Author: Tracy Lum

Categories
Featured News

Ke$ha and B.o.B. to play fall concert

By Tracy Lum

Editor-in-Chief

Musical artists Ke$ha and B.o.B. will headline this year’s fall concert on Oct. 29. Presented by the Bucknell Concert Committee, the performance will be held at 8 p.m. in Gerhard Fieldhouse.

When selecting the performers for each semester’s concert, the committee tries to choose artists that will be popular with students on campus and that will generate buzz.

“Both Ke$ha and B.O.B., while very different performers, complement each other nicely, and will put on a very upbeat and lively performance with hit singles that everyone will be singing along to,” said concert committee chair Chelsea Burghoff ’11.

Ke$ha, whose real name is Kesha Rose Sebert, is known for her sing-song rap style in singles like “Tik Tok” and “Your Love is My Drug.”

Hip-hop artist B.o.B., also known as Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., is known for songs such as “Airplanes” and “Magic.”

The committee is excited to bring big-name performers to campus and anticipates a large turnout.

“We have been wanting to get Ke$ha for a while due to the popularity of her first album throughout the last semester,” Sonali Basak ’12, assistant concert committee chair, said. “B.o.B. is also a name we’ve all heard around campus more and more. We wanted something new and upcoming for the campus community.”

Because the concert will take place over Homecoming and Halloween weekend, the committee believes that the event will keep everyone on campus and draw an even larger audience. “The concert should add a great deal to the Homecoming excitement, and we expect this year’s turnout to be spectacular,” Basak said.

This year the concert will be held in Gerhard Fieldhouse instead of Sojka Pavilion. “This will be a great new location for our concert, and will provide much more floor space for all attendees to get up close to the stage,” Burghoff said. The venue will also allow audience members more space to spread out and dance.

Tickets will be available for purchase from the Campus Box Office starting Tuesday, Sept. 7 at noon for students ($25) and all others ($30) beginning Friday, Sept. 10 at noon.

Info Box:

Friday, October 29th

Doors 7pm

Show starts 8pm

Tickets $25 for Bucknell students: beginning Tuesday, Sept 7th, noon

Tickets $30 (all others) beginning Friday, Sept 10th at noon

Categories
Arts & Life Featured

Loved and respected dean retires

By Katie Monigan
Arts & Life Editor

Dean Commerford, Matt Hotard, Dean Conrad
Matt Hotard '11, pictured here with Dean Commerford and Dean Conrad, was awarded the first Gerald W. Commerford Orange and Blue Award.

When people talk about Gerald Commerford, associate dean of students, it’s hard to believe his role on campus was a disciplinarian. As he finishes his final year before retirement, it’s clear that he has won respect and admiration from colleagues as well as students he has touched.

As dean, Commerford was ultimately responsible for distributing punishments, as well as occasional forgiveness points, to rule-breakers at the University. It is therefore remarkable that, when asked to describe Commerford, one of the first things associate dean of students Kari Conrad had to say was, “Whenever I’ve been with him as he walked into a room of former students, people flocked to him to tell him how he’s changed their lives.”

When Commerford first accepted his job at the University nearly 40 years ago, he planned on staying for a maximum of four years. But because of “the quality of students, excellence of faculty and terrific environment, I decided to stay,” he said.

He later married, and after having his first child, a son, re-evaluated his life and his career and decided again to stay in Lewisburg. After his second child, a daughter, he and his wife again re-evaluated their priorities, and Commerford decided that his personal life was more important than his career. He decided to stay in Lewisburg and work at the University, and “[he doesn’t] look back with regret at any minute,” he said.

He will stop working at the University at the end of this semester, but he plans to continue living in Lewisburg. “I’m not retiring. I’m just going to stop working,” he said.

Commerford recognizes the immense amount of support from his colleagues, but admits that some of them wonder how he enjoys his job because of his disciplinary role. “It’s all about education and development. You’re far from a finished product when you come here, and you’re bound to have failures. It’s the most satisfying for me when students spend time away and come back changed and thankful,” Commerford said.

In honor of Commerford’s career success and influence on many students, the University has founded the Gerald W. Commerford Orange and Blue award given to a student who demonstrates passion, spirit and a committed desire to make the University a better place. This year’s recipient was Matt Hotard ’11. Conrad, who presented the award, said in her speech, “Matt has been involved in [Bucknell Student Government] BSG for three years, he has spearheaded efforts to change policies, he has served on numerous committees, he has met with administration to discuss issues, currently serves as junior class president and was recently elected as senior class president.”

Hotard is thankful for his recognition, and is even more honored to be associated with Commerford, with whom he established a close relationship as a first-year. “He represents all the ideals of Bucknell. He has a close relationship with students, respect for tradition, and a willingness to change with the times. I think he resonates with students so positively because he has an uncanny ability to know when to council and when to discipline. I know from first-hand experience.”

A resonating theme seems to be that despite Commerford’s disciplinary role, he has not only gained the respect of students, but also their admiration. While they may initially be dissatisfied with his decisions, according to Conrad, “Many students find they needed that kick in the pants to turn their lives around. [Commerford] has integrity, honesty and frequently goes above and beyond the call of duty. He has a heart of gold like no other, and the mark he’s made is indescribable. He is respected and admired by so many pockets of people on campus, especially students. He’s an amazing man.”

Categories
Arts & Life

BSU hosts Black Arts Festival

By Meghan Finlayson
Writer

The Black Student Union (BSU) hosted its first annual Black Arts Festival last week, culminating in a block party at Gerhard Fieldhouse on April 24.

Beginning on April 22, the festival featured a Student Art Exhibition, an opening luncheon, a dance workshop, a poetry reading, a church service and keynote speaker, Michael Eric Dyson, professor of sociology at Georgetown University.

The block party centered around a basketball tournament and included many performances exhibiting different types of black arts.

“A range of black arts on display is something that we haven’t seen here,” faculty advisor James Peterson said.

BSU is a group for students whose backgrounds and perspectives are representative of the Black Diaspora, though anyone may join regardless of his or her background.

Concession stands sold snacks including pizza, fries, cotton candy, funnel cakes and snow cones to approximately 200 guests.

“We had people from Bucknell as well as local colleges and universities attend the block party. In addition, between 20 and 25 alumni were back on campus, and with accepted students weekend so there were many prospective students, along with parents and families in attendance,” faculty advisor Jessica Hess said.

Face painting, henna tattoos and inflatables were available to all guests and handmade arts and jewelry were sold.

The Greek step showcase featured four different Greek organizations from the University, Bloomsburg University and Penn State University.

“Everyone in the stepping and talent showcases seemed really passionate about being there. I also thought the handmade jewelry was really interesting,” Katie Monahan ’13 said.

Activities and Campus Events (ACE) co-sponsored a performance by comedian Troy Thirdgill. In a talent showcase, students danced, sang and played piano. Student disc jockey Jamal Stith ’11 performed along with DJ Webstar.

Despite the pouring rain, students believe the event was very successful.

“I have gotten lots of feedback and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. They are looking forward to the festival next year and plan on making it even bigger and better,” BSU president Marissa Calhoun ’10 said.

The festival concluded on April 25 with a brunch in honor of Leslie Patrick, the University’s first black tenured female professor.

“BSU kept academics and culture central to the Black Arts Festival, and it was great to see Bucknell as a community have interactive programming that’s fun, interactive and powerful,” Peterson said.

Next year BSU will continue its efforts and hopes to enhance diversity and bring the campus community together through its annual events and programs.

“We will continue with the Black Arts Festival and do some partnering with other divisions across the University. BSU has been talking about collaborating more for academic symposium while continuing with awareness programming through events such as our annual Kwanzaa celebration,” Hess said.

Categories
Opinion

France moves to ban the burqa

By Chris Giglio
Contributing Writer

As French lawmakers move to enact further bans on the burqa—an article of clothing many Muslim women wear—they should consider what they are really trying to solve. Burqas were banned from public schools in 2004, and in January of this year, a government-appointed committee concluded that all those who wear burqas should be barred from public services.

This move has found support from approximately 70 percent of French citizens and from both sides of the political spectrum. It is astonishing how much attention this issue has received, considering only about 2,000 of the 3.5 million Muslims living in France actually wear the burqa.

Those advocating the ban argue that though the numbers are small, the burqa stands against the ideals of the Republic. As French Republic President Nicolas Sarkozy said, “the full veil is contrary to the dignity of women.”

Indeed, many women wear the burqa because of the physical and social consequences that would result if they did not. It is also true that women voluntarily wear the burqa to express their religious piety. A ban on the burqa would violate core ideals concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms found in the French Constitution and the European Convention.

If the subjugation of women is the main concern, what’s to say the men exercising this oppression do not find other means to subjugate their women? To me, this ban is unconstitutional, ineffective and only serves to reinforce the idea that the French state is fundamentally against Islam.

Instead, I suggest that the government focus on the integration of Muslim communities in the form of developmental projects and through an affirmative action-type program. Currently, much of the Muslim population resides in pockets of poor housing projects throughout France. Most women who wear the burqa can be found in the most disconnected parts of these communities.

Integration would bring women who are pressured into wearing the full-veil garment in touch with the necessary social services to deal with this problem. For those women who choose to wear the burqa, integration would increase awareness of its true purpose in the general French population.

The current fixation on the burqa captures the increasing concern in Europe that the influx of Muslims from around the world is threatening the national identities and values of European states. Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark are also considering bans on the burqa.  If European governments choose to act on these fears through harsh laws, they will ensure that Muslim communities will continue to position themselves against European states. A commitment to integration is the right path, and if France pursues this strategy, the nation is in a perfect position to lead the way.

As French lawmakers move to enact further bans on the burqa—an article of clothing many Muslim women wear—they should consider what they are really trying to solve. Burqas were banned from public schools in 2004, and in January of this year, a government-appointed committee concluded that all those who wear burqas should be barred from public services. This move has found support from approximately 70 percent of French citizens and from both sides of the political spectrum. It is astonishing how much attention this issue has received, considering only about 2,000 of the 3.5 million Muslims living in France actually wear the burqa. Those advocating the ban argue that though the numbers are small, the burqa stands against the ideals of the Republic. As French Republic President Nicolas Sarkozy said, “the full veil is contrary to the dignity of women.” Indeed, many women wear the burqa because of the physical and social consequences that would result if they did not. It is also true that women voluntarily wear the burqa to express their religious piety. A ban on the burqa would violate core ideals concerning human rights and fundamental freedoms found in the French Constitution and the European Convention. If the subjugation of women is the main concern, what’s to say the men exercising this oppression do not find other means to subjugate their women?

To me, this ban is unconstitutional, ineffective and only serves to reinforce the idea that the French state is fundamentally against Islam.  Instead, I suggest that the government focus on the integration of Muslim communities in the form of developmental projects and through an affirmative action-type program. Currently, much of the Muslim population resides in pockets of poor housing projects throughout France. Most women who wear the burqa can be found in the most disconnected parts of these communities. Integration would bring women who are pressured into wearing the full-veil garment in touch with the necessary social services to deal with this problem. For those women who choose to wear the burqa, integration would increase awareness of its true purpose in the general French population.The current fixation on the burqa captures the increasing concern in Europe that the influx of Muslims from around the world is threatening the national identities and values of European states. Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark are also considering bans on the burqa.  If European governments choose to act on these fears through harsh laws, they will ensure that Muslim communities will continue to position themselves against European states. A commitment to integration is the right path, and if France pursues this strategy, the nation is in a perfect position to lead the way.

Categories
News

Gruver awarded Scott Professorship

By Hannah Zachary
Writer

William Gruver, distinguished clinical professor of management and executive-in-residence, was recently named the Howard I. Scott Clinical Professor of Global Commerce, Strategy and Leadership. This position recognizes his extensive involvement on campus and will allow him to interact more with students. He will now extend the courses he teaches beyond the school of management into the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences.

During his time as an executive at Goldman Sachs, Gruver developed extensive knowledge for international business, which has helped his teaching at the University.

“Over the years, my role at Bucknell has evolved from just teaching students of the School of Management,” Gruver said.

Gruver teaches courses in International Relations and other Common Learning Agenda courses in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Gruver has also become involved with select engineering students. Along with Professor Stephen Stamos, Gruver serves as an adviser for the Institute of Leadership in Technology and Management (ILTM). Gruver said the program was “a natural extension of [his] work at Goldman Sachs” because he gets to work with people with great technical and organizational skills.

Through ILTM, he is able to meet students from all five engineering majors as well as the liberal arts. Praised by all of his students, Gruver is most commonly described as “inspiring.”

“Gruver is the reason I have chosen to become a Nuclear Propulsion Officer in the U.S. Navy … he has helped me discover my potential and my future,” mathematics major Sarah Bowen ’11 said. Doug Gordon ’10, a neuroscience major, has gone to Gruver for advice on a start-up company he and a friend are working on.

“Because of Professor Gruver’s success in a variety of professional disciplines, his comments and advice greatly enhanced my confidence in the solution we came up with and our overall business plan,” Gordon said.

With his new title, he will continue to teach four courses a year, but will have opportunities to teach courses beyond the School of Management. He will be the new advisor to students in the College of Engineering on the five -year plan.

Mark Elliot, senior development advisor, said Gruver’s endowed position is a great opportunity for the School of Management.

“Endowments guarantee a professor’s salary, so what would have been budgeted for his position can be reallocated to other areas of the department or used to take on more staff,” he said.

The University has continued to work on securing more endowments for faculty, offering two others in different departments over the past month.

William Gruver, distinguished clinical professor of management and executive-in-residence, was recently named the Howard I. Scott Clinical Professor of Global Commerce, Strategy and Leadership. This position recognizes his extensive involvement on campus and will allow him to interact more with students. He will now extend the courses he teaches beyond the school of management into the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences.During his time as an executive at Goldman Sachs, Gruver developed extensive knowledge for international business, which has helped his teaching at the University. “Over the years, my role at Bucknell has evolved from just teaching students of the School of Management,” Gruver said. Gruver teaches courses in International Relations and other Common Learning Agenda courses in the College of Arts and Sciences. Gruver has also become involved with select engineering students. Along with Professor Stephen Stamos, Gruver serves as an adviser for the Institute of Leadership in Technology and Management (ILTM). Gruver said the program was “a natural extension of [his] work at Goldman Sachs” because he gets to work with people with great technical and organizational skills. Through ILTM, he is able to meet students from all five engineering majors as well as the liberal arts. Praised by all of his students, Gruver is most commonly described as “inspiring.” “Gruver is the reason I have chosen to become a Nuclear Propulsion Officer in the U.S. Navy … he has helped me discover my potential and my future,” mathematics major Sarah Bowen ’11 said. Doug Gordon ’10, a neuroscience major, has gone to Gruver for advice on a start-up company he and a friend are working on. “Because of Professor Gruver’s success in a variety of professional disciplines, his comments and advice greatly enhanced my confidence in the solution we came up with and our overall business plan,” Gordon said. With his new title, he will continue to teach four courses a year, but will have opportunities to teach courses beyond the School of Management. He will be the new advisor to students in the College of Engineering on the five -year plan.Mark Elliot, senior development advisor, said Gruver’s endowed position is a great opportunity for the School of Management. “Endowments guarantee a professor’s salary, so what would have been budgeted for his position can be reallocated to other areas of the department or used to take on more staff,” he said. The University has continued to work on securing more endowments for faculty, offering two others in different departments over the past month.

Categories
News

Zipcar program arrives in fall

By Ashley Isken
Contributing Writer

Bucknell Student Government (BSG) will launch Zipcar, the world’s largest car-sharing service, on campus this fall.

After signing up for membership online and paying a fee, students will be able to use the environmentally-friendly cars wherever they wish for an unlimited time.

“Pending the general council’s approval, Bucknell will become one of the many universities providing this service,” said Glenn Fisher, a member of the transportation department. The University has yet to execute the contract, but BSG has been working to ensure the contract is finalized in the next few weeks and be in place by August. Ali Jones ’11, former BSG vice president of operations, initially introduced the idea of bringing Zipcar to campus.

“We worked extensively with Zipcar and the University to prepare this program and hope that the campus community will embrace it in the coming academic year,” said Michelle Beck ’11, current vice president of operations.

The recently-internationalized company is the largest car-sharing service to date with 6,000 vehicles shared in 67 cities and metros in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Students, faculty and staff can join Zipcar services for a $35 fee. A $35 free driving credit will be applied to all accounts for the first month.

The weekday rates for these cars are $8 hourly and $66 daily. Weekend rates are slightly higher.

Each Zipcar reservation includes gas expenses, insurance, 24-hour roadside assistance and 180 miles of free driving. The Zipcars will be available 24/7 and can be easily reserved online, over the phone or with smartphone applications.

Zipcar is appealing to college campuses because a person only needs to be 18 years old to be eligible to drive one. International students will also be able to access the vehicles without a U.S. driver’s license.

“We are especially excited to cater to first-year and other students who are not able to have vehicles on campus and hope that students may even consider leaving their cars at home. This program has the potential to greatly alleviate our obvious parking problems, as well as to reduce Bucknell’s carbon footprint,” Beck said.

Categories
News

Semester at Sea approval revoked

By Kelsey Wiggin
Contributing Writer

When Linda Kang ’10 decided to travel her junior year with the Semester at Sea study abroad program, she was unprepared for the dramatic effect it would have on her life. She said seeing several cultures over four months gave her a “perspective of the world,” making it “the best experience” she’s ever had.

Now, other students hoping to study at sea no longer have that option.This spring, the University quietly removed Semester at Sea from the list of pre-approved programs for studying abroad after an International Education committee vote. Fall 2011 will be the last voyage for University students.Director of International Education Stephen Appiah-Padi said some departments did not approve of the program’s classes as substitutes for the University’s, and since the “primary goal of studying abroad is academic enrichment,” the issue was brought to the committee. The committee then voted to remove the program, he said.

Semester at Sea allows students to voyage to many different countries, spend time at various ports where professors assign field work and study in a traditional classroom setting on the ship. There are 20 disciplines of study with more than 75 course offerings in the fall and spring terms and over 30 in the summer term, according to the women’s and gender studies portion of the University’s website.

Professors are concerned students do not learn sufficient material, but students see the program as a chance to reevaluate themselves, their country and their world.

Appiah-Padi said because there were dozens of students going on these trips, the program’s approval was questioned. Although Appiah-Padi said it was not a factor for the committee, Semester at Sea is also more expensive than a semester at the University.

The itinerary for the program changes every year, but this semester includes ports of call in Hawaii, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India, Mauritius, South Africa, Ghana and Brazil. The ship visits nine countries in 107 days.

The University’s website explaining “multiple country” abroad options shows the Semester at Sea program costing around $30,000.

Upperclassmen and alumni who have participated in Semester at Sea are upset about its removal. A Facebook group called “Don’t let Bucknell take away Semester at Sea” has 46 members and many comments that say future students should have the chance to participate. Members also claim it offers a completely different experience than any other abroad program. Some wrote that it helped them stand out in the job interview process.

Sara Baughn ’10 started the Facebook group and hopes to change the thoughts of the committee overseeing the International Education office. She said she’s disappointed program alumni were not notified of its removal, and that future students would not be given the chance to have “an experience unlike any of the other programs Bucknell offers.”

Baughn said she had hoped to sit in on a committee meeting and voice her opinion, but was told to contact the two student representatives instead.

“I learned so much inside, but especially outside of the classroom,” Baughn said.

Kang, a religion and psychology major, said she plans to write a book promoting the program and is disappointed the University has removed the option due to academics.

She said she found it an invaluable supplement to her degree. “Where else could I have possibly gotten to experience so many third-world cultures and world religions first-hand in one semester?” she said.

Categories
Featured News

Mitchell shares memories

By Mike McPhee
Editor-in-Chief

President Brian C. Mitchell reflected on his time at the University and the important role he played on campus during his six years here in an interview on Wednesday morning. He also discussed his decision to leave the University four years earlier than initially planned.

“It’s a little bit like an applicant coming in. You choose Bucknell sometimes because you know it when you feel it. You also know when to leave because you know it when you feel it,” Mitchell said.  “At the half term point, you really have to make an evaluation … to make a determination as to whether you hang up your cleats at the right moment or stay one season too long. For me, this seemed to be the right moment.”

As president, Mitchell is no stranger to heavy workloads and balancing work with social life.

“If you take it seriously, it’s a 100 hour a week job. And I think if I made a mistake, the mistake I probably made is that I tend to treat my jobs as crusades—and what that means for me is that I took the 100 hours and actually worked them,” he said. “If I could do something different, that’s one of the things I’d do different—I’d probably have slowed down a little bit, maybe cut 20 hours a week out of it.”

Mitchell said he is proud of the accomplishments that the University has made during his time here. He emphasized that it wouldn’t have been possible without his support staff and the help of administrators, faculty and students.

“I’m the first CEO of the University,” he said. “My job was to establish momentum for the University, to give it a vision… I like to think I was successful, not always every day, but I think one of the things I want to convey to you is that it’s really important to understand we had a good team in place.”

Many aspects of today’s University student life now taken for granted started during Mitchell’s term. Some examples include Parkhurst campus dining, a revision of the Public Safety department that included arming officers, installation of the security card system for dorms, the POSSE scholarship programs and the Barnes & Noble at Bucknell University bookstore downtown.

The University’s financial position is also strong today.

“You went through the worst recession of your lifetime and you wouldn’t have felt it or experienced it at Bucknell,” said Mitchell. “I think the University metrics are in the best shape in the University’s history.”

Despite his busy schedule and the traveling required of his job, Mitchell still tries to find time to connect to students.

“If you want to be seen by the students, there’s sometimes four gigs a night … you get invited to everything,” said Mitchell. “You’re either in an intense mood on campus or selling hard in a town you can’t remember. I won’t miss that aspect of it.”

Mitchell said that he decided to stay for a sixth year before leaving the University for two major reasons: To facilitate a smooth transition to the next president, and to allow him to stay and experience some of the important yearly events at the University—commencement and the faculty promotions announced tonight.

Mitchell said he was unsure what the future held for him but was not concerned.

“I’m going to take some time to travel and to write… I have the luxury of sabbatical time, and I’m going to take it, and I’m not going to jump at the first cool job,” he said. He described some of the job offers that he’s received so far as “jobs I would have killed for 10 years ago.”

Mitchell said that he and Maryjane will do anything than can to help the new president, John Bravman, transition to life at the University.

“Some of you will be Bucknellians by pedigree. For Maryjane and me, it was always being Bucknellian by choice for six years—we ate, drank and slept Bucknell,” he said. “What that meant, I think, is that we have a deep love of the place. We wish it the very best.”