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Star lighting tradition kicks off holiday season

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 01 December 2011 11:22
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The Emporia State star on top of Plumb Hall is a beacon for this holiday season. Interim President Ed Flentje flipped the switch on the star Tuesday evening and marked the start of Emporia’s annual Christmas Parade. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

Observers from all corners of Emporia and the campus gathered to gaze at the twinkling beauty of the annually-lit Holiday star atop of Plumb Hall. The lighting was followed by the Community Christmas Parade Tuesday night.

“President Flentje, shortly before 7 p.m., (flipped) on the star that is on top of Plumb Hall,” said Gwen Larson, assistant director of marketing and media relations. “The Parade featured a float competition, including the beef feast float, floats made by churches, a Newman Regional Health float that is drawing attention to their new campaign to raise money for their breast cancer center, ESU’s band, Emporia high school’s band and things like that.”

The 34th annual Community Christmas Parade kicks off the holiday season in Emporia Tuesday night. Holiday cheer was in the air as people crowded Commercial Street in downtown Emporia. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

Larson said ESU’s location in relation to town makes the university a desirable beacon for the start of the Community Christmas Parade.

“Plumb hall sits at the end of 12th Ave. and Emporia always runs their parades starting at 4th Ave. and ending on 12th,” Larson said. “Basically, as each float is finishing up the parade, they see the star.”

Larson said the star can also be seen in town from all directions.

Participants in the parade were able to pass candy or food along the parade route. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

Dozens of floats weave through downtown Emporia during the annual Community Christmas Parade. Emporia veterinarian Duane Henrikson was the parade marshal. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

“I remember when I came to ESU for a campus visit when I was a senior in high school,” said Rachal Davidson, freshman psychology major. “As my dad was driving toward the highway to go home to Leavenworth, I saw the star and it was my final impression of the campus.”

But the star lighting is not just for aesthetic purposes – it symbolizes the relationship between ESU and the surrounding community.

Emporia residents ride in a covered wagon in the Christmas Parade. The theme was “Spirit of a Kansas Christmas.” Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

“The star lighting is a way that ESU can continue to support the community of Emporia and become a part of the community instead of holding ourselves apart,” Larson said. “The nice thing about the star is it is a universal symbol of the holidays without singling out any one type of observance.”

Larson said the star is set on a timer and will stay lit daily from dusk to dawn. It was designed to stay atop of Plumb Hall throughout the year and is easily elevated during the holiday season.

The star lighting is an ESU tradition while the Community Christmas Parade is a local tradition that has been going on for over 30 years.

Participants in the parade were able to pass candy or food along the parade route. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

“I was on the phone with my aunt the other night, who graduated from ESU in the stone ages,” said Haley Louthan, freshman elementary education major. “She was the one who told me about these two events, so it definitely must have been going on for a quite some time.”

Louthan said that the star serves as a quirky decorative piece that shines with charm and elegance throughout campus.

Simone Cosper

Met Life focuses new push into bancassurance. (Metropolitan Life Insurance)

National Underwriter Life & Health-Financial Services Edition February 16, 1998 | Friedman, Amy S.

Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. has centralized and integrated its bascassurance activities under the umbrella of its recently-acquired Security First Group subsidiary.

“We have been identified as the flagship bank organization within Met Life, and the focal point of all of Met Life’s products and services to the bank market,” said Brian J. Finneran, senior vice president of Los Angeles-based Security First, which the insurer acquired last October.

The division, which existed as a stand-alone company for many years prior to the acquisition, is going to continue to pursue a strategy similar to the one it traditionally used in the annuity market: working with community banks as a third-party provider of insurance products and services, and working with larger banks to provide proprietary variable and fixed annuities.

However, Met Life is planning to branch out Security First’s traditional annuity offerings by pulling mortality products into its mixes as well as focusing on sectors of the bank market Security First has not pursued before in a structured fashion, Mr. Finneran said. go to website met life dental

“We’re approaching banks with an integrated selling proposition,” he said. For both large and small banks, Met Life, through Security First, can provide comprehensive investments and insurance products and services for retail as well as business customers.

Security First will offer not only fixed and variable annuities, but also employee benefit plans, group life insurance and group property-casualty (a hot topic for the community banking marketplace) from other Met Life subsidiaries.

For example, as Met Life believes variable life will be the coming product. The New England’s bank-specific VL products, as well as Met’s Texas Life subsidiary’s brochure-sold universal life product, will also be made available to small banks. go to web site met life dental

Security First will also continue to offer its own back-office servicing technology to those banks.

With larger banks, Security First seeks to offer a comprehensive package of products and services that includes its proprietary fixed and variable annuity products as well as products from outside carriers.

“Big banks want to identify four or five carriers than can bring comprehensive products and services to the table,” Mr. Finneran said.

Met Life is also looking to bring Security First’s bank insurance sales capabilities to departments in large banks that have not been served in a structured fashion, such as private banking, trust departments and commercial lending, all of which are very different businesses from retail banking, Finneran said.

“We could provide key man insurance, split dollar, buyout insurance, general or professional liability, or group property-casualty for corporations,” Mr. Finneran said.

Friedman, Amy S.

Production transports audience to underworld

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 01 December 2011 11:08
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Elise Blann, senior theater major and Andrew Walker, junior theatre major, perform during dress rehearsal for “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl Tuesday evening in Bruder Theater. The play opened last night and will run through Saturday. Photo courtesy of the theater department.

Take a vast journey from pens, pencils, papers, tests, libraries and offices and into Emporia State’s production of “Eurydice,” Sarah Ruhl’s play that takes place in the underworld.

The show opened last night in Bruder Theater and will run through Saturday. Each performance starts at 7:30 p.m.

“The production of ‘Eurydice’ is not an average night of theater,” said John Henningsen, director, communications major and photographer for The Bulletin. “It is a dark, fantastical journey through life, death, love and innocence.”

Henningsen said the play is set in the 1950s and is based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

“We meet Eurydice as she finds love and moments later loses it,” Henningsen said. “It follows her journey in the underworld and the struggles she goes through to find her way back to the land of the living. The rest of the evening is her journey to discover the meaning of love, love of life, love of family, love of self and love of knowledge.”

At first glance the play is a dark comedy, but the drama is philosophically provoking, allowing audience members to reflect on personal relationships, Henningsen said.

“The play asks questions such as what is love, what is important in life, do you love something enough to let it die, do you love something enough to let it live and what are you willing to sacrifice to allow that love to flourish,” Henningsen said.

The play, set in the mythological underworld, emphasizes its message with unique lighting, and stage setup.

eurydice 1 RGB “The lighting in the performance includes a lot of blues to go along with the mood of the play and browns because we took a very earthy approach to our design,” said Sertrice Grice, freshman psychology major and prop master for the show. “The backdrop is a tree and the floor is brown. All of this feeds into the setting – the underworld.”

Henningsen said the setting also assists in tackling the ideas of death, life and discovering what is important for survival under the human condition.

“The staff’s idea of the underworld is a dark drippy place that bursts to life when it is met with Eurydice’s love for her father, for her husband, for books and for life,” Henningsen said.
Andrew VonSeggern, junior secondary education theater and speech major and curtain director, said he recommends attending the play.

“The play is better than a movie,” VonSeggern said. “During each performance, the actors feed off of the crowd and the audience gets a feel of the theater culture.”

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for general admission.

Simone Cosper

Nitty Gritty plays benefit for EAC

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 17 November 2011 10:37
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The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band performs Monday night at the Granada. The concert was a fundraiser benefiting the Emporia Arts Council. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

Folks in cowboy hats and snakeskin boots lined Emporia’s Commercial Street to attend a sold out concert for the rock-a-billy artists of the nationally acclaimed Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at the Granada Theatre on Monday.

“We had to turn away several people today that wanted to buy tickets,” said Jessica Buchholz, executive director of the Granada.

Approximately 800 people attended the event that sold for $25 a ticket.

“I had to buy my tickets early because of how great the performers are,” said Tyler Smith, freshman elementary education major. “The crowd and the cost was worth it in the end – the band was amazing.”

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band consists of Jeff Hanna on guitar and vocals; Jimmie Fadden on drums, harmonica and vocals; Bob Carpenter on bass, accordion, keyboard and vocals; and John McEuen on banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin.

But the concert was not just held for entertainment. Proceeds benefited the Emporia Arts Council.

“We decided to make it so because the governor eliminated a lot of funding for the Kansas Arts Commission,” said Melissa Windsor, executive director of the Emporia Arts Council.

Windsor said a local family well acquainted with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band convinced the group to perform in Emporia.

“A lot of contributors from businesses around town made the concert possible,” Windsor said. “We are thrilled that Emporia businesses are making a difference.”

Scott Rothe, local Emporian, said that because of budget cuts, the community must contribute to funding for the local arts.

“Budget cuts are a shame and the Emporia Arts Council does a fine job at what they do,” Rothe said. “Without arts, there is a gap, a hole that needs to be filled.”

The Emporia Arts Council provides many services for the community.

“We believe, as the Emporia Arts Council, that we benefit the entire community as a whole,” Windsor said. “We benefit businesses from an economic standpoint by contributing to the quality of life. A lot of people look at the arts as part of the package that a community has to offer.”

Buchholz said that art contributes to culture and is seen and interpreted by a variety of people.

The Granada will show the film “Polar Express” at 7 p.m. on Friday. Tickets are $5.

Simone Cosper

MYSTERY RAISES FUNDS FOR OSWEGO LIBRARY

The Beacon News – Aurora (IL) November 13, 2000 OSWEGO — Sarah Skilton killed the audience with her portrayal of Silky M. Adam, the slinky and shady lady who operates the fictitious Everlay Club. It turns out that she — well, Silky, anyway — was the killer in the gangster-themed murder mystery that was the centerpiece of the Friends of the Oswego Public Library District’s first big fund-raiser.

About 75 people attended Saturday’s event at Oswego’s Little White School Museum. see here dress long black

Organizers transformed the historic museum into a speakeasy for the evening, offering up Bugsy’s beer (root beer) and Pinky’s punch to sate guests’ thirsts and chances to play roulette and black jack to quench their thirst for gambling.

Members of the Friends group were gambling on the evening’s entertainment to support the Oswego library.

“We’re hoping to net $1,000 for the library,” said Diane Cabiness, president of the group.

Cabiness, like many of the guests and “actors” in the murder mystery, dressed for the occasion.

Garbed as a flapper with a string of beads around her neck and a black feather boa draped across her shoulders, Cabiness rubbed shoulders with her guests as she encouraged them to put their minds to the mystery of who killed the mobster in the city of big shoulders.

It was Skilton’s portrayal as the slinky madam that drew most of the attention.

Oswego’s library director by day, Skilton slipped into a black dress, long black gloves, a flowing red boa and ropes of faux pearls and took up the role of the owner of an exclusive club catering to men. site dress long black

With cigarette holder and little gold purse in hand, she gave little air kisses and talked about her “girls” and encouraged everyone to become card-carrying members of her club.

“It’s so out of character for her,” said Fred Mitchell, vice president of the group.

“It’s her alter-ego, I think.” “You put that boa on her, and it’s a whole new personality,” Cabiness said.

This was the first major fund-raiser for the group that got its start a little more than a year ago.

Although the Friends’ organization is separate from the library, it works to support the library through donations.

The money garnered from Saturday’s mystery dinner will go toward purchasing a new microfilm reader.

The cast for the murder mystery included Skilton, Ed Miranda, Gail Johnson, Eva Luckinbill who filled in for Mary Stevens, Herschell Luckinbill, Rick Albright, Craig Weber and Pat Dunn.

Their occasional flubbed lines and the sight of Eva Luckinbill’s cigarette flying across the room as she waved her hand to emphasize a point drew laughs from an appreciative audience.

The evening was a cooperative effort between the Friends, the library and the Oswegoland Heritage Association, which loaned the use of the Little White School Museum.

Clamurro finishes career as oboist for quintet

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 10 November 2011 11:45
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William Clamurro, professor of Spanish and coordinator of the honors program at ESU, plays the oboe in his last concert with the Mid-America Woodwind Quintet. This farewell concert was hosted by the woodwind quintet Thursday night at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

Sounds of harmony echoed between the stained glass windows of St. Andrews Episcopal Church last Thursday. Members of Emporia State’s Mid-American Woodwind Quintet played a final performance with William Clamurro, professor of Spanish, coordinator of the honors college and oboist.

“The music is good,” said Andrew Spencer, ESU alumnus. “The pieces seem to be quite adventurous – they are not commonly practiced.”

The quintet consists of ESU faculty members Catherine Bergman, clinical instructor, on flute; Dawn McConkie, instructor of clarinet choir, on clarinet; Allan Comstock, music department chair, on bassoon; Terrisa Ziek, clinical instructor, on French horn; and William Clamurro on the oboe. The concert last Thursday was Clamurro’s last with the quintet, as the lifelong oboist has retired from the group.

“The group has been in existence since the 1940s, but one of the reasons we have been able to do this is because of Clamurro,” Comstock said.

Clammuro’s instrument of expertise, the oboe, is the soprano member of the woodwind’s double reed family, Comstock said.

“The Mid-American Woodwind Quintet meets for two hours every week and that is a big commitment,” Comstock said. “Clamurro has decided that it is getting to be a lot for him.”

Clamurro said he enjoyed performing and engaging in community service with the group.

“They perform a lot of daring music, a lot of traditional music and modern music,” Clamurro said. “They go out to local schools, the community and local community colleges, so I think it is very fun and rewarding.”

Comstock said that Clamurro joined the Quintet in 1997, despite his employment in the English department rather than the music department.

“He is a wonderful oboe player,” Comstock said. “He has done as much playing as if he is on the music faculty, so we have adopted him.”

Clamurro said he began playing the oboe in junior high. He then studied the instrument under a former member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra of New York and in other locations including New England, Seattle and Washington.

“I have also played in a lot of the places I taught at,” Clamurro said.

After retirement, Clamurro said he plans to continue playing with the Emporia Orchestra and mentoring young musicians.

The music department will host the Fall Flute Festival all day this Saturday in Beach Hall. The concert costs $4 for students and senior citizens and $5 for general admission.

Simone Cosper

Beer:30 provides entertainment for ghouls

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 03 November 2011 12:43
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Carlos Pringle, graduate history student, opens on guitar at Beer: 30 Saturday night. People were ready for Halloween and most dressed up in various costumes. The Slack Theory, a local band comprised of several students, played after Pringle. Yiqing Fu/The Bulletin

From the depths of dorm rooms, apartment buildings and haunted houses, fans dressed as witches, goblins, vampires and other creatures to attend a musical Halloween celebration at Beer:30 on Saturday night. The Slack Theory, a band based in Emporia, and Carlos Pringle, graduate history student, performed.

“Carlos Pringle is very established as a musician,” said John McCracken, Emporia resident. “He has been playing for several years as a good vocalist and guitar player. His music has a bluesy riff to it.”

Members of The Slack Theory include PJ Stevenson, senior integrated studies major, on vocals and saxophone; Colin Jones, sophomore music major and bass guitarist; Riley Day, senior music major and guitarist; John Gilmore, an alumnus of ESU and drummer; and Wade Crump, Emporia resident and guitarist.

“The Slack Theory and Carlos Pringle are really good musicians – they are incredible,” said Jared Olson, co-owner of Beer:30. “They have a jazzy, funky, old school feel.”

Although the musicians put a lot of personal time and effort into their music, they said that their experience at Emporia State has helped them through their careers.

“A lot of the music classes that we took made it easier for us to learn the music that we play,” Stevenson said. “We learn music faster as a result of the education that we have.”

Stevenson said that Andrew Houchins, professor of music theory, composition and digital audio recording, provided a notable amount of guidance to the student performers.

“Anytime that the members of Slack Theory would struggle, he would find a way to make it relate to a way we look at music so we would understand,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson said The Slack Theory plays at Beer:30 about three times a year.

“We play on holidays (and) specific dates, such as when school starts up,” Stevenson said.

Stevenson said that Slack Theory performs pop, soul and some funk.

“The whole idea of Slack Theory is to get people back into dancing while listening to a band,” Stevenson said. “We do not play anything slow – it is an hour and a half of go, go, go.”

Both Pringle and members of the band expressed the impact music has had on their lives.

“Music is what I do,” Pringle said. “Music is what I will always be.”

Stevenson said that music is the most important form of expression.

“Music evokes emotion so it is a good release for what you are feeling and what you are thinking,” Stevenson said. “For people who play music, it is the best way to have a good time.”

Bright Giant will play on Nov.19 at Beer:30.

Simone Cosper

Student goes above and beyond to help others

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 27 October 2011 16:54
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Amy Murphy, sophomore elementary education major, talks with 7-year-old Rin. Murphy spends time with Rin once a week conversing in English to help Rin’s transition after moving to the U.S. from Japan. Murphy has also been involved in activities such as Spanish Club and Christian Challenge and she works at the Inner Bean. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin

Many Emporia State students recognize and can appreciate the importance of community service.

“Community service is important because it allows you to learn life skills,” said Rebecca Oakman, freshman library science major. “It helps to keep the community clean and it creates a caring environment where people are dedicated to one another.”

But Amy Murphy, sophomore elementary education major, is one student whose achievements in volunteerism stand out from the rest.

For the past two years, Murphy has earned a $1000 scholarship through the Bonner Leader Program at ESU for 300 hours of community service at any location.

“I love meeting new students and striking authentic, spiritual conversations with them,” Murphy said.

Last year, Murphy volunteered at the Center for Early Childhood Education. In November, she will participate in an afterschool program at Emporia Middle School called Quest, designed for sixth grade students.

“I will meet with the students on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school,” Murphy said. “Tuesdays will be spent researching a particular country, and Thursdays will be spent participating in a presentation with an international student from that country.”

Murphy is also involved with international students from all age groups.

Shamika Rolle, freshman economics major, said she came to ESU from the Bahamas in August. Rolle said it is important for international students to have help, such as that which Murphy provides, in adjusting to an American lifestyle.

“You need someone to relate to,” Rolle said. “In order to maximize your true potential, academically, you need to be in a comfortable environment.”

As an International Swarm Leader, Murphy said she and others organize and prepare incoming international students each semester.

“When they arrive, we make sure they have all of their information, fill out all of their paperwork to be students, are checked into their rooms, and feel welcomed in Emporia,” Murphy said.
Murphy also tutors two international students at the Inner Bean, an adult from China and a young Japanese girl, every Wednesday.

“I offered to tutor both of these students because I love helping others, and after I graduate, I want to teach English overseas, so this is a great opportunity for me to see if I do well at it,” Murphy said.

Murphy said she is also working towards a minor in Spanish. She is a first-year member of Spanish club.

Murphy said she chose ESU for the education program and proximity to her father.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher, so this is the place to be,” Murphy said. “My dad lives in Olathe, and I strongly wanted to be closer to him to build that relationship.”

To participate in the Bonner Leadership Program, contact the Center for Student Involvement in the Memorial Union for more information on the application process.

Simone Cosper

Entrepreneur event inspires “American dream”

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 13 October 2011 09:40
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Lisa Brumbaugh, regional director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center, discusses entrepreneurship Friday afternoon in Cremer Hall. Brumbaugh’s presentation was part of a joint meeting of Beta Alpha Psi and the MBA association. Chris Franklin/The Bulletin

In an effort to encourage students to pursue the “American dream,” the school of business held an event last Friday that discussed the requirements to be a successful entrepreneur.

“An entrepreneur is someone who is innovative and thinks outside the box,” said Lisa Brumbaugh, regional director of the Kansas Small Business Development Center. “Entrepreneurship is the American dream. In this country anyone can have a passion, open a business and pursue it, as long as they can come up with the funding.”

Around 30 participants attended the event in Cremer hall. A professional meeting between ESU’s business department and Beta Alpha Psi, an honors accounting organization, was held during the event, followed by guest speaker Brumbaugh who discussed entrepreneurship and KSBDC’s involvement with new and progressing entrepreneurs.

“I agreed to talk because I really want to connect with the students and let them know that the KSBDC is there and what we do and to let students know that we have a unique opportunity for them to connect with small business clients,” Brumbaugh said.

Corina Nour, graduate business administration major, said that the meeting was interesting, educational and interactive.

Brumbaugh said that even though entrepreneurship exemplifies the modern American dream, the field requires a substantial amount of capital to get into and does not guarantee success.

“We hear about failure rates all the time,” Brumbaugh said. “The risks usually include not having enough capital or cash flow, usually caused by a business not getting enough financing in the first place and sometimes a new owner is not ready to manage all the responsibilities and is not good enough at multitasking.”

Brumbraugh said the KSBDC works with approximately 50 clients each year to prevent financial atrocities.

“We spend about eight and a half hours on the average client,” Brumbraugh said.

Some business students said that they would engage in entrepreneurship if given the chance and financial advantage.

“I would be an entrepreneur,” Nour said. “I am definitely interested.”

Nicole Skala, graduate business student, did not say whether or not she would engage in entrepreneurship, but provided advice for those involved with the field.

“Follow your dreams,” Skala said. “If you want to be an entrepreneur and own your own business or be creative and invent something, go for it. You have to have a thick skin and a good skin if you want to make it in the entrepreneur world.”

The KSBDC office is open Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in room 130 of Cremer Hall for financial advice and consulting.

Simone Cosper

Jazz gives student and faculty performers freedom

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 06 October 2011 12:22
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Saxophone players of the Emporia State Jazz Ensemble perform Thursday evening in Albert Taylor Hall. Their next performance will be on Nov. 17 in Albert Taylor Hall with special guests. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin

Saxophones, trombones, trumpets, guitars, drums, a vibraphone, a piano, flugelhorns, bass guitars and other instruments played in unison for a jazz concert last Thursday in Albert Taylor Hall.

“The purpose of the concert was to play great music and hopefully play it well,” said Gary Ziek, director of bands and professor of trumpet. “This concert served as an educational tool for students. They were exposed to music all around the world. During tonight’s concert, we had music from Brazil, America, Cuba – you name it.”

The concert raised around $350 for the music department and more than 170 people attended the event, including about 40 music majors and four faculty members. Tickets sold at $5.

“The concert was awesome, fantastic and adventurous. I was shaking my head and feet in my seat the entire time,” said Jennifer Perna, sophomore elementary education major.

The first half of the concert featured ESU faculty and students, including Ziek, PJ Stephenson, Tracy Freeze, Riley Day, Colin Jones and John Gilmore, performing a jazz combo. Another ensemble played “Norwegian Woods,” “Eighth Avenue March” and other pieces directed by Ziek during the second half of the show.

Ziek said that jazz is “indefinable,” but that it is all about rhythm, harmony and energy.

“Jazz stands out from other genres of music because so much improvisation is involved,” Ziek said. “In a lot of other genres, what is performed is closely linked to what is on the page, but when playing jazz, there is a lot more freedom.”

The mission of ESU’s music program, Ziek said, is to teach students about America’s native music, including jazz.

“Music is sort of like life – very important as important as breathing,” Ziek said.

The music department also hosted the marching band festival on Wednesday at Welch Stadium.

“I want to let people know that future plans of the music department are available online and in the music department office,” Ziek said. “I encourage people to come to all different kinds of concerts because there are great things going on.”

The music department will host a Chamber Orchestra concert at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow night in Heath Recital Hall. Tickets will be $4 for students and seniors and $5 for general admission.

Simone Cosper

Train restoration could provide economic and social boost

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 29 September 2011 17:25
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President H. Edward Flentje attends the forum on restoring Emporia’s Amtrak service Tuesday evening. Flentje suggested that even with expenses being an issue, the community should embrace the opportunity, believing students would commute to surrounding cities using the Amtrak. Jenny Pendarvis/The Bulletin

The possible restoration of Emporia Amtrak train service, whose station burnt down in 1999, was the topic of discussion Tuesday evening.

Interim President H. Edward Flentje, along with various other members in the Emporia community, spoke on the issue in Douglas Hall at the First Congressional Church. Around 50 people attended the forum.

“The purpose of the Amtrak restoration is to make it accessible to Emporians,” said Andrew McHenry, pastor of the church. “In order to get on an Amtrak train, you either have to drive up to Topeka at 1 a.m. or Newton at 3 a.m.”

McHenry said Amtrak provides a 15 percent discount for students with a savings card, which costs about $20, and provides an alternative to traveling in a car or by plane.

“It’s a lot more convenient for (students) to go downtown and get on a train rather than having to find someone to take them up to Topeka to get on board,” McHenry said.

Casey Woods, executive director of Emporia Main Street, said the Amtrak service ended in 1997 because of location, declining ridership and inexpensive gas prices. In 1999, a fire destroyed the station and no effort was made to restore it.

“There was a dilapidated rail station and right next to it was a lean-to with trains that were coming through at inconsistent times in an area the people would not want to hang around at two in the morning,” Woods said. “That situation is reversed – we have much higher gas prices, we have people that are interested in passenger rail and you have a system that is much more robust and on time.”

Since Emporia’s Amtrak service was cut in the 90s, ridership has increased 50 percent for other stations throughout the U.S., according to McHenry. An expected 30 million will use rail service this year.

Amtrak will benefit Emporia socially and economically. Woods said once the service operates, it will provide a social web for the city to other communities.

“People will come in and visit, shop (and) more money will circulate,” said Frank Meinholdt, Emporia local.

Woods said that every dollar invested in the Amtrak restoration would circulate about $2 into Emporia’s economy.

“We have seen it in other areas, other rural states that have used passenger rails, a positive economic impact,” Woods said. “A lot of communities are building jobs, building houses, building and expanding businesses because they have more traffic – more traffic equals more sales.”

An estimated cost to build a depot for the Amtrak rail system has not yet been determined.

“We will do some different site selections and put different costs associated with those different options and then ask the community what they feel about those,” Woods said. “Through alternative funding means, we will look at grants, tax credits and all sorts of funding options to see what is the most feasible for the community from not only the initial building standpoint but what is the most impact option for the community as a whole.”

McHenry said he encourages Emporians to direct the Kansas Department of Transportation and government officials to move forward with passenger rail development and to build an Amtrak depot in Emporia. Contact Gov. Sam Brownback to provide input regarding Amtrak restoration in Emporia.

Simone Cosper

Eppink Gallery home to big names in art

Written by Bulletin Staff
Thursday, 29 September 2011 09:32
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Carl Dillman, network technology student at Flinthills Tech, looks at various works on disply in the Eppink Gallery in King Hall Tuesday afternoon. Dillman said he has an interest in photography and art history, and that he was surprised at seeing artwork by well-known artists. Julie Thephachan/The Bulletin

Works from the likes of artists such as Pablo Picasso are currently on display in the Eppink Gallery in King Hall.

“We are calling this a blue-chip show,” said Roberta Eichenberg, associate professor of art. “The gallery includes the bigger names in art history, internationally, nationally and locally known artists. This is all two-dimensional work that is in the show right now, ranging from drawings, etchings, photographs, pieces on plastic and silk screen.”

Students seem to enjoy the art collection. Andrew Walker, junior theater major, described the gallery as colorful, comforting and impressionable.

“It is impressive that this gallery has really well-known artists and work that you would not expect Emporia to have,” said Dan Shipley, senior glass blowing major.

Walker said the pieces portray a variety of statements about the human condition, but the shared theme of the pieces is the human psyche.

“A lot of the art speaks to what is under the surface of each individual, hidden potential,” Walker said.

Shipley said that every work in the collection portrays different emotions and statements about human concepts and ideals.

Eichenberg said that some of the controversial, underlying themes in some of the works are not censored by the art department.

“I do not censor to allow the voice of the artist to be heard in the way that they meant it to be,” Eichenberg said “The collection is a tool to educate the public about art and present unedited works. It is one thing to see art in books or projections, but to see it in person is a whole different thing.”

As a student in art appreciation, Walker said he covered a piece by Evan Lindquist in the gallery called “Consciousness.”

“It’s a black and white piece that seems really empty, but I get the feeling of a lot under the surface,” Walker said. “It speaks to me.”

Eichenberg said the art department purchased many of the works from a national drawing competition hosted by ESU a few decades ago.

“Some of the works were purchased long ago – the 60s, 70s, 80s,” Eichenberg said. “(The collection) has been going for a while…we appreciate the works as the artists who created them pass away or become more famous.”

Eichenberg said that the art department officially owns all pieces in the Eppink collection and does not plan to sell them.

The Eppink gallery is open from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday through Friday in King Hall. All exhibitions are free of charge.

Simone Cosper

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