Mount Hood

Western’s Got Talent

By:Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

Many first years eagerly awaited their turn to show the variety show judges what they had to offer. The door the contestants entered through had a heartwarming note wishing each auditioner good luck.

Julia Miller, a first year psychology major, auditioned with an original song titled, “Get Bent” while accompanying herself on the guitar. She described her song as a rhythm heavy, doo-wop styled song.

“I’ve been performing forever, and I’m interested in getting involved with the music program,” said Miller.

Western has plenty to offer for all of its students. Though New Student Week has passed, you can still join clubs and activities at any point in the year!
Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

New Student Week

screen-shot-2016-09-28-at-6-41-44-pm

By: Paige Scofield
Campus Life Editor

On Wednesday, Sep. 21, during the Student Organization Fair, the Werner University Center was buzzing with first-years. Greenhorns were eager to see the many clubs and activities Western has to offer. If you weren’t able to attend the Student Organization Fair, here’s a list of some of the clubs that attended:

AXO Sorority                                  African Friends & Student Association Club

ASWOU                                          University League Legends

Triangle Alliance                             International Students’ Club

WOU Food Pantry                           Women’s Soccer

Student Activities Board                  Men’s Soccer

Business & Economics Club            Hawaii Club

Women’s Rugby                               Campus Crusade for Christ

Men’s Rugby                                    Wolfpack Dance Team

Student Media                                   Natural Science Club

Anime Club                                      Western Lacrosse

M.E.Ch.A WOU                               Byte Club

Acappella Club                              

Not all clubs at Western were present, but if you are interested in or have questions about any of these clubs, search on wou.edu and go to Student Organization List for more information.

Contact the author at journalcampuslife@wou.edu

Spotlights: Academic Excellence Showcase

By: Rachael Jackson
Campus Life Editor

The 11th annual Academic Excellence Showcase took place this year with over 300 presentations and a total of 390 students presenting.

The showcase gives students a chance to produce professional presentations while giving other students a chance to explore the scholarships of various departments across campus.

Alex Kampstra, senior medicinal chemistry major, was excited to share the information he and his partner found on Vyvanse, a new drug for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

His presentation, titled “The Unique Metabolism of Lisdexamfetamine (AKA Vyvanse),” attempted to demystify the drug.

“I liked informing everyone on this new drug, because people struggle with this condition. It is nice to get more information out there to people who need it,” Kampstra said.

His partner, Brian Hauenstein, senior medicinal chemistry major, was grateful for all the positive feedback.

“Seeing the response from people that genuinely care about this information, and didn’t have access to it, was great. You look on the internet and there is a lot of misinformation on how it works.”

Kwon Su, senior sociology major, shared his feelings on presenting his thesis about the availability of housing for homeless in the Salem area. The worst parts of presenting, in his opinion, were the nerves and stage fright.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, your heart is going to race when you get up there.”
However, the best part was the work he produced for his research project.

“I was able to show my work and show what I have done, and express people’s story. I showed what some people have endured, and yeah, that’s something,” Su said.

Derek Planell, an undeclared freshman, discussed using AES as a way to explore topics he is already interested in, but also using it as a way to find other possible majors.

“A lot of students, like myself, are undecided, and are looking around seeing what’s up,” Planell said. “It motivates kids to get out and get some easy extra credit. They go out and get to see more and dive in more, and hopefully that guides them a bit.”

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

Campus Voices

By: Joleen Braasch
Staff Writer

Sara Earthman, junior, Psychology majorScreen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.51.17 PM
“Yeah, the coordinator is definitely making sure that the veterans are getting their voice known in the community here. And I’m from this coast, so it’s nice to be back; I missed a lot of things that the West coast represents more so than the East coast, where I was stuck for a long time.”

 

Kenneth Liebel, senior, Business Administration major
“I am coming from the East coast: New York, Florida, all those areas. So, it’s definitely a different change of pace over here. As a veteran, I guess, but my life hasn’t been all about being a veteran. It’s just one chapter in my life.”

Tiffanie Bowles, sophomore, Psychology major
“Yes, I feel like our school’s really inclusive and we try really hard to make sure everybody is accepted. So I feel like my identity is accepted and represented at [Western].”

Hannah Towle, senior, Communications
“I think that’s a difficult question to answer because I’m not just one identity. I’m not just white, I’m not just a woman, I’m not just a feminist, I’m not just a rugby player. I’m all of those things combined. I’m a survivor, I’m pansexual, I’m cisgendered, I’m 15 bazillion different things and some of those are more represented here than others, and others are still trying to find their way to the surface. And I think here at [Western], there’s such a diverse group of people that you can probably find just about someone that shares at least some of those identities with you, with me, with everyone that’s here.”

Harry Hill, senior, Earth Systems Science-Geology major
“About 74 percent. Well, it’s such an open community that it’s hard to miss. I don’t know, that’s hard to explain.”

Jovany Romero, senior, Spanish and Interdisciplinary Studies major
“Yes, I feel like [Western] is a very open space and very inviting community, as well as diverse and incorporates a lot of identities, cultures and backgrounds. This community is home-like and comfortable.”

Screen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.52.46 PMAlexis Anderson, senior, Biology major
“I feel like my identity as a student is well-represented at [Western]. But I feel like it’s a lot easier to remain anonymous as an individual.”

 

 

Gabbi Boyle, senior, Interdisciplinary Studies majorScreen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.51.00 PM
“No. I do not think that there is enough resources for students within the LGBTQ community. I think that our campus tries, but there’s still not enough funding to go around to offer the proper support to all people within the community.”

 

 

James Kelson, freshman, Mathematics major
“Yes I do. Because we’re just surrounded people; I think we’re all just people, even with our separate parts or identities. We should just all respect each other. And I feel like people do that properly, even staff, faculty, and students.”

Gwendolyn Baker, freshman, Psychology major
“Yeah, I think so. I feel like there’s a lot of people here that have the same beliefs as me, who think the same way, and act the same way, and are very similar to me.”

Brendan Blunck, freshman, Undecided major
“Possibly, I really don’t know. I really just go to classes, chill out, work on homework sometimes. Other than that, I don’t really pay too much attention.”

 

Maira Torres, senior, Criminal Justice major
“In what aspect, though? I would have to say yes because there areScreen Shot 2016-05-23 at 7.53.35 PM various clubs and organizations I’m involved in that relate back to what I identity myself in. And [Western] does a really good job in opening new clubs and making you feel welcomed. If you’re still trying to find yourself, figuring out who you think you are, you’re
perfectly welcomed into joining different groups.”

Independence food cart fails to disappoint

 By: Ben Bergerson
Designer

To tell the truth, I’ve been a vegetarian for five years. I never really crave red meat, so a few weeks ago when I suddenly had a hankering for a burger I was surprised. I took it in stride, however, and decided to take a break from my herbivore habit.

This sudden meat craving led me to Chow Thyme, a food cart in Independence. Their tagline is “like yo’ momma made it,” and let me tell you, my mom is a good cook, but this is a whole ‘nother level.

The Bacon Blue Cheese Burger I ordered was stacked with a half-pound patty and a generous helping of bacon, blue cheese, onion, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and some amazing house-made sauce. The house-cut fries that came with it were fresh and flavorful.

“They have the best fries in town,” said Jocelyn Chavez, junior anthropology major.

I thought they were reasonably priced at $8 a burger. By the time I was done with my meal I was full to the brim.

“I really like the Mushroom Swiss burger,” said Chavez. “I’ve had it a few times now.”

Open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Chow Thyme also has breakfast and entree options.

Check out their menu online at www.chow-thyme.com and you can catch them next to the Family Tresures Marketplace in Independence.

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

Climate change impacts Northwest

By: Rachael Jackson
 Climate

Oregon State University professor Philip Dr. Mote teaches his students about earth, ocean, and atmospheric sciences, but that isn’t his only credentials. He also serves as director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, and is the co-leader of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funded Climate Impacts Research Consortium (CIRC).

Dr. Mote visited campus May 19 to speak about his work with the CIRC on uncovering the mysteries of climate change in the Northwest.

He explained it isn’t something often thought about because the changes in the Northwest aren’t that drastic, but they are still evident when the clues are investigated. He and his team at CIRC have indicated three large impacts of Northwest climate.

“The first thing is, our water system here in the Northwest is heavily dependent on when it falls from the sky, which is in the winter, which leads to snowpack, and then it melts in the summer,” Dr. Mote said.

“We don’t have snowpack like we used to. We don’t understand something like this until 2015 happens and suddenly we are in the middle of a drought,” Dr. Mote said.

Second is coastal erosion. If a major subduction zone earthquake were to happen (which some scientists have predicted could happen within the next 150 years), it could cause a five-foot decrease in the seafloor, meaning the water would rise just as much on the shore.

The last impact is damage to forests from fires and insects. These are the harder ones to gauge, but a recent outbreak of mountain pine beetles as well as large scale forest fires both follow along with the trends of coastal erosion and decrease in water supplies. The beetles devastate other insect and plant life.

Together, these three change habitats by depleting previously abundant sources of water, shelter for animal life, and fuel (gathered from trees).

Dr. Mote recommended that the audience pay attention to the second impact, coastal erosion, as the danger of the earthquake looms over us all in our region.
Western doesn’t have many classes on this topic, something Brandon Pike, senior geography major, noticed.

“It could be good to get this topic into an LACC, teach something that is close to home and meaningful,” Pike said.

One audience member asked what we could do to try and lower our own carbon dioxide emissions, to which Dr. Mote said: drive less. If you can afford it, invest in a hybrid vehicle. If you can’t afford it, jump on public transit if it is available, or carpool to destinations.

Interested in learning about your own carbon footprint? Check out the carbon footprint calculator online at the Environmental Protection Agency’s website www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/.

Contact the author at rjackson13@wou.edu

Cocktail Corner

By: Rachael Jackson
Campus Life Editor

Want to host a summer party and impress your friends, but you don’t want to buy the various (and expensive) ingredients to make it happen? Well then, these recipes are for you.

The Miami Vice
Traditionally served as a blended pina colada poured into the glass with a blended strawberry daiquiri, this is a sweet summertime drink. I am not sure where the name comes from, but I am guessing from the television show due to the color of the drink.

Ingredients:
Strawberry Daiquiri Sobe*
Pina Colada Sobe
Rum (I use Malibu, but Bacardi 151 is used in the original drink)

Fill a glass with ice, pour in a shot or three of the rum, and layer with the Sobe drinks. If you have a blender, you can blend them separately with the rum added to keep the colors from mixing together.

Moscow Mule
I replace the more expensive ginger beer with ginger ale and fresh ginger in this classic drink.

Ingredients:
Ginger ale
Ginger
Lime
Vodka

Shave off a bit of ginger into your glass. I like a lot, but I also like to torture my taste buds. You can add some sugar as well to tame the spiciness. Add ice over the ginger, pour in a shot of vodka, add ginger ale, then squeeze in half a lime.

Greyhound
Add sugar and club soda to make it spritzy.

Ingredients:
White grapefruit juice
Vodka

Pour vodka and juice over ice. Garnish with a slice of fresh grapefruit if you want to be classy.

Variations:
Make it a Paloma by using ruby red grapefruit juice and tequila instead.
Add salt to the rim and make it a Salty Dog.

Bringing culture to the arts

By: Rachael Jackson
Campus Life Editor

Among friends, peers, and colleagues, four visiting scholars from China took the Smith Hall stage to showcase their talents. The scholars were a handsome group: two sopranos, Xin Zhang and Xue Chen, Tian Cao on trumpet, and Wei Jiang on the piano.

The four hail from the Guangxi Arts Institute in the city of Nanning. They are on campus as part of the Visiting Scholar and Faculty Program, and are here for tutelage and for the experience of a different culture.

Isabel Martinez, senior early childhood education major, made it out so she could support the parents of her students. It was surprising to see how skilled the performers were.

“I think they did really great. It is interesting to see them every day and then on stage. I had never thought they would be that talented. I mean, I knew they would be, but just … not like that,” Martinez said.

Liz Halligan, along with her husband, have been offering a place at their dinner table for visiting scholars every Friday night as part of the outreach program International Students Inc.

“The students that come, they are either in business or accounting or computers … to have this many artistic performers is exciting,” Halligan said.

It is new for most people of the western world to see anyone other than white opera performers.

“It was really great to see the different cultures come out. It isn’t something you see a lot of. I was impressed by the piano player,” said Shelby Morgan, employee of The Research Institute.

Though many songs were operetic, that is not all the singers performed. Zhang sang “Rejoice” by George Handel and a Chinese folk song titled “A Glass of Beautiful Wine,” while Chen gave a lively performance of “Glitter and Be Gay” from “Candide”.

The night was carefree and fun as the four played for a room of friends, but it was also inspiring to see what the international students are bringing to the university. It is a reminder to take part and see what students are doing around campus.

“I think the school is really taking good care of their international students. They are interested in them, and care about them, and support them. But international students always want to make more friends, they want Americans to reach out to them. They can get lonely,” Halligan said.

Contact the author at rjackson13@wou.edu

Humans of Western

By: Zoe Strickland
Staff Writer

Stevie Lamica, English Writing major, fourth-year.

“I have a dog. His name is Walter, he’s a black miniature schnauzer. He’s a puppy, so he’s six-months-old and learning how to be potty-trained. Because I live in Dallas and go to school here, I constantly come home to little doggy turds everywhere … I think I’m a cat person. I have a cat, he’s a Persian. He’s really cute. Everyone says he’s really ugly, but they just don’t know what’s cute. He’s like my little world … Edgar. Edgar and Walter. I almost got a cat two weeks ago, but the boyfriend talked me out of it.”

“The boyfriend and I have been together for four years, and we just moved in together last year. So it only makes sense to have a plan, because we grew up together and he was my best friend my whole life. We’re that high school sweetheart thing … his family is friends with my family, his brother grew up with my brother and they’re best friends. So we’ve always been comfortable enough to talk about marriage and having kids and we’re both on agreement.”

“[Writing] is one of the few things people have always encouraged in me. I’ve always known that I’m decent at it, I wouldn’t say I’ve been great at it. But it makes it so it makes me more confident about it, because my confidence was built up about it, it made me want to do it. And then I realized ‘oh, this makes me happy’ and ‘oh, look it I can change things with this’ and ‘make other people happy with it’… It makes me happy to write in my pastime, but if I wanted to support a family off of it one day, how much stability would it provide me with? [Poetry] is probably my favorite thing to write. I would like to write novels, but I don’t have time … it’s hard. I’m addicted to working, so that doesn’t help.”

Dear Esmeralda

Screen Shot 2016-04-17 at 9.05.53 PMDear Esmeralda,

I am an aspiring drag queen and would love some makeup tips! Since you seem to know what you’re doing anything you’d care to share? Thanks in advance!

Made up in Makeup

Dear Made up in Makeup,

HAHAHA! I literally know nothing much … just like Jon Snow! I usually go with the “mess-around with-it-until-it-looks-good” approach.

What I can say is this: colors matching your skin tone are important. As I started my performance career on stage I did my foundation a couple shades darker than my skin tone. Make sure you hit your neck and get a good even coating. Also, if you’re showing some body-ody, blend the color down to your neckline.

As for colors for eyeshadow and lipstick, there is literally no color drag queens can’t wear. Go crazy with it!! Fuschia and lime? Heck yeah! Mauve and taupe? Sure! Have fun with it!

Another pro-tip: don’t buy fancy makeup to start. Walmart brand works just as well! If you’re looking for a more serious tutorial on different makeup things check out my drag sister’s makeup channel: Fabulex Makeup. She knows makeup better than anyone! The best thing you can do is experiment and find your own style! Get it, girl! Hope to see you beating your face and serving fish!

XOXO
Esmeralda Dharma LaChance

Contact Esmeralda Dharma LaChance on Twitter @miss_ezi or find her on Facebook with your questions on love and life!

Western hosts third annual Black Graduation

 

By:  Amanda Clarke
Staff Writer

Coming June, Western will be celebrating its third Black Graduation.
The event will be put on by John Wilkins from Campus Life and Student Activities, along with Lavender Graduation, according to Courtney Briscoe, junior psychology major, the current president of the Black Student Union. The Black Student Union on campus will cosponsor the event.

Black Graduation is rooted in African and Black cultural traditions, aScreen Shot 2016-05-08 at 9.02.15 PMnd is open for all participants who not only identify as African American, but also identify with other culturally Black backgrounds.

Briscoe said the Black Student Union contributes to Black Graduation “to recognize those students who identify as Black and their success of graduating from a four-year university. It is also important because these students are attending a predominantly white campus, and by contributing, BSU is meeting our goal of promoting Black excellence.”

“Black Graduation is an event for the African American community to come together embracing our culture through the celebration of our success in graduating,” said Thelma Hale, a member of the Black Student Union on campus.

During the event, participants can expect a keynote speaker, as well as the opportunity to speak. In the past, participants have received stoles from the Black Student Union.

An award that may be given is the “kente cloth,” which is a symbol of “history, philosophy, ethics, oral literature, religious beliefs, social values, and political thoughts,” Briscoe said. Briscoe also said students will receive awards which “recognize their efforts on campus.”

Black Graduation is expected to take anywhere from one hour to an hour and a half.

“[It] is usually a small event, but the students who are graduating invite their family and friends to come celebrate with them,” Hale said.

“This event does not replace traditional [graduation], but it is an opportunity to celebrate with family and friends,” Wilkins said.

Black Graduation will take place June 10 at 3 p.m. in the Willamette room of Werner University Center.

Students who wish to participate can register on the forum on OrgSync by 11:59 p.m. May 29. Anyone is allowed to attend; however, Black Graduation is typically an intimate event between graduates and their families.

“Usually we would like to keep this reserved for the students, their families, and their guests,” Briscoe said.

For more information about the event, contact John Wilkins at wilkinsj@wou.edu.

Contact the author at amnclarke@gmail.com

Maria Dantas-Whitney

By:Chelsea Hunt
Guest Contributor

A large poster of her hometown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, leans up against a wall in Maria Dantas-Whitney’s office. Lining surfaces are colorful, miscellaneous objects given by international students to this professor of both English for Speakers of Other Languages and Bilingual Education.

They reflect her colorful personality, said friend and colleague Tracy Smiles.

“She’s always bright and friendly,” said Smiles.

From her professional pursuits to her mentoring, collaboration is just the way Dantas-Whitney lives her life. It’s one of the reasons she came to Western Oregon University to teach. She felt that she would work well with the other professors.

“This was a really good fit,” said Dantas-Whitney.

While at Western, Dantas-Whitney has collaborated with her colleagues to bring in grant money for different projects, most recently the SPELL grant which is now in its final year.

A colleague congratulated Dantas-Whitney a day before she got the official notification that the grant had been approved to the sum of nearly $2 million.

“It was a big surprise,” said Dantas-Whitney.

Although Dantas-Whitney is the project director, it was a group effort. Ella Taylor from the Teaching Research Institute helped write the grant, and Carmen Caceda, professor of Teacher Education, has helped with the grant work.

Project SPELL, which stands for Sustainable Practices for English Language Learners, is a five-year grant that provides federal funding for teachers from Salem-Keizer and Woodburn to get an ESOL endorsement through Western.

More students today have first languages other than English, so teachers need to know how to help these students succeed, Dantas-Whitney explained.

Amanda Larsen, who taught in Salem-Keizer, was one of the people who participated in the program.

“Having an endorsement in ESOL allows me to use some of the knowledge I gained and help those English language learners that are in my classroom,” said Larsen.

Larsen found Dantas-Whitney to be an effective advisor for her thesis as she worked towards getting a master’s in ESOL.

“Immediately you get the impression that she is competent and on top of things,” said Larsen.

In addition to her competency, Smiles said that Dantas-Whitney’s warm personality sets her students at ease.

“I’ve met few people who are as charming and responsive as Maria,” added Smiles.

For Dantas-Whitney teaching and mentoring are collaborative efforts and this influences the way that she works with students who are writing a thesis.

She first asks them to look at the areas that interest them because they need to be passionate and curious about their topics.

Because she is a humble person, as her son Thomas Whitney put it, Dantas-Whitney does not see herself as someone who tells students what they should do.

“I consider myself a mentor,” said Dantas-Whitney.

Dear Esmeralda

Dear Esmeralda,
My parents showed up unannounced at my apartment the other day. They ended up seeing my giant bong. Now they are threatening to cancel my trip to France this summer. What do I tell them to understand and let me go?

Signed,Screen Shot 2016-04-17 at 9.05.53 PM

Desperate for that Parisian Kush

 

Dear Desperate for that Parisian Kush,

First of all that is the weirdest name I have ever been made to read with my own two eyes, so props to you for that kitty girl! Now, I, myself, do not take part of the devil’s lettuce so I can’t say this has ever happened to me and as you may know I pretend to be French when it suits me.

However, according to my research (aka typing some jargon into Google and scanning the first result), whacky tobacky is illegal in France so, keep that in mind. One thing that should be taken into account is your age, if it’s legal for you, in our wonderful state, to partake of laganja estranja I don’t see a reason they should be mad at you. Also, at the age of 21 you are legally an adult (even if, like myself, you don’t feel like it) so, maybe politely bring that up. But, if you are still heavily reliant on them I wouldn’t do it.

As long as you can balance your own financial stuff and don’t have to start working at the Spearmint Rhino to pay for school, you should be fine. Be mature and that’ll get you through! Good luck, dear!

Esmeralda

Contact Esmeralda Dharma LaChance on Twitter @miss_ezi or find her on Facebook with your questions on love and life!

Cocktail Corner

By: Rachael Jackson
Campus Life Editor

Let’s talk about gin. You know, that liquor that is made from a ghastly overwhelming amount of botanicals. It isn’t the alcohol for everyone, I get it. But, and I am not trying to offend anyone, if you don’t enjoy gin than you have a poor palate and should explore your alcohol options a bit more.

You can buy the fancy gin like Tanqueray, but in my home you’ll always find a healthy supply of Monarch gin because I can get a giant plastic bottle for less than $30 at the local liquor store. I can’t for the life of me tell the difference when it’s mixed in a drink. Sue me!

Here are some drinks to get you started:

Gin and tonic

Add ice into a glass, add in a shot or two of gin, and fill the glass with tonic water. Finish with a thick slice of lime.

Rickey: Replace tonic for carbonated water (I used lime-flavored La Croix) and throw in half a lime instead of a slice. I like to muddle the lime with some fresh ginger before adding the other ingredients.

Gin martini

It may seem intimidating to make, but don’t be a baby about it. Fill a shaker with ice and add a shot of gin with a heavy splash of vermouth. Shake it for a good while and pour into a martini glass (or a Solo cup, it is college, after all). Add a pimento-stuffed green olive and you have dinner.

Dirty martini: Pour a shot of the olive juice into the shaker and add at least three olives to the glass.

Dry martini: Toss half a teaspoon of vermouth into the glass, swirl, and toss out. Shake the gin and ice separately. Serve with a cocktail onion or lemon twist instead of an olive.

Peach Dharma

Fill a pint glass with ice, pour in two shots of gin followed by half a shot of peach schnapps (feel free to add more). Squeeze in half an orange and fill the glass with lemonade. This is a great for summer, and is sweeter than the others.

Cheers!

Have any drink suggestions or cocktail creations? Send them to the author at rjackson13@wou.edu or on Twitter @rachaelyjackson

Campus garden blossoming after relocation

By: Brianna Bonham
Photo Editor

The campus garden is overflowing with green after its relocation two years ago due to the construction of the new education building. Now located in between the old education building and Rice auditorium, it houses a plethora of plants that student volunteers tend to.

Asia Cohen, a junior ASL studies and special education student, is one of the main caretakers of the garden. Cohen said that the garden focuses on the community, and sustainability.

“Community is so important,” said Cohen. “We need people to function.”

When asked to describe the garden and it’s goals, Cohen responded by saying, “Sustainable, available, educational, volunteer-based, community. Take what you need, not what you want … We teach about weeds, pests, the struggles of overgrowing. Getting our hands in the dirt takes us back to our roots.”

Cohen said that the new area for the garden is a better location due to the fencing and that the plants are doing well. The garden club encourage students to help tend to the garden, anyone is welcome and there is a garden guide posted on the fence.

The garden is home to many plants, including potatoes, spinach, strawberries, raspberries, artichokes, onions, carrots, and various types of herbs. Seeds used to grow the plants in the garden came from local seed shares such as the Monmouth Public Library. Any seeds that are not used get donated again.

The garden is working toward growing enough food to give to Valsetz dining hall.

The garden club also gives fresh produce to the Western Oregon food pantry, where students in need of food are encouraged to take what they need. They are hoping to produce enough that they can give some to local family businesses, such as Yang’s Teriyaki and Yeasty Beasty.

The garden club works with the Environmental Club to promote sustainability through the garden.

“The campus garden is a place where students are able to explore hands-on sustainable practices. We can read and talk a lot about sustainability, but you can’t beat experiencing it. The garden provides a space for that. Getting your hands dirty, smelling the soil, and seeing new life emerge from your efforts can be a very powerful experience,” said Mark Van Steeter, professor of Geography at Western and advisor to the Environmental Club.

If you’re interested in getting your hands dirty, Cohen has garden hours that get posted on the WOU Campus Garden Facebook page.

Contact the author at bbonham15@wou.edu or on Twitter @WOUjournalphoto

Humans of Western

By: Joleen Braasch
Staff Writer

Lars Soderlund, Western’s newest Assistant Professor of English and Director of Professional Writing shares his thoughts on happiness, Oregon, and the students of Screen Shot 2016-04-24 at 2.49.59 PMWestern.

Lars:
Abraham Lincoln is sometimes quoted as saying, “People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be,” and although the internet now tells me that he never said that, I think it’s good advice. I mean, telling yourself you’re happy through gritted teeth is pretty grim, but remembering that we do have some say over our attitude toward our lives seems important. So the moment I was most successful at saying that was when I was an MA grad student at the University of South Carolina and really had a pretty awesome life. But the moment I felt the most long-term happiness, like I had life figured out and I was confident in the decisions I had made up to that point, was marrying my wife on May 10, 2014.

…

Oregon totally rules. Growing up in Ohio was good, but Oregon is just better, from politics to weather to respect for nature. I would enjoy more local hiking paths, though.

…

My wife is even better than Oregon. We met in a bar with friends, some of whom included her very recent ex and a girl that Laurel insists was hoping to date me. After that night of awkwardness, it’s been pretty smooth sailing. I’m a big apologizer, and Laurel is also not afraid of apologizing, and that’s been key to our relationship: the point of our disagreements is never to win but to be self-effacing in admitting our part in whatever caused the tumult.

…

My favorite part about Western is the students. My students are dedicated, whip-smart, and very funny and enjoyable people. I can ask students how I could improve the class and they will tell me, and I can ask them to do creative work and they will impress me. I’m a writing professor because I really love to see students’ writing improve, and it’s such a hard process that I get to build a classroom of mutually supportive colleagues. Now that I’m teaching these new Professional Writing courses like Writing Across Media and Professional Concerns (i.e. the “Get a Job” class) and Grant Writing, I feel like I’m building up a community of students who are truly impressive writers.

Dear Esmeralda

Dear Esmeralda,

My roommate recently came back from a trip with a sma
ll dog. There was Screen Shot 2016-04-17 at 9.05.53 PMno discussion and she never asked my permission. I’m okay with the dog (she is a lot of fun), but I’m still mad that I never got a say. Should I say something or just learn to let it go?

Thanks,
Struggling with Anger

 

Dear Struggling with Anger,

First things first: what does your lease agreement say? That can cause all sorts of problems if pets aren’t allowed. Let’s be real … that kinda shizz gets people kicked out of their houses! So kitty girl (or should I say puppy girl?) that would be the first place I would start. As I seem to say a lot in these letters communication is key, hunty! I would talk to your roommate. Start by saying that in the future you should communicate major things like this in advance, because there’s only room for one b**** in here and you’re the head b****! Well, maybe not that last part … That part is just for some spice! Olé! The best course of action, in this humble drag queen’s opinion, would be a combination of your two suggestions. Say something and then let it go. If you don’t say anything your roommate may use this to their advantage in the future and no tea, no shade — that can ruin a relationship.

Hope this helped!
XOXO Esmeralda

Studying Gender in College

By: Zoe Strickland
Northwest Passage Editor

In college, one of the most difficult things to do is decide your major. But what about your minor? Western offers an extensive list of minors, some of which you may not even be aware of. Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary minor which includes women’s studies, LGBT studies, men’s studies, and the study of human sexuality. According to Western’s website, “the goal of gender studies is to better understand and ultimately transform our lives and the world in which we live.”

Some of the classes you can take as a Gender Studies minor include Psychology of Women, Human Sexuality, and Communication and Gender. I sat down with the current professor teaching Communication and Gender, Dr. Dana Schowalter, and one of the Human Sexuality professors, Amy Hammermeister Jordan to discuss the study of gender and sexuality.

“Gender is one of those things that we encourage people to never question,” said Schowalter. “That we have boys and girls and that our bodies fit those binaries and that that’s just the way that it is … when you can introduce people to the reality of what’s happening around gender it can introduce people to new academic fields that are really important … that’s knowledge that people can take into the world.”

Minoring in Gender Studies is something that can be applied to a myriad of different fields; the differences between how various genders are treated is something that is personified once you begin to study it.

“I see in the media this sort of tension between people who have more progressive ideas about gender identity…and people who are very afraid of those types of discourse and … once you start to take a look at the research that’s out there and you actually start to look at the facts … there’s no reason to be afraid of it,” said Schowalter. “I think that gender studies programs are just vital for getting rid of that fear of those different types of conversation and instead replacing it with all of this knowledge”

“I think it’s all about acknowledging I’m a person, you’re a person. I hear you, I see you, I validate you. Person to person. And gender doesn’t have to be a part of that … I think that would be a beautiful thing. That’s my dream.” said Hammermeister. Minoring in Gender Studies is a way to become more aware of the world around you, and the issues surrounding nearly everybody in society.

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

Dogs of Western

By: Brianna Bonham
Photo Editor

With warmer weather approaching, Western’s dogs have made their appearance on campus. Usually flocked by groups of dog-deprived students, these furry friends aren’t hard to miss. There have also been an increase of service dogs training around campus, Screen Shot 2016-04-24 at 2.47.16 PMso please remember to be courteous and look for the vest when asking to pet a dog.

From Corgis to Golden Retrievers, these dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds, but they all light a spark of excitement in us when we see one across the street.

Cocktail Corner

By: Alvin Wilson
Staff Writer

Bourbon is my favorite liquor by far. Its complexity and spice is something you can’t get from many other liquors. Bourbon also happens to mix very well, and it is used in a variety of cocktails. Here are recipes for some of my favorite bourbon cocktails.

Note: these cocktails are all very strong and therefore intended for sipping.

Old Fashioned: bourbon (I prefer Wild Turkey for cocktails), Angostura bitters, sugar, and ice.

Place a teaspoon of sugar at the bottom of a dry rocks glass. Pour three dashes of bitters over the sugar and let the sugar begin to dissolve. Angostura bitters have a taste and smell that is reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves.

Add a dash of water to the glass and mix until all of the sugar is dissolved. Place a large ice cube in the glass, and pour one-and-a-half ounces of bourbon over it. Mix until the glass starts to fog up.

Shave a thin slice of orange peel and twist it over the drink to release the essential oils. Drop the peel in the drink, and enjoy.

Whiskey Sour: bourbon, fresh squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice.
This drink is shaken, so add the ingredients to a cup that you can cover and shake. Fill the cup halfway with ice. Add half an ounce of fresh lemon juice (fresh is key here), and half an ounce of simple syrup. To make simple syrup, boil equal parts sugar and water until the sugar is dissolved, then let it cool.

Next, pour 1.5 ounces of bourbon into the cup and shake aggressively for about 30 seconds. Strain into your serving glass, and garnish with a slice of lemon.

Mint Julep: bourbon, fresh mint, simple syrup, and crushed ice.

Place six to eight fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a rocks glass. Add two teaspoons of simple syrup, and lightly muddle the leaves with a spoon.

Fill the glass nearly to the rim with crushed ice, and pour in three ounces of bourbon. Mix well, and top the glass with more crushed ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.

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