The Bucknellian

Katie Alt
Contributing Writer

Associate Professor of Music Catherine “Kay” Payn has been honored with a newly established scholarship fund for music students. The Catherine Payn Scholarship Fund benefits University students studying music in general, though the fund gives preference to those students studying opera.

The scholarship fund was established through a gift of alumnus Frank Lattal ’80, his wife, Gretta, and their daughter, Emily ’12. This scholarship fund is in addition to a 2010 endowment the Lattals made to benefit the Bucknell Opera Company, which also specifically credited Payn. Emily recently graduated as a vocal performance major, working closely with Payn throughout her college career.

Payn is the director of the Bucknell Opera Company, and her current students are thrilled to see her work and legacy commemorated with the scholarship fund.

“There is no one more deserving of this honor than Professor Catherine Payn,” Joanna Malaszczyk ’15 said. “She has been, for myself as well as many others, an incredible mentor, director, friend and inspiration. I am overjoyed at the installment of this scholarship.”

Kerong Kelly
Contributing Writer

One of the newest discussion forums on campus, the Bucknell Christian Association (BCA), strives to create an open forum for Christian students and faculty to express their opinions about faith as it applies to different areas of study. The BCA formed as a result of many riveting discussions regarding issues of science and faith.

“We had anecdotal experiences related to us from students about how students who are Christian at Bucknell did not always feel comfortable about expressing themselves or identifying themselves on campus because there was a sense that faculty would be critical of them,” Associate Professor of English Alfred Siewers said.

In an effort to make students feel at ease speaking about their religious preferences, student and faculty-based discussions became more frequent. The goal of the association is not to reproduce the other Christian and religious groups on campus. Rather, it is geared towards the idea of incorporating different Christian perspectives into areas of study, such as engineering, and how religion plays a role in these areas.

“We also made a conscious effort to include a very international sense of Christianity and Christian traditions,” Siewers said.

The association encompasses many different sects, such as conservative Anabaptism, Pentecostal Christianity and Eastern Orthodox.

The core group of faculty organizers, from many different departments, includes Siewers, Associate Professor of English G.C Waldrep, Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering Richard Crago, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Charles Kim, Associate Professor of Religion Paul Macdonald and Professor of Russian Slava Yastremski. There is a large emphasis on diversity within the association, in order to bring different perspectives and thoughts on a myriad of issues relating to religion.

The general attitude among the students is a positive one.

“I think it’s a good resource for students. It is also a good outlet for Christian students because it’s a nice way for them to connect to students and faculty with similar viewpoints,” Charlotte Kress ’15 said.

There are a large number of upcoming events, including, “Counter-culture Christianity: Am I allowed to think that … social justice and faith go together?” which will be held on Oct. 11. As one of the newer associations on campus, the primary goals of the organization are to raise awareness and create a safe space for students to share their opinions while hearing differing ones.

 

Brianna Marshall
Contributing Writer

Plans are under way for the first annual Humanities Carnivale di Bucknell, an Arts and Humanities program set to take place on March 20-21. This two day showcase will focus on the creative process of the individual and the artistry of producing a final product whether written, crafted or performance-based. Carnivale di Bucknell is an interdisciplinary and interdepartmental endeavor with faculty involvement encompassing diverse areas such as language, classics, art and music.

“While embarking on the great intellectual adventure of Arts and Humanities, students become ‘voyager[s] in the land of signs’ (I borrow that beautiful expression from Jacques Rancière in ‘The Ignorant Schoolmaster’). It is through this fantastic journey of four years at Bucknell that they learn the complex art of questioning everything they know,” Assistant Professor of French Nathalie Dupont said.

Students are asked to question issues of identity and self-masking in keeping with the theme of Carnivale di Bucknell, an exploration of the potentially unusual or taboo. All project proposals are due on Sept. 15 and suggestions include papers, creative soundtracks, construction of masks or costumes, poetry or music performances and film essays. With a seemingly endless amount of options, creativity will be at the forefront.

“As an English and German major, I am very excited to be directly involved in the creation of the Carnivale di Bucknell, because I think it can evolve into an opportunity for the hard work of our Arts and Humanities students to be showcased and appreciated in a way that has rarely been before on this campus. It is inspiring to explore the many ways in which we think and create within and outside the classroom, and to be reminded to take pride in what we do as scholars and artists,” Stephanie Scherer ’13 said.

Bucknell University Press will publish a journal for the event, giving participants the opportunity to be selected for publication. Live performances will be posted on the University website. Exceptional projects may be considered for an Arts Council award with a monetary grant of up to $2,500 that can be used to further personal research in an arts or humanities field of the recipient’s choice.

Faculty members believe students should participate in the showcase.

“Students should keep [Carnivale di Bucknell] in mind as a possibility to enrich and to give a different perspective or depth,” Professor of English Ghislaine McDayter said.

 

Lauren Buckley
Assistant News Editor

What does your role as University Chaplain entail?

“My role as University Chaplain includes oversight and coordination of the entire religious life program, offering pastoral care where appropriate, leading chapel worship and other types of services, assisting, where appropriate, at University-wide functions and being one of the prophetic voices on campus.”

How has your adjustment to the University gone thus far?

“People have been more than welcoming. There is a great small-town atmosphere that pervades the campus and causes one to feel accepted immediately as a new staff person. I have brought some new things to the Sunday chapel service, and again, folks have been accepting and welcoming. Though I don’t know many people yet, I feel at home here.”

Where did you study and where have you worked previously with regards to university religious life?

“I attended a small college, West Virginia Wesleyan, which has a chapel designed by the same architectural firm that designed Rooke Chapel. The chapels are really strikingly similar. My graduate theological degrees are from Duke University Divinity School and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. The ‘Crozer’ part of that school has its roots here at Bucknell. I also have a graduate counseling degree from Duquesne University. I have served as Executive Director of Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry at the University of Delaware, and chaplain at Ferrum College, Allegheny College and, most recently, Lafayette College.”

What are your goals for religious life on campus?

“The program here is already strong and varied, but I hope to build on that. I think we can build a strong mainline Protestant group for students who have not found a place with another Christian group. I will work with others to create a really vibrant interfaith council and the programming opportunities that will follow from that. I want to work hard to be a resource to more segments of the University community, whether or not they have a religious identity or nature.”

Why is interfaith interaction important to you?

“Though I had no experience with interfaith work before graduate school, it has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my professional life. When folks from differing faith communities–and those with no faith tradition–come together and cooperate on projects involving shared values, amazing things begin to happen. They become allies for one another, even if they don’t share much in common from a faith perspective. We need that so much in these divided times.”

How does your own faith influence your work and your relationships with others?

“The most important aspect of my work, in my opinion, is to convey a sense of true hospitality to whomever I meet. That way, a person who professes no religious beliefs will still feel that I am a safe person in whom to confide. At the heart of all of the major religious traditions is radical hospitality. I think that is lost sometimes when we are busy erecting barriers between ourselves and those who do not believe as we do.”

When in your life did you realize your faith was an integral part of your life?

“I did not come from a religious family, but I did attend a church that made all of its youth feel special and at home. We mattered in the life of that church. Even though the building was destroyed by fire when I was 14 and the congregation scattered, I never forgot that feeling of being home. The next month after the fire, I decided to enter the Christian ministry and I have never looked back.”

Why do you enjoy working with young adult, college-age individuals?

“College-age folks are willing to receive new information and to consider it, and they have an infectious enthusiasm for life. I cannot imagine my life if I had remained a parish pastor. Working on college and university campuses for 25 years has re-created excitement within me for each new academic year and I am challenged  to re-examine my own beliefs on a regular basis. I have made friends with students who will be life-long friends, and I have found almost family-type relationships among faculty and staff. It’s all about community, I guess.”

What should students know about the opportunities for religious life on campus?

“Students should know that the religious life opportunities are more varied than they might imagine, and whatever stereotypes they might have about religion in general, and religious types, in particular, will quickly break down when they allow themselves to be a part of an event sponsored by our office.”

How do you collaborate with the Catholic Chaplain and the Jewish Chaplain?

“Rabbi Serena [Fujita], Father Fred [Wangwe] and I have already collaborated and we get along really well. I love working with them and their staff, and it keeps me energized. We are all a part of the same team with a common purpose and we are all committed to building strong faith communities here.”

How can students reach out to you?

“Folks may find me in my Rooke Chapel office, or in the 7th Street Cafe, the Bison or the library. I try to be available when I am not in meetings, etc. so please don’t be a stranger. I am a new guy in town, so introduce yourself when you see me, because I want to know your story.”

El McCabe
Contributing Writer

First-year students are adjusting to campus life and are beginning to explore opportunities outside of the classroom. Over 35 first-years recently participated in  Bucknell Student Government (BSG) class of 2016 elections. Votes were cast yesterday on the University’s new Involvement (IN) Network.

The BSG Executive Board, made up of President Dotun Odewale ’13, Vice President of Operations Loren Jablon ’15, Vice President of Finance Mo Karam ’13, and Vice President of Administration Clinton Kittrell ’14 strategically set up a booth at Activities Unlimited, sent out several Message Center posts and wrote an e-mail that was sent to all first-years explaining BSG’s purpose and influence on campus to publicize the elections in an effort to encourage students to run. All interested candidates were then required to attend a mandatory campaigns and guidelines meeting on Aug. 30 where they learned more about the structure of BSG, its goals and some of its most recent accomplishments. 

“I look forward to a great campaign, election, and year ahead with the first year Congress,” Associate Dean of Students of Campus Activities and BSG adviser Kari Conrad said.

“I think 2016 has really demonstrated its political passion.  There is significant interest in all of the first-year officer positions as well as BSG in general,” she said.

In the 2012-2013 election there were10 candidates for president, nine for vice president and six for secretary/treasurer. With such fierce competition, candidate for representative Ben Miller ’16 stressed the importance of informed voting and participation of the entire first-year class for input on future decisions.

“I think it’s important that the whole freshman class gets involved in the election and really gets to know the person behind the name they are voting for,” Miller said.

Because of campaign budgets being limited to $50, first-years utilized creative means of campaigning.  Tactics included handing out cupcakes, posts in the Facebook group concerning credentials, witty slogans and videos of constituents’ showing support for their favorite candidates. These tactics helped put candidates’ names on their fellow students’ minds.

Candidate for vice president Julianne Pearson ’16 has joined many on campus groups. A member of ACE, C.A.L.V.I.N & H.O.B.B.E.S, Concert Chorale, the Offbeats and CCM,Pearson decided to run to represent all these groups and more.

“So far at Bucknell I have been given many opportunities to get involved that I have taken advantage of. I plan to, if elected, remain involved in my various activities and advocate for all clubs/organizations on campus,” Pearson said.

 

 

Paige Bailey
Contributing Writer

As the leaves begin to change and the school schedule kicks into high gear, the University community has a chance to celebrate the new semester at Fall Fest on Sept. 15 on Sojka Lawn. The Bucknell Student Government (BSG) along with Activities & Campus Events (ACE) and Campus Activities & Programs (CAP) sponsor this annual event.

For this year’s event, people need to break out their cowboy boots and flannels because Fall Fest has been “countrified.”

The countrified theme was chosen because it “works well with the relaxed atmosphere and setting of the event,” ACE president Melissa Fox ’13 said.

This year, Fall Fest will feature three rising country stars. Gloriana, a country music trio comprised of Rachel Reinert and brothers Tom and Mike Gossin will be headlining the day. Gloriana released their second studio album, “A Thousand Miles Left Behind,” this summer. For this album, Gloriana partnered with a Grammy Award-winning producer, and the positive results of this effort can be seen in the praise the band has already garnered. Their single, “(Kissed You) Good Night,” reached number two on the Billboard country chart and number 10 on the Billboard’s top 200 in August. Additionally, country stars Jack Ingram and Tyler Hilton will be bringing their guitars and vocal talents to the event.

While students can always count on ACE and CAP to host great performers, there is a buzz of excitement since country acts are the main attraction this year.

“I was really excited to hear that Bucknell is finally bringing a country artist to campus. Country music is so much fun–especially live–and I think the campus will really enjoy the show,” Kasha Scott ’14 said. 

While Scott is a country music fan, she believes at the heart of country music is “fun,” and therefore encourages all students to come out to Fall Fest and feel the country groove in an awesome setting with spectacular friends. For those who aren’t as fond of country music, there will also be an old time photo booth, western shootout contest, ferris wheel, rodeo roper and bandana tie-dyeing stand.

Dan Colgan ’13, who considers himself a country native, agrees that everyone should attend, regardless of their musical preferences.

“While people may not know the country artists at Fall Fest, I still suggest that people attend if they enjoy music as an art,” Colgan said.