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(11/19/15 7:00pm)
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The Make-End Festival celebrates "makers" or people who create original art, craft or technology-based works at Make-End Festival at Tattnall Square Park.
(11/12/15 5:41am)
The echoing shout of orange and black checkered fans. The flash of pompoms and toothy grins. The blur of movement on a fresh-cut field. To many, these images are game day staples.
To Sam Osakue, however, they mean something more. They mean home.
A junior and faithful member of the Mercer Maniacs, Osakue is the guy at the football games who is cheering when it seems most everyone else has stopped. The guy who is high-fiving everyone within reach after a touchdown. The guy chanting, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” — perhaps a tad louder than the others. He prides himself on his ability to rally fans together even when it seems most difficult.
Because of this, Osakue has been dubbed “Hype Man Sam”—a nickname first used by one of his close friends. Now, however, Osakue says he has started to hear the name from people he doesn’t know. Not that that’s a bad thing, he says.[pullquote speaker="Sam Osakue" photo="" align="right" background="on" border="all" shadow="on"]“I like the name and the personality [that comes] with it,” Osakue said. “I feel like it just comes from my energy, my electricity.”[/pullquote]
“I like the name and the personality [that comes] with it,” Osakue said. “I feel like it just comes from my energy, my electricity.”
But for Osakue, his persona isn’t just about getting involved. It’s about finding a space where he’s understood.
Osakue was diagnosed with Asperger’s and ADHD as a child. A diagnosis other kids his age couldn’t really comprehend.
“I got bullied a lot, especially in elementary and middle school. It was tough,” Osakue said. “I just felt . . . lonely. I felt like I needed a place to express myself.”
For Osakue, becoming involved in the student section at games was like a light switch turning on.
In high school, he was the mascot and his peers voted him “Most Spirited” during his senior year. Osakue carried that spirit with him when he moved away to college.
Now, he’s heavily involved with the Mercer Maniacs. He said that being a part of the college game day atmosphere is a feeling that not much else compares to.
“I love to dance and get us and the players excited. I love painting up, too. It’s just fun,” Osakue said. “It has really brought me joy, in a way.”
Another thing about “Hype Man Sam”? He never gives up.
“If you remember those old Energizer bunny commercials, that’s basically Sam,” said Thomas Norton, president of the Mercer Maniacs. “He never slows down and is always all-in for the games. He generally keeps the energy going and is always ready to hype up everyone around him.”
In fact, Osakue believes that “hyping people up” at games is his what he’s meant to do.
“My purpose is to get everyone else to get loud . . . to make noise, hit some stuff. It’s almost like a movie,” said Osakue. “Sometimes I feel like I’m Star Lord from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ He’s just got that energy and that humor.”
Before embracing his inner fan, Osakue said he felt isolated from society and unable to express himself. Today, he thinks differently.
“Now, I kind of feel like it’s okay to be different,” Osakue said
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(11/06/15 5:20pm)
Massive fire-breathing robots: somebody has to make them. And this November, the College Hill Alliance is holding an inaugural event to highlight those creators.
The Make End Festival's purpose, according to their official website, is to showcase makers—“people who create original art, craft or technology-based works.”
The festival will be held in Tattnall Square Park on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 10-6 pm and on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 12-6 pm.
The Make End Festival, which is supported by ArtPlace, will hold a variety of interactive events for guests. Festival-goers can admire a 30 ft. tall robot made of recycled materials or try their hands at wooden book making. The festival will also hold a “stunt ranch” where participants can learn about the science behind movie stunts and even take part in them.
Later in the evening, “light up the hill” will take place. Festival guests will be given the opportunity to create their own globe lanterns and will have the choice of participating in an illuminated bike parade through Macon.
Make End will also feature entrepreneurial speakers as well as food and drink.
The College Hill Alliance is still looking for people interested in being ambassadors for the event to help spread the word and volunteer at the event itself. Those interested can apply here.
Those who wish to attend this event can purchase tickets online at Make-End.com. One day admittance costs $10, while two day admittance costs $15. Kids ages four and under can attend the festival for free.
(10/28/15 5:23pm)
Mercerians participated in a slew of events the week of Oct. 19 to mark the university’s 2015 homecoming season.
The Disney-themed week started off with pumpkin carving in the Quad and a showing of Disney’s “Maleficent” in Willingham Auditorium Sunday evening.
On Monday, a lip sync competition was held in Willingham and featured performances by student organizations, fake singing songs from Disney movies.
“This was my favorite homecoming event. I was really impressed by some of the performances,” said Cody Moran, a freshman.
In the lip sync competition, Alpha Delta Pi and Lambda Chi Alpha took the crown for the Greek organization ranking, while the African Student Association (ASA) and Caribbean Student Association (CSA) placed first for non-Greek affiliated organizations.
On Tuesday, police blocked a portion of Montpelier Avenue at Mercer Village for Mercer’s Got Talent, an event spearheaded by fourth-year students Kaitlynn Jones and Kait Harvey. Students from Greek and non-Greek affiliated groups gathered to cheer their representatives on at the talent show.
Alan Kim and Abby Henry, who represented Mercer’s Reformed University Fellowship, walked away with the grand prize—a free semester of housing at the lofts.
“I really like homecoming week because it’s a great time to spend time with your friends. My favorite event was the talent show, actually, because my roommate won,” said Micah Givens, a senior. “Alan is a very passionate person.”
Throughout the night, Mercer’s Got Talent was able to raise over $4,000 in donations, which will benefit The Fuller Center for Housing, a nonprofit that helps low-income families throughout the world build and renovate homes.
“The Fuller Center for Housing is going to be able to impact so many more lives because of [this],” Jones said in an announcement to those who attended Mercer’s Got Talent. “This event just goes to show that Mercerians truly have a generous heart and giving spirit.”
Homecoming week proceeded with the opening of homecoming court voting on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Later that night, field day events were held on Cruz Plaza. There, students were able to participate in activities such as rock climbing and bungee jumping.
On Thursday, a Disney-themed skit competition took place in Willingham, where Alpha Tau Omega , Kappa Alpha Psi, and Phi Mu walked away with first place for Greek organizations while ASA and CSA took first place for non-Greek affiliated organizations.
Friday night marked a pep rally in Tattnall Square Park, held in conjuction with Octoberfest—the annual festival celebrating beer, brats and music. Students gathered together to mingle with friends and rally their support for the football team.
On Saturday, alumni and current students alike gathered for pre-game tailgating on campus. The homecoming game against the Virginia Military Institute started at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.
During half time, homecoming court was presented and the king and queen were announced. Gabriel Quintero was crowned homecoming king while Allison Booth was named queen.
Additionally, the overall winners of the homecoming week activities were announced. Alpha Gamma Delta and Kappa Sigma took first place in the greek organization category.
Ultimately, Mercer fell short of securing the win against VMI. The Bears lost, 28-21.
(10/13/15 2:41am)
The Macon Symphony Orchestra’s next haunt of the Grand Opera House, “Symphonic Tricks and Orchestral Treats,” will take place Saturday, Oct. 24.
This Halloween-themed concert will feature pieces, such as excerpts from Danny Elfman’s “Nightmare Before Christmas” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” among other holiday favorites.
All Mercer students can attend the show for free by presenting their student IDs at the door. Mercer students will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis while seating lasts.
“We hope Mercer students will come and experience the fun,” said Laura Dannenburg, administrative assistant for the Macon Symphony Orchestra.
Adult tickets are $25; student tickets will be sold for $10, and children can be admitted for $8.
There will be a special ticket price for alumni and their families. In order to redeem the discounted ticket prices, alumni must use the code “Mercer Alum” when purchasing concert tickets. Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office.
The concert will begin at 7 p.m. with the box office opening at 6 p.m. Maestro Jerry Steichen will hold a conductor’s chat at 6:30 p.m.
Those who attend the concert are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes.
For more information, please visit maconsymphony.com or call 478-301-5300.
(09/28/15 2:03am)
Millions of followers. Thousands of portraits taken. Countless stories told. This is the legacy of Humans of New York, a project kick-started by photographer Brandon Stanton. Showcasing nearly 5,000 street portraits thus far, Stanton has captured the attention of readers worldwide who find themselves transfixed by the stories of everyday people. Rising to wild popularity in the past several years, Humans of New York has undoubtedly connected people in a big way—and freshman Shruthi Vikraman intends to do the same.
Vikraman recently started working on her variant of the project, fittingly titled Humans of Mercer University. With her camera in tow and the goal of uniting campus-dwellers, Vikraman aims to capture the stories of Mercer students, saying that she was first inspired by Stanton to explore the lives of those around her.
“When I read Humans of New York posts, I tear up. It hits you … hard. And it’s because you’re able to relate to strangers on the street,” said Vikraman. “I wanted that sort of unity here at Mercer.”
Having garnered the attention of roughly 500 people so far, the Humans of Mercer University Facebook page is already generating a buzz on campus. The page features photographs of Mercer students accompanied by quotations they have chosen to share with Vikraman. One recent portrait shows a foreign exchange student tying his soccer cleats, complemented by a short testimonial about a stereotype he faces. Another features a young woman revealing her regrets in life. Vikraman said that she finds it easy getting people to share their personal stories during the interview process.
“It’s actually not that hard to get people to open up to you. Once they tell you what they’ve been through, what their goals are in life … you find that you have similar interests,” said Vikraman. “We’re all the same kind of people, right?
Though her project revolves heavily around featuring portraits of students, Vikraman said she wouldn’t consider herself a photographer.
“I’m more like an artist, I guess, but I am really interested in photography. It’s one of my biggest passions,” said Vikraman. “I wanted to do something worthwhile with (my camera). That’s what inspired me to do this.”
In fact, Vikraman insists that the mission of Humans of Mercer University expands far beyond the photographs she takes. For Vikraman, storytelling is what truly matters.
“It’s not about the photography at all, really. It’s more about just getting the stories, making them public, and having people be aware of other people’s lives,” said Vikraman. “The only way to do that is by exposing these stories.”
As the year progresses, Vikraman said she anticipates facing some challenges in regards to her project. She worries Humans of Mercer University will become difficult to handle with her already stressful class schedule. Additionally, Vikraman said she is not authorized to use the official Mercer University logo and is currently undergoing the paperwork process to do so. Still, Vikraman is optimistic that her project is one that will positively impact Mercer.
“I look forward to promoting this sort of empathetic love,” Vikraman said.
(09/25/15 2:26am)
After dealing with limited food choices for years, many returning students were happy to welcome the new on-campus dining options. While I may be among the population of those singing the restaurants’ praises, I believe there are still some issues that need to be addressed. Let me give you the dish.
Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Market, located in the UC, is a great place to start. This dining option has drummed up a steady flow of customers since its opening. Much of its popularity may be credited to the variation in menu items and the pristine decoration of the eatery. This, in combination with the store’s marketing towards millennials, has contributed to the Farmer’s Market’s popularity among students. But this eatery certainly isn’t without its faults. The short hours, a measly 11-3 p.m., are certainly the most glaring issue of Farmer’s Market. Meant to combat the usual lunch rush at the caf, these short hours lend themselves towards creating an environment that seems hectic and cramped. This leads to a lack of seating, which causes a distraction from what might be considered a dynamic menu. That brings me to my second grievance.
Perhaps Farmer’s Market should be placed in quotes because, though officials claim to be working on acquiring locally sourced produce from small-scale farmers, they are seemingly using the same suppliers that furnish the caf’s menu, which causes me to believe this dining option is just an overly-glorified version of the Fresh Food Company. I will say, however, that my recent visits to Farmer’s Market have not left me disappointed. My favorite option thus far has been the vegetable soup, which definitely packs a punch. The smoothie bar is equally as impressive. Boasting a menu with generally tasty options and offering a pleasant atmosphere, Farmer’s Market is an enjoyable alternative to its cousin, the caf.
Einstein Bros Bagels
Located on the first floor of the Tarver Library, Einstein’s is easily my newest guilty pleasure. The bagel shop’s extensive menu, combined with its cozy atmosphere, make this location an ideal spot for catching up on homework or chatting with friends. If you’re someone who has trouble working in quiet spaces such as your dorm or the library, Einstein’s might offer you a great alternative for study time. I know I tend to work better with a strawberry banana smoothie nearby.
My complaints with Einstein’s have less to do with the cosmetic and more to do with the operation. If you’ve ever walked through the store’s doors during busy hours, maybe you agree. The lines are often outrageous. The employees are less than enthusiastic and they routinely seem to rush customers through their orders. I have also visited on more than one occasion, just to find that Einstein’s has run out of whatever I had planned to order. This is understandable seeing as the store hasn’t been open long enough to track students’ preferences and adjust accordingly for truck delivery. Hopefully this will be remedied sometime in the future.
Though I believe that both of Mercer’s new dining options have plenty of room for adjustment, I am overall pleased with the choices each eatery has to offer students. Einstein Bros and Farmer’s Market have added much needed variety and flavor to Mercer’s campus. Don’t be afraid to dig in.
(09/25/15 1:33am)
Mercer’s Entrepreneurship Engineering Education Program (MEEEP) is aiming to bring students together this year through collaborations across multiple fields. Junior and President of MEEEP Ben Kasson recognizes the lack of discussion occurring among students on campus.
“We have so many groups all over Mercer’s campus. They all have similar goals, and yet they are not collaborating. It’s silly,” said Kasson. “We’re looking to bring people together from multiple technical and other contexts who look at problems differently and try to solve problems differently. We want to get them in the same room, same place to attack problems in ways that they wouldn’t have come up with by themselves.”
For Kasson, a large component of this is setting up a conversation between Mercer students and local organizations. Most recently, MEEEP has been working with Mercer’s Robotics Club on a project concerning Real Impact. This Macon-based organization seeks to inspire and ready young women for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers. On Sept. 4, MEEEP and the robotics club joined together to organize a speaking event in order to recruit volunteers for Real Impact.
“[The event] was good. We had a fair crowd show up and got a lot of sign-ups for volunteers which is the main reason we are doing this collaboration to begin with,” said Kasson. “We want to be able to have more technically literate people show up and help these kids.”
Currently, the clubs are spearheading an education program that will help prepare Real Impact’s own robotics team for a Lego First League competition to be held this December.
“All of these concepts we have to teach to the kids are pretty complicated. But, these kids are getting to learn in a context where they get to ask as many questions as they want and do it with their friends and try to have a fun time with it,” said Kasson. “It’s something that they wouldn’t be able to do in a public school setting.”
Kasson says he hopes to expand MEEEP’s presence even further on campus this year. One project he says he hopes to tackle involves engineering students working with the art department’s 3D printers.
“There are probably hundreds of engineering students walking around on campus every day who have been using the software that is relevant to these machines,” said Kasson. “They aren’t getting an opportunity to use that knowledge in any context other than a classroom, other than a hypothetical format.”
Beyond that, Kasson says MEEEP is currently talking with Quadworks in order to set up more live music events on campus.
“There are a lot of musicians at Mercer it seems like a sham to only have one concert every year. Hopefully, we will have at least one this semester and one next semester,” said Kasson. “These are projects that are sort of on the drawing board still. They’re becoming real, we’re talking to people. It’s going to happen.”
Overall, Kasson looks forward to having MEEEP become a larger presence on campus.
“I’ve never really had the chance to lead a collaborative like this before so it’s keeping me on my toes, I really like it,” said Kasson. “We have a lot planned for the year.”
(09/16/15 7:12pm)
MerServe aims to heighten community involvement among students this year by hosting monthly Service Saturdays, which will place student volunteers in contact with local non-profits in need of aid.
The first Service Saturday is to be held Sept. 26 and will take place between 8:30 a.m. and noon. Students who volunteer will organize outside of the Fresh Food Company Saturday morning and will be sent out to various non-profit organizations in Macon.
MerServe is targeting five different organizations for this upcoming Service Saturday: Rebuilding Macon, The Village Green Community Garden, Daybreak, Brave Meadows, and Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful.
Those who volunteer for Rebuilding Macon will finish painting a home for a low-income resident while those who travel to the Village Green Community Garden will assist in maintaining the plants there.
Other volunteers will travel to Daybreak, a center for the homeless, or to Brave Meadows, a therapeutic horse riding center. According to their website, Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful will use its volunteers to work towards their goal of creating a “cleaner, greener Macon.”
MerServe is hoping to recruit 50-60 student volunteers for the upcoming Service Saturday. Students interested in serving the community through this program can send their inquiries via email to mercermerserve@gmail.com.
“The board really allows you to reach out, to become engaged, and to blur the lines between Mercer University and the surrounding community,” said Rochelle Heard, Mercer junior and co-chair of MerServe. “We would love to have as many people come out as possible.”
(09/04/15 1:16pm)
Mercer's Entrepreneurship Engineering Education Program (MEEEP) and Robotics Club are teaming up to host a speaking event this Friday, Sept. 4 in order to raise awareness for Real I.M.P.A.C.T. This local, non-profit organization seeks to inspire and ready young women for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers.
According to the organization’s website, Real I.M.P.A.C.T’s mission is to “provide the youth with support in academics and prevention services in order to develop Intelligent and Motivated People to Actively Change the Times through a STEM and literacy focus.”
Guest Speaker Geneva West, the executive director of Real I.M.P.A.C.T, will be on campus this Friday evening in order to explain the program’s goals and to recruit student volunteers for the cause.
Ben Kasson, president of MEEEP, said that the clubs hope to see participation from science and engineering students in particular. However, all students who wish to serve the community are welcome to attend and are encouraged to invite their friends as well.
Food and drinks will be provided for those who attend the event, which is to be held in Room 110 of the Science and Engineering Building lecture hall at 5:30 pm.
(09/02/15 9:21pm)
From behind the shroud of animosity, alternative R&B singer Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, carefully worked for years to cultivate his distinct sound.
Deemed a “no-hit wonder” by the likes of The New York Times, this Canadian crooner rose to popularity without becoming the darling of a famed record label—he first gained attention through uploading his sensual tunes online instead.
For much of his career, Tesfaye was a mystery to the entertainment industry. He was better known to much of the world for collaborations with artists like Drake and he rarely did interviews—making him the XO fan base’s best kept secret.
With the release of his second studio album, "Beauty Behind the Madness", Tesfaye has fully stepped away from the shadows and on to the mainstream music scene. He’s taking a new approach to his music—and it’s a formula for success.
WARNING: Graphic Content [infographic align="right"][/infographic]
Heavily influenced by Michael Jackson and Prince, "Beauty Behind the Madness" is an album that should assuage the fears of longtime fans who worried Tesfaye would lose his signature sound. If anything, this album makes his music even more irresistible—and now the whole world gets to hum along.
Those who have followed Tesfaye since "House of Balloons" should be pleased to find that he has yet to abandon his goose-bump raising, skin-crawling subject matter.
Beauty Behind the Madness boasts plenty of tracks that detail pill-popping and rough sex, signature themes in Tesfaye’s previous works. “Tell Your Friends” is one such track that is particularly pleasing. Co-produced by Kanye West, this song is an upbeat twist on previous Weeknd tunes that have celebrated Tesfaye’s bad-boy persona in the past.
“Tell Your Friends” carries a message for the XO fan base: “Don’t believe the rumors, I’m still a user. I’m still rocking camo and still roll with shooters.” This song is easily my favorite on the album, followed closely by the ego-serving “Shameless” and the electric track titled “In the Night”, a song reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
“Prisoner,” Tesfaye’s collaboration with longtime friend Lana Del Ray, is another track that is sure to impress listeners. This song centers on self-analysis and criticism, something fans have yet to hear from Tesfaye. “Prisoner” is evidence that the man behind The Weeknd is multi-dimensional and that he still has more to share with his followers.
On the flipside, "Beauty Behind the Madness" packs a couple of tracks that are on the verge of being yawn-worthy. “Dark Times,” a collaboration with Ed Sheeran, ultimately flops. For me, Tesfaye is too hardcore to recruit this English pop singer. “As You Are” and “Acquainted” are two other tracks that leave a bit more to be desired sound-wise. However, these songs should certainly not be discredited.
Overall, "Beauty Behind the Madness" is enough to make even the ficklest Weeknd fans proud. Through combining his old subject matter with a brand new sound, Tesfaye has truly delivered a dynamic album that is sure to send him spiraling up in the charts. Carrying a sound that echoes the greats of the music industry and resonates with his audience, Tesfaye could quite possibly become one of the most influential artists of our generation.
(08/30/15 6:04pm)
Rarely do I find myself being graced with a podcast that is so whimsical and charming, it feels more like a good friend than an audio clip. That’s why I was truly grateful to stumble across the gem that is Mystery Show. In this podcast, creator and host Starlee Kine leads listeners through a myriad of mysteries. But that’s truly the only thematic umbrella Mystery Show falls under. While Kine doesn’t focus on overwhelming issues by any means, each mind-boggler she tackles is more unique and bizarre than the last.
Mystery Show’s pilot episode, for instance, features a call in by a woman named Laura who recounts a story of a simple movie rental in a small town. Laura explains that, upon trying to return her copy of Must Love Dogs the next day, she finds that the video store has closed up shop overnight—seemingly without any warning. Laura and Kine wonder aloud about how that could be. We join Kine as she hops on a train to find out.
Another episode highlights a mystery that has plagued Andrea, a writer who claims to have written a failure of a book. She talks about her bewilderment when images surface of pop star Britney Spears clutching a copy of this novel at a family outing. Andrea is at a loss for how a book that did so poorly in sales could wind up in the arms of the “Slave 4 U” crooner. Upon hearing such a story, many people might cock their heads for a moment and then go about their merry way. But not Kine. No, she intends to find out why.
An inquisitive nature is something that comes easily for our Kine, who claims that a wild curiosity has followed her since childhood. “Think back to when you were a little kid…how badly you wanted to believe the world was full of hidden treasures,” she remarks in her third episode. Perhaps that’s part of what makes Mystery Show so good. It gives listeners a chance to revisit this sense of childlike wonder about the world. It extends audiences a safe space where questions like “how?” and “why?” are welcomed—not shunned.
Kine might not be paying attention to large mysteries, but she’s certainly paying attention to life mysteries. The things that people lie awake at night and think about, but never seek to explore for themselves. These quirky “cases”, as Kine calls them, are at the very heart of Mystery Show. Beautifully recounted and explored with the authentic storytelling that is to be expected of Starlee Kine, this series of tiny conundrums makes for a podcast that is genuine, funny, and heartwarming. With characteristics like these, it should be no mystery why Mystery Show has already climbed its way up on my list of favorites.