“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.” –Vincent T. Lombardi

“Things work out best for those who make the best of how things work out.”-John Wooden

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Cartoon by Ellen Weiss

The sun is setting on this academic year, one fraught with transition and hope, personal tragedy and collective triumph. The 2012 graduating class enters uneven terrain. The pervasive ideal of college as a springboard to a fruitful career is becoming less certain.

But, as with all experiences, our graduates can take comfort in their accomplishments alone and not merely in what they promise.

In the waning hours of 2011, we met our new president. Michael Shonrock was chosen to lead our university through an uncertain future. On the heels of sagging enrollment, he set forth an ambitious agenda to rectify the mistakes of past presidents and to establish a new dialogue with the faculty, staff and students of Emporia State.

No administrational change, however, could overshadow the sudden and tragic loss of students. The deaths of Zheng Lin and Yawei Fan in a house fire in October and the suicide of Mingxuan “Alex” Yang brought pause to the ESU family. The ensuing grief has yet to completely vanish. To many, their deaths were a reawakening to the realities and hardships that each student faces every day.

But while we were grappling with death, we somehow found delight. It was a year of unprecedented victory. ESU’s debate team finished what was, undoubtedly, the competitive highlight of our school’s year. LaToya Williams-Green’s Debater of the Year accomplishment is no less than intercollegiate debate’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy. The team of Williams-Green and Ryan Wash defeated teams from Harvard, Northwestern and every school in between in their march to a top 5 finish for the season. A Hornet’s pride swells at the thought.

Encompassing every highlight of the year is a foolish task. What cannot be ignored is that each student carries with them a story about this year that will be held for the rest of his or her life, floundering relationships that met their end or promising new ones, an academic hurdle unlike any before and the besting of that hurdle.

The narratives are as varied as the experience of the students. We hope that whatever story you take away from this year that you can feel comfortable sharing in our collective identity as Hornets.

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Potter

Finals are approaching. It is coming up on 2 a.m., and you still have not started your PowerPoint presentation that is worth approximately 10 percent of your grade.

You turn your computer on and start working, but then you remember that you need to use at least two primary sources, most of which are contained behind the locked doors at the Emporia State library. That is where the project stops.

If only the library continued to stay open, perhaps for 24 hours, or maybe if just one floor stayed open, in addition to the six decks that contain those sweet books that count towards your minimum number of primary and secondary sources.  Having access to a computer at any point in time is especially important for those students who do not have one.

One of the main issues is availability. I doubt most students want to stay up past 3 a.m.  This could be presented as a boon, however, as students looking for community service hours could volunteer and man the stations, possibly checking their Facebook accounts or random Google news feeds, helping to pass the time. It sounds like a win-win situation to me.

But what about our safety? Campus police work 24/7 and are here to keep us safe. An officer could easily be made aware of the student presence at the library.

Granted, with a location staying open for 24 hours, there are multiple parameters that must be accounted for, but think of the greatness that could come with having a location that one could go to at any point in time to relax, study and maybe just unwind with a cup of coffee.

Andrew Potter

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Weiss

Nothing gets me more mad than people judging other people’s majors.

A few days ago, a girl in one of my classes exclaimed, “An art major sounds like the most useless degree!”

Aside from the fact that it hurt my feelings – yes, I’m an art major – it also made her sound totally ignorant, which is always annoying.

Hours after class, I couldn’t shake the frustration and anger her words brought me. So I thought I’d translate the negative emotions into a calm, well-thought out defense of anyone who has ever questioned their major because of what others might think.

First, if you are passionate about what you do, and confident in your ability to do it, getting your degree will not be in vain.

Second, you may not use the specific skills from your degree for a career, but you will always need and employ the other, less obvious skills that college has taught you. That’s right, in addition to learning tools for your trade, you have also learned how to study, work as a team, discipline yourself, think critically and analytically, etc. The list goes on and on.

Third, and perhaps most important, the world needs artists, writers and communicators. They may not be in demand as much as doctors and nurses, but they are essential to the progress and enrichment of our society.

Who else can make beauty available to every class, gender, religion and race? Who else will make a statement to the world with one, stunning image or experience? Who else will continue one of the most difficult and important lines of work – creating the unique? Originality. Individuality.

To that girl in my class, I hope I have changed your mind.

To our new class of graduates, even those with degrees in fine arts, the world is your oyster. Be open to any possibilities that come your way. Recognize your limits. Know your potential.

Ellen Weiss

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Jade Sparks, junior communications major, and Marah Melvin, junior theatre major, run through a rehearsal for the annual spring dance show “The Eleven O’ Clock Club”. The show will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre. Lingzi Su/The Bulletin

Conceived and directed by Lindy Bartruff, adjunct professor of dance, “The Eleven O’ Clock Club” is a mix of old school and modern day musical pieces combined into one dance show.

The show tells the story of a club created by a group of “hoofers” in the silent film era who form a retreat to help them with their voices. Fast forward to modern times, and the great grandson of one of the original members has recreated the club by sending out applications to nine performers who come to the retreat to find their voices as well.

“I wanted to bring classic and current musicals to the ESU audience that it wouldn’t otherwise be aware of,” Bartruff said. “I liked the idea of the ‘11 O’ Clock’ number, which is the most dramatic number in a show.”

“The Eleven O’ Clock Club” features musical numbers from a variety of sources including “Footloose,” “Memphis” and even “American Idiot” by Green Day.

Bartruff said the show presented a unique challenge because it is a “book show,” meaning that along with having musical numbers and dances, the show also has a script. Students performing in the show said that it presented both challenges and rewards.

“A lot of actors get inward sometimes on stage, and this dancing definitely helps you go out…it definitely helps you connect to the audience too,” said Andrew Walker, junior theater major.

Walker said the most challenging aspect of the show is the “American Idiot” number, but he also said that it’s his favorite song in the show.

Casey McCabe, senior theater major, is the stage manager for “The Eleven O’ Clock Show” and said he had his own unique set of rewards and challenges.

“This is my first show doing technical stuff – I’ve always just acted,” McCabe said. “So sitting on the other side of the table and watching the other people start off not knowing what’s going and then building into their songs is really cool.”

McCabe said the challenges he’s faced have been mostly organizational, such as making sure people stay on task and keeping track of important supplies and papers. He also said that his favorite numbers are “Underground” from “Memphis” and “American Idiot.”

Although McCabe is a graduating senior, this will not be his last show, as he is doing summer theater.

“I’ve done shows before, but I’ve never done a dance musical before so this is the first time I’ve ever done anything that takes this much energy,” said Rachel Head, freshman biology major.

“The Eleven O’ Clock Club” will premiere at 7:30 p.m. this Friday in Bruder Theater in King Hall and is for one night only. Bartruff said that the show is free and seats will be first come first serve.

Luke Bohannon

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Graduate student in vocal performance Tomoko Hayasaka performs “Die Fledermaus” last Friday evening at Albert Taylor Hall. The ESU Music Department presented this opera and 19 music majors took part in this play. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

Johann Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus” was presented by ESU Opera Theater last Friday and Saturday night in Albert Taylor Hall. This English production of “Die Fledermaus” was produced by Penelope Speedie, associate professor and artistic director of Opera Theater.

“‘Die Fledermaus’ is a little more appealing to people who are not as familiar with opera,” said Daniel Zachary, who played Frosch, the jailer.

Junior vocal music major Masatoshi Takami, who played Dr. Falke, said this particular English translation is “very traditional.”

“We had rehearsals every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. for the last two and a half months,” said Ethan Platt, freshman vocal music major, who played Frank. “The last week before the show we had dress rehearsals every night at 7 p.m.”

But “everything changed” when the group began rehearsing in Albert Taylor Hall, Zachary said.

“In the second act, half of the stage was removed. In a dress rehearsal, you have the feel of how it’s going to come together on production night,” he said. “There were a couple hectic moments in the last week.”

Along with the hectic moments, there were a lot of laughs between the cast.

“I nearly choked on my beard during one of the rehearsals,” Petersen said.

Judy Rice, volunteer, assisted with the costumes in the show. Rice works for the Emporia Community Theatre.

“There are a lot of non-music major and non-theater majors in the cast,” Zachary said. “That’s what made this a very fun experience.”

The first act is set in the apartment of Gabriel von Eisenstein, played by music major Justin Petersen, who has been “sentenced to eight days in prison for insulting an official, partially due to the incompetence of his lawyer, Dr. Blind.” Eisenstein’s maid, Adele, played by Takako Iyadomi, graduate music major, receives an invitation to a ball hosted by Prince Orlofsky, played Erin Gilmore.

However, what Adele doesn’t know is that the ball is a revenge plot perpetrated by Dr. Falke against Eisenstein, who had drunkenly left him in the center of town dressed as a bat after a costume party. Die Fledermaus is German for “The Bat.”

Eisenstein’s wife Rosalinda, played by Tomoka Hayasaka, graduate student in music, is visited by her secret lover, singing teacher Alfred, played by Mitchell Wright, senior music major, who serenades her with “Dove That Has Escaped.”

Frank, the governor of the prison, comes to arrest Eisenstein. Instead, he runs into Alfred, who pretends to be Eisenstein “in order not to compromise Rosalinda,” and is arrested by Frank.

The second act takes place in the prince’s ballroom. Eisenstein comes to the party under the name “Marquis Renard,” Frank goes as “Chevalier Chagrin,” Rosalinda pretends to be a Hungarian countess and Adele pretends she is an actress. After the prince welcomes all of his guests, an “amorous tête-à-tête” occurs between the disguised Rosalinda and Eisenstein, with Rosalinda stealing her husband’s valuable watch to use as evidence in his infidelity.

The final act is set the morning after the ball in Frank’s prison office. When Frank arrives at his office, he sees Frosch has used his alone time to get “gloriously drunk.” Frank, who is still intoxicated himself, deals with the events of last night’s events.

Rosalinda arrives, demanding a divorce from Eisenstein. Alfred, who had been arrested, demands to be released. Adele arrives to obtain the assistance of “Chevalier Chagrin.”

Frosch arrests Adele and her sister Sally, played by Amy Dunlap. Eisenstein turns the tables on his wife and tricks her, while she accuses him of infidelity. Dr. Falke appears and declares the events as “an act of vengeance for the ‘Fledermaus’.”

In the end, Eisenstein blames his behavior on the “intoxicating effects of champagne,” and Prince Orlofsky volunteers to support Adele’s newfound career in acting.

Steve Edwards

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Students swarmed into the first floor lounge of the Memorial Union for music, refreshments and a prize giveaway to celebrate the grand opening of the new Center for Student Involvement yesterday afternoon. There was a raffle for prizes such as an iPad and a 32-inch flatscreen LCD TV, plus gift baskets donated by eight Registered Student Organizations.

“This is basically a grand opening celebration for CSI,” said Union Activities Council President Eden Tullis. “The new Center for Student Involvement opened one week after spring break. We set the date for the event when we moved into our new location.”

The new area was opened up to students for tours. Tullis said that CSI started planning for the event in November and that UAC was “very excited” to host the event.

“The grand opening is just very exciting,” said Ashley Vogts, ASG president. “Students usually don’t get to know much about what CSI does. This gives them a better look at who they are and what they do.”

CSI member Enilisse Ortiz said they were not the only group participating in the event on Wednesday afternoon. The Office of International Education, Greek Life, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Associated Student Government, L.E.A.D., Community Hornets, P.R.I.D.E. and the Earth Science Club also participated, setting up booths or donating prize baskets for the raffle.

“ASG also has a booth there with fliers that have information about what ASG does,” Vogts said.

Ortiz said CSI wants to encourage students to come by and check out the new facility.

“It’s also an opportunity for students to find out information about groups relevant to their interests,” Ortiz said.

Tullis said that with the union renovations, she has noticed more people in the lounge area by the CSI.

CSI has also started planning another event for students next year. Tullis said CSI is getting ready to put together a time capsule in the fall and hide it within a recess in a wall in the newly finished Memorial Union, close to where the new CSI is located.

“We recently dug up a time capsule when the renovations to the Memorial Union started,” Tullis said. “We are really looking forward to doing the time capsule in the fall.”

Steve Edwards

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Matt Brown, the owner of High Gear bike shop, wins the 20 kilometer advanced bike race at the 2nd Annual Camp Alexander Trail Racing Series last Saturday. The ESU Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Club hosted this event. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

Asher Delmott, senior psychology major, took first place in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Club’s second annual Trail Racing Series 5 kilometer walk/run over the weekend.

“I’m a runner so I just wanted to get out here and get a hard workout in and race some people around here,” Delmott said.

Delmott said that this was his first trail race, but he enjoyed running in it and would like to do it again next year.

The event was held at Camp Alexander and featured two bike races in addition to the walk/run. The walk/run started at 8:30 a.m. and was followed by the bike races. The first beginner race featured a 10 kilometer ride and the second advanced race was 20 kilometers. Registration for the walk/run was $20 and $25 for the bike race.

Trey Brokaw, senior psychology major, said the money raised at the event would be split between Camp Alexander and the HPER Club.

Brokaw also said Camp Alexander will use the money for the youth programs held during the summer, and HPER club will use the funds they raised to send members to both state and national conventions.

Biker and owner of High Gear Bike Shop in Emporia, Matt Brown, participated in the advanced bike race with his team. Brown said that his team decided to participate in order to help out Camp Alexander and the HPER club.

“Just to support two good groups,” Brown said.

Brown said that he and his group plan to participate in the trail race next year. The group takes part in many bike races around Kansas as well as other states such as Texas and Arkansas.

“It was great,” Brown said. “I’m glad they put it on.”

Brokaw said that last year’s trail race only had the 5K walk/run and that this year they decided to expand the event with the bike races. Brokaw said that the club plans to continue this event in the future.

They had about 50 runners signed up and between 15 and 20 bikers.

“That’s a pretty good turnout. We’re hoping to have a better turnout next year,” Brokaw said.

Brooke Schultz

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Megan K Nelson, lecturer at Harvard University, lectures for Kansas Civil War enthusiasts Tuesday evening in Webb Hall. Megan obtained a PhD in American studies and is an environmental historian. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin

Megan Kate Nelson, a Harvard professor and Civil War historian, gave a lecture on Tuesday from her latest book “A Man Among Ruins: Charles F. Morse Encounters Wartime Destruction 1861-1865.”

The lecture, held in Webb Hall, was part of the Boertman lectures, in honor of long-time Emporia State professor C. Stewart Boertman, who taught for 41 years. The lecture was co-sponsored by the Social Science department and the Lyon County Historical Society.

“My lecture uses the experiences of Charles F. Morse as a window into Civil War destruction because he fought during the entire course of the war. He was in multiple theaters and encountered the ruin of cities, houses and forests and the bodies of man,” Nelson said. “So instead of giving you an overview or talking about ruins generally, I wanted to bring it down to that one individual’s experience because I think those kinds of stories are more compelling to tell and listen to.”

Brian Miller, assistant professor of social sciences, said Nelson’s work, in many ways, brings fresh insights into thinking differently about the Civil War.

“I think that the history of Civil War environments and the history also of the body in the Civil War are really new fields and the people who are working in them are on the cutting edge of Civil War history, sort of pushing the boundaries of what we actually know and can know,” Nelson said.

There were several reasons why she chose Charles F. Morse as her window. Nelson had a complete set of his letters. He had really good penmanship, and his sketches and views of the environment, both natural and manmade, interested her. She was also interested in the fact that he was a soldier.

“She definitely put a new view on the Civil War,” said Jessica Goertzan, sophomore psychology major. “I think her idea of the different types of ruin were very insightful and made me think about the war in a new light, not just as a series of battles, but about everything, that war destroys homes, cities, the environment and, of course, the people involved.”

Ashley Washington, junior communication major, said that Nelson was a great speaker and she liked how Nelson zoomed in on the life of a particular soldier.

Nelson’s book is available in the Memorial Union Bookstore. There are a limited amount of signed copies.

Khaili Scarbrough

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Senior graphic design major Alyson Baggett gathered with fellow students to prepare and present artwork to gather feedback Tuesday afternoon. The show has been set to open May 3rd from 6 to 8 pm in Gilson. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin

This is the first year for design professor Emily Rice to teach at Emporia State, and the senior showcase is her final class project. It will feature senior graphic design students Strap Nkoba, Yeji Hong, Amanda Collins, Matt Hoelscher, Kimber Mitchell, Brock Thornburgh and Alyson Baggett.

“These displays really push the students to do large branding work, which is the combination of everything they’ve done in graphic design.” Rice said. “It applies things they’ve learned from logos to icons to advertisement, just creating the full identity for their companies.”

The show is on display April 30-May 4 in the Norman R. Eppink Gallery in King Hall. A reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on May 3 in the lobby of King Hall.

 “This is really good for any job they are looking for,” Rice said. “So they are able to handle tight deadlines, a lot of work and lack of sleep.”

Students have been working on the project for seven weeks. Nkoba spent nearly $100 on his project. He said cutting foam core was difficult for him, but Collins thought printing was the biggest challenge for her.

The students came up with a full package from the names, logos, posters, T-shirts, books and even coffee cups for companies like bakeries, coffee shops, beer brands, sports arenas and multimedia platforms.

Rice said she placed more emphasis on conceptual thinking and problem solving than how aesthetically pleasing the project is.

“When you have a project like this, it shows a concept and idea that most companies look for over just how good it looks, or the style of something,” Rice said. “So just the content and ideas behind it are almost as important as how well they did make it.”

Baggett did her project for a coffee company called The Press Café & Gallery. Its mark was coffee stains looking like the globe, and she applied the mark to the concept, “Leave your mark on the world.”

Baggett said she had slept only four hours for two days in preparation for the mini preview.

“It helps push us to try to be creative, and gives us really good work to show possible employers,” she said. “Also, it helps us work with deadlines, size perimeters and having to deal with printing things. So it’s basically just a lot of stuff we would deal with when we’re working. Since we are seniors, it’s good to get this experience.”

Tianhai Jiang

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