The Bucknellian

Paige Bailey
Contributing Writer

Peace activist and photographer John Noltner challenged University students to “set aside academic life” and judgments of others to consider social justice issues in a talk on Sept. 7.  He came to discuss his most recent exhibit, “A Peace of My Mind,” now on display in the library, along with a book of the same title. This lecture was just the first in a series of peace related events to be held on campus this fall.

The “A Peace of My Mind” exhibit is sponsored by Friends of the Library, C.A.R.E., the Griot Institute for Africana Studies, the Social Justice Residential College and the University Lectureship Committee. Rocky’s Revival, a trio of musicians including Associate Professor of Psychology Bill Flack, helped to give the event a warm atmosphere that prompted contemplation.

As a freelance photographer, Noltner’s clients have included national magazines such as Forbes and National Geographic. He has worked for Fortune 500 companies and non-profit groups. Due to the economic decline, Noltner’s business slowed. Instead of becoming discouraged by the recession, he looked for a way to “feed his soul” through his work, and so the “A Peace of My Mind” project was started.

The exhibit and book feature stories from a vast array of individuals Noltner spoke with. The central question of his interviews was: “What does peace mean to you?”

Resident Fellow of the Social Justice College Amari Suskin-Sperry ’15 believes peace “can never quite be defined,” yet at the root of peace is “compromise, unity, tranquility and happiness.”

While Noltner said he is not a peace expert, he hopes to “foster a dialogue” about peace through this project. His work was influenced by his admiration for iconic peace activists such as the Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela. His approach integrates social justice philosophies of these figures with his own artistic aims.

Noltner admitted that when he started the project, the outcome was uncertain. What he did know was that “universal truths” could be found in talking to individuals about the meaning of peace. This message is applicable to students, who attempt to navigate through questions of the future and remain uncertain of how events will materialize.

Noltner began by talking to people near his home in Minnesota. During the interview, he took a black and white portrait of the subject. He approached the interview in a relaxed manner in order to explore what each individual saw as meaningful in terms of peace.

The people he spoke with were a diverse group of 52 people. Noltner spoke with a former governor, a Buddhist teacher, an oil executive and a couple who survived the Holocaust. Through looking at the exhibit, he hopes people can “learn lessons through art and human connection.”

The human connection invoked through art was present at this event, as members of the audience read excerpts from “A Peace of my Mind.” As they read, Rocky’s Revival played The Beatles’ song, “Imagine.” Noltner believes that in “quiet moments,” people can undergo a transformative process. Because of this, there was a pause for personal reflection after the quotes were read.

The “Peace of My Mind” exhibit is linked to the philosophies that underpin the Social Justice College on campus.

“SoJo also encourages students to investigate the ways an individual can effect social change. Noltner’s work is an excellent example of how, in taking relatively small manageable steps, an individual can engage many people in a project that has a substantial positive impact,” said David Kristjanson-Gural, Senior Fellow of the Social Justice College.

While the meanings of peace varied between the individuals in the exhibit, Noltner said there was a prevalent common theme of “working for a common good.” Because of this, people “can always choose pursuing peace.” Through everyday actions, he encouraged the University community to strive for peace and to “embrace” that “we can always make the world a better place.”

 

 

Olivia Seecof
Writer

Trebecca, an updated jewelry and unique gifts store opened on Market Street in June 2012. This is the second location for Trebecca; the original store opened in Williamsport in September 1998.

The store, while not large, is packed with handcrafted jewelry in both sterling silver and 14kt yellow or white gold. On display are multiple cases of designs ready for purchase by Jen Parks and David Baker, goldsmiths of Williamsport. In addition, Trebecca sells Sherry Tinsman’s flower jewelry–delicate and trendy jewelry for all ages.

To highlight one of the handcrafted pieces, Trebecca is featuring a Lewisburg Lamppost pendant that is currently available in sterling silver and 14kt gold with diamonds.

“If it has got the Trebecca thing going on, we’ll have it. The variety of jewelry and gifts our store offers gives us across-the-spectrum price points within the quality we want to be.  We are always trying to take chances and find different things, and that is what makes us an interesting and fun store,” owner Paul Hendricks said.

 

When Hendricks refers to the “Trebecca thing,” he means the distinguished, classy and modern look to everything in the store. In addition to the local handcrafted jewelry, there are Phosphor digital watches with flipping crystals, Marlyn Schiff fashion jewelry, as seen in many popular magazines, as well as freshwater pearl bracelets and pendants engraved with Greek letters for all of the sororities on campus.

“I love the fact that they carry such classy and unique jewelry. I am especially excited to hear that they have things especially for us sorority women to buy,” Amanda Smith ’14 said.

Jewelry is not the only thing lining the display cases and shelves. Various gifts such as picture frames with impeccable wirework, stained glass Witch Balls, salad servers and cheese platters can be found at Trebecca. There are also hand-poured soy candles with interesting scent combinations, like gingered clove and jasmine, which smells just like ginger ale.

“I am excited to hear about a new store where my mom can stop in and buy things on Family Weekend and when she comes to visit,” Nicki Briggs ’14 said.

The contemporary feel of Trebecca brings diversity to the retailers on Market Street.

“We walked the town before we committed to Lewisburg, and we thought Trebecca would be a terrific asset to downtown,” Hendricks said.

“I think they are all very gorgeous. I saw several things I will come back to buy. Trebecca is beautiful and unique,” Vicki Sees, a local customer from Millvale, Pa. said of the items in the store.

Hendricks said the name Trebecca doesn’t mean anything in particular, other than it’s a combination of different syllables that when put together, “just felt right.” Hendricks also said that members of the community can look forward to the addition of fancy scarves to the store’s inventory as well as decorations for the upcoming holidays.

To add to the contemporary feel, Trebecca has free gift-wrapping in their signature leopard print paper with a black bow on any purchase.

“I want my customers to come in, take a deep breath and enjoy the experience of shopping at Trebecca,” Hendricks said.

 

Allison Busacca
Contributing WRiter

After thirteen years as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Elaine Hopkins resigned, giving Professor M. Lynn Breyfogle the opportunity to take on the position.

Dean Breyfogle, a familiar face on campus was an Associate Professor of Mathematics at the University for 11 years before taking on the position.  Hopkins is continuing to work with the class of 2015, while Breyfogle works with the class of 2016, allowing for a smooth transition.  Hopkins will begin a year-long sabbatical next semester, at which point Breyfogle will work with first-years and sophomores (the classes of 2016 and 2017).

Like Breyfogle, Hopkins was a professor at the University before becoming dean. She taught in the French program for 19 years. Her love of France, the French language and francophone studies is apparent when you walk into her office and see a large map of France covering an entire wall. She is looking forward to returning to the French department after sabbatical.

Upon her return she plans to teach first-year students in a foundation seminar for the Languages & Cultures Residential College and, in 2015 or 2016, be the professor-in-residence for the Bucknell en France program. She is excited for these new ventures, all of which she could not have done as dean.

“Dean Hopkins loved teaching and misses it very much,” Breyfogle said. 

Breyfogle is committed to her new role on campus. As a math teacher, she helped students solve “math problems” but now anticipates that students will come to her with “human problems, such as how to manage their time at college and planning life after college.” As Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, her main goal is “student success.” She wants students to “use their dean in a positive way,” stressing that she is here as a resource for students. Students are encouraged to go to the dean to resolve scheduling conflicts, to request to underload or overload classes, for deciding on a major, to understand the academic policy or just to “problem solve.”

Gloria Lee ’15 is one student who utilized the deans when she was “having trouble picking out classes.” When she decided to switch a class, the deans were “very helpful and informative.”

Hopkins believes the deans are “one of the faces of Bucknell.”

“[The dean] should represent a friendly adult on campus who can help [students] sort out problems and it is important to be seen by students and faculty as fair and equitable,” Hopkins said.

“[I am] very happy to be following Dean Hopkins and also nervous because [Hopkins] has done such a great job,” Breyfogle said. Hopkins said she has complete confidence in Breyfogle.