Ashlee Seaton
Editor-in-Chief
Blake Walker
Managing Editor
Linnea Hietala
Assignment Editor
Jesus Martinez-Aviles
Assignment Editor
Carly McCoy
Assignment Editor
Mayeli Jimenez
Chief Photographer
Donminic Goosby
Photo Editor
Erin Nossaman
Photo Editor
Ashlyn Miller
Design Editor
4: Vikings On The Rise
Written by: Austin Elbert
6: Flix Brewhouse
Written by: Donminic Goosby
10: Avatar 2: James Cameron Does It Again
Written by: Noah Huff
12: Sustainable Fashion
Written by: Linnea Hietala
Hello Vikings! Welcome to our first issue of the Spring 2023 semester! We had many exciting events held here at GVU ranging from new traditions to athletic successes. Our amazing editors, photographers, graphic designer and new social media team have been able to capture everything happening on and off GVU’s campus. Starting right away on page 4, Austin Elbert shows off the success our Women’s Basketball team has had this year with a brand new coaching staff. Jesus Martinez-Aviles shares on pages 20-23 “The Progress of PRIDE” on and off campus and the new bills that are being added here in Iowa and around the nation. On pages 26 and 27 Samantha Hallaway opens the door to GV Glo but in the perspective of staff and faculty. Then take a look at GVU’s new tradition “Skolfest,” on pages 28 and 27 to hear what Isaac Kam and fellow GVU students have to say about the tradition’s first year. After all the reading, check out some springthemed games at the end to win prizes! Thank you to all of the students, faculty and staff who participated in this magazine, which will be the largest issue that Viewfinder has ever published!
14: The Spanish Major’s Official Stay
Written by: Gloria Hackett
16: Tell Us Your Love Story
Written by: COMM 352 Feature Writing Students
18: Get To Know Pt I: GVU Club Presidents
Written by: Jordan Lipinski
20: The Progress of Pride
Written by: Jesus Martinez-Aviles
24: Spirituals Review
Written by: Charlie Deyoe-Synder
26: Here we Glo Again!
Written by: Sami Holoway
28: Skolfest: Partial Success
Written by: Isaac Kam
30: Ted’s Coney Island
Written by: Gloria Hackett
32: Momentus Mental Health
Written by: Lauren Myli
34: Des Moines Breakerz
Written by: Megan Mitchell
36: Editors Corner
Written by: Your Very Own Editors
38: RA Experience: From Freshman to Senior Dorms
Written by: Rune Petersen
40: Meet the ESAs On Campus
Written by: Ungwa Itabelo
42: The Good and the Bad: Rate My Professor
Written by: Carly McCoy
44: Cookies & Dreams
Written by: Noah Huff
45: Fun and Games
Submit for a prize!
Grand View University is home to 1,874 students, 40 academic majors, over 40 clubs and organizations, and 26 top-notch athletic teams. One of the teams flying the Viking flag is the Women’s Basketball team. In the 20222023 season alone the Women’s Basketball Team has amassed 19 wins, averaging 72.4 points per game, a free throw percentage of 71.4, and averages 34.8 rebounds and 14.5 assists per game, all within a season of momentous change in the player’s roster and the coach’s roster, too.
This season marks the first time Head Coach Jasmine Stohr has been at the helm of the Grand View Women’s basketball team. Stohr comes to GVU after assistant coaching at Briar Cliff University, but as Stohr tells it,
this was not her first rodeo.
“About six years ago, I came through a sixth-grade boys’ team to start with, and it was awesome, and it kind of reignited my passion for coaching. Then I went to the University of Providence in Great Falls, Montana, and then onto Idaho State, and then Briar Cliff for two years.”
While at Briar Cliff, Stohr was a part of the coaching staff that took their basketball team from notable to nationally ranked, and she hopes to do the same now that she is a Viking.
“You know there’s a rich history, which I just enjoy being a part of and being able to add to and being a part of making my own history with the group that we have.” Stohr also said that the team “would love to make deep national tournament runs, and
that was one of the goals this year is let’s make it to nationals and use that as our push to success night in, night out.”
Stohr is not alone in crafting a new vision for the basketball team either. Along with this being her first year as head coach, she is also joined by a new assistant coach and graduate assistant. There are also some fresh faces on the team, too. After the 2021-22 season, the Women’s Basketball team graduated a lot of talented seniors, and underclassmen had their chance to step up. One of those underclassmen is junior point guard Ellie Rengstorff who can attest to Coach Stohr’s claims of the many adjustments the team has had to make.
“[This is the] first year with Jasmine and she’s been great. Personally, I played less minutes
last year because we had Maddie, who was our point guard, and a fantastic leader.
I’ve kind of had to fill her shoes a little bit. Jasmine has helped so much just with calming nerves and being an open communicator and a great coach on and off the court.”
One of the goals the Women’s Basketball team tries to pursue off the court is their commitment to academic success. Using study tables for freshmen and transfers to help acclimate to the fast-paced life of a student-athlete, and just being able to help each other teammate to teammate.
Rengstorff also has some advice for those looking to enter collegiate athletics.
“Make sure you get to all your classes because it’s really easy to skip. Make sure, if you have an extra hour of downtime to study.”
Rengstorff also said that time management is key. “I guess just learning time management and what works best for you. It’s a little different for every girl on the team.”
Rengstorff was not the only player who had advice, sophomore guard, Ella Larsen, said that an email is a fantastic way to get ahead.
“It’s important to reach out before everything gets piled onto you,” said Larsen. “College is definitely way different than high school so it’s hard to get used to, so just asking for a helping hand is really important.”
While the team loves to win, they are no strangers to losses, but while many might think of a loss as a failure, the girls on the Women’s Bas -
ketball team see this as one of their driving factors.
“You look at like Central Methodist and you look at Clark, they’re top 10 teams in the nation, and we’ve competed with them, yeah, a loss is a loss, right? But the fact that we’re competing with those teams gives the team confidence to give everything that we’ve got against any opponent.,” said Stohr.
Despite all the wins and the losses, the long bus rides, and the crazy schedules in the end the girls are all family. They love to hang out, make jokes, and support one another through “thick or thin” as Rengstorff puts it.
“We aren’t the fastest. We aren’t the strongest but win games because we do the little things right. And we always do things for each other because that’s going to leave a winning legacy behind.”
A legacy is a tricky thing to craft, and it takes time and effort, but if the team keeps doing the trivial things right, there is no doubt that their legacy will be set in stone for years to come.
By Dom Goosby |
When I was asked to go to Flix Brewhouse, I thought it was just a bar owned by someone with the nickname ‘Flick’ that tries to brew their own beer. For those of you not familiar with Flix Brewhouse, it is a movie theater that provides reclining chairs, and a bar where you can order a drink and food. One thing that I found cool was that they serve food during the movies. Between the reclining movie seats and the in-house service, Flix Brewhouse is also known more for its mixed cocktails and their beer.
Due to being a broke college student I only enjoyed their dining service and not their movie service. I ordered one of their
|bacon cheeseburgers, a margarita pizza, and one of their beers called lucha libre which won an award before at a taste competition. To be honest the presentation of the food was great, but the real test is the taste. I usually don’t drink beer when I eat but that lucha libre beer is something I 10/10 recommend. It didn’t have a bitter or watery taste like most of y’all college kids like. The pizza barley got touched due to me getting full, but they do allow to-go boxes. I was very upset with myself about having to ask for a to-go box. My overall experience was great. Flix is definitely somewhere that you can take friends and just hangout.
“I love it when people who haven’t been here ask me what’s good to drink here and I usually recommend one of our house specials. ” - Flix Bartender
“Flix is a good place to go if you want high quality seating, food, and overall movie experience. ”
- Flix Customer
By Noah Huff
“The way of water has no beginning and no end. The sea is around you and within you. The sea is your home –before your birth, and after your death. Our hearts beat in the womb of the world, our breath burns in the shadow of the deep. The sea gives, and the sea takes. Water connects all things, life to death, darkness to life.”
This quote is the mantra for the film, Avatar 2: The Way of Water. The film brings us back to the breath-taking world of Pandora after 13 long years.
I am of course talking about James Cameron’s latest film triumph since the first installment of the series.
The Way of Water is the follow up film to Avatar released in 2009, the highest grossing film for the box office, bringing in over $2.9 billion dollars.
The original film explores the rich history of nature in Pandora’s forests whereas in this film, the journey takes us to the deep depths of the seas of Pandora. Let’s dive into this movie.
Fifteen years after the first movie, we return to the main leads and lovers
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) who are now parents to four children, the noble and responsible Netetyam (Jamie Flatters), the curious and enigmatic Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), then there is the reckless and outcast Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), and finally the youthful and sweet Tuk (Trinity Bliss) accompanied by a human raised by the Na’vi, the wild and crazy Spider (Jack Champion) changes the characters whole dynamic of the first film by giving our protagonists a family that they need to provide for and protect while being hunted by the humans when they return after 15 years of peace.
The family are forced to leave the only home they ever known as they are hunted by recently resurrected Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) and his battalion of military trained avatars. To save their tribe Jake needs
to retire as the chief and seek refuge amongst the island’s faring water tribes of the Na’vi.
The Sully’s are tasked with learning how to adapt to a foreign way of life that forces them to be proficient in the water when their bodies make them more adapt for living among the trees. They prove to be able to pull their weight by the end and are accepted as members of the water tribe.
Unlike previous movies directed by James Cameron that focus on the dangers and fear of the ocean such as his massive hit Titanic (1997) and the Abyss (1989) starring Ed Harris, the Way of Water illustrates Cameron’s love for the sea with a diverse ecology of animals and vibrant colors that convey a place of wonder and amazement that is inviting with a personality that makes this diverse ecosystem another character within the movie.
Cameron also uses the movie as a statement piece about
animal poaching, specifically the threat and danger of whaling. The whale species in the film are connected to the water tribe of the Na’vi by bonding to them and they are connected for their whole lives. When the humans show up to the islands, they are tasked with capturing and killing these creatures only to harvest a single bottle of brain fluid that makes humans ageless.
“You very well feel the very emotion of the scene when they are hunting the whales.” Josh Greenwood said.
Greenwood is a close friend of mine and went to go see the film with me. Later, we discussed how Cameron illustrates the problem with poaching and how Cameron’s beautiful cinematography helps convey a disturbing statement on the history of humans not just in the film but in the real world, too.
“They do a wonderful job conveying how beautiful the entire place
is and how beautiful these animals are. And how destructive the force of man is... I mean right away as man gets there you see them destroying everything around them. You see them killing animals just because they can and you see them going out of their way to take a very small piece of the animal,” Greenwood said.
This is parallel to the terrible acts that happen to rhinos when poachers attack them. All they want is their horn that is made of ivory. Most of them die and if they don’t, they are left without their only source of protection and will die or be an outcast.
Cameron also does a wonderful job of illustrating the beauty and magic of the world of Pandora and its inhabitants by using vibrant colors and imagery that makes it a magical place to inhabit and attracts the audience to want to be there. He contrasts this and symbolizes what the humans want by use of neutral colors, the use of ma-
chinery and the fact that they destroy nature rather than admire it or be at one with it.
Even though the movie is a gorgeous film to look at, it is enhanced by the three-hour-long musical score by Simon Franglen. The film boasts a daunting runtime of three and a half hours to get through. The slow parts are crucial to the story as it helps build depth and a connection to the new characters we are introduced to in the film.
Overall, Avatar 2 the Way of Water is a cinematic masterpiece with statements of natural beauty that will make you feel wonder, happiness, and sadness. Avatar 2 the Way of Water: come explore the world of James Cameron like you have never seen before coming soon to Disney+.
| Photos from Google Creative Commons | Designed by Ashlee SeatonIn an era of environmental degradation, the demand for an eco-conscious future is inevitable.
For the fashion industry, this means a push for sustainability.
Sustainability in fashion refers to the ethical, environmental, and socioeconomic impact of a garment from its creation to its disposal.
There is more pressure than ever for brands to develop increasingly sustainable practices. Along with this comes an epidemic of greenwashing. Greenwashing is the term used when a brand claims to have sustainable or eco-friendly practices without verification or proof.
Joanna Schroder, public relations professor at Grand View University and environmental science expert, explains how to spot greenwashing.
“Companies who are open and honest about [sustainability] are going to publish it. You can go to their website and follow the process from where they are sourcing that material, how that material is grown, and who their partners are,” said Schroder. “All the way through their production and shipping process. If they are not disclosing that, they are greenwashing.
The ease with which companies lack honesty about their practices is partly due to the slew of misinformation regarding sustainability. In other words, consumers who value sustainability need to direct concerns to the systems put in place that allow for “green” practices.
“We actually don’t have enough facilities in the country to take everything being recycled and actually recycle it. We have more materials going into
recycling than we can actually recycle ... It is a very small percentage. I think in all the plastics being recycled it’s less than 10 percent,” said Schroeder. “When we’re looking at sustainability, we are going to have to look at our recycling system and build more facilities that recycle the materials.”
With increased demand, comes increased supply.
“The companies can produce it, but if the consumers don’t buy it, they are going to stop producing it. Whenever you’re going to develop a new technology, it’s going to be more expensive,” said Schroeder. “You have to have consumers who pay more, and as they pay more, then the companies can produce more. And as the companies produce more and improve, the technology will be less expensive.”
Owner of Active Endeavors, an outdoor apparel and gear shop with a sustainable purpose, Jason Juehring describes this difficulty further.
“It’s not always the snap of a finger, like ‘I want to switch today.’ It’s not feasible. There’s also an element of consumers wanting everything instantly perfect. We want everything to be perfect, and made from recycled, sustainable, recyclable materials. But it’s not always that easy,” said Juehring. “Thankfully in the outdoor space, if you’re not telling some sort of sustainability story, you’re probably going to get left out, lost, or left behind. We want to make sure that we’re proud of the products we are presenting to our customers. And it’s certainly gotten easier, because [sustainability] has become more main-
stream, and much more of an important corporate position to be in.”
To achieve a true sustainable future, companies need to be open and honest about their production. And consumers need to be educated.
“Patagonia switched to organic cotton 30 years ago and the first comment was ‘isn’t cotton organic?’ That was the first response for most people, especially growing up in an agricultural state where most of our land is used for the production of crops. ‘Cotton is organic right?’’ Well, no. So, it was an explanation of what it means to be organic. It is not dumping a bunch of chemicals on fields to make things grow, killing everything else in the process,” Juehrig said.
Yet another barrier stands between sustainability and consumers: Unnecessary politicization.
“Unfortunately, it’s very easy to politicize common sense issues. The environment is a common sense issue, to me. We are consuming raw materials and resources way faster than we can reproduce and replace them. I think we get very comfortable and complacent in our little bubble. It comes down to providing resources to educate people about the importance of why you want something made from recyclable material, grown organically, and treated fairly. If we don’t start to care enough, soon enough we will be living in a trash dump,” Juehrig said.
The intention behind the sustainability movement is in its name. We are moving away from the unsustainable practices of the past to develop sustainable practices for the future.
At some point, sustainability is not going to be a choice, it is going to be a necessity.
But before that can happen, the stigma surrounding sustainability as an elitist practice needs to be eliminated. It is easy to see where sustainability gets its elitist title. To those used to fast fashion—which is realistically the vast majority of the population—the price tags of sustainable products are higher than what most are accustomed to paying. It is associated with luxury and privilege.
“As more and more people get into sustainability, it becomes less elitist. There is also this perception
of sustainability that you’re a hippy. That you don’t shower or that you don’t use deodorant, that comes back from the ‘70s that we still have to overcome. We have to change the messaging,” said Schroeder. “We have to continue to change that messaging and represent the person as an average, everyday person, instead of this elitist influencer. And we can’t bully people into being sustainable. That never works. We need to just encourage people.”
Rejecting the normalized overconsumption cycle of fast fashion in favor of fewer pieces that are long-lasting, ethically made, and environmentally friendly is a better
solution for all.
The fast fashion industry has become convoluted. When sourced by far-away countries, it is easy to ignore unethical production as exploitation within the supply chain runs rampant.
Considering the grossly underpaid workers in dangerous conditions and use of low-quality, oftentimes toxic, materials is the opposite of elitist. The wall standing between production and consumers that blocks all the “bad” is the definition of elitist.
In February 2022, a huge possibility arose that left uncertainty at Grand View University. It was announced that the Spanish major was being heavily considered to not be offered to students anymore. Questions such as, ‘Why would such an important major go?’ sparked fear and concern in students and faculty. Assistant Professor of Spanish, Amy Schumann, felt the shock as did many Spanish major students.
“My initial reaction was... shock, and disbelief, and disappointment. Because I didn’t think that was kind of the way that we were headed with the Spanish program. I just had thought we were actually going the opposite way with growing it,” Schumann said.
Schumann’s students felt similarly with the surprise. This unsettling news was blocking the major’s plans for their future path.
“My students were kind of the same way. They were upset and confused, and then at the same time it was tricky because once we were told that the Spanish major was going to be cut, we weren’t allowed to promote a Spanish major,” said Schumann. “So you had students that were trying to possibly think about getting a major and making that decision in a week’s time because they wanted to get in before it was gone.”
The scare turned into relief
in November when an email was sent out by Carl Moses, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, announcing to all students and faculty that the plan of discontinuing the Spanish major was officially dropped and that interested students could declare the major. The turn of events brought back hope and joy after months of facing the uncertainty and loss of hope for the major.
“I’m just thankful. I believe in things happening for a reason and so I just feel like in my life, God had that happen for a reason. I was supposed to learn how to navigate that situation at the time and then take those skills and apply them to my new situation,” Schumann said.
According to the UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Institute, “Latinos have been the largest contributors to the U.S. population growth, accounting for 54% of the growth.”
leges. In respect to this, Schumann is passionate about teaching the Spanish language here at GVU and expressing how knowing Spanish is important.
“I always ask the question, what career would you not be using Spanish in at some point in your life? I can’t think of a reason why you wouldn’t need to know another language, especially Spanish, just because of the Latino demographics that are growing in our area,” Schumann said.
If a Spanish major does not fit your schedule, there are other ways to learn Spanish at some level in the community.
“I would definitely recommend it as a major, but if you can’t do it as a major, I’d say do it at some level," said Schumann. "So if you can’t do a major, then do a minor and get that experience, if you can’t even do a minor then try to do a couple of different classes."
The report also mentioned that the Latino population has grown most rapidly in the South and Midwest. This growth is the reason why it is so crucial to have the Spanish major in Iowa universities and col-
There are additional ways you can incorporate learning the Spanish language at GVU. Just one example is taking a Spanish class specific to your major. GVU’s Spanish club is also a great option if you do not have room for Spanish classes but want to practice Spanish in your free time. The Spanish club welcomes students of any Spanish level and gives the opportunity to take part in community and cultural activities.
“I’m just thankful. I believe in things happening for a reason and so I just feel like in my life, God had that happen for a reason.”
- Amy Schumann
The love story of two individuals from opposite worlds who fall in love with differences that should set them apart. Their love started out in their teenage years, having nothing but time ahead of them. Their love story was constantly tested in the beginning, but it only made their connection stronger. Black love is a powerful thing, having the challenges of the world in their forefront. Their love being put on display for family and friends to judge. A Love that’s built on transparency.
-Jayda Allen
A couple of days before my 16th birthday my family and I went to an animal shelter and there was one dog that had captured my attention, it was a black Labrador. A feeling of warmth rushed over me as I felt this was the perfect dog, but my family decided that the dog was not the best fit for us. When my family came across the Border Collie and Labrador mix puppies, they captured my family’s hearts. It wasn’t love at first sight for me, but now I can’t imagine having a different dog to share life with.
To my Spark,
Life is dull without you or the kids, the fire that built us has diminished and the lack of even a spark has made my heart cold. I miss the chaos of deciphering where the flames would fly to. Our love was a strong fire that went out of our control and destroyed our world. I miss our ability to control it before the fire had hurt you.
Please let me light our fire with a match this time instead of gasoline. Come home.
-Ashlee Seaton -Erick VillarBy 2004 my sister was part of the national volleyball team of the Dominican Republic but couldn’t make it to travel abroad. I managed to make it by 2018. For my first international competition, I returned with a second-place trophy and two individual awards. Then, I moved to Iowa, where I’ve been a back-toback national champion, plus the chance to climb to a professional level. Who would’ve thought that my passion for volleyball started when I noticed how happy my sister was while playing. Following her legacy has become the engine of my life.
They met in late August when the leaves started to turn golden colors incomparable to other seasons. The air felt cool and created the feeling of aspiring compassion and lasting memories. He went for her hand, and she hesitated the urge to extend hers. She looked up and saw the trees sway in the breeze and felt the sensation of cool air on her arms. He looked up as well and smiled as he turned back to her. With a slight grin, she took a breath, reached out, and took his hand into hers for the first time.
-Blake WalkerLove puts on a front of complexity when it is relatively simple. They say not to fear as comfort lies in the small ways people experience love, reminders littering the mind. The color of my coffee reminded me of her eyes. The sting of the winter air reminded me of his sarcastic humor. I could get lost in reminders, but I do not want to lose myself in this complacent nature. Being bisexual is not the best of both worlds, but the duality of the friend zone—the power couple of fear and love, willing to make you a complacent admirer.
-Robyn Ehrhardt -Jordan LipinskiGrand View University club presidents are individuals that impact student and campus life through their leadership. From about twenty-two total active clubs, seven student leaders were interviewed. In this first series of Get To Know GVU Club Presidents, read about inspiring stories that help provide insight on what it takes to be a student leader.
Jesus Martinez-Aviles is a second-year student from the Des Moines area. A private university on the East side of town was one of the deciding factors that drew Martinez-Aviles to GVU.
“We focus on culture, different religions, gender and sexuality, holiday celebrations, and different causes...we like to attend to everything we can,” Martinez-Aviles said when addressing the mission of the club.
Martinez-Aviles is an individual who focuses on growth in many aspects. Being a student leader and branching out on campus has helped him increase and meet his goals for growth.
Martinez-Aviles strives to lead Diversity Alliance by “increasing visibility towards all of these types of identities.”
Rae Beebe is the leader of the Social Work club, with a drive for social justice in the GVU community. Beebe is part of the student population at GVU that started their college education as older adults. Therefore, Beebe's journey is unique and has come with struggles as a student leader.
"I don't need to be the boss; I just want to be there to push things along," Beebe said when discussing her opinion and goals within this leadership role.
The social work club aims to advocate for and help the GVU community. Organization truly is vital for Beebe as a student leader. Her organizational skills not only help Beebe but other students who look to her for knowledge.
Raylie Whipple is the president of APO Alpha
Psi Omega, or Theatre Honors club, in her last semester at GVU. After being set on the idea that college was not for her, Whipple was exposed to GVU through her now husband and leaped to apply. Whipple is soon graduating after serving APO as a member and is now president. The environment of APO has made a second home for those involved in theatre and the GVU theatre department.
“It is not us versus them. It is us with them,” Whipple said in describing the environment between all the clubs and organizations on the GVU campus. The various clubs on campus all share at least one goal, which is to impact campus and student life in a positive way. Whipple is a charismatic and kind leader who inspires students to leave APO in good graces with the means to continue providing a community around the theatre.
Kallista Larson is a third-year student on GVU studying Biology/ Pre-Med. Larson is the president of Pre-SOMA club, which stands for Students of the Osteopathic Medicine Association, which is also affiliated with Des Moines University’s SOMA Club as well. The Pre-SOMA club here at GVU drew Larson’s attention due to its alignment with her studies. Working to provide opportunities for students looking for a future in healthcare, Larson takes an approach of support through the club. Developing opportunities is essential. However, Larson aims to be “student-oriented” for healthcare students. She wants also to impact the social environments within the Pre-Med and Biology program at GVU.
“This club is a comfortable place,” Larson said in describing goals for the club. Larson wants to continue to create a sense of community among those studying Biology and PreMed. Student leadership is not only focused on personal goals and attributes but also the best interests of the GV community.
Katy Crowley is president of GVU Pride and recently voted as co-president of the club with Dalton Dencklau. Crowley is a native Iowan from the Des Moines area and transferred to GVU in 2022. Crowley is studying social work with a minor in theatre after being drawn to the theatre department. She touched on what GVU Pride is working on, from gender-inclusive bathrooms to events, in preparation for pride month in June. April will be packed with GVU Pride events to prep students while they are on campus for celebrating Pride Month off-campus. Safe spaces may not be a guarantee for those of different identities, and even the GVU community is no stranger to various forms of discrimination.
“We want to create a brave space,” Crowley said in describing her goals in leadership. She wants to inspire people of all sexual orientations to be brave and advocate for their rights to a safe space.
“I’m just pretty vocal and loud about who I am,” Crowley said.
Crowley’s ‘vocal’ and ‘loud’ presence will continue to help her impact the campus community.
According to Martinez-Aviles, the desired outcome of this is to expose students to diverse identities they may not usually interact with.
Diversity Alliance views new ideas and interacts within the group by creating a comfortable environment where people can bring pieces of their culture and identity forward.
“I feel like it is important to give it our all... and not just execute something halfbaked,” Martinez-Aviles said.
Martinez-Aviles has much more in store and continues to focus on highlighting individuals and the diverse community that makes up GV.
"I am ‘team them,’” Beebe said when discussing how enthusiastic she is to tackle her goals and support other students in the GVU community. In stating ‘team them,’ Bebbe is referring to being a team player when it comes to the interaction that she and APO have with other clubs on campus.
Providing support has been a central vision for Beebe in this role and within the campus community. Being a voice and stepping forward to represent individuals in the campus community is how Beebe will continue to influence GVU's campus dynamic and atmosphere.
Gracie Kriegel is a second-year student at GVU studying graphic design and studio arts. Due to being from the Des Moines area, “Grand View just kept coming up,” Kriegel said when describing what drew her to study at GVU. She was influenced by those in the community and their support of GVU and their programs.
Kriegel is president of the Best Buddies Chapter GV and wanted to introduce and impact GVU. Best Buddies is an international non-profit organization focusing on helping people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities by providing the opportunity for those individuals to socialize and gain experiences with others in the campus community. This chapter influences a specific section of the campus community by bringing social events and opportunities to light. For those significantly impacted by things out of their control, Best Buddies wants to give power and support to them in their college journeys.
“I know how heartbreaking it is to feel like you don’t fit in,” Kriegel said.
Kriegel described her compassion and drive to help individuals have the same opportunities to do fun events and engage with others at GVU. Kriegel is a student leader driven by understanding and continues to use her opportunities to create opportunities.
In the early weeks of the 2021-2022 school year, Grand View University’s Pride Club became active once again. However, a few months into 2023, Iowa Legislature voted against LGBTQIA+ visibility in public schools. ‘LGBTQIA+’ is an acronym used to describe individuals that identify as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual LGBTQIA+ communities in Iowa and their allies are concerned about how this will affect academic settings and lives. Visibility and representation for these individuals are important so that they may be seen, heard, and welcome in all spaces.
GVU Pride became inactive when the pandemic hit back in 2020. Two years later, Social Work major and Theatre minor Katy Crowley took the reins of presidency for Pride. Crowley is involved in other clubs on campus such as Diversity Alliance, Alpha Psi Omega (APO) Theatre Club, and the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Women’s Empowerment Club. Crowley's involvement has
allowed her to build relationships on campus along with creating spaces she feels are necessary for all students.
With the thought of leaders coming and going, Crowley envisions a GVU Pride club that is built by current and future leaders alike, all working together for the same goal of keeping the spirit of Pride alive at Grand View.
“We don’t have to be perfect. We will give it our best and we will learn from our mistakes,” Crowley said.
GVU Pride is also open to students who want to engage in diverse environments where LGBTQIA+ people are celebrated and accepted. Crowley explains the limitations when it comes to learning more about the LGBTQIA+ community.
“If you have any questions about who we are, I am personally comfortable answering them. Not everyone member of the LGBTQ+ community can and will say that,” Crowley said.
Crowley has been able to abide by GVU Pride’s mission statement which is to be “... a brave space for anyone... we want to create a safe space for all sexualities, gender identities, and those questioning or curious,” Crowley said.
The overall goal of the club is to fully support students who seek to express themselves in whatever way they desire.
“If you are curious, or just an ally and supportive, or if you’re not ready to be out yet, we are welcoming to
scared of it because I hadn’t seen any representation of it… it just really wasn’t out there,” Crowley said.
The lack of representation Crowley is talking about may be a reason why many feel fear with the idea of coming out, or even being associated with anything having to do with LGBTQIA+ individuals.
“I felt very scared and alone as a kid. I felt like I couldn’t come out for many reasons, and just the reason that nobody else seemed to feel the way the I felt,” Crowley said.
anyone embraces our mission statement,” Crowley said.
Crowley is an advocate for safe spaces, which is a place or feeling where there is no opposition, challenges, or discrimination to one's personal beliefs or morals. Crowley acknowledges this may not always be guaranteed. She is realistic as to what GVU Pride can provide for students.
“I cannot promise that space to people on campus because I never know who is going to show up saying what,” Crowley said.
Despite not knowing the outcomes of advocating for safe spaces, Crowley attempts to execute her leadership in a way that creates unity and a sense of community for people to belong. Crowley additionally mentions the importance of brave spaces, which she believes is an essential environment where people can, “... feel comfortable being able to speak up in advocating for themselves and sharing their experiences and beliefs and who they are.”
Providing these safe spaces is something vital to the unity and progress of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Unfortunately, there are many in the community who may suffer trauma from having their identity suppressed at a young age.
“I literally thought I was going to burn in hell as a child because I recognized the fact that I had this attraction towards women, and I was really
risk and implications,” Call said.
Despite possible risks, Call upholds the Pride mission statement and shares the same vision and goals as Crowley. Pride may have hardships like any other team yet Call reassures that Pride is under strong leadership.
Despite these unfortunate feelings and events Crowely experienced, she has built an affinity space where people with similar experiences, or even moral support, may join.
“It’s the little moments in the meetings that I enjoy the most, of just people coming to the meetings and speaking out for who they are when they don’t necessarily do that in other spaces, that they can identify with certain pronouns within our club, or they can identify with certain names in our club. I’m really proud of that,” Crowley said.
“We are adamant about making sure that the people in the space and who come to us, are welcome, supported, and included. It is a space that does not engage in the rhetorical dismissiveness that we see in the world around us, and we police that very heavily,” Call said.
Call ensures that Pride has dedicated itself to being open to students so that they may have a space where they feel comfortable thriving in their identities, whatever they may be.
topics in the classroom regarding LGBTQIA+ representation, which is not limited to sexual orientation and identity.
This bill targets k-12 grade levels and consists of a restriction against teachers approving a student's preferred pronouns and gender identity if it is not the same as what is stated on their birth certificate.
English professor and Pride Advisor Dr. Joshua Call has been with the club for 13 years now. According to Call, there have been many faculty and staff that have worked closely with Pride. However, most of them have either retired or moved on to other positions. Call now currently co-advises with social work professor, Myke Selha.
When speaking over how the political backlash on LGBTQIA+ has recently increased, Call explained how clubs that focus on LGBTQIA+ lives are essential. However, having a group dedicated to something important and relevant may carry some risks.
“Groups like Pride become more necessary, but it becomes harder for students to want to be visible in Pride because it requires them to essentially be out, be visible, be potentially targeted, and that carries with it a lot of
“It is a space for people to both come because they know who they are and who they want to be, and it’s a space for people to come and get information and ask questions and be secure in being able to ask and learn because they need a space to do that without reprisal or judgment,” Call said.
Clubs that focus on LGBTQIA+ individuals are not only open for members that are directly a part of that community, but for their allies as well. Allies play a vital role when it comes to the progress of Pride.
“Pride is fantastic in that it is both open to people in the community, but also to allies, who want to be good allies and learn how to be good allies,” Call said.
However, there are many in power who may be opposed to the sorts of association and visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals. In January 2023, House File 8 was introduced by Iowa Republican legislators. The bill is targeted towards k-3rd grade students, and its purpose is to prohibit
Similarly, House File 9 was also purposed by Iowa Republican leaders. This bill targets k-12 grade levels and consists of a restriction against teachers approving a student's preferred pronouns and gender identity if it is not the same as what is stated on their birth certificate. The only counteraction to House File 9 is if parents give written consent and vouch for their student’s identity expression. According to Axios, Rep. Skyler Wheeler believes the bill is not meant to target or ‘out’ anyone in specific, if not “stick to what we’ve been teaching.”
According to Wheeler, bills like House File 9 will assist parents in being knowledgeable of their child’s exposure to gender identity and sexual orientation. Both bills apply to a younger demographic. However, there may be future repercussions that affect these students later in their academic and social life. Individuals who do not support either bill argue that these efforts will put transgender students at risk and may cause certain students to be ‘outed,’ if students do not have an at-home support system. Although Call says the bill is attempting to restrict teachers from “indoctrinating K through 3rd graders into a sexual identity,” he also claims that is not the true significance of the bill.
“The point is about trying to control the discourse. The point is about trying to keep people at a young age from acknowledging that these identities even exist,” Call said.
In a diverse world, there may be political strives and social conformity that cause people to not be exposed to certain identities, making them ignorant and therefore oblivious to the diversity that exists around them.
“If you can control a demographic from acknowledging an identity, then what you can create is a population that increasingly over time is redescent to acknowledge the existence and lived realities of others. And if that’s the case, then all of a sudden queerness becomes something that only exists on the margins again,” Call said.
Call explains how learning methods and limitations are guided by those in charge of education policy, therefore putting students at the mercy of Iowa leader’s decisions.
“If you control the educational structure, you can control the dispositions and outcomes. It is quite literally about controlling ideology and all the ways that it says it is not,” Call said.
It is not clear whether the Iowa Republican leaders that proposed House Files 8 and 9 were also in support of banning LGBTQIA+ marriage back in 2009. However, many have speculations on the motives behind legislators stripping this community's fundamental human rights for education, marriage, health, and more. This could prove censorship and prejudice happening to individuals who are LGBTQIA+, therefore making the efforts of allies essential.
“Our job is to be as loud and as vocal as possible about how we are a space that can be safe. About how our job is to create, if you will, a sort of bubble of safety around us. Because the louder we are, the larger that bubble is,” Call said.
Call argues that “queerness is very
clearly under attack.” He states that the work of allies should be against the many struggles this community already faces with people that are not a part of this community. Despite certain Iowa legislators censoring the LGBTQIA+ community, having allies at institutional levels may be smallscale, yet positive work for Pride’s progress in comparison to political efforts.
“I think the university right now is doing a very good job of being open to what it can do. It’s sort of new territory for us. We are being welcomed into conversations. We're being invited into learning spaces. People who are basically willing to learn,” Call said.
ties. This may be the cause for certain individuals' negative connotation of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“The notion that this is something that we have to rebel against is ridiculous, its fallacious, its politically motivated. It has nothing to do with actual reality,” Call said.
Legislation attempting to hide queer identities may be a negative portrayal of queer lives that do in fact exist. Any efforts attempting to hide this reality may provoke both obliviousness and ignorance in generations to come.
“Queerness exists, it has always existed, and it will continue to exist… and you can try and legislate it away. It won’t be successful,” Call said.
The solution to anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation may be to develop firsthand relationships with those in this community, who suffer the day-to-day repercussions of a system actively working against them.
constituents before you try to completely erase who they are,” Crowley said.
The positivity that GVU Pride brings to many students is what creates meaningful relationships. However, this does not always remedy the pain and suffering that the LGBTQIA+ community has faced for many years. Crowley reflects on what it is like to have to hide such a crucial part of your identity, whilst also watching the cycle repeat itself due to a lack of compassion and understanding.
“Its heavy for us… we know what it’s like to be that kid that can’t come out, and we know what it’s like to feel different than your peers, and feel excluded because of who you are, so it's heartbreaking to see that other people have to go through that as well,” Crowley said.
ing student were brought to light.”
Dencklau and Crowley have been working with the institution administration and claim that progressive efforts have been made by the providing of resources and support for proposals that will affect this cause.
within the GVU community.
“My favorite memories from being a part of GVU Pride are the friendships I have made. I always feel accepted and welcomed every time I walk into a meeting or attend a GVU Pride event,” Dencklau said.
Accepting and understanding the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community is asking questions like, ‘What is queerness? What does it look like? What can we provide and support them with?’ GVU is doing a fair job attending to these needs and engaging in conversations for radical change.
Regarding existing progress for LGBTQIA+ visibility, Call believes GVU is “doing a better than average job attending to these needs. That will ebb and flow because that’s what happens when you are advocating for communities on the margin.”
The struggle for equity of LGBTQIA+ individuals is something that stems from the idea that anything other than heteronormativity should be rejected. Heteronormativity is a term used to describe the idea that being ‘straight’ is the ‘default,’ ‘natural’ or ‘normal’ sexual orientation in comparison to queer identi-
“I think, especially in rural places of Iowa, that there just isn’t any of that representation, either because it just doesn’t exist there, or because those people that are in that community aren’t comfortable coming out yet because of the repercussions and backlash if they do so,” Crowley said.
The same lack of representation and awareness for diverse lives may also maintain some individuals uneasy with the idea of someone being ‘out of the closest.’
“They want it back in the closet, and we’re not going back in the closet,” Call said.
Call suggests that a way to better understand LGBTQIA+ individual's is to “talk to people that are actually in the community, people that have transitioned, people that don’t identify as straight.” Doing this means working towards the goal of seeing LGBTQIA+ individuals as humans rather than a political category of people.
“You need to get to know your
Dalton Dencklau has been actively working with GVU Pride since September of 2022 and is co-president with Crowley. Dencklau has been recently granted the position of Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, also known as DEI, of GVU. His work between DEI and GVU Pride may overlap since his advocacy is directed towards “underrepresented students and communities that have been previously marginalized.”
The GVU community deserves to know what the future of LGBTQIA+ visibility on campus looks like. Dencklau ensures that progress is being made for inclusion of queer identities on campus.
“I hope to increase queer visibility on campus while also enhancing my intersectionality to ensure everyone with a diverse background is seen, heard, and appreciated,” Dencklau said.
As of the fall semester of 2022, GVU Pride and Dencklau have made efforts for radical change at the institutional level. LGBTQIA+ friendly housing is one of the efforts they are working towards. According to Dencklau, this idea came forward when, “situations from a gender non-conform-
Gender-neutral restrooms are efforts that Dencklau and GVU Pride have been advocating for since September of 2022 when the idea was brought on by a member in GVU Pride. The idea behind this is that non-binary, transgender, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming individuals feel safe in certain spaces where their identity is seen and heard. When asked about the progress of gender-neutral restrooms at GVU, Dencklau says, “...It’s actually in the works right now. The institution has been a great support of this initiative, providing us with additional resources and ideas to help with this movement.”
Institutional efforts require a team of people who are willing to work together for change. Thankfully, Dencklau has been working closely with Crowley, Dr. Call, Director of Inclusive and Supportive Programming, Steven Kellogg, Selha, Senior Student Affairs Officer, John Howe, Vice President for Administration and Finance, Chris Lee, and Dr. President Rachelle Keck. Dencklau additionally states that Viking Council and Student Life have been supportive of GVU Pride events and generating conversations in support of GVU LGBTQIA+ individuals.
“We appreciate the support we have received so far and are looking forward to increasing visibility on our campus. We thank the advisors of GVU Pride, administration, faculty, staff, and the students of GV for listening to us and helping amplify our voices,” Dencklau said.
Before his co-presidency, Dencklau was a member of GVU Pride and the LGBTQIA+ community for many years. He has found a sense of community in the club which has helped him express himself and find resonance
Dencklau reflects on how essential it is to be a part of a community that celebrates your true authentic identity. GVU Pride has been active and engaged in amplifying the queer voices of Des Moines.
“Finding a safe place within a community of like-minded individuals is so important and it has been one of the reasons I’m fighting so much for queer visibility on this campus,” Dencklau said.
Aside from institutional changes attempting to be made, GVU Pride is hosting events that promote LGBTQIA+ visibility on campus. Events to come soon include drag shows, trivia nights, LGBTQIA+ networking opportunities, LGBTQIA+ advocacy and awareness. The overall goal is for the GVU community to have the opportunity to interact with diverse individuals whose experience may be different from their own. Accepting and understanding other human beings may be a learning opportunity for engaging with the real world after post-secondary education.
“I think the university right now is doing a very good job of being open to what it can do. It’s sort of new territory for us. We are being welcomed into conversations. We’re being invited into learning spaces. People who are basically willing to learn.”
With the release of her fourth album Spirituals, Santi White, also known as Santigold is Philadelphia-born. Santigold stays true to the motifs she’s used since her debut as a solo artist, crafting an impressive project that is both personal and topical. Elements of rock, reggae, pop, hip hop and dance music populate the soundscapes she creates, combining to form a product that would be impossible for anyone to copy successfully.
Santi White, has been active in the music scene since the early two-thousands, as a producer, writer and artist. Through her own work and her collaborations, she has built an image of herself as a professionally versatile, outspoken, and artistically driven woman. Though significant mainstream success has eluded her, she has received near-uniform critical acclaim. Recently, she was even mentioned in Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul (The Queens Remix),” alongside black cultural icons such as Rosetta Tharpe and Grace Jones.
So, how did she reach this level of recognition and creative definition? It wasn’t a quick rise. Throughout her journey to where she is today, Santigold has taken up multiple positions in different parts of the music industry. In the ‘90s, she worked as a talent scout and artist representative for Epic Records. She also cowrote the title track of GZA’s third album “Beneath the Surface”, among other forays into writing and production.
Her first real outing as an artist came in 2001, as the frontwoman of Philly-based punk rock band Stiffed. In their songs, White’s distinctive voice slides over fast riffs and addictive drumbeats, switching from hushed casual tones to energetic vocals with ease. Stiffed failed to make much of an impact beyond the underground scene, but it did catch the attention of Lizard King Records, who offered Santigold a solo contract.
Santigold, the eponymous debut album released in 2007, was White’s first big breakthrough. A variety of music publications praised her for her ability to genrebend, and other larger artists took notice as well.
She has performed shows with the likes of Jay-Z and Kanye West and released collaborations with Drake and Pharrell Williams, among others.
It seems fitting that Santigold’s debut was selftitled, because of how closely linked she is to her own musical evolution. White’s consistent awareness of the nuances of her musical persona and the reactions it elicits has made her career feel unified, despite its ups and downs. She has never shied away from putting her identity into her music, though that identity is constantly and subtly shifting.
The idea that an artist is always present and visible in their work seems like a given but isn’t necessarily true. Janelle Monae for example, who released an EP and two innovative albums as android alter-ego Cindy Mayweather before ever moving into more firmly personal territory. There’s also the less exciting territory of radiofriendly pop music, which often does all it can to erase the presence of a singer in favor of mindless, bland tunes and messages. Santigold distances herself from this kind of pop in her very first single, “Creator,” singing ‘Me, I’m a creator, thrill is to make it up. The rules I break got me a place up on the radar.’
By the time her secondalbum, 2012’s Master of My Make-Believe released White had become a star in her own right and was far from her independent roots. Master of My Make-Believe was criticized as a departure from the sonic freshness that was Santigold, with some arguing that her music’s steady loss of fervor mirrored her rise into the corporate environment of the industry. Granted, there was praise as well, but most regarded Make-Believe as a downgrade from its predecessor.
Going quiet for a few years, White returned in 2016 with 99¢, both a response to criticism and a stunning statement on her beliefs of the way consumerism and advertisement change music, usually for the worse. The cover sees her trapped under
a film of plastic in an uncomfortable, doll-like position, surrounded by colorful junk and objects to be bought or sold. Stand-out tracks “Can’t Get Enough of Myself” and “Big Boss Big Time Business” rejoice in the vanity and absurdity of celebrity, while other outings like “Who I Thought You Were” examine what it means to change as an artist and as a person.
Spirituals is Santigold’s latest since 99¢ six years ago, though she did release I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions in 2018, a mixtape that was notable for its free-flowing dancehall sound. Spirituals is more self-contained than any of her past work, which is likely due in part to it being recorded during the pandemic. Santigold notes that the fraught combination of the virus, the California wildfires and the Black Lives Matter movement urged her to create something, more as an outlet than anything else.
In an interview with The Philadelphia Inquirer, she states “…I just started recording. It was the only place that I got to inhabit my full self. I realized these songs were my way inward, and then up and out.”
White went on to say that she called the album Spirituals because the songs she was creating allowed her to find joy in a painful time, as did the traditional spiritual music of slaves sung in the past. For listeners, the joy of the album comes through in how it manages to act as a culmination of the past decade and a half of Santigold’s musical identity.
Lead single “High Priestess” is a song that would fit in perfectly on Master of My Make-Believe, with its lively beat and confidently assertive lyrics. Positing herself as an immovable musical guardian of sorts, she notes how far she’s ascended and leaves the impression that she has her sights set even higher. With the advances she has made, this image she brings forth is more earned than it would have been a decade ago.
Another high-point has to be the
final song, “Fall First.” The distorted, harsh instrumentation in the background harkens all the way back to her days as the lead singer of Stiffed. Her choice to lean into a harde rock-oriented sound on an album full of light, airier songs may seem out of place, but it works. It is a reminder of Santigold’s versatility and her willingness to explore different genres.
“No Paradise” expands the scope of focus a bit further, tackling broad ideas of social injustice over a deceivingly upbeat backing track. This one is straight from the reggae-infused I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions, and offers a window into the stress that fueled White’s creation of Spirituals. In the pre-chorus, she poses the problem, terrifying and nebulous, singing “People suffering, they suffering. Crush us and they crush again”. The emotions of helplessness against a larger struggle are surprising coming from such a calm-sounding song, but that’s Santigold’s intention. Later in the bridge, she offers a call to action, chanting “Thieve, break, take, more power. Seize, lie, steal, more power”. This chant takes the song from pessimism to hope, and makes all the difference in the message she’s trying to send.
If the album does have anything working against it, it’s that it feels like more of the same. With most of the tracks sharing very similar sounds to previous projects, it’s as if there is no new ground being tread. For all of their faults, past albums like Master of My Make-Believe and I Don’t Want: The Gold Fire Sessions provided steps forward for her as an artist. Spirituals doesn’t make any similar dramatic leaps, instead playing it safe and remaining in areas she knows she is good at.
Despite this, Spirituals is a welcome addition to Santigold’s catalogue for the reflection it provides. It exists as a celebration of her development
and her self, without stating that explicitly.
Most importantly, hearing it makes on wonder what style or genre she’s going to add to her arsenal next, now that she’s effectively mastered so many others. Rather than acting as any kind of victory lap, it is a deeply personal stepping stone towards her future as an artist. Spirituals is out now on all major streaming platforms.
Nothing better summarizes the stereotypical college experience than an on-campus rave. Music blasting, bass loud enough for students to feel in their bones and students standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they sing and dance to EDM. Pair that with a fog machine, lasers, and glow paint being thrown about, and the event sounds straight out of a coming-of-age movie. While it is no wonder that Grand View University students love GV Glo, this appreciation may not be as strong for those left to deal with the chaos following in its wake.
Grand View’s Student Activities Council (SAC) hosted the first GV Glo in the spring of 2011. After the event’s success, it quickly became a campus tradition students look forward to every spring. According to Brady Wagner, senior Business Analytics and Spanish student as well as co-president of
SAC, the event takes months of planning. From securing amenities to considering the coordination of the night, the student organization works hard to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely.
Unfortunately, the event did not happen in 2020 and 2021, due to SAC opting to put a pause to the tradition for the sake of public health. While students were surely sad with the decision, it only added to the anticipation for the events’ return in 2022.
Falling on Thursday, April 7, 2022, GV Glo’s grand reentry was an occasion worth celebrating for the many students who had yet to experience their first Glo. However, the somewhat-organized chaos of the event and memory of GV Glo’s past may have left a bad taste in the mouths of the staff and faculty who witnessed the fallout firsthand.
coming off as students enter the buildings and rowdy behavior which ends with holes in walls, or safety issues, such as combative behavior when non-residents are asked to leave the facility.
To prepare for the activities that take place both prior and following GV Glo, Residence Life treats that Thursday like a typical weekend with four RAs, one Hall Director, and one emergency contact on call; however, two additional Hall Directors are usually willing to provide backup in case multiple incidents occur at the same time. RAs also conducted rounds at 8pm, 11pm and 2am as if it were a weekend.
One RA on duty the night of GV Glo was junior Biochemistry student, Isabelle Juhler. Juhler started as Hull Suite’s second floor RA at the end of January, a position she still holds for the 2022-23 academic year. With her on rounds was fellow junior Biochemistry student, Lucas Kramer, who began his position as Knudsen’s second floor RA that January, making the pair some of the newest members of Residence Life.
The night of GV Glo, Juhler and Kramer completed their 8pm rounds before attending the event. The inside of the tent “pretty crazy,” according to Juhler, causing the duo to feel as though they were two of the few sober participants. Nonetheless, they were able to enjoy the atmosphere while keeping themselves towards the back of the tent in case they were needed.
“I still allowed myself to have a little bit of fun with it, and it was a cool social event to attend,” Juhler said. “I guess my perspective was a little bit different because I tried to keep myself out of it a bit.”
their limits. He estimates that for most of the participants, GV Glo is an incredibly positive experience, for others it is not.
“We’ve got the good and the bad, and I think starting to say ‘yeah, the, the bad stuff is pretty heavy’ and we can’t just ignore that,” said Patterson.
Dr. Amy Getty, Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program, shared a professor’s perspective of the campus tradition as someone who sees, or rather does not see, the students the Friday after GV Glo. During Dr. Getty’s 21 years at Grand View University, she has instructed students of all majors and academic levels in First-Year Composition, various English courses, as well as Honors and English capstones. From her experience, GV Glo does not have much of an effect on Thursday courses, but it can be seen in the state of most students that Friday.
“A lot of my older students don’t attend,” said Getty. “It seems to be when I teach the first-year students in the spring, a lot of them go to GV Glow and then either don’t show up the next day or show up not at their full capacity because they’re either hungover or still drunk.”
That is not to say that all students fit into either of those two categories. In fact, Dr. Getty is sure there are also many students who participate in GV Glo and then attend classes the following day at their fullest capacity.
“It just depends on how much they get into the spirit of it,” said Getty. While she does find the humorous event a “rite of passage” for students, she also worries that students may find themselves in dangerous or harmful situations.
“Everybody has their college experience. They want those memorable events and that’s great, that’s wonderful,” said Getty. “But you don’t want your memorable event to be that you woke up in the hospital.”
This year, students can expect a few changes to the SAC event. Rather than being in a tent in the parking lot, GV Glo will occur in the Johnson Wellness Center with more security present. There also will be no paint or foam being sprayed that can get into people’s eyes, replaced by fog and lights to maintain the rave-like atmosphere.
Students can also take steps to ensure they have a fun and safe time at GV Glo. Primarily, understanding their limits and when to call it a night will help prevent students from finding themselves in dangerous situations. Secondly, staying within the bounds of the law and Grand View policy will help the night to run smoothly with no incidents with Residence Life. Last, students being responsible and respectful to themselves and those around them will increase the chance that GV Glo will continue to happen in the future.
GV Glo is meant to be an opportunity for all students to come together under one roof or tent and have a wonderful time. With the help of the students, they can do just that.
Unlike the other Residence Life staff, Hull Housing Director Bryce Dean had the opportunity to attend GV Glo in 2019 as a first-year student completing his undergraduate degree, giving him the unique ability to understand both student and faculty perspectives of the event.
“From the student side, it was fun to be around friends for a night and have a controlled chaos party,” he said. “Professionally, it is the worst thing that Grand View can do. It is a lawsuit liability just waiting to happen.”
Last year alone, Residence Life responded to about 75 incidents, but decided to use mostly verbal reminders of housing policies rather than initiating more consequential actions. Other familiar challenges Residence Life experienced the night of GV Glo included facility issues, such as paint
The pair left the event early to clean the paint off themselves before their 11 pm rounds. Fortunately, Juhler and Kramer only had to respond to one noise complaint that resulted in a room search, the first for Juhler, while the Hall Directors dealt with some of the more challenging situations where student safety was at risk. It not uncommon for a participant or other resident to leave with medical emergency personnel on the night of GV Glo. Last year, one ambulance was called prior to the start of the actual event.
“GV Glo is not like a magical bubble where you can’t get sick or can’t get in a really bad shape,” said Robby Patterson, the Director of Residence at GVU.
Since the beginning of his employment in 2011, Patterson has witnessed nine GV Glos, one as of which he was Grand View’s Head of Housing. Therefore, he understands the damage the event can cause to both the facilities and students who exceed
With President Rachelle Keck’s first year coming to a close, let’s take a look back and see how one of the newly implemented Grand View University traditions has fared for our students and faculty.
The idea of Skolfest came about during one of President Keck’s listening tours where she met with various departments to learn about the GVU community. One of the topics raised was the idea of traditions and the kind of opportunities that were available for faculty members to deliberate and pursue. President Keck discussed with Pastor Russ and Kate Faas, the director of the Nexus Institute, about how they would be able to bring Skolfest to fruition. A team dedicated to organizing the event was then created and started to get to work.
A nod to our Scandinavian heritage, Skolfest was designed to remind students of the mentality and qualities that are instilled in all Vikings. The day started with a traditional Danish breakfast that included aebleskiver, a spherical pancake ball made from fried batter and dipped in jam. The name
directly translates to “apple slices” in Danish. The history behind aebleskiver is largely unknown, but a popular myth speculated that a group of Vikings who returned to their ship after a hard-fought battle wished they were able to cook pancakes. Due to the lack of regular kitchenware or flat pans, the Vikings used their helmets and shields instead which gave the cake a spherical shape.
After breakfast, students and faculty members found themselves engaged in an intense game of tug of war.
“The idea behind tug of war is to battle and show our Viking heartiness,” Faas said.
Although Vikings were not known for creating the game, they were notorious for competing in competitions where their strength and endurance were pushed to the limit with the hope of achieving the champion’s title.
The next was team trivia, where students and faculty were quizzed on various topics about the history of GVU and Viking history. It did not surprise many that most of the quizzes were won
by faculty members as they were more knowledgeable about the history of the school.
Finally, was the skolar plunge. A brutal way to end the day as several students and faculty members were dunked into cold water in already freezing temperatures outdoors.
“Vikings were really good swimmers. Some of their battles were in the water where they would have to jump out of the boat and swim ashore to battle. That was kind of the heart behind the skoler plunge. You have to be brave and bold to jump into a bath of cold water in February,” said Kate Faas.
Tory Maruffo, a graduate student, and active member in numerous events around campus found the overall experience quite enjoyable. However, she mentioned a few things about what could have been done better. Tori believed the event would have achieved greater success had they picked a better day to organize the event.
“I think students would be more willing to attend the event if
it happened during the fall semester. They would also have better school spirit earlier in the school year,” Maruffo said.
This came after the bonfire event had to be canceled due to extreme temperatures in the evening. Maruffo also mentioned that many students didn’t realize activities were going on until the day of the events.
“I don’t think many of the students were aware of the events that were happening until they walked past some of the activities,” Maruffo said.
She strongly believed the
overall turnout and success of the events would have been tremendously impacted had there been more encouragement and announcements before the event.
Maruffo also found the events to be quite clustered together, which made her feel she was rushing from one event to another. She suggested that perhaps the organizers could space out events more evenly throughout the day, allowing students a short break in between each one.
“I think they should also offer food during some of the events. It would be a great way to incen-
tivize students to take time out of their day and attend the events,” Maruffo said.
Skolfest may not have been a resounding success in its first year, but we were able to catch a glimpse of what to expect in the future. The idea and purpose were carried out with good intentions, but perhaps some fine-tuning is required before we see a more successful turnout in future years.
Let’s hope this tradition continues and gathers morwe momentum into this new chapter of GVU under President Keck’s leadership.
and flavorful gyro with a side of crispy french fries and a refreshing soft drink sounds like a wonderful way to treat yourself. If you happen to be in Des Moines, you are in luck, because Ted’s Coney Island has that and more.
Ted’s Coney Island is a restaurant specializing in gyros and coney sandwiches, as referenced in the name. They have two popular locations, one in Des Moines located on Ingersol Avenue and one in Urbandale. The restaurant has a perfect variety of street food that is American and Greek.
Ted’s is a family-owned business owned by Ted Velman, a Greek immigrant who opened the very first Ted’s Coney Island in 1985. Stacy Velman, Ted’s son, now takes care of Ted’s Coney Island. Ted still occasionally helps at the restaurant in Urbandale. The restaurant is a favorite among many Greeks in the Des Moines area who want to get a kick of the classic tastes of a juicy and flavorful gyro.
I went to their Des Moines location to capture the atmosphere and enjoy their food. I enjoyed the openness of the restaurant. It felt spacious and refreshing to be there. The interior design was simplistic and welllit with beautiful big windows. While Ted’s in Ingersoll fits a more casual atmosphere, the food’s flavors bring all the excitement.
Nathan Limas, a Grand View student and first-time customer of Ted’s in Ingersoll, expressed how the atmosphere added to the experience.
“I liked the decorations; the staff was nice. Everything was nice, calm, and it is also in an accessible part of town, so it is easy to get in, easy to get out. All the people there were friendly”, he said.
Every time I have had their gyro, I have never been disappointed. I decided to go back to the classic gyro, as well as a side of fries and a drink. The prices were not too bad at all. After finding a place to sit, I noticed small factors of the place that made a
significant difference. From the cozy Christmas decorations and music to the fast service.
I thought the food I got was a fulfilling amount for the price. I was genuinely surprised to receive it in under five minutes. It was nice that there were napkins at each table, instead of having to grab them.
The presentation was great. The food looked delicious and smelled pleasant. The gyros they serve consist of a roasted lamb and beef combo that does amazing with its onions, and tomatoes, all wrapped in a pita.
Their homemade tzatziki sauce in the gyro enhances the flavor and added extra juiciness. The french fries had a crispy coating and a perfect amount of saltiness. The meal I had in front of me left me very satisfied.
Ted’s also has a variety of burgers, salads, tenderloins, falafel, the Chicago-style hot dog, and more.
They feature desserts, like chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Another delicious dessert they have is baklava, a well-known Greek treat
which is a must-have for those who love a sweet and flavorful pastry complimented by walnuts and delicate layers of honey-drizzled dough.
I gathered two customer’s ratings for Ted’s. “If you could rate Ted’s Coney Island out of ten, what would you rate it and why?” I asked.
“Ten, because it’s the best gyro place in town!” said Miles, who keeps his tradition of visiting Ted’s yearly.
“Probably about eight and a half, maybe nine out of ten. I’ve only been there twice, so I think I need to go there more often to really understand. But for now, I’d give an eight and a half or nine out of ten,” Limas said.
If you enjoy gyros, I advise you to check out Ted’s Coney Island. It might just become your favorite place to enjoy a popular Greek dish. The price is good, the food is fresh and flavorful. It has all the great qualities that pay tribute to a quality restaurant.
A juicyBy Gloria Hackett | Photos by Gloria Hackett | Design by Ashlyn Miller
“Mental health at Grand View University is finally looking up for students here on campus. Since the Fall of 2022, GVU has been without a counselor, leaving many students struggling to find help among the booked, off-campus counseling clinics. Fortunately, GVU understands how vital it is to have mental health resources for their students and put together an amazing set of reliable resources.
Heather Thomas is GVU’s new counselor, providing students with oneon-one, confidential support. Thomas is a Des Moines local who has lots of experience to bring to the table. GVU interviewed many potential candidates, but Thomas stood out and was offered the position.
GVU Student Affairs Officer John Howe gave insight on the hiring process as well as why Thomas was such a quality candidate.
“…(Heather has) care, concern, she’s very steady, a great listener, which
is always great for a counselor. The skill set that has come with her experience, but also her education and the resources she has at her fingertips, I think is a really great referral agent as well. There were a lot of things that aligned right,” Howe said.
GVU was very conscientious with their hiring process and were looking out for the betterment of the students and future developments for campus, as well.
“There is an expectation to have mental health resources on campus. I’ve been in higher education for a while. When I started to say to a student, I think we should get you to a counselor, there would be a lot of resistance, and now students are very receptive to it… there’s not that stigma, which I think is fabulous,” Howe said.
Thomas is a warm character and skilled listener. Since she began her position in November, students have had many wonderful remarks about
their experiences with her. With lots of experience, Thomas studied at Mount Mercy and then continued her education at the University of Madison-Wisconsin. After college, she moved to Des Moines and began working up the rankings with Eyerly Ball, a community mental health service. Though within her past jobs she has worked specifically with substance abuse and general community counseling with people from all walks of life, she was intrigued in the position here at GVU. Since starting in mid-November, Thomas said, “I wasn’t sure what I would think about only working with college students and I’ve loved it.”
When students begin seeing Thomas for counseling, the first step taken is diagnosis. Thomas will conduct an overall assesment of the student and together they will be able to come up with a plan of action that the student is comfortable with. Thomas’ practices generally come from a cognitive behav-
ioral therapy foundation. She strives to assist all students in whatever they may be facing.
“I never know what is about to walk through the door but we will figure it out,” Thomas said.
Though Thomas is a wonderful source to be able to sit down face-toface with, she is not the only option available for students regarding their mental health needs. UWill is an online, tele-therapy resource offered for students. This service partners with colleges in order to give students mental health and wellness solutions with their immediate appointments with a licensed therapist that are based on the student’s preferences.
“Grand View went in a different direction with UWill. We know that students don’t confront mental health between 8am-4pm on Monday through Friday,” Howe said. Students are able to receive five free sessions per semester with a quality
counselor over Zoom. Whether students feels like they cannot find time in their schedule to meet with Thomas, are looking for a counselor of a specific background or counselor who speaks a different language, UWill is an amazing resource that is offered.
The third and final mental health resource that is offered on campus is are the Peer Wellness Advocates (PWA). Although PWA members are not licensed therapists, they have gone through various trainings to better help fellow GV students. PWA is a perfect resource if a student feels intimidated by meeting with a therapist they may not be familiar with or talking about various life situations and hardships with a stranger. Most of the friendly faces that make up PWA are very involved on campus and may be more familiar and less intimidating for students. They are here to listen and support students in any way they can. If a student meets with one of the PWA members, the
conversation will be kept completely confidential. PWA is a leading group of students that host many self-care events on campus and are always available to reach out to.
GVU has recently undergone major shifts to its mental health resources and counseling department. It can be assured that all of these changes were well thought out and are intended for student success. GVU cares about their students and understands that life can get chaotic. They have assembled this set of resources for students to turn to when life becomes challenging and overwhelming. The future is looking much brighter for GVU students when it comes to having the proper resources that are vital for improving and overcoming mental health hardships.
| Photos by Mayeli Jimenez-Gomez | Designed by Erin NossamanSelf-expression is an important part of life for everyone and finding a place where you feel safe and happy to express yourself can often be hard for young people but not at Des Moines’ extraordinarily successful dance school, Des Moines Breakerz (Breakerz).
From humble beginnings, Breakerz has been working for years to foster a caring, fun and competitive environment for everyone. Breakerz’s dedication to the craft of breakdancing has led to some incredible achievements, but most memorable of all would be when they were invited to perform at the White House.
Breakerz are in east Des Moines and have successfully
grown their program from a small grassroots movement to a respected name across the metro. They aim to reach and engage as many young people in the Des Moines area as possible. Tammra Swartwood is the Director of Breakerz. She recognizes young people need an outlet and a place to hang out and have fun.
“Breakdancing is a cultural art form, and we want to show the kids of Des Moines that they can have fun while doing something they are passionate about,” Swartwood said.
Breakerz has grown in popularity from its early days and now has a presence in over twenty school programs to engage as many
enthusiastic performer and instructor, Swartwood loves seeing the confidence of kids grow as they progress through the dance program.
“Giving young people the confidence to perform and be themselves in front of others is everything,” Swartwood said.
Breakerz display their passion for the sport by competing in dance battles, an intense competition between two teams, judged based on their technique and skill to determine the winner. These competitions bring out the best in the dancers and allow them to pursue their passion at an elevated level.
“We strive to inspire confi-
dence in the youth, promote physical and mental health, facilitate creative expression and provide an enthusiastic outlet for the community,” Swartwood said.
Breakerz does not stop at just break dancing. The program strives to inspire youth through other activities such as boxing, karate and special events at schools. Swartwood’s dedication to the program and community goes above and beyond in many ways. Swartwood does not see herself as just a dance instructor: She loves helping the students in many ways, whether it is organizing photographers for senior day photos or giving students driving lessons, she is fully committed to
bringing out the best in her students and seeing them thrive.
“The Breakerz focus is on building communities, including a real emphasis on pursuing your passion here and now but also beyond your high school years, we love supporting past students to become instructors themselves and share the love of dance and community as they get older,” Swartwood said.
It is clear that Breakerz is no ordinary dance school. It is a community for every young person to come along and learn a new skill and feel safe and welcome.
young people as they can.
“Breakdancing is a thrilling and bold way to express yourself and we love to see our young people performing all over Des Moines,” Swartwood said.
Breakerz isn’t just an average dance studio, they aim to get young dancers involved in all aspects of the community including performing at many festivals and events throughout the year. Swartwood has her finger on the pulse when it comes to young people and dance. She is excited about the future of the Breakerz, hoping to expand on the programs they offer into areas of block parties and events that expose everyone to the art of break dancing. As an
ASHLEE
Movie: Titanic
TV Show: Futurama
Restaurant: Hidalgos (Ankeny)
Entertainment/Activities: Up Down in East Village
Movie: Dead Poets Society
TV Show: That 70s Show
Restaurant: Culvers
Entertainment/Activities: Watching sports
Movie: Hairspray
TV Show: Outer Banks
Restaurant: Panera Bread
Entertainment/Activities: Karaoke
DOM
Movie: The Woman King
TV Show: SpongeBob
Restaurant: Del Rancho
Entertainment/Activities: Anything with sports
MAYELI
Movie: Monsters Inc.
TV Show: Friends
Restaurant: My mom’s kitchen
Entertainment/Activities: Going on road trips
JESUS
Movie: Any comedy movie :)
TV Show: Selena: The Series
Restaurant: Pueblo Viejo
Entertainment/Activities: Playing piano
Movie: Coraline
TV Show: Criminal Minds
Restaurant: Hickory Park (Ames)
Entertainment/Activities: Making art and writing
ASHLYN
Movie: A Star is Born
TV Show: The Last of Us
Restaurant: Texas Roadhouse
Entertainment/Activities: Video games, exercise
LINNEA
Movie: Scream
TV Show: Gilmore Girls
Restaurant: Zombie Burger
Entertainment/Activities: Playing guitar
“It can get very crazy at times, but that’s also where I learned to manage time better, and how I learned to work in those high-pressure environments,” said Chris Tran, L’s 4th floor RA.
For leaders on campus like Tran, juggling school, jobs, sports and more can be difficult.
The RAs are a significant part of the experience of living on campus. Resident assistants, or advisors, are positions held by students to create a comfortable and safe environment for all who live on campus.
At Grand View University, there are 17 RAs between five different student buildings: Nielsen, Knudsen, Hull, Langrock, and the Ls. It is never easy to live away from home or moving away for the first time. This is the transition that RAs help students go through by setting rules, managing conflict, and creating a safer place for students in their respective buildings.
Tran moved to the United States
when he was only 15 years old, and he did not have that person to help him in the transition when moving away for the first time.
“That’s the reason why I wanted to be an RA, I wanted to be that person to help the freshman who, you know, were moving away from home for the first time,” Tran said.
More and more students have applied to be RAs and even though it is intriguing for many students on campus, it is not always easy being the person who people come with their struggles.
Tran talks about how every building has its pros and cons, and some buildings require different effort than others because they are not the same. This is due to students living in the buildings being at different years in their major.
Tran explains the transition and differences between the freshman buildings, like Nielsen and Knudsen, compared to the Ls with students who have already lived on campus for a few years.
“I think each building has its own challenges and also its perks, so when you live in the freshman dorms and are an RA there, your residents rely on you more because they just got to campus,” Tran said.
Being an RA comes with a lot of commitment, time management, accountability, and responsibility.
Tran talked about his experience with new RAs.
“Committing to be an RA is a big commitment, so that’s the only thing I would say to people before they apply. Know why you’re doing it because when times get rough, I think knowing the reason why you started in the first place will be very valuable,” Tran said.
Although being an RA comes with good and bad experiences, it is something that can push you out of your comfort zone and help you grow as a person. Being an RA is a good transition into adulthood for students who seek experiences in life with a lot on their hands and for students who want to take
more risks and be more responsible.
“If you are not ever put in a position where you have to stretch yourself, you’re never going to grow,” Tran said.
Emma Cochran is another RA at GVU. Cochran is the RA for Hull’s first floor apartments and suites and is in her third year of working in the residence halls. Cochran spent her first year as an RA in Langrock suites with most of her residents being nursing students.
“When you are an RA for freshmen, it’s a lot different when you’re an RA for seniors. I am the one and only RA on campus that has both suites and apartments, so I get the pleasure or luck of having a little bit more broad age range of residents,” Cochran said. “I think the main difference is how you have to interact with freshmen versus seniors.”
Cochran talked about why she wanted to become an RA and the difficulties that she went through
before applying. Cochran’s first year was not the easiest due to the hardships of transitioning from living at home to suddenly being on your own.
“My freshman year, I had a very difficult year trying to make friends, just got really homesick, and my RA freshman year was super amazing at just making me feel included,” Cochran said. “I never really went to her, but she went out of her way to make sure that I was coming to events, and I was getting out of my room, and I think because of her I opened up a lot more.”
Even though Cochran did not have the easiest transition moving away from home, becoming an RA helped her build a life at GVU by meeting more students and building a community.
“I can meet a variety of people and get to know those people and build connections with those people that I don’t think I would have without the position, so
I think that’s the greatest part of being an RA, just the community,” Cochran said.
With all the good parts and how rewarding it has been for Cochran to be an RA, there are many conflicts to deal with.
“One part of being an RA is that we deal with roommate conflicts, and you never really want your residents to come to you and tell you that they are having problems with their roommates because obviously, we want everyone to live in harmony but that’s not how it works,” Cochran said.
Both Tran and Cochran have had tough experiences moving away from home that made them want to help other people. The RA experience comes with good, bad, and rewarding experiences that give you an opportunity to meet new people, build your own community, and most importantly, help guide students living on campus through their lives.
For some students on campus, they will see just an animal, a dog or a cat. Students with pets on campus view them as precious animals as they provide them with comfort and emotional support. What is an emotional support animal and who qualifies to have one on campus? Students are not allowed to have undocumented or non-registered animals on campus. If you need to live with one, you must contact Crystal Fierro, Director of Accessibility services.
“They do have to fill out an application, and they need to have a medical provider give documentation talking about why they need
the animal. It is important to know this information just in case the student needs to have their pet on campus, and they will need to give their diagnosis,” said Fierro. Then they also get asked questions like how the animal would help them and what the animal is needed for, so we look at it from a medical standpoint to see why the animal is needed.”
It does not end here: students in need of an ESA will need to have an agreement with their roommates as well. There are three documents students will need to fill out, including the roommates’ agreements, which must be filled
out by every roommate.
“They have to sit down and talk to their roommate and say, ‘Hey, I’m bringing in my cat, Fluffy; are you okay with that?’ and they have to sign and say they’re okay with that animal being in our apartment,” Fierro said. There are many advantages that come with having a pet on campus. Pet owners can get more social with everyone. When they are walking around with their pet, students tend to stop by and wave and pet the animal, and that makes the pet owner happy. The pet becomes the celebrity of the building before the owner knows it.
“Coffee is very popular and very opinionated,” says Rebecca Gilseth, co-parent of Neiomi’s dog, Coffee. Many students on campus would agree that we have had rough days in the morning, and if we had a pet to just cuddle us, we would feel comforted, and that is a beautiful thing.
“I think the benefits of being able to have a dog with you are, in my opinion, being able to experience a lot of joy, the dog getting you moving, getting you assigned to have something to take care of, and if you have to have the responsibility, it encourages you to try harder for yourself and the animal,” says Gilseth. While there seem to be benefits to having a pet on campus as a student, there are also concerns. One of which is finances. Although many students are already financially secure enough to afford to own a pet,
finances should not be a concern. A pet owner on campus added, “We do have to get food for her, vet visits because she has gotten sick a couple times, haircuts of course, and we do get her some outfits too.”
GVU is a diverse private university in Iowa. We have students from all over the world, and we all have different perspectives on living with animals. Some students may be uncomfortable with animals due to the area they grew up in. In a place that is more developed, people live with animals and feel comfortable with animals around them.
“I don’t mind cats, but I’ve been bitten by a dog before, so whenever I see someone with a dog, my first instinct is to run as far as possible because I got a big bill from the
hospital. It was about $1000 because they had to check to see if I had certain diseases like rabies, so it was really expensive, but up until then, but these days, I just have PTSD from just seeing a dog,” said Hosea Tobongye, a junior at GVU.
It would sound very hurtful if someone described your pet as dangerous. It would be nice if students like me who have had bad experiences with animals or students who do not like animals are educated on why some students need to have their pets on campus. Students who have ESAs on campus should start a movement and raise awareness.
Course evaluations are an unofficial national holiday for college students. Professors can make or break the experience of a class. Like Grand View University’s IDEA system, enter Rate My Professor. A website allowing students to anonymously rate professors openly and sometimes brutally, for anyone to see. Recognizing the impact students have on the classroom can be difficult. What change really happens after pressing submit on course evaluations?
Dr. Paul Brooke is a clear favorite among students, with the most ratings on Rate My Professor out of all GVU professors. Dr. Brooke has a 4.7/5-star review with 100% saying they would take his classes again.
“Paul is an attentive professor. He truly cares for every one of his students. He has a unique flair for all sorts of different kinds of literature. He is great at picking out talent in his classes. He makes every assignment, quiz, etc. worthwhile. If you don’t understand something, he will take the time out of his day to make sure you do,” praises one anonymous online review.
Anonymity is used with reviews to keep grading ethical. Course evaluations are not released until final grades have been posted, protecting students from any retaliation. There is, however, a
caveat for sites like Rate My Professor.
“You also have to realize that there are other people going on there and doing scores who aren’t your students. That’s dangerous. I had somebody who went on there and gave me a bad review. But you could tell by the way they wrote about it that they hadn’t taken my class,” Brooke said. Students unknowingly hold a lot of power in course evaluations. Departments look at comments in deciding whether a professor will renew their contract, receive a promotion or tenure. Brooke stressed the importance of learning about professors and their teaching styles from other students.
“I guess it’s one way to check on things, but the big thing is talking to other students about who teaches the class and what it’s like. And then going into it kind of knowing how they teach and what to expect is super helpful,” Brooke said.
Aaron Tinder is head of the art department. Online comments highlight his knowledge in painting and drawing, noting his drive for student growth.
help them with their goals as well,” Tinder said.
Humanities professor, Steve Snyder, is another high rated faculty member. Snyder believes in the importance of student evaluations, emphasizing the benefits and positivity they can have for professors and faculty.
“I think students are incredibly nice. I’m blown away by the wonderful things my students say about their experiences in classes. I’m so impressed by my colleagues,” Snyder said.
Passion is the recurring theme running through many of Snyder’s Rate My Professor reviews. It serves as the driving force behind his teaching style.
“I get very passionate about the things I’m teaching, and I think my passion for what I’m teaching covers up a lot of sins. People forgive me because they go, ‘this guy’s really passionate about what he’s doing. He seems to care about this,’” Snyder said.
An anonymous source advocates, “Tinder cares about his students’ success and provides pertinent motivation to inspire students in the creative arts.”
Creating interpersonal connections in the classroom community can often be more important than the reviews themselves. Tinder’s teaching style is effective due to his willingness to listen and connect on a personal level.
“I feel like that’s a big part of my philosophy is leading by example. I think the other half is I’ve gotten better the older and longer I’ve done it about trying to really listen to what students bring to the table and be able to respond to their interests and needs and try to
There are many attributes to a good teacher. All three professors commented on qualities like clarity, flexibility and adaptation. Most professors read the comments on their reviews and take to heart both the positive and the negative. The opportunity to evaluate courses comes with a lot of responsibility. Student opinions do matter.
“The real question is why? And if you can, break it down and be very analytical and pose yourself as someone who is smart and careful. That’s going to go a lot farther,” Brooke said.
Evaluation comments are crucial for professors in adjusting courses and learning to better improve their teaching. Being objective and as specific as possible in reviews can hold the impact in affecting widespread change across the university for all GVU students.
“Dr. Brooke, I really like your outfits in class and there’s a green sweater on saleit’s marked down you should go get it.”
“Dr. Brooke is my knight in shining armor.”
“Synder, no offense to your wife, but you have really pretty eyes.”
“Taking a course with Snyder was like being locked in a room with a chatty maniac.”
“Tinder’s drawing class is the best f****** class ever.”
In Ankeny, Iowa, a new cookie shop has recently opened that unveils creations that are one of a kind. Cookies and Dreams is a regional cookie shop chain whose roots can be traced back to a 4-H county fair right here in the state of Iowa.
In 2020, Stephine Sellers decided to close her local bakery and open Cookies and Dreams right in her hometown of Davenport, Iowa. Sellers explained how having a full bakery that focused on multiple products was very stressful for her with her last bakery.
Cookies and Dreams is a whole new show, the first thing that will catch your eye when entering the shop is the 26-foot-long cookie counter filled with 12+ unique flavors of cookies daily on display for all to see.
Manager Blakely Armstrong from the Ankeny Cookies and Dreams location site shared what drew her to the business.
“I started working in the food industry when I was 16 years old so going on 10 years now and when I saw that Ankeny was opening a new cookie location, I decided to do some research... it is about woman empowerment and encouraging to smash the patriarchy and I knew instantly that I had to join I sent an email to them saying how I could be a perfect match for them and how I needed to work here, so that’s how it started,” Armstrong said.
The OG chocolate chip is the company’s best-selling cookie and perhaps the best chocolate chip cookie you may ever eat. It is made with brown sugar cookie dough with semi-sweet chocolate chips and lightly sprinkled with sea salt to make it a super delicious treat.
The Snickerdoodle Cheesecake is my all-time favorite cookie. It is a cinnamon snickerdoodle cookie filled with vanilla cheesecake frosting and topped with their signature cookie glaze and cinnamon sugar and then drizzled with sea salt caramel sauce to make it tasty. The frosted sugar cookie with sprinkles also can be bought without frosting, but it does have a frosting-type filling inside the cookie that makes it festive like a birthday cookie flavor. The double trouble cookie is a fusion of chocolate chip and a double chocolate cookie which is a unique cookie that is half of one flavor and half of the other.
Every month or so, Cookies and Dreams has a rotation of seasonal cookies that provide each visit with a new experience. I tried the red velvet cookie which has white chocolate chips that make it very delicious. Another holiday cookie they have that I considered was the peppermint hot chocolate cookie which looked very good.
The final seasonal cookie is Ruth Bader Gingerberg, which fits their theme of women empowerment and
smashing the patriarchy with a spiced Gingerbread cookie filled with vanilla cheesecake filling and soft caramel inspired by the notorious RBG.
“We donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity that the icon has been affiliated with so this month we are donating to Equality Now to pay homage to RBG,” Armstrong said.
The goals of the women-owned cookie shop are to bring the community together through unique delicious treats and pay homage to the state of Iowa. Most importantly they want to empower women and girls to achieve their dreams and goals and accomplish what they want. . It is important that women make impacts on society to change things for the future. If you want to support a local homegrown Iowa chain, support women achieving their dreams, and enjoy a sweet and tasty treat, Cookies and Dreams may be the place for you.
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