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(04/04/14 8:23pm)
The American Marketing Association (AMA) chapter at Mercer University held its annual AMA Day on March 26.
“AMA Day is an annual event when Mercer’s AMA chapter brings in professionals to talk about the field of marketing,” said Dr. Steven McClung, associate dean of faculty and research at the Stetson School of Business and Economics. “It’s a panel forum with guests in the marketing profession. Each year, the panel is developed around a theme. Last year was ‘Social Media Marketing,’ and we had social media marketers from several businesses including Google. This year’s theme is local sales, and we’ve invited people from Macon and Atlanta businesses to talk to our students about the role of local sales and marketing.” The four panelists for this year’s AMA event were Yolanda Latimore, Jim Skesavage, Joanna Hemleb and Tom Comerford.
Latimore is the sole proprietor of Like Water Publicity, an advertising and booking agency. The majority of work for this agency comes from placing media buys in an average of 18 markets across America, including her hometown of Macon. Other demands for this business involves creating marketing and publicity plans for customers.
In addition, she books artists, bands and speakers for all type of functions. Much of her experience in advertising, booking and marketing blossoms from apprenticeship and employment with companies such as Clear Channel, Roberts and Murray Communications.
Skesavage is director of marketing, principal and a member of the management team at Atlanta Capital Management Co., LLC. With over 30 years of professional experience, Skesavage has served in a variety of marketing and client service roles. Before joining Atlanta Capital in 2002, he was director of client service and product management, a global partner and member of the management team at Invesco Capital Management. Skesavage acts as chairman of the American Society for Competitiveness. He serves on the board of visitors for the Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University, and the advisory committee of the John Early Society at Loyola University Maryland.
He was past president of the board of directors for the Association of Investment Marketing Sales Executives. Skesavage has served on the boards of Zoo Atlanta, the Florida Public Pension Trustees Association and the Alumni Association for the Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University. He has also participated on the program committee for the Southern Employee Benefits Conference.
Hemleb and Comerford are the lead sales team for Macon’s Fox24 and ABC16 television. They are experienced veterans in television sales.
“The American Marketing Association is a great organization to join for anyone who has an interest in marketing, sales or business in general,” said Daniel Quintanilla, senior and president of Mercer’s AMA chapter. “We’re really trying to reach out, and we’ve partnered with AMA Atlanta, which is one of the top five AMA chapters in the country.”
“This coming year, we want to enter the competition,” said McClung. “We want to start getting a team to go to regionals, which is a big step. It takes a lot of people and a lot of work, but it can be very rewarding for the students who get involved because they’re in front of people who hire.”
Mercer’s AMA chapter mission is to provide members with the knowledge, skills and connections needed to develop networks, resumes and a bright future. It is also an outlet for creativity and innovation. AMA is part of an international organization comprised of 40,000 professional marketers in more than 600 chapters across more than 100 countries. Students can open doors for a career in marketing through membership in Mercer’s AMA chapter.
(04/04/14 8:14pm)
Spring is finally here, so we can stow away our winter wardrobe for the warmer weather to come. Spring is generally associated with bright colors and freshness. You can easily incorporate the qualities of spring into your attire with a few simple tips (for both guys and girls).
Get creative with color. Again, spring is all about light and bright colors. Pastel colors are a good way to be subtle but colorful at the same time. If you really want a dramatic burst of color, try going for the neons. If your outfit is plain, dress it up with fun accessories. You could simply add a colored belt, jacket, cardigan, jewelry or shoes for that extra pop of color. For girls, colorful and patterned sundresses are a must. For guys, colored blazers or pants are definite options to consider.
Hats and scarves are always fun. If winter has beanies, spring has fedoras. Fedoras are a huge hat trend suitable for warm weather. Guys and girls can dress up any outfit by simply donning this hat. Fedoras come in all different designs, so go get yourself one that fits you. Also, summer scarves are a nice way to add color and texture to your outfit. A plain shirt on its own can become boring, so adding an appropriate scarf would instantly dress up the shirt. If they match, the fedora and scarf can be worn together, as well.
Denim jackets can still benefit your wardrobe. There seem to be mixed opinions on denim jackets. Some say they’re old-fashioned; others say they’re still hip. Overall, these jackets can be hit or miss depending on how you wear them. Try putting on a denim jacket over a shirt or dress to give your outfit a crisp and casual feel. However, beware of wearing denim as a bottom, as this jean-on-jean style could look really tacky.
Bring out the shades. Everyone knows sunglasses make you look instantly cooler. These can definitely be worn as a fashion statement. You can keep it classy with simple sunglasses, or go crazy with some funky ones. There are so many different types and styles of sunglasses, from aviators to wayfarers, so you can’t go wrong in finding one that suites your attire (or feeling) for the day. When you’re not wearing them, you can prop them on your head, or hang them somewhere on your top. This can instantly make a chic accessory, and you barely have to do a thing. Sunglasses are also great for their practical use -- protecting your eyes from the sun. Your eyes are happy, and you look chill. It’s a win-win situation.
(03/21/14 12:32am)
With the start of spring comes a fresh season of sunshine and flowers. What better way to embrace the new season than to do a little bit of overdue cleaning. It is time to throw out some of the remains of winter and get refreshed for spring. It might be slightly overwhelming if you are not sure where to begin, so here are a few tips that will help you get going on your spring cleaning adventure. You will thank yourself later, so don’t hesitate to get started!
Switch out your wardrobe. Winter is over, so you most likely won’t need your puffy coats anymore - you could replace them with lightweight rain jackets for spring showers. Put away the majority of your thick clothing and bring back the warmer weather outfits that have been waiting in your closet for a year. Perhaps you might want to set a certain weekend to go home and make the clothing swap. Your family will be happy to see you, too.
Organization is key. By this point in the school year, it is typical for students to get lazy, so stuff will most likely end up getting strewn everywhere. You have to start somewhere, so try organizing your wardrobe first. Fold and hang the clothes that were probably sitting on your bed or the floor. This may be the time to do some laundry too. If you come across clothes or shoes you know you don’t wear anymore, donating them is a good option - it gives you more space and you help someone in need. Look for local stores like The Salvation Army or Goodwill that accept these kind of donations. Once your wardrobe is complete, you can then move on to the clutter of random objects. Organize and put things away in drawers, on shelves or with other organizational tools. It helps to place similar items together and keep them in a designated spot. Books with books, food with food, school supplies with school supplies… You get the picture.
Throw away things you don’t need. Don’t be a hoarder. Once you learn how to let go of useless objects, your life will get much easier. Go through your desk and drawers and take out all the unnecessary things that create clutter. These can include old papers, receipts, gum wrappers, random scraps, gifts you will never use, etc. Check to see if you will really need any of these things. If not, throw them away (or separate them for a yard sale or donation, depending on their potential use for others). It’s handy to keep a trash bag with you at all times in case you come across something you don’t need lying around.
Bring out the cleaning supplies and get scrubbing. Once your room is organized, you can then move on to actual cleaning. Vacuum or sweep the floors. Dust and wipe off your desk and other furniture of lint and old crumbs. Disinfecting wipes prove to be really handy for smooth surfaces. If cleaning is not your forte or you simply hate it, look up some cleaning hacks that will most likely change your outlook on cleaning. For example, rub the water faucet with wax paper to avoid water spots and use a binder clip as a sponge stand. A lot of these life hacks (found in a simple Google search) will make cleaning much easier and more fun.
Change things up. When your space is organized and clean, take a good look at how you can spruce things up. Maybe you can move around furniture or add new room decor. You could add a vase with a small bouquet of flowers, whether real or artificial. Bring in color to brighten up the area. Spring is all about freshness, so don’t be afraid to try something new with your space and get creative.
(03/21/14 12:24am)
Mercer University’s Walter F. School of Law will host its 2014 Law Day luncheon with judge Guido Calabresi, U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit, scheduled to deliver the keynote address. The event will be held Friday, March 28, at 12:30 p.m., in Hawkins Arena inside the University Center on the Macon campus. Calabresi’s presentation is titled, “Faith in Law and Faith in People.”
Calabresi was appointed United States Circuit Judge in July, 1994, and entered into duty on Sept. 16, 1994. Prior to his appointment, he was dean and Sterling Professor at Yale Law School, where he began teaching in 1959 and is now Sterling Professor Emeritus and Professorial Lecturer in Law. Judge Calabresi received his B.S., summa cum laude, from Yale College in 1953, a B.A. with First Class Honors from Magdalen College, Oxford University, in 1955, an LL.B. degree, magna cum laude, in 1958 from Yale Law School, and an M.A. in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Oxford University in 1959.
A Rhodes Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa and Order of the Coif, Judge Calabresi served as the note editor of The Yale Law Journal, 1957-58, while graduating first in his law school class. Following graduation, Judge Calabresi clerked for Justice Hugo Black of the United States Supreme Court. He has been awarded some 40 honorary degrees from universities in the United States and abroad, and is the author of four books and more than 100 articles on law and related subjects.
The Law Day theme is “American Democracy and the Rule of Law: Why Every Vote Matters.” Established in 1958 by former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Law Day is designed to strengthen the public’s understanding of the American justice system. Though the national observance of Law Day is generally May 1, many law schools, including Mercer Law School, publicly recognize it earlier in the spring semester due to the heavy academic demands in May.
During the event, Mercer Law School will recognize two alumni for their outstanding contributions to the legal profession: Thomas P. Bishop, CLA ‘82, LAW ‘85, Outstanding Alumnus Award; and Deryl Dantzler, CLA ‘64, LAW ‘81, Alumni Meritorious Service Award.
Following the luncheon, three events will take place at the Law School. The Hugh Lawson, III Moot Court Competition, an annual intra-school 1L competition, will be held in the Moot Courtroom at 3 p.m.
The luncheon is $25 for alumni that register before March 18 and $35 at the door. Registration is available online or by contacting Leslie Cadle at cadle_l@law.mercer.edu or (478) 301-2180.
(03/06/14 9:43pm)
Mercer University’s Roberts Department of Christianity had the honor of inviting Dr. Carol A. Newsom to be the 2014 Harry Vaughan Smith Visiting Distinguished Professor of Christianity. “Carol Newsom is such an impressive and well-established scholar that we consider ourselves most fortunate that she accepted our invitation,” said Dr. Janell Johnson, associate professor of Christianity at Mercer.
“Every year we have a list of potential speakers suggested by the professors in the Christianity department. We get together every year and try to pick a speaker of a different field. It had been a while since we’ve had an Old Testament speaker, so we chose Dr. Newsom because her expertise is in Old Testament.”
For the 2014 Harry Vaughan Smith Lectures, Newsom presented a series of lectures in Newton Chapel under the title “A Thousand Years of Feminist Biblical Interpretation.” The first lecture was “The Quest for Dignity and Autonomy: Medieval and Renaissance Women Interpreters.” The second lecture was “The Bible and the Right to Preach: Women and the Word in Protestant Christianity.” The third and final lecture was “Radical Outsiders and Ambivalent Insiders: Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s ‘Woman’s Bible.’” “Though she has a broad range of research expertise, her choice of topic for the lecture series, the history of feminist biblical interpretation, was relevant and appealing to Mercer students and faculty, as well as to our community,” said Johnson. “She explained how women in earlier periods in the life of the church defended against interpretation of Scripture that limited women’s roles. It made me really grateful for all the work these women did to bring us to where we are today with feminine preaching.” Throughout her speeches, Newsom utilized a powerpoint presentation with images of the women and their publications in order to provide a visual guide for her audience. “The images were extremely helpful,” said Johnson. “I also loved Dr. Newsom’s sense of humor and how much she clearly enjoyed the topic.”
Newsom is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Old Testament and director of the Graduate Division of Religion at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She is also the author of seven books, many articles, book chapters, translations, encyclopedia articles and reviews. She has received prestigious grants from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Henry Luce Foundation. Newsom is a senior fellow at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Law and Religion, and she currently sits on several editorial boards. She also served as a president of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Newsom earned her B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College in 1971, Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School in 1975 and Ph.D from Harvard University in 1982. She has received honorary degrees from Birmingham-Southern and the University of Copenhagen, the latter for her work transcribing, translating and providing commentary on the Dead Sea Scrolls and her study of Old Testament theology. Newsom’s current research focuses on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Wisdom tradition, the book of Daniel and apocalyptic literature.
(02/21/14 1:29am)
Our favorite desserts, such as cookies or brownies, can be found almost anywhere. However, many common dessert options tend to be processed and mass produced. It is difficult to access good quality desserts unless they are homemade. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time to bake a batch of cookies whenever they please (or take a visit to Grandma’s). Do not be depressed, for there is an easy and simple way to satisfy your sweet tooth in the comfort of your room - even if you don’t have an oven. All you need is a mug (or two), several ingredients, and a microwave and you are all set. Here are two easy-to-follow recipes for making chocolate chip cookies and brownies for one.
Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Mug
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. white sugar
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
1 egg yolk (not the egg whites)
A little less than ¼ cup of flour
2 Tbsp. semi-sweet chocolate chips
Put the butter in a mug, and melt it in the microwave. After the butter is melted, add the sugars, vanilla extract and salt. Stir the mixture with a spoon or fork. Next, get an egg and separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Put the egg yolk into the mug and stir well. Once this is mixed, add the flour and stir again. The mixture should become sticky and dough-like. Finally, add the chocolate chips. Now your batter should really look like cookie dough. Place the mug into the microwave and cook for 1 minute. After the cookie cools for a little bit, it will be ready to enjoy.
Brownie in a Mug
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. white sugar
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
A pinch of salt
1 egg yolk (not the egg whites)
4 Tbsp. flour
1 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp. semi-sweet chocolate chips
The procedure for making the brownie is similar to the chocolate chip cookie. Place the butter in the mug and melt it in the microwave. After the butter is melted, add the sugars, vanilla extract and salt. Stir. Separate the egg yolk from the egg white, and add the yolk to the mug. Stir well. Next, add the flour and the cocoa powder. Stir well again. The mixture should become sticky and dough-like (now with a chocolate hue). Add the chocolate chips and mix. Finally, pop the mug into the microwave and cook for about 45 seconds. Once the brownie cools, you can dig in.
Helpful tip: An empty water bottle can be used to separate the egg yolk from the egg white. All you have to do is crack the egg in a bowl and place the water bottle over the yolk, squeezing it until the yolk is sucked up. Then, you can simply move the yolk into your mug with the other ingredients.
(02/21/14 1:06am)
Mercer University’s Roberts Department of Christianity had the honor of naming Dr. Carol A. Newsom as the 2014 Harry Vaughan Smith Visiting Distinguished Professor of Christianity. Newsom is the Charles Howard Candler Professor of Old Testament and director of the Graduate Division of Religion at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. She is also the author of seven books, many articles, book chapters, translations, encyclopedia articles and reviews. She has received prestigious grants from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Henry Luce Foundation. Newsom is a senior fellow at Emory University’s Center for the Study of Law and Religion, and she currently sits on several editorial boards. She also served as a president of the Society of Biblical Literature.
Newsom earned her B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College in 1971, Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School in 1975 and Ph.D from Harvard University in 1982. She has received honorary degrees from Birmingham-Southern and the University of Copenhagen, the latter for her work transcribing, translating and providing commentary on the Dead Sea Scrolls and her study of Old Testament theology. Newsom’s current research focuses on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Wisdom tradition, the book of Daniel, and apocalyptic literature.
For the 2014 Harry Vaughan Smith Lectures, Newsom will be presenting a series of lectures in Newton Chapel under the title “A Thousand Years of Feminist Biblical Interpretation.” “As incredible as it sounds, evidence exists for what can legitimately be called feminist biblical interpretation stretching back at least a thousand years,” Newsom said. “This series of lectures explores three critical times in which women used feminist biblical interpretation to claim a place for themselves.” The first lecture is called “The Quest for Dignity and Autonomy: Medieval and Renaissance Women Interpreters,” and this will begin on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 10:50 a.m. The second lecture is “The Bible and the Right to Preach: Women and the Word in Protestant Christianity,” and this will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. The third and final lecture is called “Radical Outsiders and Ambivalent Insiders: Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s ‘Woman’s Bible,’” and this will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. These lectures are free and open to the public.
“At a time when many people still wonder what the roles of women and men should be in today’s church and society, Dr. Newsom provides a window into the past and the creative roles women have played to express their commitment to the Christian Church and its witness in the world,” said Dr. Janell Johnson, associate professor of Christianity at Mercer. “She, herself, has taken up the challenge of creative leadership in the field of biblical scholarship, contributing to and co-editing the ‘Women’s Bible Commentary,’ and publishing a monograph on Job that considers new biblical methodology. Dr. Newsom is a gifted teacher and lecturer who exemplifies the good scholarship that we seek and value among those we choose for the Harry Vaughan Smith lecture series.”
(02/09/14 9:17pm)
Joori Chung is a senior at Mercer University majoring in art with a double minor in communications and photography. She is a full-time international student from Seoul, South Korea. Chung said that she always had a passion for art. Her love of art was inspired by her father, as she used to look through his own art portfolios. “Art has always been a big part of my life and my surroundings. Wherever I turned, it was always there,” said Chung.
In Korea, there are various levels of schooling that specialize in the fine arts. In order to get into these fine art schools, you must take an aptitude test to demonstrate the required skills. “Many people attend tutoring schools for art and practice a lot for these tests,” said Chung. Chung also wanted to attend one of these fine art schools, so she attempted to persuade her father into giving her permission. “I told my father that I wanted to study art, but he did not think that a career in art was financially stable,” said Chung. After much debate with her father, Chung ended up following her father’s decisions and attended regular school.
During her early years of high school, Chung realized that she could no longer follow her father’s orders. “I realized that common studying wasn’t right for me. I just had to do something that dealt with art,” said Chung. She had a talk with her father about her passion for art, and they worked to form a compromise. “My father suggested that I should study art in design instead of the fine arts, since designing has a more stable outlook,” said Chung. After much contemplation of what she could pursue in this area of study, she decided to go into cosmetology in art. “I always had an interest in hair and makeup as well, so I wanted to study beauty in terms of art. In Korea, they actually call this beauty art,” said Chung.
She began to attend an art institution and gradually proved her artistic abilities to her father. She won many awards from national art competitions in makeup as well. Chung’s father eventually acknowledged her dream in art and told her that she could attend the college of her choice. She decided to go to a college for cosmetology. After studying there for two years, she developed the desire to study abroad. “I quit cosmetology, which I loved, and decided that I should study English,” said Chung.
At this time, Chung entered Mercer with a concentration in education. “Since there was no study in beauty at Mercer, I decided to go with education in art. I actually studied education with beauty at my college in Korea,” said Chung. In her first year at Mercer, she happened to take a Drawing Fundamentals course. This was the moment when she reached an epiphany. She realized that her calling was in the fine arts. As a result, she changed her major to art and informed her family about it soon after. She further developed her passion for art with the help of the art professors at Mercer. “The art professors at Mercer have always been a good influence to me. They are very kind and helpful,” said Chung. Chung is looking for a stable career path with her art degree. “I would like to use art to help people, whether it is through art therapy or simply teaching art,” said Chung.
(02/06/14 9:32pm)
Since most students find college to be a time of newfound freedom and exposure to new people, the university experience is also typically a time peppered with dates. However, in the flurry of finding a sweetheart, one runs the risk of spending a good bit of money. On top of school, work or extracurricular activities, a relationship could become another stress factor financially. However, fear not, for there are many inexpensive and creative ways to enjoy spending time with your significant other without breaking your wallet.
Go for a walk. Taking an extended walk around campus or an area with nice surroundings is the perfect way to carry a conversation while enjoying the scenery.
Cook together. Plan a delicious meal with your partner and make the kitchen a party.
Go to sporting events. If you and your partner are into sports, you can make it a date and cheer on the Bears together.
Have a themed movie marathon. Disney, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, superheroes… The list goes on.
Go ice-skating. Take a trip to the local ice-skating rink, and laugh together as you fall on your behinds. The ice rink may be cold, but your hearts will be warm.
Attend events together. If there is a play, concert, art gallery or other event taking place, take advantage of these inexpensive (or free) entertainment options with your significant other.
Volunteer together. Helping others and the community with your loved one sounds like a win-win situation. Also, it is a big plus to see the compassionate side of your partner.
Have a game night. Bring out the board games and see who is the ultimate champion. Perhaps you can invite other couples to challenge (and defeat).
Read together. This one is for the book lovers. Share your favorite reads and discover some new ones together, as well. Maybe take turns reading to each other.
Go bowling. Take a trip to the local bowling alley, and bring on the strikes. High-fives will be necessary.
Work on a puzzle together. You and your partner can create a masterpiece that is only special to the two of you. The whole process can be a fun and peaceful experience.
Exercise together. Motivate and support one another in losing weight or staying fit. Being healthy together can contribute to a healthy relationship.
Have a photoshoot. Bring out your cameras, find some nice scenery and snap away. Pretend to be models or take selfies together. Creativity and silliness will be at their peak.
Go window shopping. Grab a little snack or drink at the food court, and stroll through the stores together. No purchases required.
Spending quality time with your significant other does not always require breaking the bank. Be creative and open-minded about different things you and your loved one could do to enjoy each other’s company.
(01/22/14 9:00pm)
Sze Man Yiu, also known by her English name Shirlie, is a foreign exchange student at Mercer University, who is originally from Hong Kong. A junior environmental science major within the larger field of applied biology, Yiu is currently at Mercer as part of her her second study abroad experience, having previously studied in Australia.
Yiu was born and raised in Hong Kong with her father, mother and older brother. Her brother has studied abroad in Taiwan.
Yiu is fluent in three languages - Cantonese, Mandarin and English.
Yiu came to Mercer on a recommendation from a friend and says she is thoroughly enjoying her time here.
Yiu said that Macon (and the United States in general) is a very different place from Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong is a place that never stops. Everything is fast-paced. Even the people walk very fast,” said Yiu.
Yiu also said that most people in the U.S. tend to stay indoors. In Hong Kong, people are usually out and about instead of staying at home. Yiu stated that this could be because of the size of their homes, as most people in Hong Kong live in small apartments. There is not much room to do anything at home, so people tend to go out for activities and enjoyment.
Regarding schooling, Yiu said she noticed a few differences between Mercer and her university in Hong Kong.
“The class sizes are much smaller at Mercer,” said Yiu. She said that most of the universities in Hong Kong are government funded, so they tend to have larger classes.
Also, the resources (library inventory, textbooks, etc.) are more plentiful as a result of the government funding. Despite the advantages of her larger school, Yiu still likes the small class settings at Mercer.
Yiu said that Mercer gives many more reading assignments and projects than her university in Hong Kong, which is most likely due to the general size of the classes.
“Hong Kong is more exam oriented. Technically, people don’t even need to show up for classes, just for the exam,” said Yiu.
Another thing Yiu noticed is the different categorization of athletes. Any student in the U.S., regardless of his or her major, can become an athlete by joining the school sports teams. In Hong Kong, however, only students who are actually majoring in Physical Education or any other recreational major are considered athletes.
Although Yiu admits it can be difficult being so far away from home, she appreciates the experience of studying abroad in America enough to make up for it.
“I do miss my life in Hong Kong, but I also appreciate being able to live in America. Without my friends and family, I feel that I can focus more on myself and my studies here.”
She finds the trees and greenery in Macon to be relaxing compared to the busy pace of Hong Kong.
Yiu said that Wal-Mart is her favorite part of Macon.
“Especially for a foreigner, the big Wal-Mart is very convenient. Whenever I needed something, I could just get it from Wal-Mart. It operates 24 hours and is relatively cheap,” said Yiu.
In Hong Kong, Yiu said the best part is the convenience of everything.
“You can get almost anything from anywhere. Hong Kong is an economic-based, commercial society, so most everything are imported goods from around the world,” stated Yiu. Also, there are inexpensive restaurants everywhere and many modes of transportation to choose from.
In general, Yiu loves to experience and learn about new cultures. She enjoys meeting new people from a variety of backgrounds, as well.
“I want to feel culture differentiations on my own in the melting pot of the U.S.,” said Yiu. Fortunately, Mercer has given her the opportunity to do what she loves while studying for her future.
(01/22/14 9:00pm)
The Academic Resource Center has made a new addition to the regular tutoring schedule at Mercer University. Assistant Director of the ARC, Stephanie Mooring, recently launched the Study Skills Peer Coach Program.
The new program allows students to have a one-on-one “coaching” session on study skills with a “coach” who is a fellow Mercer student. J.T. James, a junior majoring in computational science with a minor in economics, is the ARC’s first study skills peer coach. James has worked at the ARC as a lab assistant since fall of last year, and he has been an ARC Ambassador since 2013. ARC Ambassadors go out and give presentations on study skills to multiple classes throughout the school year. He also works in the admissions office as a student admissions team member. In his spare time, James frequently volunteers with LEAP (Local Engagement Against Poverty).
After the ARC Ambassador program received much positive feedback from professors and advisors, the school decided that a once-a-week time slot for study skills coaching would be put in the the ARC’s regular tutoring schedule. This would give students the opportunity to converse with a peer instead of going to speak with an advisor or the directors of the ARC themselves. “Students can come in to take advantage of the one-on-one setting... Whether it’s to get help because they are struggling, to find a way to do better, or to firmly set the skills they already possess,” said Mooring. Student tutors have proved successful because they can relate to other students and share similar experiences.
There are clear reasons why students should take advantage of the new program. James’ service is open to all students, but his target audience is freshmen. “I had a lot of bad study habits and didn’t do as well freshman year as I could have, had I just known how to study,” said James. He warned against entering college thinking old study habits will be sufficient to do well, because “we all know that isn’t true.” James said that even if a student manages to slip past freshmen year, it may be harder to do well in more difficult classes when there is a lack of foundation in study skills. For example, Christianity or history courses can be difficult not so much because of the content, but because it may be unclear how to study that particular content.
Mooring emphasizes the fact that this program does not only target students with knowledge-based struggles, but also strives to help students create fundamental study skill sets. These skill sets are needed for the students who generally received high grades in high school without much effort, but end up struggling to do well in college.
Mooring hopes for students to come in and be able to speak comfortably with James, perhaps even forming a continuous relationship with him. “This doesn’t have to be a one time thing,” said Mooring. Students can come back every session to discuss weekly progress or problems and receive feedback from James. The motto for the new program is “Study Smarter, Not Harder.” James’ coaching sessions take place every Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the ARC.
(11/10/13 3:16am)
When imagining a street food festival, what ideas come to mind? A large event that features many varieties of food? Street food festivals are held in many cities across the United States such as Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Cincinnati and many others. The general purpose of these festivals is to showcase the large and diverse food culture in that particular community, all for a low price. “Foodies” can gather at these events and enjoy many different types of food while experiencing the culture behind the food as well. What better way to bring the community together than through the local foods?
Many students at Mercer University may not have the opportunity to visit one of these events anytime soon. As a special treat, the Fresh Food Company at Mercer had the honors of bringing the “life” of the street food festival to the campus. On Oct. 24, the special dinner event for that evening was titled “Street Food Fest.” The Fresh Food Company prepared a variety of interesting dishes that were supposed to embody the “life” of the street food festival right inside Mercer’s cafeteria. Some of the more unusual items on the menu consisted of pumpkin pie bread, the Elvis panini, Thai chicken lettuce wraps, Korean beef tacos, Korean pork skewers, egg drop soup, taco pizza and sizzling Malaysian chicken salad. If variety was what they were going for, they were spot on.
Preston Weaver, the location manager for the Fresh Food Company, explained the background on why Mercer decided to host this particular event. “It was a corporate suggestion that we do this event,” stated Weaver. “We wanted to showcase the different types of ethnic food. You know, try new things.”
Unfortunately, many students seem to have missed out on this dinner special because the Battle of the Bands event was held on the same night. As a result, the “Street Food Fest” had to share the spotlight with other campus events that evening. Despite this, the Fresh Food Company’s efforts in replicating an actual street food festival did not go unappreciated. Surprisingly, there is a lot of work and thought put into the events that the Fresh Food Company holds. Students should take more advantage of these special meal opportunities to show gratitude and enjoy the food creations. Like the “Street Food Fest,” many more interesting events are yet to come.
(10/26/13 3:18am)
Adriel Taslim is a fifth-year senior at Mercer University, majoring in both violin performance and French. He comes from northern California with a lifestyle filled richly with music. Ever since he can remember, music has always been a part of his life. Taslim’s mother taught music to him and his siblings from a very young age. While learning how to read music, Taslim and his siblings were coincidentally exposed to the alphabet as well. It can be said that his mother killed two birds with one stone! Taslim stated that his mother drew inspiration from his aunts and cousins. Although there were no official musicians in Taslim’s family, his family always had a strong interest in music. He was first introduced to the violin at age five when he saw his cousin play. At age six, he began taking unofficial violin lessons from his cousin, who taught him the basics, such as how to hold the violin correctly and finger placement. Since then, he has had multiple violin teachers. He met his most influential teacher when he moved to Sacramento, Calif., at age 12. His teacher, Zaven Melikian, a professor, violinist and concertmaster of the San Francisco Opera, lived in the San Francisco area, which was about a two and a half hour drive from Taslim’s home. Despite this long distance, Taslim attended his lessons faithfully. Melikian is also the assistant concertmaster of the San Francisco Symphony. In relation to Mercer, Melikian was the violin teacher of Amy Moretti, the director of the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings. Taslim came in contact with the director and found out about Mercer all through Melikian. He continued his lessons with Melikian until he entered the Townsend School of Music at Mercer in 2009.
Taslim stated that music was and is his entire life. Music was part of his life growing up, and continues to be a big priority today. “Music is my medium of self-expression,” says Taslim. Without music, he wouldn’t have been able to meet many of the people he knows and nor would he have experienced many of his cherished musical memories. Music has taken him around the world, including places such as Helsinki, Tallinn, St. Petersburg, London, Rome and many cities across the United States, including Chicago and New York. He was able to have these opportunities to travel with various orchestras, music festivals and competitions. While in California, he participated in competitions held in Los Angeles. Overall, music has opened the doors to many new experiences for Taslim. It is also beneficial that his three other siblings are all involved in music as well. When asked about his plans or dreams for the future, Taslim stated, “Right now, there are many avenues that I could pursue…But I am choosing not to limit myself at the moment. We’ll see where life takes me.” Whether or not his life path will proceed to take him on the musical road, Taslim continues to express himself as a talented artist.
(10/26/13 3:17am)
On Oct. 14, Mercer’s Art Department opened a new exhibit featuring the works of Pat Hickey.. Pat Hickey is an artist from Macon and a Mercer alumnus. Hickey graduated from Mercer in 1993 with a BA degree in Art. He completed his MFA from Georgia Southern in 1996. Hickey also taught art at Georgia College and State University for several years, and he is currently teaching Art History at Mercer.
The Plunkett Gallery can clearly be seen upon entering Hardman Hall. The gallery’s walls are glass, so it is completely visible from the outside. The serene atmosphere of the gallery set the mood for the exhibit. There was an informational program sheet available to gallery guests. Inside was an artist’s statement section that featured commentary by the artist of the exhibit, Pat Hickey. Hickey said, “My art is informed by surrealism, especially Max Ernst, and by the work of Georgia O’Keefe. It can be described as biomorphic improvisation; a fancy way of saying intense doodling. If it ain’t fun, why do it? All work is oil on canvas. All are untitled.” As mentioned in the program, there were no titles attributed to any of Hickey’s pieces of art. When approached with an analytical eye, the paintings remained a mystery to the novice observer. This, however, did not take away from the general effect of the artwork. Each piece was done beautifully with perfect blending of colors, intricate brushstrokes and fine detail. The most eye-catching piece was an abstract painting of a bird. This painting stood out because it was the piece with the most definition and detail. This bird was a lovely shade of blue with harsh, red accents. The complement of these two bold colors were striking and stunning. Overall, the exhibit was a very peaceful experience. If a Mercer student wanted a moment to escape the stress and demands of academic life, this exhibit would be the perfect place for tranquility, or to simply enjoy artwork. The exhibit will be open until Nov. 8th. Plunkett Gallery’s viewing hours are Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. There will be a gallery talk and reception on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m.
(10/13/13 11:15pm)
On Friday, Sept. 27, Mercer University’s Townsend School of Music provided a very big treat to the general public. The Mercer Ensemble Series: Mad About Chamber Music I concert was held in Fickling Hall at the McCorkle Music Building on Mercer’s campus. This concert was performed by Mercer’s Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Douglas Hill.
Having been to many other concerts put on by Mercer’s music school, I thought I was fairly knowledgeable about the general music programs on campus. I entered Fickling Hall with neutral opinions and expectations about the concert. That mindset quickly changed as soon as I took the first step into the concert hall. There had never been so many people in all my past attendances. My expectations started to increase as I saw more and more people coming to enjoy the concert. The whole room seemed to buzz with excitement. Shortly after the 7:30 p.m. mark, the performance began.
The concert consisted of nine different groups that performed in split ensembles. These groups included the percussion ensemble, clarinet quartet, trumpet ensemble, trombone quintet, two saxophone quartets, two brass quintets and a brass choir. Each ensemble performed one to four pieces of wide variety. As a result of this variety, each ensemble’s performance kept the audience engaged. The program progressed effortlessly and there was never a dull moment. Previous musical performances have had the possibility to lose audience interest because of the singularity of the program. However, the frequent rotation of the diverse groups in the chamber winds concert continually kept the audience on their toes. After the smaller groups, the concert finished off with its grand finale. The brass choir, last to perform, consisted of 15 performers of the brass family. This performance was the cherry on top of this fantastic concert. The brass timbres reverberated across the entire concert hall to create a truly breathtaking moment. Overall, this concert completely altered my view of Mercer’s music program. I will definitely be attending more performances in the future, as should the other students on or off campus. It is a genuine treat for all to enjoy.
When asked about the background of the ensemble series, Hill stated, “This series started 13 years ago in 2001 when the McCorkle Music Building opened. Its purpose was two-fold: First, the students in the full wind ensemble are assigned into 8 to 12 small chamber ensembles for three weeks each semester culminating in a concert. One purpose is to provide the Mercer University Wind Ensemble members with an opportunity to rehearse and perform in small chamber ensembles thus making them better individual musicians. Second, since the Wind Ensemble is too large to fit onto the Fickling Recital Hall stage, the ‘Mad About Chamber Music’ is one way all students can perform in this beautiful space each semester.”
Hill also wanted the general public to look forward to hearing the full Mercer Wind Ensemble and the Houston County High School Symphonic Band at Houston County High School with guest conductor, Maestro Enric Parreno, in the "Live From Spain" concert on Monday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.
(09/13/13 3:59am)
In college, there is one great challenge that doesn’t include your studies or your future. Would you believe this challenge is called the roommate? Yes, the roommate. Though it may seem insignificant at first, a roommate can actually make or break your college experience, depending on his/ her personality, habits, and compatibility. You’re already going to have a lot on your plate during college: homework, exams, mean professors, clubs, deadlines and many more stressful things. How tiresome would it be to add roommate issues on top of that? Luckily, there are a few helpful ways to avoid conflict and frustration with your roommate.
1. Make things clear with your roommate from the beginning of your relationship. Let them know of your needs, pet peeves, or other little things that may cause big problems in the future. Also, be sure to give them the opportunity to share what they expect from you. This first talk will establish a set of unwritten rules (you could write them if necessary) that both of you should strive to follow. Don’t forget to keep a light tone of voice, so that the conversation doesn’t seem too serious or harsh.
2. Respect your roommate and their stuff. Be mindful of your roommate’s privacy. You need your space and they need theirs too. Consider your roommate before you decide to bring people over, be loud, or do anything that could easily disturb them. Also ask before taking or using any of their belongings. You probably wouldn’t like it if you came back to the room to see your food stash half eaten without your knowledge.
3. Address problems while they’re still small. You and your roommate will have problems at some point in your relationship. Neither of you are perfect; so, it is likely that there will be occasional mistakes made on both ends. Instead of keeping every little irritation pent up inside you, address these issues while they’re still small. Casually letting your roommate know what bothers you will prevent awkward, tense conversations in the future. No one wants to be faced with a long confession when studying and other important pursuits need to be done. Deal with problems right when they happen!
4. Be friendly and interested. Your roommate will be someone of importance to you, whether you like them or not. Make the effort to take interest in them—their hobbies, interests, classes, etc. Getting to know your roommate will greatly benefit your relationship. Don’t be afraid to show them what kind of person you are, as well. Always be open to them and their ideas while you share yours.
5. Don’t expect your roommate to be your best friend or your worst enemy. Just because they’re your roommate doesn’t mean you have to either love or hate them. It’s not so bad to have a neutral relationship. Don’t try to make your roommate your best friend if it doesn’t happen naturally. Far-fetched hopes and expectations might make things awkward. On the other hand, don’t make your roommate your enemy - you will have a much worse time.
These are just a few tips that may help life with your roommate go more smoothly. Your roommate is just one of the many other challenges you will face at college (unless you do become close friends). Don’t make this one difficult, and simply enjoy the ride.
(09/13/13 3:59am)
“Trail Mix” Cereal Bars
4 cups Cheerios cereal
1/2 cup dried banana chips 1/2 1/2 cup roasted whole almonds 1/2 1/2 cup roasted salted hulled 1
pumpkin seeds (pepitas) 1/4 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
Syrup
cup packed light brown sugar
cup honey tablespoon butter teaspoon salt
If you are looking to try out a new kind of recipe, you should try what I call “Trail Mix Cereal Bars.” I’ve listed the basic ingredients, but feel free to try variations. This recipe can be tailored towards being a healthy breakfast, filled with cranberries, raisins, and dried fruit, or can be made into a sweet treat consisting of marshmallows, chocolate chips, and coconut. You will need a microwave to melt together the ingredients for the syrup. Begin by mixing Cheerios and the rest of the “trail mix” ingredients together and spreading them in a 13X9 in. pan. Melt the butter, and combine with the sugar, honey, and salt. Pour the syrup over the trail mix, and let cool for 30 minutes. Cut the bars to desired size, and store in a tightly covered container.
Microwave Quick Bread
5 tablespoons of flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 egg
2 tablespoons of milk
2 tablespoons of water
2 tablespoons of oil
Need a little variation from the same old sliced bread? Here is the solution to your struggle with monotony! This recipe is also dorm friendly, requiring only a few ingredients and a microwave. I used the same glass, microwave safe bowl to both mix the ingredients together and cook the dough. To make the bread, combine all of the ingredients, and mix until the batter is uniform throughout. You may need to add extra flour if your batter is still a thin liquid. The ideal batter is not as thin as cake batter and not as thick as cookie dough that you would mold with your hands. Microwave the batter on high for 4 minutes. Then, adjust your microwave power setting to 50%, and cook for another 3 minutes. Depending on how your microwave works, you may need to heat the bread longer if the dough is still gooey in the middle. Remember that the bowl will be hot when you remove it from the microwave! Transfer the bread to a plate, and it’s ready to be served. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the recipe to make more dessert-like bread, too. I used a little bit of powdered sugar to thicken up my batter and make the bread sweet. If you prefer cinnamon and brown sugar over vanilla, feel free to try that instead! If you are feeling the need to satisfy that sweet tooth, try adding cocoa powder and sugar to create chocolate bread. Experiment with a couple different variations to determine your favorite microwave quick bread recipe!