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Hard-hitting club offers learning for all levels
Written by Radwan Dayib
Thursday, 30 August 2012 16:30
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Earl Givens, assistant professor of information literacy and the adviser of ESU boxing club, illustrates boxing movement to the boxing class on Tuesday afternoon. Boxing club meets every Tuesday from 5: 30 pm-6: 30 p.m. in the Group Fitness Room at the Student Recreation Center. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

When Earl Givens Jr., assistant professor of information literacy and E-Resources librarian, started to talk to students on campus, he knew that there was growing interest for a particular activity.

Givens is the adviser to the Emporia State Boxing Club, one of the many new Recognized Student Organizations on campus this semester.

“A year ago, because of my background in boxing, I wanted to be able to share that with people on campus. So I talked to a bunch of students randomly to see if they’d be interested,” Givens said.

Much like any other recruitment process, it took a while to put all the pieces together and establish a unique club that Givens and students alike could call their own.

“I got a lot of feedback. I actually did a petition and got 75 signatures of students who were interested,” Givens said.

One of the 13 students on campus who recently joined the Boxing Club is Alexa Defore, freshman nursing major.

Defore, originally from Dexter, said she views the group as a new opportunity for her.

“I have never really been around boxing before. I’m from a really small town, so it’s never been offered,” Defore said.

Despite her lack of experience in the ring, Defore believes that she’ll appreciate the club and stick to the sport in the long run.

“We had our first meeting last Tuesday, and we got the first little basics introduced to us and I really enjoyed it. It’s a fun workout,” Defore said.

While the club is still in its initial stages, Givens said he plans on working the students up to a level where they will be able to compete in tournaments and matches across the collegiate circuit.

“For the first year, it’s a recreational club, so the students in the club will actually learn how to box and the basic skills of boxing,” Givens said. “After the first year is over, the club will be enrolled in the National Collegiate Boxing Association and then they’ll be able to compete against other schools.”

For students like Jake Brown, freshman history major, the thought of competition brings a lot of different emotions.

“Coach said we’d be able to fight against schools like Army, Navy and KU, and in the back of my head I’m thinking those are some big schools,” Brown said.

However, the overall benefits of the club are what have Brown convinced that this is the right sport for him.

“I can’t wait to get in the ring and start hitting because it’ll come in handy someday if I ever need to protect myself,” Brown said. “There’s nothing better than boxing when it comes to being able to defend yourself and hit back.”

The club meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Tuesday in the Group Fitness Room of the Student Recreation Center. No prior experience is needed.

 
BDSM group strives to gain RSO status
Written by Radwan Dayib
Thursday, 30 August 2012 16:30
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Junior graphic design and creative writing major Czarli Rex and sophomore art major Jade Querner discuss the formation of SCALES. The two women hope to educate curious Emporia State students about the truth on the BDSM and other alternative lifestyles. Jordan Storrer/The Bulletin

When Czarli Rex, junior art graphic design and English major, started living the Bondage Discipline and Sadomasochism (BDSM) lifestyle about 15 years ago, she didn’t have many solid supporters.

So Rex took the initiative to provide awareness about and support for those who engage in BDSM and similar activities. She is currently seeking to establish a group called Safe Consensual Alternative Lifestyle Education and support (S.C.A.L.E.S.) as a Recognized Student Organization.

“When I came back here, I found out that there was a pretty large group of people that were looking for education and support,” Rex said.

The group has been interested in gaining RSO status since spring 2011. Rex and the other members were denied RSO status last year, but they continue to push towards their goal.

“We haven’t filed anything yet, but we’ve got our petition, our mission statement and our officers. We’re just looking for an adviser,” Rex said.

According to ESU’s website, groups looking to gain RSO status must complete a mock constitution and petition for recognition forms.

At the moment, Rex says there are several members committed to promoting the general concept of the group and raising awareness for those that don’t necessarily know about the BDSM culture.

“We’re a weekly discussion group and we get about 10 to 15 people every week, and I would say we have double that. Maybe 30 to 35 members total,” Rex said.

One of the instrumental participants of S.C.A.L.E.S. is Jade Querner, sophomore art major and vice president of the group.

“Last year I had heard (about) it and somebody didn’t really explain it very well. It was really underground and people were really cautious about talking about it,” Querner said.

Querner also said that the group aims to be inoffensive and put any stereotypes that people may have about BDSM to rest.

“They did a very nice job of not really putting any bias or judgment and making sure no feelings were hurt, so I really wanted to be a bigger part of it this year,” Querner said.

In addition, Querner and Rex said that the group’s main focus is to educate those that do not know about BDSM or have the wrong idea and misconceptions about the culture.

“It’s definitely broadened my view on this way of living,” Querner said. “Before I went to any of the meetings, my knowledge about any of the BDSM stuff was based off of the media and they didn’t really do a good job with it.”

As of now, the group meets at 1 p.m. every Saturday in room 109D at the William Allen White Library. The group is also involved in a social media website, Fetlife.com, dedicated to awareness and providing information to the public about BDSM or any other fetishes.

If you are interested in joining S.C.A.L.E.S., or have any questions, Rex says to feel free to contact her at crex@emporia.edu.

 
Foundation launches largest ever fund drive
Written by Radwan Dayib
Thursday, 23 August 2012 16:30
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With this year being the sesquicentennial anniversary for the institution, the bar has been raised to new heights, and the ESU Foundation is taking steps to ensure a positive college experience for students and faculty.

One of the ways Emporia State plans to continue its success in the coming years is through preparation. Specifically, the foundation is preparing to launch a new fundraising campaign devoted to the students and staff of the university.

DenaSue Potestio, president of the foundation, said she has seen first-hand what the community and ESU are capable of producing.

“We work with our alumni and friends of the university who have a heart for Emporia State, who have a connection to Emporia State and who have a heart to give,” Potestio said.

Potestio also said this idea for a fundraising campaign is still in the works, but it is receiving a bit of outside help.

“What we’ve done is conducted a feasibility study, where we hired a firm named the J.F. Smith Group and we asked them to assess our readiness to go out and raise money for Emporia State,” Potestio said.

After obtaining the results from the study, the ESU Foundation determined there were key areas that needed an increase in funds.

The new campaign will be aimed at meeting needs in areas involving opportunities for students, improved living and learning environments, strengthening faculty and athletics and endowing funding toward continued excellence.

“Now we can have more money go to programs like cross country and sports in general,” said Brian Mosier, freshman mathematics and statistics major.

For students on campus this means increases in scholarships and more money going towards the cost of education.

“I think it’s great that the school is getting more funding for scholarship money,” said Rachel Brokaw, freshman elementary education major. “I came to Emporia because of how affordable it was so now I’m glad there are more opportunities for us.”

After such positive feedback from many students, faculty members and the Emporia community, the foundation’s Executive Committee voted Aug. 14 to begin planning for a working goal of $45,351,863. This would make it the largest investment in ESU history.

If the number seems very clear-cut, take a look at the final four numbers – 1863, the year ESU was founded as Kansas State Normal School.

Last, Potestio said the campaign will not be something that ends quickly, and the ESU Foundation is looking forward to what the future has in store for the institution.

“The campaign we’re looking at will be a campaign lasting from four to six or five and seven years,” Potestio said.

The ESU Foundation, Potestio and ESU President, Dr. Michael Shonrock are ready to continue to make the university a better place while keeping traditions strong.

 
Campus helping football recruit pick up pieces
Written by Radwan Dayib
Thursday, 23 August 2012 16:30
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“We left with nothing, but we’ve still got each other.” –Justin Wilson

Justin Wilson, freshman kinesiology major, lost everything he owned when a wildfire engulfed his home in Luther, Okla. earlier this month. ESU, in conjunction with the Emporia branch of ESB Financial, set up a relief fund for Wilson and his family. Jordan Storrer/The Bulletin

For Justin Wilson, freshman kinesiology major, Emporia State represents more than just the average college experience.

On Aug. 4, Wilson and his family faced an adversity unlike any other. A wildfire on the family’s farm in Luther, Okla., engulfed the entire property. The Wilsons escaped with only the clothes on their backs.

After running from the fire, the family reached a farm pond, located approximately a quarter of a mile away, where they stayed until the flames were put out.

Currently, Wilson’s family resides at a hotel in Okla., but they lived at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Okla., for a few days. Justin’s father, John Wilson, is a retired military veteran of 22 years and was provided a temporary place to stay until the family obtained a more permanent home.

On top of the continued support from his friends and family back home, Wilson said his parents are still staying strong.

“We left with nothing, but we’ve still got each other,” Wilson said.

Garin Higgins, head football coach, said that the position Wilson is currently in is very unique, but football is helping him keep his mind occupied.

“I think he understands that he’s family here and he’s been using football to not think about the situation too much,” Higgins said.

ESU, in conjunction with the Emporia branch of ESB Financial, have provided support for Wilson and his family members during the past two and a half weeks. A fund has been set up to provide the Wilsons with adequate necessities to cope with their losses.

While there are several initiatives to help out the Wilson family, there is one person that is behind all the procedures and conversations with the NCAA.

Carmen Leeds, senior associate athletic director, has handled all of the measures needed for Wilson and his family to be taken care of.

“I had to get a waiver from the NCAA first before we could do anything to help Justin out,” Leeds said.

Leeds said the waiver process was one that was fairly quick and efficient. A verbal waiver was obtained and the physical copy of the waiver will be on record late this week.

Wilson said he and his family are grateful for everything that ESU has done to make him feel more welcome.

“They helped us out a lot. All the guys out here on the team and some of my friends have just made me comfortable,” Wilson said.

So far the fund set up for Wilson and his family has collected over $1,900.

The Wilsons did have insurance on their house and are slowly working on acquiring the necessities they once had.

 
New business will offer cool treats
Written by Radwan Dayib
Friday, 17 August 2012 15:24
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Co-owners Crista Grimwood, Frannie Walburn and Channon Farrel hold a press conference to announce their plan to open a new frozen yogurt store. They answered questions about their new franchise Tuesday afternoon in the Kellogg Plaza. Yohan Kim/The Bulletin

When three women of the Emporia community received feedback on possible store ideas, they knew there was one franchise that would be perfect for the city.

Channon Farrel, Crista Grimwood and Frannie Walburn are the newest franchisees of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt in downtown Emporia. Located at 1114 Commercial St. in Suite C of the Kellogg Plaza and Lofts, Orange Leaf will add a new look and a spark to the area, they said.

“The idea for Orange Leaf originated probably around March, and I just started looking on the Internet (for) what it took to become a franchisee,” Grimwood said.

But,Grimwood also said that her business partners were highly instrumental in the long process needed to become part owners.

“June rolled around and I thought, you know, this is something that I would really like to pursue, but I don’t want to do on my own,” Grimwood said.

Once the idea came into place, it was all about location. Emporia Main Street Director, Casey Woods, said he believes that Orange Leaf is in a terrific position that will attract a diverse group of customers.

“This whole building is a new development, so you’ve got commercial locations on the lower story that weren’t here before,” Woods said.

Project developer Cory Haag, as well as Grimwood and Woods, said that they are expecting a lot of foot traffic with the location being within walking distance from Emporia State University.

“The Kellogg Plaza and Lofts is just so close to ESU,” Haag said. “It really is a great place for students and professors to live, but what’s nice is to bring these businesses underneath the lofts. This Orange Leaf really is an exciting concept and idea.”

Haag said the store will have openings for student jobs.

Orange Leaf is a company that has been growing exponentially within the past few years and now has 184 locations across the United States and Australia. There will also be 92 additional store locations opening soon.

The expected opening date of Emporia’s new business is set for Oct. 1.