Thursday, December 19

Month: February 2024

We Were Shining: McKendree Theatre Tells Story of Women Who Sued Radium Dial
Arts, Campus Events, Campus News, Community Events, Entertainment

We Were Shining: McKendree Theatre Tells Story of Women Who Sued Radium Dial

By Madison Rohn, Lead Editor Photography by Michelle Magnussen “This isn’t a fairy tale, though it starts like one. It’s not a tragedy, though it ends like one.” This line begins the play These Shining Lives, which McKendree Theatre will perform from February 29th to March 3rd. The play, written by Melanie Marnich, tells the compelling true story of Catherine Wolfe Donohue, one of the thousands of women hired by the Radium Dial Company in Ottawa, Illinois, during the 1920s to paint watch faces with radium. As told in the play, Radium Dial ensured their watch painters that radium was safe, even though the company knew otherwise. After Catherine and her co-workers contracted radium poisoning, they sued the company. Catherine’s eventual legal victory changed worker safety laws in Am...
It’s All in Your Genes, Right?
Advice

It’s All in Your Genes, Right?

From Popular Delusions, a blog by Honors Intro to Psychology students It’s All in Your Genes, Right? | Popular Delusions (wordpress.com) Have you ever heard that you can’t change who you are because of the genes that come from your parents? Well, you would be lumped into a group with the many people who also believe that myth. Because it is a common myth, a simple Google search gives you many articles that include misinformation about heritability and the impact of genes. People may misinterpret how genes influence behavior and write about them, such as this article that lists 27 things that are supposedly inherited from your parents. Simply defined, heritability is a measure of differences in traits across people due to genetics. If a trait is 100% heritable, the differences...
Dear Bogey: Muddled McKendree Bearcat
Advice

Dear Bogey: Muddled McKendree Bearcat

Dear Bogey,  I am very confused and conflicted about how my roommate and I are acting. We've been rooming together for the whole first semester, so about eight weeks, and I go through phases of how I feel about him. Depending on the day, he is my best friend or my worst enemy. I feel like sometimes our personalities just don't blend well together. He likes to be the loudest person who talks the most in conversations. I like to be a contributing member of the group, but often I get interrupted and can't even finish what I am saying/talking about. I'm torn between being quiet and just rarely talking or confronting him about it. What's the best course of action for me to take to have a great friendship and rooming situation?  Sincerely, A Muddled Mckendree Bearcat  Roommate prob...
Senior Spotlight: Brianna Burke
Profiles

Senior Spotlight: Brianna Burke

By Megan Melone, Writer Photography submitted by Brianna Burke Brianna Burke is a senior secondary English education major from Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada. Brianna is the goalie for the McKendree women’s hockey team, and she also plays saxophone in the McKendree jazz band. I interviewed Brianna about her time at McKendree and her plans after graduation:  Where are you from?  BURKE: I am from Fort McMurray, Alberta Canada.  How has living in the U.S. been for you? BURKE: When I first came down here, it was quite a culture shock. I came in August of 2020, and that was when the election was going on, so just seeing the political climate and how very different it was from home and proximity-wise being so far from home was a huge change. I had never lived awa...
More Like Neighboring States!
Advice

More Like Neighboring States!

From Popular Delusions, a blog by Honors Intro to Psychology students More Like Neighboring States! | Popular Delusions (wordpress.com) Have you ever heard the phrase “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus?” Or do you ever just feel when communicating with someone of the opposite gender that you are two very different people from what feels like two very different planets? Like Mars and Venus? American pop psychologist John Gray popularized the idea of women and men using different types of communication. He created the Mars and Venus series of self-help books, which began with Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus that advanced the belief that men and women have entirely different styles of communicating their needs. Gray wrote, “Not only do men and women communicate differe...
Go on a Blind Date With a Book!
Entertainment

Go on a Blind Date With a Book!

By: Isabella Brand Photography collected by Isabella Brand Like many places this type of year, most libraries participate in the festivities of Valentine’s Day. Along with decorating, some libraries take Valentine’s Day to the next step with their own version of a “blind date.” If you have been in Holman Library this month, you may have noticed a decorated table near the couches and the front desk. On the display table was a sign that read “Go on a Blind Date with a Book!” One of our librarians, Kasandra, put up the display on February 4th. The display lasted until the 11th. Students and staff were allowed to pick out a wrapped item on the Valentine’s Day-themed table. These items consisted of puzzles, DVDs, books, and stickers. Some books had a typed description taped on the...
Do You Have What It Takes To Be A McKendree Student Staff Member?
Campus Events

Do You Have What It Takes To Be A McKendree Student Staff Member?

By: Grace Gross, Lead Editor Photography collected by Grace Gross “The Office of Residence Life plays a vital role in supporting the academic mission of McKendree University by creating an atmosphere that encourages holistic development” (McKendree Residence Life). Residence Life, referred to as Res Life, is here to provide you with a safe residential community while promoting student success.  As a student, when can you be a part of the Res Life community? Currently! Res Life is accepting student applicants for the Fall 2024 school year. There are two positions available: Resident Assistant (RA) and Student Academic Mentor (SAM). By clicking on the desired position, you will be taken to the position description and employment agreement document. Here you can find specifi...
Senior Spotlight: David Justice
Profiles

Senior Spotlight: David Justice

By: Megan Melone, Writer Photography submitted by David Justice David Justice is a senior music major from Vandalia, Illinois. Along with being the president of the McKendree Spectrum Alliance, they are also a resident assistant in Walton Hall, a member of the Spirit of McKendree Band, Vice President of Finance for Alpha Delta Gamma, and involved in the McKendree Theatre program. I interviewed David about their time at McKendree and their plans after graduation:  Why did you choose to come to McKendree? Justice: I was originally recruited for the former marching band, but I came here when everyone had just got back from COVID, so we didn’t really have too much of a marching band. And with other circumstances, it turned into the spirit band, which is what it is now.  How is ...
Are You Prepared for the Career Fair?
Advice, Campus Events

Are You Prepared for the Career Fair?

By Madison Rohn, Lead Editor Cover image of Career Services from 2023’s career fair retrieved from McKendree’s online photo albums. McKendree’s annual career fair is back and larger than ever! Almost 90 employers and graduate schools will be ready to meet with students at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts this Valentine’s Day from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.  Find more information about the career fair at Career Services' webpage. Image retrieved from Career Services. To help students make the best out of their time at the career fair, I interviewed Jennifer Pickerell, the director of Career Services. She gave me helpful advice for students considering going to the fair. In summary, her most helpful piece for students is to “prepare ahead of time.” Jennifer listed five actio...