WMUW hosts a diverse lineup

Joanna Frye

Reporter

WMUW has a variety of radio shows lined up this semester. For a diverse student population, it can be hard to find radio shows that are diverse and appeal to a wide range of musical or news interests. The student-run shows provide just what the listener wants to hear.

Here are some of this semester’s shows:

“The name of my show is called ‘Weekend Warm-up.’ It’s on Friday from 6-7 p.m. It’s a show that plays gospel contemporary rap, like Lecrae and Andy Mineo. I talk about what is happening in the town, on campus or what’s on my mind. I hope listeners will find inspiration from the show,” said Chris Richardson, a junior communication major.

College Music Society Conference Returns to MUW

Charlie Benton

Feature Editor

The Southern Regional Chapter of the College Music Society held its annual conference in Poindexter Hall on the W campus from Feb. 19 -21.

“[The College Music Society] is an umbrella society founded around 1960. It’s a society for all people involved in music, especially in academia,” said Ann Silverberg, past president of the chapter, and a professor at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn.

About 85 members attended, mostly coming from Southern states such as Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida. The conference, held annually at different universities throughout the South, returned to the W for the first time since 1996.

Black History Month: What Does Campus Think?

Jacqueline Crosland

Reporter

February is a month reserved for one of the most interesting and tumultuous times in American history. Though it is meant as a celebration of history and the gains that have been made, Black History Month is a source of controversy for some people. They believe that black history should not be limited to a single month.

Towanda Williams, assistant director of career services, noted a lot of effort goes into emphasizing Black History Month. She wants to know what happens afterwards.

On the Shoulders of a Giant: “Better Call Saul”

Pedro Acevedo

Managing Editor

It has been almost a year and half since the critically acclaimed TV series “Breaking Bad” ended its five season run, but the hype is far from over. True to one of the many memorable phrases of the show, people have a lot to remember its name by.

The clever writing and memorable characters earned the show countless awards, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series in Drama and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. To date, the show holds the Guinness World Record for being the highest-rated TV series of all time, with a Metacritic score of 99 out of 100.

Feedback Frenzy Party Offers Students Opportunity to Voice Their Opinions About Food

Tevin Arrington

Senior Writer

The Student Government Association and Sodexo Dining Services are planning to host an event in McDevitt Hall called “Feedback Frenzy Party.”

The party will present students with the opportunity to voice their views about the food in the cafeteria, while encouraging students to take the dining services survey while at the event.

Every semester, Sodexo administers a survey to solicit feedback from students on how the service in the cafeteria can be approved.  Allen Johnson, manager of Hogarth Dining Services, noticed that only a small percentage of the student body participates in these surveys.

Blog: The Importance of Friendship

Velvet Case

Religion Editor

Quality friendships can be one of the strongest support systems we will have as college students. Many of us have moved away from home to attend college, and our families no longer live close by us. Now that we are virtually on our own, who we allow to get close to us is very important.

For the past two years of my life, I have been extremely close with this one particular friend. I knew that I could go to this friend for absolutely anything. This friend was there for me when I woke up and when I went to sleep, not to mention all the time in between.

2015 State Honors Conference Coming to MUW Campus

Daysha Humphrey

Campus Editor

Mississippi University for Women’s Ina E. Gordy Honors College is hosting the 2015 State Honors Conference on Feb. 27-28 in Rent Auditorium.

The conference will feature honors programs from various universities within the state of Mississippi. It provides a chance for faculty and students to present their research to others outside of their universities.

According to Amber Shoffner, the W’s honors college administrative assistant, the conference is open to all of the honors programs in the state.

International Series Explores Spanish Culture

Pedro Acevedo

Managing Editor

Mississippi University for Women is hosting its annual International Series events which this year will feature speakers, demonstrations and workshops focused on the diversity and culture of Spain.

The 2015 edition began on Monday with the program “When Speaking of Spanish, Expect the Unexpected,” a discussion on the linguistic diversity in Spain. The event was led by Erinn Holloway, instructor of Spanish at MUW, and Dr. Thomas Longton, a retired associate professor of Spanish at the university.

The series will continue on Feb. 24 with a flamenco dance performance and workshop in Cochran Hall taught by Helena Longmire, a native of Spain and long-time resident of the Golden Triangle.

Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat” is coming to the W

Asia Duren

Reporter

The MUW theatre department will perform Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat,” this month in Rent Auditorium in Whitfield Hall. It will be performed four times for schools, along with one public performance.

The show is being presented in conjunction with the Columbus Arts Council and will be performed for more than 5,000 children. The decision to have only one general public performance was easy for William “Peppy” Biddy, director of “The Cat in the Hat,” and professor of theatre at MUW.

“The theatre in Whitfield holds four or five times what our theatre here holds, so one show there [will] be like doing 40 shows here,” said Biddy.

The production is a learning opportunity for many of those involved. Karen Thead, a junior theatre major is playing Sally, and she explained that playing a child has been challenging for her.

“It is my first child role, so it’s drastically different from anything I’ve ever done. ‘The Cat in the Hat’ was such an integral part of my childhood, and being able to look back at the book and imagine myself as that character has been a lot of fun, but it has also been very challenging,” Thead said.

The show has also given younger students opportunities to broaden their horizons. Gabby Lestrade, a freshman, was given the opportunity to work on the technology for the show. She said she has learned this job is extremely important.

“I am nervous about the technology that’s used because one wrong click can turn the whole show upside down. It’s also my first time doing a tech job, and it’s an important tech job. It gives me a sense of responsibility that I haven’t had before,” Lestrade said.

Acquiring the rights to produce “The Cat in the Hat” means that the MUW theatre department is required to use the same props, the same scenery and the same lighting as the original show produced by the National Theatre of Great Britain. However, none of that worries Biddy. In fact, Biddy’s largest concern is rehearsing in one space and actually doing the show in another venue.

“In some aspects this is a traveling show. Even though we’re only going a mile down the road there are things that we’ll have to translate onto that stage. We have a few tricks that we aren’t going to be able to rehearse until we get over there. Of course, I won’t give those away and spoil the surprise, but it will be fun.”

The show will be performed in Rent Auditorium in Whitfield Hall on front campus. The public performance will be on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. Admission for children and students is $5, while adult tickets are $10.