The Woods

By Lacey Henson
Staff Writer

Photo provided by Annie Jones

Learning about evolution and the creation of the universe in a lecture in a biology class is normal anywhere else.
But only at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College can students receive the same lesson by walking a nature trail.
The Cosmic Walk nature trail was inaugurated in late August and is the newest nature trail.
The Cosmic Walk is “a walking meditation,” White Violet Center Associate Director, Robyn Morton, says. “Its purpose is to allow a new way of reflecting the origins, creation, and evolution of the universe.”
The trail is viewed as a unique teaching tool.
It is lined with facts, illustrations, and stories about evolution and creation.
The photos on the illustrations that line the trail were taken by Sr. Corlita Bonnarens, RSM of St. Louis. The illustrations act as a new way to tell the story of evolution.
The purpose is to be an eye opener to the evolution and creation of the world and to teach people that the world began many years before human existence
“The Cosmic Walk is a get away place of quiet reflection, a different way of praying,” said White Violet Center Director, Sr. Maureen Freeman. “It reminds us of our place in the universe.”
The trail and its message symbolize the philosophy of the White Violet Center.
It is intended as a humbling experience.
Students should get out of Le Fer during free time and check out not only the Cosmic Walk but other nature trails.
All are open to the public as well.
The Cosmic Walk trail veers off to the left at the entrance of the nature trails. Trails are located on the far North end of campus, past the horse barn and pastures.

Popularity: 28% [?]

By Anna Spydell
Staff Writer

Photo by Anna Spydell/ The Woods

Living in the hollows of trees, constructed bat houses or, more rarely, caves, they range in size from a few inches tall to over a foot, depending on the species. Black or brown in color, they have long, spindly wing bones with stretched membranes between them to help them fly. Their bodies are furry and their tiny faces are inquisitive. Nocturnal hunters, a single bat can eat thousands of insects a night and emits barely audible, high-pitched squeaks.
There may not be a more misunderstood animal than the bat.
Associated with vampires and Halloween, the winged mammal gets a bad rep in Western society. On Aug. 27, the creators of the Fifth Annual Bat Festival set out to change that.
With a team comprised of bat biologists, naturalists, conservationists, and volunteers, the event aimed to present the public with facts about the winged mammal, some species of which are now endangered.
“The main objective of the festivals are to educate kids, the general public and teachers about bats and why we should help them to survive, and dispel the myths about bats,” said Indiana State biology professor Dr. John Whitaker, one of the festival’s founders.
Indiana is no stranger to bats. We share the Wabash Valley with four different species of bats alone, with many more living within the state.
They eat irritating undesirables such as mosquitoes by the thousands each night, as well as rootworms that threaten our agriculture.
According to Bats Conservation International bat populations are declining almost everywhere. The loss of these mammals could have devestating consequences for local ecosystesms.
Focusing on outreach and conservation, the festival sought to teach people more about bats, the important role they play in the environment and why humans shouldn’t fear them.
From 10 a.m. till 5 p.m., the public packed into the Indiana State University’s Science Building for live and silent auctions, bat merchandise and demonstrations with both live bats and birds of prey, as well as face painting and an inflatable cave for little ones.
“We have produced six brochures about bats and they are free to the public. Each year at the festival, we introduce another booklet in our ‘Bats of…’ series.  In 2007, it was ‘Bats of Indiana’, then Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Kansas.  Next year it will be ‘Bats of Pennsylvania,’” Whitaker said.

Popularity: 25% [?]

Photo provided by Peacefield Equine Sanctuary

By Lauren Nelson

Staff Writer

Twenty minutes away from campus is an equine facility dedicated to rescuing horses. Peacefield Equine Sanctuary is a place where horses that have been abused, starved, and abandoned can find a loving home with Elizabeth Lorenzen, who runs the non-profit facility.

“Many of the horses have been rescued from pretty dire circumstances,” says Lorenzen.

Starting this facility had always been a dream of hers; it was having the finances that had kept it from happening sooner.
James E. Carmichael, her veterinarian for many years, was called to put down a horse that had knee problems but still had the potential to be a happy pasture pet.

Carmichael told Lorenzen about the horse, encouraging her to take it. He did not want to euthanize the horse since it did have so much life left. Willingly, she took on the project. This was Lorenzen’s first of many rescue horses.

“The death of the first horse was very hard, and it made me think I was not cut out for this business,” said Lorenzen.

Carmichael believed differently and helped her with the process, encouraging her to continue with the rescue facility.

There have been many ways that community members have gotten involved in the sanctuary, Molly Migliaccio helped design Peacefield’s logo and business card and several Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students, along with other members of the Terre Haute community, spend their time volunteering at the farm.

While trying to think of ways to raise funds for the rescue, Lorenzen became involved with selling Dark Horse Chocolates, a brand of equestrian-themed gift chocolates. She is currently the only retailer of this brand of chocolate in Indiana.

“I became interested in selling Dark Horse Chocolates after I had heard they helped out not for profit organizations. They are classy and well cared for just like my horses and I wanted that to be shown in what I sold, so I chose Dark Horse Chocolates as a fund raising tool,” she explained.

In addition, she also sells other products that have been handmade locally, such as artisanal soap, stationery, and greeting cards. She provided the first place prizes at the Hunt seat show at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College on Feb. 12. These prizes included homemade soaps and labels.

One of the future goals of the rescue includes placing the horses back into the community so that they can help others. Other non-profits that use horses, such as therapeutic riding centers, could benefit from a foster care program that provides trained, safe horses for their programs free of charge.

Raising the funds to accomplish this will be a long term goal, but is a big one that Lorenzen is determined to achieve.

There are many opportunities to volunteer through the rescue and internships can be arranged for those who need them. To contact Elizabeth Lorenzen about an internship, volunteering, or to purchase any of the products that she is selling, contact her at liblore@gmail.com. To learn more about Peacefield Equine Sanctuary, visit its website at http://peacefield-equinesanctuary.org.

Popularity: 67% [?]

Photo by Colleen Daum

By Emma Campbell

Staff Writer

March 26 will mark yet another Ring Day for the Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College community. In years past, once families with tickets were seated, a stampede of other attendees would crowd shoulder-to-shoulder into the sanctuary of the Church of the Immaculate Conception to see the ceremony.

The biggest concern, as junior class president, Elizabeth Wright, points out, is the space crunch. An usher for the past two years, Wright has witnessed the discomfort of the audience as they fidget and sweat.

This year, the junior class does not have the option to use the balcony or to allow standing room. As a solution, they created Ring Day tickets. Faculty also will have to reserve spots to attend the ceremony, rather than a section being reserved for all of them.

Students become eligible during their junior year for the coveted onyx ring, which is described by the college’s website as “a symbol of academic achievement and the official entry into the community of “Woodsies” throughout the world.”

This event is arguably the most well known tradition that is associated with SMWC. Students receive their rings in an emotional ceremony in front of family, friends, and faculty in the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

These tickets are a requirement for admittance to Ring Day; no one without a ticket will be allowed to attend.

These tickets are in addition to the two reserved-seat tickets each student is allowed for parents or family members. People without reserved-seat tickets will be seated in open sitting.

These tickets are not needed for co-presenters. Co-presenters are SMWC alumnae who have served as a mentor for the student and have helped them during their SMWC career.

Co-presenters are chosen by the student, though they are not required, and stand with the student as they are presented with their ring. They also have reserved seating, though they are not required to have a ticket.

In addition to these changes, the placement of the ring recipients and faculty and staff has been changed in order to better accommodate people. This year the faculty and staff will be seated in the sanctuary behind the altar, while the ring recipients will occupy the area where faculty and staff were previously seated.

Junior class advisor Julie White thinks these seating changes will ultimately benefit the Ring Day ceremony.

“There are 101 participants and limited seating so gaining 40-50 seats that the faculty would use is a nice gain…and the faculty will be an attractive focus for the ceremony … elevated on the altar, facing the congregation” she said.

Other minor changes include added specifics to handicap seating. Any person requesting handicap seating must be using either a wheelchair or a walker, and it is asked that the student reserving the seat specify which is used.

The junior class will also be using new Ring Day banners for this year’s ceremony.

With these changes, Wright is confident that the 2011 ring day ceremony will be memorable for all involved.

“We very slightly tweaked the program to better accommodate our theme, seating situation, and preference.  We are confident that these changes will help to make our Ring Day a memorable and comprehensive ceremony,” she said.

The Ring Day ceremony will take place Saturday March 26 at 3:00 p.m.

Popularity: 66% [?]

By Emma Campbell

Staff Writer

On Feb. 11 – 13 several Saint Mary-of-the-Woods students volunteered their time with the Terre Haute Humane Society at an adoption event hosted by PetSmart.

Junior Morgan McMillian notified Student Development Specialist Deb Light of this event. Light then sent out a campus wide email encouraging students to attend.

McMillian has been volunteering with the Terre Haute Humane Society since late 2008. She works with both the Quality Team (walking shelter dogs) and also acts as a foster home to some shelter cats and dogs.

Around 20 SMWC students volunteered at the event. Assistant Director of Campus Life Elizabeth Coley also attended. Coley and her husband, who also attended the event, signed up to be future volunteers for the shelter.

The adoption event at the Terre Haute Petsmart included several other humane societies, including Sullivan County and Parke-Vermillion County, ect.

For Freshman Ashtyn Dowden, this adoption event was her first time doing volunteer work since starting college.

“I had so much fun seeing friends who were already there and meeting new people from Indiana State University.” She said.

Dowden enjoyed the event so much; she attended another adoption event the following weekend.

“If anyone has just an hour of their time to help out THHS (Terre Haute Humane Society) I would definitely encourage them to do so!” she said.

Volunteer students helped several of the shelters unload supplies and dogs and set up their stations.

Students walked the dogs around the store while socializing with people who were interested in possible adoptions.

“I was extremely impressed with the THHS organization as a whole and thought the event was a major success”, said Coley. “A highlight of our time at the Adoption Day was to be able to give the dogs a little one-on-one time and show each of them off to prospective homes.  If I could, I would have taken every dog home with me!”

The Terre Haute Humane Society was incorporated in 1913. It is a private organization, meaning it relies solely on adoption and owner relinquish fees, as well as donations and volunteer work.

For questions about adoption or volunteer opportunities, call the Terre Haute Humane Society at 812-232-0293 or visit their website at www.thhs.org.

Popularity: 52% [?]

By Danya Long

Staff Writer

Buck Rogers was thrown into the 25^th century when a NASA mission in 1987 catapulted him into another orbit. Co-writers Troy Brownfield, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College assistant professor of journalism, and Matt Brady take on the character of Buck Rogers in a new Buck Rogers Annual 1 comic book that has been received well in the community and around the country since its release on Feb. 9.

Brady and Brownfield depict Buck Rogers on his birthday, a day when his situation is really sinking in—a day when he realizes he is never going home. Doctor Huer makes Buck aware of an annual music transition he receives, which makes Buck go and investigate it, knowing that somehow this is a message from his dead girlfriend. This signal takes Buck and Huer to a neglected but functioning data storage center where they find a recorded message from his girlfriend. The message, which was recorded near the end of her life, tells Buck that he needs to get on with his life even though he is essentially alone. In come the killer robots and the roaming herd of cannibals. The action reaches it high point during the gunfight and the flight to safety. This story helps Buck end a chapter of his life and allows the next heroic story to begin.

Brownfield isn’t new to the world of comics and entertainment. He has worked as a writer for Newsarama.com for seven years, an Associate Editor for Fangoria Comics, and writer for “The Tales of Wonderland: The White Knight,” among other things.

Brady brings his own comic credentials to the table. He founded Newsarama.com in the 1990s and ran it until 2009 when he stepped down. According to Brownfield, Brady has interviewed everybody and been to countless conventions.

“Matt was part of the comic landscape for a long, long time,” said Brownfield.

With Brady off the comic grid and Brownfield still actively writing, the two paired up when Brady pitched an idea to Brownfield and took it to Dynamite Entertainment. At the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo in April 2010, Brownfield was talking to a publisher at Dynamite Entertainment; the suggestion came about the Brownfield and Brady should take on a Buck Rogers annual.

An annual edition in comics usually happens about once a year and is typically a stand-alone story. The Buck Rogers Annual takes place within the framework of the first 12 issues and sets the scene for the next series.

At the time of the convention, Brownfield had no idea what struggle to face Buck with for the annual.

“I went to cover a panel that Marvel was doing. So I’m on my way there in this McClintock Convention Center in Chicago (it’s huge),” said Brownfield. “I’m walking from one end of it to the other, and while I’m on my way there, I get this idea for a Buck Rogers story.”

Brownfield discussed the process of making a comic book and what went into the annual edition. He and Brady wrote the storyline in July and August of 2010, then presented it to Carlos Rafael, the regular artist for the Buck Rogers series. Rafael took his work to Carlos Lopez, the colorist for the series.

“I think that people don’t necessarily understand that in the comic realm it can take a few months,” suggested Brownfield.

Not only does the process of making the comic take months, but the process of selling the comic takes even longer. The cover and detailed description of the comic go in about three months before the comic even comes out. The preview catalog goes out to retailers about two months ahead of time. Then after those two months the comic will hit the stands ready for consumers. Brownfield said that last week Dynamite Entertainment put out their solicitations for comic books that will be released in May.

As for the story of Buck Rogers, who has been around since 1925, any normal person would crumble under this abnormal situation. As Brownfield puts it, the characters in the comic are “wondering when the caveman’s going to crack.” Buck knows how to use the technologies of the future, but each of them is expecting him to lose it.

“The grief of losing a single loved one multiplied by the loss of your entire civilization,” says Brownfield, trying to put into perspective Buck’s feelings.

Since its release, the Buck Rogers Annual 1 has been received well. There have been many positive reviews by writers from sites, such as MajorSpoilers.com and Newsarama.com. The press coverage of the comic helped propel the sales, as well. The writing duo was also interviewed by MTV before the release.

Speaking of sales, good luck finding a copy. Stores around the country have sold out and are waiting for more copies to arrive. Even SMWC’s bookstore is waiting for more, after selling out quickly and having an autograph session with Brownfield.

Brownfield jokes, “It sold really well at The Woods.”

He says that the sales aspect isn’t really the main focus for the team. It was more like “planting a flag as a writing team.” This is important for both Brownfield and Brady because, as a team, they have more in development for the future. Some of these projects are being kept quiet, and some are already at publishers and very close to the green light.

As the interview came to a close, Brownfield left with a lasting comment.

“There’s a lot, lot worse things you can do with your time than write comic books.”

Popularity: 56% [?]

By Emma Campbell

Staff Writer

Sophomore student, Leonora “Nora” Dalipi spent her winter vacation volunteering at Greenpeace, meeting several Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College alumnae, and exploring the nation’s capital.

The process started when Dalipi decided that she wanted to do something “creative” for her winter vacation.

“I just wanted to have a new experience,” she said.

Dalipi, who is also an international student from Kosovo, does not go home over the four week winter break.

Unsure of how to begin, Dalipi asked Associate Professor of Paralegal Studies Kathryn Myers. Once Dalipi decided she wanted to stay and volunteer in Washington D.C., she contacted the Alumnae Relations Office to ask for assistance.

Alumnae Relations then contacted several alums who lived in the D.C. area, asking them if they would be willing to house a current student for some time during her winter vacation, and also if they knew of any Non-For Profit organizations at which Dalipi could volunteer.

Dalipi said the response from alums was amazing. Not only were there several offers of places to stay, but one alum in particular, Jeanne Rewa (’02), who works at Greenpeace, offered a volunteering position to Dalipi during her vacation.

While in D.C., Dalipi stayed with three families. The first was Jay and Anna Keller, a family Dalipi knew outside of SMWC, and friends of her family. They prepared Dalipi for big city life including teaching her how to ride a metro.

After her first week with the Kellers, Dalipi stayed with SMWC alumn Dannielle Beitzell (’10), and her third week with Michelle Parris (‘97). Her fourth and last week in D.C. was spent again with the Keller family.

Dalipi spoke very fondly of her work at Greenpeace.

“Every morning those people came to work to make a difference,” she said, “Not for themselves, but for everyone else.”

Dalipi worked in different offices during her time there. Her first position was in the Executive Office, working under the Executive Director of Greenpeace, Phil Radford.

Here, Dalipi worked on formatting and editing a newsletter for Greenpeace and even wrote a few articles for it.

Next, Dalipi worked with the Global Warming Team. It was with this team that Dalipi gained another perspective.

“We get scared, even as students, to make a difference, because we always see ourselves as small…but I really learned at Greenpeace that if you have the love and passion for whatever you’re doing, you can do whatever you want,” Dalipi said.

Dalipi’s last weeks at Greenpeace were spent working with the Development Team. Here Dalipi saw the donations that Greenpeace receives being a Non For Profit Organization.

All of Dalipi’s hard work did not go without some fun. After working every day from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Dalipi took the rest of the day to explore the city.

Some of her tourist attractions included visiting the Museum of Natural History (three times), a tour of Capitol Hill, a tour of the White House, the National Zoo, and a day trip to Boston.

While in D.C., SMWC helped Dalipi to set up a meeting with Sen. Richard Lugar. Dalipi met him in the Vice President’s Room in the Capitol. There, they spoke briefly and posed for pictures. Dalipi gave Sen. Lugar an SMWC Christmas ornament, which he later sent her a thank you letter for.

Dalipi also got to sit in on a law class at George Washington University Law School. She spoke to SMWC alum Valerie Despres (’89) who attended law school there, and assured Dalipi that she could call her with any questions.

During her stay, Dalipi met and had dinner with SMWC alum Bobbie O’Brien (’67). During dinner, they spoke of the Woods ring, and the meaning it still carries today.

With the help of the Alumnae Relations Office and the Career Development Center, Dalipi said, “The experience was 10 to 15 times better than I thought it would be.”

When asked if she would encourage other students to make similar trips while staying with alums, Dalipi said she has been trying to encourage students choose a destination and go.

Dalipi said that the experience does mature students, and forces them to talk to people outside of their comfort zone. She emphasizes that alums are more than willing to open their homes to students, stating that, while she was there she “felt like family.”

“It really is a step out of your comfort zone…but it’s so worth it at the end of the day.”

Popularity: 52% [?]

By Jade Scott

Editor-in-Chief

William Shakespeare.  The minute an audience hears that name the normal response is to run away as quickly as possible in the opposite direction.

So what made the difference with Saint Mary-of-the-Woods production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’?  Tragedy sprinkled in with dancing, music, comedy, oh and a giant dancing bear.

The SMWC production of this particular play, a tragicomedy, was split into two acts.

Act one (Once Upon a Time) dealt with all of the heavy tragedy whereas act two (Happily Ever After) took a turn and the audience found themselves being entertained with live music, dancing, and then the Satyr Dance with the cast in costumes of part human and part goat.

‘The Winter’s Tale’ follows two kings, Polixenes and Leontes, who have been good friends since childhood.  Tragedy begins when Polixenes (King of Bohemia) believes that his wife, Hermione, had been unfaithful with Leontes.  Jealousy clouds his judgment and he tries to imprison his wife who is with child as well as poison his childhood friend.

Leontes is able to escape back to his home in Sicilia and Hermione is proven innocent after she gives birth to a daughter but not before her son is found dead over distraught of his mother’s possible imprisonment.

Polixenes looses his son, his wife, and even banishes his newborn daughter for he feared she was not his own blood.

“Even though I could not understand the play the entire time, I still enjoyed it,” said Alyssa Flynn, sophomore.

Act two follows the banished daughter of Polixenes, Perdita who was raised by a Shepard.  She falls in love with the son of Leones, Florizel.  In the end everyone finds their ‘happily even after’ with Polixenes regaining his family with Hermione and Perdita who is able to marry Florizel.

Freshman Sherry Bube played the role of Hermione as if she was directly out of the 17^th century.  With this being her first SMWC production with a large role she handled the pressure well and delivered stunning performances.

“I had played a role ‘The House of Barnada Alba’ so this time I was anxious but in an excited way,” Bube said.  “I was most anxious about how I was going to portray my character.”

While this production was not an exact representation of the original the play and story line was left in tact as a whole.

One large difference from an original Shakespearean play and SMWC’s ‘The Winter’s Tale’ was the fact that women were playing several male characters instead of an all male cast.

“It wasn’t as bad for me since I played a younger male character, but some of the others had to wrap their chests to keep a flat male appearance,” said Lauren Sutton who played King Polixenes son, Mamilius.

After almost two months of rehearsal and five productions starting on Feb. 24 and ending on Feb. 27 the large cast and crew of more than 50 students, professor and guest actors came away with a successful spring performance.

“It was completely stressful but rewarding at the same time to be able to see the progression the cast made from the beginning to the last show,” said Assistant Director and Stage Manager Danielle O’Conner.

Popularity: 48% [?]

SPONSORED

Popularity: 33% [?]

By Emma Campbell

Staff Writer

Interim President Dottie King said the College’s decision to cut four majors and combine other majors was driven by the need to “live within our means.”

King said the criteria for deciding what programs would be kept or cut focused on “centrality to the College’s mission”, the ability for programs to be “delivered with distinction”, enrollment in programs, retention in the programs, and the cost effectiveness of the programs.

The purpose, says King, was to hone the College’s marketing and to focus on programs that are growing and in need of more resources; not to save the college money.

“They cuts will not save money; that is not their purpose.”

In the last two years students have seen about a 7% tuition increase. In order to keep the tuition costs lower and increase faculty salaries the College plans to use a “reallocation of resources”.

King says this plan will redistribute resources to programs with growing interest and effectiveness that have been lacking in resources in the past.

King says that in the past, the faculty has been asked to create new programs in order to attract students. There were varying degrees of success in these programs, but when a program did not show to be effective, the College failed to eliminate the program immediately.

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has around 310 on campus students and 37 academic majors before the cuts.

Kings says these numbers create a disparity in faculty workloads.

When asked about whether or not any faculty positions would be eliminated with program cuts, King declined to comment, but reinforced the “reallocation of resources” idea.

Executive Director of College Relations Dee Reed has been monitoring popular social networking site Facebook to read the comments and questions students and alumnae have been posting.

Many students have taken to Facebook to show their displeasure and aggravation at the program cuts.

A product of this aggravation is the new Facebook group “Save St. Mary-of-the-Woods Music and Theatre.” This group, created on Feb. 3 has already gained 671 members.

On this site students and alumnae voice their concerns about what the cuts may mean to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

King, who has not been on Facebook herself, says that she does not want students to stop voicing their opinions.

She said, “Woods women are exactly who we want them to be. They have opinions and are not afraid to voice them.”

She does remind students that once you put something out on the internet, you can never take it back.

Also, she said “Some students overstepped a line of professionalism in regard to certain comments.”

When asked if students, faculty, and staff could expect another town hall meeting in which they could ask questions of the committee, King said it way highly unlikely.

King does remain open for answering any questions that the college community may have.

She says, “Sometimes negative decisions are made for positive reasons.”

“A great deal of thought went into these decisions, and I believe these changes will benefit Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College in the long run.”

Popularity: 42% [?]