Mount Hood

Hunter Atkin talks about his performing arts journey at WOU

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Hunter Atkins describes performance art as the “purest form of art,” stating, “It only happens once in front of the audience and it’s shared with the audience, and then it’ll never happen again. And it’s very… emotional and straight from the heart and it’s unmonetized. So, nobody gains anything from it but the art.”

Hailing from Salem, Oregon, Atkin is currently a senior set to graduate in the spring. Atkin’s craft is truly eclectic — he studies theater and has been involved in numerous straight plays on campus; he sings and dances; he also creates performance art. More recently, Atkin has been focusing on poetry and writing music. After graduation, the BFA student plans to move to a big city– such as Chicago or LA– to make his art a career.

Originally, Atkin came to Western to study nursing. The artist’s sister was also enrolled in the nursing program, and that’s part of the reason he enrolled.

“I was like ‘Okay, nursing pays, I’m not sure I’m going to like it, I’m going to go for it.’” By the end of his freshman year, Atkin had auditioned for the BFA program.

Throughout his studies, Atkin has seen a lot of support for the arts.

“(Western’s programs) give us so many opportunities to do things we would never be able to do in the real world.” Western funds a rehearsal space, workshops and improv coaches. A program called “5 O’Clock Shadow” is also offered, which allows student artists to create their own shows. A rehearsal space is provided, as well as show dates and the performance space itself — the Black Box in Rice Auditorium.

It was difficult for Atkin to choose his favorite artistic project at Western, but he eventually chose his semi-recent performance art piece, “Love.” On his reasons behind this choice, Atkin responded, “my performance art is probably the thing I’m most proud of because I wrote it all myself, start to finish, and I put a lot of myself in it and I was really vulnerable with the audience.”

Hunter commented that the most salient lesson he’s learned during his studies was experiencing rejection. Even when professors or other artists are giving criticisms that may feel hard to handle, “…afterward when you work on the things that you really sucked at, it just feels like you’re building yourself up. It’s really cool to be able to do that in a safe space.” Atkin believes that Western provides a safe environment in which artists can work on their craft, whereas the “real world” doesn’t offer those same opportunities.

Atkin’s advice for first-year students?

“Let college kind of happen to you, because eventually you’re going to find something that you stick to, that you’re really passionate about that you like a lot, and then follow that.”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Hunter Atkin

Molly Burch’s “First Flower” album review

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

“First Flower,” released on Oct. 5, is Molly Burch’s sophomore album and is a complementary companion to her debut album released in early 2017.

Molly Burch is based in Austin, Texas, and has a background in jazz vocal performance. Her background in jazz is clearly heard in her work, more obviously in this new album than in her first. Her sultry voice and the way in which she approaches her lower register packs her performance with emotion.

The tone of this new album is more loose and experimental, achieved by Burch’s new vocal approach and the underlying bossa nova-type beats. The sepia-toned guitar and whispering lyrics from the first album “Please Be Mine” carries over onto “First Flower,” solidifying Burch’s sound.

“I don’t need to scream to get my point across,” states “To The Boys,” the feminist anthem on the album.

Where her first album tackled the crowd-pleaser of unrequited love, Burch’s second album delves into the mind — more specifically, anxiety and self-doubt.

“I think I want to be better,” read the lyrics of the song “Good Behaviour.”

In another song on the album, “Candy,” Molly croons, “why do I care what you think?” Contemplative yet never wallowing, these songs play off less hopeless than a vulnerable, honest portrayal of struggling with anxiety.

Despite overarching themes of self-doubt, Burch also swings to romantic optimism in songs such as “To The Boys” and “First Flower,” where she sings “you are my man.” Each song is multifaceted and blends themes smoothly. Multiple layers exist in each song, and the simplicity that still remains provides much to appreciate.

The 11 tracks on the album are short and sweet, with only one breaking the five minute threshold. The tunes don’t ever seem rushed, however. Burch is able to pack so much emotion and storytelling into small packages due to her writing ability. These songs could easily turn into mono-dynamic songs that blend into one another, but this artist’s ability to meld so many different themes in a way that seems so effortless is thanks to her sharp pen.

Overall rating: I would recommend this album.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of mollyburchmusic.com

Nearby haunted houses inspired by Halloween

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Halloween is just a couple weeks away, and the spookiness theme is appearing all around town. Some like to get into the spirit by giving themselves a few good scares. Horror movies might do the trick, but they’re not the same as interactive experiences. Fortunately, there are plenty of places nearby to do just that. Here are some of nearby haunted houses for full immersion into the Halloween season.

 

The Fear PDX

Portland is home to The Fear, whose website calls itself “Portland’s largest Halloween event.” Admission to The Fear’s locations gets visitors four haunted houses for the price of one. This location is currently open every Friday and Saturday until November 3rd as well as a few weekdays. Hours vary by day, but for a complete listing, visit fearpdx.com

Address: 12301 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97230

 

Fearlandia

Located in Tigard, Fearlandia is split into two main sections: TJ’s backyard and Into the Darkness. It also has a date night package option for pre-purchased tickets. This haunted attraction is open from 7-11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, but will be open on Oct. 31 as well.

Address: 16255 SW Upper Boones Ferry Rd, Tigard, OR 97224

 

The Nightmare Factory

Located in Salem on the campus of the Oregon School for the Deaf, the Nightmare Factory was once featured on an episode of “Extreme Makeover”. This interactive haunt has options for group discounts as well. The Factory is open Fridays, Saturdays, and most days the week of Halloween.

Address: 999 Locust Street NE, Salem, OR 97301

 

The Frightuary

Found in the Eugene fairgrounds, The Frightuary is a three part attraction that includes exhibits and actors. Visitors can enter Thursdays through Saturdays as well as the Oct. 30-31.

Address: 796 W 13th Ave, Eugene, OR 97402

Note: some attractions warn that those with heart problems or who are prone to seizures should not enter. Students should make sure they are safely enjoying the haunted attractions.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Independence’s new restaurant Valkyrie Wine Tavern review

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle Editor

Downtown Independence has seen a number of recent changes. One of these is the addition of the Valkyrie Wine Tavern on Main Street. The tavern is still somewhat under construction, but is now functional and open for business. Curious as to whether this new location could be a potential hangout for students, I headed there for dinner last week to get a sense of the place.

The interior of the tavern is certainly unique. For the moment, sitting placements are somewhat sparse. The bar takes up the main focus of the room, expanding about halfway out into the room lengthwise. Past the bar is more available seating for a sit down evening.

As for the decor, the theme is that there isn’t really one. Among the more noticeable features are a half stuffed bison attached to the chimney of the small fireplace and a fake suit of armor against the wall. On display as well are some of the restaurant’s wine collection. Once adjusted to, the overall effect is not terrible for those that don’t mind a somewhat eclectic and laid-back environment.

The menu is fairly small, but still allows for a decent variety with options. It’s split into sides, small dishes and larger dishes. I went with a friend, so we each ordered something different and sampled both meals. I ordered the Muffaletta sandwich, which came with a side of salt and vinegar chips, and my friend ordered the steak, which came sides of salad and fries. We also got a side of smoked butter and bread.

My dinner, consisting mainly of Italian meats, was fairly enjoyable — as my friend pointed out, “it’s hard to go wrong with a sandwich”. The steak, however, was well seasoned and paired nicely with the salad. I did thoroughly enjoy the smoked butter and bread, which was both tasty and well presented.

While the tavern is currently only open in the afternoons and evenings (visitors should note that Google does not give the correct hours), the owner, Savannah Pearce, told me that they will consider opening hours up to brunch.

For students interested in a new dining spot with character, the Valkyrie Wine Tavern is a good consideration. However, the restaurant does have a no minors policy, so it’s a location best enjoyed by students who can legally enjoy one of the many wine options the tavern offers as well as the food.

Overall Rating: I would recommend this restaurant

Address: 301 S Main St, Independence

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

An interview with an international exchange student

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Western is home to students from all over the world. Some of them come through international exchange programs, and came into Fall Term only having studied America in textbooks. They face the challenge of studying in a foreign language in a place many of them have never been to. During their time here, they will hopefully get to know more Western students and share some of their culture in return.

Due to their outside perspective, I was curious as to what Western and Monmouth look like from the standpoint of an exchange student. To answer this, I had a chat with Krystal Wang, a foreign exchange student from Shanghai, China. She arrived here in early September, just before Fall Term started, and is a senior business major.

My first questions had to do with first impressions. I asked what she had noticed early into her visit here.

“The homework,” she told me. According to her, the workload for students here is heavier than she is used to, and Chinese students are not assigned as much outside of the classroom. She also mentioned that the Western campus was big compared to her campus back in China, a detail I found interesting as it is considered relatively small here.

I then asked what Wang missed most so far from her hometown.

“Chinese food. I like hamburgers, but other things I am not very accustomed to.”

When I asked what she liked about Monmouth so far, she commented that, “I like the sunshine, and the air is cleaner here,” adding that “In my town, the industry makes the air less clean.”

As an Oregonian, I was not used to people saying they liked our state for the sunshine. However, it was a nice reminder to enjoy some things I take for granted, like our relatively mild weather and fresh air.

Another similar reminder came with her answer to my next question of what surprised her about our country.

“Maybe the atmosphere in the classroom…[There is] more freedom. We can voice our opinions. Where I’m from, we mostly just listen to what the teacher says.”

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Meyers

Tips for living on-campus

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Even those who have never lived in the residence halls have heard of the struggles. They’re usually small, often crowded and shared with a few hundred students. However, residence hall life doesn’t have to be as miserable as some make it out to be. As someone who lived in residence halls, I know the struggle of trying to be resourceful when the most common piece of advice is to pack lightly.

The first piece of residence hall survival is finding out what can be done with a limited number of appliances permitted in most of Western’s halls. One thing I didn’t enjoy was not having a kitchen. I didn’t want to be the typical college student living off of ramen for a whole school year. A simple example is smoothies made in a small blender for breakfast or a snack. It’s also possible, as I found out, to microwave regular pasta. This just goes to show that the key to living the best residence hall life is creativity.

Some things about residence hall-life merely have to be faced head on. Sharing the various facilities can be rough, but it’s unavoidable. It may take a while, but it’s usually possible to work out a routine that doesn’t clash with other residents.

When asked her advice for those living in residence halls, senior community health major Setareh Entagh, an RA for three years, said, “You can make the most (of it) by just getting involved with your hall. That can be by hanging out in the hall with hallmates, going to programs, studying together, et cetera. If you’re always in your room or outside of the hall you miss out on making friends and being a part of a community.”

For a final, slightly less utilitarian tip, my advice is to go all out in decorating. Put up all the posters or wall hangings with cheesy sayings on them. String lights everywhere. Make it a place you can comfortably study, eat and even hang out with friends. It may not be considered home for everyone, but it can be made the next best thing.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

 

In the Western Howl’s original publication of this article, we referred to residence halls as “dorms.” This has been corrected.

We apologize for a comment we made comparing the appearance of the residence halls to prison cells. We have removed the comment.

 

Opinion: From the Sports Desk

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

“Football is on solid standing at Western… If we get (to add more games to the schedule) with the Lone Star (conference) then we’ll be playing football for the next 50 years at least,” stated Athletic Director Curtis Campbell. His voice gave me no doubt that he held this belief very near and dear, but the facts seemed to point another direction.

Thursday, Oct. 11, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Campbell about the financial status of Western’s athletics. During the interview it became abundantly clear that Western struggles to compete at a high level athletically due to the inability to fully fund any of the varsity athletics.

“We are the lowest funded school in our conference. We offer the least amount of scholarships in every sport. We are at the bottom of the list,” said Campbell about our ability to offer scholarships.

“In football…you can offer 36 full scholarships. We offer about 15. In baseball you can have nine, and we have three. In track and field you can have 12.7 and we have three. So were the lowest funded school in our conference.”

This inability to fully fund athletics comes at the cost of success.

“The more scholarship dollars you have, the more competitive you are — the teams that are winning in football, and in basketball and in baseball. The teams that are winning are the ones that have the most scholarships to award.”

In Issue 3 of The Western Howl in the article titled, “Opinion: From the Sports Desk” I expressed how football may be on its deathbed due to the monumental cost and microscopic size of the conference. After speaking with Campbell, it became apparent to me that football is not only dying, it’s killing off the sports around it.

“We don’t have the funding…We are the lowest funded school in our conference” Campbell repeated over and over.

The question that kept occuring to me, if Western was struggling so much to fund all the athletic programs, why not condense the amount being offered?

When asked about adding programs, Campbell said, “We’re not funding the varsity sports we currently have… When you fully fund the sports you already have, then you start adding sports. But we’re so far away from that.”

But wouldn’t lowering the amount of programs offered allow the rest of Western’s athletics to thrive?

In 2008, when Western Washington University ended their football program, Eileen Coughlin, vice president for Student Affairs and Academic Support Services said to Tim Booth, Associated Press Sports Writer in his story “WWU Ends Football Program; Ensures Excellence of All Other Sports“, “Ending the football program will allow intercollegiate athletics to meet budget reduction targets, and, most importantly, to protect the quality of the remaining intercollegiate sports,”

Maybe Western Oregon should take a page from Western Washington’s book and protect the sports around football. Because if football stays for 50 years, other sports might not.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Western Men’s Rugby pounces on Seattle University Redhawks

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

After losing a nail biter to Central Oregon Community College on Oct. 7, Western’s Men’s Rugby looked to bounce back against the Seattle University Redhawks. With the sun shining on their backs, the Wolves didn’t waste any time asserting their dominance over Seattle University.

Two minutes into the first period, the Wolves scored off of a breakaway run and made the conversion to quickly bring the score to 7-0. The Redhawks showed they were ready for a fight as they bullied their way down the field, scoring a try and missing the conversion, making the score 7-5. The feverish battle between the teams looked to make for a close match, but Western wasn’t looking for another at home loss.

Tries were scored back and forth until the end of the first period where the score sat 14-10 with the Wolves on top. But for the Wolves, the best was yet to come.

Lighting up the scoreboard, Western found themselves scoring 17 unanswered points throughout the 2nd period. Every large gain by the Redhawks was met with an overwhelming defensive effort and an even more powerful offensive push. Cheered on by hoots and hollers from the crowd, the Wolves rumbled their way to a now lopsided score of 38-10.

In the final quarter the Redhawks showed some signs of life. Outscoring Western 15-14 in the period, the Redhawks hoped to claw their way back into the game. However this effort was no match for the dominant 2nd period. As time ran out, Western finished on top with a score of 52-25.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Western Lacrosse stands tall against the Rippers

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

The freashman heavy Western Lacrosse team took the field on a sunny Oct. 14. The Wolves were pitted against the Rippers, a men’s league team, for their home debut of the fall lacrosse season.

Previously the Wolves split their last four tournament games with two wins and two losses. With this matchm Western hoped to gain experience and add to their winning column.

The first quarter was messy for Western. Unable to win a faceoff, the Wolves quickly fell into a 0-2 hole before finally finding the back of the net. Poor defensive play led to Western falling to a 2-4 score at the end of the first.

“We were playing against an offensive set we hadn’t practiced against. The different look took us a bit to react to,” said senior history major and defenseman Bryce Hinkle.

The Wolves finally found their offensive footing in the second quarter. The senior led offense found the cage six times to capture the lead over the Rippers. Visibly tired, the Rippers offense struggled to hold a possession while the deep bench of the Wolves lead to an offensive run.

Not ready to give up, the Rippers came storming back in the 3rd quarter. After a couple of missed shots and poor goalkeeping from Western, the Rippers buried four shots to bring the game within three points.

It was anyone’s ballgame as the clock began to run in the final quarter of play. Carrying off their momentum from the third, the Rippers fought their way back to bring the game within one. Great defensive efforts were made on both sides of the field as the Rippers battled to retake the lead.

With just a handful of minutes left to play, the Wolves’s offense cemented their lead with a pair of goals. Western lacrosse’s home debut came to a finish with the Wolves on top, 14-11.

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Discovering Club Sports

Lake Larsen | Sports Editor

Whether students are looking to continue their competitive passion for high level athletics or just wanting to learn something new, a viable option is Western’s Club Sports. Joining a team gives students the ability to compete nationally in competitive team sports. Club Sports are open to student of any skill and experience level — many rosters are full of students who have never played the sport before coming to college.

The teams within Club Sports are split into two types: Tier 1 and Tier 2. The Tier 2 sports are geared more toward practicing and enjoying the sport while the Tier 1 sports are about competition with other schools and competing within a national league. Below, I’ve listed the Club Sports currently offered at Western.

 

Tier 1:

Dance Team

Joining the Dance Team allows male and female students the chance to perform in front of the school at home football and basketball games.

Contact the club president Olivia Ashmanskas at oashmanskas14@wou.edu

Men’s Rugby

Playing for the Men’s Rugby Team gives male students the ability to compete against other schools in this full-contact sport.

Contact the club president Chris Davis at cwdavis@wou.edu

Women’s Rugby

Being the only full-contact female club sport, the Women’s Rugby Team is a way for female students to compete in an aggressive sport.

Contact the club president Ciara Brady at cbrady16@wou.edu

Men’s Soccer

The Men’s Soccer team is for male students who want to participate in a higher level of soccer.

Contact the club president Nash Idler at nidler14@wou.edu

Men’s Lacrosse

Being a full contact sport, the Lacrosse Team is another option for male students looking to get involved in hard hitting and fast paced competition.

Contact the club president Justin Morales at jmorales17@wou.edu

Rock Climbing

Whether a student wants to learn how to climb or compete against other schools, the Rock Climbing Club gives the option of a relaxed or competitive experience.

Contact the club president Kayla Baker at kmbaker15@wou.edu

 

Tier 2:

Women’s Soccer

Competing against other schools all around the west coast, the Women’s Soccer Team is for female students looking to play soccer at a high level.

Contact the club president Haylie Shinsato at hshinsato14@wou.edu

Disc Golf

Brand new this school year, the Disc Golf Club is a way for students to learn about and compete in the sport.

Contact the club president Lucas Castanon at lcastanon15@wou.edu

Martial Arts

No matter what the skill level, the Martial Arts Club grants students the chance to show off their martial art skills with others.

Contact the club president Alex Buschauer at abuschauer14@wou.edu

Running Club

Running with the Running Club gives students the chance to participate in team practices on many different courses and trails as well as the chance to join in on some competitive events.

Contact the club president Sean Martinez at smartinez17@wou.edu

Tennis Club

The Tennis Club gives students the opportunity to hone in their tennis skills against different students in a relaxed or competitive environment.

Contact the club president Jacob Bering at jbering16@wou.edu

Wrestling Club

Meeting several times a week, the Wrestling Club gives students the opportunity to spar with their fellow students to help grow their wrestling skills.

Contact the club president Todd Sjullie at tsjullie17@wou.edu

 

Contact the author at howlsports@wou.edu

Salem Out of the Darkness Walk offers hope for suicide prevention

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

Holding signs and wearing t-shirts with messages about lost loved ones, over 1500 people gathered together at the Oregon State Capitol on Oct. 13 to participate in the Salem Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide awareness and prevention.

After all the participants had checked in, the event’s organizers stood on the steps of the capitol and offered a message of hope and support to everyone in attendance.

“Did you know that the mission of (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention) is a simple one? It’s only (10) words: save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. That’s it,” said Angela Perry, president of the Oregon Chapter board for AFSP. “Today is the perfect day to reflect, to remember those we have lost and to honor those who have struggled and are fighting to stay.”

According to AFSP’s 2018 statistics page, suicide is the second-leading cause of death for college-aged students in Oregon. Additionally, one person dies by suicide in Oregon every 11 hours. Because of statistics like these, Perry shared that AFSP is hosting nearly 400 community walks nationwide in order to raise funds for awareness of mental illness and suicide prevention.

“We’re all connected — connected by something none of us ever wanted a connection to,” Perry said. “Suicide is hard. It’s dark. But what we’re doing here today is bringing it out of the darkness: it’s okay to not be okay and you are not alone.”

Another speaker who shared her testimony before the crowd was 11-year-old Kelly Johnston, a middle school student who has become an advocate for suicide prevention, speaking at a number of AFSP events and even sharing her wisdom with graduate students at Lewis and Clark College.

“Two and a half years ago I lost my dad to suicide… every so often I would have dreams about how he had done it and what he may have been thinking. And often I’ve wondered where I would be if it wasn’t for counseling. Through counseling, I’ve been able to make speeches that I feel have made me mentally stronger,” said Johnston. “I love knowing that I might be helping someone out there — especially someone with depression. People who struggle with depression may feel that they will be judged if they ask for help or ask questions. Part of my mission is for people to know that it is okay to ask for help.”

After Johnston’s speech, the crowd was led through a traditional bead ceremony — a moment filled with emotion for many.

For each type of loss that a person had experienced, there was a different color of bead to wear. In turn, audience members raised red beads if they had lost a partner or spouse; gold beads if they had lost a parent; white beads if they had lost a child; orange beads if they had lost a sibling; silver beads if they had lost a military member or first responder; and purple beads if they had lost a friend or relative. Furthermore, there were also teal beads if their friend of relative struggles with or has attempted suicide, green beads if they themselves have struggled, and blue beads that showed their support for the cause.

To conclude, the crowd walked around the capitol building, taking time to remember their loved ones. At the end of the day, the event had raised $65,395.82.

For anyone currently struggling with the effects of suicide in some manner, there are resources that are available to help. Western students can call the Student Health and Counseling Center at (503) 838-8396 in order to set up a counseling appointment. Additionally, students can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline any time at 1 (800) 273-8255.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Western hosts speaker about injustice in Latin America

Flora Pugh | Freelancer

Witness for Peace is a “grassroots non-profit organization and our goal is to change unjust U.S. policies and corporate practices towards Latin America,” said Kris Hannigan-Luther, organizer of the group’s northwest region.

On Thursday, Oct. 11, a Latina speaker and Honduran journalist named Jennifer Ávila came and spoke at Western with Witness for Peace. Sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and hosted by the Communication Studies Department and Social Sciences Division, the speech was held at the Werner University Center in the Columbia Room.

Jennifer Ávila shared about the rampant injustice and violence in Honduras that threatens the safety of its citizens. Since 2009, a time when Honduras was considered one of the top ten most dangerous countries in the world, Honduras has become even more dangerous and full of violence.

Ávila also mentioned that the U.S. has helped illegal states remain in control, and since then, Honduras has become more militarized and unjust, with more fraudulent power being put in place. In its current state, Honduras has corruption, no healthcare and practically no education. Most Hondurans only are educated up to the eighth grade, and less than 13 percent of Hondurans end up attending a university. In addition, most of the universities in Honduras are only open to the elite, according to Ávila.

With that being the case, the majority of Hondurans prefer to work because they can’t afford to live and attend school. In fact, more money in Honduras is used to fund the elite, corporations and the military — which the U.S. helps fund — than to fund education and healthcare.

According to Ávila, 90 percent of drug trades pass through Honduras, which has resulted in many being afraid. And a number of people, such as women and children ages 12 to 18, are used as bait for things such as transporting drugs.

However, the LGBTQ community, and particularly trans women, are the most at risk in Honduras. Many trans women end up stuck working in sexual commerce because there is no identification law and very few job opportunities.

In the timeframe between 2009 and 2018, 292 people were murdered in Honduras. Ninety-two of those people were trans women. Ultimately, only 20 percent of the 292 murders were prosecuted.

On a more positive note, Ávila also spoke about how beautiful Honduras is and how we as U.S citizens can help the people in Latin America through voting, advocating and supporting Witness for Peace.  

As a Western student, one can raise awareness about the injustice in Honduras as well as vote in favor of local businesses and non-damaging corporation in Latin America. Students can also help by voting on issues surrounding the Honduran people’s basic needs: justice, better education, health, peace and a safer environment to live and raise their children.

When asked what she thought of Ávila’s speech, Anna Cortez, a first-year biology major, commented, “It was really good. I liked the facts and picture and that they showed the good and bad, because it is important to show both.”

For more information on Honduras, Western students can look into Ávila and her friend’s media journal Contra Caliente on the website contracorriente.red. They can also learn more about Witness for Peace on their Facebook page, Witness for Peace Northwest.

 

Contact the author at fpugh18@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Western develops and introduces a sustainability major

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

With the start of the 2018-19 school year, a new major has come to Western.

Sustainability is an issue that geography professor Dr. Mark Van Steeter has been passionate about for a number of years, and his dream of having it as a major at Western has finally become a reality.

“I knew it was something that would be great for students,” said Van Steeter. “For their ability to understand the interconnections in the world and get employment and have hope about the future instead of dread.”

He shared that he committed to developing the major after meeting with President Rex Fuller three years ago.

“I said ‘Okay. I’ll do it.’ And one of my qualities and weaknesses is when I say I’ll do something, I actually do it. So, I made that commitment to the students, to the president and to myself. And so, I just started working on it,” said Van Steeter.

With the final design, students are able to choose one of two concentration areas within the sustainability major: environment or business.

The reason for this, as Van Steeter explained, is that “it can’t just be the environmentalists complaining; it needs to be corporations and businesses that are working for sustainability.”

In the core of the major, students will take classes in “business, economics, geography, political science, communications, philosophy (and) biology,” said Van Steeter. “We’re trying to put those things together, so they mesh and give people the ability to see reality and therefore do something positive, effectively.”

When asked about the importance of prioritizing sustainability both on Western’s campus and in the United Stated, Van Steeter said “by definition, if something is not sustainable it will cease to exist. And given current pressures on ecosystems and on society, we are starting to reap the dark outcomes of not acting sustainably. If we don’t integrate sustainable thinking into our practices and continue down the path we’re on, the world…is not going to be a place of great opportunity and freedom.”

If students are interested in learning more about the new sustainability major, they can find information on the university’s web page, or they can reach out to Van Steeter at vanstem@.wou.edu. They can also talk to his colleagues in the Geography and Sustainability Department — Dr. Mike McGlade, Dr. Shaun Huston, and Dr. Sriram Khé.

 

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Oktoberfest put on by Western German Club

Bailey Thompson | News Editor

In the courtyard of the Werner University Center on Oct. 10, popular German music blasted through speakers and the smell of German food wafted through the air: the members of German Club had prepared a feast for the whole Western community.

“What we’ve got here is bratwurst — one of the most German things there is — and we’ve got some… curry sauce, which is like a German version of ketchup. Then we have German-style sauerkraut and potato salad… and we’ve got some German Apple Cakes,” said German Club President and sophomore German major Alyssa Jackson.

The only thing missing from this traditional Oktoberfest meal is beer, but the club doesn’t serve alcohol since their event is hosted on a college campus.

When asked about the significance of Oktoberfest to the club, Jackson said that “it’s fun, there’s lot of good food and it’s nice to just share the German culture.”

Although the event is exciting for the club members and those in the Western community, Jackson shared that the club also has another reason for selling Oktoberfest meals.

“All the proceeds are going to the German Club scholarship, which is $1,000 that gets awarded to one student,” said Jackson. And, when asked about how the scholarship recipient was chosen, she shared that “it goes off of what German means to you and why you’re studying it. Obviously, we want to put it with someone who has a connection to German rather than just someone who wants money.”

One thing that many students may not know is that Oktoberfest is a long-standing tradition on Western’s campus.

“I started here 37 years ago, and we’ve done it ever since,” said German professor Dr. Hoobler.

Reflecting on the way that the festivity occurs in Germany, Hoobler added that “October gets rainy, and so (in Germany) they do Oktoberfest in September.”

Hoobler concluded by saying that “what you see (here) is really what they do. It’s the end of the harvest festival, and they serve us this and it’s a chance for us to get together. Germans are very social — it’s all about the community — and so really all over Germany we’ll have Oktoberfest.”

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Paul F. Davis

Jacob Joliff band performs as a Smith’s Fine Art Series event

Jamari Gilbert | Freelancer

On Oct. 12, Jacob Joliff and his band came together and put on a concert for Western students. This concert was part of The Smith’s Fine Art Series, a collection that showcases many talents and performances here at Western. The artists perform from Oct. 5 through June 8 of 2019, with two events in January 2019, one event in April, and the final performance in June. This event was held in Rice Auditorium.

The Jacob Jolliff Band is a Bluegrass ensemble that is comprised of four key members: Jacob Joliff, the singer and Mandolin player, Alex Hargreaves the fiddle player, Jeff Picker on the bass, and Stash Wyslouch, their guitarist. With their cooperation, the band put on a unique and entertaining performance.

Bluegrass is a style of country music, but with jazz and gospel influences. No banjos were used during this concert, although that’s what some people may think of when bluegrass is mentioned. Most of the songs focused on being instrumental but a few had some lyrics spread throughout to spice things up every now and again. The music was unique and complex, but can be defined as a fusion of jazz and country.

The excitement the Joliff band had to play in front the audience was palpable. The passion and hard work that went into each song could be felt as they were performed on stage. Before the artists started the next song, the pride on their faces was obvious when the audience exploded into a round of applause and whistled.

Watching how they all shared the space and the microphone, easily stepping out of the way when it was time for one of the other members play their heart out during their songs was arguably the best part of the performance. The Jacob Jolliff Band performed very well and the enthusiasm for the music they performed only made the experience better.

The Joliff band is worth a listen by anyone who is a fan of jazz or country, and by anyone who is looking for music that is full of spirit and energy. If students find themselves free and wanting to try something new, events from the Smith Fine Arts Series provide fun opportunities on campus. The series offers some truly unique experiences.

 

Contact the author at jgilbert16@mail.wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Local artists Harold and Sue Mason exhibit their work in Campbell Hall

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

Locals artists Sue and Harold Mason are featured in a month-long exhibit in Western’s own Cannon Art Gallery, which opened on Sept. 26 and will remain open until Oct. 26. The exhibit is titled “Creative Partnership” and is located in the heart of Campbell hall.

When asked about the mission statement of the Cannon Art gallery, director Paula Booth replied that her goal was “to expose our students to a lot of different types of art and a lot of different types of artists… You know, things that they might not always think about.”

Booth said that the gallery is usually booked a year in advance, sometimes two years. The gallery has shown both national and international artists, and holds around six exhibits per year. Harold and Sue approached Booth a couple of years ago with the desire to show an exhibit together, and Booth scheduled them into the gallery rotation.

Harold and Sue have been creative partners for the last 56 years. They started making art in the San Francisco Bay area and became involved in the arts community there. Throughout their careers they have moved and travelled extensively, making art everywhere they go.

“We have a tendency to move someplace instead of going there and staying for weeks at a time” said Harold. Sue and Harold became more involved with the Native cultures of the American Southwest when they moved to the area and befriended the local Native community there, and the influence these communities had on their art is palpable.

The pair moved to Oregon about 15 years ago.

“We knew we wanted to live near a campus, and so we ended up just a block and a half from (Western),” commented Sue. Both Sue and Harold have taken art classes at Western, so they are familiar with the campus and well known by the faculty members in the department. “We’re both delighted to have a show here. We love the university. So when the opportunity came up, we were quite pleased,” said Sue.

On Oct. 3, the 700 square foot art gallery was glowing with bright show lights, and community members and students circulated around the ceramic sculptures and landscape paintings. During the reception, the Mason’s answered questions and connected with community members and students alike.

Harold’s art covered three of the gallery’s walls. Most were untitled.

“Harold didn’t want to label all of his work and Sue didn’t label all of hers either. So it’s kind of more of an impression of their work,” said Booth.

Harold’s art was a collection of watercolor paintings, sketches, and mixed media pieces. Many paintings were landscape scenes that exhibited exquisite detail. Colors in this paintings were soft and the scenes contemplative.

When asked if he had a favorite piece, Harold replied, “If you say one’s a favorite, it puts the other ones down, so I never have a favorite; they’re all favorites. Or else they wouldn’t be up there on the wall.”

Sue’s art consists of porcelain and stoneware works, relief prints, silkscreen prints and fetish pots. Fetish pots, according to the gallery description, “use materials of the natural world — clay, bone, hides, feathers, shells, etc. to show respect for nature and the world we live in.”

Sue’s stoneware sculptures and vases are very domestic and intricately designed; the pieces could be contemplated for a significant amount of time and new details would continue to be found.

“My aim is to inject joy, lightness and humor into each piece I make,” quotes Sue’s artist statement.

Her art is largely inspired by native cultures. Several sculptures are inspired by the Dio De Los Muertos celebrations in Mexican culture.

“I’ve always loved folk art, and just the way the art represents the (native) cultures,” Sue commented.

When asked what “creative partnership” meant to them, Sue summed up her relationship with Harold, “We’ve always been best of friends, as well as best of lovers, so best of both worlds.” Harold and Sue have always been a partnership, and support each other in all of their artistic endeavors. Each artist’s style is distinctive, yet complementary. Visitors to the exhibit can truly see the complexity of the artistic life Harold and Sue have built together. The pair’s devotion to living an artistic life and supporting each other is truly enviable. The couple is still actively making art. Sue sculpts and Harold is active with his painting and has added writing into his repertoire.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

SWANK allows Western students to stream movies for free

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

This fall, on-campus residents will have access to a free movie streaming service. The company providing the service is called SWANK. Western has branded this service “ResLife Cinema.”

The Housing and Dining Committee decided not to renew their contract with MINET two years ago, and thus left Western with limited entertainment options. After a lengthy search for replacements, the committee chose SWANK.

Aside from offering a wide selection of shows and movies, SWANK places a strong emphasis on educational programming. Ryan Jennings, an analyst programmer for computing services, performed the setup for this new service.

“Our Resident Assistants (RAs) can now request and select nearly any film they wish to build a program around, for free,” said Jennings. SWANK provides discussion guides along with films to help staff start dialogues around important topics, such as identity, mental health, sexual violence and more. Residents can also take part in monthly polls which provide feedback about what kind of content they would like to see.

Madeleine Hannah, senior humanities major and a resident of Ackerman hall, commented that, “I think it’s really beneficial…not everybody has Netflix or Hulu, or ways to nicely stream things, so it’s good to have access to that.”

Sabrina Smith, junior ASL/English interpreting major, brought up another point.

“I think it’s cool because when me and my roommates want to have movie nights we can just put it on instead of using people’s Netflix, because most of them share with their families and parents and they’re like, ‘oh we can’t actually watch this, cause my parents might see it.’”

Western organizations can also create their own channels and upload content to the site. “Since the product is new to us we have yet to explore this option,” Jennings commented, “however it might be a nice to upload a replay of latest (Western) sporting event, or allow residents to develop their own custom content to share with others.”

All on-campus residents have access to this resource, and there is no account set-up required. ResLife Cinema can be accessed through the WOU portal. The link is located under the “My Programs” tab, and is titled “ResLife Cinema (SWANK).”

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Ashlynn Norton

Volunteering with local art organizations can help emerging artists

Chrys Weedon | Entertainment Editor

The art profession is notorious for being one of the most competitive communities in the world. It can be difficult to get involved, especially since rural areas, such as Monmouth, have less access to art education compared to urban areas, according to the U.S. Department of Education. But there are resources near the Monmouth area that are helping to support student involvement in the arts.

The Salem Art Association offers many opportunities for emerging artists. They offer workshops on marketing yourself and connecting with established artists. Professor Paula Booth, Director of the Cannon Art Gallery, is along-time volunteer at the Salem Art Association. For artists struggling to get their art into the public eye, Booth says “they need to be spending not just the time making art… but (they) also need to be working on marketing (themselves) all the time.” Professor Booth says that about 50 percent of an emerging artist’s time should be spent marketing themselves.

The Salem Art Association provides volunteer opportunities in their galleries, teaching positions, and a residence program. The Association also holds an arts festival every year in the summer, and the volunteer opportunities there are endless.

When asked on the importance of getting involved, Booth said, “If you want to be in a certain field you have to go out and meet the people who are doing what you want to do.” Volunteering is a great way to meet people and to connect with the organizations that match your interests. To see a more comprehensive list of opportunities for involvement, visit salemart.org.

Salem also offers an art walk, held the last Friday of every month. Artists hold regular meetings every Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Prism Gallery, which is located in the Reed Opera House in downtown Salem. The Salem Art Walk includes a group theme show, also held at the Prism Gallery. Anyone can inquire about being involved in the group shows. Each month a different taphouse or bar hosts the After Party, at which committee members and artists can be found. To find out more information, visit salemartwalk.com.

In the end, volunteering can also lead to work. Booth recalled her own journey with volunteering, noting “I was just volunteering when I was interested…took on more responsibility as a volunteer…then I was able to eventually get a job.”

Connecting with organizations and artists in the surrounding community seems imperative for emerging artists. When it comes to on-campus opportunities, the theater department and the arts department are always offering different opportunities depending on the time of year — that’s why it’s important for students to get in contact with their professors about volunteering.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Interview with the Student Health and Counseling Center

Rebecca Meyers | Lifestyle editor

Students have many helpful resources on campus for a variety of needs. One such resource is the newly opened Student Health and Counseling Center. The center offers certain health services free to students taking at least six credits. These services include counseling and mental health assistance. To get an idea of student health patterns from the perspective of a staff member, I sat down with Assistant Director of Wellness Education Craig Wimmer and Wellness Educator Pam Medzegian of the SHCC about the most common causes of student visits and what we can learn from these experiences.

In response to the question of advice the SHCC wants students to know, the answer is first and foremost that students should not hesitate or feel embarassed to make an appointment or come in. The staff is there to help solve problems and help educate about preventative care. Wimmer also notes that students should make an effort to be health conscious even when healthy.

“If we’re talking about traditional students, they’re in a pretty good place in their lives in terms of their overall health. They’re not thinking about chronic long term things. So I think this is a point in their lives where they start to learn why these things are important.” said Wimmer.

I asked whether there was any advice they had that for students that might be helpful in saving them a trip to the clinic. Instead, I got somewhat different, but more helpful advice.

“It’s not necessary to wait until you have a problem; until you’re sick or you’re having a mental health crisis,” he told me. Wimmer and Medzegian’s focus at the SHCC is preventative health, meaning they’re there to help students avoid having preventable health issues.  They explain that it’s better to visit for something minor and avoid having a bigger problem surface later, even if it just means stopping by to pick up a free cold kit.

Students can also make appointments for 30 minutes in the new R&R room, which includes a massage chair, space to meditate, a range of music or sounds to choose from and a full spectrum light to help clients with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Staff like these two also have outreach events such as ones that involve alcohol education and, most recently, free flu immunizations on campus.

“In general, I think society tends to treat mental health better, and that gives us access to students needing support,” Wimmer said in response to the number of counseling clients, which has a seen a sharp upturn this year. The good news is that this means many students are taking full advantage of the resources available to them and are taking the time to invest in mental health.

College is a time of learning to take care of oneself and direct their own lives. This includes taking time to invest in self-care and health, both physical and mental. When flu season hits, or anxiety starts to kick in, the SHCC staff is there to help see students through the challenge.

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Meyers

Western Oregon University

Facebook   Instagram   X  YouTube

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Tools

Campus Maps
Canvas
Find People
Portal
WOU Email
Technical Support

Resources

A-Z Index
Accessibility
Academic Calendar
Class Schedule
Jobs at WOU
News
Explore WOU
Partnerships
Student Services
Freedom of Expression

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Accessibility    Public Records    Privacy    Student Consumer Information

WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.