The great divide: How the film industry is splitting into two parts

Evan Fox

Editor

The summer blockbuster season is about to kick off with “Avengers: Age of Ultron” coming out today in the U.S. When people think about summer movies, they think about grandiose displays of CGI (computer-generated imagery) and epic battles. They prepare to munch on some buttery popcorn and be entertained by the bombastic spectacle before them. The Coliseum is an adequate comparison for some avid fans.

Weekends will be spent in the large auditorium, discussions about theories and characters will become heated, and much fun will be had. It is a time of joy and suspense as moviegoers prepare for the thrill they’ve been waiting months or years for come to life onscreen. Critics’ responses will not match the box office gross, but who cares? It was awesome!

Change of heart: Campus reaction to Dr. Borsig’s decision to remain active as MUW president

Charlie Benton

Features Editor

On April 9, President Jim Borsig called a faculty convocation and announced that he would be declining the position of state commissioner of higher learning in order to remain president of the W.

Borsig, who was slated to take office as commissioner on April 15, cited many factors in his decision.

In the short speech he made after his announcement, he said that his decision had been made after much thought, reflection and prayer. He mentioned that many faculty and students had approached him about his decision to leave the W, and emphasized the importance of the students’ concerns to him.

Chasing Dreams: Spring graduates who plan to change the world

Joanna Frye

Reporter

Graduating from college is an exciting time. It is the time when students plan for the future and prepare for a full-time career. Seniors are chasing their dreams and hoping to impact those around them. Here are three seniors who plan to bring change to their areas of study.

Bill Edmonson, Business Administration

“My plan is to get a job in Columbus to work in sales or finance. I want to impact people through wherever I work. It is mostly my faith that has really big impact on me. I want to show that same compassion for other people and to take myself out of easy situations.

The MUW Theatre Program: Art through Community

Ryan Lake

Reporter

Mississippi University for Women is well-known for its nursing program, but tucked away on back campus in Cromwell Hall is a hidden gem – the MUW theatre program.

“We typically have around 20 students. It can be a struggle to attract students. We’ve been working to attract them over the years. The three of us in the department work professionally, we know what it’s like in real world theater, and we network. We establish a network of theatres and get our students internships,” said David Carter, the chair of the Theatre Department.

Carter has been chair of the theatre program for one year. He took over for long-time chair William “Peppy” Biddy, who helped to start the network that aids the program in attracting students. The program also benefits from large amounts of alumni support, particularly in bringing in staff and talent for productions.

Faculty Spotlight: Derek Webb

Tevin Arrington

Senior Reporter

Derek Webb is fairly new addition to the W family. He is originally from South Bend, Ind., and now lives in Columbus with his wife Amber Handy, an associate professor of history here at the W.  He took on the duty of becoming the archivist for Mississippi University for Women in January of 2013.

Q: What brought you to the W as the university’s archivist?

A: “Well, I had started volunteering in the archives in August of 2012, just kind of helping out where I could. And over the next six months, I gradually transitioned from that into full-time work as university archivist.”

W calls attention to suicide awareness

Velvet Case

Religion Editor

Suicide. When people hear this word, it either scares them or does not mean anything to them at all.

This word may induce fear because a person knew someone who committed suicide, thus the word has a vivid memory attached.

Contrarily, the word may be something that a person never thinks about. Many people are oblivious to the seriousness of suicide issues in our generation.

Cheese, Wine and Memories

Ryan LakeHarvey delivering his lecture

Reporter

The W hosted Dr. Benjamin Harvey, associate professor of Art History at Mississippi State, for the Howard Art History Lecture as he delved into his own family history.

Students and faculty alike were welcomed into the Fine Arts building lobby were they were treated to hor d'oeuvres and red and white wine by the glass. Attendees were treated to Harvey and his family’s legacy of art and exploration.

Harvey took the gallery stage to applause. His prominent British accent made clear that his baccalaureate and masters degrees were earned from the University of Birmingham—the one in England, not Alabama.

Cross Culture at the W

Velvet Case

Religion Editor

Cross Culture is making a difference on the W campus through its lunchtime Bible studies and other outreaches

Cross Culture meets every Thursday at noon in Carrier Chapel for lunch and a short Bible study. Students said they find this time to be a refreshing break between their classes.

"The middle of the day is such a great time for friends around campus to meet up, unwind, fellowship together and study the Word," said Steven McIntosh, a biology major. "I just love being a part of it every week!"