Author: Sara Blair Matthews

Olivia Seecof
Writer

Take Back the Night, which occurred on Oct. 18, has grown to become an anticipated and highly respected event on the University’s campus with growing participation each year. Hundreds of students filled the science quad to participate in the rally. This event, originating in Philadelphia in 1975, has been taking place for many years.

“The roots of Take Back the Night lie in the issues of sexual and intimate partner violence, the voices of survivors and the voices of students who are taking a stand on our campus,” Tracy Shaynak, Director of the Women’s Resource Center, said.

This year, the Speak UP Bucknell Peer Education Program in conjunction with the Women’s Resource Center worked together to plan the event.

“The students were really involved in the planning. There was a committee of students who worked with Tracy Shaynak for about a month and a half to plan the whole event,” Stephanie Gonthier ’15, a member of Speak UP Bucknell, said.

“These are not easy issues to discuss, but we know we cannot make a difference without student ownership, dedication and commitment. Having the opportunity to work with students who are willing to help us address these issues head-on is incredibly valuable,” Shaynak said.

The event included students reading excerpts of stories as well as inspirational thoughts.  It then concluded with a walk around campus with students carrying glow sticks: teal for sexual assault and purple for domestic violence. During the walk, the campus a capella groups sang.

“I always love singing at Take Back the Night. It’s such a great cause and I was honored to be a part of it. It is awesome seeing our campus joining together,” Allison Gibson ’13, a member of the Offbeats, said.

“I think that Take Back the Night says what almost no other event on campus can.  To me, Take Back the Night tells anyone who is suffering the effects of sexual violence that there are hundreds of people who care and will take time out of their nights, forget about their exam the next day, maybe lose some extra sleep and often relive memories they don’t want to have just to be there and support you,” Will Evans ’14 said.

“I am grateful to all of the students who spoke at Take Back the Night, and hope that this event and others will help us continue the dialogue as we all work together to address the issues facing our campus community,” Shaynak said.

Paige Bailey
Writer

The Race and Politics panel on Oct. 22 was a reminder that despite the election of President Obama, the country has much to do in terms of racial acceptance. The Race and Politics discussion was the last in a series of conversations to help the campus community hone in on key themes in the context of a momentous election. Each participant highlighted key ways that the race has manifested itself in the political arena in both invidious and consistent ways dating back to the nation’s founding.

Associate Professor of History Leslie Patrick outlined a historical account of the politics of race. He said that while the nation deliberately worked to exclude African Americans from politics at its founding, there is “ample evidence that the past is still with us.”

Patrick said there is a key break with the past in terms of the language that is used in politics to discuss race. She argued that in fact, the 20th century is distinct because race is not directly referenced. Instead there is a “new code” that attempts to mask blatant racism with language of “law and order” and “states’ rights.” All four panelists agreed on this point. Specifically, Associate Professor of Economics Nina Banks defined this situation as “racism without specific terms.” This color-blind racism is now the “dominant paradigm” in America.

Professor of Sociology Linden Lewis also discussed the paradox between the primacy of race and the lack of an explicit discourse on race. For example, Lewis said that the continuing question of Obama’s nationality deems him as “other” in a fundamental way. However, questioning African American citizenship is not a new feature in American politics.

“We are witnessing … the sharpening of the discourse of race … racially coded language and terms in the political debate,” Lewis said. “[For the first time there is] someone in the White House whose citizenship and patriotism can be brought into question by racist members of society,” Lewis said.

Professor of Political Science Atiya Stokes-Brown highlighted how the increased diversity of the American population brings important questions for the Republican Party in particular.

“There is reason to suggest that despite the Latino vote being up for grabs that they in fact primarily vote for the Democratic Party,” Stokes-Brown said.

She said that the important role demography plays in elections “guarantees race’s role” in the political sphere in the future.

In the context of an election, the audience was able to engage in how racism still pervades American politics.

“ … Despite having an African American president, we do not live in a post-racial society. The issue of racism is now below the surface, rarely discussed, as we see in the current presidential election,” Paige Cobbs ’13 said.

The “Great Recession” our country is currently in has magnified the preexisting wealth gap between black and white Americans. The unemployment rate of African American men is double that of their white counterparts. Because of the failure to address racism, Banks said it is unsurprising that the recession was “particularly catastrophic to the African American community.”

Kerong Kelly
Writer

This year’s Homecoming campaign, scheduled for this weekend, is the largest effort the University has seen it its 161 year history. The goal is to raise half a billion dollars. To celebrate its most generous donors, the University will be hosting a gala tomorrow night, held in a tent that spans the entire width and length of the Academic Quad. The following day, there will be a BBQ for the faculty, staff and their families to show the University’s appreciation for their service to the school.

The tent measures approximately 275 feet long by 85 feet wide, over half an acre in area. It will take approximately one week to set up and one week to disassemble. As for the effect it will have on student transportation across the quad, the delays are minimal. Some students showed their displeasure with its location.

“I think the tent takes away from the fall foliage. The most beautiful views are from the academic quad,” Morgan Slade ’13 said.

Other events that are going to be held during Homecoming weekend include Corey Harris and Vertical Horizons concerts tonight and a conversation with Jim Cramer and Walter Isaacson tomorrow morning. Though the tent’s function is visible, some believe its placement is not completely practical.

“I don’t understand the location. I think a better location would have been the Sojka Pavillion,” Brandon Dellafave ’16 said.

The University would not release the total cost of the tent.

Jen Lassen
News Editor

A 21-year-old Lewisburg man was recently found and arrested by Buffalo Valley Regional Police after breaking into University students’ homes through an iPhone GPS tracking device app.

Tristan Swigart of Lewisburg was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, theft, loitering and prowling and criminal mischief.

On Sept. 15, police said that four University students reported a break-in at their apartment on 31 South Sixth Street. Three of the occupants were sleeping upstairs, but the fourth roommate was not home at the time.

Taken from the house was a 32-inch flat-screen television, a DVD player, a bottle of Three Olive vodka, a bottle of wine and a bottle of champagne.

Also, a student living at 108 S. Sixth St. previously reported that someone stole a TV, an iPhone and two MacBooks from her. She said she had GPS tracking software that indicated her iPhone had been taken to 113 North Third Street where the culprit was eventually found and arrested.

All tenants of both 31 South Sixth Street and 108 South Sixth Street were unable to comment on the case due to legal concerns.

“We always made sure to keep the doors locked before, but the burglars went through our living room window so we immediately made sure all of our windows were locked, and we keep the blinds drawn at all times. We also don’t leave anything of value in our living room. It was kind of scary, but I still feel pretty safe living downtown because I know we always have our doors locked. Other students downtown may not follow the same procedure as we do of locking their doors and windows, but I think everyone definitely should,” an anonymous student living nearby downtown said.

Jen Lassen
News Editor

Fraternities are known for their sense of brotherhood and philanthropic service, but who knew that they were known for their cuisine, as well?

On Oct. 15, chefs from each fraternity on campus gathered in Larison Dining Hall for Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council’s annual Greek Iron Chef event.

For $8 a ticket ($10 at the door), students had the opportunity to sample different fraternity house dishes, prepared by the chefs for each house. Fraternity members from their respective organizations each took turns serving food to students from the different booths set up around Larison Dining Hall.

Keeping with the “Iron Chef” theme, students also had the opportunity to vote on their favorite dishes by dropping their tickets into the cups that corresponded to the fraternity or fraternities that served the tastiest food.

Kappa Sigma fraternity won the event with the most votes for its chicken and vegetable kabobs. Other dishes included buffalo chicken dip from Chi Phi fraternity, chocolate chip cookies from Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, and mozzarella sticks from Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

Chris Spahr ’13, vice president external of IFC, coordinated the event.

“It’s just really exciting to get all the frats together to achieve a common goal,” Spahr said.

The “common goal” for the event was to raise money for the Million Penny Project, the philanthropy chosen by IFC. So far, almost $10,000 has been raised for the Million Penny Project due to efforts from past events.

“We will achieve and may even surpass our goal of raising the money this year,” Spahr said.

Pat Zailckas ’13, IFC president and Steph Thomas ’13, Panhellenic vice president of community outreach, also had a hand in planning the event.

“It’s nice to see everyone supporting each other. It’s really helpful for raising money for the philanthropy,” Thomas said.

The large turnout of students made for long lines at the event.

“It’s a great event, but the long line is unavoidable,” Pete Filippi ’13, member of Delta Upsilon fraternity, said.

“There are so many people here … great food for a great cause,” Emily Arthur ’15 said.

Sara Blair Matthews
News Editor

Construction on the ground floor of the Elaine Langone Center has finished, and the Intercultural Equity and Advocacy (IEA) Center held a tour to show off their new office to alumni, former IEA members and administrators. The event was part of the IEA’s celebration of their 25th anniversary at the University. A coffee and tea mingle session was held in the Center Room from 3:30-4:30 p.m., the tour was held from 4:45-5:30 p.m. and a mission reception followed from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Multicultural Student Services (MSS), International Student Services (ISS), the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) and the associate dean of diversity, Thomas Alexander, are moving to this new space. The space is at the back of the student hearth space, which used to be the site of the University’s bookstore.

“It is important to clarify that the staffing for all these offices has not changed, just the space,” Vincent Stephens, director of Multicultural Student Services said.

Stephens thinks the furniture will likely arrive in December and believes the desks will be here even sooner. The IEA will be moving their offices over the first few days of Winter Break after finals have ended.

“[I think] it will be more visible, and more students will hopefully use the space, its offices and the directors. I am excited about it,” Jewish Chaplain Serena Fujita said.

“It is amazing to see its transformation,” a former director of the IEA said. “It used to be just a thought, and I can’t believe how much that idea has evolved. I’m blown away.”

Kerong Kelly
Writer

Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter, is scheduled to come speak as a part of the University’s new forum series, “tech/no” on Oct. 23. Stone will talk about the impact media has had on today’s society and culture as it continues to expand drastically.

“I am excited to hear about Stone’s road to success and about the impact he has had on the general public,” Scott Ernenwein ’16 said.

The “tech/no” series forum aims to discuss and inform on the pros and cons of newer technology as it pertains to politics, science, business etc.

“I think it’s great that Bucknell is bringing in current people such as Biz Stone that have founding experience. I hope to hear more people from different fields,” Jared Feindt ’16 said.

In the spring semester, the University looks forward to welcoming Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post Media Group. She will be speaking on Feb. 19, as part of the “tech/no” series.

The consensus on the speaker choices on campus is positive. From Kevin Clash, the voice of Sesame Street’s Elmo, to Edward Albee, renowned playwright, recent speakers have covered a wide range of topics from different fields.

“In general, I like that they have a good variety of people,” Carolyn McPhee ’15 said.

As social media outlets continue to expand, speakers such as Stone and Huffington are becoming even more important not only as role models, but also as leaders in their fields.

Paige Bailey
Writer

The University will be a part of a national China Town Hall event featuring a webcast with U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, on Oct. 29. Just one week before the presidential election, members of the University will be able to engage in a discourse regarding United States-China relations with both Locke and a leading China expert, Bonnie Glaser.

The China town hall will begin at 6:45 p.m. in the Terrace Room with Glaser’s talk, “U.S. Strategic Rebalancing toward Asia and Its Impact on US-China Relations.” Glaser is a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies as well as a member on the Council on Foreign Relations. She specializes in issues of defense and international security in China, East Asia and the Pacific and Korea. Her writings have been published in an array of academic journals and newspapers.

The National Committee on United States-China Relations (NCUSCR) relations is the oldest American organization focused on the promotion of strong, friendly relations between the two countries. Zhiqun Zhu, associate professor of political science and international relations and MacArthur Chair in East Asian Politics, said the NCUSR sponsors these webcasts primarily to “ … remind Americans that a strong and cooperative US-China relationship serves the best interests of the two countries.”

After Glaser’s talk there will be a webcast led by Locke, who was a two-term governor of Washington and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce prior to his confirmation as Ambassador to China. He is also the first person of Chinese descent to be the Ambassador to China.

Zhu also said that students should be excited about this forum because, for the first time, “Bucknell will be joining some 50 other locations across the country to host this important event just one week before the U.S. presidential election.”

Zhu believes that the way that the event is set up facilitates dialogue about “China-related issues” between citizens and policy experts and senior officials.

“It’s a tribute to the stature of Zhu that he has been able to bring together the participants in this event,” said Pete Mackey, vice president for communications and community relations.

Mackey also said that this forum is representative of the “vibrant intellectual and cultural dialogue that Bucknell encourages on campus and beyond.”

Alexis Birnberg, a senior Management major with an East Asian Studies minor echoes Professor Zhu’s enthusiasm. “There have been various discussions in U.S. politics, most recently within the presidential election, debating future affairs with China. Attending this event will introduce people of all majors to both the costs and benefits of Chinese relations, adding substance to the debates you may see on TV regarding this topic. China’s booming economy has also played a large role in the United States economic prosperity. There are various facets of China that could affect the future of the U.S. – [everyone] should want to be informed of this relationship, ” said Birnberg.

The China Town Hall is sponsored by the MacArthur Chair in East Asian Politics, the Departments of Political Science, International Relations and East Asian studies and Communications and Events Management offices and the National Committee on United States-China Relations.

Allison Busacca
Writer

“Tech/no,” the University’s fourth Forum National Speaker Series, commenced this fall, and will run through the spring of 2014. The mission of this series, according to Forum Chair Pete Mackey, is to “explore the positive and negative influences and effects of technology on multiple aspects of human life and society.”

The series is called “tech/no” because its goal is to consider not just the “promises” of technology, but also its “perils.”

The Forum will kick off its “tech/no” speaker series with Biz Stone, co-founder of one of the biggest social media platforms, Twitter, on Oct. 23 at 7:30 p.m. The event will take place in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts. When choosing speakers for this theme, student task force member Katurah Klein ’13 believed they “could not do a ‘tech/no’ series without adding in a factor of social media. So who better than the co-founder of Twitter?

The Bucknell Forum has announced that its “tech/no” speaker in the spring will be president and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, Arianna Huffington.

“[Stone and Huffington] are two of the most influential people to come to Bucknell,” student task force member Lindsey Myers ’13 said.

Myers is an interdepartmental media studies major, so she is especially excited to hear from them on the “link between media and technology.”

Working on this “tech/no” series has made Klein more aware of how we are constantly “plugged-in,” and she hopes the Forum’s speakers will evoke “thought-provoking conversations” on the advantages and disadvantages of technology.

Another upcoming event planned for this series is a performance titled, “Un/real and Un/true: ‘The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs,’” on Nov. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in Trout Auditorium.

“[‘The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs’] will feature human and multi-media interruptions scripted by the task force with students that explore the truth, lies and meaning of the controversy over Apple’s manufacturing in China, the recent hit off-Broadway play ‘The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs’ and our shared responsibility as consumers for the products we use,” Mackey said.

The theme of the first series (fall 2007-fall 2008) was “The Citizen & Politics in America,” the second series (spring 2009-spring 2010) was “Global Leadership,” and the third series (fall 2010-spring 2012) was “Creativity: Beyond the Box.” The Forum has hosted many leaders, scholars and commentators to speak on these themes, including moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” Tim Russert in 2007, environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in 2010, Pulitzer Prize winners and more recently, nine-time Grammy Award winner John Legend.

Brianna Marshall
Writer

The University welcomed 14 new full professors this semester with the promotion of 12 faculty members and the introduction of two additional professors. These individuals represent a wide range of majors and disciplines in both the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering. The Board of Trustees conducted these promotions on the basis of intensive departmental reviews and recommendations.

“Being promoted to full professor is the highest form of recognition in the profession,” Provost Mick Smyer said on the Bucknell University website [“Faculty Stories: Meet our new full professors,” Oct. 11, 2012]. “These faculty are deeply invested in pushing our students to think more deeply and broadly about the subject matter. At the same time, they continue to do rigorous scholarly work and contribute knowledge to their respective fields.”

Professor of English Shara McCallum is among those promoted to full professor status.

“Connecting deeply with the students I’ve worked with here, and building relationships that have lasted with many of them years after their graduation, has been one of the most enriching aspects of my teaching at Bucknell. I’ve also been grateful to help deepen an appreciation of contemporary poetry–on campus, in the local community and regional area and nationally–through my role as director of the Stadler Center,” McCallum said.

Other familiar faces to be promoted from the College of Arts and Sciences include Gregory Adams and Tom Cassidy, professors of mathematics; Eric Tillman and Brian Williams, professors of chemistry; Katharina Vollmayr-Lee, professor of physics; Christopher Magee, professor of economics; Alexander Tristan Riley, professor of sociology and Slava Yastremski, professor of Russian. James Maneval, professor of chemical engineering; Mike Toole, professor of civil engineering and Constance Ziemian, professor of mechanical Engineering, are the newly promoted full professors within the College of Engineering.

Two new professors have also been hired: Alan Cheville, professor of electrical engineering and Judith Grisel, professor of psychology. Cheville is set to arrive on campus next semester, while Grisel has started teaching already.

“I just moved to Bucknell in August and am thrilled with everything–including the northward ‘promotion,’” said Grisel.

For more information and new full professor profiles, check out the faculty stories on the University website.