Born and raised in Wichita, Lucas San Martin, one of the track and field team captains for the 2012 season, has always had a knack for sports.

Growing up, he played both football and ran track at Goddard High. Majoring in political science with a minor in philosophy, there is much more than meets the eye.

“I was very involved in orchestra and chamber orchestra,” San Martin said. “Chamber music is something that is very near and dear to my heart. I have played the cello since I was a young boy and I fell in love with the instrument.”

San Martin said he has had many influential people in his life, but one in particular comes to mind – his father, Lazaro San Martin. The journey his father made to America is full of courage and passion for a better life.

Lazaro immigrated from Cuba, coming to America in 1962 through Catholic charities while being aided by the Central Intelligence Agency through an operation known as “Pedro Pan,” “Peter Pan” in English. Lazaro sought a better life for himself.

“They were called Peter Pan because they were the boys that flew,” San Martin said. “This is something that has inspired me throughout my life. The fact that he came from a society with no opportunity, no future and was given a chance at a life to make something of himself. I strive every day to be half the man he is.”

Track and field has given Lucas one of many opportunities to be a positive influence on others, just like his father was to him. His leadership and determination have not gone unnoticed by his teammates.

“Lucas leads by example,” said 400 meter sprinter Frank Cortez. “He shows determination and hard work every day. The work ethic is there and others see it as well.”

San Martin does not overlook being named a team captain. He said he takes great pride and is humbled by the honor his teammates have bestowed upon him.

“It’s an honor on this team to be elected as a captain,” San Martin said. “This squad of men is full of hard workers. I’m honored to go to school with these guys. I take this honor very seriously.”

The men’s track and field team finished fourth overall last year, according to Emporia State’s website, and the team has high expectations going into this season.

“When you have a team of this caliber, you focus together as one heartbeat,” San Martin said. “You have to go out and perform. I think we are going to be very tough to stop this year. I expect everyone, every practice, to go out and give it absolutely 100 percent, as if they were competing day by day.”

Marcus Hix

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Infographic by Ellen Weiss

Founded in 1863 as the Kansas State Normal School and the first public institution of higher learning in Kansas, Emporia State has since had 16 presidents, including newly appointed Michael Shonrock.

The name of the university has changed four times – Kansas State Normal School, 1863; Kansas State Teachers College, 1923; Emporia Kansas State College, 1974; Emporia State University, 1977 – according to ESU’s website.

The school officially opened in 1865 with Lyman B. Kellogg as the first president and just 18 students enrolled in the stone schoolhouse. Kellogg was the only teacher until he hired Henry B. Norton.

Today, close to 6,000 students are enrolled. The university offers 43 undergraduate and 11 pre-professional programs, along with 27 graduate programs, including one Ph.D. program in library and information management.

Kenzie Templeton/The Bulletin

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Stars Go Dim of Tulsa, Okla. perform in Webb Hall last Saturday after the football game against Central Missouri. The band described their music as pop, rock and soul. Brianna McGuire/The Bulletin

Stars Go Dim, a self-proclaimed pop, rock and soul band from Tulsa, Okla., performed in Webb Hall last Saturday following the football game against Central Missouri. The concert was free and sponsored by the Union Activities Council as part of Emporia State’s Family Day festivities.

“We have a special love for Emporia,” said Mike Wright, manager. “It was the best show I have ever worked.”

Last spring, the band played a sold-out concert at the Granada Theatre, and UAC got the idea to have them perform on campus. Since events are selected a semester ahead of time, UAC had to start making preparations immediately, said Benny Bowden, UAC live music chair.

“This is honestly one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to,” said Kayla Bauck, senior elementary education major.

Stars Go Dim got their start four years ago in Tulsa, Okla. Joey Avalos, guitarist, said the band started as a “side project,” and that they draw inspiration from all types of music.

“Anything from Slayer to Mayer,” Avalos said.

As far as their name goes, the band said they wished they had a unique story behind it, but they said that Stars Go Dim was just their favorite of the names they came up with.

Lead singer Chris Cleveland said their goal is to write songs that connect with all people. Before a show, the band has a tradition to help get them pumped and ready for the crowd.

“We grab a guitar and just play,” Avalos said. “We free style.”

On Saturday, the crowd got a taste of this tradition when the band answered the crowd’s cheers for an encore with not only another song but a free style jam session.

“I’ve never seen a band do what they did with the extended encore and jam session,” Bauck said.

During the show, the space in front of the stage filled up with students dancing and moving to the music.

“They were soulful and funky,” said Chase Hoag, junior secondary education major. “I was very appreciative of that fact.”

After the show, fans were able to buy merchandise and talk with the band.

“I thought they were great,” said Emilea Peine, junior elementary education major. “I’m glad I came. They were really fun.”

Stars Go Dim’s second album, “Between Here and Now,” comes out Oct. 4. The band will perform at 8 p.m. on Sept. 29 at the Tulsa State Fair.

Khaili Scarbrough

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LEMAIR

What is your personal background?

I was born and raised on a farm in Basco, Ill., and that is where I graduated high school. From there I went onto play softball for Quincy University in Illinois for four seasons. I majored in physical education and received my bachelor’s in 2004. I went on to the University of North Dakota where I was a graduate assistant and received my master’s degree in kinesiology in 2007. I then spent two years as the head assistant coach at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla. until 2008 when I accepted the head coach position at Fort Hays State. I coached there for three seasons until I accepted the head coach position here at Emporia State.

 What brought you to ESU?

 ESU’s winning tradition was a major factor in my decision to accept the position. I also wanted to stay within the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The competition within the division is tremendous and gives ample opportunity to strive to be great. Having the opportunity to continue the recent and traditional winning ways of ESU is a great challenge. Plus, ESU is relatively close to home.

 What are some of your expectations for the upcoming softball season?

 There are some key losses in (former players) that will affect the team. But we do have an incoming core of players that will greatly influence the future of our program. I always set high goals. I expect to be in the top of the MIAA and be competitive in post-season play. I hope to be ranked within the national polls and continue the winning tradition here at ESU.

 What is one of the biggest challenges for the upcoming season?

 As a new coach, there will always be a feeling-out process between the players and the new coaching staff. We will have to figure out both our strengths and our weaknesses. I will need to win the team over while pushing for everyone to play up to their potentials.

 What is the most rewarding aspect of your position?

 The most rewarding part of my position would be seeing former student-athletes coming back and talking about their success since leaving the program. It is great to see the difference and impacts that I have directly on young adults lives. I get to share my enthusiasm and excitement with the student-athletes. On top of all that, I get to be around the game I love – softball.

Marcus Hix

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Linda Jones, circulation clerk for the State Library of Kansas, pulls electronic books from the storage facility in Memorial Union. Jon Coffey/The Bulletin

This year marks 80 years of service by the Kansas Talking Books program, which was created by the Library of Congress for those with physical and mental disabilities that prevent them from reading printed material.

“They record about 2,000 books a year,” said Toni Harrell, director of Kansas Talking Books at Emporia State. “Recording takes as long as reading a regular book does, but it is the editing that takes a long time. It is about 15 minutes of editing for every page or two recorded.”

According to the Talking Books website, the program is completely free for users and is funded by federal, state and local tax dollars. No postage is necessary to mail library materials to and from Talking Books.

To be eligible, applicants must fill out an application and have a signature from a doctor confirming that the individual is eligible. Once admitted into the program, users can access digital as well as audiocassettes. According to their website, Talking Books currently has 7,000 active readers.

Emporia State is one of the few locations Talking Books is able to record material. Harrell said the facility on campus has been around since 1982. Books recorded here are mainly distributed locally but can be sent farther away with the inter-library loan program.

“Not many students know about our book recording studio, but we are always welcoming volunteers” Herrall said.

Dana Carter, reader’s adviser, said students who want to get involved can volunteer to help with projects, shelving and pulling books and assist in the recording studio.

Books are not the only reading material available to the public. There are also recorded magazines and descriptive videos as well. Although the program was originally created for blind adults, today it is used by people of all ages.

Even with thousands of titles available, not all books are available through the program. Participants can request a book to their regional library and they will consider whether or not to make it into a talking book.

This year marks 80 years of service by the Kansas Talking Books program, which was created by the Library of Congress for those with physical and mental disabilities that prevent them from reading printed material.

“They record about 2,000 books a year,” said Toni Harrell, director of Kansas Talking Books at Emporia State.

“Recording takes as long as reading a regular book does, but it is the editing that takes a long time. It is about 15 minutes of editing for every page or two recorded.”

According to the Talking Books website, the program is completely free for users and is funded by federal, state and local tax dollars. No postage is necessary to mail library materials to and from Talking Books.

To be eligible, applicants must fill out an application and have a signature from a doctor confirming that the individual is eligible. Once admitted into the program, users can access digital as well as audiocassettes. According to their website, Talking Books currently has 7,000 active readers.

Emporia State is one of the few locations Talking Books is able to record material. Harrell said the facility on campus has been around since 1982. Books recorded here are mainly distributed locally but can be sent farther away with the inter-library loan program.

“Not many students know about our book recording studio, but we are always welcoming volunteers” Herrall said.

Dana Carter, reader’s adviser, said students who want to get involved can volunteer to help with projects, shelving and pulling books and assist in the recording studio.

Books are not the only reading material available to the public. There are also recorded magazines and descriptive videos as well. Although the program was originally created for blind adults, today it is used by people of all ages.

Even with thousands of titles available, not all books are available through the program. Participants can request a book to their regional library and they will consider whether or not to make it into a talking book.

Megan Nolan

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Senior music major Jeremy Devine leads the warm-up exercises for auditions Wednesday evening in King Hall. The tryouts were for the musical “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat” and the play “Eurydice.” Jon Coffey/The Bulletin

Over 50 students gathered in King Hall throughout this week to audition for the fall theater season. The fall homecoming musical is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Tim Rice’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” which will be followed by a production Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice.”

“We wanted to give everybody as good a chance as they can get to shine,” said Jim Bartruff, professor of communications and director of theater, “give a few more combinations a try.”

Students were not asked to prepare any material for the audition. Instead they were given the opportunity on Monday to learn a song from Jeremy Devine, music director and senior music major, and a dance from choreographer Lindy Bartruff. They also gave a cold reading for “Eurydice,” which is being directed by John Henningsen, an ESU alum. Callbacks for “Joseph” were held last night in King Hall.

Bartruff said it was an interesting callback process because everyone who auditioned the first night was called back for “Joseph” the next night.

Adam Helmer, junior vocal music education major, said he was very excited for his first chance at taking part in an ESU production.

“(The audition process) is very thorough, because you get to see everyone at once and you have the time to pick out the cream of the crop,” Helmer said.

Amanda Devine, senior theater major and ESU theater veteran, said that the audition process brings out the best in students since it puts them on the spot without any preparation.

“My first time, I was really intimidated because you get all these people up there on the stage and you get to sing just a little bit and you hope they liked enough of what they hear to call you back,” Devine said.

Bartruff said “Joseph” has been performed on stages across the world since the 1970s and has had multiple revivals.

Bartruff said the musical’s popularity stems from its simplicity and its incorporation of a wide variety of music styles. There is a country song, a calypso song and a traditional ballad, among others. Bartruff said this accessibility made it a good fit for the homecoming musical.

“It’s really important for students who have come through a theater program to have had the experience to work on a musical production,” Bartruff said.

Once the production costs are covered, the remaining proceeds help fund theater scholarships.

 “Joseph” will run from Oct. 13 -Oct. 15 in Albert Taylor Hall. Tickets can be purchased at the University Box office ranging from $8-15. “Eurydice” will run from Nov. 30-Dec 3 in Bruder Theatre.

Charlie Heptas

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