Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Students to use race as a conversation starter
Colleen Bott
Contributing Writer
Black History month is a way for people to globally recognize prominent events in black history.
Currently the US, Canada and the UK celebrate this month annually. This year, Xavier will add to the national observance.
A Conversation on Race: Understanding Misunderstanding, will take place on campus from 12-6 p.m. this Saturday, February 10th, in the Schiff Family Conference Center. The Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Student Directors of Diversity, along with other interested students, faculty and staff, have been planning the event in order to encourage dialogue on campus about the important topic of race.
This event is a part of several educational events and interactive presentations that will take place at Xavier during Black History Month. Interested students can sign up at the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Junior Leke Oni will be one of the student facilitators.
“During the event we will be showing clips from films like ‘Crash’ and Racism 101. We will have various stereotype exercises and white privileges activities as well as large and small group discussions,” said Oni.
All students are encouraged to attend and participate in the conversation. Dinner will also be provided for participants at 4:00 p.m.
As facilitator, Oni will have many responsibilites during the event.
“I will lead one of the stereotype exercises and I will be responsible for stirring up conversation among one of the small groups. In addition to my written role, I will also try to enhance the program with participation and explanations whenever I am not busy facilitating,” he said.
Oni is excited to be a part of this event.
“I want to be part of the program that will close the diversity gap at Xavier University. This program has the potential to be something really big and perhaps turn into an annual event where everyone can come together in an effort to simply understand one another. I was more than honored to be asked to facilitate sections of the program,” he said.
Other events that will take place during this week of Black History Month include a Leadership Black History Presentation at noon on Thursday, Feb. 8th in the GSC Clocktower Lounge.
Oni hopes that students are willing to join the discussion.
“It is absolutely critical that people begin to walk outside of their box and feel very uncomfortable so that we can all understand one another better. Without this basic understanding of others’ mentality and feelings, this country will never have an end to the numerous racism problems that it already has. That is what this program is set out to do; have people speak up and speak out about all of their experiences, thoughts, feelings, etc. so that others can understand where everyone else is coming from, which in turn will solve many racially stirred problems.”
Black History Month activities
Colleen Bott
Contributing Writer
Week of February 4-11
Kingdoms of Africa display: Second floor of the Gallagher Student Center (GSC) all week. Observe the various kingdoms of Africa from whence the descendents of African Americans originated. Sponsored by BSA Executive Board.
Thursday, February 8
Leadership Black History Presentation: GSC Clocktower Lounge, noon. Sponsored by BSA Leadership Committee and Peer Leadership Team
Saturday, February 10
A Conversation on Race: Understanding Misunderstanding: Cintas Center Conference, rooms four and five, noon. Sign up at the OMA for a day of meaningful, honest, open conversation with your peers through different activities. Sponsored by Jess Pasionek and the Student Directors of Diversity.
Sunday, February 11
400th anniversary of the day our African ancestors landed in Jamestown, VA.
Wednesday, February 14
Little Italy: Dinner and a movie: GSC Clocktower Lounge, 7 p.m. Come with your sweet valentine and enjoy a nice dinner and movie. Sponsored by BSA Social Committee.
White Abolitionists and Civil Rights Leaders display: GSC second floor, all week. Take a look at the various people who fought for freedom and equal rights for African Americans. Sponsored by BSA Executive Board.
Thursday, February 15
“Pride” sneak preview: GSC Theatre, 7 p.m., popcorn and drinks, 6 p.m. Join the OMA staff for a sneak preview of the film about Jim Ellis (played by Terrance Howard) starting a swim team for troubled teens in Philadelphia. Sponsored by OMA.
Friday, February 16
“Has the Dream Been Deferred?: Reflections on Civil Rights Activism Past and Present”: Cintas Center, 7 p.m., Martin Luther King III and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga, reflect on their experiences with civil rights activism both past and present. Sponsored by the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.
Saturday, February 17
Invisible: Meet in Bellarmine, 10:30 a.m. Come see the “Invisible” exhibit at the Underground Railroad Freedom Center for $4. Transportation provided. Sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Gentlemen Organized for Achievement and Leadership (GOAL).
Tuesday, February 20
Open Mic Night: Time TBA. Join Xavier students as they express themselves through song, spoken word and dance. Sponsored by BSA Cultural Committee.
Wednesday, February 21
Black Leaders in History display: GSC second floor, all week. Sponsored by BSA Executive Board and BSA Leadership Committee.
Thursday, February 22
Volunteering in New Orleans forum: Kelley Auditorium in Alter Hall, 6 p.m. Listen to Xavier students’ experiences in their volunteer work with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
Sponsored by BSA Forums and Workshops Committee.
Monday, February 26
Dissecting the “Boondocks” show: Location and time TBA. Are you a frequent viewer of the Boondocks? Have you ever seen the show or read the comic strip? Well, come out and hear what lies beneath this comedy. Sponsored by BSA Executive Board.
Tuesday, February 27
“What’s a minstrel show?”: Location and time TBA: Learn about the history of minstrel shows in America, including contemporary forms of entertainment that have been influenced by this derogatory “art” form. Sponsored by BSA Executive Board
Throughout the entire month, BSA will also be raising money to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Information courtesy Xavier University.
Professor Profile: Dr. Dorothy “Dottie” Engle
Tyler Burgei
Contributing Writer
Biology professor Dr. Dorothy Engle began her teaching career at Xavier in 1990 and has influenced students pursuing careers in the field of science ever since.
She has taught biology lectures and labs, cell biology, Ecology and People, along with senior research seminars. She says she loves to teach fresh, first-year science majors in the introductory biology courses, but working with experienced science students in the more advanced courses is also a treat because she enjoys seeing how much they have grown intellectually and personally since their first year.
Dr. Engle is exceedingly involved in committees at XU. She has been a member of the Peace Studies and E/RS committees, as well as the Arts and Science curriculum committee. She has also been involved with the Health Sciences committee, the Ernest Just Society, the Academic Task Force and occasionally assists with the Biology Club, the Pre-Med Society and AED. In addition, Dr. Engle devotes time to Xperience Days, interviewing Dual Admission candidates and writing many letters of recommendation.
A former cell biologist, Dr. Engle is currently working with Dr. Farnsworth and using her expertise in DNA technology to look at animal behavior and genetics. Such work includes student co-authors. The biology department is also sending a student to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and three students to another conference in Ohio.
Besides the work she does at Xavier, Dr. Engle is also actively involved with her family and community. She lives with her husband and son in College Hill where they have started clubs like the LEGO League Club for neighborhood kids, which is free because of donations from the XU math/computer science and physics departments.
Dr. Engle’s husband, a former environmental consultant, does volunteer work for their neighborhood and church. Her son is a seventh grader at Walnut Hills. She and her family are very much connected with their church.
“We are called to serve God especially in the area of social justice and racial reconciliation,” Dr. Engle comments passionately.
Family hobbies include vacationing at land they own out east and traveling west to places like Arizona, Mt. Rushmore and Devil’s Tower.
Dr. Engle feels that teaching at Xavier has been a blessing. Originally, she did not plan on teaching, but she quickly found her niche after arriving at Xavier while conducting research. She says that working with the staff and curious, enthusiastic students of Xavier University is what makes her job so much fun.
When asked to comment on some students’ lamentation of the nine credit hours of science required by the core curriculum, Dr. Engle says that all students need to have a basic education in all things, humanities and science alike. She says that the non-major science courses are designed to “educate students in scientific principles needed for decision-making in normal life, like health issues or voting on environmental concerns. Some of the courses are just plain fun, too.”
Dr. Engle concludes with advice for sciencemajors as well as the rest of the student population: “Professors at XU are here to help and offer advice. Take the advice they give and use the resources provided. Work hard and trust your professors; they meet with admissions committees of professional schools and tell their students the truth about what it takes to succeed.” Then, on a lighter note, Dr. Engle ended with: “I’m on Facebook…Check it out!”
Police Notes
Jan. 30, 11:12 p.m.—A student reported having received annoying text messages on her cell phone.
Jan. 30, 11:15 p.m.—An RA reported having received annoying calls on her answering machine.
Feb. 2, 8:03 a.m.—A student reported a stolen wallet, keys and cell phone from a classroom in the Armory.
Feb. 2, 10:28 p.m.—Two students and one non-student were cited for the possession of and for smoking marijuana in a residence hall.
Feb. 4, 8:27 p.m.—Campus Police and Physical Plant were informed that an oven had caught fire and burned itself out in the Village’s Multipurpose Room.
Police Note of the Week
Feb. 2, 7:45 a.m.—A Physical Plant employee reported that someone used chalk to draw sexually explicit stick-figure images on a blackboard in Alter Hall.
Kelly Shaw 
Campus News Editor
Athenaeum submissions
Would you like to be published? Please submit your original prose, poetry or artwork to the Athenaeum by March 15, 2007. Articles can be submitted to the SGA Office, Hinkle Faculty Services Desk or to groenta@xavier.edu. For more information, contact Tiffany Groen at groenta@xavier.edu
Criminal justice speakers
All Criminal Justice students are invited to attend talks by a series of speakers who will come to campus in the next few weeks to discuss possible job opportunities and internships. They will also be providing advice on how to start the application process that is necessary in order to work in the field. The different presenters will discuss topics ranging from Youth Services and Global Security to County Probation. The sessions will take place from 11:30-12:20 p.m. on Feb. 9, 16, and 23 in Cohen Hall, room193. E-mail Taylor Russell at russellt@xavier.edu for more information.
Spend your
time well
Xavier University Television Association’s (XUTVA) late night talk show “Time Well Spent” encourages all students to come watch and support this Friday at 3:30 p.m. in the Brockman TV studio. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights, as well as at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.
Résumé workshop
Gear up for the Spring Internship and Career Fair by preparing your résumé. Join Debbie Curl-Nagy, Coordinator for Experiential Opportunities, in learning how to create a résumé that highlights your accomplishments. The workshop will start at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 in GSC, room 214. Pizza and soft drinks will be served. Contact the Career Services Center at (531) 745-3141 for more information.
SGA informational meeting
If you are interested in becoming a candidate in the Student Government Association Executive Elections, you are asked to attend an informational meeting with the Board of Elections from 5-8 p.m. on either Feb.12, 13 or at 5 p.m. on Feb. 14 in GSC, room 210. All members of each ticket should attend one of these meetings. Contact Julio Minsal-Ruiz, Chairman of the Board of Elections for questions at x8166 or minsal-ruizj@xavier.edu.
New Freedom Center exhibit
Discount tickets are available to the National Underground Freedom Center’s new exhibit, “Invisible: Slavery Today,” currently on display from Jan. 6 - Feb. 28. Tickets are through the department of psychology. Contact Dr. Cathy McDaniels Wilson, mcdanielswilson@xavier.edu, or (513) 745-3072 for information.
Tanzanian research
Two faculty researchers, Marie Giblin and Kathleen Smythe, will discuss some of the results of their Faculty Fellowship research that was conducted in Tanzania during the fall semester of last year at 4 p.m. on Feb. 21 in the Conaton Board Room. Everyone interested in issues of globalization, aid, international relations, ethics and Africa are welcome to participate.
Corrections
Last week’s article on the stargaze contained three errors. Professor Hamilton is a Visting Assistant Professor of Physics and Mathematics, Saturn is located one billion miles away from Earth and the Seven Sisters is a system of stars.
