Professor Profile: Fr. John LaRocca
Megan Jacobs
Staff Writer
Megan Jacobs
The Jesuit tradition is one of the reasons that many students decide to come to Xavier. Not only do Jesuits live in the dorms, but Fr. John LaRocca, S.J., resident Jesuit of Kuhlman, cooks pasta for the students every Friday. LaRocca, who teaches European History and a class on Tudor England, shares even more of himself with students.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Xavier?
A: The people, including students, my colleagues and the support and maintenance staff. It just tends to be an incredibly friendly place.
Q: What is your least favorite thing about Xavier?
A: It is a good and a bad thing. The good thing is that we are more than the sum of our parts. We manage to do a lot of really good things, but it could be done better if we had more money.
Q: If you had a time machine, what time period would you go back and visit?
A: Early Modern England. I have probably read more laws for that time period than modern laws, and because the Jesuits were founded in the period that I teach.
Q: What is your favorite movie based on a historical event?
A: I have two. The first is “A Man for All Seasons.” It is just a really good history movie. Another movie I like because of the costumes and sets is “Lion in Winter,” but the dialogue is pure 20th century.
Q: What is your favorite part of teaching history?
A: Teaching freshmen courses and watching what happens to students in the course of a year as they learn to write and think and seeing the light go on behind their eyes when they understand something and get really excited about it.
Q: If you had to choose an area of expertise, other than Tudor and Stuart England, what would you choose? Why?
A: I would like to learn two or three foreign languages. I am learning Italian and I have more control over that than I did over the French and German I took in high school and college. I would probably also learn German and Arabic.
Q: If you were a contestant on “Survivor,” what would be the one item you would take that you can’t live without?
A: My iPod.
Q: If you could meet one historical figure, who would you choose?
A: Ignatius of Loyola.
Q: When do you serve pasta to the students?
A: Every Friday I am home between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. I have an open house for students to come and get pasta.
Q: If you were able to live anywhere else, where would it be?
A: New York City. It is my home. The place is always alive, the subway never stops running. There is so much to do there.
Q: What is your favorite kind of pasta?
A: I like heavier pasta like spaghetti or fetuccini with tomato sauce.
Q: When did you decide to start cooking pasta for the students?
A: In 1984, about five RAs came knocking on my door and said if they did the dishes, could they have the leftovers? And so I did and then I thought what the heck? I started having an open house.
Q: If you weren’t a professor, what would you be doing?
A: I would probably teach high school or run a parish.
Q: Do you have any advice for your students?
A: Work hard. Major in something that excites you because it will shape you and the way you look at the world. Get involved with extracurriculars, but know that this is a university and at the center of that is academics.
Q: Is there anything else you think your students should know about you?
A: They find out a lot about me in class.
2007 Election Guide
Stephanie Metz
Assistant Campus News Editor
Although all Xavier students can choose to register to vote in Hamilton County, where he or she lives determines the ballot they use on election day, Nov. 6.
Students living on campus are voting within the city of Cincinnati. However, depending where off-campus students live, they may be voting in the Cincinnati or Norwood elections.
On-campus voters can vote in the Gallagher Center from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Students voting in Cincinnati will vote for nine City Council Members, three Cincinnati School District Board Members and one Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge for District 2.
Students voting in the city of Norwood will elect Norwood’s Mayor, Auditor, President of Norwood City Council, Law Director and three Norwood City Council members, according to the ward in which they reside. Norwood residents will also elect two Norwood School District Board Members and one Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge for District 4.
Cincinnati and Norwood voters can vote on the following issues:
agilitynut.com
State Issue #1: Adult entertaintment restrictions
Issue 1 is a state issue dealing with Senate Bill 16 regarding “the operation of sexually oriented businesses and adult entertainment establishments.” The bill deals with enforcing state legislation on sexually oriented businesses, their business hours and the conduct of customers and employees. The bill also prohibits customers and employees of these businesses from touching each other while on the premises or while nude. It stipulates that violations of the no-touch laws will result in a fourth or first degree misdemeanor.
Local Issue #27: Jail Tax
Issue 27 would increase the sales tax over the next 15 years in order to support Criminal Justice Services in Hamilton County including expansion of jail space, rehabilitation programs for both adults and juveniles as well as crime prevention programs.
Local Issue #28: Drug addiction and mental health programs
Issue 28 is a renewal and increase of a tax to provide funding for Hamilton County alcohol and drug addiction programs, mental health programs and mental health facilities over the next five years beginning in 2008.
Local Issue #29: Senior Services Tax
Issue 29 is a renewal and increase of a tax to support Senior Citizens Services over the next five years beginning in 2008.
Local Issue #39: Norwood tax
Norwood voters only can vote on Issue 39. This issue is a renewal of a tax to support the City of Norwood’s operating expenses. The tax would take effect in 2008 and would be active for the next five years.
Local Issue #22: Levy for school district
Cincinnati voters only can vote on Issue 22, a proposed tax levy to benefit the Cincinnati City School District. This tax levy includes a levy for $65 million and a levy for $0.995 of every hundred dollars over the next five years beginning in 2008.
More information about voter registration, polling locations, hours and ballots can be found at the League of Women Voters website, http://www.lwvcincinnati.org/ or the Hamilton County Board of Elections website, http://www.hamilton-co.org/BOE/.
Former boy-band member runs for city council
blogs.citybeat.com
Justin Jeffre
Former ‘98°’ member, Justin Jeffre is running for Cincinnati City Council in the Nov. 6 election.
Jeffre is running on a campaign based on fighting for the rights of all and allowing people more say in their government.
He also wants Cincinnati’s anti-marijuana laws, which he said are too tough on small-time offenders, repealed because he said, “the city’s draconian anti-marijuana laws are pushing a disproportionate amount of African-Americans into the criminal injustice system, and we need to repeal it.”
His campaign promises also include revitalizing the riverfront and improving mass transportation. Jeffre ran for mayor in 2005, but received less than two percent of votes.
Jeffre planned, but did not succeed, in creating a documentary or reality TV show based on his campaign. Since then, Jeffre created a grassroots media project called the “Cincinnati Beacon.”
“The Beacon” features interviews with local politicians, investigative reporting, labor news and views of what’s happening in Cincinnati.
Biolog-ical chairs
Megan Jacobs
Staff Writer
Dr. Carolyn Chambers, left, and Dr. Dorothy Engle, right.
Biology Chair and professor of vertebrate anatomy Carolyn Chambers has accepted a job as the Dean of Science, Engineering and Math at Cerritos College in Los Angeles, leaving an opening in the Biology department.
The two main issues concerning her departure are who will teach the vertebrate anatomy classes and who will be the Biology Department Chair.
Chambers assures that students’ class schedules will not be affected. Several teachers switched schedules to fill gaps to help students taking vertebrate anatomy next semester.
Associate Professor Lisa Close-Jacob said that Dr. Dorothy Engle agreed to become the new chair. Furthermore, the vertebrate anatomy lecture will be taught by Dr. Rebecca Code, a faculty member at Ohio University College of Medicine next semester.
Police Notes
Oct. 22, 12:00 p.m. A student reported a hit-and-run accident in the R-1 lot.
Oct. 23, 1:27 p.m A student reported that someone tampered with his bicycle parked in a Village hallway.
Oct. 23, 6:07 p.m. An officer on patrol discovered the gated entrance to the Zumbiel property had been damaged.
Oct. 23, 9:31 p.m. A student and a guest were cited for smoking marijuana in a residence hall.
Oct. 25, 5:51 p.m. A non-student was arrested in the C-1 lot on two outstanding warrants.
Oct. 27, 3:07 p.m. Campus Police investigated a roommate dispute in the Commons. The matter was handed over to Res Life.
Oct. 27, 5:53 p.m. A student reported that the rear sliding glass door in the Village apartment had been broken.
Oct. 28, 12:26 a.m. A student observed urinating in the woods near the Health Center was cited for underage consumption and indecency.
Oct. 28, 12:57 a.m. A student carrying an open container in the Elet lot was cited for underage consumption.
Oct. 28, 2:04 a.m. An officer on patrol checked on a non-student vomiting out of a parked car window in the Zumbiel lot. The non-student and a student in the car were both cited for underage consumption and transported to their residences.
Oct. 28, 2:47 a.m. Two non-students dressed in baby costumes were escorted out of Husman Hall after being observed trying to kick in doorways.
Police Note of the Week
Oct. 28, 2:57 a.m. A student dressed in all black was seen pointing a toy gun into the air at the corner of Woodburn Avenue and Dana Avenue. When asked about the situation, the student said he was in his Halloween costume. The student was warned about the dangers of dressing like a suspect in a known robbery and had the toy gun confiscated.
Katie Rosenbaum
Campus News Editor
Leader nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2008 Emerging Leaders Retreat that will be held on Jan. 25 and 26. Nominations for freshmen and sophomores can be brought to the Office of Student Involvement, Room 320 in Gallagher or emailed to xuplt@xavier.edu. For more information call x3662.
Coffee hour
There will be a Spanish coffee hour 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 in the Faces of the World lounge on the 2nd floor of the GSC. Contact mckinneys1@xavier.edu or call x2872 for more information.
Etiquette dinner
An etiquette dinner is being held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1 in the Cintas Banquet Room. The Etiquette Dinner is a great chance to learn professional dining etiquette while networking with employers over a four-course meal. For more information, contact csc@xavier.edu or call x3141.
GOAL panel
Join the Gentleman Organized for Achievement and Leadership (G.O.A.L.) in a panel and open forum discussion at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 1 in Albers 103. The discussion will be centered on the state of the Black Athlete in America. The scope of conversation will range from NFL superstars to Olympic gold medalists. Come hear opinions of Xavier student athletes and share your own. Contact Aaron Marble at marblea@xavier.edu for more information.
Fredin scholarship
Application for the Fredin Memorial Scholarship must be completed and returned on Monday, Nov. 5, to Alter Hall room 124. Information and applications for the 2008-09 Fredin Memorial Scholarships are available from the Associate Dean of Arts and Sciences in Alter Hall. The recipients will be announced in December. Contact Mary Behan at x3171 for more information.
Guitar concert
There will be a classical guitar concert hosted by Thomas Vilotean from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4 in the Gallagher Theater. Contact huber@xavier.edu or call x3161 for more information.
Stargazing trip
The Outdoor Club is hosting a trip to the Hyde Park Observatory from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4. The club will be meeting at Bellarmine circle at 5 p.m. to carpool to the observatory. There will be a cookout with s’mores followed by stargazing and a tour. RSVP with Amy at westheimera@xavier.edu.
Speaker series
The first installment of this year’s Third Annual Vision of Hope Speakers Series is at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 5 in Kelley Auditorium. Dr. Ron Glossop will be speaking on “Democratic World Order: The Challenge of Permanent Peace — Moving Toward a Democratic World.” For additional information, please contact Patrick Welage at welage@xavier.edu or call x3768.
Approach retreat
Applications for the Approach retreat for sophomores, juniors and seniors are now available at the Loyola House. The registration deadline is Monday, Nov. 5. Only the first 20 men and 20 women to sign up will get to attend, so sign up early to make sure that you reserve your spot. The retreat will take place from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 at Milford Jesuit Spiritual Center. The cost is $50 with a $25 deposit. The retreat will allow you to focus on your relationship with yourself, others and God. Contact Mike Shawver in Campus Ministry at x3321 or shawverm@xavier.edu for more information.
Peace Diet
Advocates for Animals club will be hosting Dr. Will Tuttle at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov.1, in the first floor Banquet Hall of Cintas Center. Dr. Tuttle will be discussing his groundbreaking book, “The World Peace Diet,” which describes the invisible connections between what we eat and the psychological, social, spiritual, health and environmental problems we face. This event is free for students and faculty and $5 for the general public. Contact afaxavier@yahoo.com for more information.
