Author: Sara Blair Matthews

Elaine Lac
Writer

Hiro Maeda ’09 majored in computer science and economics and has since started Open Network Lab, a Tokyo-based incubator. The company provides advice, funding and office space to small start-up companies. The large technology companies like Panasonic are failing, and Maeda’s fresh and innovative management techniques are just what Tokyo needs. The Bucknellian sat down to ask him a few questions about his career path.

What drove your interest in start-up Internet companies at the University?

“During my freshman year at Bucknell, a lot of interesting and successful internet platforms emerged. Facebook was getting started and was exclusive to college students at that time. The product was evolving every day and the growth was insane. YouTube became really huge and was acquired by Google. Digg and Reddit were both growing fast and were competing to become the “frontpage of the Internet.” I felt that this is another huge opportunity so I decided to switch my major from electrical engineering to computer science.”

How did the idea of Open Network Lab come to be?

“Before starting Open Network Lab, I have started a company and invested in a few companies as well. I became addicted to innovation and entrepreneurship. But both my entrepreneurial and investment activities were in the U.S.A. I wanted to do something in Japan (since that’s where I’m from). At that time, (2008-2009) there was barely any activity in Japan.

I was fortunate enough to meet the CEO of Netprice.com, Teruhide Sato, who shared my vision of creating an ecosystem and a community of entrepreneurs in Japan. After meeting him, I decided to join him at Netprice.com and moved to Tokyo.

After doing some research, I found out that that there are two very successful incubators called TechStars and Y Combinator, which did a new-style of investing. They invested in companies synchronously and focused on building a network so that entrepreneurs and mentors can help each other. I thought that was a brilliant idea. I proposed my idea to Teruhide. He then introduced me to co-founders of Digital Garage, Joi Ito and Kaoru Hayashi. We had a discussion going and together we decided to become partners to start Open Network Lab.”

What makes the company effective?

“It’s the support of successful entrepreneurs and investors such as Teruhide Sato, Joi Ito and Kaoru Hayashi. They have brought in a global network of mentors and supporters who are helping us build successful companies.”

Do you have any advice for current University students about their future careers?

“Be adaptive and responsive to change. Take action to whatever you think is right and put your whole heart into it.”

Sara Blair Matthews
News Editor

As many students know, Avicii cancelled his performance on Sunday Sept. 30 for health reasons. He released a statement on his facebook page saying, “Unfortunately I had to reschedule my gig at Bucknell University as you may have already heard. I’m so sorry to let you guys down but I have cleared my schedule for Halloween weekend which seems to suit you guys, I will make it up to your school that’s a real promise and you’ll see what I mean. See you soon.” Concert Committee has confirmed that Avicii will be coming to campus on October 30^th, and the concert will be held from 7:30-9:30. Previously purchased tickets for this event are still valid, and students will also be able to get refunds. Possible reimbursement for the stage and sound equipment is still being finalized, and Concert Committee does not have a definite answer at the time of press.

The Concert Committee Chair, Zack Beltran ’13, recently released a statement on behalf of the Committee. “The Concert Committee at Bucknell consistently seeks to provide the best concert experience for Bucknell students, friends, and the community. Throughout the semester, we put in many hours advertising and deciding on artists, but perhaps the biggest commitment is the weekend of the show. When we found out Avicii was cancelled, we were extremely disappointed as we were nearing the completion of the stage and most of production. Immediately following the news, we had to work on finding a feasible and prompt solution as well as tear down all of the stage, equipment, lighting, and production.

While the cancellation was a definite disappointment for the campus, we were happy to be able to reschedule the concert. We hope that having it the night before Halloween will be a great experience for students and that having the concert after midterms will be easier on students’ workloads. Further, students who were not able to get a ticket will now be able to do so. We think that hosting Avicii will still be amazing and anticipate that the campus will respond well. Further, we hope the campus respects the work put into the event by the school and the committee in particular and acknowledges the complexities surrounding hosting such a large event. We’re looking forward to an amazing fall concert and can’t wait to see everyone on Oct. 30.”

For some, Avicii’s cancellation was a positive event.  Lexie Leone ’14 said,  “Frankly, I cannot believe a university so focused on improving campus climate would agree to hold a concert which is so enmeshed in the drug culture. I was relieved when I heard about the cancellation because I am afraid of the medical and disciplinary repercussions that will undoubtedly occur post-Avicii.”

Others were surprised that this highly anticipated event was cancelled on such a short notice.  “Shocking! I thought it was a joke, didn’t think that that could actually happen!” Melissa Fox ’13, President of ACE, said.

“It was an unfortunate sickness, but it happens. We should be glad that he rescheduled because he didn’t have to,” said Raffi Berberian ’14.

Paige Bailey
Writer

Associate Professor of International Relations and Political Science Zhiqun Zhu said that President Obama’s recent complaint to the World Trade Organization (WTO) was a “calculated” move to appear “tough” on China amidst a heated election. Zhu’s commentary was quoted in the international newspaper, “China Daily,” this past month. Zhu teaches courses in Chinese politics and foreign policy, East Asian political economy, U.S.-East Asian relations and international relations theory and is the MacArthur Chair in East Asian Politics at the University. Zhu’s esteem is evident by journalists frequently asking him to give his opinion on current events related to China-U.S. relations.

The complaint to the WTO was specifically aimed at the use of subsidies for auto parts by the Chinese government.

Zhu said it could take as long as two years for Obama’s complaint to make waves. Therefore, Zhu said, this action was clearly a symbolic gesture to appeal to a “certain sector” of society.

This segment of American society is compromised of those who have been “left behind” in globalization, Zhu said. Workers from the American automobile industry are exemplary of the displacement of globalization. Because of the loss of jobs in the auto industry, Obama’s recent announcement was delivered in Ohio, a key swing state that the president will need in November.

Zhu also said that Obama and Romney both make rhetorically tough statements on China to appeal to these “losers” of globalization. This block of voters will be critical for both Romney and Obama in November.

“Professor Zhu’s article illustrates the importance of foreign policy to this year’s presidential election. Being a registered Ohio voter, I am constantly reminded that the primary concern of the election is the economy,” said Andy Watts ’13, an international relations and economics double major. “We cannot forget that our domestic economy is significantly impacted by polices abroad, as well.”

Zhu said America should not exclusively go after China for the economic pains that globalization has wrought. There is the “simple fact” that labor is significantly cheaper in the developing world, and Chinese goods are attractive to American consumers. Because of this, Zhu believes the U.S. policymakers should work toward a more cooperative relationship to promote their mutual economic interests.

“In determining my vote, foreign policy is very important to me … I think it’s a mistake to jeopardize our relationship with China, as both candidates have been doing by way of political ads and complaints to the WTO. China is one of our foremost trading partners and a major world power–if relations turn antagonistic, our trade and security policies could be seriously impacted,” Alex Bird ’13 said.

Zhu made the importance of being “tough” on China clear.

“Obama is not the first to try and appear tough on China … Every candidate has to be tough on China, or they won’t defeat their rival,” Zhu said.

Clearly then, the issue of China will continue to play a role in American political debates, as the country attempts to adjust to the interdependence that has characterized modern globalization.

Kerong Kelly
Contributing writer

Though it was a chilly night, audience members were captivated by Kenan Thompson’s witty remarks and impressions of past characters he has played. Thompson was part of University Activities & Campus Event’s Center Stage Event Sept. 29 held on the Sojka Lawn.

“Kenan was a very good speaker and he made it a relaxed and friendly environment,” Kirsten Fitch ’16 said.

After several personal anecdotes about life as an actor, Thompson opened the floor for questions. A line of students quickly formed, as they raced at the chance to meet Thompson personally. Thompson fluidly interacted with the students and was thoroughly amused when the crowd began singing “’Ray Bucknell.” He even promised to give the University a shout-out on Saturday Night Live.

“I thought he did a good job, though it wasn’t the traditional kind of stand up comedy. It was interesting to see him integrate his life into his routine,” Connor McLaughlin ’16 said.

Other students felt differently.  “It was really disappointing that Kenan really hadn’t prepared anything,” Geoff Barnes ’13 said.  He felt the comedian really didn’t give the audience the time and effort it deserved.

Students especially enjoyed seeing the reenactment of the character, Dexter Reed from “Good Burger.” At the end of Thompson’s performance, students swiftly formed a group around the much-admired comedian, asking for pictures and signatures.

“I haven’t laughed so hard since the first time I first saw ‘Good Burger,’” Kevin Thomas ’13 said.

Thompson effectively wove personal stories and experiences into a comic routine that will forever live in University history.

Elizabeth Bacharach
Senior Writer

Associate Professor of Biology, Chris Martine, has been named the David Burpee Chair in Plant Genetics and Research at the University. Martine, a professor of botany at SUNY Plattsburgh for six years, aided in the creation of the first student chapter of the Botanical Society of America. Martine is the author of two books, many peer-reviewed publications and is in the process of creating the third episode of his series “Plants Are Cool, Too!” which teaches the public about botany in a light-hearted way. The Bucknellian sat down with him recently to find out more about his interest in botany.

As a child, how did you know you wanted to focus on botany when you grew up? What intrigued you about the topic?

“Like a lot of children interested in nature, my first love was animals. I can remember being asked in third grade what I wanted to be, and I said ‘Jane Goodall, the famous primatologist.’ Even though I spent a lot time in my mother’s gardens as a child, I didn’t really see how special plants were until I got to college. That’s when I took courses that helped me to realize that I was not only surrounded by interesting plants full of cool stories, but that my existence as a living organism on this planet owes a lot to their presence.”

What is a typical day like as Professor/Dr. Martine?

“I have a family, so every day begins and ends with them. And I also ride my bike to work each day. Outside of that, nearly every day is different–which is one of the wonderful things about being a college professor and scientist.”

What do you hope to accomplish as a professor here at the University?

“My main goal is to work with Dr. Mark Spiro to establish Bucknell University as having one of the most well-regarded undergraduate botany programs in the country. When someone says, ‘Who is doing great plant-related things with undergrads?’, I want Bucknell to be part of the answer.”

What does it mean to you to be the next David Burpee Chair in Plant Genetics and Research here at the University?

“I am honored to have been chosen for this position for a host of reasons, including the impressive career achievements of the previous Burpee Chair, Dr. Warren Abrahamson. I left a job I really liked (at SUNY Plattsurgh) in large part because this position offers me the potential to make a greater impact in my field than was possible there.”

What was your inspiration for the show “Plants Are Cool, Too!”?

“Seven or eight years ago, I started thinking that one of the reasons why biologically-inclined young people don’t find much interest in plants is that there are no TV shows about them. One can find shows about animals on multiple channels at any time on most days. But, outside of the occasional gardening show, nothing about plants. Certainly nothing that compares to shows like ‘Crocodile Hunter’ or things like that. It seemed to me that there had to be room for a fun and smart show about the cool plants of the world. So I started telling people I wanted to make that show … and be the host of that show.”

Why do you think the world needs to know that plants are cool, too?

“I mentioned in class earlier in the semester the concept of ‘plant blindness,’ the idea that many people don’t really see the plants around them. We all see the green, but it doesn’t look like much else to us. You can walk around this campus over the course of a summer day and find literally hundreds of species of plants, but only if you know how to see them and are willing to look. This is my goal, to help people to see the green stuff that is all around them every minute of every day, because there is an amazing world just beyond our cell phone screens that is worth knowing about.”

What is some advice you would give to University students, those studying botany/biology and those not?

“It’s not just about the grades. It’s about learning new things and becoming knowledgeable. This is a time in your life, maybe the last time, when your number one job is to learn–and our number one job, as your professors, is to help you do that! That is a sweet deal, if you ask me. So use this time to really learn some things, not just check off the boxes and get your degree.”

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

“My broad research area is the ecology and evolution of plant reproduction, so I spend a lot of time thinking about things like flowers, pollination and the movement of seeds. I am also interested in invasive species biology. In recent years, I have used DNA tools to track the evolutionary history of a group of wild Australian eggplant species that exhibit a rare  pollination system, and I am in the process of setting up a study in collaboration with Dr. Beth Capaldi Evans to try and figure out what effect the system has on the bees who visit the flowers. The project includes a field trip to the Outback, of course.”

Olivia Seecof
Contributing Writer

The ManifestAR @ ZERO1 exhibit was simultaneously on display in the Samek Art Gallery at the University and in Silicon Valley in California from September 10-21. The exhibit combined artistic vision and mobile technology to produce works of art that are only able to be viewed through the use of a smart phone or device. This is one of the first times the Samek Art Gallery worked with another gallery across the country to run parallel exhibits.

An app called AR, which stands for Augmented Reality, allows you to scan a code and choose a subject such as a Chinese takeout container with the words “human organ” on it, a monopoly man or even a cloud. The user can then hold his or her phone up around the gallery and see the form he or she chose in the surrounding objects around the gallery. The Samek Art Gallery ran a slide show of videos and pictures of the app, showing that art is not only still, but moving.

“The smart phone exhibit was really awesome because it combined real time viewing on a personal piece of technology with a cross country flair to it,” said Jackie Carpenter ’13.

The Samek’s counterparts in California did similar things in their art gallery. They took their smart phones and traveled to places like the Google and Yahoo! headquarters and used skywriting with green clouds floating overhead. The Samek Art Gallery combined these videos and photos into a presentation located at the back of the Conversations Gallery.

“I loved the variety of people that [the exhibit] brought into the gallery, especially students that maybe wouldn’t ordinarily visit,” said Laura Hildebrandt, a graduate assistant in the Samek Art Gallery. 

Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity held an event in the SAMEK Gallery on Family Weekend.

“The slide show was interesting and stimulating. It allowed conversations to begin among the sisters of Theta and their parents,” Chapter President Christine Ku ’13 said.

The exhibit presented art in a format that people are more familiar with by breaking down traditional boundaries of location and medium of art.

“Once you came in and saw the exhibit here, it really opened your eyes to the possibility of seeing art everywhere. The app can be used anywhere, and it just goes to show that art doesn’t have to be set or structured. It’s really what you imagine it to be,” Carpenter said. 

“I think it was an innovative show that was able to impact many people through its accessible, personal format,” Hildebrandt said.

Daniel Park
Writer

Dr. Hochul Lee of the University of Incheon, Korea talked about the contrasting stances China took in regards to its two nuclear crises in his talk on Oct. 2. The lecture mainly focused on China’s gradual political evolution due to North Korea’s rebellious stance. Lee’s presence has been an important factor in the South Korean government’s foreign affairs, and he has had various research printed by Chinese publications.

His holistic stance on North Korean matters orbits around the sequence of events that has occurred since the early 1990s, which has resulted in the transformation of fundamental Chinese politics.

“The question arises as to why China decided to take a more active role in the second nuclear crises in comparison to the first one. What was the gain they foresaw?” Lee said.

The talk revolved around the nuclear crises that occurred in South East Asia within the early mid 1990s and the early 2000s. The highlight of the lecture was when he talked about why China initially decided to take a passive, “behind the scenes” domestic stance during the first crisis, when in comparison China took a more “aggressive” and proactive diplomatic approach in the second crisis.

The discussion continued over several highly possible insights into China’s security and strategic interests. The preservation of North Korea as a buffer zone, maintaining cooperative relationship with America, the prevention of nuclear domino and the continuation of economic development were all factors discussed over why China decided to implement stronger international policy tactics.

“I emphasize why it was such distinct contrasting behavior from China, although the strategic and security interest existed similarly in the first and second nuclear crises. It wasn’t necessarily purely this sequence of events that caused China’s change from a ‘cautious accommodator’ to a state of ‘constructive architects,’” Lee said.

The evidence provided in his thesis shows that the internal transition of power in Chinese politics was also a major factor in bending traditional Chinese political views.

“Through these head on debates, experiences and encounters by China, they had been persuaded to change their domestic policy because they had realized that their influence could be enormous in global affairs,” Lee said.

The complexity of China’s position in maintaining its alliance with North Korea as well as its goodwill relationship with the United States has put China in a troublesome spot.

“One thing is for certain, the fact that China is trying to pressure North Korea into agreeing with the denuclearization program is definite,” Lee said.

Brianna Marshall
Writer

A new volunteer campaign, the Bison Service Challenge, launched this week with the goal of encouraging student contribution to the University community and beyond. Participants can register to compete in teams of up to 30 individuals under the leadership of team captains. The team that contributes the most hours per member will be the winner.

“This program was created as an effort to encourage students to give back to their local area and as a vehicle to create campus unity around a good cause,” Lynn Pierson, assistant director of community service, said.

The Bison Service Challenge is a collaborative effort of multiple campus organizations including Activities and Campus Events (ACE), Bucknell Student Government (BSG), the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Panhellenic Council, Bucknell Outdoor Education and Leadership and the Office of Civic Engagement. With diverse and expansive leadership, coordinators hope to attract volunteers with a wide range of interests and talents that can help to expand the service experiences within the Community Service Challenge. The combined efforts of multiple organizations will help to highlight the variety of activities that the University has to offer while positively contributing to community outreach.

“It’s been awesome to see how this has come together in a short time and how leaders from different organizations have worked together to do something to bring the whole campus together and give back to the community. We’re hoping it will have a big impact,” said Nick Pistone ’13, IFC community service and philanthropy chair.

With team captain selection and pre-registration complete, it’s now time for students to join a team and get involved. Students can access Bison Service Challenge forms from the Office of Civic Engagement’s page on the University website. Additionally, sign-up information including the link for registration is being distributed via flyers throughout campus and the Message Center.

“This challenge will be a strong step in the right direction for Bucknellians as we, as student leaders, attempt to reinvigorate the higher purpose that service holds in our community. We want students to be familiar with the gift of community service,” Pat Zailckas, IFC president said.

All team volunteering contributes to reaching an overall program goal of 10,000 hours of service. Teams will have approximately two months to volunteer with the competition running from Sept.ember 29^th to December 1^st.  If the program goal is met, a free campus event will be held to celebrate. this accomplishment.

Amanda Ayers
Managing Editor

According to a recently released ad hoc Committee report compiled in the Spring 2012 semester, a student’s academic engagement is not determined by the major that his or her class falls under but rather the level of effort put forth by the students and professor. The report highlights both strengths and weaknesses of the University and outlines 67 recommendations for individuals, offices and committees to foster academic engagement.

The report clarifies University expectations about the amount of time students spend on academic work because it falls well short of what it should be. The report also suggests that students of color have not enjoyed the same benefits of a University education as their white counterparts.

According to the study executive summary, “The overall impression is one that reinforces negative perceptions about non-white students’ academic engagement, especially African-American students. It appears that in general, non-white students are ‘engaged’ more in their first year than in their last.”

The Committee analyzed existing University data to look at academic engagement from three angles: academic engagement in the classroom, transformative educational experiences and other factors that influence academic engagement.

In the classroom, increased student engagement will rely on increasing faculty-student and student-student engagement on academic issues, improving data collection so our community can better identify the specific areas for improvement, track changes and better encourage faculty efforts at engagement.

“The report on Student Engagement represents a step in the right direction for Bucknell’s continued growth and maturation. It is not enough to merely attend class and do assigned work; one must also strive to learn outside of the classroom,” Jeff Finegan ’14 said. “The effort on the part of Bucknell, students and student organizations to increase intellectual engagement on this campus is a necessity and should be lauded.”

Transformative educational activities that were listed as capable of enriching a student’s four-year University experience include foundation seminars, residential college programs, service learning and civil engagement, study abroad, undergraduate research and student leadership and organization membership opportunities.

Finally, the report points to other factors that can influence academic engagement such as the admissions process, evaluation of faculty and health factors. An applicant should have characteristics of someone likely to be academically engaged in the future. The University should recognize faculty efforts that seek to contribute to student academic engagement and encourage rigor in the curriculum. The University should address binge drinking and its negative effects on student performance, as well as the ways in which harassment can hinder a student’s academic engagement.

According to the committee’s study, “Our analysis of the data suggested that several negative trends with respect to student academic engagement begin in the very first year, suggesting that particular attention be paid to examining how the first year experience might be altered to improve this situation.”

The findings came from the ad hoc Committee co-chaired by Dean George Shields and Professor Mike Prince. The committee is made of 14 members, composed of three students and 11 faculty and staff. The report findings were presented to the Committee on Instruction (COI), Committee on Campus and Student Life (CCSL) and the Provost’s office at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. The report was released publicly to the campus community on behalf of Provost Mick Smyer and Associate Professor Tim Raymond, Chair of the COI.

The committee plans for the study to be ongoing.

“We have already begun that process [of improvement] in the Provost’s Council and in the Committee on Instruction,” Smyer said. “Again, thank you to Dean Shields, Professor Prince and their colleagues for their very good work. We look forward to considering their recommendations in formal and informal settings in the coming weeks.”

Paige Bailey
Contributing Writer

Dr. John Fea, associate professor of American history at Messiah College, implored the audience to “avoid the politicization of history” and instead “think together” in a historical manner at a lecture on Sept. 18. Fea’s lecture was given in the Elaine Langone Center Forum to a full crowd of students, professors and Lewisburg locals. The University departments of history, religion and political science sponsored the lecture along with the Dean’s Office of the College of Arts and Sciences and the University Lectureship Committee.

The lecture title mirrored Fea’s most recent book, “Was America Founded as a Christian Nation: A Historical Introduction.” Fea’s recent book was one of the finalists in the George Washington Book Prize, one of the most prestigious literary prizes in the nation, among other awards. Fea is chair of the history department at Messiah College. Fea specializes in American history, with a special interest in how religion has manifested throughout the nation’s history.

While Fea conceded that most people come to such lectures with their minds made up about the role of religion in American politics, he challenged the attendees to think about the argument he outlined. His argument was critical of both the role of the political Left and Right in manipulating the “discipline of history” for political purposes.

Fea then gave a comprehensive overview of how the founders of the country viewed religion. The Founding Fathers did, in fact, believe Christianity was good for the republic. Yet, Fea argued that these men saw Christianity as one means to meet the ends of a society that promoted “virtue.” Virtue, for the Founding Fathers, was characterized by consistency in promoting the public good. Therefore, if people acted in line with Christian values of taking care of others, it was seen as an effective way to contribute to the public good.

Despite the Founding Fathers’ Christian values, Fea pronounced the Constitution as a “godless document.” This statement is one reason that both Democrats and Republicans are made “uncomfortable” by the argument that he puts forth in his book.

Assistant Professor of Religion Brantley Gasaway commended Fea for his criticism of both sides of the political spectrum in using religion to promote partisan agendas.

“I agree with Fea that answering the question of whether or not America was founded as a Christian nation requires not only a recognition of the complexity of the evidence, but also a commitment to not let our contemporary political biases distort our historical interpretations,” Gasaway said.

Both Christian nationalists and secularists can be guilty of manipulating the past for present political purposes. Gasaway, like Fea, teaches his students to “be wary of simplistic appeals to the religious beliefs and motivations of the founders when they are used as justification for current public policies and political positions.”

“I thought that it was interesting that Fea took on this task by focusing largely on history rather than politics. He wasn’t very polemical at all, I think he was just trying to make a historical argument and found his evidence within the Constitution,” political science major Laura Bergamini ’13 said.