot in a the- succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808. Lyndon Johnson, who sucater that was turned into a warehouse after the assassination. Ken- ceeded Kennedy, was born in 1908. sitting in Ford Theatre. Kennedy was shot while sitting in a Lincoln.

hnn.us

tunes

“It’s the kind of gore you have to laugh at because it’s so funny. A bear beheaded one guy, and it was corny the way it happened.”

“It just sticks in your head with all the B’s in Bennie. Who doesn’t like that song?”

“It’s an old song, and I’m an oldies guy. It’s also the main theme of the movie.”

“Footloose” (1984)

junior Nicolette Fonseca

senior Josh Biggs

“CAVATINA”

“SUGAR TOWN”

“It’s a very moving, classical piece, and it fits well with the Vietnam theme. It’s very emotional and fits the tone.”

“Zooey Deschanel is a great person. I think that song and the setting it’s placed in makes it really good.”

“(500) Days of Summer” (2009)

sophomore Samantha Horton

“A WHOLE NEW WORLD”

“STILL D.R.E.”

“It puts me in a good mood every time I listen to it.”

“It’s an awesome song from back when I was growing up in the early 2000s.”

“Aladdin” (1992)

“

sophomore Kristie Dixon

Senior “American Psycho” (2000)

Sophomore “The 13th Warrior” (1999)

“FOOTLOOSE”

2012 graduate John Binhack

Brady Hall

Megan Voyles

“BENNIE AND THE JETS”

“The Deer Hunter” (1978)

movies out there, here are some favorites.

“It’s not necessarily scary; it’s just dark and mildly funny.”

Favorite songs from movies we love.

“27 Dresses” (2008)

MOVIES Among the many gory

“Training Day” (2001)

2012 graduate Sanjiv Sittampalam

Laughter is the best medicine — unless you’re diabetic, then insulin comes pretty high on the LIST.” —Jasper Carrott, comedian

Sarah McLear Freshman

“300” (2006)

“I like all the adventure of it and that it’s somewhat historically accurate, which is really cool.”

Wes Knies

Sophomore “The Passion of the Christ” (2004) “It was gory during the crucifixion and beatings. It was painful to watch, and it made me appreciate what Jesus did when he died for our sins.”

Elizabeth Coons

Sophomore “Saw” series (2004–2010) “It’s fun to sit there and figure out the plot line because it’s a puzzle for the audience.

It’s interesting because it could happen.”

WHOKNEW? There are spelling errors in the U.S. Constitution — the “Pensylvania” above the signers’ names is probably the most glaring.

02.2013 l Crescent Magazine

43

Hapless romantics

The best laid plans of mice and geeks often go awry.

I AM TERRIBLE

don’tquoteme

at planning dates. My best chance of producing a rendezvous with any kind of romantic success is playing eeny, meeny, miny, moe with the Yellow Pages. This essentially creates a kind of Russian roulette where you either luck out and spend the evening at Olive Garden and the movies or lose any chance of a second date after the third round of bingo at the senior recreation center.

44

Crescent Magazine l 02.2013

The time I put the most effort into planning a romantic evening was my first date with the love of my life, senior Karrie Anne Skinner, during our sophomore year. After being single for many semesters, I was ready to date again and decided to pull out all the stops to do something I had never done for a woman before — cook dinner.

When it comes to cooking, I am a few beans short of a three-bean salad. Most nights I’m lucky to even remember to add the packet of powdered chicken to my ramen. Thankfully, the fine people at General Mills have solved that problem for me. Even though I knew it would not be the most impressive thing to serve a woman on the first date, I felt Hamburger Helper was enough to show off my cooking abilities: boiling water, stirring things with a spoon and not turning the house into a towering inferno — you know, all those manly things a lady wants. I spent the afternoon before our date cleaning the kitchen, setting the table and trying not to have a heart attack.

When Karrie arrived that evening, I unveiled my master plan of romance to her. Not only was I cooking dinner for her, but we were also going to take a walk to get the ingredients from the local butcher. In reply, Karrie pulled out a tissue and, blowing her nose, made a sound like a tuba player trying to dislodge a bucket’s worth of gelatin from his instrument. With red eyes and the general appearance of one of the undead, Karrie was in no shape to go anywhere. But trying to stay positive, I told her to buck up, and we walked down the street to the butcher shop.

It was at that point God decided to punish me for everything I had ever done wrong. The sky grew cloudy, thunder rumbled and before we were even to the end of the block, it started raining. This was not the gentle summer rain I might have expected.

Oh no, this was the kind of rain that happened after Noah collected two of every animal. We braved the storm and made it into the butcher shop. Karrie was

so drenched that she looked almost cartoonish, and at any moment I expected her to pull an oversized mallet from behind her back to whack me with until all I could do was slink away like an accordion.

She was cold, she was wet, she was sick, and while I have never proven it, I swear she was planning to murder me for making her go out. Still, I had confidence that my plans for dinner would be enough to quell her anger, so I purchased my ingredients and turned to leave. Outside the butcher shop, the storm had become a monsoon. We wasted no time running through the rain and shed our wet coats as soon as we got back to my house.

If any romantic justice existed, then the horrors would have ended there. Instead, I proceeded to cook. I browned the meat, boiled the pasta and made the sauce. Just as I was about to combine the ingredients, Karrie asked, “Aren’t you forgetting something?” I did a mental check and could think of nothing. She continued, “You are going to drain the grease off the meat, right?” I told her I did this all the time and never drained the meat. She acquiesced, and I finished making the meal.

But it turned out that she was correct. My father is a hunter, which means most of the meat we have around the house is deer meat, which does not need to be drained. Ground beef, on the other hand, certainly does. As I stared into the pan that was supposed to contain my glorious meal, a mass of grease rose to the top as if to say, “I’m here, not deer. Get used to it.”

Karrie was the lucky one. By that point, she could neither breathe through her nose nor taste the oily monstrosity I served to her. I, on the other hand, endured spoonful after spoonful until my stomach threatened to switch places with my tonsils. As the night came to a close, I shifted my attention to disposing tissues and providing warm drinks to help Karrie combat her cold. By then, I had no illusions of saving the evening romantically, but Karrie had other ideas. She asked when we would go out again. I said soon and promised to do a better job of planning — maybe dinner out somewhere with flowers and dessert and dancing. Whatever I decided, she made me promise one thing — not to cook.

craig keepes l essayist

Are you human?

Y

N

Cool!

Say hi to the Man in the Moon for us!

Are you literate?

N

Y

Go hit the books!

We’ll wait.

N Your loss.

Bye!

N You are. It’s the only student-run magazine at UE. Intrigued?

Y

Did you know you’re holding the monthly Crescent in your hands?

Y Look at you, trendsetter.

Read on!

Keep calm and read on!

To advertise, call us today at (812) 488–2223 or 488–2221 or e-mail us at crescentadvertising@evansville.edu.

In an effort to give back to the Evansville community, this month’s spotlight nonprofit organization is Tri-State Alliance.

tes a u d

!

ra T G n E g rin Ev tion p y S Da radua on i t o n T w ings G Atte Th l l a or f p Sho p o St

-

One

5 & 2 .

B fE M –7 P

4

way riDG

6 2 . fEB M P 3 – 11 nTEr E

iT y C

ErS Univ

SEniorS: • Connect with an alumni resource to help you adjust to your new location and the next phase of your professional journey.

TakE CarE of BUSinESS: • Register for graduation in the Registrar’s Office • Purchase your cap and gown and order announcements in the Bookstore

• Access the entire UE online Community of 29,000 alumni.

• Receive your ‘key’ to the future at graduation that symbolizes your strong connection with UE. • Receive career and campus info through the Graduate enewsletter.

UE ConnECT allowS yoU To: • Join the UE Student–alumni Mentoring Program.

• Learn more about the Alumni Association in the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations

• Participate in the Mentor Speaker Series luncheon.

• Receive career and job guidance in the Center for Career Development

• Connect to the UE alumni linkedin page.

• Sign Up for the Senior Gift Campaign in the Office of Annual Giving

• Access the UE Professional network to gain an alumni as an unofficial career adviser.

UE Connect is a collaborative effort between the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations and the Center for Career Development.

www.evansville.edu/ueconnect Download Crib Sheet — the UE app — for up-to-date campus news and info on all sorts of life decisions.