Month: May 2014

BY BRITANI BEASLEY St. Louis Native and McKendree University senior, Meghan Birdsong is a Speech Communication major, with a Public Relations emphasis, and has a minor in Spanish. When asked how many years she has been studying foreign language and which ones she has studied, she said, “My elementary school had us start taking French kindergarten through 6th grade, so seven years, but all I could remember was “Je ne sais pas” (I do not know) and “Parlez-vous anglais?” (Do you speak English?) which only helped me in Montreal. They also had us take Latin in 5th and 6th grade, but I barely remember the basics of it. In middle school I started taking Spanish until 10th grade. I absolutely hated Spanish in high school and learned nothing. It was definitely my least favorite class. I started...

BY JANELLE JANKOWSKI Even though women are stereotypically associated with having stress-related weight issues, this is most certainly not always the case. Roszell Mosely, a student attending McKendree, spent his freshman year worried about his health. After graduating high school in 2011, Roszell finally decided it was time to lose weight. He already viewed himself as being healthy, but unfortunately, this was not the case. Weighing in at 290 lbs., he described the feeling as if “he was slowly dying.” After 4 months of continuous exercise, a proper diet and the aid of nutritional supplements, he was able to reach a weight of 195 lbs. – a loss of 95 lbs. altogether. Roszell attributes the success to his weight loss to the help of AdvoCare. AdvoCare is an American multilevel marketing com...

BY MEGHAN DOHOGNE In a recent exhibit at the McKendree University Gallery of Art, artist Brian D. Smith showcased the style of painting. Smith creates large abstract paintings using vibrant bold colors that strikingly impact the viewer.  Abstract painting is often misunderstood or discredited for the lack of recognizable subject matter. Understanding abstract art requires the viewer to take a leap from looking for an expression of reality to appreciating elements of color, gesture, and movement in a painting. For many audience members, this is an unnatural way to look at a painting, which causes confusion when evaluating an abstract work of art. Confusion is celebrated by those who work in abstract painting because it challenges viewers’ notion of art. Abstract painting is often much m...

BY MINDY ALLEN In March, a campus email explained that the smoking policy of McKendree University has been revised to include e-cigarettes, which are banned in campus buildings and dorms. Some people may wonder why e-cigarettes, which are odorless, are also banned in public buildings. This debate is raging beyond the McKendree campus. People are smoking e-cigarettes in restaurants and other public places as well. A CBS news article covered the debate in Los Angeles, where e-cigarettes were banned in the public; the LA city councilman, Mitch O'Farrell, explains why the ban was imposed: “What we're doing is taking a very sensible, fair approach to regulation that controls the second-hand aerosol exposure to thousands of employees in the work force, young people.” Thomas Glynn, a director...

BY BRITANI BEASLEY As we approach the end of the school year, students find it difficult to maintain attendance, participation and interest in their courses. Here are some quick tips to help students stay motivated in the classroom, keep their minds sharp, and leave procrastination at an all-time low. Make a To-Do List: It is important, especially this late in the semester, to have a to-do list handy in your planner. Having a to-do list is much more effective to cross things off of the list and visibly see that you are getting closer to the end of the semester. Shut off All Electronics: Our generation cannot seem to comprehend what it is like not being connected to everything going on around us. A simple way to complete that list of final tasks is to turn off your notifications and ...

BY STEFANIE STRACK Many people think of Earth Science and Astronomy as two vastly different branches of science, and never give any thought as to how the two of them could be connected. They are actually more related than one might think. After all, Astronomy is the study of space and the objects in it, and Earth happens to fall into this category. By studying one of these branches, we can learn more about the other. For example, from knowledge we gain in Astronomy, the seasons we experience on Earth are explained. The Earth rotates around the Sun on an axis tilted 23.5 ° from the perpendicular (the y-axis of the plane in which Earth’s axis is measured upon). Because of Earth’s tilt, at different parts of the year, the portion of the Earth you live in points toward or away from the Sun...

BY BRITANI BEASLEY In a small community of 5,523 people, Lebanon, Ill. is a tight knit community full of hometown pride and yearly celebrations that draw people out of their historic homes. As you drive down the beautiful brick road and look at the worn storefronts, it is apparent each of these buildings are beautifully decorated with vintage clothing and homely antiques presented in storefront windows. With loosely-draped spider webs hanging in every corner, Lebanon’s historic architectures make the town very appealing to inhabitants and visitors alike. At the end of the road, there is a welcoming brick monument with a fountain reading “McKendree University.” Suddenly you feel like you are no longer in Lebanon. As McKendree continues to grow and overpopulates Lebanon, it’s apparent th...

BY ANDREW OLDEN Bothwell Chapel stands as an iconic piece on the McKendree campus, most often admired for its age and beauty.  When asking your everyday student what is located in the Chapel, most will reference the housing point of the oldest bell in the United States.  Upon further inspection within the chapel, one will discover there is a trove of historical wealth residing in the campus' museum. The museum is located across from Circuit Riders Hall on the north side of the Chapel’s first floor and can be identified by its white double doors.  Lining the walls of this historian's paradise are a variety of pictures highlighting McKendree's rich history.  These works range from portraits and photos of past presidents to political cartoons which once appeared in major area newspapers. ...

Question:  Hello, I am graduating this semester, and still haven't found a job yet. Should I keep looking for one that goes with my degree or should I try and apply for other jobs like Walmart or McDonald's in order to have 'something' that will help me with my finances? Thanks, The Unemployed Answers: To: The Unemployed I have not graduated yet and I am sure I will be in the same position as you next year. I would say find a job that will suit you until you can get your dream job. Also, depending what your desired career is, a different job may be good experience for you, since you will be learning how to deal with coworkers and people in general. However, keep applying for jobs and looking online for openings. Maybe you should contact Career Services. Look into some internships. If...

A Book Review BY KIMBERLY BENNETT At the beginning of 2014, 32 out of 50 states in America still sentence criminals with the death penalty. Lethal injection is authorized in 35 states (three states had abolished the death penalty, but according to the Death Penalty Information Center, the “law wasn’t retroactive,” leaving 18 people sentenced to death). While all 35 states have lethal injection as their primary method of execution, eight states still allow for electrocution. Three states, including Missouri, authorize the gas chamber death penalty. Three states allow hanging, and two allow firing squads. Most people never plan to end up in prison, and most certainly do not even begin to think that they will die on death row. Criminals are criminals, plain and simple. However, back in th...