52 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(08/29/16 11:00am)
The school year is in full swing again, and many students are already wondering how to outfit their dorms to match some of the comforts of home. Here are a few craft ideas for students who want to give their dorm decorations a personal touch.
Washi Tape Art Gallery
Frames can be expensive and hard to hang up without leaving marks or running out of command strips. You and Residence Life can both have your way with a washi tape art gallery. Choose pictures of friends, find free printables online, or cut out artsy shots from your favorite magazines. Then, find decorative washi tape at your local crafts store (Target carries it). Try to find different colors and patterns that match or compliment the rest of the colors in your dorm. Then, tape up your gallery over your bed, desk, or sofa. Run the tape to create a border for the photos you’re showcasing. Make the gallery pop by alternating colors and patterns.
Picture Frame Jewelry Organizer
If you want anything other than a square cork board, you may have to pay a pretty penny. Make your own funky shaped jewelry organizer with cork strips, push pins and an old picture frame.
Find a picture frame at your local Goodwill, and look for adhesive cork strips at craft stores like Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. To add a personal touch, paint the frame with a pop of color. After it dries, cut the cork strips to fit the picture frame. Then, hang up your necklaces, bracelets and rings with push pins. This will save a lot of space and make for a great accent piece.
ModPodge Mood Board
If you’re looking for something that’s visually entertaining, cheap and easy to make, this is the craft for you. All you’ll need for this is a poster board, a stack of old magazines and Mod Podge multipurpose craft paste. Pick a word or phrase (you can use your name, for instance) and try to find that word or phrase in your magazines. Cut it out. Repeat. If you can’t find the phrase, cut out different letters in varying fonts. Then mod podge them to the poster board until you’ve filled the board and let dry. You can tape this piece above your desk, common area, or bed.
Mason Jar Makeover
This dorm hack demands little effort for your reward. All you need is spray paint and whatever sized mason jars you prefer. Paint pens and ribbons are optional. Just spray paint the mason jars and decorate to your heart’s content. Place the mason jars on your desk to help you organize pens and pencils.
Wooden Decals With a Twist
For this craft, you will need to visit your local craft store to find large wooden letters/phrases and faux flowers to decorate. You will also require hot glue as well as command strips if you want to hang the project. Cut the stems off of the fake flowers if need be and hot glue them to your letter. Use various colours to make the project come alive.
(08/19/16 11:00am)
One of Georgia’s newest laws may change the downtown bar scene this year. People under 21 will not be allowed to enter a bar, an establishment that receives 75 percent or more total annual gross revenue from alcohol sales, unless they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or spouse who is 21 years of age or older, as spelled out in Michael's Law.
The law, which was signed July 1, was created because underaged Georgia Southern student Michael Gatto died after allegedly being beaten by an underaged bouncer in a Statesboro bar.
Michael’s Law addresses concerns about current age restrictions in bars and the reporting of disciplinary actions taken inside bars.
All bouncers have to be at least 21 years of age, and any “disciplinary action” taken inside the bar must be reported within 45 days to a governmental entity, according to the official statute. “Disciplinary action” is defined by the statute as any citation or arrest due to any violation that involves alcoholic beverages.
Failure to comply with the law could result in a fine up to $750 for each violation. If another violation occurs within a three year period of the last violation, the bar or person could see punishments such as revocation, suspension or cancellation of the license.
Contrary to popular belief, the law does not require bars to provide training to their employees or to have liability insurance, reports Michele Stumpe, Taylor English Duma LLP.
Freshman Brianna Neese, 18, said she understands the need for these rules, but argues they may be too restrictive.
“Just because you’re at a place that sells alcohol doesn’t mean you’re there to drink,” Neese said. “It’s fun to go out with your friends and to just have fun. You can still be safe and not drunk to do that.”
While the age requirement is extended to the patrons, Michael’s Law states that this rule does not apply to students who have paid an admission fee to attend a concert or “live presentation of the performing arts,” according to the bill.
One of Mercer’s most popular downtown venues, The Crazy Bull, responded to concerns about Michael’s Law on their Facebook page last month.
“Eighteen-20 year olds can enter as long as they have paid to see a concert or performing arts show, which is what we do every minute that we are open,” a representative of The Crazy Bull posted on Facebook.
“[They] can still enter to watch our concerts and DJs perform.”
(05/02/16 10:28pm)
Following recent bulletin board fires and outbreak of racially charged vandalism in Sherwood Hall, Dean of Students Douglas Pearson met with students for an open forum Thursday evening.
“This is very serious. We are looking at criminal activity here, and we are treating it as such,” Pearson said.
A Sherwood Hall bulletin board has been set on fire twice in the past two weeks. But fire alarms never sounded.
“The reason [the alarm] was not triggered in the case of the recent bulletin board fire is because it was a small fire and the temperature did not reach the level required to set off the system, which is regularly tested, most recently in March,” said Jeff Takac. “Additional stand-alone smoke detectors were installed in the lobby after the bulletin board fire as an extra precaution.”
Pearson assured students that after the incidents, the university made sure that this system was working properly.
“Student safety is our highest priority,” Pearson said.
Following the fires, President William D. Underwood sent out a campus-wide email addressing a different Sherwood incident.
In it, Underwood addressed the racial slurs that had been written on the doors of Sherwood Hall residents Wednesday morning.
“This type of hateful behavior has no place anywhere, and surely not at a university that strives to be a community of respect,” Underwood said in the email. “Mercer’s continued progress on issues of race over the past fifty years is evident simply by looking around our campus. Mercer has become a vibrant, exciting, and diverse community, ranked among the best universities in the South and also among the most racially diverse.”
Pearson talked briefly about this racially charged vandalism during his forum Thursday.
Sherwood residents are shaken by the recent incidents.
Freshman Josiah Takang posted on Facebook after he noticed the slur had been scrawled across his door in all caps.
“Needless to say, I'm profoundly irritated and offended,” Takang wrote. “I was under the impression that it was no longer 1960 in the hearts and minds of some, but it appears I've been proven wrong.”[pullquote speaker="Kyle Allen" photo="" align="left" background="on" border="none" shadow="off"]We live in this building together and are supposed to be living here as a family or at least as mature adults. This is just sad.[/pullquote]
Kyle Allen, another Sherwood resident, also shared his concerns.
“I hope whoever has done these things got whatever satisfaction they were trying to get out of this or whatever point they were trying to prove,” Allen said in an interview. “We live in this building together and are supposed to be living here as a family or at least as mature adults. This is just sad.”
Dean Pearson said that counselors are available to students, should they need one.
“I know that this can be stressful and scary,” Pearson said. “Take care of yourselves during this time. Remember to keep your eyes open.”
Mercer police are continuing to investigate these events. Anyone with information regarding the perpetrator(s) is urged to call them.
(04/28/16 9:39pm)
The Hay House is set to hold their annual Spring Stroll on May 6-8.
The three day event will feature multiple tours, a greenery market and seminars. It will also showcase multiple homes and gardens in Macon.
“It’s beneficial for Mercer students to attend because we are part of the Macon community. Macon is a very historic city. It has a lot to offer as far as its story and its community — past and present,” said Elliot Fernandez, a Mercer student and representative of the Hay House. “This will give students a wonderful opportunity to see historic homes and gardens in the area and get a better understanding of what Macon life used to be and how it has changed and where it is today.”
The Macon Secret Garden Tour will take place Friday through Sunday. The Historic Interiors Tour will take place Friday and Saturday night. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15. If purchased the day of the event, there is a $5 up charge. Tickets for a combination of the two tours can be purchased for $25 in advance.
Additionally, the Garden Market will return to the lawn of the Hay House this year. It will feature many vendors who carry patio and garden accessories, plants and home accent pieces.
Garden seminars will also be held at the Hay House, located on Georgia Avenue down the street from the Walter F. George School of Law, every day at 2:00 p.m. and will feature talks on cooking with herbs and crafting garden decorating, among other activities.
During Spring Stroll, those who have purchased tickets will be given a free tour of what has been called “The Palace of The South” — the Johnston-Felton-Hay House itself. This famous building has combined historic Macon with modern life, featuring a brilliant display of numerous floral arrangements.
For more information on this year’s Spring Stroll, visit HayHouseMacon.org.
(04/28/16 9:33pm)
Within the next few days, many of you will say goodbye to your Mercer friends for the summer. But that doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to having fun. If you’re staying in Macon for the break, here are a few activities to check out:
May 11
Corks & Canvas
If you love wine and art, Corks & Canvas is the perfect outing for you. On Wednesday, May 11, the 567 Center for Renewal will host a painting class at which attendees are encouraged to bring along their favorite bottle of wine. They will get tips from a professional artist and walk away with their own 11 x 14 canvas.
The class lasts two and a half hours, and previous painting experience isn’t necessary. The event will cost $25 per person to cover supply expenses. Space is limited, so be sure to register soon by calling 478-238-6051.
May 13
Dark Side of the Dead show at Cox Capitol Theatre
If you’re in the mood for a night out on the town, check out hybrid cover band Cosmic Charlie as they take the Cox Capitol stage to perform a “Dark Side of the Dead” show. The band’s set will feature music from both The Grateful Dead and Pink Floyd, featuring a rendition of Pink Floyd’s iconic “Dark Side of the Moon” album.
Cosmic Charlie will perform the album in its entirety. There will be a “big band” vibe. Cosmic Charlie has two drummers, four keyboards, backup singers and a saxophone. Cox Capitol assures concert goers that before and after the Dark Side album performance, Cosmic Charlie will offer up two heaping helpings of its signature high-energy Grateful Dead tributes.
The performance will take place from 8-11 p.m. Friday, May 13. Tickets can be purchased at around $12-$15 through ticketfly.com.
June 11
Wesleyan Market
This event is set to be held every second Saturday this summer at nearby Wesleyan College. It will serve as a showcase for Macon’s local artisans and other vendors with a wide variety of items on display — everything from flowers, fresh fruit and vegetables to art, baked goods and jewelry. The market will feature live music and activities and is open to the community at no charge. To find out more, including a list of their vendors, visit the Wesleyan Market on Facebook.
June 12
Second Sunday
A local favorite, this outdoor concert series will continue throughout the summer months for all to enjoy. Pack up your picnic gear and head to Coleman Hill to enjoy a free concert. The show begins at 6 p.m., and the Brick will be there selling food and drinks.
Make sure you arrive early to secure a good spot for optimal concert viewing. Bringing your pets, picnics and lawn chairs is encouraged.
Looking for even more events to attend this summer? Check out ovations365.com for a comprehensive list.
(04/20/16 6:50pm)
American Novelist Wendell Berry will be awarded the 2016 Sidney Lanier Prize for Southern Literature this month. The Center for Southern Studies is set to present this prize April 23 in celebration of Berry’s contributions to Southern literature.
A prizepresentation will be held April 23 at 1 p.m. in the President’s Dining Room. There, Berry will present the audience with a reading as well as sign books.
“For several years, students who took Mercer’s First-Year Seminar classes read Mr. Berry’s poem ‘Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front.’ In that poem, he exhorts the reader to live freely and love the world. The poem, and Mr. Berry’s life, exemplify many of the ideals that Mercer aspires to uphold, and his prolific career as a writer, poet and activist have thoroughly enriched the tradition of Southern literature,” said David A. Davis, chair of the Lanier Prize Committee and associate professor of English at Mercer.
As an author, environmental activist, cultural critic and farmer, Berry has produced more than 40 works--a combination of fiction, nonfiction and poetry.
Berry has received numerous awards for his work, including the Cleanth Brooks Medal for Lifetime Achievement from the Fellowship of Southern Writers (2009) and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Jean Stein Award (1987), among others.
Berry has taught at Stanford, Georgetown College, New York University, the University of Cincinnati and Bucknell University. In 2015, Berry was the first living author to be inducted in the Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame.
Many of Berry’s novels, short stories, and poems are set in Port William--a small farming community that sits near the Ohio and Kentucky rivers, much like his current home in Port Royal. The themes of Berry’s writing include a push for individuals to live in harmony with the natural world. He draws inspiration from the tradition of self-sustenance that can be found on the family farm.
The Sidney Lanier Prize, named after a 19th century Macon poet, has been awarded each year since 2012. The award recipient is selected each year by a panel of judges, including Mercer professors, scholars of Southern literature and members of the Macon community.
Berry’s acceptance of this award follows that of many others who have made significant career contributions to Southern writing in drama, fiction and poetry. Past winners include Ernest Gaines (2012), Lee Smith (2013), Elizabeth Spencer (2014) and Yusef Komunyakaa (2015).
(04/14/16 3:20am)
As the school year begins to come to a close, Mercer’s choirs are set to hold two of their last performances of the semester.
One of the performances, “Voices of Spring,” will take place Sunday, April 17. The Mercer Women’s Chamber Choir will be featured in Fickling Hall with Stanley Roberts conducting. Roberts serves as an associate dean in the Townsend School of Music and is the Arthur Lowndes Rich Professor of Choral Conducting at Mercer.
The event is free to the public. It will take place from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Shortly after the Sunday afternoon performance, the Choral Society of Middle Georgia, Mercer Singers and the Mercer University Choir will unite to perform Maurice Duruflé’s "Requiem" at the Mulberry Street United Methodist Church.
Roberts will conduct this concert as well. He will be aided by Mercer University organist Jack Mitchener to bring together a version of the piece, which has been “highly celebrated for its sheer beauty of texture and color” in the past. Mitchener is the director of the Townsend-McAfee Institute of Church Music and associate professor of organ in the Townsend School of Music.
This event will take place from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold for $10.
Roberts was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
(03/31/16 2:43am)
What’s in a name?
For senior Mercer Maniacs members Braden Brettin and Seth Thompson, it’s a symbol of an unbreakable friendship and years of shared memories.
The two formed a strong bond while participating in the Mercer Maniacs during the football season of their sophomore year. Ever since, Brettin has been the “little bear” to Thompson’s “big bear” when it comes to Mercer sporting events.
“Sophomore year, we had an opportunity to get our own jerseys with nicknames on them. So we wanted to pick something that was fun, catchy and kind of stood out,” Brettin said. “Naturally, looking at each other, we are kind of two opposites. So we kind of wanted to have nicknames that reflected Mercer as well as our different personalities.”
The two said that they have both formed many friendships as members of the Mercer Maniacs. They didn’t always have such a solid friend group, however.
When Thompson was first starting out at Mercer, he was a commuter student who didn’t have many opportunities to find friends.
“When I came and joined the Maniacs, that’s when I started making friends,” Thompson said. “Brady [Brettin] became one of my best friends there.”
Thompson and Brettin sport their matching jerseys when they attend games together and cheer from the student section. They both view it as a display of their friendship.
“Sometimes I’ll pick [Brady] up and let him sit on my shoulders when we are trying to distract other teams. Because, you know, he’s my little cub,” Thompson said. “We’ve tried to show off our jerseys to get free doughnuts, but it hasn’t worked out yet. Maybe it will work when we come back as alumni.”
Their bond dates back to when the Mercer Maniacs were in, what Brettin calls “a state of infancy.”
“We didn’t really have very many people coming back then,” Brettin said. “[The Maniacs] have ended up being really more of a community of friends than I ever thought it would be. We all found a common love in kind of supporting our fellow classmates and peers.”
As graduation creeps closer, Thompson and Brettin are preparing to take a step back from their involvement with the Maniacs.
“We hope that whoever follows in our footsteps after we are gone can bring the same intensity that we like to bring to sporting events,” Brettin said.
Thompson agrees.
“We have a lot of seniors leaving this year,” Thompson said. “I’m kind of hoping [the newer members] can come up with some creative stuff. It would be great to see more core members, who are always at everything, helping out.”
Thompson and Brettin said they are fortunate to have found a friendship that stemmed from shared interests. They have some advice for underclassmen who are looking to have the same experience.
“You shouldn’t need to change who you are in order to fit in with any particular group or organization. Go out and find the things you like,” Brettin said. “You’ll find people there who share the same interest. That’s how you make friendships that will carry on past that organization.”
(03/31/16 1:57am)
Paintings by accomplished artist Kristy Edwards have been on display in the Plunkett Gallery since February 29. The art department hosted a reception for Edwards in the gallery on March 24 at 6:00 p.m., where she gave a gallery talk.
Edwards is a graduate of the University of Georgia. Originally hailing from Virginia, Edwards currently works as an art teacher at Stratford Academy here in Macon. Her work consists of oil paintings.
“I have always painted in oil and studied for many years with Marc Chatov,” Edwards said in a bio provided by Craig Coleman. “Also, I have had the honor to study with the world's finest current artists, including Odd Nerdrum at Pennsylvania Academy, Hollis Dunlap, Bo Bartlett, and Albert Handell.”
Edwards serves on the board of Macon’s Museum of Arts and Sciences. Her work will be on display in the Plunkett Gallery until April 1.
(03/17/16 5:09am)
St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching, and students who are looking to ‘wear, drink, eat, and celebrate the green’ can try their luck with these events.
Outside of Macon:
The River Street St. Patrick’s Day Parade
While Savannah may warrant a couple of hours of driving time, it’s well worth it to attend the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The festivities, which take place on River Street, will feature plenty of food, drink and entertainment. The parade that “paints the town green” will begin at 10:15 a.m., rain or shine. A parade route and list of more events can be found at savannahsaintpatricksday.com. For a special surprise visit the fountain in historic Forsyth Park with green water to signify that the whole city turns green in honor of the holiday.
Dublin’s Saint Patrick’s Festival
A trip to Dublin, Ireland may be impractical on a school night, but a trip to Dublin, Georgia could be the next best thing. The city began their festivities in February but will continue to celebrate throughout the month of March. An all-you-can-eat pancake supper is planned for March 17 from 4-8 p.m. at Dublin Middle School. Tickets will be $8 at the door. If you can’t make it to eat the fresh griddle cakes, there will be a parade and arts and crafts festival Saturday, March 19. For a more detailed list of events, visit stpatricksdublinga.com.
In Macon:
Pink is the New Green Festival Kickoff Party
Get ready to help Macon throw the “pinkest party on earth” with a St. Patrick’s Day-themed event. This kickoff will take place at The Blacksmith Shop on Poplar Street. Party Man Productions will be at the event. Food and beverage vendors will also be on site.
St. Patty’s Day Throwdown (Bootz and Katz with Fresh Valley Kings)
Electronic music group Bootz and Katz and hip-hop collective The Fresh Valley Kings are teaming up to help Macon celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style. Join them at The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom on Cherry Street. The event will begin at 10 p.m., and there will be no cover charge.
Whether you’re looking to stay in Macon or travel out of town for the day, there are multiple options to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day this year.
(03/17/16 5:04am)
The Mercer University Percussion Ensemble is set to perform March 18 in Fickling Hall. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. and is free of charge.
During this performance, the percussion ensemble will be working with both traditional and nontraditional percussion instruments to present a variety of pieces.
“There's going to be a little something for everyone at this concert — classical, jazz, even some non-traditional instruments will be used,” said Marcus Reddick, director of percussion studies. “It's going to be a lot of fun for everyone involved, so I hope [everyone] will come out and support these students who have worked tremendously hard for this concert.”
One piece that will be featured in the performance is George Hamilton Green’s “Jovial Jasper,” an arrangement written in ragtime style. The soloist for this piece will be sophomore xylophonist Brian Tyra.
Another piece that will be performed is titled “Doppelganger.” This arrangement is meant to be executed by four marimbists and four drummers handling two drums each. Reddick anticipates that this particular performance will fare well with audience members.
“The work moves in and out of shifting time signatures, so there is a bit of uneasiness about the feeling of this piece,” Reddick said. “We'll be doing this one without a conductor to add to the tension. I know the audience will love this one.”
BEAR Steel, Mercer’s newest ensemble, will also be featured during the concert. They will play two selections on steel pans.
“We will all be working hard to give everyone a percussion experience, rather than just a concert,” Reddick said. “I always welcome people to get up and dance if the spirit moves them during these concerts.”
(02/11/16 5:50am)
After his very last basketball game, a high school-aged Thomas Norton
couldn’t bring himself to walk away at first. He sat in a corner of the locker room alone, holding onto his things and not yet ready to leave. He hesitated even when his father came to retrieve him.
Years later, he’s experiencing a similar loss. Except now, it’s his
impending graduation that’s pulling him away from one of his passions — being president of the Mercer Maniacs.
“It’s going to be hard stepping away, but I feel like I have made some progress. And I have influenced people,” Norton said. “I can say I was a part of this and helped shape it. I’m excited to see the organization grow. But I’m trying to savor every last moment.”
Ever since his freshman year, Norton has been heavily involved with the Maniacs. He would watch games and wish that he could be more involved in the stands. He spent much of his early involvement helping pick up after the events.
“I was kind of like a utility man for them,” Norton said.
Now, he’s the one coordinating the events. In fact, Norton is a big part of why the Mercer Maniacs are so accessible to students today.
During Norton’s first year of participation, the Mercer Maniacs were a slightly more exclusive group.
“Back then, you had to go to five football games, and you had to be initiated. They gave them bow ties as their initiation,” Norton said. “It was very informal, but it made them seem very exclusive, which I wasn’t a fan of then nor am I now.”
Throughout his years of involvement, Norton made a conscious effort to make fans feel welcome.
“A lot of us weren’t happy with the exclusiveness of [the Maniacs], and we wanted to make it more open and make it less of an exclusive membership,” Norton said. “I think getting to know people and letting them get to know me is important. It’s all about establishing personal relationships with people.”
But being President of the Mercer Maniacs doesn’t come without its challenges. For Norton, the biggest obstacle has been having to shift his perspective at games.
“I used to just run around and have a good time. Now, I’m always looking at things and thinking about how I could make them run more smoothly. That takes away from my experience, but I enjoy doing it at the same time,” he said. “Sometimes I wish I got to pay more attention, but at the same time, it’s creating a better environment. So I enjoy it. That’s what the hardest part is — becoming less of a fan and more of a facilitator.”
Just like walking away from his high school basketball career, Norton knows that saying goodbye to what he loves won’t be easy. Still, he’s grateful for the impact that the Maniacs have had on him.
“We are really more than just a bunch of people who cheer at games,” Norton said.
“I mean, we are a family.”
(02/11/16 4:35am)
Valentine’s Day is nearing, and love is in the air. Or, the airwaves, I should say, thanks to the New York Times’ relaunch of their highly-acclaimed “Modern Love” series this month. One of my most beloved essay collections, “Modern Love” truly comes to life in its new form — a podcast that is easy to digest and just as pleasing to the ear.
If you’re unfamiliar with the print version of “Modern Love,” I must say it is a real treat. Much different from other New York Times content, this section regularly features reader-submitted essays that explore love as we know it. And now followers of the series can enjoy it on the go.
With the help of Boston’s NPR station WRUB, “Modern Love” has become more vivid than ever. While only a handful of episodes have been released, the quality of the pieces has more than made up for the quantity.
In the show’s first episode, “A Craigslist ‘Missed Connection’ Lure,” listeners are taken on a journey of a young woman who believes her Craigslist connection to be Mr. Perfect, only to find that he’s more of a hoax than husband material.
But “Modern Love” makes a point of not just being about the dramatic. It’s about more than chemistry or lust. It’s about love in all of its forms. Sometimes that love stems from grief.
This is the case in “Just One Last Swirl Around the Bowl,” a passionate story about a man who finds himself in love with a common goldfish. His daughter’s pet reminds him of his parents who passed away from cancer. The emotion behind this episode is beautiful. And the narration, which is voiced by beloved actor Jason Alexander, is very well executed.
What makes the podcast version of “Modern Love” such a gem is the added commentary provided by the show’s host and the essayists themselves. The story and interview combination is one that really works for this medium. This process has given “Modern Love” the extra push it needs to be successful in the world of audio.
Enchanting and thought-provoking, the NYT and NPR brainchild is worth falling in love with this season.
(02/11/16 3:28am)
Life is about to change for two seniors who were recently accepted into the Peace Corps. In May, Caleb Barefield and Heaven Woods will walk across the graduation stage and onto their next destination: Africa.
For 27 months, Woods will be located in Cameroon while Barefield will be in Swaziland. Although it isn’t the first voyage away from the States for either of them, both seniors are anticipating that their involvement with the Peace Corps will make for a very different experience abroad.
Barefield, who will be placed in the Youth Development sector in Swaziland, will help promote HIV awareness. Barefield has been a part of two Mercer on Mission trips to Greece, but said that his involvement with the Peace Corps will go deeper.
“[Visiting Greece] was more of a surface level kind of thing. I got to see the culture and interact with it, but with the Peace Corps, you integrate fully into the community,” Barefield said. “That’s what I’m most excited about. ”
Barefield said he is looking forward to experiencing life through a different lens while in Africa.
“As a middle class white male growing up in America, I have never been a minority,” said Barefield. “Moving to Africa for two years will be my first time experiencing what it’s like to be a minority and experiencing a different culture.”
Woods said she feels similarly. During her time in Cameroon, Woods will have a position teaching in the area of science. She said that she has been reading a blog from a Cameroon volunteer in order to gauge what life might be like during her stay.
“People say that you change so much as a person and gain such a cultural understanding and that’s what I want to get out of it — a new understanding of myself and where I’m going,” Woods said. “Hopefully, I will contribute something along the way as well.”
Woods also expressed that she isn’t sure how she will cope when it comes to being away from her family and friends.
“I feel like I’ll like it over there. It will just be different not to have this constant contact. I was thinking about it the other day, and I got really emotional,” Woods said. “My best friend, we always talk . . . it’s going to be really difficult not to have contact all of the time. That’s what I’m more worried about than being over there.”
Though both Barefield and Woods said the application process was lengthy and stressful, neither of them think that should deter students who are looking to apply.
“Don’t be afraid to take that leap of faith,” Barefield said. “I think being able to experience cultures outside of the U.S. and outside of your comfort zone is how you figure out who you are as a human being and who you are as a person and what you want to be for society.”
Editor’s Note: Since the completion of this article, senior Taylor Jolly has also received word of her acceptance into the Peace Corps and will be going to Cambodia.
(01/28/16 3:15am)
Best known for his role as Tom Haverford in “Parks and Recreation,” Aziz Ansari has since traded in small town Pawnee, Indiana for the big apple in his newest project, “Master of None”— a delightful comedic series in which he truly shines.
Ansari plays the lead role of Dev Shah, a 30-year-old actor who, after catching his first break as the star of a Go-Gurt commercial, sets out to make it big in New York City. Armed with indecision and a colorful collection of friends, Dev guides viewers through the hurdles of securing love, friendship and a solid career path in the modern day. Charming and true to life, “Master of None” is everything I could have hoped for in a sitcom and then some.
Perhaps the show’s best quality is that it feels much like a romantic comedy — one that the intended audience might actually find relatable. In the first episode, Dev has a one night stand with a girl named Rachel, who the audience later learns is a publicist in the music industry. Though the night ends awkwardly for the two of them, Rachel turns out to be Dev’s primary love interest throughout the first season. Their relationship is portrayed in an honest and refreshing manner that raises the question on the mind of many millennials today — are we really meant to be with one person forever?
But romance isn’t the only thing “Master of None” has to bring to the table. The show is also successful in starting dialogues about other important issues, such as the underrepresentation of minorities in pop culture platforms.
Dev’s friends are also successful in helping to bring about broader conversations on race and sexuality. Brian, for example, is Dev’s best friend who also happens to be the child of Taiwanese immigrants. Denise is another friend who is both African American and lesbian. Together, along with a slew of other well-written characters, they help to paint a more accurate image of what America looks like today, making “Master of None” all the more enjoyable.
Funny, raw and overall pleasant, “Master of None” is a series that truly hits the nail on the head. I would recommend it to anyone in search of their next Netflix binge.
(01/22/16 3:53am)
[video credit="" align="center"][/video]
Tonight, the Mercer student body rallied to cheer for a team that is often overlooked — women’s basketball. And they managed to keep it a secret.
Fans filled the usually vacant student section during the Bears’ game against Chattanooga.
Football player Tony Perella was instrumental in organizing the surprise. He decided to muster student support after women’s basketball coach Susie Gardner mentioned that the team rarely gets a large student turnout.
“She called out the student body for not really attending the basketball games for the women's’ team,” said Perella. “I took a lot of leaders from around the campus and put them in a GroupMe together, and we started figuring out ways that we could make the surprise happen.”
The Mercer Maniacs helped Perella by offering free t-shirts to the first 400 students who arrived at the game. They urged students not to post the offer on social media or tell any of the team players about their plan, wanting it to remain under wraps.
Perella wasn’t going to take Gardner’s criticism without putting up a fight first.
“I kind of took it to heart,” said Perella. “When she called [fans] out, she called everyone out.”
The Mercer Bears won their game 67-44.
(01/21/16 7:26pm)
The Mercer University Opera is set to perform "Oklahoma!" at the Grand Opera House this week, Jan. 21-23. Widely recognized as an “iconic American musical,” "Oklahoma!" is a production that details the story of a farm girl named Laurey who finds herself in a love triangle that raises tensions between her suitors and ends up involving the entire town. The musical will include a full orchestra and cast comprised of Mercer students, faculty and members of the community.
Martha Malone, director of Mercer University Opera, said she is “thrilled” to present this musical at the Grand Opera House, a location that hasn’t featured the production in 25 years.
“We hope everyone will turn out to start the new year with us in a celebration of song, dance and American-style optimism,” Malone said in a press release. “The audience will be swept along with the story and music and will leave the theatre whistling the title song.”
The musical will begin at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for students. Tickets can be purchased at thegrandmacon.com or by calling 478-301-5470.
(01/20/16 1:00pm)
Donn Rodenroth, The Telegraph
Flooding in Macon Takes Over Ocmulgee River
Flash floods popped up in Georgia over the winter break with the Ocmulgee River cresting at nearly 28 feet in early December and lowering less than a foot by January. According to Liz Fabian at the Telegraph, cleanup crews gathered to remedy the damage a few weeks ago, focusing mainly on newly formed sinkholes.
The flooding impacted Amerson River Park, which was renovated last July. Thanks to the efforts of on-site cleanup crews, the park has been reopened and damage to the river has been controlled.
Vandalism at Macon Mosque
The Islamic Center on Vineville Avenue was vandalized Dec. 12. Profanities were marked into the windows of the mosque along with the word “terrorist.” The graffiti was cleared within the week. Following the vandalism, members affiliated with a nearby church gathered to show their support. They held signs that offered sentiments, such as “we stand with our Muslim neighbors” and “just say no to intolerance,” 13WMAZ reported.
Mercer Icon “Papa Joe” Hendricks Passes
Dr. Joseph M. Hendricks, known by many as “Papa Joe,” passed away in December at the age of 81. Hendricks was an established faculty member at Mercer who served the university in many capacities.
Hendricks served as the director of religious activities and a professor of Christianity for many years. He was also instrumental in bringing the first black student, Sam Oni, to campus and started the school’s Upward Bound program.
“The soul of our university will forever bear the imprint of Papa Joe. His legacy will endure as long as students walk the halls of Mercer,” University President William D. Underwood said in a release.
The university held a ceremony for Hendricks at Newton Chapel Jan. 23.
Mercer’s Underwood Named “Middle Georgian of the Year”
The Telegraph named President Underwood Middle Georgian of the Year for 2015. In naming him, the Telegraph considered “[Mercer’s] accomplishments and endeavors that, under his watch, have more than altered the landscape of the campus and the city around it.”
The flourishing of Mercer’s sports program in recent years was an area the newspaper cited when making their decision, according to a story by the publication’s Joe Kovac Jr.
Mercer to Help Restore Historic Capricorn Studio
On Dec. 10, Mercer announced its plan to partner with NewTown Macon, Sierra Development and Southern Pine Plantations to restore the historic Capricorn Studio downtown.
The building, once used to record the likes of the Allman Brothers Band and Elvin Bishop, will be revitalized to provide a music incubator where musicians can practice and showcase their work.
"Mercer has invested heavily in making Macon the kind of place that is attractive to talented, creative and entrepreneurial young people. Having a vibrant cultural climate — including an active, engaging music scene — is a necessary component of achieving this goal," Underwood said in a press release. "Through Mercer Music at Capricorn, we plan on putting this historically important facility back to work, not as a museum, but as a tool to reignite a vibrant music scene in Macon."
Musicians looking to reserve a space in the incubator can direct their inquiries to NewTown Macon at music@newtownmacon.com.
(12/05/15 5:57am)
Once winter break officially begins Dec. 13, Mercer requires that all on-campus housing be cleared of students. At this time, card access will be turned off for all residence halls, apartments and Greek houses.
For many who live on-campus, this break means making a trip back home to spend the holidays with loved ones. But it means something entirely different for international students living on campus — many of whom are thousands of miles away from home.
“We didn’t actually know when we first came here that we couldn’t stay in our accommodations … not until we got an email saying we would have to move out,” Stephanie Hall, a junior from England, said. “It’s rather annoying.”
Many international students, forced to vacate the international house for winter break, are facing issues when it comes to finding where to stay. The majority of them either don’t have family members living stateside or are not allowed to travel home unless there is a family emergency per their scholarship details.
Many have opted to travel around the United States during the break in response to this. For some students, however, arranging travel accommodations for a month comes at too high of a price.
“Some of us may not have the money to travel and have no options. We are only planning [these trips] because we have no option,” Hall said. “I think we need to be catered for more. [Mercer] forgets about us. They just expect us to have plans.”
One student who came to Mercer from Japan, Maiko Yuzuriha, had to enroll in another school during the break because she could not afford to travel for an entire month. For Yuzuriha’s family, the price of her attendance at another school will be cheaper than arranging travel accommodations for a month.
“My mother and I were afraid when we heard I could not stay here. I have to go to school in New York,” said Yuzuriha. “I’ll stay there for the whole break. I didn’t have a choice, so I will study. But I wish I could stay here for winter break.”
Josh Hodges, a domestic student who has chosen to live in the international house this year, said that it would be beneficial if international students could befriend students who live stateside, so they could plan to spend breaks with them instead.
But Faisal Aldhorgham, a junior from Saudi Arabia, said that it isn’t so easy.
“It’s not like [international students] don’t have friends [to stay with],” Aldhorgham said. “It’s just that their friends normally go home to their families, and so they can’t make plans with us.”
Many international students are looking to Mercer’s administration to help remedy their housing situation.
“There is not yet an official system for students who can’t go back home. I think it would be really cool if Mercer could offer housing during the break even if it’s just limited or for special reasons” said Gabriel Gonzales, a senior originally from Venezuela and member of both the Residence Hall Association and the International Bears Association.
“But I understand that it’s hard to let just anyone stay. I think it would be an amazing opportunity if they could [offer housing] for special cases where traveling is just not possible,” he said.
But Julie Strecker, director of Mercer’s International Program, said the university has not seen a large enough number of complaints thus far to organize such a program.
“Right now, there is more of a grassroots approach to supporting [international] students” Strecker said, adding that the university already deals with these issues on a case by case basis.
“If the students want help, they need to communicate it,” she said.
Note: Jeff Takac, Director of Housin contacted us between the printing and publication of this article to clarify that international students were made aware of their obligation to leave campus during winter break through contracts they signed before coming to Mercer. Takac also said Mercer would be open to organizing a program that helps remedy this situation and urges international students to share their concerns with housing officials.
(12/03/15 3:07pm)
Optimists see the cup as being half full. Pessimists insist that it’s half empty. Give the cup to an idiot, however, and they will be sure to discuss the religious implications of its decorations or lack thereof. Yes I’m talking about Starbucks. And when it comes to this topic, I wish we would just put a lid on it already.
If you don’t live under a rock, you’ve probably already seen numerous Facebook posts about the Starbucks cup, most likely brought to you by your racist uncle’s feed. The company said farewell to its more festive cup design — instead opting for a plain red design this year. And, for whatever reason, this has people angry. Many followers of the Christian faith say that this is an attack on Christmas. A select few have (and this is true) demanded their baristas write “Merry Christmas” on the drinks that they order. People are offended. If anything, I’m offended that people are offended.
I hate to break it to these people, but Starbucks has never featured any Christian symbols on their cups. The designs have always been winter-themed instead and have featured symbols such as snowflakes and ice skates. This year’s cup is simply a more minimalist approach — not a “war on Christmas” as people have claimed.
In fact, I’d like to point out that Starbucks sells other outright “Christmas-themed” products. Their Christmas Blend coffee is just one example.
And so, the level of offense people are taking to this is laughable. The cup isn’t an attack on your religion. It isn’t a Scrooge-like dig at those who participate in Christmas. And it isn’t the “we hate Jesus” sign many people are making it out to be.
It’s just a cup.