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(11/07/03 3:08pm)
Rock the Vote, an MTV campaign to get young people involved in the political process, now has its own chapter at IU.\nThe chapter, created by senior Shaunica Pridgen, held its first meeting Tuesday evening. \nPridgen organized the chapter and the meeting, which included a special viewing of the America Rocks the Vote Democratic Presidential Candidates' Forum, hosted by Rock the Vote and CNN Tuesday evening. \nPridgen, a vocal performance major, said her vision for Rock the Vote includes three parts: registration, education and participation.\nIU's chapter of Rock the Vote is not yet an official student organization and it is currently under the Indianapolis team's umbrella. Pridgen said she will be satisfied even if Bloomington remains a satellite from Indianapolis's team.\n"Bloomington is a politically minded town with many diverse views," Pridgen said. "We need to get these people to vote."\nPridgen feels that many students at IU disconnect themselves from the politics in Bloomington.\n"IU is not just IU, and Bloomington is not just Bloomington, but they are intertwined," Pridgen said.\nIU College Republicans and IU College Democrats are both supportive of the new Rock the Vote chapter.\n"We exist as a vehicle to get students involved in the political process," said Laura Walda, the administrative vice president of the IUCDs. "IU College Democrats exist solely because we want people our age to get involved in the process, and education is the biggest issue we work on."\nAngel Rivera, president of College Republicans said he supports educating students and pushing them to get involved in the political process.\n"IU has such an amazing mixture of people from all over the country and all over the world," Rivera said, "And nobody gets to the polls."\nWalda said students focus on college life and tend to put aside getting involved in the political process. \n"Even though it doesn't feel like it now, everything that we vote on will touch us in some way," Walda said. "We want students to understand that politics make a difference in our lives, not just the lives of older citizens."\nOnly 32.3 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds eligible to vote actually voted in 2002, according to Rock the Vote's Web site. The organization's chapters across the country are working to increase this statistic. \nRock the Vote, created by MTV in 1990, uses comedians, musicians, actors and athletes to help incorporate youth in the political process in order to work on issues like free expression, environment, education, the economy and debt.\nTo find more information about IU's new chapter of Rock the vote, contact Pridgen at rtvshaunica@hotmail.com or go to Rock the Vote's Web site at www.rockthevote.com.\n-- Contact staff writer Stacy Ellis at staellis@indiana.edu.
(08/29/03 4:56am)
Students groove to the hip-hop beats. Cheese from Domino's pizza melts in the sun. Feet swiftly karate kick again and again. And sweaty students leap high into the air to catch flying Frisbees.\nAll of this makes up RecFest, which is a traditional part of Welcome Week from 1 to 3 p.m., today at the Health, Physical Education and Recreation building. \nMusic, food and information about what the Division of Recreational Sports offers will be available, including representatives from many of the club sports teams. RecSports will also be giving away the RecSports magazine, and an ID holder key chain.\n"We welcome any students that are back at school," Director of RecFest Joanne Orrange said.\nThere will be representatives from different club sports, and showcases of intramural sports, group exercise programs and the HPER and SRSC facilities. There will be a health and wellness demonstration of yoga, hip-hop, and kick-bo.\nKimberly Ruff, director of marketing for RecSports, said it is fun way to find out about recreational sports. \nThe men's ultimate frisbee club team is one of the many activities that will be represented.\n"We will be making people aware, recruiting, letting people know what we're about, and telling our practice times," said Noah Benjamin, recruitment officer of the men's Ultimate Frisbee club team.\nLike other RecSports activities, no prior knowledge of the sport is necessary.\n"You don't need to know anything about Ultimate Frisbee," Benjamin said. "Most people come in having played little or none." \nClub sports give students that were competitive in high school sports a way to participate without being on the varsity team.\n"Students are usually coming from other sports like track and soccer that can't play on the highest level and are looking for a competitive sport to play," Benjamin said.\nAn IU student ID is all you need to participate in these programs, with the exception of mind and body group exercises, intramurals and particular club sports. Orrange said students already pay a activity fee of $39.15, so it is free for all. \nJunior Lindsey Patterson, vice-president of the Gymnastics Club said that her club will be doing demonstrations at RecFest in order to recruit new members.\n"It's just such a fun club," she said. "Most people join just because it's such a social activity. We're all friends and we get to travel and you don't even have to know anything about gymnastics. You just have to have a good attitude and want to join."\nAlthough the clubs and teams are all student-run, there will be a professional staff on hand in order to answer questions.
(08/27/03 6:22am)
Starting college is a big step toward independence and adulthood. Maps and schedules can only plan out so much; when you are dropped off with your book bag in hand, it feels much like the first day of kindergarten.\nYet college is completely different.\nThe Chicago Tribune recently looked into the orientation programs and sessions that colleges all over the country are implementing to see why the change is being made toward more nurturing, hands-on activities.\nSome say this change is required to help students adjust to their new life, but most important is it helps parents let go. \nOrientation plays a more parental role than prior years when orientation was less personal, said Melanie Payne, the associate director of orientation.\n"IU has always had an involved process, but we have changed the nature of it," Payne said. "Students talk to other students in small groups and one on one. Years ago orientation was more of a tour guide experience. Now we are more real with the students." \nPayne said this difference may be due to a natural evolution of society, such as parents wanting a more active role in the child's transition.\nBecause of this, the University has added special programs for parents during the orientation, but the student sessions are more hands-on than in the past. \n"(Orientation) helps students get involved in the IU community," said Bridget Stenger, assistant director for selection, retention and staff development. She said it's the little things -- like learning a shortcut from a campus tour -- that make a student feel more comfortable.\nOrientation at IU has turned into more than just a welcome session though.\n"Some kids come down to the summer program, meet their best friend and actually change roommate assignments," Moore said.\nThe summer program gives students an opportunity to get another perspective on University life and helps parents start to plan for the transition. \n"In this program, much focus is given to the parents so they know what's going on and what to expect from their relationships with their children and the University," Payne said. \nWelcome Week begins in the fall for freshmen when the reality of being away finally sinks in. \n"Now Welcome Week is real with all their stuff, a roommate and a 12-by-14 ft. room," Payne said. "We help them make the adjustment now that it's real in hopes to get the students to feel like the campus is smaller."\nOrientation leader and senior Dan Moore said he is more likely to stay in contact with the parents than the students in his orientation group.\n"A lot of parents are really into the whole orientation thing," he said.\nThe Freshman Induction Ceremony and a picnic are planned on move-in day and parents are welcome to attend with their soon-to-be independents. After the picnic, orientation leaders then send parents on their way.\n"This way we can facilitate the final goodbye between the parents and students," Payne said.\n-- Contact staff writer Stacy Ellis at \nstaellis@indiana.edu.
(04/14/03 5:40am)
Student residents of the Collins Living-Learning Center hosted the second annual "Shave Off" Friday, raising money for the Riley Hospital for Children and collecting hair for Locks of Love in the Collins courtyard.\nCollins students stood armed with scissors and razors, ready to collect hair for the sake of young cancer patients. The usable hair was sent to Locks of Love to make wigs for children that have lost hair due to chemotherapy. Some participants could not donate their hair since it wasn't long enough, but still shaved their head, "just for devotion of the cause," said Sarah Patterson, a sophomore involved in "Shave Off" for the second year.\nEach participant raised money before going bald, yet some were interested in giving more than just financial support. They wanted to give the children emotional and psychological support as well.\n"(We wanted to show them that) even though you're bald, you're still beautiful," Patterson said.\nThis event "brings out the altruism in people," said Jason Wallace, another Collins resident. The "Shave Off" characterizes what members of the Collins community are devoted to -- giving up their time in order to help others, Wallace said. \nCollins resident Dayna Cronin had a personal interest in the event. She underwent chemotherapy when she was 6-years-old and had to shave her head then. Cronin said because she was so young, being bald didn't really affect her. But she thinks it can be traumatic, especially for young adolescent girls.\n"Now people are self-conscious, there are different variables for everyone," Cronin said. "Due to socialization, we have grown up with the social norms that girls are not supposed to be bald."\nIt's an ugly process of losing hair through chemo, she said.\n"You scratch your head, and hair falls out," Cronin said. "You wake up in the morning to balls of hair on your pillow."\nBara Bandera, a student and former Collins resident, shaved her head for the second year in a row. She teaches at a local elementary school and decided it would make a good lesson for the kids at the school to explain why she is bald.\nShe had to get permission from the teachers prior to sacrificing her locks. \n"Where I work they don't even let me wear jeans," Bandera said.\nEach individual shavee raised money from businesses and people in the community to benefit Riley Hospital for Children, which treats young cancer patients.\nThe emotional support for chemo patients was obvious in the participants.\n"Why do we care so much about our hair?" Bandera said. "I just want to show people that I don't care what I look like."\nThe mission of the event is to not only raise money but to comfort children. Seeing a female college student with a bald head might make a young chemo patient feel like it's OK, said senior Kim Davis, who founded the event last year.\n"Hair is not who you are or what makes up your personality or your characteristics," Davis said.
(04/11/03 5:34am)
The U.S. has taken the war in Iraq into its own hands, leaving behind all who oppose, even allies like France, Russia and Germany. What does this mean for the future of U.S. foreign relations?\nThe U.S. economy will not suffer from any severed ties with Europe or the Middle East created by the war, according to Professor Alan Rugman, L. Leslie Waters Chair in International Business in the Kelley School of Business, because the United States has a largely North American-based economy.\n"(The) U.S. does most of its trade with Canada and Mexico," Rugman said. "It can get most of its oil from North America, and it already does."\nJust as this war could deepen U.S. relations in the North American region, European countries could become closer to their own regions as well.\n"NAFTA countries operate in their home regions, more intra-regional business, the world will not become more global but increasingly intra-regional," Rugman said.\nAs far as economic status in Europe, Britain may have the upper hand. Supporting Bush at war might win Tony Blair the hot spot in the European Union economy. Most likely the leadership of typically influential countries like France and Germany will diminish, Rugman said.\nJohn McCormick, professor of political science at IUPUI, said war alliances may slow the progress of the European Union.\n"European countries have been trying to form a common foreign policy," McCormick said. "What has happened recently will slow that down quite a bit. Instead of forming together as one unit, they are forming two sides of Europe: France and Germany vs. Britain, Italy and Spain" \nWhile Europe may have to deal with a splitting union, McCormick said, the United States will have to decide if Europe and the United States continue to be on the same page.\n"What has kept Europe and U.S. together for so long is that they usually have a common sense of purpose," McCormick said. \nScott Pegg, associate professor of political science at IUPUI, said the war has eroded previous alliances.\n"President Bush took a much less multilateral approach than previous administrators," Pegg said. "Europeans have great doubts about that." \nThe United States is calling the shots and spending the money on this war, Pegg said. \n"In the previous Persian Gulf war, a lot of the battle was paid for by other countries like Germany," Pegg said. "In this war, it is all on the U.S." \nPegg said the United States should work more closely with Europe on rebuilding.\n"I think it's in our interest to have help with Iraq, to help with the burden," Pegg said.\nBush may not allow all of Europe to contribute, McCormick said.\n"Tony Blair wants to retain influence, at least keeping the ear of Bush," said McCormick. "(Unlike) France, that has irritated and annoyed Bush, so he won't even listen to them."\nAs far as ties with the Middle East, the United States made the fundamental mistake of not resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, McCormick said.\n"The Middle East will remain a dangerous part of the world, and many innocent Americans will suffer because of this," McCormick said.\nAlthough some of the Iraqi people will welcome the new democracy, McCormick said the United States should be cautious of creating an anti-American backlash.\n"My biggest concern is that we are creating more and more Osama bin Ladens," McCormick said.\nAs far as more terrorism, McCormick said he thinks the only questions are when, where and how big.\n"If the U.S. takes over the interim Iraqi government, it will be a very bad idea," McCormick said. "They've already lost its friends in the Middle East."\nPegg said he thinks a democracy in Iraq might work, as long as the United States has patience to stay and work at it for the 10 to 15 years it might take.\n"We have to not just get rid of Sadaam, we have to be involved for a long time, and the U.S. attention span might not last that long," Pegg said.
(04/04/03 5:12am)
This Sunday a greek sponsored philanthropy event will bring two sororities together to benefit children with juvenile diabetes. Sororities Alpha Gamma Delta and Delta Sigma Theta are paired for the first time to put on a talent show, "Bring in the Noise, We've got the Funk," and are showing more than talent.\nThis is one of the few times sororities from different Pan-Hellenic sections have been paired. \nThe pairing rarely occurs at IU, said Virginia LeBlanc, executive director of the Pan-Hellenic Council. Diversity among greek organizations is an area the Council has tried to focus on and upon which they are trying to improve.\n"The fact of human nature is that people tend to gravitate to what they know and where they feel comfortable," LeBlanc said. "Human beings tend to shy away from the unknown and never seek it out; therein lies the problem of ignorance and racism, resulting in racist acts, mannerisms and opinions." \nThe differences between the sororities dates back to their origin. Sororities like Delta Sigma Theta were founded on the principles of bettering the black community. \n"The focus of these organizations was and continues to be public service first and foremost," LeBlanc said. "The very nature of the founding of historically black greek-lettered organizations was borne out of segregation."\nBut both sororities are trying to reach out.\nDelta Sigma Theta's first vicepresident and philanthropy chair Krista Hollins said the collaboration is the biggest her sorority has been a part of so far.\n"I really think it's going to be fun," Hollins said. "It's kind of like bridging the gap between the black sororities and the others."\n"Everyone is working very hard to support other greek chapters," Jade Gentry, member of Alpha Gamma Delta said. "Joining with Delta Sigma Theta … is just one step to diversify the greek system."\nThe talent show offers an opportunity for many different acts. Alpha Gamma Delta Philanthropy Chair, Jess Dennig, says this event is more multicultural than any in the past.\n"It's a lot different because we've never done a multicultural event, or never one this big." Denning said. "Hopefully this will be a huge success."\nThe show includes performances by Ladies First, Mike and the Sideburn Lawsuits, step shows, choir performances and dance routines.\n"The real excitement of this show is that the acts are very diversified." Gentry said. "We have everything from dancing, step shows, and gospel choirs." \nThe show is eight dollars a ticket and will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday April 6, at Gladstein Fieldhouse. Tickets can be purchased at the door, and donations are also accepted. All proceeds will go to the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation supporting juvenile diabetes.\n"Even if you're not in a chapter, anyone and everyone is welcome," Denning said.
(04/01/03 4:34am)
Students will have the chance to win lunch with Chancellor Sharon Brehm, Dean Richard McKaig and a Norwegian supermodel tonight at a fundraiser for a local shelter, the Rise. \n"A Night on the RISE," tonight in Alumni Hall at the Indiana Memorial Union, will present entertainment at a charitable cost from 7 to 10 p.m., benefiting the Middle Way House affiliate, the Rise.\nThe Rise offers transitional housing for battered women and children, utilizing volunteers in order to implement daycare and tutoring programs for its young residents.\nThe event will feature Full Frontal Comedy, a concert by Laborious Clef, a silent auction (for a guitar, gift certificates, hundreds of dollars of cosmetics in a gift basket from L.S. Ayres, a full bar mirror from Kilroy's and more) and a live auction featuring "dates" with Chancellor Sharon Brehm, Dean Richard McKaig, business dean Dan Dalton, a Norwegian supermodel, 10 sorority women, track stars and possibly basketball star freshman Bracey Wright.\n"Where else can you go to hear a concert, listen to comedians, play casino games, win prizes and bid on awesome stuff and people all at the same time?" said Heather Blue, an IU student whose business class is co-sponsoring the event. "So in return for your $5 donation, you are not only helping out the kids, but you are getting an evening full of great entertainment."\nThe event was organized by the liberal arts management program class X333 and co-sponsored by the Union Board. \n"This semester, rather than just read and take tests, our class voted on actually getting out there and doing something that would provide us with experience we could not get in a textbook while helping a local organization," said junior Christina Sheets, another LAMP student.\nThe $5 tickets can be purchased at the LAMP office in Wylie Hall, the student activities desk in the IMU or at the door. Donations are also accepted.\n"The federal government is planning on cutting funding for such programs by 30 to 70 percent," said Jon Zarich, another member of X333. "Beyond their financial need, we also wanted to fund a program that would have an impact on kids. The Rise provides not only a secure environment for kids but also offers educational opportunities, via tutoring and other learning activities." \nThe LAMP students said they hope to raise up to $3,500.\n"Every penny from the event will go to the Rise -- earmarked specifically for the daycare center at Rise-Middle Way so that kids can get a better chance in life," X333 professor David Rubinstein said.\nSince organizing the fund-raiser, many of the involved students said they plan to become involved in the Rise.\n"We hope this event will urge many in the community to do the same," Zarich said.\nAlthough the kids that live at the Rise are not part of the actual event, "they've always been our guiding spirit," Rubinstein said. \n"In a world of worry, these LAMP students and Night on the RISE build hope," he said.
(03/05/03 5:20am)
IU libraries now offer an opportunity for members of the IU community to chat online and gain instant access to a librarian. This service allows students to ask questions without ever leaving their computer. \nStudents can access this service on the IU Libraries home page by clicking "Ask a Librarian." This service is as easy to use as any other 'instant messenge' service -- simply type in a question, hit enter and wait for the response.\n"Students can ask any question -- in support of learning and research," said Ann Bristow, Head Librarian of the Reference Department. "There is no predetermined limit on the type of question or the complexity." \nThe questions are answered by full-time staff and graduate students from the School of Library and Information Science, all working from the two physical locations of the Reference Department in the Main Library. There is also a staff on instant messager duty Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends.\nThis instant messenger service, similar to America Online's version, has been active since Oct. 1 but has not received the volume that it can potentially handle. The library staff agrees that the service is now ready for students to take full advantage of.\nOne librarian, Jian Liu, has worked at the Library since 1994 and now spends time each day on and off in his three hours at the reference desk answering questions on IM.\n"Typical questions have to do with homework, like 'where can I find this book?'" Liu said. "This service works to serve a specific niche. More and more people are online doing research. There are many reasons, like parking, for why students do not to want to come to the library to ask a small question."\nNot wanting to leave the comfort of your own home is not the only reason to use this new service; many users are actually already in the library. It provides easier and quicker access to the librarians on staff. The instant messenger option is appealing to others, possibly for several reasons.\n"If you are working in the library but don't want to lose the workstation or leave belongings to go and ask for help, or if you like to 'multi-task,'" Bristow said.\nA student can type in a question and tend to other tasks while the librarian produces the answer. For questions that are too lengthy or too complicated for the instant messenger format, librarians will suggest an answer in e-mail. \nReference Librarian Jeffery Graf alerts potential users to the upgrades occurring next month that will provide a cleaned-up version of the program free of glitches, and will also allow co-browsing between the student and the librarian. IU Libraries implemented this service specifically for the use of IU students, staff and faculty.\n"If you are logging on an off-campus computer, you need to put in your name and password," Graf said. \nThis ensures that the librarians can focus their time on the IU community, the community this option is meant to serve.
(02/13/03 4:56am)
Every year IU's School of Education sends 60 to 80 students to one of 10 countries in order to immerse them in a different culture as a teacher, as a student and as an active member of the community. The Cultural Immersion project works to broaden the perspectives of future teachers by adding cultural sensitivity to their credentials in life. \n"Many students in our program are from small towns around Indiana, and their cross-cultural experiences are typically limited," said Laura Stachowski, IU's Director of Cultural Immersion projects. "For individuals that will be influencing pupils at the primary and secondary level, their perspectives must be broadened." \nThis program is unique among other study abroad programs because students are immersed in a different culture, not solely as students or as tourists, but as teachers.\n"It gives people of different cultures a chance to meet a real, live American," Stachowski said. "Different teachers bring different methodologies, and the IU students are asked to teach on topics like American authors that they know more about first hand." \nNot only do the student participants become involved in learning about a different country through schooling and teaching, but they participate in activities outside of teaching curriculum.\n"Two IU students that were cheerleaders at home started a cheerleading program at their school in Australia," Stachowsk said. "Because kids had only seen American cheerleaders in movies, the girls were celebrities." \nThe School of Education Dean, Gerardo Gonzalez, has interacted with a number of students that have completed this program, and he says they all agree it is one of the most eye-opening, growth- inducing experiences they have had.\n"Being immersed in another culture broadens your horizons and it helps your ability to work with diverse people no matter where they are," Gonzalez said. "The change (the students) experience allows them to be more culturally sensitive to all students, not just students of different cultures." \nIn 2001, IU received an award from the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education for the Best Practice Award for Global and International Teacher Education. IU was also one of the six colleges selected for a report on campus internationalization for the U.S. State Department.\nThe program began in the mid 1970s with the goal to build community values in diverse settings. The ten countries individuals have to choose from are: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, Kenya, Taiwan and Costa Rica. Students prepare for about a year and complete eight weeks of student teaching before beginning the program. \nWhile abroad, in addition to full-time teaching, students must also fulfill a community service requirement, which they report back to IU on regularly. \n"Community participation is a big part of the program," Stachowski said. "This gives the students a chance to do something outside of the school. It helps them to learn about the community's values and how the people function as a community." \nBloomington resident Kristin Wetterholt taught in Auckland, New Zealand, where she plans to return to teach full-time. "In New Zealand I learned to critically analyze my own thinking and realize that my way is not the only effective way to do things," Wetterholt said in a statement.\nStudents can also receive credit for their work, which can be used later for electives in a Masters program. \nTo learn more visit www.indiana.edu/~cultural/index.html
(02/07/03 5:32am)
The thought of college graduation unleashes a multitude of anticipations, anxieties, and new opportunities. The expanse of options that college graduation grants ranges from the typical emancipation of a career or graduate school, to the not-so-typical options like joining the Peace Corps, Teach for America, working and studying abroad, just to name a few. \nWith so many options it can be easy to jump into a career or pack up your books and take them straight to grad school before you realize what you really want. The not-so-typical options allow time for self-growth, understanding and allowing for networking in order to start a career or grad school in a more focused and competitive position than before. \n"I suggest them as ways to learn more about yourself," said Assistant Director of Arts and Science Placement Office Regina McCann.\nThe ASPO offers a great resource that can help students decide what option best suits them. Mccann says now is the time to start research. \n"It's never too early to start thinking about your future," McCann said.\nOne often untapped resource is ASPO's recruiting Web site which provides means to research different opportunities, a place to post resumes, set up interviews and also provides a calendar to keep you updated on all of IU's upcoming events. \nThe site has a $25 logon fee, which can be paid with cash or credit to the ASPO office. The membership is good for six months after graduation, regardless of a student's standing. \nASPO's Associate Director Arlene Hill said one option which is extremely beneficial to hone skills and to make important networking connections is fellowships. \nFellowships encompass a wide range of opportunities for experiential learning, including summer institutions, research grants, and study/work abroad experiences, ranging in length from two weeks to a year or more.\n"The most important benefit of doing a fellowship is that a fellowship tends to have more prestige," Hill said. "More opportunities to meet and work with and therefore network with leaders in a particular field; generally people who complete a fellowship have already completed other internships -- both are certainly beneficial."\nSophomore Scott Shackelford went to the University of Pennsylvania this last summer to take part in the Institute for Research into Cognitive Science. \n"We got to hear from leading researchers around the world," Shackelford said. \nThese lectures, among his other experiences at Penn undoubtedly helped Shackelford with his history and economics double major. \nShackelford said he appreciated the opportunity.\n"The experience was incredible and eye opening," Shackelford said. "It definitely helped me make very important and lasting connections. I would recommend taking part in fellowships in an area that interests you, and don't be intimidated if it isn't a subject that you have a tremendous amount of prior knowledge in."\nFor people specifically interested in working or continuing studies abroad, The British Universities North America Club is another organization that helps students set up jobs and housing in Britain, Australia or New Zealand. \nJobs include office work, bartending jobs, restaurant and catering, retail and others. \nTeach for America is a two-year teaching opportunity that offers individuals a full-time paid teaching job in urban and rural public schools, where teachers are in need, usually in lower income areas, in one of 18 locations in the U.S. Candidates can come from any major and go on to pursue a career in any field.\n"We look for high achievers with strong leadership experiences." said Dara Miller, director of recruitment support for Teach for America. "It can be very rewarding, leading you to a network of strong leaders, all working towards the same mission of closing the achievement gap."\nPeace Corps is a government-run organization wherein individuals have the opportunity to volunteer abroad in order to help interested countries meet their need for trained men and women, to help people of other countries better understand Americans, and for Americans to better understand people of other countries. \nThe benefits of Peace Corps include the skills that you will learn as you are trained for your job, and when you return, the Returned Volunteer Service will be valuable to help in finding work. \nRegardless of what path is chosen when students graduate, McCann argues students to not let the economy or job placement discourage them. McCann said many people change jobs and careers over time.\n"We just have to look for alternative methods," McCann said. "Be more aggressive, although the opportunities are definitely still there"
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
In its ninth year, the Bloomington Early Music Festival explodes with more talent, diversity and precision than ever before, attempting to strengthen and enlighten the Bloomington community. The festival lasts ten days and includes 15 concerts. The festivities combine local, national and international artists, as well as 4th and 5th grade Bloomington children. Workshops, discussions and films also help the festival in completing its mission.\n"Our mission is to support emerging artists in the (early music) field," Alain Barker, executive director of the Early Music Associates, Inc. said.\nFrom May 17 until May 27, the Bloomington Early Music Festival will try to enlighten the community by showcasing the talents and intelligence of an array of artists. The festival makes history exciting through the mediums of song, dance, film and discussion.\n"It is the most important cultural activity happening in Bloomington during the 10-day period," Barker said, "This festival is a very grassroots community celebration of what we have here on our doorsteps." \nThe festival has typically included a majority of local artists, yet it is not restricted to them. Since 1994, the festival has expanded to include more artists from abroad. \n"We have a special project this Friday. A classical clarinetist, using only music from the 18th century, came all the way from Australia," Barker said.\nThe Spanish ensemble, Mudejar, will be performing music that sprang from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim religions. \nThe festival's art has improved this year both in quantity and quality.\n"We have expanded the scope of the festival. It is better and a greater effort is put in to being more diverse," Barker said.\nThe festival kicks off on Friday, May 17 with Classical Quintets for Piano and Winds at 8 p.m. at Auer Hall. The many other festivities include a piano recital by IU faculty member Edmund Battersby, an unaccompanied Bach workshop featuring Stanley Ritchie, a baroque violinist and a rendition of Henry Purcell's opera "King Arthur."\n"King Arthur is the centerpiece of the…festival, which brings together performers from around the world to celebrate baroque, renaissance and medieval music and drama," Production Manager, Micheal Forbes, said. "To present Purcell's music as authentically as possible, the orchestra, composed of IU-trained early music instrumentalists, will be playing on period instruments."\nStudents from the IU Music School provide the talent necessary for the singing portions of the opera, while talking and dancing portions involve members of the community.\n"King Arthur combines such themes as courtly love, warfare and magic into a story where good triumphs over evil, but true love triumphs over all," Forbes said. \nIU faculty member, Edmund Battersby will perform in the festival for his third time. Battersby's performance will present the progress made in piano building during Beethoven's lifetime. He will play the same Beethoven selection first on a 1790s replica of a Viennese piano, and secondly on a Viennese instrument from two decades later. \n"Following the Beethoven, I will play works of Chopin which form a natural "pianistic progression" from the Beethoven works and the development of the piano," Battersby said.\nBattersby feels the festival brings a lot to the Bloomington community.\n"Like most music events in Bloomington, this festival brings cutting edge performances and the best ideals of early Music and period Instruments to the community," he said. "Any major city in the world would be privileged to host such a unique series of events."\nAnother performance, "Joyful Noyse: A Renaissance Festival" is the children's portion of the festival that will be repeated after a successful first year.\n"We invite children from local schools to perform and to learn the music and the dances that go along with this music from the Renaissance, it is for both children and parents, and is a free event," Barker said.\nYoung IU Recorder Players Program members, along with students from 33 different area schools and also members of the IU Early Music Institute come together in one performance. They will perform three dance tunes from the Renaissance period.\n"We call it a "Joyeous Noyse" and it is just that; lots of good music and fun actually doing the steps to the dances," Marie-Louise Smith, Director of Young IU Recorder Players Program, said. "It has a bit of an improvisational feel, because it is basically assembled on the spot." \nThe performance is the first time the three groups of musicians will play together. \n"After the music is in place, the students and audience will be taught simple steps to the dances and take turns playing and dancing," Smith said.\nThere are three different techniques the Early Music Associates Inc. uses in finding artists to include in the festival. They give invitations to certain artists, they accept proposals, and also hold auditions for the opera production. This year the association received more than 40 proposals from performers, requesting the right to perform in the festival.\n"From the outside, people don't realize that this is a labor of love for a lot of people that live in our country," Barker said. "We use well over one hundred musicians. We use a lot of other artists and administrators. Something that makes me feel very excited, is that so many people are very involved."\nTickets for the festival can be purchased up to one hour before each festival performance. The tickets range in price from $6 to $15. A festival pass can be purchased, that will admit you into all of the events for $60 (for general admission) or $55 (for a student or senior). For more information, and a complete festival events calendar visit the BLEMF web site at www.BLEMF.org, or call 812-331-1263.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Jean Auel, an award winning and best selling author, sparked an evening of excitement for many in Bloomington, Thursday. The Center for Research into the Anthropological Foundations of Technology (CRAFT) presented Auel with an outstanding craftsmanship award, while promoting its new research center just north of campus, which is expected to be done in a year.\n"There will be a number of different researchers focusing on bones, mainly animal bones, in order to re-construct past behaviors and trying to encompass the whole field of prehistory," graduate student, Melanie Everett said. "This is the first of its kind as far as institutes go. It is specifically focused on human origins."\nFollowing Auel's talk in Alumni Hall, she was joined by colleagues and friends for a thematic dinner of wild foods eaten with stone utensils at the Limestone Grille.\nAuel was taking this chance to promote her latest novel, "The Shelters of Stone." Auel spoke for an hour about her opportunity, as an author, to share her fantasy about prehistory. \n"It is fun to talk about things prehistoric," said Auel, who has submersed herself in archeological and anthropological research since beginning to write her first novel, "Clan of the Cave Bear" in the 1970s.\nAuel spoke about how she looked beyond the image of savage cavemen, wanting to find the humanistic love and compassion she knew existed in prehistory. According to Auel, previous representations of prehistoric people (Cro Magnons and Neanderthals) are incorrect.\n"Hollywood really had it wrong; neither type of men were savages, and there were no dinosaurs, like in 'The Flintstones'."\nAuel is very dedicated to being scientifically accurate in her novels. \n"I think it is very important to know what you are writing about, so I decided to do research."\nFrom an encyclopedia, to a journey to the prehistoric region in the South of France, Auel's passion for the truth has taken her on an extraordinary journey. She claims you can learn a lot from "bones and stones."\n"I think about how lucky I am. I get to see sights maybe 20 people get to see," Auel said.\nAlthough her novels are based on research, Auel mentioned that she sometimes has to put her literary license to use in her novels. She takes what scientists have found and creatively fills in the unknowns.\n"I approached the material with a novelist point of view," she said. "Scientists look at it objectively, while novelists must look at it subjectively, with emotions, characterizations and a story, filling in the missing pieces of science." \nAll the places mentioned in her books existed at some time and some of them still do.\nThe origin of Auel's novel began with a vision she had of a crippled man who receives the help of a little girl. And she said she thought, "Can I write a short story?" \nFour hundred fifty thousand words later, she realized it was not a short story, but a series composed of six different novels.\nTo Auel's surprise, the man she had envisioned actually once existed. The skeleton of a crippled man was found in a cave in Iraq. He had skull damage, he was blind in one eye and his arm was cleanly cut and amputated. She wondered how a man with this many disabilities could survive until he grew old. She came up with one conclusion: He was in the care of someone with love and compassion. \n"Is compassion necessary for survival?" Auel, who pictures the time period she writes about in her books as a time of innocence, wondered. \n"A younger more playful time. A time of the childhood of the human race, when we were Earth's Children," Auel said of the setting in her novels. \nOne minister called Auel describing the religious symbolism he found in her books, although that was not her intention, she said his interpretation was great. \n"Every book that's written is only written half by the author, the other half is written by the reader."\nA graduate student studying archeology spoke about her appreciation of Auel's novels.\n"This was prehistory as fiction, this is a topic I've been interested in my whole life. Her books really bring the things to life that I have learned about," Leslie Harlacker said.\nKathy Schick, co-director of CRAFT, and long-time friend of Auel's, explained that Auel was the recipient of CRAFT's award this year, because she has greatly enriched our appreciation of the prehistoric past.\n"The recipients of the award are always people that create something out of nothing," Schick said. \nThe thematic dinner included foods like Morel mushrooms with herbed Indiana goat cheese and a salad of old world greens that appeared like a plate full of leaves. The entree included grilled bison rib eye, wild mushrooms, asparagus and mashed turnips and parsnips. \nIn actuality, the meal was eaten with silverware. When the bison was brought out, Nicholas Toth, co-director of CRAFT, passed out a stone utensil. The guests could choose to use this stone utensil or not. \nA toast was made to the Auels and other CRAFT affiliates. \n"We're trying to network people." Toth said, as they all raised their glasses to drink.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The IU Art Museum collaborated with the Well House Society to host the fifth annual Wine, Wisdom & Song. On the first and third floors of the IUAM, members of the Well House Society and other IU supporters gathered for a night of wine tasting, socializing and fun. The event was open to the public at a cost of $20 for non-members. \nThe wine was from South Africa; because of the ongoing African Art exhibits at the Museum. \n"We try to 'tie things in.' There is an African Art exhibit at the museum, so we are tasting South African wine," said Jim Muehling, director of the Well House Society.\nThe Well House Society hosts many different events throughout the year.\n"We try to do a number of events-to have something for everyone," Muehling said.\nThe IUAM's African Art exhibits include an African Hair exhibit, Beer and Wine in Africa, Africa Beads and Beadwork. Professor of Art History, Patrick McNaughton, was supposed to give a talk on African Art, but could not be present due to an unfortunate accident involving his son.\nBrian Kearney, associate director of development at the IUAM, and Muehling enjoy bringing people together for this special event.\n"We try to relax and enjoy each other's company and have a learning aspect as well," Muehling said of the event.\nRestaurant owner, and self-acclaimed wine educator, who would only be addressed as "Strats," gave a little talk about South African winemaking.\n"South Africa is the best kept secret of all the wine regions in the world," Strats said.\nStrats made it clear he was not the "wisdom" portion of the evening. \n"Wisdom is in short tonight," Strats teased, "But we have a lot of wine so we should have a lot of fun. It wasn't until the mid-70s that South Africa started making wines like other regions such as California, Australia, and New Zealand; because of the Apartheid government, no one would buy or sell their wine."\nStrats informed everyone that South Africa provides the prime conditions for wine making.\n"South Africa is virtually unaffected by disease, and the land is so fertile, it takes a tenth (of) the fertilizer of other countries."\nA community wherein the lowest donors give $2,000 per year to the University, The Well House Society works hard to keep its members involved. These events give members a chance to learn about other areas of IU, to which they could donate.\nThe Well House Society is run by Muehling, two directors, Kelly Bamba and Jane St. John, and administrative assistant Sandy Inman. It raises a number of unrestricted funds for IU every year.\n"We do a lot of entertaining. We work hard and we have a lot of fun," Inman said.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Twelve young violinists from IU School of Music's Violin Virtuosi plan to grace New York City's Carnegie Hall with a benefit concert, "Kids play for Kids," June 18. The concert will raise money for the Harlem Public School Violin Program, Opus 118 Music Center, which has suffered this year because of the Sept. 11 backlash. \n"Opus 118 is largely supported with city money, and they lost their funding almost completely. So much of (it) went to the catastrophe, cleaning up and helping people," said Mimi Zweig, director of Violin Virtuosi.\nIn addition to fundraising, Violin Virtuosi is hoping to be an inspiration for young violinists in Harlem. Just kids themselves, the 12 pre-college teens will perform a farewell concert at IU before departing to NYC. The concert at IU will be June 14, at Auer Hall, and is open to the public, free of charge. \nAt the "Kids play for Kids" performance in NYC, donations will be accepted at the door.\nZweig said this performance is a standard concert that the group does. It includes pieces they perform as a group, and solos as well.\n"It (will be) more nerve racking. Carnegie Hall is of course a very famous place for performers," said one of the group's youngest members, Thomas Rodgers, 14.\nZweig admits that she gets nervous as well.\n"I am always concerned that I have prepared them to their best ability," Zweig said.\nThe oldest member of Violin Virtuosi, Lieslie Schoenberger, 18, lives in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She has made the 600-mile trip to IU to practice with Violin Virtuosi almost every Saturday for the last eight years. She says her favorite performances with Violin Virtuosi have been the tours in France, which she has done twice. Schoenberger says her experience does not set her ahead of any other members.\n"Since I am so far away, I'm really not around but one day a week… And I am inspired by the younger players," Schoenberger said. "I am inspired by their playing. Everybody definitely holds their own." \nViolin Virtuosi is the top 12 violinists out of the 150 in the IU String Academy, which is also headed by Zweig. Violin Virtuosi has provided many opportunities for its members. They have toured France and have been part of a National Radio Program taping of "From the Top," and can be heard on www.stringpedagogy.com.\nViolin Virtuosi often performs at many different venues in the Midwest. This Friday, it will be playing at the University of Indianapolis, and on Sunday, they will be performing in Anderson.\nThis will be the first time the group has performed in New York. At the start of the year, they were planning a trip to Europe for this summer, but decided on NYC instead. They felt safer staying closer to home after the 9-11 attacks.\nZweig thinks it will be a great experience for the group to perform in New York. She plans on taking them to Ground Zero and various museums as well. \nOpus 118 received recognition in the movie "Music of the Heart," starring Meryl Streep. \nStreep plays Roberta Guaspari, the violin teacher who struggled against all odds to bring a string instrument program to Harlem public schools.\n"(The movie) shows the benefits of music lessons for these kids, for any kids, but especially these kids," Zweig said.\nYoung musicians from Opus 118 will be in the audience during Violin Virtuosi's "Kids play for Kids"
(05/09/02 4:14am)
Twelve-year-old Julian Bliss completed the coursework to qualify for a two-year Artist's Diploma at the IU School of Music while attending St. Charles Middle School. The young clarinet prodigy is the youngest person to qualify for this degree from IU, and was a guest on NBC's "Today" show Tuesday.\n"I started playing the clarinet when I was four," Bliss said. "I heard it on the radio, and I liked the sound it made, and I decided that was the instrument that I wanted to play." \nBliss, a highly accomplished clarinet player, moved from his home in England to study at IU. Bliss and his mother came to IU for its world-renowned School of Music and stayed the two years necessary to qualify for the diploma. Bliss studied with Howard Klug, chairman of the Woodwind department in the IU School of Music.\n"Professor Klug was in England, and I had a lesson with him, and we got on so well," Bliss said. "I decided to come to IU (because) he invited me to come, and it was too good of an opportunity to miss." \nHis accomplishment has not gone unnoticed by national media. Cameramen followed Bliss on his daily routine and recorded him at graduation. The footage appeared on the "Today" show Tuesday morning on NBC.\n"It was fun," Bliss said. "I enjoyed them being here. It was not my first time on television, but it was my first time on NBC. There is something like 14 million viewers -- that is a lot of people," Bliss said.\nBliss said the students at IU were nice, and he got along with them well.\n"I made lots of friends in Indiana that I will come to visit, but only when I\'m en route," he said. "I got on with the other students very well. They treated me as one of them. It really didn't make a difference that I was younger than them." \nBliss made a good impression with his fellow students at IU, who were mostly upperclassmen and masters students. One of his fellow students, Leslie Eldridge, who graduated from IU Saturday, spoke highly of Bliss. \n"He really excels at playing solos in front of people," Eldridge said. "He definitely loves to play, that is obvious." \nShe admits that at first a few students felt awkward about having a 12-year-old in their classes, but after witnessing his talent, they felt nothing but respect towards him. The respect, she explains, was mutual. She said it was difficult to feel jealous of the young prodigy, because he has such different goals than most clarinet players. He aspires to become an internationally renowned clarinet soloist. This goal may seem impossible and is quite rare for most musicians to attain. \nIn addition to attending IU, Julian also attended St. Charles Catholic School, where he studied at the seventh grade level. Julian's homeroom teacher, Sarah Vaughn, said despite Bliss's rigorous schedule of classes, he still behaved in the ways that a "normal" 12-year-old does.\n"Sometimes I could tell it was hard on him to come here and go to the University, but he is a very easy kid to get along with," Vaughn said. "I remember seeing him in the cafeteria joking around -- he is definitely a seventh grader at heart." \nSoon after his return to England, Bliss will participate in a concert for Queen Elizabeth. Other performers in this highly acclaimed concert include celebrities such as, Tony Bennet, Annie Lennox, Phil Collins, Elton John.\nBliss has not received his actual diploma from IU because he has not yet received his high school diploma. Once he graduates from high school, his diploma from IU will become valid. According to Eldridge, he is "a cool little kid," that many IU students came to see as a little brother.\n"He has a good attitude in general about life," Eldridge said.\nBliss talks like being a child prodigy is a normal part of life. \n"Next year I hope to go to Germany and study there with a professor," Bliss said. "And of course I have to carry on with school, so I will carry on, while also performing, of course, and studying and taking lessons, all of the usual stuff"