Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Ann Tassone
Managing Editor
Last Friday, many individuals were recognized with the prestigious Xavier University Founder’s Day Award. Every year since 1978, Xavier has presented this award to “modern day founders” of the university, individuals whose contributions to Xavier have helped the university to serve students and society more effectively.
The award this year was given to the Jesuit priests and brothers who have served St. Xavier College and Xavier University over the past 175 years. The award was accepted by John LaRocca, S.J., rector of the Jesuit community at Xavier, on behalf of the Society of Jesus.
The event included congratulatory messages from University of Cincinnati President Nancy Zimpher, Northern Kentucky University President Jim Vortuba, U.S. House Majority Leader and 1977 Xavier graduate John Boehner, and Ohio Secretary of State and 1970 Xavier graduate Ken Blackwell.
The Founder’s Day celebration continued until the following Saturday, which kicked off at 9 a.m. with the first annual Evanswood Fun Run Festival at Cintas Center. It began with a three mile run followed by a community festival that included music, food, arts and crafts and a cornhole tournament. The day’s events ended at 5 p.m., and the entire day was free and open to the public.
The Founder’s Day celebration’s focus was on the partnership and blending of Evanston and Norwood, the two communities that border the Xavier campus. Because of this, the event was appropriately named the “Evanswood” celebration, which was said to celebrate the range of rich cultural gifts that each neighborhood brings to the community at large.
Xavier University’s 34th Jesuit President, Michael Graham, S.J., has been successful in raising Xavier’s profile in the community by getting Xavier involved in a variety of outreach.
Xavier was founded in 1831 when Edward Fenwick, Cincinnati’s first Catholic bishop, founded the Athenaeum as the first institution of higher education in what was then the “Northwest Territory” of the United States. He was said to have recognized the importance of educating leaders for his new diocese.
In 1840, John Baptist Purcell, Fenwick’s successor, led the Superior General of the Society of Jesus to take over management of the college. In the fall of that year, three Jesuit priests, two Jesuit scholastics and three Jesuit brothers began their educational work in Cincinnati at what was renamed Saint Xavier College.
Today, Xavier University is the largest Catholic university in the greater Cincinnati area. Recent national rankings include: a number two ranking by U.S. News & World Report among 142 Midwest Colleges and Universities in the 2007 edition of “America’s Best Colleges”; a listing by The Princeton Review in its annual book, “The Best 361 Colleges”; and 11th of 700 schools ranked by The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine as one of the top schools for entrepreneurs.
Tyler Burgei
Contributing Writer
The second annual Vision of Hope Speaker Series got underway September 26 in the Schiff Family Conference Center at Cintas Center with guest speakers Paul Knitter and James Buchanan. This presentation, entitled “A Global Ethic Today,” is the first of five that will be available for students and the public throughout the school year.
Basically, if your theology professor offered extra credit for attending this, and you were too busy, tired, lazy, etc. to do so, here is a small token of appreciation for picking up The Newswire.
The evening began with a video outlining the originators of the idea of a global ethic and the five pillars that make up the new world order: developing and living a global ethic; living a culture of non-violence; promoting a culture where natural human rights are second nature; economic structures enforcing democracy; and living out the idea of a democratic world order. These five ideals were the basis of each speaker’s dialogue.
James Buchanan was the first to speak, addressing broad questions such as, “What form of globalization will we take?” and “What sort of options are there for taking responsibility to ensuring global ethic and addressing injustice?”
Buchanan stated that there are three global contributions that are seen as social traps of modernity: markets, technology and the notion of the individual and the individual rights. He discussed how each contribution gradually developed into a problem by becoming practically autonomous.
He pointed out that markets have become only about competition with other markets instead of truly working towards a higher good; technology has begun advancing simply for the sake of technology instead of for creating more efficient tools; and the individual, by buying into these sorts of things, has become completely consumptive.So what? What’s wrong with this picture? “Every moral person should have grave reservations about this autonomous world,” he ended.
Paul Knitter, professor emeritus of theology at Xavier, followed up Buchanan’s segment with a more religion-based approach to global ethic. He declared that the contribution of religions to the global ethic is a(n): 1) necessity, 2) opportunity, 3) problem.
Knitter made his point that religion is a necessity by proposing that there needs to be a balance between autonomy with ethical values and convictions and suggesting that the economy, though free, must be moral as well – this freedom must be exercised as a member of society.
He ended this point by saying that religions are the best source for providing a moral sentiment in the free economy because each religion has a basic golden rule: “I can be happy only if I am concerned about your happiness.”
Dr. Knitter went on to discuss religion as an opportunity for global ethic. He stated that, if religions can come together to work for implementing a moral ethic, there is opportunity for inter-religious dialogue.
The obvious problem with this: where to find a basis for all major religions of the world to come together. Knitter answered logically: a shared common concern for the tremendous amount of needless suffering in the world today.
By agreeing on such a common recognition, there is opportunity among the people of all religions to become friends in solidarity before becoming friends in religious beliefs.
Courtney Gillett
Asst. Campus News Editor
In general, whenever someone mentions the “Caribbean,” it conjures images of coconut trees, turquoise beaches and endless sunshine. In the first production of their fall season, the Xavier Players’ “Caribbean Blend” blends these images with historical facts and the poignant and poetic verses of Derek Walcott, the 1992 Noble Prize Winner for Literature. This mixture portrays a Caribbean that seeks to rectify and come to terms with its history that is characterized by periods of slavery and colonialism.
Daryl Harris, the Assistant Professor of Theater at Northern Kentucky University and the Director of “Caribbean Blend,” was first approached by Kathy Springfield, the director of the Theater Department,when the original director became ill and had to cancel. Harris embraced the project, finding within it new meanings and fresh interpretations of having and accepting one’s identity.
Although Walcott’s poems are most times a challenge to interpret, especially considering the density of Walcott’s words, Harris stated that the difficulty for him as a director was not getting the words across, but more so was in “honoring the culture.” He explained that “even though there are some comparable elements among the African and African American cultures, there is a difference in being descendants of slaves and also in being colonized at the same time.”
The play’s main character, “Makak,” is played by sophomore Reggie Willis and is the one who tries, through his seeming madness, to engender the feeling of identity within the ideals of his followers who all seek freedom and release in the hills of Monkey Mountain. To prepare for his role, Willis stated that he had to draw on his past experience from roles in plays such as “The Meeting” and “My Children, My Africa.” This and his interaction with some of his African co-workers assisted him in getting his dialect and pronunciations correct.
For Willis, preparing for his role meant getting more than just the dialect right; it was about forging a connection with “Makak” and his quest for independence and for the freedom to return to his roots and being able to accept his heritage.
“Everyone…has a past, and understanding this historical past is critical [in being aware] to one’s ethnicity and heritage,” said Willis.
However, the play does not neglect to include the rhythms that are so distinctive to the Caribbean region. The dance coordinator, Flora Leptak-Moreau, spent almost eight hours per week working with the cast, assisting them in portraying movements that represent Caribbean religious rituals and social events such as the carnival.
Elizabeth Martin, Stage Manager and Assistant Director, and Heather Skrzypiec, First Assistant Stage Manager, are thrilled to have been working on the project. As this was her first time being a stage manager, Martin said, “I was petrified at first, but now I really like it because I got to maintain control over the action, and I have gotten to know the cast, and have gained a deeper appreciation for the workings of the theatre.”
Skrzypiec, a sophomore English major, calls the play “delightful” and urges everybody to come out and support the Xavier Players and their first production of the season. Both Martin and Skrzypiec would like to thank the entire cast and Kathy Springfield for assisting them in the stage managing process.
As a lasting sentiment, Martin was reminded that, “No matter who you are and what background you have, someone will always hold some level of prejudice against you. [The only way you can overcome that] is to stand up for your beliefs.” And, indeed, that is the heritage of strength in one’s identity that Walcott and “Caribbean Blend” confidently present.
The play will run from October 5-8 and tickets will be available at the GSC Theater box office.
Mary Coughlin
Contributing Writer
Professional sculptor and art instructor Kelly Phelps breaks the mold of traditional professors at Xavier University. Phelps has been a college art instructor since 2000, starting his career at the University of Dayton, and has been on the Xavier faculty since 2003. He has taught several courses including Sculpture, Drawing (for majors and non-majors), Senior Seminar, 3-D Design and the Art Experience.
What does one think of when he/she considers what a traditional Xavier professor looks like? Perhaps for a male, one would think of someone whose attire consists of slacks (khakis, dress pants, occasional jeans, etc.), a decent shirt (button-up, collared, sweater, etc.) and maybe a pair of Hush Puppies.
However, as Kelly (his preferred address by students) puts it: “That’s not me.” Kelly’s standard apparel? Black or blue jeans, a black T-shirt that reveals the numerous tattoos on his arms and steel-toed boots. What’s the point, one may ask, of revealing the standard attire of a teacher? For Phelps, his clothing is not simply a fashion statement – it is a representation of what he stands for as a person in his artwork and where he is from.
Kelly’s goal as an artist, along with his twin brother Kyle (with whom he does most of his artwork), is to represent the working class, namely blue-collared factory workers, and the struggles they undergo.
He sculpts many controversial pieces, including ones that incorporate the American flag, which put a face to the working class in an effort to make artwork that is about everyday people instead of traditional artwork that represents elitist groups.
He has sold pieces to several infamous people, including Morgan Freeman and Michael Moore, and has done extensive workshops from coast to coast. Kelly and his brother’s artwork can currently be seen in an exhibit entitled “Blue Collar” at the Aronoff Center (Western Art Gallery) through the middle of November.
Phelps encourages his students to follow his lead as artists; he teaches them to break away from the traditional art and truly represent themselves in all of their pieces. This sculptor has found more ways than one to cast his own mold.
Sept. 25, 11:08 p.m.—After closing hours, Campus Police escorted a student out of Schmidt Fieldhouse.
Sept. 26, 10:45 p.m.—A student reported being harassed by other students while eating in the cafeteria earlier that evening.
Sept. 27, 4:50 p.m.—A student reported that their ATM card had been misused at the US Bank ATM near Kuhlman Hall.
Sept. 29, 10:58 a.m.—An employee reported that his/her tire had been slashed while his/her car was parked in the Cohen parking lot.
Sept. 29, 9:10 p.m.—Five non-students were given warnings against trespassing in Schmidt Fieldhouse. They were then sent on their way.
Sept. 30, 3:05 a.m.—A commuter student was issued a citation for possessing an open container of beer in a public space.
Sept. 30, 8:24 p.m.—Residence Life reported that someone damaged a fire extinguisher cabinet in the Commons.
Oct. 2, 2:00 p.m.—A student reported that his cell phone and wallet were stolen from the cafeteria.
Oct. 2, 8:23 p.m.—A student reported that $125 in electronic equipment was stolen from his/her vehicle.
Oct. 2, 3:45 p.m.—A student reported being assaulted by three non-students on Sept. 30. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 a.m. as the student was leaving the 1900 block of Cleneay Ave. Norwood Police was notified and will investigate the incident.
Police Note of the Week
Oct.2, 11:18 p.m.—Campus Police assisted Norwood Police with a large party on the 2000 block of Wayland. Two students were cited by Norwood Police for having a disorderly house.
Kelly Shaw 
Campus News Editor
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. announces that the applications for the 2006 Rebecca Sewell-Cummings Scholarship are now available in the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), GSC room 280. It is a $500 book scholarship, and all forms are due in OMA by 5 p.m. on Nov. 1. Contact Melissa Kopriva at koprivam@xu.edu or Jasmin Watson El at wastoneljs@xu.edu.
Banner Supplies
The Student Activities Council (SAC) provides banner paper and paints to all SGA-recognized clubs and organizations. These supplies are available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the SAC office, on the second floor of GSC. Pick up only two banners per event.
XU Football T-Shirts
The XU Football Club will be selling T-Shirts from 11a.m.-2 p.m. until Friday in the GSC. The cost is $10 per shirt. Contact Joe Moorman at moormanjrl@xavier.edu or 745-3345.
Advocates for Animals
The club Advocates for Animals will hold a prayer service at the statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 5. The event takes place outside of the library and all are welcome. The service will include St. Francis’ “Sermon to the Birds” and a prayer for higher level of humane animal treatment. The regular meeting for Advocates for Animals will follow at 7 p.m. in Alter Hall. Please check the lobby for the room number. Contact Doug Kramer, President of Advocates for Animals, at AFAX@xavier.edu for more information.
Shantytown
Shantytown is an annual event intended to raise funds to help end homelessness in Cincinnati and also to educate the Xavier community on issues surrounding homelessness. This is an easy and enjoyable way for groups and clubs to get involved in contributing to social justice causes. Any organization or club interested should send a representative to the informational meeting that will be held at 5:30 p.m on Thursday in GSC room 214. It should last approximately half an hour. Email Katie Vinopal at vinopalk@xavier.edu with questions.
Support Our Troops
There will be an informational meeting by the Support Our Troops group on campus at 9 p.m. on Oct. 4. The event will be held in the Armory, classroom one. Any interested groups or clubs should send a representative. For additional questions, contact Erin Martz at martzek@xavier.edu.
'Time Well Spent' audience
The Xavier University Television Associacion (XUTVA) broadcasts the show “Time Well Spent” every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and on Sundays at 12:30 p.m. To be a part of the studio audience, come to the TV studio located on the south end of Brockman Hall. Everyone is welcome.
Latin Dance update
The Romero Center would like to thank all those who co-sponsored and participated in the Latin Dance 2006, in particular SOL, VOS, SAC, Weekenders and the Spanish Club. Together, they assisted in raising $1,096.45 that was donated to the Red Cross’ Measles Initiative.
