Access Now rallies for respect, understanding

Access Now may be only one organization among over eighty on campus, but its influence breaches the boundaries of a small voice among many. The organization, which advocates for students with disabilities at Hamline, is well into the realm of activism.

Last Tuesday, a cluster of diverse staff and students gathered in the GLC Art Gallery for a symposium on the issue of disabilities on campus. Chairs became scarce as the cluster increased to a significantly large group of participants.

Free T-shirts designed by first-year Adrienne Kleinman were given away to those who attended the meeting. Access Now President Aryn Arnold took the floor to introduce the set of speaker, which began with Kleinman.

Urban educators help struggling students make the grade

Allan Olvera
Production Manager

By helping students build skills as urban educators while also building communites, the Center for Excellence in Urban Education brings a positive dynamic to Hamline University and the Twin Cities.

Housed in the south-east corner of campus, an inconspicuous grouping of offices serve not only as a guide for students’ professional development, but also as an important part of the greater Twin Cities community.

Those offices belong to the Center for Excellence in Urban Teaching (CEUT). An integral part of Hamline, the CEUT office is where undergraduate and graduate students alike can gain real teaching experience and foster professional development in communities throughout the Twin Cities.

Though CEUT is in a state of transition as it moves its offices to a new location, it is still able to operate efficiently despite the flurry of activity.

Editorial: Lacking class courtesy

As upperclassmen here at Hamline, we on the editorial board of the Oracle have noticed a deteriorating state of classroom etiquette, and we’re sure many professors could attest to this fact. This is not to lay the blame on anyone, or group of people, in particular. Our goal is to bring this problem to attention, so that the issue can be addressed.

Each of us has noticed many instances of whispering, cell phone calls and late-comers interrupting the flow of class. These events have proved to be very distracting to our educational experience. Please save discussion for after class, or better yet, participate in the discussion at hand! If you have something to say, please share it with us. We are in class to have a participatory educational encounter with our fellow students.

Jarhead lacks chemistry

At a recent viewing of Jarhead, I found something lacking throughout the movie. The film certainly had a plot (actually, it was a fairly crisp, though routine story). It was dark and sometimes shocking, as expected from the mind of the man who brought us American Beauty, and the pedigree of actors was excellent.
Jarhead featured two Oscar winners, as well as current “It” boy Jake Gyllenhaal.

For nearly a week, I couldn’t put my finger on it, until I ran across one of my favorite comedies of the 1930’s,The Thin Man, and suddenly it became clear to me: Jarhead has no chemistry. No, I’m not talking about that particular science subject I have no chance of ever comprehending; I’m referring to when actors seem to sizzle and mesh on screen.

First annual FCA dodgeball tournament sees huge success and fast competition

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) held a dodgeball tournament at the Walker Field House to
raise money for their organization last Wednesday.

But why choose dodgeball? What is so alluring about this game for college students?

The FCA got the idea from the intramural dodgeball tournament that was held last year.

“Everybody likes dodgeball. It’s a fun game,” said junior Caitlin Goodin, an FCA leader.

It turns out that she is indeed correct. A lot of people like dodgeball, as was evidenced by over 100 people who came to play in or watch the teams compete in the tournament.

Found in the Crowd: Janessa Wentworth, Senior

Everyone, has a specific quality or characteristic that sets them apart from the other masses of people in this world. Maybe they have a crazy hair style, a brightly colored jacket, or perhaps a small yappy dog that draws attention. But senior Janessa Wentworth stands apart for two reasons; her obviously lofty height, and more importantly, her joyfully animated personality, which she claims she got from her beloved, crazy father. However, as I sat on the couch next to her, listening to her stories and watching her eat Milk Duds, I discovered there was a bit more to the story.

Lauren Vikander/Oracle: So you’re a senior and very close to graduation. What is something that is a driving force in your everyday life?

Janessa Wentworth: Well, my major. Management. And it’s funny that you ask because this is a question that I’ve been asking myself a lot recently too. I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do and what I want to be. I am an incredibly competitive and incredibly motivated person in general. I’m pretty confident in myself, so I know my place is interaction with other people in the business world. And I know that I have the abilities, attitude and motivation to make it in that area. So that’s where my passion lies as well.