Student Spotlight: Kelly Idella Benford

Frederick L. Brown

Reporter

Kelly Idella Benford, a sophomore communication major and theatre minor, is from Greenville, Miss. Benford is a 2014 graduate of Greenville Weston High School. Benford is a very talented dancer and serves as the vice-president of the Audacity Dance Team on campus. Benford is also dealing with a rare skin disorder called "ichythyosis."

Ichthyosis is a family of genetic skin disorders characterized by dry, scaling skin that may be thickened or very thin. Ichthyosis affects people of all ages, races and gender, and there is currently no cure for the disorder. While a cure is being sought, researchers and physicians have been working to develop effective ways to help manage the disorder. For more information, visit www.firstskinfoundation.org.

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Math teacher by day, martial artist by a little later in the day

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Eric Wiggins

Reporter

A mathematics professor at The W has decided to share her martial arts knowledge with students.

On Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. and Thursdays from 2-4 p.m., students can participate in the aikido club in Pohl gymnasium. Aikido is a Japanese martial art that focuses primarily on redirecting momentum into falls and rolls. Dr. Susan Ficken teaches intermediate algebra, pre-calculus and modern algebra. She has also been practicing aikido since 2006 and encourages everyone to try it at least once. 

You can always choose whoever you want to be

Asia Duren

Editor

For as long as I can remember, Halloween has been my mother's favorite holiday. She says she likes the idea of getting to be whatever, or whoever, you want to be once a year. (She also really likes that we don't have to throw parties and give presents.) My question is this: Why can't we be whatever we want to be every day?

When you ask a child what he or she wants to be for Halloween, you get a broad spectrum of replies. You could get anything from a dog to an astronaut to a trash can (yes, I was a trash can one year). So we laugh and think to ourselves, why does this child want to be this? Personally, I wanted to hide in my trash can and scare people walking by. I thought my costume would be hilarious, and I like to make people laugh. 

Weekly Update 10/18/2015

Stories include: 
Dr. Borsig inducted into Hall of Fame
University Priorities Conversations
Intramural Flag Football Tournament Results
Theatre professor makes sitcom debut
Welty Writers' Symposium and Gala
W Walks to Lunch
Rattle Them Bones 5K

Thanks to this week's talent and crew:
Eric Wiggins - Talent
Chris Richardson - Talent
Patrick Wiggins - Broadcast Director
Jessica Barnett - Teleprompter

The W celebrates pride with LGBT Days

Mallory Johnston

Reporter

The W hosted LGBT Days last week as a way of bringing the community together to celebrate LGBT+ pride on campus.

There were four official events spread out over three days. On Monday, students handed out rainbow ribbons in front of the cafeteria. On Tuesday, participants were invited to earn a special certification through "Safe Zone." Those who complete Safe Zone training are called allies, and they offer an environment for people of any race, sex or orientation to talk about personal issues in their life without fear of judgment or ridicule. People who took this course learned what it meant to be an ally and how to be open to anyone having problems on campus. Certification allows them to display a placard in their office or living space that promotes a safe campus system.