Campus Life Archives - Page 18 of 42

By: Rachael Jackson
Campus Life Editor

Lee Lindley, senior earth science major, is a reluctant leader of the Environmental Club. Started a little less than two years ago, the club hasn’t gained much traction in the way of student participation.

Lindley was ecstatic to have my group join him. Usually it’s just him.

With my group of miscreants, we made an even four. We drew posters, discussed solar panels, and joked about being Planeteers (from the ‘90s show, “Captain Planet and the Planeteers”).

Making posters isn’t exactly the purpose of the club; Lindley would prefer having a chance to get out and hike with the group, or go to places in Oregon that are in danger due to human encroachment.

“I have been a member since last Spring. It has always been pretty low attendance. Beth [Bello, political science major] was the leader previously, but work has made it so she can’t be as active. I don’t really have time for the group either, but it has to be done. We need to keep the group going so we can try and get funding for things like composting bins in every building.”

Lindley is hoping he can get more members soon through recruiting at campus events, but he needs help.

“A group has to stay active for two years to get funding, but with just me it doesn’t really feel like a club. We need to get more young people into the group. I really need people to help with tabling during new student week and spirit week.”

Interested in joining? Meetings are in HSS 230 at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Find them on Facebook at “WOU Environmental Club.”

Contact the author at rjackson13@wou.edu or on Twitter @rachaelyjackson.

The Western Howl

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Cocktail Corner

By: Rachael Jackson
Campus Life Editor

Bloody Marys are a brunch tradition. Though perhaps not as flashy as their sweeter counterpart, the mimosa, they remain symbolic of this late morning meal. Also going for them is their ability to squash the most debilitating of hangovers. Fight fire with fire, I always say.

Olivia, my eldest sister, loves a good Bloody Mary and as such has a quick and easy recipe. Not exactly my go-to drink because of the savory quality, there remains something enthusiastically social about the Bloody Mary that begs to be shared with close friends in large quantities.

Here is the basic recipe she goes by: Clamato (or V8), Demitri’s mix, Worcestershire sauce, and vodka.

Olivia prefers Clamato over V8 because it’s not as thick and provides a better flavor. Add Demitri’s mix (find it at the liquor store) to the Clamato, add in a few extra splashes of Worcestershire. Demitri’s has Worcestershire in it already, but add a couple extra splashes because it’s good for you (probably).

Just pour it all into a pitcher, eyeballing the ingredients and tasting the mix as you do. Add ice to the pitcher, your glass, or both.

If you’re having a brunch with friends then I suggest you all split the cost on a bottle of Kettle One vodka for your bloodies. It isn’t the economical choice, but choosey day drinkers choose Kettle One. Trust me on this.

Most importantly, unless you are some kind of animal, you will need to garnish your drink.

Some suggestions for garnishes include: bacon/salt rim, celery, bacon, jerky, shrimp, olives, pepperoncinis, pickled asparagus, pickled beets … the possibilities are boundless. We popped in fake bacon for my vegetarian roommate, even. Set up a garnish bar and have your friends ride their very own trains into flavor station.

Send your Bloody Mary recipes and pictures to the author at rjackson13@wou.edu or via Twitter @rachaelyjackson.

The Western Howl

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Celebrating Native Culture for 23 years

By: Amanda Clarke 
Staff Writer

Western Oregon University celebrated its 23rd annual “Multicultural Student Union Pow Wow” with the theme “We Live By The Beat of Our Drums.”

A pow wow is a Native American cultural celebration that is conducted through song, dance, and food as a means to bring community together. Represented at the event were those of the Siletz and Grand Ronde tribes.

The pow wow allows Western students and the community to learn about the Native American culture. By witnessing and partaking in activities, students and people within the community are given a chance to experience the culture in a different perspective that perhaps they haven’t had before.

Although the Multicultural Student Union has been holding the event for 23 years, there have been other club sponsored pow wows held in the past. In 1937, the Eastern Oregon Club, which was composed of students from east of the Cascade Mountains, held a powwow at Western as well.

The Multicultural Student Union Pow Wow is held in order to allow students to experience traditions of the Native American community, which includes different forms of dancing, such as traditional dancing, grass dancing, and other categories.

“In my opinion with serving the Multicultural Student Union, it is important for anyone in the local community and Western to be educated on the Native American culture,” said Samantha Valdez, a member of the MSU and one of the co-coordinators for the pow wow.

The event hosts dancers, vendors who sell traditional Native American supplies, and drums. Every year, the event is open to everyone and includes a competition for people of all ages.

Raffle tickets were given out and amongst the prizes were paintings, a Pendleton blanket, and jewelry.

Contact the author at aclarke14@wou.edu.

The Western Howl

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Score one for queens

By:  Rachael Jackson 
Campus Life Editor

Triangle Alliance celebrated the 20th annual drag show with “Pirates of the Queeribbean,” an exploration of pirates dealing with issues like gender identity and polyamory, entirely set to high energy songs, endless jokes, and flashy dance moves.

If you have any friends that performed in the drag show this year, it is not likely you saw much of them the past few months. I have often found myself bemoaning the show for taking away the precious free time of one particular friend.

After seeing the show, however, it feels petty to dwell on the time lost with friends because what I gained from it was infinitely better; I was given a chance to see the product of months of practice from close friends, classmates, and coworkers. And it was amazing.

One performer, hailing from Oregon State University, said that getting the chance to do drag with a large group of people changes the experience of drag show. With the large group, you get to know each other more intimately and count on one another for the success of the show.

Joleen Braasch, senior literature major, who portrayed lead character Jacklynn Knoff, explained that her favorite song to perform was “Cannibal” by Ke$ha, saying, “It is really fun to just let go and become this amazing strong woman who is just like … don’t mess with me!”

Many audience members were fond of Braasch’s animalistic dance moves during “Cannibal.” Another crowd favorite was a mermaid scene set to one of Ellie Goulding’s darker songs.

After the show, the reception hall was buzzing with congratulations and compliments. I asked one student, Shelby Worthing, junior economics and business double major, what she liked most about the show. Beyond just being amongst friends and like-minded individuals, she felt the atmosphere it created to be the most salient part of the experience.

“I think a lot of students come here to have that inclusive atmosphere. It shows what Western students are because we welcome students from other universities as well,” Worthing said.

Jade Rayner, an undeclared sophomore, knew she was going to try out for the show after last year’s show.

“I saw it last year and it was amazing, so that made me want to audition for it,” Rayner said. “It was a lot of fun, but it was a lot of hard work.”

Contact the author at rjackson13@wou.edu or on Twitter @rachaelyjackson

The Western Howl

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Cocktail Corner

By: Ben Bergerson
Designer

If you’re like me, then even as you were shocked by the 80 degree temperatures last week (it’s only April!), you were trying to make the most of the sun while it was here by catching some rays. And what is better after an afternoon of sunbathing than getting cocktails with friends?

And so, I grabbed a couple friends and trudged over to Main Street Pub and Eatery to try their new spring drink menu.

Rachael Jackson, Campus Life Editor and senior social science major, ordered the Blood Orange Basil Spritzer. This drink will call out to the gin lovers out there, but with it’s sparkling and subtle summery vibe it is a good choice for all palates. The basil, though not lost in the drink, does not stand out either, making for easier consumption.

I also got to taste the Hippie Juice thanks to Mariah Williams, a senior interdisciplinary studies major. The drink was a bit stronger, with a heavy combination of flavors that get lost in the mix. It’s made by mixing watermelon vodka, coconut rum, orange liqueur, and pink lemonade into a tall glass filled with ice. The pub adds some fresh lemons and strawberries too, for an extra fruity kick.

If you’re really looking for refreshment, do yourself a favor and order the Cucumber Collins. As simple as this drink is, it will satisfy your taste buds while cooling you down after a day in the sun. It’s a mix of house infused cucumber vodka, sour mix, Sprite, and lemon. Add a cucumber and lemon garnish and what you’ve got is the ideal spring drink.

Contact the author at bebergerson13@wou.edu or on Twitter @ben_bergerson

The Western Howl

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Humans of Western

By: Joleen Braasch
Staff Writer

Shannon Haas, senior computer science major, is graduating this spring. She shared her feelings about graduation and life after college, and the people who have been there along the way.

“Graduation will be like an orgasm. School has been riding me so hard these past four years, and when June 11 comes it’s going to be the most ultimate climax and release of my life so far. There are things I’ll miss after I leave: the occasional Fat Friday where my awesome roomie and I eat junk and watch Netflix, working at The Cottage with the fantastic staff and students, and just being on this beautiful campus. But I will not miss the late night homework life, the stress of senior capstone projects, or the additional debt I accrued every new term. Western has helped me shape myself into a better adult and brought me many good memories and lifelong friendships, but I’m ready to get the fuck out of here. 60 days and counting!

The main goal I have after college is finding a place in southern Oregon that will allow me to live with my dog again. I pretty much work hard so my dog can have a good life. However, a more ‘adulty’ goal is striving to live a more balanced life. Right now my life is a lot of work and very little play—not very healthy. I want to go hiking with my dog more, be with my family more, and just enjoy life more. I keep reading this post getting shared around Facebook that says, ‘I’m tired of people romanticizing overexertion … too many people are burning out before they have a chance to truly shine.’ When I read it, all I could think was, ‘YES!’ I don’t want to burn out, but I’m almost there. Post-graduation, I’m going to fix that.

I look up to many people in my life for varying reasons; like my dad for his strength to stay sober and how he’s genuinely a good person that cares, and my roommate for her confidence and adventurous personality. However, I would say I have looked up to my mom the most in my life. She is such a beautiful and strong woman that keeps fighting, even when life is at its shittiest. She taught me to rely solely on myself, and it caused me to become the independent person I am today. Every day I bust my ass at school and work, just like my momma taught me, so I can hopefully have a job that will allow me to relieve some of her financial burden, because she truly deserves it. I can only hope to be even just half as awesome as her! I love you, mom!”

The Western Howl

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New Club Comes to Campus

By: Zoe Strickland
Northwest Passage Editor-in-Chief

Interested in photography? Western has a new club for you, and you don’t even have to leave your bed to go to the meetings.

After noticing the lack of a photography club on campus, Jim Bragdon, senior graphic design major, decided that it was time to start one. Formed last term, Photography Club is still looking for new members who want to share and talk about their photography.

The meetings are held online through the forums and gallery section of OrgSync. Though one day they may include in person meetings, the current online format is deliberate. The club has found that meeting online makes it easier for non-traditional students and commuters to interact with each other and be involved in the Western community.

For Bragdon, creating the club has a sense of sentimentality.

“Photography is my life and my passion, has been since I was young,” said Bragdon. “Recently I fell in love with teaching also, so through the club I can pursue both and help others to get better along the way.”

He hopes that having a club focused on photography will help students incorporate art into their lives.

“[I want to] showcase the talents of the students in this university, to nurture interest in photography and create great work that communicates and inspires.”

Club goers participate in online critiques and discussions of photography, as well as hold photography contests.

If you are interested in joining Photography Club, you can do so by searching the “Organizations” tab on OrgSync, or by contacting the club adviser Dan Tankersley at tankersley@mail.wou.edu.

Contact the author at zstrickland14@wou.edu or on Twitter @nwpmagazine

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.

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Club Spotlight

Cocktail Corner

Celebrating Native Culture for 23 years

Score one for queens

Cocktail Corner

Humans of Western

New Club Comes to Campus

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